Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
2014-09-09
C+(ERQCITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP a A H C MEETING AGENDA City Council Chambers 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho Tuesday, September 09, 2014 at 3:00 PM 1. Roll -Call Attendance X David Zaremba O Joe Borton X_ Charlie Rountree X Keith Bird X Genesis Milam X Luke Cavener X Mayor Tammy de Weerd 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Adoption of the Agenda 4. Proclamation A. Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Week 5. Consent Agenda Approved A. Approval of the July 9, 2014 Budget Meeting Minutes B. Approval of the September 2, 2014 Meeting Minutes C. Proclamation for Meridian Youth Baseball All Stars Day for the Meridian 12U Major/70 All Star Team D. Resolution No. 14-1011: A Resolution Amending the Comprehensive Plan to Amend the Existing Conditions Report (CPAT 14-001) E. Resolution No. 14-1012: A Resolution Amending the 2011 Comprehensive Plan to Incorporate the Downtown Master Street Plan as an Addendum to the Plan (CPAT 14-002) F. Recreational Pathway Easement at Bridgetower Heights Subdivision Between Cottonwood Development, LLC and the City of Meridian G. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with Meridian Development Corporation for Contribution to Historic Walking Tour Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda —Tuesday, September 09, 2014 Page 1 of 2 All materials presented at public meetings shall become property of the City of Meridian. Anyone desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearing, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting. H. Approval of City Wide, Evergreen Sole Source Purchase for Alan Bradley products from Consolidated Electric 6. Community Items/Presentations A. Idaho Humane Society Update: Animal Control Services and Proposed Cost Increase for Fiscal Year 2015 B. Approval of Addendum A to the Professional Services Agreement for Animal Control Services and Dog Licensing Between the City of Meridian and the Idaho Humane Society for an Amount Not -to -Exceed $352,132.00 Approved 7. Items Moved From Consent Agenda None 8. Action Items A. Public Hearing Continued from September 2, 2014: Public Works Proposed Utility Rates Increase B. Resolution No. 14-1013: Resolution Adopting the Public Works Utility Rate Increase Motion approved that the resolution be rewritten as discussed and brought back for approval on September 16, 2014 9. Department Reports A. Human Resources Department: Strategic Plan Update B. Police Department: FY2015 Budget Amendment for Spending Authority for SPF/SIG Mayor's Anti -Drug Coalition (MADC) Grant Award from the Office of Drug Policy for the Not -to -Exceed Amount of $99,814.00 Approved 10. Future Meeting Topics 9/11 Ceremony at 7:40 a.m. at Fire Station No. 1 — Public is invited. 11. Executive Session Per Idaho State Code 67-2345 (1)(c): (c) To Conduct Deliberations Concerning Labor Negotiations or to Acquire an Interest in Real Property, Which is Not Owned by a Public Agency Into Executive Session at 5:14 PM Out of Executive Session at 6:35 PM Adjourned at 6:35 PM Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda — Tuesday, September 09, 2014 Page 2 of 2 All materials presented at public meetings shall become property of the City of Meridian. Anyone desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearing, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 A meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2014, by Mayor Tammy de Weerd. Members Present: Mayor Tammy de Weerd, David Zaremba, Keith Bird, Genesis Milam, Charlie Rountree, and Luke Cavener. Members Absent: Joe Borton. Others Present: Bill Nary, Jacy Jones, Bruce Chatterton, Caleb Hood, Clint Dolsby, John Overton, Mark Niemeyer, Patty Perkins, Mike Pepin, Tracy Crane, Steve Siddoway and Dean Willis. Item 1: Roll -call Attendance: Roll call. X David Zaremba X Joe Borton X Charlie Rountree X Keith Bird X Genesis Milam _X Lucas Cavener X Mayor Tammy de Weerd De Weerd: Okay. I will welcome you here to our City Council meeting. Thank you for joining us. For the record it is Tuesday, September 9th. It's 3:00 o'clock -- or a minute after 3:00. Madam Clerk, will you start us off with roll call. Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance De Weerd: Thank you. If you will all rise and join us in the pledge to our flag. (Pledge of Allegiance recited.) Item 3: Adoption of the Agenda De Weerd: Okay. Item No. 3 is adoption of the agenda. Rountree: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Rountree. Rountree: We have three resolution numbers to add to the agenda. On Item 5-D the resolution number is 14-1011. 5-E the resolution number is 14-1012. And on Item 7-13 the resolution number is 14-1013. And with those additions, Madam Mayor, I move that we approve the agenda. Bird: Second. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 2 of 42 De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. Item 4: Proclamation A. Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Week De Weerd: Item 4 is a proclamation and I will ask Mary Kelly with SPAN Idaho to come up and join me at the podium. Sorry, Council. I will continue to turn my back to you when I do these. It's always awkward. So, I am here to read a proclamation about Suicide Prevention Week and this is -- this is an area that touches communities in the worst way and certainly this is an item that two years ago the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council took up, because of what they were seeing happening in their schools and with their friends and -- and they wanted to be part of the prevention outreach and knowing what signs to look for and what to do at that time and also to appeal to our legislature to provide continued funding to a suicide hotline that was relevant to Idaho instead of a 24/7 hotline that was manned by people out of state. So, it is my honor to be able to read this proclamation. Whereas suicide is the second leading cause of death for Idahoans age 15 to 34 and for males age ten to 14 and overall in the United States one person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes and whereas in 2013 alone 308 people completed suicide in Idaho and for the years of 2009 to '13 85 Idaho school children died by suicide and whereas one in seven Idaho youth attending regular public and charter high schools reported seriously considering suicide in 2013 and one in 14 youth reported they made at least one attempt and to bring it a little closer to home, one in four at Meridian Middle School have had thoughts of suicide. Whereas Meridian's youth are not immune and the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, MYAC, has created a public service announcement for the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline and advocated for funding with the state legislature and whereas suicide affects each and every one of us in some way and it is truly up to us to help those we love by being good neighbors, good friends, and good family members if we were to protect our young people from this tragic fate. Therefore, I, Mayor Tammy de Weerd, here do proclaim September 8 through the 14th as Suicide Prevention Week and I call upon all of our citizens in recognizing the serious suicide -- how serious suicide is and the steps that each of us can take in preventing and protecting those around us from such a tragedy and, Mary, I present this proclamation to you and would ask if you have any comment. Kelly: Thank you. Thank you so much. I am just very grateful to receive this today and so appreciative of Mayor Tammy de Weerd and her willingness to lead Meridian and this county in this quest, because as you heard the statistics are frightening and we want to work as hard as we can to reduce that as much as we can and we can only do that by education. I represent the SPAN Idaho, the Suicide Prevention Action Network. I'm on their advisory board and we are working hard every day to educate the schools, community people, and so forth. This proclamation is going to be in the lobby of our Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 3 of 42 yearly suicide prevention conference, which is this coming Thursday and Friday at the community center on Eagle Road. I'm going to leave just a brochure of that on the back table if there is anyone here who is at all interested and -- or knows anyone that might be and may not know about it, we would love having you come. I want to say that we not only educate, but we support survivors, too. So, we think that's terribly important and thank you again so much for this opportunity. De Weerd: Thank you. And, Council, I would tell you that the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council did the video on suicide prevention and if you haven't seen it, we will send you a link, because they worked with Natalie and wrote, produced it, and it is a product of their making and so I would strongly encourage you to see it if you haven't. Item 5: Consent Agenda A. Approval of the July 9, 2014 Budget Meeting Minutes B. Approval of the September 2, 2014 Meeting Minutes C. Proclamation for Meridian Youth Baseball All Stars Day for the Meridian 12U Major/70 All Star Team D. Resolution No. 14-1011: A Resolution Amending the Comprehensive Plan to Amend the Existing Conditions Report (CPAT 14-001) E. Resolution No. 14-1012: A Resolution Amending the 2011 Comprehensive Plan to Incorporate the Downtown Master Street Plan as an Addendum to the Plan (CPAT 14-002) F. Recreational Pathway Easement at Bridgetower Heights Subdivision Between Cottonwood Development, LLC and the City of Meridian G. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with Meridian Development Corporation for Contribution to Historic Walking Tour H. Approval of City Wide, Evergreen Sole Source Purchase for Alan Bradley products from Consolidated Electric De Weerd: Item No. 5 is our Consent Agenda. Rountree: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Rountree. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 4 of 42 Rountree: With the additions previously made, I move that we approve the Consent Agenda. Authorize the Clerk to attest and the Mayor to sign. Bird: Second. De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the Consent Agenda. Is there any discussion from Council? Seeing none, Madam Clerk. Roll Call: Bird, yea; Rountree, yea; Zaremba, yea; Borton, absent; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea. De Weerd: Thank you. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. Item 6: Community Items/Presentations A. Idaho Humane Society Update: Animal Control Services and Proposed Cost Increase for Fiscal Year 2015 De Weerd: Under Community Items/Presentations, we have the Idaho Humane Society update from Lieutenant Overton. Overton: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, it was just over a year ago that I was standing in front of you and we were discussing the simple idea of going to the Idaho Humane Society as a location for all of our lost and stray and loose dogs in the city and as I stand here today I told them I would do an introduction before I turn this over to the Idaho Humane Society. We have had one year under our belt and the best news has been the feedback. We heard quite a bit of feedback before we started this and a lot of it was -- a lot of people that told us a lot of bad things that were going to happen and none of those have happened. We have had a lot of great compliments both externally from customers in the City of Meridian and internally from members of our department, specifically our patrol officers who have worked with IHS and their staff over this past year. One of the main compliments we have got this past year has been it is so nice finally to have one place to call and one place to go for all of the dogs that need to be picked up, reclaimed, or adopted within this valley. With that being said I will be open for any questions. I want to turn this over to Leann Gilbert with Idaho Humane Society, let her introduce her staff and talk about this past year. De Weerd: Thank you, Lieutenant. Thank you for joining us. We appreciate you being here. Gilbert: Madam Mayor and Members the Council. Thank you for having us. As John -- Lieutenant Overton indicated, my name is Leann Gilbert. I am the chief financial officer at the Idaho Humane Society. With me today is Dr. Jeff Rosenthal, who is our chief executive officer, and Morris McCall, who is our animal control supervisor. I want to just Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 5 of 42 give you a little bit of a big picture of what it is that we are doing out there at the Humane Society, targeted in a little bit on what we are doing specifically for Meridian and, then, talk about the cost of the proposal for renewal of the contract. First, though, I'd like to echo what Lieutenant Overton said. Having been doing this for just not quite a year yet, to me from what -- everything I have seen all indicators are that it's been as smooth a transition as we possibly could have hoped for. I think it's been a win-win for all the parties involved. The Meridian -- City of Meridian is not having to face building a new shelter, manning the animal control function, or providing the labor to take care of the animals that will come into a municipal shelter because long term volunteers probably is not a viable option. From a community resident citizen perspective, Lieutenant Overton took my statement. We -- we provide a centralized location. If you have got a problem with an animal, if you have got a lost animal, if you find an animal, we are the central place in the valley to bring those and so we are able to provide that for the citizens of Meridian and from our standpoint, because we do service all the major municipalities and some of the smaller ones, we can obtain the economies of scale to provide those services on a much more cost-effective basis than individual municipalities could do that. You know, I don't know how much any of you know about IHS, but this year -- and when I'm referring to this year I'm talking about the fiscal year that started October 1st of "13 through July 31 is what my stats are through. We have handled at the shelter almost 11,000 animals and we have adopted out almost 6,000 animals. Our adoption rate for dogs is 98 to 99 percent of adoptable dogs. We do not euthanize for time and space anymore. We have the ability to get the animals out into homes if -- you know, if they are adoptable we get them into homes. Our cat rate -- much better than the national average -- not where we would like it yet -- is about 78 percent adoptable. We also have a very strong spade and neuter program at the shelter. Every animal that goes out our door is spade or neutered before it is adopted out. We have performed almost 7,200 spade and neuter procedures this year alone. Most of those at a reduced cost or free in conjunction with an adoption that we are doing, because part of our mission is to help control the unwanted pet population and encourage responsible pet ownership and that's a key way to do that. A couple of the programs just real briefly that I wanted mention to you that you may or may not be aware of -- we have a pet food distribution program and we provide pet food to home bound seniors who are on the Meals On Wheels program, as well as to people who might be having financial difficulties as a temporary fix for them to come in for a few months and get food for their animals. We also provide food for our foster families, because we get a lot of pets who come in that may not necessarily be adoptable right now, because they have got a behavior issue, they are injured, they are ill, or maybe they just can't thrive in a shelter environment, so we put them into a foster home for a while. So, for those three programs this year we have distributed almost 39,000 pounds of dog and cat food. Not related to animal control, but just an interesting factoid about the shelter. We also have a humane education program and we provide educational camps for students, ages eight through 14, over the course of spring break and summer. They provide -- they cover topics of dog bite prevention, responsible pet ownership, animal related careers. One of the fun things is, you know, when they get to meet an animal control officer and they find out what an animal control officer really does, it's not the dog pound catcher -- dog catcher they see on the Disney movie, you Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 6 of 42 know, they actually see that those officer are there to help them and to help the