Public Works / Traffic / Transit Committee

Chris Jenkins, Director PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION Cemetery Department , Stan Rogers, Director Public Works Garage Department Brandon Coryea, Director Solid Waste Collections Department Donnie Barrett, Director Solid Waste Processing & Disposal Department Lee Stone, Director Streets & Drainage Department Chad Hampton, Director PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION October 14, 2020, 10:00 a.m. Sam King Room ‐ 601 Broad Street PRESENT: Commissioner Sundai Stevenson Commissioner Jamie Doss Mr. Sammy Rich, City Manager Mr. Patrick Eidson, Assistant City Manager Mr. Chris Jenkins, Public Works Director Mr. Justin Messer, Assistant Public Works Director Mr. Aaron Carroll, Engineering Services Director Ms. Kathy Shealy, Transit Director Ms. Kayla Shaff, Transit Planning Director Capt. DeHart, Rome Police Dept. Maj. Rodney Bailey, Rome Police Dept. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Stevenson welcomed everyone and asked them to introduce themselves. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the February meeting were approved by common consent. POLICE REPORTS Capt. Dehart reported total accidents year‐to‐date were 1,497 as compared to 1,519 at this time last year. Total traffic cases were down as well at 5,689 as compared to 7,503 in 2019. Injuries were up at 543 over 498 last year. The biggest change has been the fatality numbers. There were 4 fatal crashes so far this year which is up from 2 last year. He noted the following:  ‘Following too closely’ is the leading factor causing accidents in 42% of total cases.  There have been no changes in major accident intersections.  The top four crash sites were in the west side of town. 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162‐1433 Phone: 706/236‐4466 • fax: 706/236‐4532 TRANSIT There was nothing to report. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to report. NEW BUSINESS Request for Traffic Calming Techniques on Turner Chapel Rd. Mr. Jenkins stated that Commissioner Davis’ guest, Joey Hanes of 110 Turner Chapel Rd., will not be able to attend as planned. Mr. Hanes intended to present his concerns regarding speeding on Turner Chapel Rd. and request that traffic calming techniques be implemented. He suggested flashing light at Lakeshore Drive and Turner Chapel Road. The road is on the radar list posted at 35 mph. Both Commissioner Stevenson and Mr. Eidson noted they have not noticed a speeding issue during their regular daily commutes. Capt. Dehart noted that he does rotate officers to that area when he can, but man power has to be prioritized to areas with high traffic volumes. Broad Street Curb Repairs Mr. Jenkins reported there are several areas downtown where the curb is in need of repair. He noted the concrete is very old and the way it is designed isn’t far enough back for trucks to round the corner without damaging it. He showed photos of several areas where the curb has been damaged. Mr. Carroll added that the turn radius at 2nd Avenue and Broad Street is not sufficient for large trucks to make the turn so he recommended pulling that curb back some as well as adding a mountable curb. These changes were put out for bid and following bids were received:  Spriggs Paving Co. $65,410  JHC Corporation, Inc. $126,150  Tri Scapes, Inc. $ 119,825 Staff is currently putting together a contract for the low bidder, Spriggs Paving Co., but they will not be able to start work until January 1st . He suggested that some areas can be improved with pressure washing alone, which can be done in the meantime. Commissioner Doss noted that 2nd Avenue at Broad Street is a very dangerous crosswalk for pedestrians. He asked if there was anything we could to do to make it safer. Mr. Carroll noted this is an issue in other locations as well. We could make the right turn from 2nd Avenue onto Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes, October14, 2020 Page 2 of 3 Broad Street protected, but that may not help this situation and it would back up traffic considerably. Request to Close 4th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets Mr. Jenkins reported that we have been getting a lot of requests for street closures over the years, which included for bike races and runs which now are channeled through Ann Hortman at Tourism using an SOP that was developed for this purpose. Other closures, such as those for private block parties, were handled through this Committee until in 2015, this Committee empowered Staff to handle these types of requests administratively. We have allowed block parties that were open to the public downtown, and large ones such as Chambers Street4Kids to continue, while discouraging those that involve closing off portions of the street to traffic for private parties that were not all inclusive in the area. He noted that Harry Brock and Linda Jennings have made a request on behalf of the Between the Rivers Homeowners Association to close the block of 4th Ave from E. 3rd Street to E. 4th Street in order to have a ‘Porch Fest’ event involving musical performers on multiple porches. The event would be limited to the residents of that block and would restrict sidewalk usage. The request came in from Harry Brock and Linda Jennings. Normally, we would deny this event over the phone but as it came in Maj. Bailey added he gets 10 or 15 requests each year for graduation parties which he denies over the phone. We only approve public events with off duty officers working them. He feels that if we start approving these types of events it will create a lot of problems. MONTHLY REPORTS Departmental Reports The departmental reports were distributed for review. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Margaret Hollingsworth Margaret W. Hollingsworth, Secretary Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes, October14, 2020 Page 3 of 3