Board of Public Works and Safety

August 14, 2015, Special Joint Meeting Minutes HOBART REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION & BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY Page 1 of 4 President Carla Houck called the August 14, 2015, special joint meeting of the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) and Board of Public Works & Safety (BOW) to order at 8:03 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. RDC Members present: Carla Houck, Denny Koesters, Karen Robbins, Sheila DeBonis, and Marsha Plesac. RDC Member absent: Shawn Kelly. BOW Members present: Richard Lain and Tom Ehrhardt. BOW Member absent: Mayor Brian Snedecor. Also present: Deborah Longer, Clerk-Treasurer; Anthony DeBonis, City Attorney; Denarie Kane, Director of Development; Jake Dammarell & Andrea Langille, Butler, Fairman & Seufert (BF&S); John Jackson, Ratio Architects; Bob Fulton; Assistant to the Mayor; and Karen Caffarini, Post-Tribune. Under Approval of Agenda, a motion was made by Mr. Lain to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Ms. Plesac. All ayes; motion carried. (6-0) There was no Old Business. Under New Business, Ms. Houck introduced the first item which was Downtown Streetscape Design. A memo was circulated listing the items that need input from the two boards as well as the topics for discussion at the meeting. Graphics depicting the phasing and the work proposed were distributed as well. Ms. Langille provided a brief overview explaining where new sanitary sewers will be installed along 3rd and Center Streets and which part of 3rd Street’s sanitary sewer will be relined. This work must be done prior to the beautification work being constructed on the surface. Storm water work will be done where needed to guarantee positive drainage. Coordination is being done with Indiana American Water Company regarding the replacement of the water line within the project limits. Pavement areas will be replaced at full depth asphalt but how the pavement portions of State Road 51 are rehabilitated will be at the discretion of INDOT. The particulars are still being coordinated between INDOT and the City. Other improvements include new concrete sidewalks with curb and gutter, ADA compliant cross walks, a brick paver accent band, trees in tree grates, planters, ornamental street lights, new ornamental traffic signal at 3rd and Center Streets, benches, bike racks, wayfinding signage, and trash receptacles. At the trail crossing near the clocktower a raised elevated speed table and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon activated by pedestrians are proposed to facilitate safe crossing mid-block. There are six parking lots proposed to receive “façade” treatments to screen the cars. Two gateways will anchor the streetscape at the ends of 3rd Street. One will be at the crossing of Duck Creek and the other at the median across the bridge. Another items yet to be determined are the inclusion of curb extensions at the 3rd and Center Street intersection, a one way street configuration, and the burial of overhead utilities (NIPSCO, Comcast, and Frontier). Ms. Langille explained that the project was originally one phase but now due to federal funding issues it will be built in two phases. The work items per phase were explained. An April 6, 2016 , letting is planned for Phase 1 with completion by end of 2016. Phase 2 will have a August 14, 2015, Special Joint Meeting Minutes HOBART REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION & BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY Page 2 of 4 February 18, 2017, letting with completion by the end of 2017 or possibly later due utility burial issues. To date the environmental document has been approved and BF&S is proceeding with matters associated with right-of-way. All Phase 1 parcels are temporary right-of-way needed for construction except for a permanent one needed for the parking lot “façade” treatment at the bank. Right-of-way must be cleared by November 2016. All materials for the April letting must be submitted to INDOT by the end of December 2015. Special documentation is needed for any proprietary materials to justify such use to INDOT and these materials need to be submitted in mid-September. Phase 1 costs are estimated at $2,500,000 with $3,000,000 for Phase 2. Mr. Dammarell next discussed the one way street study that was prepared by BF&S in response to a desire to gain downtown parking spots. A summary e-mail was distributed with accompanying graphics. In addition to more downtown parking it was thought that this may increase the desirability of Center Street for businesses activity due to increased traffic. However, in most instances based on their experience, communities are switching from one way to two way street systems. The existing parking is 78 spots and this conversion would add 16-18. The road widths can accommodate only one side of angle parking with the other side remaining parallel parking. BF&S concluded that a one way system is not conducive to overall traffic flow and they recommend that the current two way system remain with no angle parking. Comments were expressed by various Board members on this topic. Mr. Jackson then explained the proposed streetscape improvements referencing a handout of design drawings. Designs