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Home My WebLink About03-08-1995 TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES � � TRANSPORTATION SUB-COMMITTEE Meeting of March 8, 1995 Present: Dennis Crooks, Doug Law, Jim Reames, Mayor Dick Winder, Rita Earl, Terry McConnell, Bruce Allcott, and Gordon Law. Absent: Dorothy Davidson and Garret Nancolas. The meeting was called to order by Dennis Crooks at 12:15 p.m. The first item of discussion was the approval of the minutes of the February 22, 1995 meeting. With no objections or corrections, the minutes were approved as distributed. The next item of discussion concerned the project list of "A" classifications, getting them into the budgeting process and begining the implementation process. Dennis stated that he had talked with Darrel Deide of the Caldwell School District and requested a list of their priorities for sidewalk needs adjacent to existing schools. This list will be coming from them in the near future. This will aid in the planning of #10 on the priority list. Rita commented that we need to make sure the new Valli Vue high school has plans for things such as sidewalks and bike paths, even though the area around the school may not be within the City limits. The area where it is going to be constructed may be annexed into the City in the future and the planning of these things ahead of time would be beneficial for all concerned. Dennis stated that he will follow-up with a letter to Darrell Deide and Von Heinrich and state the wishes of the City for future planning in that communication. Mayor Winder stated that communication should also be sent to the Canyon Highway District and make sure they are involved in future planning too. There was discussion regarding off-site improvements and what could be required of a developer. Dennis stated that off-site improvements can be required and this sub- committee can develop a policy for the City to use. He further stated that he would put together a list of various ideas and bring it back to the committee for discussion. Any such policy would then be adopted by City Council. There was discussion regarding #26 and the extension of Spruce Street between lOth Ave. and Kimball Ave. Issues discussed were declaring it a public interest, purchase of the property and possibly going through the condemnation process. The individual who owns the property has been reluctant in the past to sell or dedicate the property to the City. Gordon stated that he can begin the process if that is the wish of the Sub-Committee and the City Council. Gordon further stated that there are three main groups of funds that the City can deal with in projects such as this one. 1) mandatory obligations, or those projects which the City must deal with; 2) optional/discretionary funds; and 3) funding from the Federal Highway Act. The City has funds available for one major project a year. For the current year the funds are designated for the Marble Front project. The sub-committee needs to choose one project from the list of "A" classified projects for the year 96/97. Gordon further stated that approximately 50% of the discretionary funds are currently being used for sidewalk, curb and gutter replacements. Dennis asked if the discretionary funds could be used for one particular sidewalk project, in addition to the projects already in progress. Terry stated that the area around Washington School would be a good sidewalk project to consider. Rita asked if the plans from the school district were to keep Washington School as a school, or convert it into offices. Dennis stated that it is his understanding that there are no plans to convert that school into offices at this time. He further stated that Garret Nancolas is involved in the committee that is planning for the School District and he would have more information about that matter. Gordon stated that having one main project is less expensive than having several small projects around the City. He also stated that currently the City is contributing 30% of the sidewalk improvements that are being done. The City does not have to make that contribution. The property owners can be held liable for the entire project. He stated that a decision that must be made is the percentage of emphasis that should be put on sidewalks as opposed to "car moving". Currently SOPIo of the funds are being designated for sidewalks and that amount could be reduced. Each project will have its own particular set of obstacles (such as right-of-way acquisitions). The most desirable way to do a project is to plan the project and complete it from beginning to end. Unfortunately, this is not always possible because of funding. Bruce stated that he also feels the best way to do a project is the entire project, instead of in phases. Rita stated that there are always complications when a project is done in phases because when the time comes to do another portion of the project, either the funds are not there or there has been a change in the area and it changes the project. Mayor Winder stated that he received a report from Lisa Thompson, Finance Office, that the Street Department funds have increased the least amount of any fund. The Council needs to allocate more funds towards streets in the future to handle these needs. There was discussion regarding the Franchise Fee and Impact Fees being considered in the Legislature and the need to communicate to the Representatives that these items are necessary for small communities such as Caldwell. Gordon stated that funds for street improvements come from the basic tax structure, sales tax, fuel tax, and the road and bridge tax. The County Highway District established an assessment and mill levy. Of the general obligation amount collected from the City, the City receives 50%. The appears to be an inequity since the County Highway District has no emergency services or road improvements in the City. Ada County dealt with this problem by forming a single Highway District. Dennis asked what this group or the Mayor could do to change that situation. Gordon stated that legislation is the only way to solve that problem. Rita asked if the Association of Idaho Cities should be solicited to help. Gordon stated that he does not know that AIC has ever been involved with this issue. Mayor Winder stated that AIC needs to be aware and informed of the issue prior to their planning process for legislative issues. Dennis asked the amount of funds involved. Gordon stated that the City receives appro�umately $145,000 and this is about 1/3 of the total amount collected through the road and bridge tu�. The loss to the City would be several hundred thousand dollars annually. Mayor Winder stated that if a written proposal was given to him he would make sure it was presented to AIC for their consideration. Bruce stated that if the written proposal included the surrounding cities and the potential loss to them, it may make a larger impact on AIC. Rita asked Dennis what needed to be done to pick one major project for the committee to recommend to Council to consider during the next budget. Dennis stated that he will be getting the list of sidewalk priorities from the School District. He also stated that he feels Spruce Street extension is a project that could be accomplished and hopefully not be a high cost. Terry stated that after the Spruce Street project, he would like to see the intersection of lOth & Linden be placed as a major project. Rita stated that this project would generate a lot of community support. . � Gordon stated that one of the main issues to be decided in that project is how many lanes to install. Dennis stated that he feels one traffic lane each way with left turn lanes would be adequate. In committing to more than one travel lane the entire corridor must be considered and that would be a much larger project that the City can handle at this time. He further stated that a freeway interchange project would change the traffic at this intersection dramatically. Mayor Winder questioned the possibiliry of having a point of access to the Freeway at Ustick Road. Dennis asked Gordon to bring a preliminary design for this intersection to the next meeting. Gordon stated that he has a design in his office presently. Rita stated that an outside consultant should be considered to give an opinion on this intersection. There was discussion regarding the intersection of Kimball & 10th Avenue and Kimball and Paynter, and the need to start acquiring property. Rita asked if it should be brought to City Council in the near future to start a acquisition fund for future purchases. Dennis stated that the Engineering Department can incorporate an acquisition fund during the budgeting process for a particular project. Mayor Winder stated that #11 could be accomplished this year. Dennis stated that that item is an item for staff to accomplish. Gordon stated that the County is promoting a County wide traffic study. He further stated the City has designated approximately $25,000 to participate in a traffic study. The County made a decision not to continue with that plan. Gordon relayed to the County that the City is currently in a position that a study must be done in the near future. He stated that it is planned to set aside another $25,000 in the next budget year, bringing the total to $50,000, specifically for a traffic study. This would enable the City to do an independent traffic study, or have the County participate in the process. Dennis stated that he was a committee member of the Treasure Valley Transportation Analysis Steering Committee. He further stated that there are several agencies that could be engaged to assist in a traffic study for very little or not cost to the City. Rita summarized the main decisions of this meeting. 1. Dennis Crooks is going to work on #29 with Gordon Law bringing the conceptual drawing he has to the next meeting. 2. Dennis Crooks is going to keep contact with the School District and gather information about their priorities in sidewalks. � > , 3. Gordon Law is going to begin dealing with Spruce Street extension and possible condemnation of the small piece of property that prevents opening the street. With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted - � ��(J� �" < Sue Brown