Public Works / Traffic / Transit Committee

Chris Jenkins, Director Justin Messer, Assistant Director PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION , Cemetery Department Jody Gonzalez, Superintendent Engineering Services Aaron Carroll, Director Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Department Joe Krinke, Superintendent Solid Waste Collections Department Tim Garrett, Director Solid Waste Processing & Disposal Department Lee Stone, Director Streets & Drainage Department Chad Hampton, Director PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION June 9, 2021 10:00 AM. Sam King Room ‐ 601 Broad Street PRESENT: Commissioner Mark Cochran Commissioner Bill Collins Commissioner Bonny Askew Mr. Chris Jenkins, Public Works Director Mr. Justin Messer, Assistant Public Works Director Mr. Aaron Carroll, Engineering Services Director Ms. Toni Rhinehart, Finance Director Mr. Art Newall, Planning Director Maj. Rodney Bailey, Rome Police Department Ms. Kayla Schaaf, Associate Transportation Planner Ms. Aundi Lesley, DDA Director CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Cochran called the meeting to order. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the previous meeting were approved by common consent. POLICE REPORTS Major Baily reported that due to a complete change over in staff, the May accident report is not yet available. He noted that nothing in particular stands out during May, but wanted to report that a special detail was implemented on Friday and Saturday nights last weekend. It was very productive with 7 hands free violations, 6 driver’s license citations, 7 seatbelt violations, 11 other traffic related citations, a couple of alcohol related violations and 33 child safety warnings were issued regarding seatbelts. 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162‐1433 Phone: 706/236‐4466 • fax: 706/236‐4532 TRANSIT OPERATIONS Financial Report Ms. Rhinehart presented the April financial report. She noted there wasn’t much difference between March and April, but contract services revenue is still down slightly for being behind in payments. We received a $10,600 payment in May but they are still about a month behind. Operating and capital reimbursements are being worked on right now and should be caught up by next month’s report. Operating expenses under Main Line were down about $195,000. Under Tripper, there were very few repairs and some depreciation of tripper buses. She added that we are still working with GDOT on the disposal of the tripper buses. Total expenses were $979,316. Paratransit expenses are right in line. The cash balance as of the end of April was $1,091,000. OLD BUSINESS 5th Avenue Bridge Commissioner Cochran stated that there never was a meeting with the County regarding the bridge. He asked Mr. Carroll the status of the RFP. Mr. Carroll said he is still looking for direction on what to put in the RFP with regards to how to connect to the bridge. Commissioner Cochran suggested we put out the RFP to look at Tribune Street to the edge of the bridge and from Turner McCall to the bridge. He added it should include the maximum number of parking spaces up to the bridge. Commissioner Collins added there should be some sort of decorative entrance arch at both sides of the bridge. Commissioner Collins stated this part could be under a separate RFP handled by DDA. Mr. Carroll suggested also having the RFP include three options to choose from. Speed Tables Mr. Carroll reported he is working with two different vendors trying to finalize which we will choose. In order to have a tapering handicap access leading to the ramp, we are having them modify their design by squaring it off so the ramp can be added to it. He added the ramp will be cast out of the same rubberized material. Sidewalks on Shorter Avenue Commissioner Cochran noted his concerns about the narrow sidewalks on Shorter Avenue. Commissioner Askew added that he walks on Shorter Avenue and there is some build up on the edge of the sidewalk toward Brewster’s where people can hardly pass each other. Mr. Jenkins added that Shorter Avenue was widened in 1984 when the Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes, June 9, 2021 Page 2 of 5  standard for sidewalks was much narrower than it is now. Widening the sidewalks would require purchasing additional right‐of‐way. He noted that Mr. Rich advised him to meet with Grant Waldrop, GDOT District Six Engineer to discuss the best course of action to follow to address this. Mr. Carroll added that we need to find if there is any pathway through the state to get this done. Commissioner Cochran stated that we need to have that conversation with GDOT. Pressure Washing on Broad Street Mr. Jenkins reported that pressure washing the north bound side of Broad Street is scheduled to be completed the week before July 4th. Commissioner Collins asked if we have considered pressure washing Tribune Street and West 1st Street. Mr. Jenkins said he could put that in the budget for next year. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Etowah Terrace ‘No Truck’ Signage Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Rick Channon brought to his attention a problem with large trucks being misdirected to Etowah Terrace and getting to the top of the hill where Etowah Street narrows to become East Forest St. Trucks have had to go off the road into the right of way and against the guard rail. Mr. Carroll proposed installing two ‘No Truck’ signs at the bottom of the hill at the end of the curb and gutter where there is a double wide driveway where they can easily turn around. He also proposed installing signs on the other side at East Forest. Commissioner Collins moved to approve the proposed signage. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Request to Place Signage and Stripe Parking Spaces on E 3rd Ave Ms. Lesley reported that she has received a request from 1st Presbyterian Church to stripe parking spaces on E 3rd Avenue and enforce 3‐hour parking there because people are parking there all day long. Commissioner Askew moved to approve this request. Commissioner Collins seconded. The motion carried. Request to Close Mitchell Plaza Saturday, October 2nd from 5:00 PM‐11 PM Ms. Leslie requested to close Mitchel Plaza on Saturday, October 2nd for the Geocaching banquet that has been held at the Forum in the past. She noted that DDA sponsors a portion of this event and plan to use Mitchell plaza as an overflow location for the event Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes, June 9, 2021 Page 3 of 5  being held at the Vogue. She added that all businesses are aware and have no issues with this closing. Commissioner Collins moved to approve the request. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Request to Close 500 Block of Broad Street on Thursday September 30th from 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM. Ms. Leslie requested to close the 500 block of Broad Street on Thursday, September 30th from 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM for an event to break the Guinness Book of World Records to have the most people doing the Charleston in one place. There will be 1160 people participating in the event and there will be dancing lessons offered. Commissioner Collins moved to approve the request. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Request to Close the 100 Block of E 3rd Ave. Sunday, August 15th from 6 AM until 4 PM. Mr. Jenkins reported that 1st Presbyterian Church has requested to close the 100 Block of E 3rd Avenue from 6 AM until 4PM for their annual church picnic. They own both sides of the street on that block and they do not close or obstruct the intersections. He added that we have approved this in the past and the Public Works Division provides barricades for the event. Commissioner Collins approved the request. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. OTHER Commissioner Askew noted there will be a huge track meet at Barron Stadium in June. There are as many as 7000 athletes expected to participate. He suggested we paint something in the street to welcome them. Ms. Leslie said she would look into that. Commissioner Cochran noted it appears that Atlanta Gas will not put the road back to its original condition when they have finished their project in Summerville Park. He stated that if they do not do what they say they will do, it falls on the City to hold them responsible or make up the difference by completing whatever they fail to do. Commissioner Askew noted that there will be many other areas besides Summerville Park to consider so we should discuss it further. Mr. Jenkins added that he has corresponded with GDOT regarding our displeasure in Shorter Avenue’s paving. Mr. Carroll noted that restorations are not complete at this point and Atlanta Gas has worked with us in other areas such as doubling our parking at the trail head, so we would like to have a chance to try to work things out with them first. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes, June 9, 2021 Page 4 of 5 Mr. Jenkins reported that GDOT will be paving Martha Berry Hwy all the way around Redmond Circle in the next two or three weeks. They will be paving at night. Their contractor, C.W. Mathews has requested using the GE Parking for staging, which we have agreed to allow. MONTHLY REPORTS The monthly 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, June 9, 2021 Page 5 of 5