Transportation Committee

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Monday, April 1, 2019 3:45 p.m. Municipal Complex, Committee Meeting Room, 3rd Floor 100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 MINUTES Members Present: Mayor Will Haynie, Chair; Bob Brimmer, Joe Bustos, Kevin Cunnane Staff Present: Brad Morrison, Eric DeMoura, Paul Lykins Mayor Haynie called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes from the March 1, 2019 meeting Mr. Bustos moved for approval of the minutes; motion seconded by Mr. Brimmer. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Public Comments George Freeman, 1450 Bowman Road, Director of Community Activity for the CAGE organization, stated that the organization worked with the Six Mile community and the Liberty Hill developer, Stefan Hoyer, and the reason the project was supported was because the roundabout on Rifle Range Road would have four (4) sides that would go into the future park. It has come to their attention that the roundabout will now have three (3) sides causing great concern to the residents because if the roundabout does not have the four (4) sides, traffic from the Liberty Hill Farms subdivision will travel back through the Six Mile Community. Residents were concerned about additional traffic at the Six Mile Road intersection when the Oyster Point subdivision was built and the purpose for the roundabout was to have Liberty Hill traffic use the roundabout to get to Billy Swails Boulevard rather than the intersection on Rifle Range Road at Six Mile Road. The recommendation would be to add the fourth side to the circle and add a temporary road in the area to be used  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 2 of 9 as a passive park that residents can use now and, in the future, could be used to build a road if needed. 3. Budget Review FY 2020 a. Transportation Department operating expenditures Mr. DeMoura stated that staff is proposing that the budget will remain similar to the previous year’s budget. Budget increases include a four percent (4%) average in pay for performance and a one percent (1%) increase for mandatory retirement. The largest deduction is from the contractual services line item for the Construction Liaison position during the Coleman Boulevard project and other projects that will be eliminated once some of these projects in more dense areas are completed. Other notable expenses are the twenty- four thousand dollars ($24,000) increase to the contract for traffic light maintenance and the sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) increase to revise the QRS model for the impact assessment process. The revision would be a re- write of the ordinance to adjust and make the ordinance more current. There are no longer any expenses associated with the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). b. Transportation Department capital and maintenance expenditures Mr. DeMoura stated the smaller Capital Maintenance projects includes one million dollars ($1,000,000) for pavement preservation for maintaining the existing roads. On Capital Improvement Projects, more funds will be added to the Park West Boulevard Widening project and with the current and proposed fiscal year, funding will be complete at approximately nine million seven hundred thousand dollars ($9,700,000) to construct the project. Mayor Haynie asked how much is being added to the project. Mr. DeMoura replied that one million four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000) will be added to the current funds. Mayor Haynie commented that would make the entire Park West Boulevard Widening project nine million seven hundred thousand dollars ($9,700,000). Mr. DeMoura stated that two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) is a planned addition of money over time for the US 17 and Rifle  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 3 of 9 Range Connector Road project and there will be another allocation in the next fiscal year. When funding is complete there will be approximately ten million five hundred thousand dollars ($10,500,000) for the project. Staff tries to have cost estimates prepared throughout the course of the project, but the cost can change when the project is bid. There is a proposed allocation of one million four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000) for the Billy Swails Boulevard 4B project. This will be the last allocation and the project total is approximately fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000). Mayor Haynie asked if that is from inception. Mr. DeMoura replied in the affirmative. Mr. DeMoura stated that active projects include the Patriot’s Point Gateway Intersection Improvements project and that two million three hundred thousand dollars ($2,300,000) is proposed to be added to the project to complete funding in the amount of approximately eight million seven hundred thousand dollars ($8,700,000). Mr. Bustos stated that when Patriot’s Point Boulevard was being moved for the museum, money was allocated to move the road and the project included a roundabout or a big entrance into Patriot’s Point asking if it is still needed to be done to that scale. Mr. DeMoura asked for clarification to the question stating that the original allocation by Council for the relocation of Patriot’s Point Boulevard did not include that intersection improvement. Mr. Bustos asked if the entrance of Magrath Darby/Coleman Boulevard/Patriot’s Points needs to be as large as it was planned. Mr. DeMoura replied in the affirmative stating that the museum would have been just one component of what is going to be a much larger project in the area. Mr. Bennett’s project as well as other developments in the area that are ongoing right now are going to make that design the appropriate concept. Mr. Cunnane asked if the developer is subject to impact fees or anything that is going to contribute to the traffic.  