City Commission Workshop

APPROVED 2/02/2023 MINUTES City Commission Workshop 5:00 PM - Thursday, December 01, 2022 - City Hall CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:02 P.M. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE PRESENT: Commissioner Nan Cobb, Commissioner Willie Hawkins, Vice Mayor Emily Lee, Commissioner Karen LeHeup-Smith and Mayor Michael Holland 1. WORKSHOP ITEM WITH DISCUSSION, PUBLIC INPUT AND DIRECTION 1.1 Presentation on upcoming State Road 19 improvements Mayor Holland announced the workshop was being held in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation. Rick Gierok, Public Works Director, commented on meetings held with FOOT regarding State Road 19, speeding and pedestrian crossing issues. He reported that in 2019 they conducted a MMSA (multi-modal mobility and safety assessment). He explained what that entailed noting it included a 2.5 day meeting which resulted in a report and helped the City obtain some funding. He then reported there was a public meeting in summer 2022. Mr. Gierok explained that they will be losing parking on the street due to safety issues. He indicated staff recently received a new set of plans for review. He introduced Kevin Tasillo to provide a presentation on the project. Kevin Tasillo, Kisinger Campo and Associates (KCA) civil engineering and consulting firm, explained they are contracted with FOOT to work on the State Road 19 improvements. He introduced Nick Russin also with KCA. Mr. Tasillo explained the boundaries of the project and reviewed the history of the project with the goal being to implement enhancements as part of a resurfacing project; however, there was no funding at that time. He stated that in 2020 they were provided a scope to design seven intersection improvements. He noted that from Floral to Eustis Avenue was recently reconstructed so there would be no additional work in that area. He reviewed what would be included in the corridor improvements citing rehabilitation of the existing pavement, implementation of safety enhancements such as reducing travel lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet, introducing more curb bulb-outs, improving sidewalks with ADA features, driveway and side street access, evaluation of sight distances, and implementing landscaping throughout the corridor. Mr. Tasillo explained the safety improvements will include slowing traffic down with features such as raised intersections. He explained the five intersections recommended to be raised and further explained how that will improve safety. He added that bulb-outs will help improve pedestrian safety by reducing travel distances for pedestrians. He Eustis City Commission Page 1 of 4 December 01, 2022  provided a rendering of a bulb-out with parking lanes. He stated that reducing the pavement will reduce travel speeds and improve safety. Nick Russin, traffic engineer with KCA, reviewed the four signalization projects and what each will include. He noted that three will be completely reconstructed and one will be improved to meet certain standards. He stated that each will receive new signal equipment and all of the signals will be upgraded to microwave video detection rather than in-pavement loops. He added they will also be introducing new pedestrian signals and street name signs so the signals are easier to recognize. He noted the smart signal standards introduced by FOOT for the district will be implemented at all of the signals which will allow DOT to collect traffic and crash data and help them plan for future improvements. He cited the following intersections to be improved: 1) Grove Street and Orange Ave.; 2) Bay St. and Clifford Ave.; 3) Bay Street and Orange Ave.; and 4) Bay Street and Citrus/Lakeshore Dr. Mr. Russin then discussed the planned crosswalk improvements particularly those not at the signalized intersections. He stated there are many crosswalks throughout Eustis that will be targeted for improvements for pedestrian safety and mobility. He indicated they will be installing new traffic control devices at the crosswalks with the intent to alert motorists with more warning that there is a pedestrian entering the crosswalk and crossing SR 19. He described the specific devices to be used and how they will enhance pedestrian safety. Mr. Russin then reported on the planned on-street parking improvements. He noted that there are some existing spaces that violate FDOT's criteria for line of sight obstruction. He indicated that the intent will be to eliminate those obstructions to allow for safer turning movements onto SR19. He added they will be reducing the parking by approximately 21 % to a total of 172 spaces. He provided an example of an area where parking will be reduced due to line of sight issues. He emphasized that only those parking spaces that are in violation will be removed. Mr. Russin then reported on signage and pavement markings throughout the corridor noting that there will be fresh markings throughout the project as well as new markings that will be designed to promote slower speeds and prevent wrong way driving. He detailed various changes to the markings and cited the signage that will be replaced. He then reviewed the planned improvements to the streetlighting. He explained that FOOT has vertical illumination criteria required for all crosswalks at signalized intersections or where crossing SR 19. He added that the criteria is designed to insure that the front face of a pedestrian in a crosswalk is illuminated for approaching motorists. Mr. Russin provided an overview of the entire project citing specific locations and what improvements would be provided at each. Mr. Tasillo reported they are currently in the design phase