Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES March 20, 2014 In attendance: Members Staff Guests Victor Harris Tim Miller, Public Works None Robert Strickland George Baxter, Everett Transit J.T. Dray Jeffrey Marks, Public Works William Weber Ryan Sass, Public Works Kris Hausmann Bruce Bosman, Everett Police Shawn Smith Paul Roberts, City Counsel Tom Norcott 8:15 a.m. Robert Strickland called the meeting to order.  M/S/P approving the February 2014 meeting minutes. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  None Citizen’s Comments  None Engineering Report  Ryan mentioned a new FHWA imposed, unfunded mandate on Special Hauling Vehicles over our bridges. He said we see a lot of these vehicles around the port, and they look like moving dollies about the size of a large truck. There is some concern that the load capacity of these vehicles may be an issue if they are on our bridges. Ryan stated that a structural analysis will need to be done by an engineering consultant to determine the load rating of our bridges with these vehicles. Some discussion ensued about how to fund the consultant and where to get the requisite equipment to conduct it. Ryan mentioned that around 2008, the State discontinued funding that helped pay for bridge inspections. He said we do have access to some equipment through contracts with other agencies (e.g., Snohomish County, WSDOT and City of Seattle).  Shaun asked if a moratorium could be placed on these vehicles until a study is done. Ryan mentioned that in the past, if the handling of the load rating was understood between the City and the client, the City would issue a permit; however, if things weren’t understood, the client would have to show the City that their load was acceptable. Tom asked if the equipment being transported was primarily for Boeing. Ryan explained that some of it is, but not all. The Port of Everett is also shipping wind foils for wind power equipment – and these are large pieces of gear.  Ryan mentioned the Safe Routes to Schools project for Hawthorne Elementary. An advertisement for bids for this project should be going out next month, and that the design is now complete.   Ryan updated the committee on the Broadway Bridge project, stating that there are still some hoops to jump through with WSDOT regarding the last bit of funding. He stated the specs are done, and hopes a resolution with WSDOT is only a few weeks away so we can get out to bid. Police Report  Sgt. Bosman reported that next month is the Heroes half-marathon, which will be held on a Sunday along W Marine View Drive. SR 529 will also be blocked for this event. Tim mentioned that in earlier years, Public Works helped supply the organizers with some of the traffic control devices to manage the event; now organizers are being shouldered with those responsibilities. Ryan stated that it is good to wean organizers off so they can become self- sufficient. Transit Report  George reported that that NextBus Info System beta testing will be continuing until the end of the month. He says Transit has received some good comments about it, as well as some constructive criticism with minor issues. Full implementation is expected for later this year. In the meantime, Transit will be replacing about 600 bus stop signs to include stop I.D. numbers. This change in signs is being contracted out, with the signs expected to come back in May.  Some discussion ensued surrounding the idea of coordinating way-finding signs with bus stops and transit corridors, to help people locate identifying landmarks. Bob Strickland offered to give a report to Ryan outlining how some agencies have received grants for wayfinding signs. He suggested this be a future agenda item. J.T. Dray also offered he has an example of CT/Swift signs that show where nearby stops are located. Agenda Item: Item 1: Quadrangle Street Name Sign Unique Design – Tim Miller  Tim presented a brief slideshow demonstrating the new street name signs that are located on the quadrangle at the intersection of Colby and Hewitt. He detailed some of the background information on how the design of the sign was created, and the final version ultimately chosen. Discussion ensued about possibly adding wayfinding signs to the quadrangle. Item 2: TAC Discussion of Everett Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element, Parts I & II (pages 1-30) – Victor Harris  Victor mentioned that this review of the comprehensive plan would probably be a long process over the next few months.  Victor felt that Parts I & II were a foundation piece for setting up what will need to be done in the future. He wanted the members of the committee to consider what the most significant revision or contribution the TAC could make to this work. Robert Strickland re-emphasized that the TAC is not responsible for making changes, but just to give feedback on what it perceives could be changed; the TAC is not creating policy.  Tom Norcott talked about refreshing the bicycle plan within the Comprehensive Plan. Ryan mentioned that the update will look at what’s been done as a starting point. Other parts deal with data collection that can be updated.  Discussion continued on the subject of mode-split. Ryan stated we cannot build enough lanes to for all trips to be by SOV. Increasing residential units in the CBD will have different trip characteristics than in other areas, since many trips in the CBD can be made on foot. It was acknowledged that historically it is very difficult to drive change in the mode split; it is a slow process and a huge effort. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) has some advantages, but may drive up residential costs, making such dwelling units impractical for retail workers, which may result in them having to live farther away. There was some additional discussion on light rail, where it was revealed that ST wouldn’t be making connections to Everett until at least 2030, optimistically. The horizon year for this update of the Transportation Element will be 2035. Such updates are done approximately every 10 years. Paul Roberts felt what was most important was to consider the integration of transportation modes, as we look at population and employment. He stated that the notion to integrate transit and neighborhoods becomes integral, and that the TAC’s input is vitally important in this area.  Victor asked about the status of the trip reduction program connected with local businesses. It was explained that the program is run at the State level and would be very difficult to increase. Everett Transit currently oversees the Commute Trip Reduction Program which is required for employers with 100+ employees in the City and has around 40 businesses already onboard. They also provide CTR support for all new developers.  Victor wondered about levels of service, since the old book referred to 1994 population levels. Ryan stated that newer models incorporate data received from the 2010 census.  Additional discussion ensued about bicycle facilities. Ryan explained that the 2006 Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan was the first that included all modes of transportation. He stated that, at the time, the emphasis was on employing transportation planning principles on the bicycle network, with an emphasis on making key connections in the existing bike network grid. That being the case, there are still gaps on trails and paths. The 2006 study can be seen as a snapshot of where we were; whereas the Bike Master Plan provided much greater detail and specificity. Ryan stated we will have an updated map that will show what has been completed and where we still need to make improvements.  Victor pointed out on pg. 5, SR 526 was listed with a 55 mph speed limit which should be corrected. He also asked for a future presentation on residential permit zones with an elimination of the repark provision.  There were some questions about the pedestrian overcrossing at 36th street. Ryan mentioned that it is funded through to design, and we are trying to get to 90% design. Unfortunately, since the Riverfront Development hasn’t been planned out yet, we cannot finish the design. The only potentially new E-W ped crossing of I-5 south of SR 526 will be at the future 100th Street undercrossing. Existing ped crossings include 112th Street, Interurban Trail and 124th Street (with the last one being outside Everett City limits).  It was decided to start reviewing the next chapter of the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element (Section III – Goals & Objectives) for next month’s meeting. Ryan felt this would be the area where the TAC’s opinion could be quite valuable, as it deals with goals, objectives, and policies.  It was noted the late hour did not afford J.T. Dray time to address the committee of his observations regarding Everett Transit. He feels that the full capacity of the TAC to inform the Mayor of both positive and negative viewpoints regarding all areas of transportation in the City, which would include ET, have not been completely honored and has requested the time to express his findings surrounding ET. He also suggested that if concerns specific to Everett Transit itself were not proper to the TAC board that perhaps a separate committee specific to ET be created. Accordingly, a 10-minute slot for J.T. Dray to address these issues will be included in the April TAC agenda. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 am The Next Scheduled Meeting is Thursday April 17, 2014.