animals. You know, ultimately it's the animals that they are trying to assist. We also have a student volunteer program that I just recently found out for my own child, who is in the Meridian district, apparently every seventh grader has to take at life science class and has to do hours of community service. We get a ton of calls from those seventh graders in the Meridian district wanting to do community service through our shelter and so one of the things that our education coordinator offers is opportunities for the kids to come in and do that four hours of community service doing some sort of shelter -based projects that will help the shelter and the animals. So, that's an indirect benefit the City of Meridian receives from our program. We have this year alone 973 people that have volunteered almost 27,000 hours at the shelter, at our functions, at our events whether it's walking dogs or being in a mobile adoption, whatever the case may be, that allows us to do a lot of things that we wouldn't be able to do. That's 13 FTEs is what it equated to, you know, the hours that they are putting in. So, that's a way that we try to save money. We have this huge volunteer program, very successful, and it allows us to save money on personnel costs. This year alone we have reunited almost 1,500 lost pets with their owners. Microchips are great, but they don't -- you know, not every animal is microchipped, unfortunately, but we do our very best to reunite those animals. We hold them longer than we necessarily have to under the state statutes. The -- specifically to Meridian, every animal that we adopt out, just like any other municipality, leaves our doors with a Meridian license. We have sold over 660 dog licenses in the city up to -- to the City of Meridian residents this year, with a net revenue to the City of Meridian of over 10,000 dollars. That's one of the ways that we get back on this. Our animal contract -- you know, our animal control officers -- they are so busy. My office is actually right next to the dispatch office. That dispatcher is on the phone all day long and just for Meridian alone we have responded to almost 1,500 calls this year. That's just animal control and that's just the calls we have responded to. We also get calls that we may not necessarily respond to, because we will get -- you know, maybe we just need to counsel somebody on how to handle the situation, direct them to a different resource, whatever the case may be. But we responded to almost 1,500 calls this year and those type of calls are aggressive animals, dog bites, attacks, you know, I have got a cat locked in my garage that I want you to come pick up. Neglect and cruelty cases -- you name it, we respond on it. Our shelter took in over 1,100 animals from Meridian residents this year so far and that's just public. That's not the ones that came in through animal control. Those are the ones that came through our doors through public surrenders, where an owner couldn't take care of the pet anymore and they dropped it off at hour shelter. We are open admission. They may have adopted an animal, returned it. It may be one that the law enforcement seized and brought into us, because the owner went to jail, whatever the case may be. Or if somebody in the community just happens to pick up a stray and brings it into us. We have also returned almost 500 animals to the Meridian community by adopting them out or sending them home with the owner after they have been lost. Meridian represents about 21 percent of the population base that we service. Based on the number of calls that we responded to so far this year, it's about 24 percent of our service that we are providing just on an animal control basis. Purely animal control numbers. When we -- when we calculate our contract cost we take the population base and we take the service level and we average Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 7 of 42 that out and we look at the total population of everybody we are servicing and we try to keep each municipality's contract at a proportionate level. Meridian's proportionate level, like I said, is between 21 and 24 percent, based on population and service provided. The contract cost is -- with this increase is at 22.2 percent. So, it keeps Meridian right in line with that proportional share of the overall animal control contract service that we provide to all the different municipalities. To give you a little bit of an idea, you know, we will do this for every municipality on an individual basis. I had one contract who had no increase. I had a couple contracts that had five percent increases, because they are just not at that proportionate level yet. And, then, we have had one that had like a two percent increase. So, it's a very thoughtful analysis that we do. We also have -- I mean we are only one year into this contract and I don't anticipate that we would have significant increases going forward every year. That's not our intention. That's not our hope. We do have increasing costs as everybody knows, the cost of gas goes up -- continues to go up every year. That's a huge cost to us on animal control. So, in order to cover the cost if something goes, we have got to reduce the cost of something else to even it out or we request a small increase. So, between the -- keeping you guys' proportionate level and our cost structure, the 12,000 dollar request -- increase request at a three and a half percent increase is what we would like to see for the coming year to keep you guys kind of in that proportionate ratio. Questions? