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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-1995 TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES s , TR�NSPORTATION JOINT SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES March 22, 1995 Present: Rita Earl, Terry McConnell, Bruce Allcott, Doug Law, Dorothy Davidson, Garret Nancolas, Gordon Law, Dennis Crooks, and Mayor Winder. Absent: None The meeting was called to order by Dennis Crooks in the Council Chambers Conference Room at 12:15 p.m. Dennis distributed 3 items to the committee members. 1) a conceptual drawing prepared by Gordon, of an intersection with two traffic lanes and a turn lane. This concept would be used for the intersection of lOth & Linden; 2) a memorandum from Darrel Deide regarding the School District's list of priorities for sidewalks in neighborhoods near schools; and 3) a report from Gordon Law regarding applications to be considered by the Idaho Transportation Department for funding for three projects to be included in the Local Urban Development program. The first item of discussion was the approval of the minutes from the meeting of March 8, 1995. With no corrections offered, the minutes were accepted as written. Dennis reported that since the last meeting staff discovered that the deadline for turning in funding requests for projects was too close to wait for discussion of the committee. Gordon and Dennis met and discussed the projects listed on the "A" priority list and Gordon presented application for 3 projects to the Idaho Transportation Dept, dated March 17, 1995. Gordon reported that he discovered that the applications had to be submitted by the previous Monday. Therefore he met with the Mayor and discussed the 13 projects prioritized by the committee and identified four that would best fit the critical needs of the City residents. From those four, three were selected. It was proposed to the Transportation Department to put turn pockets at the intersections of lOth & Linden and the intersection of Linden & Indiana with curb, gutter and sidewalk, anticipating that both lOth Street and Indiana may need to be expanded to four lanes at some time in the future. The third project that was funds were requested for was the widening of Indiana from Linden to Blaine. This project will be considered in the 98 construction year. It will include four lanes and will be done in conjunction with the installation of street lights at the intersections of Blaine and Cleveland. Gordon further reported that he had conversation with the Idaho Transportation Department regarding the street lights on 21st Avenue and 24th Avenue. They stated that the project on 21st and Blaine is on the current construction plan for the 1997 year due to safety issues. This intersection has the highest rate of accidents within the City. He stated that this project should consider a provision of four lanes on 21st Avenue. The other two lighting projects, 21st & Cleveland, 24th & Cleveland and 24th and Blaine, do not qualify under the safety portion of the funding and the Transportation Department asked that Gordon write a letter requesting those projects to be placed on the construction plan. Gordon stated that he will write that communication by the end of the week. Dennis asked if a light was going to be installed at Happy Day Boulevard in connection with the Boulevard project. Gordon stated that the plan was originally presented including a light at that intersection. Dennis asked if this light could be traded with one of the other intersections if it was considered a higher priority. Gordon stated that this light was a part of the Boulevard project and probably could not be changed from the approval that has been done. Garret stated that it was his understanding that the reason for the light at that intersection was a future connector from Highway 55 to that intersection, in an attempt to pull the traffic off of Highway 55. There was discussion regarding access from Ustick to the freeway and working with the State on a modified plan, different from what has been presented in the past. Dennis asked if it was possible to "tap into" the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Funds available. Gordon stated that the Karcher interchange is not currently on "the plan" by the State and other options are being explored. He further stated that this area may need to have the f reeway lowered at Ustick in order to make this exchange viable. He stated that a cloverleaf is probably not possible, a"slip lane" will have to be installed. Gordon also stated that in his communication with District Three he feels they are planning on a Karcher interchange. He stated that Canyon Highway District No. 4 and the City of Middleton both want the Middleton exchange. If the Middleton exchange is constructed, the Ustick interchange probably will not happen. If the Karcher exchange is constructed, the Ustick exchange may still be possible. Dennis stated that there was a request from some individuals to the Planning Department to connect the Middleton exchange project into the Boulevard project. Rita stated that some of these individuals have approached her with the idea of having the Boulevard property owners connect the donation of the "right-of-way" for that project in exchange for a Middleton exchange. It was the consensus of this committee that it would not be prudent to connect these two projects. The Mayor stated that the Legislature recently passed the Idaho Transportation Department having a 7 member Board, instead of a 3 member Board. Our District will now have a representative on that Board. • The next item of discussion concerned the School District's sidewalk improvement priority list. Dennis stated that Superintendent Deide sent correspondence with input from the various school principals. The highest priority was Logan Street between lOth Avenue and Washington, serving both Washington School and Lincoln School. Mayor Winder stated that another need in that area is dealing with the traffic around the golf course. Dennis stated that he observed an asphalt pathway on the east side of lOth Avenue. He questioned if this kind of walkway could be constructed at a lower cost to give some pedestrian walkway in an area as a short term solution. Bruce questioned if having any walkway on the east side of Logan would be prudent due to the golf balls in the area that could hit someone. The other side of the street would be difficult to install sidewalks due to the yards being raised off the street. Dennis stated that a fence on the side of the golf course might prevent golf balls hitting people. Rita stated that she has seen a development where the road is somewhat wider than necessary for cars and the sides of the roadway are clearly marked for foot traffic. She suggested that this would be a possible solution in some areas of Caldwell where the funding is not available for sidewalks but foot traffic is heavy in the area, specifically on Oregon Street. Dennis stated that this committee could go look at the situation in this area and discuss the options at the next meeting. Garret asked what the difference is price is between asphalt and concrete sidewalks. Terry stated that the asphalt is a little less expensive but requires upkeep that concrete does not. Garret stated that putting in asphalt might not save any money in the long run if the upkeep is costly. Rita stated that curb an gutter would be required with a concrete sidewalk but not with an asphalt one. Dennis also stated that the intersection of Logan and lOth also needed to be evaluated for long term needs. Gordon stated that one main project is easier to implement that several scattered projects. He further stated that the City has appro�rimately $100,000 to contribute towards sidewalk program throughout the City. If this committee decided that Logan Street is an area they would like to concentrate on for sidewalk improvements, the City may possibly be able to contribute some in an LID process, while the property owners contribute the balance. Terry stated that he felt Logan should be a high priority project for the safety of the school children but it would create a feeling of accomplishment with the citizens if the project was done in high quality instead of the "bandaid" effect. Garret stated that the School District is investigating the parking problem associated with Washington School and a bond issue is coming that includes renovations at several schools. a q The City will need to know the plans of the School District in parking and renovations of Washington School before installing sidewalks, curb and gutters, etc. on the north side of Logan. Rita asked Gordon what funds were planned for a traffiic study. Gordon stated that $25,000 has been budgeted, with the plan to add an additional $25,000 in the next budget year. If Canyon County does a traffic study that the City wants to participate in then there are some funds already available for that. If Canyon County decides not to do a traffic study, the City can decide to do one of their own. Gordon stated that John Carpenter is representing the City at a Canyon County Planning and Zoning traffic study meeting and will report to him any information pertinent. Dennis Crooks stated that he is on a committee for Regional Transpiration Alternative Analysis and he will be reporting on this committee's decisions in more detail in the future. Dennis stated that if the City has a total of $50,000 budgeted for a traffic study, it could possibly be put out for bid in the early Fall. Gordon stated that he feels the City conducting their own traffic study may be more beneficial than participating in one with the County. Rita stated that a formalized traffic study may address the majority of the "B" list of priorities. After brief discussion the decision was made to hold the next meeting on Thursday, April 13th, instead of Wednesday. Dennis stated that before the next meeting he encourages the committee members to look at the roadways that were discussed for sidewalk improvements. Mayor Winder asked Dennis to notify the Golf Board about the issues discussed and allow them the opportunity to give input on this issue. Dennis asked what process needed to be taken to address the Spruce Street reopening that was discussed at the last meeting. Gordon stated that he would be willing to write a letter to the property owner asking for their donation of the small piece of property and see what kind of response is return. This would be the first step in a process of acquiring that land. If they chose not to donate the land there are other options that could be explored. Dennis stated that this committee could explore all the steps and options for this project in the next meeting. With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � �°� Sue Brown, Recording Secretary