Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES May 18, 2017 In attendance: Members Staff Guests T.J. Fournier Corey Hert, 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 Richard Smith Ryan Sass, Public Works Sabina Popa, Transit 8:04 a.m. T.J. Fournier called the meeting to order.  M/S/P for April 2017 minutes Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  Victor announced that Councilmember Roberts would be arriving a bit late, but will be bringing some transportation related items.  Victor reported at a council meeting Councilmember Moore raised questions regarding the lack of parking at the events center and its impact on bookings for conventions. Victor thought State financing for the arena extended out another 15 years and hoped the extension could help look for alternative parking in the area. He also wondered about the impact of light rail near McDougall, if it was an appropriate site.  Considerable discussion ensued about the parking issue surrounding the events center. Christina asked if people were encouraged to park at the County building. J.T. stated that Council member Moore wasn’t in favor of that. Victor explained that when studying was being conducted prior to building the arena, Broadway Plaza was included in the parking plan. He stated this was impacting the public facilities district meetings. Christina mentioned there was plenty of parking at the County building; the only concern was whether or not people would be willing to pay.  J.T. requested time for the TAC to discuss its processes. T.J. moved to hold off to a later meeting when more people were in attendance.  J.T. asked if George had looked into BRIDJ – an Uber-type of mass transit system. George stated that the Federal Transit Administration has come out with a letter providing some guidance. It said that if one contracts with this type of service, the service must meet all requirements, including ADA. There was some discussion with how this connects with Paratransit. George felt that working with companies like Uber and Lift would not work well, due to such requirements.  Upon Councilmember Robert’s arrival, additional discussion ensued. He mentioned he had attended several neighborhood meetings. He asked regarding the intersection of Glenwood  Ave & Merrill Creek Parkway by Fire Station 4 if a left turn phase could be added to that traffic signal. Ryan responded saying the Traffic Division would follow-up.  At the Delta neighborhood, the question was raised how do we accommodate the impact of the college with the surrounding residential areas? Staff noted RPZ permit implementation is available to the residential areas.  Victor invited some discussion regarding property values in the Delta neighborhood and how they will be affected with the inclusion of the university.  Christina asked about student parking spilling out into other areas surrounding the university. Ryan mentioned residential parking zones are available. Richard stated that he also has heard of parking and traffic issues around the college. He was hopeful that through urban planning or some other avenue that encouragement to take transit would prevail. Ryan said that the college is working on the issue, and have conducted outreach to various neighborhoods, as well as trying to reach out beyond the standard organized groups. Councilmember Roberts stated it was a good idea to have a discussion of what strategies can be done for public outreach as the college area continues to grow. Citizen’s Comments  None. Engineering Report  Corey Hert sat in for Tim Miller.  Ryan stated in either June or July he would be reporting on projects that have/will be soon completed that are fulfilling goals and concepts put forth in the bike master plan.  It was reported that the 41st Street / W Marine View Drive freight mobility project was wrapping up. The next transportation project to be constructed would be the Hoyt streetscape project.  Ryan reported about Connecting Washington projects. It is currently in the early phase of selecting consultants. Projects include SR 526 Hardeson interchange, I-5 NB shoulder running to Marysville, and SR 529 south interchange to Smith Island.  J.T. asked about the Broadway bus bulb project, specifically the stop near 7/11 on 8th. Currently this stop is not available to E.T. riders and he was curious if it was possible to adjust lanes in order to make it a stop. Ryan said that Engineering could take a look at it. It appears that right now it isn’t safe. George stated that there is some demand to make the stop available and is hoping to make it accessible with the bulb-out project.  William Weber asked if the Connecting Washington projects considered non-motorized transportation within the designs. Ryan notedthat WSDOT and Everett are both committed to Complete Streets principles.  There was some additional discussion regarding Route 7 north and south in accommodating stops along Pacific. No outcome was generated. Police Report  None. Transit Report  ET is going to Council for approval to award a purchase contract to Proterra for seven 100% electric buses, with delivery expectation for four in spring of 2108, and three more in 2019. These are 40’ extended range buses.  George reported that the State transit budget has been signed by the Governor. With this, Transit will be purchasing an additional three 100% electric buses.  George stated that ET is looking at future plans to providing service at the riverfront and waterfront.  George reported that ET has hired an engineering firm to assist in designing the electrical chargers for the new buses at the base. He anticipates four charging stations would be in place by next year for the new buses.  George reported that ET was opening bids next week for paratransit vans, with recommendation going to Council in June for 3 to 4 vans.  Sabina handed out postcards for the ET long range plan open houses. She stated all information about the plan will be available online. She explained there is a survey meant to weigh the public’s priorities – span of service, frequency, coverage, and other items. The postcards will be going out next week along with other promotion in media outlets and bus ads, and other in-house lists. They will also be at the Planning Commission meeting in June. She offered to give cards to members of TAC if they are attending other meetings where transit may be discussed.  J.T. asked if the long range plan provided an operational analysis. Sabina said that it did not; it was only a high-level analysis.  J.T. asked about the APTA (American Public Transportation Association) convention in Nevada, if anyone from ET had attended. George replied that no one had attended, but that the agenda had been reviewed. He felt the cost benefit wasn’t there, so no one was sent.  Paul Kaftanski asked George to touch upon the Washington State Transit Association and ET. George explained that ET participates in several State committees related to transit operations, maintenance, marketing, and HR resources. At these committees, transit providers hear about what is coming up and are able to share what others are doing. It also provides in-State training, such as customer service, handling accidents, etc. Many of the training sessions are held here in Everett. There is always ongoing training, statewide and nationally. Agenda Items: Item 1: 2018 to 2023 Six-year Transportation Improvement Program  Richard Tarry presented TAC with a list of projects. He highlighted a few new items on the list, and also explained that a few had received some name changes. For those projects with name changes, the projects are still the same, regardless of the name’s alteration.  Richard explained that the list isn’t financially constrained, but rather is a tool we use to authorize staff and Council for projects.  Richard also explained how Everett project funding relates to the PSRC, and what the structure/hierarchy of that process is like and how the relationship works.   J.T. asked about bicycle plans and if it was known if the County had any. Richard stated that he thought the County had a plan, but wasn’t sure if it’s in a separate document. There was some discussion of how a bicycle plan in the 6-year TIP would be handled.  M/S/P for recommendation of the TIP to go to Council. Item 2: Mill Town Trail Signing  Corey Hert briefly discussed this project. Back in December 2014, Council approved the name “Mill Town Trail” for this bicycle/pedestrian path. Tim Miller has been working with the Everett historical commission for the signs. Trail name signs will be in place at the beginning and end of the trail as well as every half-mile. Milepost signs will be included at each half- mile sign assembly.  Corey shared a design image being worked on to represent the trail name signs.  William Weber requested a consideration for kilometer markers also be placed on the trail. Additional Conversation  J.T. talked about the journey last year of going to a charter review committee to establish an Everett Transit committee. J.T. asked for clarification on the guidelines for the meetings. Ryan stated that the 15 minutes was to be used for Agenda items. In the past, Agenda items were getting compressed, hence the request for 15 additional minutes.  There was a recollection of having a rolling list of topics. Ryan said we will be sending out both the rolling transit items and the TAC annual topics schedule together.  Paul Kaftanski said that the Council is open to hearing if the extra 15 minutes for TAC is working. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 A.M. Next Scheduled Meeting: June 15, 2017