Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES November 21, 2013 In attendance: Members Staff Guests Robert Strickland Tim Miller, Public Works none Shawn Smith George Baxter, Everett Transit J.T. Dray Michael Brick, Public Works Victor Harris Jeffrey Marks, Public Works William Weber Ryan Sass, Public Works Kris Hausmann 8:18 a.m. Shawn Smith called the meeting to order.  M/S/P approving the September 2013 meeting minutes. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  J.T. announced that he was going to attend the Transit meeting in the evening. He wished to attach comments from that meeting to the TAC minutes. It was agreed that such comments would be agreeable to have record of.  Some discussion ensued about the quadrangle work at the intersection of Colby and Hewitt. For a time, the traffic signals were turned off and the intersection became a four-way stop. Many pedestrians had commented during that time that they liked it better as a four-way stop, versus with regular street lights. Victor agreed that he felt a four-way stop was better for pedestrians, as it required drivers to stop and look before proceeding, making safety better. Ryan talked about how he witnessed traffic flow moving well while visiting the area over the weekend. Shawn also noted the same. There had been some concerns from local businesses that the temporary change may hurt business traffic, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Ryan remarked that the heaviest times of traffic queuing were right around 6 p.m. Ultimately, traffic signals have been put back in operation and that traffic – though working well as a four- way stop – was still better off being controlled by traffic signals and crossing signals for pedestrians.  There was some minor discussion about the restricted left-turn at the quadrangle. Because Colby is single-lane, someone waiting to make a left-turn would severely hold up traffic behind him while waiting for an opening. Citizen’s Comments  None Engineering Report  Ryan announced he had sent an email with links to source documents to prepare for the update to the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. He mentioned he would also be sending out a personal “Part II” plan he’d like to focus on for the updates. He said the  last Transportation Element was the first “all-modes” plan to include buses, bikes, pedestrians, as well as other transportation-related items. He talked a bit about the hierarchy of modes, and that this update would be a good start for the City’s comprehensive plan.  There was added discussion surrounding the Sound Transit light rail concept (ST3). Ryan expressed concerns about the process, as it is currently being envisioned as riding along the I-5 right-of-way, which doesn’t serve Everett well. He felt the route should also include the Boeing/aerospace center and serve areas that can develop density surrounding the route. So long as it uses the I-5 corridor, it tends to cause Everett develop like a regional Park-and-Ride. True light rail, he explained, should be adjacent to dense residential neighborhoods or through areas were dense development can grow around the route.  Bob Strickland asked if Sound Transit has already made the final decisions as to how the light rail would operate. Ryan said that hadn’t, other than that the “end point” is currently designated to be at Everett Station. Members of the TAC agreed with Ryan that it would be better if the rail could continue north to the Hospital and College campus area, but Ryan said that is currently outside Sound Transit’s planned scope.  Ryan said he would like some help in bringing prioritization principles for pedestrian sidewalk improvements. The focus would be primarily in South Everett, possibly near schools. This would be high-level considerations and guidance from the committee. Currently, there is no standing annual budget for sidewalks and pedestrian paths – they typically come out of Streets. Ryan explained that there is a contingency fund where some money can be had, but it’s not enough to meet the demand, thus the need to prioritize; some kind of screening and criteria needs to be created. Since school zones already can receive funding from the Safe Route to Schools funds, should we bypass those areas for others?  Ryan also talked about updating the traffic mitigation ordinance. He explained that developers pay mitigation fees. These fees go into a fund for transportation and to match grant funds. Some discussion ensued about how the mitigation fees the developers pay works out. Currently, fees are very low in comparison to other municipalities.  Ryan mentioned that significant focus next year will be on the Comprehensive Plan update for 2015. He projected much of the work will need to be done from January to October in order to meet the deadlines.  Ryan reported that the talks with BNSF were now complete, regarding the Broadway Bridge project. He stated work was still being done with one property owner, but expects the bids for work to go out in the first quarter of 2014.  Tim reported that all 24 traffic video cameras are now up and running, including those in the SWIFT corridor. However, LED street light replacement has not yet started, pending grant funding opportunities being included. Police Report  None Transit Report  George reported that there would be a third listening session with the public tonight (11/21). There is no agenda; it is strictly to hear public comments. J.T. reported earlier that he would be attending.   George reported that Transit is out for bid on the new bus stop signs that were showcased at last month’s TAC meeting. He said the new signs would be installed at bus stops next year.  George mentioned that Transit is beginning to work on the process plan for development of a long-range strategic plan. He hoped that this would be finished by the end of 2014. He said there wasn’t a rush in completing it, as there aren’t any service changes predicted for next year. Taking time to put the strategic plan together allows for all types of information to be covered. The plan would cover a 10-year scope, and is based on the City’s comprehensive plan. He stated that where the City expects to see growth will have impacts on Transit’s development. Also, the strategic plan will also help with Ryan’s transportation element to the Comprehensive plan.  George reported that the preliminary design for a new Everett Station parking garage is moving along. Public meetings will end in December/January, and he would make report to the TAC committee about the project.  A question was raised about why there aren’t any electronic alerts for citizens when it comes to Transit problems. George explained that email lists would fall under public disclosure laws. He also said that a third party vendor wouldn’t necessarily solve the problem, as a recent court case for another municipality ruled that the information would still fall under public disclosure ordinances. Currently, posts are placed on Facebook, with a possibility of doing the same on Twitter. Transit is working to find how they can get more information out to the public.  J.T. mentioned that he was at the Fire department and that they were also working on a strategic plan effort. He asked for clarification between all the different plans. George stated that the City’s Comprehensive Plan includes a “transportation” element, and that this is a required plan. Additionally, the Transit Development Plan (TDP) is required for State funding, and is a 6-year plan. The Long Range Plan hasn’t been done in a long time and can help with the TDP. MAP 21, a federal requirement, also demands compliance for funding. MAP 21 forces the agency to look at safety/security issues and Transit asset management. Every transit agency in the nation has to do it, in order to receive federal dollars. Agenda Item: New Chair  Victor volunteered to be Chairman for the 2014 year. Motion was seconded and approved. Bob Strickland volunteered to be Vice Chair. The motion was seconded and approved.  J.T. requested that in the New Year the Committee re-evaluate our rules in regard to submitting proposals for agenda items. Ryan also suggested the possibility of determining if the layout of the agenda itself might be modified, depending on the committee’s preferences.  J.T. also hoped that the committee could have a greater advisory capacity for the Mayor. Ryan explained that the TAC meeting minutes do get forwarded on to people in the administration, though they may not appear on the electronic distribution lists.  Kris Hausmann also requested for more information regarding transportation issues in South Everett, as it appears the focus of the TAC meetings always seems to be around the North end. Bob Strickland proposed an overview in a future meeting which could cover 1) South Everett’s needs and what is being done; and 2) Explain the funding structure of how transportation is funded.  Ryan gave a brief outline on the funding structure, but said he’d be happy to put together a presentation for a future meeting.  Victor mentioned he had read the transportation element of the new Comprehensive Plan and felt it would be a good idea to break it out into portions for which the committee could address throughout the coming year. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 am The Next Scheduled Meeting is Thursday January 16, 2014.