Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES March 16, 2017 In attendance: Members Staff Guests T.J. Fournier Tim Miller, Public Works None J.T. Dray Jeffrey Marks, Public Works William Weber George Baxter, Transit Victor Harris Paul Roberts, City Council Christina Curtis Paul Kaftanski, Administration Tyler Rourke Ryan Sass, Public Works Richard Smith Ken Dorn, Police Robert Strickland John Zeka, Police 8:00 a.m. T.J. Fournier called the meeting to order.  M/S/P for February 2017 minutes, subject to amendment request from J.T. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  Victor reported that the yellow pads at curb stops (ADA ramps) are slippery, particularly the bubbles that comprise the pads. Tim Miller stated that the design is required by law. If some are slippery, we can evaluate them. He stated that as they wear out, they can be replaced.  Victor also asked about the Public Works building and the possibility of new facilities and how it would affect traffic if it suffers earthquake damage. Ryan stated that the City is looking at whatever options are still on the table. Right now, PW is looking to retrofit the current buildings to be more resistant to collapse, as well as look at other available spaces in the City.  Tyler would like to revisit the bicycle master plan and its long and short-term goals. He also announced a community bicycle ride on Saturday, April 22nd, that would visit all the fire stations. Citizen’s Comments  None. Engineering Report  Ryan reported that the 41st Street fright corridor project is moving along, with construction projected to be completed in May.  Ryan stated that Streetscape Phase II (Hoyt from Wall to Pacific) will be going out for bid in April.  It was reported that staff has made contact with Sound Transit regarding Everett Station for ST planning process for light rail.  J.T. interjected the desire to have a future transit station be closer to the Broadway corridor, stating that at present, it requires a 5 to 10 minute detour (depending on traffic) to exit  Broadway and reach Everett Station. He stressed that new facilities need to be closer to the mainline. Ryan stated that the City was interested in any new facility being closer to Broadway.  Discussion ensued about the goals of Sound Transit. Paul Roberts mentioned that the more we can do now, the more we can pull the schedule of what will be created in the future. He stated coordination needs to come from Sound Transit, not the City of Everett, and that coordination is a high priority for all transit agencies. Admittedly, it is difficult to determine everything now, since any future station wouldn’t be built for some years. Police Report  Sergeant Zeka reported that the Transportation Network Company ordinance is temporarily on hold; the State may end up regulating the TNC industry. Transit Report  George reported that Transit is going to Council to bid for purchasing shelters. The bid will be for a 3 year contract. The initial purchase on the bid is to purchase 20 shelters, primarily as replacements at current locations. The goal is to start receiving them this summer.  Transit is going to Council next week in order to purchase four new light-duty paratransit vans. The hope is to award contract this summer, with delivery of the vans occurring at the end of the year. These will be light-duty, 11 passenger vans, which are considered a “4-year” vehicle; a heavy-duty vehicle is considered a “7 year” vehicle. Light duty vans are built on van chassis, heavy duty on truck chassis.  George announced that Transit has a federal grant to purchase 4, 40’ all-electric buses. Transit is working with Proterra, negotiating features, cost and delivery schedule.  George reported that stated and federal funding for buses is increasingly hard to get. The ET fleet is getting older and operations expenses are increasing. Currently, ET has 20 high-floor buses that require the use of wheelchair lifts. ET is looking to move to a low-floor fleet. He stated that ET is considering shifting some funding from maintenance in order to purchase used/rebuilt buses. There was some discussion on the specs surrounding rebuilt buses, as well as older technologies meeting current technical and environmental standards.  It was reported that ET is in the process of buying additional schedule holders. Currently there are 78 stops with holders while the goal is to increase that to 220, based on an internal assessment of stops with 5 or more boardings a day. Currently, 17 stops do not meet the criteria. The goal is to have the new schedule holders up and ready for the September service changes.  Christine questioned if it was a good use of funds to put up so many schedule holders, in comparison with other transit agencies. George replied that they are not going up on all bus stops. Considerable discussion ensued about how ET is managed in comparison to other transit agencies, pros and cons. Richard asked if we have an assessment on the rider demographics and what methods they use to access bus schedule inrformation, with discussion centering on technology versus printed schedules.  A request was made to supply the TAC with numbers culled from the Automatic Passenger Counters. (George supplied this data in a subsequent email.)   George explained that regionally there is a transit coordination grant. The objective is increase ORCA card usage. There are some television commercials out on this, with a look to doing more local advertising. Basically, ORCA cards are being given out for free, with the intent to switch cash paying customers into card users. Some discussion ensued about dealing with homeless or vagrants, in giving them ORCA cards to move them to another location. Sergeant Zeka declared that no security agencies would be doing that.  Bob Strickland noted the cost of providing more schedule holders would not cause a reduction in bus service. He suggested ET consider the use of paid advertising to defray the cost of publication.  George mentioned ET was part of a regional transit coordination grant to increase ORCA card usage. This is an effort to get transit riders to shift from cash transactions to ORCA. The grant will fund the distribution of ORCA cards preloaded with $10 value. Agenda Items: Item 1: August 2017 Service Adjustment  The traditional ET August changes now will be annual September changes, which coordinates with other regional transit agency service changes. This year, ET is not planning on any significant changes. They will be taking a closer look at Route 2, as Sound Transit is making some modifications and ET is looking at coordinating with those changes. George stated that the changes are so modest, public outreach will not be needed. Item 2: North Broadway Transit Project; 30% Design Update  George supplied the TAC with copies of the 30% design plans. He requested members forward any comments to him directly. Comments should reference the page number, or members can mark it up and physically drop it off. 26 sites are identified for construction. George mentioned all bus shelters will be provided with power to facilitate lighting and future electronic signs.  Christina noted there wasn’t a legend in the packet. Ryan stated he will send it out a PDF.  Considerable discussion ensued about a stop at Tower and Broadway, its access, and frequency of service. Broadway and Wall was also discussed.  Additional discussion centered around working with WSU, which George stated ET was doing. It should be noted that various transit agencies will be serving WSU, requiring coordination. No doubt, things will change in the future.  Richard had questions pertaining to art at the new sites. George stated that currently we haven’t been able to identify how much money will be available for art; the scope of the grant doesn’t allow for certain artistic aspects. Funding for art would have to come from other sources. Tom Hingson and/or Sabina Popa are scheduled to meet with the cultural arts commission to discuss this aspect. Paul Kaftanski stated the aesthetic treatment will be included in the 60% plans. Meeting adjourned at 9:47 A.M. Next Scheduled Meeting: April 20, 2017