Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES November 15, 2018 In attendance: Members Staff Guests T.J. Fournier Scott Bader, City Council Bob Creamer William Weber Ryan Sass, Public Works Joe Kunzler Victor Harris Tim Miller, Public Works Tyler Rourke Sabina Popa, Transit Al Furiak Timothy Morgan, Police Brett Barrett Brett Yeadon, Police Kelsey Svaren, Public Works Meeting called to order at 8:05 a.m. Chaired by Tyler Rourke  M/S/P for October 2018 Minutes. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items  Ryan welcomed and introduced new TAC members, Al Furiak and Brett Barrett, who will be starting their terms in January 2019. Al and Brett each took a few moments to introduce themselves to the Committee and gave a little bit of information on their backgrounds.  Ryan thanked both outgoing members, Victor Harris (term dates from 2011- 2018) and William Weber (term dates from 2013-2018) for their time and service to the Traffic Advisory Committee.  Victor read a prepared statement expressing his pleasure in serving on the Traffic Advisory Committee. He asked incoming and current committee members to consider the following points: o Start planning early for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update. o Consider how parking congestion and a new parking facility would affect the City. o A representative from TAC should also attend Planning Commission meetings on a regular basis.  TJ suggested that the committee look at potential options for updates and improvements on 100th Street SW. With the announcement that the commercial airport out of Paine Field is set to start offering flights beginning on February 2019, a higher volume of traffic is anticipated. Ryan stated that he would show the committee concept drawings for the project. Ryan stated the City will conduct the design of the project and continue working toward securing grant funding for construction phase.  Sabina noted that Everett Transit will provide bi-directional service on 100th Street SW, servicing riders heading to the airport. She asked if the committee would like an update on the new electric busses for a future agenda item. The committee agreed they would be interested in hearing updates regarding the electric busses.   There was also a brief discussion regarding delays in demolition at the fire destroyed Judd and Black building on Maple St. and the possibility of opening a northbound lane. Citizen’s Comments  None Engineering Report  Ryan gave an update regarding the peak use shoulder lane project that WSDOT will be implementing on I-5 from Marine View Drive in Everett to SR528 in Marysville. Ryan noted that he is pleased with progress on the project so far and that they are considering many options and alternatives, including active lane management. The project would begin construction in 2021, with completion in 2022 if kept on schedule.  Ryan updated the committee regarding ongoing conversation about replacing the westbound trestle on US2. He noted that pre-environmental evaluation is the next step in the process. These results will help inform long-range plans and identify future phases of the project.  Bob Creamer enquired if City representatives meet with longtime and incoming leadership in the legislature transportation committee in Olympia to inform them of the situation in Everett. Ryan confirmed that the city will make sure that representatives are well informed.  Victor asked for an update on the North Broadway Transit Improvement Project. Sabina informed the committee that construction on the project began this week, with projected completion at the end of June 2019. Construction began at 34 th street and will move north a few stops at a time. Ryan noted that the grant funding for this project is dependent on date of completion, so they are on a tight construction schedule.  There was discussion regarding access options and alternatives for those who will be impacted by project construction. Police Report  Sergeant Morgan noted that there were no vehicle related pedestrian fatalities since the last meeting. He mentioned that there are many people choosing to cross streets diagonally late at night, which appears to be a factor in many pedestrian and car related accidents and fatalities.  There was a brief discussion regarding sidewalk conditions in the downtown corridor due to construction and growth of trees that are displacing the sidewalk.  Tyler addressed cut through traffic in neighborhoods. He asked if the City could perform an analysis to identify hot spots and especially troublesome areas. He also suggested implementation of tactical urbanism and reducing speed limits to 20mph in residential neighborhoods.  Al Furiak mentioned Boeing traffic cutting through Brookridge Boulevard being a problem.   Sergeant Morgan noted that cut through traffic and speeding issues are not isolated problems within the City of Everett. Commuters are finding alternative routes that cut through neighborhoods because the region does not have enough infrastructure to support the growing number of people trying to leave Everett all heading in the same direction.  Victor asked about updates regarding the View Ridge Elementary School safety issues brought up in past meetings.  Tim noted that they are coordinating with the Police Department and are going to place a pedestrian symbol on the pavement. Sergeant Morgan noted that the police also intend to work with school administration to mitigate the issue, as most offenders are parents of students. EPD is also working to come up with additional strategies, while Victor suggested that continuing education is essential, as there are new incoming students and parents each school year.  There was a brief discussion regarding a proposed extension to SR 526 from the 2005-2006 Comprehensive Plan. Ryan noted that the City is currently focused on replacing the WB US2 trestle which is nearing end of life, since that project will need to be done first. Transit Report  Sabina gave a brief introduction regarding the functions of Everett Transit and current projects for the incoming committee members.  Tyler asked if notifications for the North Broadway Transit Improvement Project would include information regarding outreach of the artistic element of the project. Sabina responded that they will.  Al and Sabina had a brief conversation to clarify costs associated with maintenance of buses and service/ridership numbers.  Sabina noted that Everett Transit is looking into opportunities for funding for an operations base with solar elements to help with the cost of electricity for the new and incoming electric busses. Agenda Items: Item 1: – Everett Transit; 2019 Service Update Informational Briefing – Sabina Popa  Sabina gave a presentation previewing service changes for Everett Transit that will take place in March 2019.  Sabina identified three main goals of the service proposal: o Reduce Cost o Increase efficiency of service delivery o Implement service that is consistent with future growth  Sabina noted that Transit considered several factors while putting the proposal together, and used comments from the public outreach period to make further modifications.   Implementation of the service proposal will provide more efficiency and increase the frequency of routes, while making it easier for riders to transfer and make connections. Overall, the changes in service will provide more consistency for riders who depend on Everett Transit. These service changes are a step toward goals identified in the Long Range Plan.  There was a brief discussion regarding Transit’s decision to eliminate route 17 as part of the 2019 service changes. Item 2: – E. Marine View Drive & Riverside Road; Intersection problem solving Informational Briefing – Tim Miller  Tim informed the Committee about a traffic issue at the intersection of E Marine View Drive and Riverside Road. During the PM peak some vehicles turn onto Riverside Road and illegally U-turn in order to bypass traffic queues on E Marine View Drive. The City is looking at options to deter this behavior without affecting drivers and trucks that require access to Riverside Road. Options include: o Installing C-curbing o Installing signage o Modifying traffic signal timing  Ryan noted that they are currently most interested in C-curbing, and will present potential options to the stakeholders group.  Adjourned at 9:48 am Next Scheduled Meeting: January 17, 2018