must be specific per block due to the variation in the right-of-way available but yet cohesive. This has been achieved using the brick pavement band throughout. The band will accent the wayfinding signs, the ornamental traffic signal, trees grates, and street light locations. A clay burgundy blend brick is proposed since it will retain its color unlike concrete unit pavers. It will be installed in a basketweave pattern. Truncated dome pavers in a tone that contrasts against the lighter concrete sidewalk will be used at the ADA curb ramp locations. The brick band is a continuous width until it wraps around the accented site features. Unlike other blocks, the narrow right-of-way along 3rd Street from Main to Center Street will not have trees planted. A decorative thermoplastic crosswalk treatment will be installed at 3rd and Center Street and Main and 3rd Street using a blue wave similar to what was done on Old Ridge Road. Black metal planters will be located in clusters at certain corners. Curb extensions are proposed into Center Street at the intersection of 3rd Street to provide space for pedestrians and street furnishings and a safer crossing. All trees are planted within expandable tree grates for pedestrian walkability. Parking lot “façade” treatments will consist of brick masonry piers with metal black fencing in between the piers. Black metal benches matching the existing benches will be strategically located after communication with building and business owners. In response to a question from Ms. DeBonis, it was explained that no streetscape improvements are included along 4th Street since the sewer project is reconstructing the sidewalks in this area August 14, 2015, Special Joint Meeting Minutes HOBART REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION & BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY Page 3 of 4 and federal funding was not granted for this block. In response to a question from Ms. Kane, the curb ramp particulars associated with the curb extensions were explained. Mr. Jackson reviewed the work being constructed at the parking lot at 2nd and Center Streets but the final “façade” treatments at the other parking lots are still being determined. He showed the before photos and after renderings at several typical locations within the project. Questions about the curb extensions and snow removal were addressed. Mr. Lain asked about ADA accessibility matters. Mr. Jackson said nothing proposed impedes accessibility. The “precedent imagery” showing site furnishings and materials proposed was reviewed. Five trees species were identified to be used per block that are upright and narrow in habit. Ms. Kane said a few key decisions are needed. After input from those present, banner arms and plant basket brackets were determined to not be included on any new light poles on Center or 3rd Streets thereby limiting them to only the existing light poles on Main Street. However, flag pole brackets will be on each new pole for 4th of July flag flying. There was discussion about the curb extensions, truck turning movements impacted, pedestrian crossing benefits, and snow removal concerns. Mr. Fulton commented on the truck turning movements for detours during the current downtown sewer construction which have resulted in the loss of a few parking spots. The BOW will make the curb extension decision but will defer this decision to a future meeting. Various RDC members expressed their opinion on the curb extensions to the BOW members. The rest of the decision items were acceptable as presented and recommended by BF&S and Ratio. Ms. Kane explained in response to Ms. DeBonis’ inquiry that property acquisition at the bank is limited to the parking lot “façade” treatment area. The next item of business was Downtown Overhead Utility Burial. The cost to do such is under investigation by each of the utilities. The matter will be costly since the cost for just NIPSCO could be as much as $2,000,000. Currently about $600,000 has been budgeted within the streetscape project. Ms. Kane said this will be a cost that the Board of Works will have to help pay if it is determined that this burial should be done as part of the streetscape project. Both Board of Works members agreed to have further discussion on this topic with the Mayor so a decision can be made once estimates are received from the utilities. There was general consensus that the burial would aid in the aesthetic appeal of the downtown and the time to do such was in tandem with the streetscape project. Ms. DeBonis commented on the regret associated with not burying the utilities when the lakefront was improved. Adjournment - the meeting was adjourned at 9:09 a.m. Minutes were prepared by Denarie Kane, Director of Development. August 14, 2015, Special Joint Meeting Minutes HOBART REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION & BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY Page 4 of 4 Minutes approved by the Hobart Redevelopment Commission on _______________________. _________________________________ __________________________________ Carla Houck, President Attest: Minutes approved by the Hobart Board of Public Works & Safety on _____________________. _________________________________ __________________________________ Richard Lain, Member Attest: