City Council Community Planning & Transportation Committee Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING Municipal Building, Executive Conference Room, 201 West Gray, Norman, OK 73069 Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 4:00 PM MINUTES The Community Planning and Transportation Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma met in Regular Session in the Executive Conference Room of the Norman Municipal Building, on the 22nd day of August, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were posted at the Municipal Building at 201 West Gray 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Holman called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. PRESENT Councilmember Ward 7 Stephen Holman, Chair Councilmember Ward 5 Michael Nash Councilmember Ward 8 Matthew Peacock ABSENT Councilmember Ward 1 Austin Ball Councilmember Ward 3 Bree Montoya OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ward 4 Helen Grant Mr. Taylor Johnson, Transit and Parking Program Manager Mr. Scott Sturtz, City Engineer, Interim Public Works Director Mr. Tim Miles, Capital Projects Engineer/Acting City Engineer Mr. Darrell Pyle, City Manager Ms. Shannon Stephenson, Assistant City Manager Mr. Lamar Hammon, EMBARK Operations Specialist Mr. Larry Wyatt, EMBARK Operations Specialist CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |1 AGENDA ITEMS ITEM 1: PUBLIC TRANSIT REPORT. Mr. Taylor Johnson, Transit and Parking Program Manager, presented the transit report to Council. Mr. Johnson said last month marked five years the Norman Transit System has been in operation, with no missed days of service. The fleet has been mainly overhauled and the long range Go-Norman Transit Plan has been updated. The City successfully bought, renovated and opened the downtown transit center, changed the route network, created the Micro-Transit Program and in October implemented a frequency increase. Chairman Holman commented on changes seen during this time, fleet has been almost completely replaced, using grants and other funding. Mr. Johnson said grants are funded based on number of points for match and Norman has been successful in receiving these valuable grant points. Councilmember Peacock applauded the conversion to CNG and electric vehicles. Chairman Holman said if the City of Norman had not taken on the transit program when OU was no longer going to provide it, there would be no transit system in Norman. Mr. Johnson said transit service is part of the Central Oklahoma Long Range Transit Plan and the City of Norman is actively working together on the Regional Transit Plan with (RTA) Regional Transit Authority and provided an update on the plan. Chairman Holman said Moore is not part of the Regional Transit Plan, but is having discussions about implementing a local bus plan. Mr. Johnson said Moore hired a company to do a feasibility plan for transit service in Moore. City Manager Darrel Pyle said he would be happy to reach out to Moore on their findings and subsequent plan. Mr. Johnson provided information to provide transit services to the Adult Wellness Education Center. EMBARK did route timing and a determination was made if using routes as below. 121 – already pressed for time, even a slight route shift would increase the route time over the 30-minute cycle 122 – (Transit Center-Main-12th-Rock Creek and out to Garland Square) would be a better option with a connection at 12 th and Main and Garland Square. Go up Findley to Robinson and 12th and would have to consider switch from Main bus stops that would no longer be used and switch up to Findley. This would require transit to go out for public comment. Would lose approximately 4 riders at Walmart with the bus stop change. Stops in front of Food and Shelter would remain. 111 – Main route would be the best option. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |2 ITEM 1: (continued) PUBLIC TRANSIT REPORT. Mr. Johnson said that a third option would be EMBARK’s Well Program, that is designed for the elderly. Councilmember Grant asked how the Well Program worked. Mr. Johnson said that EMBARK can explore demand and expand, etc. Mr. Johnson introduced Mr. Lamar Hammon and Mr. Larry Wyatt with EMBARK and explained that Lamar will be taking over as the EMBARK Operations Specialist, representing the City of Norman. Mr. Johnson said that he can have Dr. Marilyn Dillion, EMBARK attend the next meeting to explain more on how the Well Program works. Councilmember Grant asked about a survey from riders to Well Center, nine out of 30 of the participants use transit. Mr. Johnson said STAFF will be exploring how to make this work for everyone. Councilmember Grant said people would rather have home pickup versus a dedicated bus stop and asked if this would require 24 hours’ advance notice. Mr. Johnson said more information will be provided at the next meeting. Councilmember Grant asked how many can ride at a time and will it