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 February 9, 2022 10:00 AM. Sam King Room ‐ 601 Broad Street PRESENT: Commissioner Mark Cochran Commissioner Bonny Askew Commissioner Jim Bojo Mr. Sammy Rich, City Manager Mr. Chris Jenkins, Public Works Director Mr. Justin Messer, Assistant Public Works Director Mr. Aaron Carroll, Engineering Services Director Mr. Felipe Arevalo‐Hurtado, Design Engineer Ms. Toni Rhinehart, Finance Director Ms. Kathy Shealy, Transit Director Ms. Courtnay Griffin, Assistant Transit Director Cpt. Dehart, Rome Police Dept. Ms. Aundi Leslie, DDA Director Mr. Doug Walker, Information Officer GUEST: Ms. Julie Smith, TRED CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Cochran called the meeting to order. Walk of Fame DDA Director Aundi Leslie reported that a downtown business, Pam studios at 510 Broad Street, has reached out to her to requested the creation of a ‘walk of fame’ similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with plaques in the shape of a star. She noted that currently have historic plaques on the sides of buildings and memorial plaques on the sidewalks and sidewalk plaques for the Blues on Broad sponsors. We do not have anything that a private business facilitates. The first 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162‐1433 Phone: 706/236‐4466 • fax: 706/236‐4532 person they want to recognize is Bobby Lee Cook who sold them the building. Mr. Jenkins noted this came up several years ago about the same time that the dancing flower project came up. At that time, we discussed the need for an authority to judge what art would be accepted or not, which is when the Arts Committee was formed to manage and evaluate this type of request. Ms. Griffin noted that she is uncomfortable with a private business determining who should be memorialized in a public space. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the previous meetings were approved by common consent. POLICE REPORTS The Accident/DUI reports were distributed for review. TRANSIT OPERATIONS Gainesville Bus Transfer Ms. Shealy reported the four buses we have been expecting from Gainesville Transit have been transferred to us. Section 5307 Capital and Operating Grant Approved for FY 23 Ms. Shealy reported the 5307 Capital and Operating Grant has been approved and we were able to get a trolley approved in under that Grant as well. She added that this is an 80/10/10 grant where the Federal portion is 80% and the City and State each contribute a 10%. Ford Cutaway Bus Cancellation Ms. Shealy reported the 4 cutaway buses we had ordered in August under a State contract have been canceled. The company has canceled all outstanding orders due to supply shortages. The State is working on a new contract. Bus Manufacturing Plant Visit, San Francisco Ms. Griffin recently reported on her recent visit to the bus manufacturing plant in San Francisco, where she was accompanied by Purchasing Director, Becky Smyth and Shop Supervisor Byron Bradfield. She reported they were able to procure three low‐floor Gillig buses. She presented several photos of the buses, noting they fit in well with the current colors we use already and the design will be a great addition to our fleet. Ms. Griffin added that there are still some supply chain difficulties for parts and components needed to complete the order but we are hoping they will go into production in September to be delivered by November. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes February 9, 2022 Page 2 of 6  Ms. Griffin stated the addition of these buses will be a great step toward our rebranding and will assist us in advancing our Transportation Plan. The Gillig buses are 29ft. in length and seat 28 passengers. She noted the City doesn’t have to pay anything on these. Ms. Shealy added that this type of bus is priced at approximately $500,000, and contract for them was changed from 80/10/10 to 100%. Request to extend free ridership though Dec. 31, 2022, Ms. Shealy requested, with GDOT’s approval to extend free ridership through the December 31, 2022. She noted that ridership has doubled since we implemented free ridership. She noted that she is required to hold a public hearing for citizen input after six‐months of free ridership. Commissioner Askew asked if this would include Paratransit service. Ms. Griffin replied that it would not include Paratransit, which is a separate mode of transport by appointment that requires an application and medical documentation. This service is supplemented by DHS. Commissioner Askew moved to extend free ridership through December 31, 2022. Commissioner Bojo seconded. The motion carried. Commissioner Askew asked if the trolley must be used on a fixed route and if it must be used only in the City. Ms. Griffin replied that when we proposed the trolley we had to also propose a route with the request. Ms. Shealy noted that we can provide service in the county under a rural transportation program. We did not establish a route in our request but stated our intent to utilize this service to bring more college students as well as tourists into the downtown area. Commissioner Bojo asked if the County has approached us about service to Lindale. Ms. Shealy stated they have not, but it has been discussed in development studies. Financial report Ms. Rhinehart presented the November Financial report. She noted that revenues for Main line are down $10,660 due to the free ridership. Paratransit revenues up by $11,700. The transit alliance are two or three months behind so this report reflects revenues through August. Since this report we have received one or two more payments. Revenues for operating federal money is through August. We know have received $2.134 million through November. Capital revenue for operating capital is now at $109,000. Under expenses she noted Main Line expenses are up about $41,000 while Tripper services are down $23,638 from 2020. She noted that we still pay maintenance, insurance and depreciation on the tripper buses we still have. Ms. Griffin noted that we disposed Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes February 9, 2022 Page 3 of 6  of six of them but still have 30. After multiple listings, we are looking at other options currently. OLD BUSINESS Speed Tables for 200 Block Mr. Jenkins reported that Mr. Rich