Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES April 20, 2017 In Attendance: Members Staff Guests T.J Fournier Tim Miller, Public Works None William Weber Ken Dorn, Police Robert Strickland John Zeka, Police Victor Harris George Baxter, Transit Tyler Rourke Paul Roberts, City Council Richard Smith Ryan Sass, Public Works Paul Kaftanski, Administration Richard Tarry, Public Works 8:05 a.m. meeting was called to order  M/S/P for March 2017 Minutes Announcement & Requests to Add Agenda Items  Victor announced that J.T. Dray and Christina Curtis had informed him they would not be able to attend today.  Victor read a citizens concern that was presented at the last council meeting that should be conveyed to the TAC. This was with regards to the roadway run-off and contamination into Silver Lake from the vehicle traffic. The Citizen has mentioned on two previous projects traffic studies had been used to justify a 50 vehicle limit in this area. He suggested perhaps TAC should take the lead in protecting the water bodies within the City. Also concerns were mentioned with all the upcoming University development and the impacts on transportation. Also the long range concerns of this development.  Council member Roberts mentioned the 6-year TIP has been rolled into the City Comprehensive Plan which was adopted by Council last night.  Tyler R requested a review of the Bicycle Plan, in particular the area at 41 st St & Colby Ave. Citizen’s Comments  None. Engineering Report  Ryan Sass report that the City was looking for Funding to replace the Edgewater Creek Bridge, which is the bridge with the lowest structural sufficiency in our inventory. In conjunction they hope to rehabilitate the Merrill and Ring Creek bridge and make a Seismic upgrade to the Glenwood Heights bridge.  Ryan stated that an update on the Bicycle Master Plan is being prepared and he plans to bring a presentation forward to the TAC within a couple of months.  Victor Harris asked if providing bike racks at the Service Center was in the plan. Ryan said not specifically, but that he would look into it.  Councilmember Roberts asked about what type of bike facilities are included in the Master Plan. Ryan noted that experienced bikers are going to bike regardless of the route condition/type. Increases in bike ridership will likely come from those that are not as experienced and not as comfortable riding in traffic. The plan is designed to provide routes for these people, as well as for commuters and experienced riders.  Street light LED conversion by our contractor is substantially complete. There will be a few fixtures left that will be done by City staff.  Victor H. stated the City is a result of lots of annexation, many of which are areas that have no sidewalks. He noted that Seattle has spent millions of dollars on ADA. He stated that Everett needs to be aware that we will have all these same issues in the future. Police Report  Ken Dorn said Victor had already covered any issues that wished to express.  Paul K added that Council had tabled the Transportation Network Company (TNC) ordinance. No determination of when they will bring it back. The Uber and Lyft people had concerns and issues that they had expressed at the last council meeting (ie. Insurance, Revenues, Licensing). Our legal department will work with them to help clarify.  Victor H stated that he had previously driven cabs in Spokane. Back then they had a Department of Weight & Measures to inspect the vehicle for safety issues and to insure they meet the proper classification for the vehicle. Victor stated concern with personal vehicles being used due to the accelerated wear  from extra usage. Typically cabs are driven 10 times more per year than you average car.  Paul K stated we are still determining what role the City needs to take in regulating by ordinance. There has been some consideration that the City should take a step back and let the industry regulate themselves to some degree. Transit Report  Sabina talked about the ET long range plan (20 year horizon) work. They are gearing up the Public Outreach program. Working to get the citizen opinions about what they want out of the transit system. Some of the topics covered are:  Overview of benefits  Financial constraints with the long range planning.  June 8th is the main outreach at the Everett Station. They will also have events in North Everett and South Everett (locations to be determined). Transit hopes to move the North and South Everett meetings to a higher traffic location for higher attendance.  Transit is working on updating the website:  Notifications in affect through May  On-line outreach open house is from 6/1 to 6/22. This will give citizens more time to fill out the survey.  They are advertising in the Herald and using bus ads to increase ridership. They might try Facebook ads, news flashes, press releases, Seattle Transit Blog. They are also preforming a Parking Survey at Everett Station at the end of May.  Transit will present at the May TAC meeting the input acquired to date. They will also present the Postcard they intend to send out to citizens.  Distributing info to citizens via mass mailing is very costly (70,000 pieces for $16,000.)  They looked at putting info on Utility Mailers. This would give 21,000 addresses.  They also looked at mass Email to the same 21,000, but decided this wouldn’t work as well, because people may think it was spam, and not read it.  Paul R asked Sabina to send location and time for the outreach meetings to the TAC members  Sabina stated that during the Outreach people can sign up for the “Notify Me” via Text Alerts or Email that will keep them updated on any transportation changes.  Sabrina updated on the aesthetic of the North Broadway Corridor Project.  