Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE Thursday, April 21, 2022 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting In attendance: Members Staff Guests Hal Gausman Michael Schmieder, Transit Bob Creamer Andrea DePaolo Tim Morgan, Police Amy Bradley Richard Smith Tom Hood, Public Works Ben Watanabe Stephen Fickenscher Kathleen Baxter, Public Works Danielle Wilkins Corey Hert, Public Works Tyler Rourke Kate Low, Public Works Jeffrey Marks, Public Works Liz Vogeli, City Council Jeremy Wheeler, Public Works Robert Edmonds, Police Richard Tarry, Public Works Meeting called to order at 8:05 a.m. by Chair Tyler Rourke ➢ M/S/P for March 2022 Minutes ANNOUNCEMENTS & REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ➢ Information was requested about an apartment building going in on the corner of Pacific and Rucker and the impact it will have on the neighborhood. o Tom indicated the development has been through a pre-application meeting and concurrently the City has the next phase of Freight Mobility projects and is studying alternatives. o Liz Vogeli advised the Historical Commission is aware of the requested application, and one building is in the Historical Overlay. o A request was made for updates on transportation elements as they arise. Corey advised large development projects require a traffic impact analysis that may require mitigation, so as Public Works reviews the documents, it can be reported in the Traffic Engineering Report. ➢ Discussion of upcoming Bike Month in May. Tyler stated he heard the City may be planning a public safety outreach. He also heard that the pedestrian overpass over Mukilteo Blvd may going to be replaced, possibly as part of the bike corridor project. Tom advised the bridge is not going to be replaced and is still in good condition. ➢ A request was made for an education program to make the community aware of the vulnerability of cyclists on roadways and to focus on traffic calming measures. Corey advised the City will be focusing on public relations to advocate for bike awareness and safety. ➢ Richard asked for a presentation on traffic calming as a future agenda item to discuss what measures the City does and does not take. ➢ A request was made for a potential app or reporting site for vehicle vs bicycle incidents, where data could be documented. 1 |Page  ➢ The flashing beacon located at Hewitt and Pine bear Buck’s is flashing on one side when the button is pushed. Corey advised the City will send out someone to inspect and repair as soon as possible. ➢ Tyler mentioned both pedestrian poles on California St. were damaged. Corey advised they were struck by vehicles; one has been repaired and struck a second time. There are plans to improve the visibility of the islands. PUBLIC COMMENTS ➢ No public comments. ENGINEERING REPORT ➢ Pavement Maintenance Overlay o Tom indicated a new street will be added on Silver Lake Dr. on the Southwest corner of Silver Lake at 118th and 119th. It will be in advance of establishing the Silver Lake Loop Trail. The City has been working with Parks over the last year to develop a loop around Silver Lake, which will be utilizing neighborhood streets for part of it. The intent is to have signing and pavement markings, including coloring the pavement, to create bike and pedestrian facilities through the neighborhood. The signing and pavement coloring will be added within the next year, and Public Works is in process with City Communications developing logos and wayfinding. o Hal asked about ADA accessibility for wheelchairs on the path as the road is narrow and there aren’t any sidewalks. Tom advised the City is not planning on putting sidewalks in that vicinity, but sections of the street that are on low-volume roads will be intended as shared use. As part of the design process, Public Works will determine whether roadway will be one way versus two. ➢ Water Main W bids will be opened on Tuesday. The project will replace the aging water main in the Claremont area, specifically on Wilmington between 52nd and Evergreen Way and on Hoyt from 43rd and 41st. Construction will begin later this summer. ➢ California St. Bicycle Corridor will be presented at PSRC at the Regional Project Evaluation Committee for federal construction funding. ➢ City Council authorized a design and consultant contract for the 41st and Colby signal improvements. This work remaining from the Phase 1 Freight Mobility Project from a few years ago. Funds are still available from that project and the City will be using those for the new infrastructure for the signal and removing three concrete poles. Establishing new wiring will allow the City to improve signal efficiency and will provide more flexibility in re- timing with leading pedestrian intervals. ➢ Bicycle Survey for Active Connections: Madison St closed mid-April. Public Works will be going over the parking surveys received, conducting parking studies, and gather other information needed to make a recommendation. ➢ Preliminary Grant Screening Form was submitted for a roundabout at 100th St. and Holly. It’s within the 100th St. Corridor project, but the funding secured through Move Ahead Washington is not sufficient to include a roundabout. A screening form was submitted to the Congressional Directed Appropriation (CDA) program. ➢ Tyler asked why Active Connections: California St. did not score as high as others and Tom advised it was an expensive project and it is a larger competition countywide. Contingency projects get funded and prioritized based on how long they’ve been on the list, so getting on the list is a good start. ➢ Tyler expressed concern over 41st St. crossing at an already busy intersection and is hoping to see improvements. 2 |Page  ➢ Discussion regarding Active Connections: Madison St survey. Tyler recommended public opinions received on the surveys be discounted as those decisions affect future generations that do not have a say. Corey advised Public Works put up 1,400 doorhangers directing to the survey and followed up with postcards. There has been outreach via social media, bus ads, Everett Herald ads, and talking to advocacy groups and businesses along the route. There’s been a petition against the change, a significant response and positive feedback. o Danielle questioned the role of public outreach and decision making, and if there is a set policy or if it is to get a consensus of the community. Tom advised on the National and State level, there is the NEPA and SEPA processes, which regulations require public outreach. On local projects where the City is not subject to either process, Public Works takes the same approach to outreach from the community impacted. Public Works comes to a consensus based on the data collected in the public outreach. They then use engineering judgement and evaluate the transportation system to determine the best benefit for the citizens of Everett. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING REPORT ➢ City Council approved the release of the photo enforcement RFP on April 6, 2022, by a vote of 6 to 1. ➢ 2022 Safe Route to School and Bicycle Pedestrian Grant Program will be put in for bid at the end of May and start of June. An agenda will be brought before TAC in May. ➢ Upcoming special events in the City of Everett: o Farmers Market will return on Sundays from May-October on Wetmore o Cruzin’ to Colby o Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival o Artist Garage Sale & Paint o 4th of July Fireworks o 3 on 3 tournament downtown Everett that will close multiple blocks July 9-10 o Fisherman’s Village Music Festival o Running events, 5k’s, ealk to support breast cancer research and Everett Half Marathon o Best Friend’s Fest benefitting the Everett Animal Shelter and others on the waterfront ➢ Over 500 responses on Active Connections: Madison St. survey. The City is in the process of analyzing the results, Christina will report on them within the next few months. The City is currently doing a traffic study/safety analysis of the corridor and evaluating several other alternatives to stripe bicycle facilities on Madison St. ➢ Richard mentioned a proposal for Community Transit bus line in North Broadway. He asked if there would be any impacts to the parking on Broadway or if there would be using existing stops. Michael stated that it was originally designed as Red line but was re-named Gold line. The Swift line has their own dedicated stations with limited stops, a stop at Tower St. and at 14th is anticipated. It is too early to determine parking impacts. Corey advised next year CT plans to start the process of station site selection and the opening plan will be in 2027. ➢ Tyler mentioned I-5 HOV work funded NB from Everett to Marysville and requested for a follow up on a bike underpass at the SR 529 interchange design. ➢ Tyler asked what the total cost was for printing and advertising for the Madison St. survey. Tom advised the cost was roughly $8,000. 3 |Page POLICE REPORT ➢ Sergeant Tim Morgan expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of support for the loss of Officer Rocha. ➢ Two more car vs. pedestrian collisions occurred. One collision was at Airport Rd. and Hwy 99. Intensive enforcement is planned. The single motor vehicle officer is working to enforce traffic throughout the city. They are hoping to increase staffing numbers soon, but the process takes time. Applicants are coming in for the positions, but they must pass a background investigation, and psychological and polygraph tests. Once hired, they have a 6-month training phase, fully trained officers can take 7-9 months. ➢ Hal mentioned he saw a volunteer vehicle for police and asked if there was a volunteer group that was assisting Police. Tim advised Sergeant Edmonds is the supervisor for Seniors Against Crime and he leads the senior volunteer group. They provide home checks for people out on vacation, will help monitor problem areas to help make the department resources more efficient. TRANSIT REPORT ➢ Michael Schmieder advised the mask mandate was dropped this week on busses. Transit will continue to provide masks for the riders who still wish to wear them and will still implement best practices for the public and employee’s safety. ➢ Governor Inslee signed the Transportation Legislation Packages Law on March 25th “Move Ahead Washington” which provides over $17 billion toward transportation projects over the next 16 years. ➢ Next Gen Transportation (NGT) Highlights: o Increased share of funding on maintenance and preservation of existing roads and bridges. Significant share toward transit, safe biking and pedestrian facilities, electrification of ferries and cars and other non-highway programs. o Beginning October 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, $880,000 and $2.1 million every year after will be reimbursed for the free fare on passengers 18 and younger. o The Orca Lift price is to be decreased based upon income for youth fare. If Council approves, Everett Transit intends to implement the youth fare change by July 1, 2022, and other changes no later than September 1, 2022. To secure funding, plans need to be submitted by October 1, 2022. o Ridership on fixed route is up 16% for the month of March and is the highest since pre-pandemic. Para-transit ridership increased by 17%. ➢ Richard Smith asked about the reimbursement for passengers 18 years of age and younger, and if the program is based on a tally of passengers or the Transit department’s size. Michael advised there is a formula based on operational costs. Discussion is underway whether to issue a specific Orca card or have passengers use their ASB card, and they will most collect numbers manually. Riders must be minimum 6 years of age or older to ride unaccompanied, and drivers are trained to recognize young passengers that need assistance. Michael advised Everett Transit is fully staffed. AGENDA ITEMS ➢ On May 11th, Corey will go before Council with the resolution to reduce the speed limit on Evergreen Way from Airport Rd. to Everett Mall Way. The City has done analysis and received concurrence with the State to change the speed limits to 40 mph on Evergreen Way and 35 mph on SR 99 Everett Mall Way. Danielle asked if there was anything going along with this reduction that would help encourage people to follow the speed limit. Corey advised there is a radar speed sign that has the posted speed and the driver’s 4 |Page  speed. There is a long-term vision for Evergreen Way to to install median treatments and a business access transit lane both northbound and southbound. The option to narrow lanes is not available. ➢ M/S/P to recommend to Council the approval for the reduction of speed limits on Evergreen Way and Everett Mall Way. ➢ Richard Tarry discussed the Six-year Transportation Improvement Program and the new proposed items: o North Broadway Pedestrian Bridge. o 75th St. SW (Hardeson Rd. to Seaway Blvd.) from the Bicycle Master Plan – Bicycle Pedestrian Corridor project. o Bus Replacements 2023-2028. o Once the 6-year TIP is approved by Council, it authorizes staff and transit staff to seek grant funding for projects. Some of the projects are things the City would encourage WSDOT or Sound Transit to do. ➢ The Agenda Item ‘Photo Enforcement Plan and Schedule’ will be discussed at the next meeting. Adjournment: 9:53 a.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: May 19, 2022 5 |Page