Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES February 18, 2021 In attendance: Members Staff Guests Hal Gausman Liz Vogeli, City Council Bob Creamer Richard Smith Ryan Sass, Public Works Representative Emily Wicks Michael Thomas Corey Hert, Public Works Gracie Geremia Tom Hood, Public Works Andrea DePaolo Michael Schmieder, Transit Tyler Rourke Tim Morgan, Police Brett Barrett Kelsey Svaren, Public Works Meeting called to order at 8:03 a.m. by Chair Tyler Rourke. ➢ M/S/P for January 2021 Minutes. Announcements & Requests to Add Agenda Items ➢ Hal proposed a future agenda item to discuss landscape gateway cues that signal vehicle entry into the City on roads that stretch between jurisdictions. ➢ Corey mentioned a similar improvement project along Highway 99 proposed in the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Improvement Program. ➢ Tyler also addressed the possible use of landscaping as a traffic calming device in neighborhoods. ➢ Richard emphasized the need for an analysis of specific driver reactions in Everett to any traffic calming practices implemented in the future. Public Comments ➢ None Engineering Report ➢ Tom Hood gave brief updates regarding the following projects: o Jackson Stormwater Separation Construction o Sewer ‘O’ Construction o Completion of sidewalk construction on 16th Street o Edgewater Bridge Replacement o Interurban Trail to YMCA connection at Colby Avenue o Sidewalk construction on 18th Street from Walnut Street to Jackson Park o Pedestrian flasher replacement at the intersection of Pecks Drive and Cady Road o Improvements on 100th Street SW from Evergreen way to Airport Road  ➢ Liz asked about the facilities on 100th Street SW and whether residents will have an opportunity to check in as the project progresses. ➢ Tom clarified some of the details of the facilities, which will provide options for all modes of transportation in addition to public transit connections. Design information will become available as milestones are reached. ➢ The committee briefly discussed opportunities to adopt multi-modal transportation efforts within the City. Police Report ➢ Tim Morgan noted that safety beacons and school zones are becoming more active as students return to in-person instruction. Officers will provide drivers with a few days grace period to re-adjust, but egregious behavior will not be tolerated. ➢ Tyler acknowledged the work he’s recently seen of the motorcycle unit. Tim noted that the unit is focusing on speed compliance, as there are areas where drivers seem to be consistently traveling 15 mph over the limit. Transit Report ➢ Michael informed the committee that route 29 was the only modified snow route during the recent weather event. This was possible due to plowing and sanding by Everett Public Works. ➢ The CDC and TSA have instructed mask directives for all public transportation. Busses have been updated with language from Federal agencies. ➢ Transit is also working toward the March service change and restoration of Sunday service. ➢ The committee briefly discussed electric busses and opportunities to receive Federal funding to replace older fleet vehicles. Agenda Items: Item 1: Process for setting safe speed limits: NCHRP 17-76 Informational Briefing; Corey Hert, Public Works ➢ Corey presented information regarding project 17-76 of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), which upon publication will provide a new framework to re-assess and adjust speed limits as necessary within the City of Everett. ➢ After publication, Traffic Engineering will work to validate existing speed limits to create a cohesive ordinance throughout the City. ➢ The committee discussed possible streets to consider analysis with use of the new report, in addition to resource allocation and residential growth over the next several years. Item 2: Safety Priorities: City of Everett Local Road Safety Plan Informational Briefing; Corey Hert, Public Works ➢ Corey addressed high speeds in residential areas as one of the main concerns/complaints Traffic Engineering receives from residents in the City. ➢ The briefing detailed safety tactics and results of other cities, such as Seattle and Portland, which did reduce residential and arterial speeds in 2016 and 2018 respectively. ➢ A discussion followed in which the committee touched on ’20 is plenty’, the impact of the recent snow event on City streets, and the possibility a passenger ferry service between Everett and Clinton on Whidbey Island. ➢ Adjourned at 9:46 am Next Scheduled Meeting: March 18, 2021