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 October 6, 2021 9:00 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 Ms. Toni Rhinehart, Finance Director Ms. Kathy Shealy, Transit Director Mr. Art Newall, Planning Director Maj. Rodney Bailey, Rome Police Dept. Sgt Burns, Rome Police Dept. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Cochran called the meeting to order. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the previous meetings were approved as presented. POLICE REPORTS Major Bailey presented the September accident report, there were 224 accidents in September up from 190 at this time last year. There 65 private lot accidents up from 54 last year. There were no fatalities in September but there were 6 year‐to‐date, up from 4 last year. There were 7,143 total traffic cases for the year up from 5,689 at this time last year. There were 165 DUI arrests for the year up, from 132 last year. DUI arrests for the year were 10, up from 8 last year. Injuries were down slightly from 532 last year to 503. Major Bailey reported the truck that had been in the river off Riverbend Drive for several weeks has been removed. 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162‐1433 Phone: 706/236‐4466 • fax: 706/236‐4532 Sgt. Burns reported that a dedicated patrol in the downtown area started on August 28th on Friday and Saturday nights particularly to address Juvenile issues. He reported these have largely resolved since the town hall meeting. Major Baily noted this special detail will be continued through football season as funding allows. He added he has four officers in the field training who will be back on shift by the end of October. TRANSIT OPERATIONS Bus Shelters Ms. Shealy reported there are currently seven shelters at the facilities they are waiting to install. She noted the contractor hired to do the installations has had medical issues which have delayed his progress. Mr. Carroll is working on procuring the needed right of way to complete on some of them. She has been working with Community Development Director, Becky Fox, who is working to allocate $50,000 [from the Choice Neighborhood Planning grant for East Rome Redevelopment] for bus shelters in the Maple Street area. Hopefully the contractor will be able to start back up soon. She added other locations of shelters to be installed are the library and West Rome Walmart, and two benches will be installed at Floyd Medical Center because they rejected the shelters. Mr. Jenkins added that the Housing Authority is able to provide funding in advance of processing all the required resident surveys to expedite this work. He noted some of the shelters will have solar lighting panels. He added the shelters on Maple Street are on Housing Authority property. Ms. Shealy added all our new shelters have solar light panels. Commissioner Collins noted there is valuable information given at the Georgia Transit Association annual conference and asked when it will be held. Ms. Shealy replied the conference is scheduled for December 8th through 10th on Jekyll Island. She is already signed up for that but if anyone else would like to attend, it isn’t too late. He stated that valuable information is given at these conventions and it is a good idea to attend. Ms. Shealy said she will provide him more information. Commissioner Askew commented that we probably should start thinking about expanding our bus services to the new development down Chulio Rd. Ms. Shealy noted that after our Transit Development Study was performed, we have not yet been able to implement the changes we want to make because we don’t have enough buses. The transfer of four Gainesville buses she had discussed at a previous meeting was approved at their Commission meeting last night so we just need to receive approval from GDOT to complete the transfer. We have three Gillibus’ on order but they won’t be delivered until next year. Four smaller buses ordered are being delayed because of the microchip that is needed. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes October 6, 2021 Page 2 of 5  Section 5307 Capitol and Operating Application FY23 Ms. Shealy reported the FY23 Section 5307 Operating Grant Application must be submitted by November 1st, 2020 This is 80% Federal with 10% local and State matches. We had a federal allocation of $1,952,390 million for operating and capital. For FY 23, she will apply for $2.7 million, which is on an 80/10/10 split making the local portion will be $1.35 million. The application for Capital also an 80/10/10 split and will be fore $753,000 which will include security and surveillance equipment, shop equipment, bus upgrades, and painting the exterior and interior of the shop and administrative offices as well as some passenger amenities. Preventive maintenance is also included. She added that she is technically funded through June 30th under the CARES program. She noted she is technically funded through June 30 under the CARES program. She added that a Resolution will be presented to approve the application probably at the second Commission meeting in November. Commissioner Collins moved to approve Ms. Shealy submitting the grant application. