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 March 9, 2022, 10:00 AM. Sam King Room ‐ 601 Broad Street PRESENT: Commissioner Bonny Askew Commissioner Jim Bojo Ms. Meredith Ulmer, Assistant City Manager Ms. Kelly Parker, Executive Assistant 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 Mr. Artegus Newell, Planning Director Ms. Kayla Schaff, Associate Transportation Planner Ms. Courtnay Griffin, Assistant Transit Director Mr. Doug Walker, Information Officer Major Paul Webber, Rome Police Dept. Capt. Chris DeHart, Rome Police Dept. Sgt. Chase. Burnes, Rome Police Dept. Ms. Megan Otwell, DDA Special Events Coordinator GUEST: Mr. Dwayne Comer, EXP Consultant CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Bojo called the meeting to order. 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162‐1433 Phone: 706/236‐4466 • fax: 706/236‐4532 REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the previous meetings were approved by common consent. POLICE REPORTS Capt. Dehart presented the February Accident/DUI report. He noted there were 175 total crashes down from 190 at this time last year. Private lot crashes are still the upper percentage of total crash ratio. There were 51 injuries, 21 DUI arrests and 695 total traffic cases. The leading primary cause of crashes remains following too closely which is 34 % of our total crash data. The highest top two accident intersections for the month of January were Martha Berry Hwy at GA 1 Loop and GA 1 Loop at Riverside Pkwy. In February, we focused on getting at least one of those off our list and we were successful in removing GA Loop 1 at Riverside Pkwy. The Loop at Martha Berry is still of primary concern for two months running. There is a lot of construction in the area. Three of four of those accidents have all happened turning right. There is a lot of construction in the area, which is a contributing factor. Hopefully, once that is complete, there will be an improvement. TRANSIT OPERATIONS Public Hearing for Free Transit on March 29, 2022, at 4 PM Ms. Shealy announced that per GDOT requirements she will hold a public hearing on free transit rides at 4 PM on March 29th in the Sam King room. She added that this meeting has been advertised. Financial report Ms. Shealy noted there isn’t much on the financial report since they are not charging fares at this time. Under Reimbursements have not showing yet because the auditors are just now closing out 2021. She noted that expenses are in line. Ms. Shealy noted that Ms. Griffin has prepared updated bus schedules, which include a QR code for the first time. She distributed copies to the Committee. OLD BUSINESS Riverside Parkway/Loop 1 Mr. Jenkins introduced Mr. Dwayne Comer, the former GDOT District 6 area engineer for many years. He is currently with EXP.US Services, a full‐service Engineering firm, doing design and road work all over Georgia. Mr. Comer reported on his study of the Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 2 of 5  intersection of Riverside Pkwy and Loop 1. He presented a proposal that has already been brought to the attention of GDOT, who has expressed their preliminary approval. The proposal recommends both dual left and straight lanes to clear the intersection quicker. This will require minimal widening on the inside which will not involve curbing other than towards the Braves Stadium. He added that the problem with having a traffic light at Chatillon would cause traffic jams on the 1 Loop, which is why GDOT remains opposed to that. Commissioner Bojo noted that people park at the Board of Education parking lot to go to the Braves games and was concerned about the sidewalk being interrupted. Mr. Comer replied that a portion of the sidewalk and curb would be moved during construction but would be put back for pedestrian use Commissioner Bojo expressed concern about large trucks making the left turn onto Loop 1 turning over. Mr. Comer replied that the grade will be checked and can be improved if it is excessive. Speed Tables for 200 Block Mr. Carroll reported that at the last meeting Commissioner Cochran request he look into getting some estimates for doing a kind of hardscape speed table for the 200 block of Broad Street rather than a rubberized permanently. He noted that he has spoken with a contractor he feels he could install it one lane at a time taking one week per lane for a total estimated cost of approximately $40,000 vs what we already installed in one to two days for $9000. Commissioner Bojo said he will discuss this with Commissioner Cochran. Painting of Broad Street Poles and Signs Mr. Carroll reported meeting with contractor yesterday and issued them a Notice to Proceed. The work will begin next week in the 100 block. He noted that some signs will be brought down for painting the poles and the contractors will paint across all the brackets on the mast arm poles then we will paint in the gaps on the new hurricane brackets that we have on order. Parks Hokes Park Project Update Mr. Carroll updated the Committee on the Parks Hokes Park project. He noted this will be a new covered basketball court with pavilion and restrooms located in South Rome. There is a little more paperwork to process and the preconstruction meeting is this afternoon at 3:30. Mt. Berry Trail Bridge Mr. Carroll reported that there will be a pre‐construction meeting this afternoon at 2:00 PM with Contech. The notice to proceed is for this week. Based on their current scheduled we are looking at mid‐July for delivery of the bridge. This is for the Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 3 of 5  manufacture of the bridge only. There will be a separate bid for the installation of the bridge. NEW BUSINESS Downtown Event Street Closures 2022 Special Events Coordinator, Ms. Megan Otwell, reported on the street closings for the 2022 First Friday events. The events will be held on June 3rd, July 1st, and September 2nd with West 1st Street being closed from 4:00 PM until 11:00 PM. She noted there will still be access to the parking deck and officers will be present to assist with traffic. The request for the Fiddlinʹ Fest is for October 8th and the 100, 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Broad Street will be closed from 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Commissioner Askew moved to approve the request. Commission Bojo seconded. The motion carried. Riverside Pkwy/East 1st Street Paving Mr. Messer reported that in the previous meeting we were requested to increase paving. He noted we had $2 million in approved in our budget for resurfacing this year. We selected Riverside Pkwy and E 1st Street from Turner McCall to E 1st Avenue. This has gone out to bid this morning and bids will be opened on April 14th. Request for Yellow Curb and ‘No Parking’ Signs on Darlington Drive. Mr. Jenkins reported that Darlington school facilities director, Alex Martinez, has requested yellow curbing Darlington drive from Caves Spring Street to He noted there exists some yellow curbing on portions of the street but non exists in the section leading up to the driveway for the athletic complex. Tractor trailers have been parking along this section which has presented a site distance issue for motorists leaving the athletic complex parking lot. They would like ‘No Parking’ signs installed along with yellow curb the section that has no yellow curb as well as to refresh faded yellow curb in the area. Commissioner Bojo moved to approve the request. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. MONTHLY REPORTS Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 4 of 5 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 March 9, 2022 Page 5 of 5