and just submitted the Phase 3 plans to FOOT and the City for review. He estimated the cost for design at $2 million and that design would conclude in early 2023. He indicated they do not have any additional right-of-way requirements and it is funded for construction in late 2023. He stated the bids would be let in late October at an estimated cost of $6 .2 million for construction. He added that the contractor should be mobilized in early 2024. The Commission asked about landscaping for any of the bulb-outs with Mr.Tasillo confirming there would be landscaping. Eustis City Commission Page 2 of 4 December 01, 2022  The Commission then asked about utilization of the stamped brick treatment with Mr. Tasillo responding that the current plans will only include the existing bricks at Magnolia and Grove Street. He indicated they would take them out and put them back. The stamped asphalt will be used at the other intersections. Mr. Gierok commented on use of the stamped asphalt. He noted the existing bricks are ten years old and in poor condition. If the City wants the stamped asphalt, it will have to be funded by the City due to being out of scope. The Commission indicated that would need to be discussed moving forward. It was noted that they can't put brick on a FOOT road. The Commission then asked if the lighting wires to power street lights would be underground or overhead with Mr. Russin explaining that is maintained by Duke Energy. He stated the intent right now is to keep overhead; however, they are meeting next week to discuss with Duke. He noted that there is a lot of underground utilities in place which complicates the issue. The Commission confirmed the project would be completed in about nine phases over about a year and a half. The Commission asked about the "wrong way" lights with Mr. Russin explaining there are no actual lights. He stated there are just reflectors along the arrow with reflectors going in the correct direction being white and the wrong way is red. They are placed approximately fifty feet ahead of the intersection to alert motorists they have turned the wrong way. The Commission asked whether Orange and Bay would be raised with Mr. Tasillo indicating they would not be raising either Orange and Bay or Orange and Grove. The Commission asked if the bulb-outs slow down or deter trucks from coming through the City with Mr. Tasillo indicating it is not specifically targeting trucks; however, due to the lower speeds they may choose an alternate route. The Commission asked if crosswalks would be added going east and west with Mr. Russin indicating that the safety enhancements are only planned for those that actually cross SR19. He indicated the crosswalks on the side streets are "stop" controlled so there is no need for the enhanced crosswalks. The Commission asked about handicapped access for crossing SR 19 with Mr. Russin further explaining that if there is a crosswalk that crosses SR 19, there will be a bulb-out with sidewalk reconstruction including wheelchair ramps and a button to activate the flashing beacon . The Commission asked if the crosswalks would include sound for the visually impaired with Mr. Russin stating that the design does not currently include that. He explained they are included on a case by case basis depending on whether or not there are visually impaired residents in the area. He added they would have to discuss that with the City and FOOT. The Commission further questioned about the sound warnings with Mr. Russin explaining that if it was determined those were needed, the speaker is directed down toward the pavement so the noise doesn't spill beyond the area. Eustis City Commission Page 3 of 4 December 01, 2022  The Commission asked about the sidewalks and inroad lighting with Mr. Russin explaining the lighting is imbedded in the asphalt in the travel lane to identify the limits of the crosswalk for the pedestrians and an oncoming vehicle. The Commission cited the drainage issues at Orange and Bay and asked if work on that would be affected by the DOT project. Mr. Gierok responded they are removing one inlet that actually goes nowhere. He stated that the DOT project will not redesign that. He explained the issues surrounding the drainage problem. He indicated he has had two different engineers look at the issue. He further explained that the last time the locks to Lake Eustis were adjusted it resulted in a higher water level which affects the City. The Commission asked if the intersection at Orange and Bay could be gradually raised to improve the issue with Mr. Gierok responding that would be a major adjustment and would affect the surrounding private property. It was suggested that they consider using the retention pond near Tip Tops with Mr. Gierok indicating that pond is very small for the volume of water. He then explained that when they did the downtown stormwater everything to the north of the center line of Orange Avenue was routed to the other side. He stated he has funds budgeted but has been unable to get an engineer to design an answer to the problem. He commented on what occurs during extremely heavy rains. Mr. Gierok complimented FOOT on the excellent communication stating that they have a good team between FOOT and KCA. He indicated they listen to the City's feedback. He acknowledged they will lose some parking but the safety needs to be improved. Mayor Holland asked him to communicate to FOOT that the City is still unhappy with the landscape maintenance at SR19 and Highway 441. 2. ADJOURNMENT: 5:41 p.m. *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. c~ ~ CHRISTINE HALLORAN MICHAEL L. HOLLAND City Clerk Mayor/Commissioner Eustis City Commission Page 4 of 4 December 01, 2022