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 4 of 9 Mr. DeMoura stated that the developers are not exempt explaining that when the impact fees are paid, that funding goes in to the general impact fee revenue account that can be used for all eligible projects. Mr. Cunnane asked if there are two types of impacts on transportation and if you have a direct impact on something, you have to pick that up. Mr. DeMoura replied in the affirmative. Mr. Cunnane asked if they are going to do that or are we building it preemptively ahead of their need. Mr. DeMoura replied in the affirmative stating that there are other things happening and this project needs to proceed. It is expected that they will have a substantial transportation impact fee that can be used towards other transportation projects and some of the funds will funnel back into the improvement at the intersection. The Town cannot hold on funding of the improvement until they are ready. The developer could pay in something, but it is doubtful it would be substantial. Mr. Cunnane asked if that is something that the Town could seek out. Mr. DeMoura stated that the developer will have to have to submit all plans to determine what improvements can be identified and other than that, he is not confident the Town will be able to carve out a substantial portion that will free up money. Mr. Cunnane commented that is eight million seven hundred thousand dollars ($8,700,000) for one intersection and asked where the cost factor is on that. Mr. Morrison stated that the improvement is defined by the Waterfront Gateway Sector Plan that was completed several years ago and the purpose of that plan was to comprehensively look at all the development within Patriot’s Point. The plan made assumptions on all the remaining land uses that were to be developed so that the Town could plan for more than just one development. Mr. Cunnane asked if the improvements were an expansion and not an overpass.  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 5 of 9 Mr. Morrison replied in the affirmative, stating that it is an intersection improvement. Mr. Brimmer commented that this may be a rare opportunity to be proactive on the infrastructure instead of waiting for the development to be there and then having to find funding later and asked if the funds allocated for the Patriot’s Point Boulevard relocation will be used for the intersection improvements or be moved to the greater fund. Mr. DeMoura stated that staff has not received a recommendation on that funding and that the recommendation would need to come from Council at the appropriate time on what you would like to do with money. Mr. Brimmer commented that the funds have not been allocated and asked if the funds were still in the same place. Mr. DeMoura replied in the affirmative, stating that the funds would not be moved until directed by Council. Continuing on with the Capital Improvement Plan budget items, he noted there are also funds allocated for bus shelters, sidewalk construction, radar upgrades, signal detection, intersection improvements and mast arm upgrades. Mr. Brimmer moved for approval of the Transportation Department’s operating expenditures and capital and maintenance expenditures as presented by staff; motion seconded by Mr. Cunnane. Mayor Haynie commented that everyone is experiencing construction fatigue with the Coleman Boulevard project and expressed concern that when the project is finished a new project will begin on the western portion of the road and asked how long the Patriot’s Point Gateway Intersection Improvement project is expected to last. Mr. Morrison replied that the project is anticipated to take approximately eighteen to twenty-four (18-24) months. Mr. Lykins also noted that Mount Pleasant Waterworks has significant utilities to relocate at that intersection. Mayor Haynie asked when staff anticipates that to happen.  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 6 of 9 Mr. Lykins replied 2021, stating that information would be provided in the updates portion of the agenda. Mr. Bustos asked if the Coleman Boulevard at Patriot’s Point Boulevard project, if the improvement will close Coleman Boulevard completely for some amount of time. Mr. Morrison replied in the negative, stating that traffic control and staging to keep intersections open is often what makes these projects so complicated regarding traffic flow. Staff expects the only closures would occur at night at that location. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Update – ongoing projects Mr. Lykins stated that most of March was dedicated to preparing for the Cooper River Bridge Run (CRBR) on the Coleman Boulevard Revitalization project. Stage 1 has been completed and Stage 2 is near completion with construction transitioning into Stage 3. As part of the CRBR coordination, the contractor decided to delay the construction of the medians between Simmons Street and Mill Street until after the race. The completion is scheduled for December 2019, but it is anticipated for the project to be complete by late summer. The US 17 to Rifle Range Connector Road project, formally known as Long Point Road Extension, is still in the design phase and the intersections at US 17 and Billy Swails Boulevard is currently being analyzed. The Patriot’s Point Gateway Project is expected to have complete design and permitting in July of 2020, with construction of the project to occur between July 2020 and December 2021. Mount Pleasant Waterworks is in the design phase to have a large force main that will need to be relocated among other utilities. The design exception has been submitted to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT or DOT) and the right-of-way plans are being reviewed. Staff is scheduling another public meeting for the Billy Swails Boulevard 4B project and is waiting for confirmation from the school district that the meeting can occur on April 30th at Laing Middle School to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and proceed to the final design phase.  