Montpelier Transportation Infrastructure Committee

Montpelier Transportation Infrastructure Committee June 6th 2017 Minutes - DRAFT 6:00-8:00PM City Hall: City Council Chambers Members Present: Jenn Gordon (Chair), Dan Costin, Dona Bate (City Council), Cory Line (DPW), Kevin Casey (Department of Planning and Community Development), Dan Jones, Mark Provost, Heather Voisin, Jonathan Harries, Erin Aguyano, Per Tonn, Chris Loyer, Rebecca Harris (AmeriCorps) Attendees: John Snell, Dan Berheide (Alta), Ashley Witzenberger (Montpelier Alive), John Seely (Surface Matters Design) 1. Motion to approve previous agenda and minutes. All in favor. 2. No public comment 3. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (Rebecca Harris)  Chris moves to demonstrate committee support to use funds from Vtrans 2017 bike and pedestrian grant for rectangular rapid flashing beacons in the 4 locations designated. All in favor. 4. Complete Streets Review/ Road Typologies Presentation: Dan Berheide, ALTA  Typologies from their previous presentation were based on land use. The project team has since gone back to drawing board and characterized streets based on their character (rural, residential and downtown) o Provided graphics on speed limit and traffic volume. As speed increases on a roadway, we will create stronger separated facilities. Street Case Example: East State Street (Downtown Collector)  The preferred typology for this street would consist of 10 ft. lanes, vehicle speeds at approximately 20 miles per hour and on street parking selectively on one side.  In general, bikes need more protection on downhill side.  A bus shelter could improve corner of E. State and act as an opportune space to add bike facilities.  East State Street is a unique street because the sidewalk shifts from one side to both sides. The street could use the addition of a bump out and the addition of green infrastructure. Terrace (Neighborhood Collector)  Can transition along roadway from preferred to minimum. Questions: Is there a typology for no cars (similar to Church Street)?  It is a treatment rather than a typology/ a policy decision. What happens to local streets?  Depending on their location (rural, neighborhood), local streets are considered in the matrix. Can we break up the presentation into council districts for ease of viewing?   Google Imap will allow for zoom in and zoom out features. Once finished, this interactive map can be posted on the city website. Downtown local streets have no parking, is this too radical of a change?  “Treatments” recognize on the ground realities. We will apply treatments in certain scenarios. Most of our streets will not be able to meet preferred, is their guidance on decision-making process?  There will be future discussions on how tradeoffs are balanced. Corey -- suggestion for materials to be addressed in the plan. For instance for sidewalks (we can put preferred materials in chapter 2). Right now we use zoning ordinance to dictate materials and this is outdated.  What about lifecycle analysis, cost benefit analysis? Is there a place you can address parking types? Action Steps: Kevin Casey to distribute ALTA materials and MTIC Members will provide feedback for the report. Comments and feedback for ALTA should be directed to Kevin, who will consolidate and return to ALTA. Members also encouraged to send any photos. 5. Wayfinding Master Plan Presentation (John Seeley and Ashley Witzenberger) Future timeline: Tomorrow they will be presenting to tourism information services and then city council Hierarchy of sign types  Landmark: (tall sculptural) could be used on Memorial and other gateways into town  Directional: will facilitate vehicle and pedestrians travel and will include language on local cultural destinations and businesses. Sign location plan  Pedestrian kiosk will have a directory which can be changed over time for businesses that will be transitory.  Back of the signs will play on Montpelier Alive logo (Place making)  Will limit the amount of messaging for safe driving.  Parking directional will help make parking evident.  A flag will be placed on specific signs located near the bike path (replicable and can grow as we change our bike infrastructure).  Objective to consolidate and simplify signage on streetscape. This project will be implemented in stages with funding from a variety of sources Questions: How are you dealing with public transportation?  The kiosk will allow travelers to access their specific location and surrounding amenities.  o There will be a kiosk by information, by city hall and near Langdon Street.  Directional signs will also guide visitors. Discussion of landmark sign  DRC will review way finding, but there isn’t a planned public meeting. Motion: Erin makes a motion to endorse the plan and preliminary design of the way finding system. Dan seconds. All in favor. 6. Work Group Report Updates Bike Rack Request Policy (Heather Voisin)  Researching other municipalities that have application process (Denver and Oakland have such a procedure). Examples so far are for racks located within city owned right of way.  Previous request/discussion of a rack at Montpelier Integrative Family Health was funded by employees. Rack purchase and installation through Onion River Sports. Action: Heather will draft bike rack policy. Sustainable Montpelier Coalition (Dan Jones)  There are a number of projects in development which will be presented to the committee soon/once fully developed. Data Collection and Analysis (Dan Costin)  Dan is working on a RFP to have a survey done. Is there a dollar value necessary for RFP?  He can approach as if a RFP but doesn’t have to be official RFP. Complete Streets Group (John Snell)  The group is recruiting members.  Action: Let John know if you know anyone that might be interested.  Harris Webster created a successful pedestrian scramble with 50 participants  There will be a second walk and roll to the ball game on July 18th Next month we will be meeting the second Tuesday which is July 11th. 7. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.