run all day when the Well is open. Mr. Johnson said 14 passengers based on vehicle and that they will look at demand and what other programs provide transportation service before anything concrete will be done. Chairman Holman asked about doing another survey since the Well has been open six months, what do people currently use to get there, would like to see what options will impact or benefit. Mr. Johnson said he can put together a presentation for next meeting. Chairman Holman said he will be interested in survey options. Mr. Johnson discussed the Transit Center, saying Staff would like to have furniture and benches at the center. Benches would run about $600-$700 each and would need to add concrete for a total cost under $3,000 for concrete and each bench. Chairman Holman asked about the outside building ledge that people sit on, can it be incorporated as a seat and save funds. Mr. Johnson said he would have to look at Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. If touches, it must meet ADA. It would be better to leave it informally as is. Councilmember Grant supports the installation of benches, especially covered stops with trash cans beside as requested by riders. Mr. Johnson said that he is working with Tyler Media on additional covered benches. Councilmember Grant asked how the trash at the stops is handled. Mr. Johnson said this is a cost to Tyler Media. EMBARK in OKC had to hire staff to maintain stops as it has been a bigger issue than anticipated. The bus drivers also remind passengers to bring their trash with them and dispose of it in the bin on the bus. Chairman Holman said the Porter Transit Center looks more like a stop. Mr. Johnson said many people hang in the building while waiting on the bus. Chairman Holman asked about security safety issues in the past few months. Mr. Johnson said Staff may have to bring back security in the next few months. Staff is working with EMBARK to provide services, possibly may need a private security service for the city. The time of need will be targeted based on Police reports, calls, etc. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |3 ITEM 1: (continued) PUBLIC TRANSIT REPORT. Councilmember Grant supports looking at details of calls and what the trend is. Mr. Johnson said there isn’t any specifics known now but will bring information back to committee for review. The Police Department has been helping when needed. Chairman Holman asked if the Transit Center functions well, to which Mr. Johnson said yes. Mr. Johnson said they are looking at using some of the FTA money to concrete the road in order to save money long term. Mr. Johnson said another issue Staff has had is someone flipping the power switches and so Staff is looking at some type of fence around them. Mr. Johnson stated that the ridership numbers for June and July are included in this months’ report since CPTC did not meet in July. June saw a 22% increase in ridership and hope to keep expanding ridership, with a 5% stable increase. Chairman Holman said that transit is heavily used on Campus Corner and he constantly spreads the word about “Safe Ride”, the system works good, still a lot of Uber and Lift Rides in the area, but riders prefer “Safe Ride” because it is more efficient, goes to more places, etc. Mr. Johnson said the fixed rate passengers doubled and he is excited to see fixed routes being used for wheelchair and bike riders. Chairman Holman, asked if staff is looking into lift services for the emergency room and/or to the Healthplex since the Porter Campus is no longer an operating hospital. Mr. Johnson said Route 110 takes people to the Healthplex area for doctor appointments, tests, etc. He said they will look into the service numbers and the cost to go to Norman Regional Nine on Highway 9 and the Healthplex on Tecumseh Street. Will need to wait a few months to have reportable data. JUNE TRANSIT RIDERSHIP INFORMATION Mr. Johnson, said the total ridership for EMBARK Norman in June 2024 was 30,166 compared to 30,335 in June 2023, with the average daily ridership being 1,207. Total ridership 403,229 year to date, which is a 22.04% increase system wide. The fixed route service transported 28,353 passengers in June 2024, compared to 28,492 in June 2023. Passengers with bicycles totaled 992 and we transported 567 passengers with wheelchairs or other mobility devices in June 2024. Saturday service totaled 3,149 in June 2024, compared to 2,681 in June 2023, a 17.46% increase, averaging 14.30 riders on each route per service hour. Norman On-Demand completed 2,163 rides in June 2024, with eight (8) wheelchair accessible vehicle requests for a total of 25,801 riders since August 2023. There are currently 1,376 active accounts that have completed more than five rides each. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |4 ITEM 1: (continued) PUBLIC TRANSIT REPORT. JULY TRANSIT RIDERSHIP INFORMATION Mr. Johnson, said the total ridership for EMBARK Norman in July 2024 was 34,170 compared to 30,126 in July 2023, with the average daily ridership being 1,314. Total ridership year to date is 34,170, which is a 13.42% increase system wide. The fixed route service transported 32,104 passengers in July, compared to 28,263 in July 2023 and we transported 518 passengers with wheelchairs or other mobility devices in July 2024. Saturday service totaled 2,638 in July 2024, compared to 3,614 in July 2023, a 27.01% decrease, averaging 14.96 riders on each route per service hour. Norman On-Demand completed 2,984 rides in July 2024, with 16 wheelchair accessible vehicle requests for a total of 28,785 riders since August 2023. There are currently 1,548 active accounts that have completed more than five rides each. Items submitted for the record 1. EMBARK Norman Performance Report for June and July 2024 *********************************************** ITEM 2: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONSTITUTION STREET BOND PROJECT FROM JENKINS AVENUE TO CLASSEN BOULEVARD. Mr. Scott Sturtz, Interim Director of Public Works, presented information on the Constitution Street Bond Project and then turned it over to Mr. Tim Miles, Acting City Engineer, for further presentation. Mr. Sturtz said they have seen at least a 65% increase in project costs and need to discuss potential options to move project forward more economically. Mr. Miles went over the project; Freeze & Nichols is the engineer on the project. There were some design issues at Constitution Street and Imhoff Road and Constitution was paused at 60% completion. The project is for reconstruction of Constitution Street between Decatur Avenue and Ryan Avenue, just west of OU Golf Course. Project starts at Decatur Avenue, where the Jenkins Avenue project will end, (two blocks east of Jenkins) and continue to railroad tracks towards Classen Boulevard. The section of the road from Oak Tree Avenue to the east side of the golf course has good subgrade and a mill and overlay is to be done in this area. There are some underground improvements in addition to the widening to three lanes to allow for center left turn lanes along the roadway. There a new trail project, that was not originally planned, to be constructed on North and add in a sidewalk on entire south side of project. This is one of the projects expected to receive federal funds, but funds were not secured, as this is not on the (TIP), Federal Transportation Improvement Program and it may have to be City funded at some point. Staff is working with (ACOG), Association of Central Oklahoma Government to get the project eligible so the TIP Funds can be applied for. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |5 ITEM 2: (continued) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONSTITUTION STREET BOND PROJECT FROM JENKINS AVENUE TO CLASSEN BOULEVARD. Mr. Miles explained there are some design challenges Staff is working on. The challenge areas are between the two bridges on the golf course that handle the majority of water from Bishop Creek Tributary, which flows from the north, south under Constitution Street and turns west until it reaches Bishop Creek and flows to the south. Mr. Miles said there is slope stability issues on OU’s side of the road and it will be further impacted if a sidewalk is added on the south side of Golf Course. The slope erosion issue is on private property, and it is not “if”, but “when” the slope is going to fail. At some point, either OU or the City of Norman is going to have to address the slope erosion issue. City Manager Pyle asked if the erosion would be slowed if rip rap were applied. Mr. Sturtz said it really needs a mechanical way to stabilize, slow and stop erosion. Mr. Sturtz said previously, while working on a large project, during flooding, a tree fell and washed out the sanitary sewer line. He said this has been an issue for a long time. Chairman Holman said bridges and sidewalks constructed to 4’ ADA could impact the Golf Course. Staff has concerns about putting the sidewalk on the south side of the street. He said there were issues with the slope and that it was going to be a challenge and costly to do the sidewalk with the steep slope. Staff has had a lot of discussion with (BNSF) Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad when the trail project was being done and they tried to get the railroad to install the pedestrian crossing plate at that time, but BNSF did not want to and may not allow the crossing to be put in. The trees and the fence hide the steep slope that is cutting back towards the roadway. This is a private property issue and at some point OU is going to have to address the erosion or they will lose their fence. If a sidewalk and retaining wall were added to this area as originally planned, it will make it less stable. The city would need an easement to get in the area to address the issue. Chairman Holman said maybe OU will be interested in fixing