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 7 of 9 Mr. Brimmer commented that this project has been discussed for a long time asking if there was a way to expedite it. Mr. Lykins stated that the Town has agreements with SCDOT as to how the road will be procured and the project is in the design phase. The NEPA document will be submitted for review in June and construction is anticipated to begin in late 2020. Mr. Morrison said that the NEPA process was longer than the Town would have desired because the DOT explores every alternative to a project, even though this is the final segment of an existing roadway. It speaks to the Federal process on what is required, and this process took longer to complete the traffic analysis. Mr. Brimmer asked if for clarification that construction would begin in summer 2020. Mr. Morrison replied in the affirmative Mr. Lykins stated that the DOT is reviewing the plans for the Shem Creek Bridge Bike lanes that will tie into the bike lanes on Coleman Boulevard. The Park West Boulevard Widening project is moving into the bid and construction phase and will be advertised on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, with bids due in May. A staff recommendation to the Bids and Purchase Committee is expected in June and an issue of a Notice to Proceed in late June. The project is expected to take eighteen (18) months to complete. The All American Boulevard project is in the design and permitting phase. Mr. Bustos asked what distance no parking should occur from an intersection and if the issue can be discussed in context of the Old Village at the next Committee meeting. Mr. Morrison replied that the ordinance is either twenty or twenty-five (20- 25) feet from a stop sign. Mr. Bustos expressed that issue needs to be discussed to resolve the problem of vehicles parking up to the intersection and there are times that pedestrians must weave around cars to walk on the sidewalk. Another topic for discussion is the proliferation of golf carts in some areas and what the rules are for usage.  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 8 of 9 Golf carts may not be a bad thing because they take up less room, do not burn gas and are convenient, and if there is some way to encourage the use of golf carts, especially in an area like the old part of Mount Pleasant where there is low traffic, that would be good. Mayor Haynie stated that a resident has requested that tree limbs be trimmed back from the merge signs approaching the Ravenel Bridge and asked staff to address the issue. Mr. Morrison asked if the issue was on the Coleman Boulevard approach. Mayor Haynie replied in the negative clarifying that the issue was on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard near the hotels. Mr. Brimmer commented that an issue he asked Mayor Haynie to add to the agenda at the next Committee meeting was the concern by residents relating to the current speed limits on SC 41 and if they can be reviewed by the DOT to be adjusted for the two (2) new signals that have recently been installed. The current speed limits in the area range from thirty-five to fifty-five (35 – 55) miles per hour (mph) and with new development in the area, the speed limits should be reviewed. He noted the Transportation staff has informed him that the review has already been initiated and the issue is being addressed. Mr. Cunnane stated that he does not believe that all residents are in favor of reducing the speed limit on SC 41 because it is already slow and the synchronization of the two (2) signals are causing angst. Lowes had a signal installed through the DOT overnight through a call to the governor’s office and now there are three (3) signals very close together that need to be timed or traffic will be a disaster with it backing up to the next signal. Is that an issue that staff would handle? Mr. Morrison replied in the affirmative. Mr. Brimmer stated that he thinks the concern was traffic coming off the bridge where the speed limit is thirty-five (35) mph, but drivers are traveling at fifty-five (55) mph. With the amount of traffic coming out of Dunes West and with the new intersection, the posted speed limit of fifty-five (55) mph is  Transportation Committee Minutes April 1, 2019 Page 9 of 9 insane with the spacing of the traffic signals. A review of the speed limits by the DOT would be beneficial to determine if the speed limits are still appropriate speed and if not, make the adjustments. 5. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Cathy Godsey April 3, 2019  Mount Pleasant Transportation Committee April 1, 2019 1. Approval of Minutes from the March 4, 2019 meeting 2. Public Comments 3. Budget Review FY 2020 4. Update- ongoing projects  4. Project Updates Coleman Boulevard Revitalization Contractor: Blythe Development Start Date: September 11, 2017 Completion Date: December 27, 2019 Status: • Stage 1 Westbound – Complete. • Stage 2 Eastbound – Landscaping and lighting. • Stage 3 Median Construction – Simmons St. to Fairmont Ave. • Simmons St. to Mill St. after Bridge Run and complete in June. • Stage 4 Final Paving - August to October. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Coleman Boulevard Revitalization Project Progress as of March 31, 2019 •All Phase 1 Storm Drain Complete • 2,000 Feet of Lighting and Irrigation Conduits •7500 Feet of Storm Drain • Simmons Street Force Main Relocation •80 Drainage Structures • Simmons Street Gravity Sewer Relocation •3 Water Quality Treatment Devices • Simmons Street Gravity Sewer Repair •5000 Feet of Curb and Gutter • Simmons Street Paving •4,500 Feet of Sidewalk • Fairmont Avenue Force Main Relocation • 2,400 Feet of New Waterline on Coleman • 3 Waterline Relocations Completed TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Coleman Boulevard Revitalization TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates US 17 to Rifle Range Road Connector Project Cost Estimate: • $10.641M ($5.74M Funded) Designer: JMT Completion Date: • Design: September 2019 • Construction: September 2022 Status: • Design of road between Billy Swails Blvd. and Rifle Range Road is ongoing. • Consultant is currently analyzing intersection geometry at US 17 and Rifle Range Road and future Billy Swails Boulevard 4B. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Long Point Road Extension TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Patriots Point Gateway Intersection Improvements Project Cost Estimate: • $6,765,800 Fully funded via adoption of 2019-2023 CIP Designer: STV Incorporated Completion Date: • Design and Permitting: July 2020 • Construction: July 2020 - December 2021 Status: • Utility coordination is ongoing. • MPW has initiated utility relocation design. • Design Exception and ROW plans submitted to SCDOT. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Patriots Point Gateway Intersection Improvements TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Billy Swails Boulevard 4B Project Cost Estimate: • $12,568,497 ($2,568,497 TOMP and $10,000,000 Federal) Designer: Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Completion Date: • Design: August 2020 • Construction: August 2022 Status: • Currently, several alignment alternatives are being reviewed through the NEPA process. Alignment options include studying impacts of widening US- 17 and Rifle Range Road vs. BSB. ​Based on this and input from SCDOT we should be ready for the next public meeting in April. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Billy Swails Boulevard 4B TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Shem Creek Bridge Bike Lanes Project Cost Estimate: • $791,000 ($158,000 TOMP and $633,000 Federal) Consultant: CDM Smith Completion Date: • Design: June 2019 • Construction: March 2020 Status: • Preliminary plans have been submitted to SCDOT and are currently under review. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Shem Creek Bridge Bike Lanes TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Park West Boulevard Widening •Design Consultant: Mead and Hunt •Design: Complete •Permitting: Complete June 2019 •Project Cost Estimate: $7M with 15% contingency •Construction Schedule: June 2019 –December 2020 •Status: • Bid Advertisement: April 3 • Open Bids: May 8 • Award Contract: June 23 • Issue Notice to Proceed: June 24 TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Park West Boulevard Widening TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates All American Boulevard Extension Project Cost Estimate:$5.365M ($2.05M Funded) Consultant: Mead and Hunt Completion Date: • Design: March 2018 - December 2019 • Construction: March 2020 – December 2021 Status: •Wetlands have been delineated. •Phase 1 designer under contract for plan revisions and right of way acquisition for that phase. •Design and Permitting is ongoing. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates All American Boulevard Extension TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates All American Boulevard Extension TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Maritime Port District Improvements Study Project Cost Estimate: • $163,458 for concept study – $1,500,000 funded via adoption of 2019-2023 CIP Consultant: CDM Smith Completion Date: • Concept Study: August 2018 - January 2019 Status: • Concept Study is complete. • Will provide concept plans to Committee in March. • Met with SCSPA in November. Meet with neighborhoods in February. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Maritime Port District Improvements Study TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Park West Boulevard and Stockdale Street Improvements Project Cost Estimate: • Concept Design: $200,000 Consultant: Mead and Hunt Completion Date: • Concept Study: October 2018 - September 2019 • Construction: NA Status: • Intersection concept study completed in March. • Approved concept alternative #1. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Park West Boulevard and Stockdale Street Improvements TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Transportation Sales Tax (TST) Projects •Park West Boulevard sidewalk from Stockdale Street to the recreation complex is complete. •Anna Knapp Boulevard sidewalk from Johnnie Dodds Boulevard to Hibben Ferry is complete. •Belle Hall Parkway and Paul Foster Mini Roundabout under design. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.  4. Project Updates Charleston Transportation Committee (CTC) Projects •Pelzer Drive sidewalk is complete •Lansing Drive sidewalk project is currently under design. •Seacoast Parkway sidewalk project is currently in design and additional right of way needs are being evaluated. •Cottingham Drive sidewalk design to be funded next year. TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. 5. Adjourn