Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES October 20, 2016 In attendance: Members Staff Guests T.J. Fournier Tim Miller, Public Works Joe Kunzler Victor Harris George Baxter, Transit J.T. Dray Jeffrey Marks, Public Works William Weber Tom Hingson, Transit Tim Manrow Michael Brick, Public Works Edward Koltonowski Ken Dorn, Police John Zeka, Police Ryan Sass, Public Works Scott Bader, City Council Paul Kaftanski, Administration Sabina Popa, Transit 8:05 a.m. Tim Manrow called the meeting to order.  M/S/P for September minutes. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  Victor mentioned Snohomish County releasing information on ADA access for pedestrians. He stated the compliance for wheelchair ramps and intersection improvements was low. He said the report stated that improvements would cost a billion dollars. He asked if the City has had an audit for wheelchair ramps consistent with the County. Tim Miller replied that the City does have a transition plan that is managed by the Streets Department.  Victor raised some pedestrian concerns related to junction box and vault lids being slippery when wet. He commented that lids with knobby squares seemed safer. Tim Miller stated that new installations installed in pedestrian areas have a non-skid surface requirement.  Scott Bader requested a future item be added to address the increase in jay walkers crossing against lights. The action slows down traffic and creates traffic issues.  Ed Koltonowski requested an update on the Lowell-Larimer speed limit changes discussed in a previous meeting. Tim Miller stated that the speed limit will increase by change of ordinance. Ed also asked about the policy regarding 25 mph speed limit on arterials, stating that on some arterials, it seemed too slow.  Ed asked for an update about flags being used at crosswalks. Tim Miller replied that if the neighborhood doesn’t maintain the flags in the holder, the City eventually retires the flag holders. The City is not entertaining new flagged crossings.  J.T. stated that he thought the additional fifteen minutes added to the TAC meetings would be devoted strictly to Everett Transit. However when he saw Ryan Sass address the general government subcommittee, it was not presented that way. Ryan stated that he recollected the 15 minutes was for formal agenda items, not exclusively for Everett Transit. This was confirmed by other TAC members.   J.T. questioned why TAC Agenda Items were separate from the regular Engineering or Transit reports. Ryan clarified that the Engineering, Police, and Transit reports were routine monthly reports, while agenda items are more formally prepared reports.  J.T. stated if agenda items are put off due to lack of time, he felt they should be on the top of the list for the next meeting. Ryan stated that with the sensitivity of Everett Transit issues, items are subject to prioritization; however, this can be revisited.  Paul Kaftanski gave a brief overview of the discussion at the council general government subcommittee. He provided an overview to the subcommittee of how TAC operates and how it has evolved. He stated the TAC will be given a 6-month calendar of upcoming Everett Transit projects. He said the subcommittee was supportive of TAC. Scott Bader stated the Council was happy to hear about the changes being brought forward. He said the Council felt the TAC needed to weigh in on the suggestion of the Charter Review Committee to consider if a separate transit review board be created. Citizen’s Comments  Joe Kunzler said that he was interested to learn more about the strategic plan for Everett Transit. He requested that future meetings be videotaped or audio recorded for people who cannot attend. He encouraged the expansion of ET at Paine Field and a new transit terminal at the location. He also urged everyone to vote yes on Proposition 1. Engineering Report  Ryan reported that the Hoyt streetscape project would be out to bid before the end of the year. He also stated that 90% design for Rucker streetscape project is complete and will be out to bid next year. J.T. encouraged including a bench at the bus stops, if possible.  Concern was raised that striping near the Post Office Pacific had been taken away and re- striped. Tim replied that the re-striping near the post office was done as part of a grant project to install durable profiled striping for safety enhancements, and that some lane lines were adjusted.  Ed Koltonowski asked about the curb bulbs for the Broadway transit enhancement project. Referencing curb bulbs on Wetmore that transit buses drove over, cracked and eventually needed to be replaced a few years back, he asked if the newer ones would be designed differently. Michael Brick stated that Public Works always coordinates with Transit on these matters when they are designed. William Weber interjected that it was important to also consider school buses when considering bulb-outs.  It was announced that planning by WSDOT is underway for highway and interchange revisions on US 2 at the east end of the trestle in Lake Stevens. The City assisted in selecting a consultant for this endeavor.  Tim announced that the stop sign replacement program was funded at $700,000. Police Report  None.  J.T. asked about formal requirements for taxi cabs operating in Everett. Sergeant Zeka replied that any company legally licensed with the City is allowed to operate.  There is still no update regarding Uber policy-making. Transit Report  George announced that ET had taken delivery of 3 paratransit vans.  George reported that the North Broadway bulb-out project was still in the engineering design process. He hoped it would be completed by the end of the year. He announced a separate Public Works project was also coming to the same area and that both project designs would be coordinated.  J.T. reported that he had heard Community Transit report that Swift Bus Rapid Transit was anticipated to be extended north to Smokey Point by 2020. Agenda Items: Item 1: ET Long Range Plan Scope of Work Outline Review – Sabina Popa  Sabina provided a handout detailing the long range plan (LRP) scope of work. ET put forward an RFQ to help with this project and will be working with Fehr & Peers, a consulting firm that is very knowledgeable of our system, geography, etc. The handout presented is a draft blueprint of the overview so far. $200K budget covers both the outreach and analysis phases.  Ed Koltonowski asked if PW staff would be involved at the kick-off meeting. Sabina said members of both Public Works and Planning are part of the group.  Sabina stated that the LRP is a 20-year plan forecast to mirror the comprehensive plan with anticipated updates every 5 years.  J.T. requested additional time to provide input to the LRT scope of work. Sabina and George requested that comments be made via email to Sabina by Monday the 24th, instead of waiting for the next TAC meeting, as any delay would keep the contract from moving forward. The committee agreed to a Monday deadline for comments; J.T. objected, for the record.  J.T. requested copy of the FTA Circular 4702.1B (TITLE VI REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION RECIPIENTS) referenced in the scope of work. Sabina will forward to TAC members.  J.T. requested the plan cover performance regarding ET operations and management structure. He also wants transit technology such as Bridj considered. George stated that it would.  Discussion ensued on how the outreach will be handled. There are five occasions planned for TAC review and input. Item 2: Children’s Hospital Project – Michael Brick  This informational briefing described the design of the structure and potential traffic/pedestrian issues surrounding it. The structure will be a clinic only for pre- and post-op care. It is a 37,000 square foot building with two-stories located on the NE portion of the Providence Hospital campus. Construction will create additional parking. Groundbreaking is estimated in 2017, with a construction timeline of 15 to 18 months.  It is estimated that 120 new trips will be made during the PM peak hour. 75-80% of traffic generated is projected to be oriented to/from Broadway.  There was some discussion about projected traffic congestion in combination with pedestrians. Item 3: Residential Permit Parking Process – Michael Brick  This informational briefing discussed how the boundaries were expanded last year, with residents north of 41st becoming eligible for a parking time limit exemption for residential zones.  B-3 Zones do not qualify for RPZ.  RPZ is implemented on a 2/3rds support per block basis. Both sides of a street are included except in the case of portions of Colby where a median separates the character of the street sides.  2 RPZ permits are issued per resident. Temporary guest permits are available. Meeting adjourned at 9:50. Next Scheduled Meeting: November 17, 2016 at 8:00AM