the issue. The reason for the sidewalk is to benefit the number of people who live on the south side in University Greens and the Commons, which is general housing now, but fairly low income people live in this area and he would like to see people not walking in the dirt. Councilmember Grant asked if OU has been consulted about the issue and if they have any thoughts on it. Mr. Miles said they had not yet, Staff was waiting to address this project after the Jenkins Avenue rights of way needs completed. Next is the railroad crossing issue as mentioned previously. There are some alternate solutions to consider if the sidewalk is eliminated. Most of the businesses are on the north side and the most used route is the crossing at Constitution, so Staff is looking at best options. Possible installation of a signalized crosswalk, with a “HAWK” signal, High Intensity Activated Crosswalk. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |6 ITEM 2: (continued) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONSTITUTION STREET BOND PROJECT FROM JENKINS AVENUE TO CLASSEN BOULEVARD. This is the system Staff would recommend if the sidewalk was eliminated as this will get cyclist and people with mobility devices across safely. Chairman Holman asked if there would be a raised median in the middle of the street and if Staff was planning a more in- depth look at traffic on this road. Mr. Sturtz said a study was done as part of the original design, but it was done long enough back that it warrants a restudy. Councilmember Grant supports the raised pedestrian median in the center and asked if the cost savings will stay in the bond program. Chairman Holman asked if they were anticipating funding savings if they did it in-house. Mr. Sturtz said it would. Mr. Miles said the “HAWK” will realize approximately $450,000 in costs reduction to the project and spoke about the pros and cons of the project changes. Mr. Sturtz said the railroad cannot just add the road panel, but there will need to be additional changes to the crossing to meet the correct elevation for the crossing height. Councilmember Grant said she would support the raised median pedestrian crosswalk option, especially since it would save $450,000 to be used for other projects within the bond program. Chairman Holman said Classen Boulevard and Constitution Street is a very busy area and the intersections get backed up from the traffic. Mr. Sturtz said having a raised median Hawk system will slow traffic down, help with the congestion, and will make people more aware of the needs of the area. The design process includes a traffic study. Mr. Sturtz said Staff will add the south side sidewalk to the sidewalk project list and can possibly fix it on a separate project. Chairman Holman said he would like to see the sidewalk from Decatur to Dewey redone, a sidewalk from Dewey to Ryan (to the bridge), separate project from Dewey to Oak Tree, and one from Oak Tree across tracks. Mr. Sturtz told the committee that he appreciates being able to present alternative ways to provide safe walkways and the “HAWK” scored pretty good. Councilmember Grant asked since this is a Section 8 housing area, would the census tract give weight to funding options. Mr. Sturtz said they applied for “RAISE” and Environmental Justice grants with the census tract point boost, but were not successful. Mr. Sturtz said that Jenkins will be let out for bid in October, with a projected start date after the 1st of the year in 2025. Chairman Holman asked for an update on Hwy 9, wanted to know if there has been any response from ODOT. Chairman Holman and Councilmember Grant asked for a sidewalk project update, any projects ongoing. Porter Street and Gray Street, James Garner Phase III. Mr. Sturtz said James Garner is moving forward to coincide with the Gray Street Project, as there are some advantages to doing it with Gray Street. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |7 ITEM 2: (continued) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONSTITUTION STREET BOND PROJECT FROM JENKINS AVENUE TO CLASSEN BOULEVARD. Chairman Holman said he had several people asking about Alameda Street and Crawford Street intersection, over the summer. Mr. Sturtz said they are looking at it and moving in the direction to use a round-about there. Chairman Holman asked about the Porter Project, Mr. Sturtz said it is basically complete. Chairman Holman said that the light in front of friendly market is flashing constantly. City Manager Pyle said when the County opens the Hotel and Parking Structure these roads will need to be ready. Mr. Sturtz said all the sidewalk funds have already been allocated, with the 50/50 program being the first priority, but there may be some project savings for future ADA projects. Items submitted for the record 1. “Constitution Street 2019 Bond Project” dated August 22, 2024 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, August 22, 2024 Page |8