asked him to discuss installing a speed table in the 200 Block of Broad Street since we have had so many good comments about the one installed in the 400 block. The cost for that one was a little under $10,000. Commissioner Bojo asked if a permanent one would be less expensive. Mr. Carroll noted it would be more expensive and would require disrupting traffic for some time to install. Commissioner Cochran asked Mr. Carroll if he could look at pricing for a permanent speed table similar to what they have at Berry College. Mr. Carroll agreed. Painting of Broad Street Poles and Signs Mr. Carroll reported that we recently opened bids for the painting on Broad Street. We had four bidders with a pretty good range but the two at the bottom were within 3% of one another. It is our intent to go with the second highest bidder after researching the companies. We hope to sit down with them next week for a preconstruction meeting. All the signs that are hanging now will be replaced with backing in black so that over time any rust stains will not show. The traffic signals will be replaced and will be bracketed mid‐way up the pole instead of hanging below. This work should begin sometime in March. The painting portion of the project will be done by IDS Painting, LLC out of Lawrenceville with a price of $60,150. Park Hokes Park Project Update Mr. Carroll noted the City is providing civil engineering on this project and Robert Noble is the architect. The first bid opening was extremely high with only a single bidder. The bids will be reopened on Feb 17th. Mr. Carroll noted we open bids tomorrow for the manufacture of our bridge over Big Dry Creek on the Mount Berry Trail. We will put out a separate bid soon for installation. NEW BUSINESS Resolution to Rename a Portion of West 8th Street to “Sara Wright Way” Mr. Jenkins presented a request to rename the portion of West 8th St. from Avenue B to its dead end to Sara Wright Way. The request was made by Luke Chaffin at Toles Temple Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes February 9, 2022 Page 4 of 6  and Wright. This portion of the street connects to the back driveway and parking lot of their building. There are no mailing addresses on this block to be affected by the change. Commissioner Cochran asked staff to get Mr. Chaffin to send a bio for Sara Wright the Commissioners can review prior to voting on the request via email. Traffic Calming Device on South Broad St. Mr. Jenkins reported there is a section on South Broad Street where the light post is frequently hit by vehicles and has to be replaced by Georgia Power, who has suggested the pole be relocated. He and Mr. Carroll have decided to first try placing a speed detection sign in advance of the area where the accidents occur to slow people down before they reach it. They recommended purchasing an additional solar powered speed detection sign like the one placed on Turner Chapel Road to be placed on South Broad Street. Commissioner Bojo moved to approve the recommendation. Commission Askew seconded. The motion carried. GE Trail Usage Mr. Jenkins reported there have been motorcycles seen on the GE Trail which is not the intended use. In order to enforce our intended use, which is for bicycles and pedestrians, he plans to place a sign prohibiting motorized vehicles. Mr. Jenkins reported that since we there has been some recent interest in using the GE parking lot for events, this property will be handled going forward by the City Clerk’s office as an additional facility that can be rented out. A separate area will be designated to belong to the trails. OTHER Commissioner Cochran asked for updates on the following items:  Striping on Riverside Pkwy – Commissioner Cochran noted he has received complaints about it being difficult to see at night. Mr. Jenkins noted that the road is scheduled for paving this year and will be restriped at that time. We are currently waiting on road ratings to be completed by our consultant and then paving will be prioritized. We have $1.4 million in capital budget for paving so we will be able to get Riverside Pkwy paved this year, likely in the summer.  Red Light at Chatillon and Riverside Pkwy ‐ Commissioner Cochran asked if the former GDOT District Engineer we have hired as consultant is looking into a red light at the new car wash at Riverside Pkwy and Chatillon. Mr. Jenkins said staff has met with him a Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes February 9, 2022 Page 5 of 6  couple of times and he has some different solutions for us to look at. He noted that GDOT is not in favor of placing another red light at that location, but we continue to look at different solutions to the congestion and safety issues at that location.  Tree Planting ‐ Commissioner Cochran asked if we have planted trees in Oakdene to block the lights from the liquor store somewhat and on South Broad St. in front of the retirement home across from Myrtle Hill. He added there are some dead bushes there that need to be removed as well. Mr. Jenkins noted that some of that may be on private property but we will check . He added that we have about $8000 for new trees so we will put those locations on the list for planting this year.  Tree Board – Commission Cochran asked about the Tree Board. Mr. Jenkins replied that it is a citizen committee managed by Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful Program Coordinator, Hannah Bagley. It was established to meet the requirements of the Tree City USA program along with holding an annual Arbor Day event, which takes place this year on February 17th at 1:00 PM on West 1st Street at Synovus Bank. The Street Department has planted trees for this event. Mr. Carroll reported that AGL will be finishing up paving this week. He added that he is not involved with their paving on the state routes but if anyone should notice anything on City streets that needs attention please notify him. They are going to be paving the entire street at Coligni Way and as well as the parking lot at the Mount Berry Trail. Mr. Walker asked what AGL is doing down in the wetlands by the ECO Center. He replied they are trying to restore that area to the elevation they believe it was prior to commencement of their project. 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 February 9, 2022 Page 6 of 6