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 April 20, 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 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 Ms. Courtnay Griffin, Assistant Transit Director Ms. Aundi Lesley, DDA Dir Ms. Kayla Schaff, Associate Transportation Planner Capt. Chris DeHart, Rome Police Dept. 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 Capt. Dehart presented the March Accident/DUI report. He noted there were 216 total accidents, with sixty‐four of them private lot accidents. There were seventy‐nine injuries and one fatality. There were 21 DUI arrests The fatality was on Redmond. involving a bicyclist. The highest accident intersections were US411/Callier Springs Rd and E 2nd Ave/Broad Street with 6 accidents 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162‐1433 Phone: 706/236‐4466 • fax: 706/236‐4532 each. Redmond Circle/Shorter Ave and Martha Berry Hwy/Veterans Memorial Hwy had 5 accidents each. TRANSIT OPERATIONS Free Transit on Main Line Buses through December 30, 2022 Ms. Griffin noted that after the public hearing last month, we were able to extend free ridership until December 30, 2022. She noted that we have experienced about a 30% increase in ridership. An additional Stop has been approved to transport riders to the farmers market inside Ridgeferry Park. This request came from South Rome Alliance, based on the need to connect residents in South Rome to access to fresh produce. Currently there is not easy access to fresh produce in that area so this will provide much easier access. The bus will begin stopping at the new Stop on May 31st and there will be promotional material and advertisements to notify the public of the added Stop in advance. Commissioner Bojo asked how many new buses we have purchased. Ms. Griffin said three and they will be delivered to us. She added that we sold another five tripper buses making a total of eleven and we have approval now to negotiate private contracts as well as using Gov Deals if we need to. Commissioner Cochran asked for the sale prices. Ms. Griffin noted that of those that have met their useful life, we sold one that was still operational for $4800 and one that was not operational sold for $1800. We have a hold price of $8000 on those that we still have capital liability for. We have been getting bids throughout that range but so far none have exceeded that amount. We aim to get a maximum amount possible for these buses because GDOT wants us to be able to purchase about ten buses from the proceeds of these sales. This may be more buses than we need for our fleet, but she added that we did allocate some of that sale funding in the FY2023 grant application for the trolley. Ms. Griffin added that Hype has developed a new logo and rebranding that will roll out in October with the new buses. She noted that advertising space will only be sold on the back of the buses after that time, but we hope to have digital advertisements on the monitors at the transit station in the future. Mr. Jenkins commended Ms. Griffin on doing a phenomenal job, going the extra mile to research and find ways to make beneficial changes. Financial report Ms. Rhinehart presented the February financial report. She noted there isn’t any Main Line revenue, but there is Paratransit revenue, and we will have some money coming from the State, although they tend to be a couple of months behind. She added the general fund contributions to Transit have been stopped until at least until mid‐year. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes April 20, 2022 Page 2 of 5  There are no reimbursement requests yet so there are no federal revenues showing on the statements through March. She reported that Main Line expenses are in line with last year and we still have some depreciation on remaining tripper buses as well as some repair and maintenance. Paratransit expenses are up and are partly impacted by pay adjustments we have implemented. Transfers out have stated the same and retirement is up making up 17% of payroll required contributions. OLD BUSINESS Update on Painting of Poles and Signs on Broad Street Mr. Carroll reported the painters have been doing an awesome job on Broad Street. The period lights, bollards and benches are all completed. The electrical crews have replaced all the globes and upgraded all the period lights to LED. We are waiting for the brackets for the aerial signage. All the signs mounted on period light poles have been completed. Parks Hokes Park Project Update Mr. Carroll reported the covered basketball court and pavilion is under contract and under construction with Cargle Brothers. They should begin the demolition of the old concrete pad quickly. He added that he is working with Architect Robert Noble on this project and it is a SPLOST project. Speed Table for 200 Block of Broad Street Mr. Carroll reported that he got an estimate from a contractor to hardscape a new speed table, for $40,000 with four weeks of lane