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Ms. Shealy noted they have started the free fares on Monday and gift bags were given out to riders at the Transit station. That event went very well and was appreciated. Mr. Jenkins added that several people came up and thanked the City for doing this. Financial Report Ms. Rhinehart presented the August Financial Report. She noted that budgeting is a bit complicated with the CARES funding. She reported the Main Line operating revenues were down $3000 from 2020 year‐to‐date and Paratransit was up about $5900. Investment was down $2300 from last year. During 2020 some operating reimbursements were not done but we caught that up in October of last year. On the expense side, Main Line expenses were down $81,000 from 2020. She noted that we still have to pay insurance on the Tripper buses but hopefully they will sell soon. Paratransit expenses were down $8,000 from 2020. The cash balance $1.25 million. Commissioner Askew asked about the sale of the tripper buses. Ms. Shealy said out of 10 that were placed on GovDeals, five were sold at around $8,000 per bus, which is lower than normal. The five that did not sell were relisted a second time and the prices came in even lower so we declined the offer. She added has not attempted to sell the six newest 2019 model Thomas buses and is asking GDOT to allow her to keep two of the newest buses for backups, but has not had a confirmation from GDOT as yet. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes October 6, 2021 Page 3 of 5 OLD BUSINESS Addington Drive Update Mr. Jenkins reported that Mr. Carroll has prepared the easement for the area on Addington Drive where we will be working around the ditch. We are waiting for Mr. Hopper to come in to review and sign off before we begin. We will widen the ditch a little and clean it out. Update on Speed Tables Mr. Jenkins reported the speed table is in and we are waiting for the contractor to fill in the handicapped ramps. Recent rains have pushed back their schedule so they have rescheduled the work for the last week in October. Update on Painting for Poles on Broad St. Mr. Jenkins said the bid documents will go to Purchasing for advertisement this week. Commissioner Cochran asked if the lit signs were included as an alternate. Mr. Jenkins said they are in there for an additional $30,000. River and Art District Engineering Design Bid Recommendation Mr. Jenkins reported that the proposals for the River and Art District engineering design have been reviewed based on qualifications and experience. Staff recommends Pond ad Company based out of Peachtree Corners for their expertise and experience with similar projects. Firm Bid Amount Ranking Pond & Company 187,718.00 1 Croy 255,700.00 2 Goodwyn Mills Cawood 397,500.00 3 Kennedy Eng. and Assoc. 193,500.00 4 Southern Eng. and Surveying, Inc. 76,000.00 5 Commissioner Collins made a motion to award the bid to Pond and Company. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Commissioner Collins asked if there was any new information on the AGL paving. Mr. Rich said they are demobilizing out of their site on Braves Blvd. They have charged their line. Mr. Rich noted that we have received a bonus having the expanded parking lot at the Berry trail head. Mr. Jenkins reported that he and Mr. Carroll recently walked Shorter Avenue sidewalk from Coosawattee to past Dellwood along with their vendor, Arcadius, to review safety concerns. They particularly looked at handicapped ramps Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes October 6, 2021 Page 4 of 5  and issues with the AGL project which will all be addressed in a summary of the visit. He added that he believes this was a direct response to Grant Waldrup’s visit with us. He has been very responsive. NEW BUSINESS Request to Close a Portion of McDonald Street Mr. Rich reported he has been meeting with a group of 33 Holdings regarding a massive project at Martha Berry Hwy and N. 5th Ave. He added this was discussed at the Planning Commission yesterday. He noted that part of this project requires closing a portion of McDonald St., which is a narrow road that cuts through the project area. He recommended this Committee approve starting the process for closing this street. Commissioner Collins moved to approve proceeding with the process of closing a portion of McDonald St. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. 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 October 6, 2021 Page 5 of 5