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 PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION October 12, 2022 10:00 AM. Sam King Room - 601 Broad Street PRESENT: Commissioner Jim Bojo 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. Doug Walker, Public Information Officer Mr. Artegus Newell, Planning Director Pfc. Eric Brunson, Rome Police Department CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Bojo called the meeting to order. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Bojo approved the minutes of the September meeting by common consent. POLICE REPORTS Pfc. Eric Brunson gave the police September accident report. He noted that accidents totaled 210 for the month of September, down from 224 at this time last year. There were 69 reported injuries up from 53 last year. Turner McCall/Hicks Drive was the highest accident intersection with 12 accidents. The second and third highest were Riverside Dr/Chatillon Rd. with 6, and Redmond Cir/Lavender Dr, E2nd Ave/Broad Street and Shorter Ave/Redmond Cir had 4 accidents each. 200 Vaughn Road • PO Box 1433 • Rome, Georgia 30162-1433 Phone: 706/236-4466 • fax: 706/236-4532 TRANSIT OPERATIONS Transit Updates Ms. Shealy reported the Gillig buses are still on schedule for delivery late this month. She added she is currently working on the 5307 Capital and Operating Grant applications that are due at the end of this month. Financial report Ms. Shealy reported expenses are in line year to date and are down slightly over the previous year for Main Line. Expenses continue under Tripper to cover insurance and some maintenance. She noted Paratransit expenses have increased with since additional drivers have been added which has also increased ridership. Commissioner Bojo asked if free bus fare can continue next year. Ms. Shealy noted she wants to continue free ridership and hopes GDOT will approve it. She believes she will know by the November meeting. OLD BUSINESS Stars on Broad Mr. Jenkins reported he was prepared to make a recommendation about the Stars on Broad but since there is not a quorum, he can send it to the Commissioners via email. Belmont Dr. SW Mr. Carroll reported he has investigated the flooding coming from Belmont Dr. SW to the playground at West Minster Presbyterian Church. He noted the grade of the cul-de- sac is very flat making water flow difficult, but we will try to mitigate the problem by removing an obstruction on the curb and add some dirt to the shoulder. Speed Hump Policy Mr. Carroll reported has drafted a preliminary speed hump policy that is very much in alignment with Floyd County’s policy, while also considering polices held by less rural areas. We will present a draft of the policy at the November meeting and hope to have it finalized by the end of the year. Request for Speed Hump in the 100 Block of Broad St. Ms. Lesley said that several businesses on the cotton block have requested a speed table on the 100 block of Broad Street. The Herb Shop manager is leading this request because the traffic counts are higher on the cotton block side of Broad Street and traffic speeds up Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes October 12, 2022 Page 2 of 4  to get through the traffic light. Mr. Jenkins said that we now have them at the 200, 300 and 400 block although it would be much closer to the traffic signal that in the other blocks. Mr. Carroll noted that further up Broad Street there is a wide median giving a safe zone in the middle of the road, which is not present in the 100 block. Commissioner Bojo noted that a speed hump would encourage motorists to slow down. He asked if the cost would be similar to what we spend on the other blocks. Mr. Carroll replied that it should be around $10,000 adding that it is safer to cross at the signal, which is only forty paces away. Mr. Jenkins added that there is large truck to and from traffic at Southeastern Mills. Commissioner Bojo asked Mr. Carroll to find out the cost and address this at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS West 3rd Development Street and Alley Closure Request Mr. Carroll reported that FSRE Impact Rome has purchased a large area from the Marriot up to the back of the shops that front on 5th Avenue. The have a large development plan for that area for which they would like to close 4th from 3rd to the levee, w 2nd all the way up to 5th and an alley that runs behind the shops there all the way up to 5th Avenue. They have received all the required petitioners from the abutting property owners, and everything is in order. Commissioner Bojo said we will have to put that item on hold since we don’t have a quorum today. Capital Budget 2023 Mr. Jenkins reported the City Manager asked him to present the 2023 Capital Budget for review at this meeting. Commissioner Bojo said to put that item on hold as well and we will likely need to schedule to another meeting to address it. Request to Close Mitchell Plaza Ms. Leslie said the geocaching event has spurred another request to close Mitchell Plaza for the Schnauzer Fest event he said don’t close it. She noted that last year, the Geocaching event closed the street without hiring off duty police officers which presented some problems resulting in her wish that we do not allow closures of Mitchell Plaza for events unless they are sponsored by DDA. Mr. Jenkins said in the past we have always had a policy in downtown that we only allow closures for City or DDA sponsored events. Commissioner Bojo asked if the Police would also prefer to leave it open. The officers present affirmed they would prefer leaving the plaza open. Commissioner Bojo stated that since they and staff would prefer leaving Mitchel Plaza, he denied the request. Public Work Committee/Transit Committee/Traffic Commission Minutes October 12, 2022 Page 3 of 4 OTHER Commissioner Bojo mentioned calls he has received from a teacher and crossing guard requesting a streetlight behind West End school on Ridgeview Drive, which is very dark and dangerous for children early in the morning. He has received complaints about it. Mr. Jenkins said we are already looking into this request which was initiated with our office by a crossing guard. MONTHLY REPORTS The monthly department reports were distributed for review. OTHER Mr. Newell noted that crosswalks on Broad Street used to have count down numbers before changing and he has noticed they have changed to a flashing hand. Mr. Carroll said he would investigate it. Mr. Newell reported that Transportation Planner, Kayla Schaff, has left on Sept 23 rd and has taken a position with GDOT. 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 12, 2022 Page 4 of 4