closure done one lane at a time to allow for one traffic lane throughout the installation. He added the speed table we recently placed in the 400‐block cost about $9000. The Commissioners agreed to place the $9000 speed table on the 200 and 300 blocks next. Speed Check Sign added to South Broad St., south of Lookout Circle Mr. Carroll noted the speed check sign has been installed and was activated on Monday. The sign will tell you your speed, and if you go over 30 mph a strobe light comes on to warn motorists to slow down. NEW BUSINESS Request to Close a Portion of Spider Webb Drive Mr. Jenkins reported a request from NAACP to close the portion of Spider Webb Drive from Nim Russell Blvd. to Watters St. on June 18th for their Juneteenth Celebration that Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes April 20, 2022 Page 3 of 5  will be held on the grounds adjacent to Main Elementary school. The closure will be from 2 PM until 10 PM and will be from Main Elementary to the Stop sign. The request was approved by common consent. Stop Sign Request‐Charlton/Raymond Intersection Mr. Carroll presented a request from Charlton Street residents for a 4‐Way Stop at the Charlton/Raymond intersection. He noted that the intersections of Charlton/Leland and at Charlton/Timothy both have 4‐Way stops and it would be less confusing to motorists for this to be consistent at all three intersections. He noted that Charlton is on the radar list and cautioned that the MUTCD does not recommended 4‐Way Stops for speed control, but in this case it would the consistency would be less confusing for motorists. Commissioner Bojo moved to approve the request. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Seven Hills Fellowship Church Request to Close a Portion of E 6th Avenue Sunday May 22nd from 12‐3 PM Mr. Jenkins reported on a request from Seven Hills Fellowship Church to close a portion of E 6th Avenue on Sunday May 22nd from 9 AM to 4:30 PM for their annual church block party which will take place from 12 noon until 3 PM. They have been holding this event for several years and we have not had any issues. Commissioner Bojo moved to approve the request. Commissioner Askew seconded. The motion carried. Request for Multi‐Way Stops at Hampton Blvd/Chulio Rd. Commissioner Cochran reported that Barbara and Otis Raymond requested a 4‐Way Stop at the Hampton Blvd/Chulio Rd. intersection. The request is supported by a petition from signed by Hampton East residents. He noted the majority of Chulio Rd is in the County while the intersection itself is in the City. The request was copied to Floyd County Public Works Director, Michael Skeen as well. Mr. Rich noted he, Mr. McCord, Commissioner Bagby and several neighbors met on the site recently. The residents would really prefer a traffic signal at this location. Most of the maintenance issues they mentioned are on the County side. He noted we could install some pedestrian crossing signs for the mid blocks. Mr. Jenkins added that Mr. Skeen could place some digital speed detection signs there as well. Mr. Carroll noted that Chulio Rd. is classified as minor arterial designed to move traffic and is not intended for a Stop sign. He added he will study the accident history for the City in that location and have Floyd County check their history as well. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes April 20, 2022 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Cochran asked if there was any update on the River Arts District. Mr. Rich said we have been working with Brad Jones of Pond & Company to develop a design for a roundabout that aligns with West 3rd Street and Avenue A. He presented the concept design for review. Mr. Carroll noted this is called a mini‐roundabout and is smaller than the one installed on Chatillon. Commissioner Cochran asked if there was any update on GDTOT and Dan’s Car Wash. Mr. Carroll said he has not seen any plans yet. Mr. Jenkins reported that Dwayne Comer will meet with Grant Waldrup to check on funding for double left turns off Riverside to the Loop, but Mr. Comer does not recommend a traffic light at Chatillon due to the congestion it would cause at the Loop. He believes Mr. Comer is concerned with getting more traffic through the Riverside/Loop 1 intersection to relieve the intersection of Chatillon and Riverside. OTHER Riverside Pkwy/East 1st Street Paving Mr. Messer reported that bids were reviewed for the resurfacing of Riverside Parkway/East 1st Street paving on April 14th. The bid includes resurfacing Riverside Parkway from Veterans Memorial Hwy to Turner McCall Blvd. and from Turner McCall Blvd to E 1st Street. The lowest bidder was NW Georgia Paving at $ 1,555,540.02. The anticipated start date is June 14th and will take at least 60 days. We requested that they mill and pave as they go for the least amount of disruption. Commissioner Bojo moved to approve the bid. 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 April 20, 2022 Page 5 of 5