Public Works / Traffic / Transit Committee

Chris Jenkins, Director Justin Messer, Assistant Director PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION , Cemetery Department Jody Gonzales, 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 Transit Department PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE Kathy Shealy, Director AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION June 8, 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, Assistant to the City Manager Mr. Chris Jenkins, Public Works Director Mr. Aaron Carroll, Engineering Services Director Ms. Kathy Shealy, Transit Director Ms. Courtnay Griffin, Assistant Transit Director Ms. Aundi Lesley, DDA Director Ms. Julie Harris, Parking Services Manager Mr. Artegus Newell, Planning Director Ms. Kayla Schaff, Associate Transportation Planner Ms. Hannah Bagley, ECO Center Program Coordinator Ms. Ann Hortman, Rome Sports Director GUESTS: Mr. Jason Underwood, FX Location Manager Mr. Tate Wright, FX Assistant Location Manager 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. 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162-1433 Phone: 706/236-4466 • fax: 706/236-4532 POLICE REPORTS Mr. Jenkins reported a representative of the Police Department would not be present at today’s meeting due to a retired officer’s funeral. TRANSIT OPERATIONS Update on Bus Stops Ms. Griffin updated the committee on the new bus Stop at Ridgeferry Park that went into service on May 31st. She noted that with the current interruption in internet service they have not been able to get much data yet but hope to get good ridership from this stop particularly since the Farmer’s Market is starting back up today. She noted that to increase our presence in the community, we are partnering with Commissioner Beeman and the Housing Authorities by offering their residents a tour of the new Stop and explanation of the bus routes. Fourteen people showed up to for the first tour, and we hope to do more this summer. Additionally, we have produced a public survey regarding a new route to Georgia Highlands College, which is available online and had has been distributed to current riders as well as throughout the community and to Georgia Highland students. Hopefully, this will provide good information that will enable us to expand that route to Georgia Highlands in the fall, as well as potentially stopping at the industrial park if there is enough interest. She added that this will be discussed at a public hearing prior to implementation. Commissioner Bojo asked how fuel increases have been. Ms. Shealy said they are seeing the increases but are managing fine at present. She added that we will be discussing budget adjustments this month. Financial report Ms. Rhinehart noted that since we are still doing free ridership which means no Main Line revenues. Paratransit has revenues from contract services, and the reimbursements are a better caught up than they have been. She noted the buses we have obtained from Gainesville were considered capital contributions. We have not sent in any operating or capital reimbursements at this time and there are no revenues under the grant category. Under expenses, she noted the fuel expenses is up about $25,000 so far. This increase is expected to become even more significant. Paratransit expenses are up $43,000 from last year. The retirement contribution is up. We have a cash balance of $514,000 at the end of April but this will increase once reimbursements come in. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes June 8, 2022 Page 2 of 5 OLD BUSINESS Speed Tables - Mr. Carroll reported the speed tables on track to be received in July. River District - Mr. Carroll reported we should have some preliminary plans by the middle of July. Riverside Parkway Paving - Mr. Jenkins reported that paving on Riverside Pkwy will begin on June 14th. 2nd Ave. Widening - Mr. Jenkins reported 2nd Ave widening is going out to bid this month. NEW BUSINESS Traffic Plan for Filming on Broad Street. Ms. Hortman reported that her office was approached for a series on FX called Kindred to be filming some scenes in Rome. She introduced Location Manager Jason Underwood, Location Manager and Mr. Tate Wright, assistant location manager who are here today to discuss their proposed traffic plan for filming on Broad Street. Mr. Underwood gave summary of the series, Kindred, which is based on a novel by Octavia Butler. The location they have selected for filming is the cotton block (100 block) of Broad Street along with West 1st Avenue from Broad Street to Bridgepoint Plaza. His company will be transforming the block into 1815 Maryland. He noted that all the businesses on this block have agreed to participate except for World Finance and the salon who don’t wish to participate, but do not object to the plans, adding that they will always have access to their back entrances on W. 1st Street. The parking lot at 2nd Ave & Broad St will remain open with access from W. 1st Street. There will be officers posted on 2nd Ave and at Broad and W 1st Ave during intermittent traffic control. He proposed the following schedule and traffic plan for approval: Monday, June 20th  The south bound lanes of the 100 block of Broad Street and West 1st Avenue will be closed for the daylight hours. South bound traffic will be rerouted around the filming.  Several dump trucks will deliver brown sand to West 1st Ave which will be placed on the asphalt on West 1st Ave and the cotton block to give the appearance of dirt. The company will hire a vendor to brush and vacuum the sand up after filming has concluded.  The company will place some obstruction, such as a cart or barrels to block the view to World Finance.  The company will paint the yellow curb with a temporary paint on W 1 st Ave and restore it to its original color or the company will reimburse the City for restoring it at the end of shooting.  The company will install two hitching posts along the western sidewalk on W 1 st Ave. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes June 8, 2022 Page 3 of 5   The company will install several Hitching posts along the cotton block. Holes will be drilled for this installation and refilled with cement filler after shooting. Monday, June 20th continued:  The City will remove a single historic light post on the cotton block for filming at the company’s cost.  Two hitching posts will be installed along the western sidewalk on W 1 st Ave.  Several Hitching posts will be installed along the cotton block. For this, holes will be drilled and refilled with cement filler afterwards.  The City will remove a single historic light post on the cotton block for filming at their cost. Tuesday, June 21st  On the afternoon of the 21st they will have a background rehearsal which will include horses, buggies, and props. Wednesday, June 22nd  First day of filming. The full company should arrive between 2 and 4 PM. Most of the daytime filming will take place on Broad Street and there will be some night filming on West 1st Ave using the double door entrance to the apartments  There will be a green screen on a forklift located on the green space at Bridgepoint Plaza and every effort will be made to preserve the grass and repair any damage. The sand dressing will be extended up W 1st Ave up to it. The road will not have to be fully closed.  There will be intermittent traffic control on 2nd Ave (pending approval by GDOT). This will not begin until the full company arrives on Wednesday when all the outside scenes will be filmed. Thursday, June 23rd  Filming will be primarily inside the bike shop for six to eight hours.  There will be intermittent traffic control on 2nd Ave.  Once this work is complete, the full crew will head back to Atlanta. Friday, June 24th  The roads will be reopened, and the wrap crews will restore everything to its original condition. The roads will be open. Commissioner Cochran noted that this body recently voted to never close W 1st Ave for any event and wanted to ensure that it could stay open. Mr. Underwood said he didn’t feel it would need to be completely closed. Mr. Carroll suggested extending the detour across Broad St. to 1 st Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes June 8, 2022 Page 4 of 5 Avenue to reduce potential traffic on W 1st St. Mr. Underwood agreed, adding that the road could stay open if there are no objections to having motorists drive over the sand. Mr. Underwood also recommended having an officer posted at Cosmic Dog, and at both ends of W. 1st Ave. in addition to the officer at 2nd Ave. which would better ensure traffic safety. Commissioner Bojo moved to agree to the traffic plan as presented. Commissioner Cochran seconded. The motion carried. Illegal Dumping Mr. Jenkins reported that Solid Waste Director, Tim Garrett has followed up on illegal dumping that we have caught on our trail cameras. He reaches out by phone and has the violator come out and clean it up. In the case where someone denied it, Mr. Garrett and a police officer visited him at his home and required him to clean it up or pay a fine. Word is getting out and we are already seeing some reduction in illegal dumping. MONTHLY REPORTS The monthly department 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 8, 2022 Page 5 of 5