Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES July 20, 2017 In attendance: Members Staff Guests T.J. Fournier Tim Miller, Public Works David Fudge, Police J.T. Dray Jeffrey Marks, Public Works Roy Harris, Public Works Victor Harris George Baxter, Transit Richard Smith Paul Roberts, City Council Robert Strickland Paul Kaftanski, Administration Tyler Rourke Ryan Sass, Public Works Ken Dorn, Police John Zeka, Police 8:00 a.m. T.J. Fournier called the meeting to order.  M/S/P for June 2017 minutes once enough TAC members had arrived. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  J.T. stated that the ET Long Range Plan handout mentioned that consultants Fehr and Peers would be attending four TAC meetings. He wanted to know when they would be returning and to hear about the results of their surveys and interpretation of the results. George said he would check with Sabina.  J.T. requested that Councilman Roberts be given some time to discuss his experiences with the PSRC. Mr. Roberts serves on the PSRC transportation policy board subcommittee. J.T. would like to hear more about any discussions surrounding sustainable funding sources for transit services and how it applies to the ET Long Range Plan. Mr. Roberts said that the board is beginning that work and that the information was something to bring forward later, including interest in new technologies.  Victor requested a future agenda item that would take a greater look at the parking situation throughout the city. He stated there were too many questions floating around which highlight inconsistencies within the parking situation. He would like a solid review of parking issues and how that fits in with traffic.  T.J. offered the idea of perhaps offering an off-site location for a future TAC meeting.  J.T. suggested that new TAC members might benefit from seeing the City’s traffic camera room. Citizen’s Comments  None. Engineering Report  Ryan reported that the 41st Street to W Marine View Drive freight mobility project is substantially complete. All the primary work is done; only punch list items are left.   Ryan reported that the pavement overlay project was in full force and going well. Police Report  None. Transit Report  George reported that the purchase of electric buses was still moving forward. The purchase amounted to 7 buses – 4 to be delivered in spring of 2018 with 3 the following year. ET is working with electrical engineers for the charging stations needed.  Transit has issued a purchase order for 3 paratransit vans. Delivery is expected by the end of the year. George said ET has 6 old front-engine buses that will be going away, as they are unable to maintain them.  George reported that the cleaning and repairs to Everett Station were continuing. Bids were going out for pressure washing.  No significant service changes are predicted for the September service updates.  J.T. asked about service to the bus stop on North Broadway at Tower. Currently, the stop services Community Transit and Island Transit. He felt that with some traffic lane configuration, ET would also be able to service the location. George gave a brief overview of the location’s history and how ET navigated the area. He stated that Transit was intending to service the location with the completion of the Broadway corridor. Transit and Traffic Engineering would definitely be looking at it.  J.T. asked for the revitalization of the Summer Sunday Six program, as a way of providing service for people interested in going to Jetty Island. He also talked about how parking around the EVCC during the summer was less on Fridays – would it be possible to divert some buses on those days to provide routes to the beach?  Victor asked for clarification on how the new buses were being purchased. George reported that it was through a State contract.  George reported that construction of the bus bulb project would begin next spring, and ET will be going out for bids by the end of this year. He stated that the engineering and designing of this project has kept it from happening this year, as there are 26 different locations along the corridor and will need to be constructed in phases. Agenda Items: Item 1: Draft ET Transit Development Plan Review  George provided a handout on the TDP. This is a 5 year plan which is required for ET to report to the State. This report is ET’s best estimates for the requested information. Any requests for edits, comments, or questions should be directed to George or Sabina. The report will be sent to the State in September.  George brought attention to a couple of items: o Section 8 (Capital Projects). There are some shaded areas. George stated that ET anticipates some projects in the years, but those projects have yet to be funded. Fleet replacement is the biggest issue.  J.T. asked about the operating budget. George said it was in Section 10.   George reported that some funding had been shifted to the bus stop improvement project for more shelters.  Robert asked what NG ORCA referred to. George stated it was for the Next Generation Orca card. With technological advances, the card is being updated. One of the features will be instant access to using funds once they have been put on the card; today there is a 24-hour wait period before the funds are available for use. Item 2: Draft Ordinance Revision Relating to Parking  A copy of the draft ordinance was provided to the committee. Tim Miller in concert with Captain D. Fudge, police, and Roy Harris, streets, talked out the complexities of enforcing the current ordinance as it relates to parking on property controlled by the adjacent property owner, in particular as it relates to areas designated as “planting strips.”  Captain Fudge stated that it was not the intent to allow parking into the planting strip, but rather to bring ordinances in line with RCW’s and other laws.  Considerable discussion ensued regarding the nature of easements, right-of-ways, and who has liability ownership in these areas. It became clear that this was a very complex issue.  The TAC voted and approved a motion that staff undertake a detailed review of the issue with all affected/involved departments and groups before bringing back for TAC consideration.  It was also recommended that City Council postpone the recommended ordinance changes until the review can be completed. It was noted that the Legal department has already been requested to withdraw the ordinance. Item 3: Major Everett Area WSDOT Transportation Projects – Tabled for next meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 A.M. Next Scheduled Meeting: August 17, 2017