Transit had talked with Carol Thomas (Arts Council) regarding the possibility of including some art work on the new bus shelter project. We will be tentatively selecting 4 artists to provide art that can be incorporated into the shelters. This could be up to a 3 months process therefore ET is proceeding forward with the standard shelter construction and will add artwork in the future.  Transit will be including lighting in the current bid proposals and will worry later about adding aesthetics, possibly via metal panels on the bottom of glass surface. Looking at the possibility of Iconic lighted markers, like the “Swift” markers. Also wish to add bike racks and seating.  Sabina commented it’s hard for transit to maintain artwork. We need art that can withstand weather and graffiti issues.  Richard Smith questioned when bidding with the artists if the City would consider ways to maybe increase the transit ridership. Possibly an Art Walk that could be covered by the bus routes. He also tossed the idea of Artwork to tell the story of the City of Everett or a particular Neighborhood, maybe panels with rotating art work.  Sabina commented this would be a secondary effect. This probably would not build continued ridership in the long run, which is the end results we are looking for.  George Baxter said that the bus shelter project is not fully funded at this point.  George stated currently we have a grant for 3 electric buses, but that the state budget is not passed yet and this grant could get dropped from the budget. The state grant transit is acquiring doesn’t have “Art Component” in the construction phase. The art would need to be covered later with local funds.  Once funding is acquired, the hope is to have project completed by 2018. There is some work needed to be completed by Public Works prior to Transit construction. Staff is trying to coordinate between the Transit and Public Works project to ensure we are not building new improvements, just to tear up with the next project coming down the pipeline.   George stated they have call for bids on 3 or 4 paratransit vans. Transit is aiming for a January 2018 delivery date.  Transit is going to council at end of May for approval to purchase more Electric Buses. Hoping for a first quarter 2018 delivery date.  With arrival of new buses, ET will need to construct more charging stations. Transit is hiring an expert in this field to design the electrical component. Hopefully this installation will occur at the end of 2017.  ET initial plan is to install 7 chargers. This will require a new transformer. EI is reviewing how many chargers are anticipated for the next 5 years.  PUD says they can install a 1,000 volt-amp unit that can charge up to 12 buses.  ET is also looking at longer like battery packs in the new buses that can hold charge for 300 miles instead of 150. They are rechargeable in 4 hours.  Currently out to bid is a multi-year project for building 20 plus bus shelters.  Everett Station has a renovation project of the exterior bricks scheduled to be done this year.  Transit making a proposal to purchase used-refurbished buses instead of new. This would allow us to purchase 3 used at the same cost as one new. Item #1: Draft 2018 to 2023 Six-year Transportation Improvements Project  Richard Tarry presented the list of projects on the newly proposed TIP. He stated he would bring the list back next month for Action to Recommend Approval by the TAC. This list presented is of the projects for which we are currently seeking funding.  Richard pointed out this list is federally required for funding projects; it does not imply a project will be constructed.  The TIP is not financially constrained (totals about $5B).  The City completes about $10M of projects annually.  The project numbering does not indicate prioritization.  Once this list is approved by Council that would allow the City to go forward and starting looking for funding for proposed projects.  Richard still needs to make some minor changes to the list; the SR529-EMVD project that the Port of Everett and State are still discussing who has  responsibility, and the Edgewater Creek Bridge project will be added specifically.  Some members asked about the Airport terminal project. Richard said the work pertaining to this is included in the 100th Street and 112th Street projects listed. Members also questioned if transit would be servicing the airport. George stated if the airport is built that 100th and 112th would be the corridors to serve it.  Paul Roberts confirmed this is just a small 2-gate terminal and will be located along Airport Road. Sabina said they are working during the planning phases to make them aware that Transit will need accommodations for bus turn- around. Item #2: Boeing Shift Change Traffic Impacts  Tim Miller presented some traffic data regarding the new shift changes. There are about 40,000 Boeing employees and this change effects about 18% of their staff. Previously there were 11 arrival times and this has changed to 4 arrival times.  Tim said they have received very few complaints.  The City has not needed to change the signal timing to accommodate the small increase in traffic.  Sabina stated transit buses have not notice much delay in their travel times.  John Zeka stated that in the morning the City streets are highly congested. This has increased a little bit with the shift change. And each day between 3:30 to 5:00 PM traffic in City around 75th, Seahurst, Colby, and Broadway have a congestion problem. Victor Harris commented that he feel the Public Works building is very important to the transportations services of the City. He feels the City should not be looking at upgrading the public works building site and should just rebuild a new permanent facility. Meeting adjourned at 9:47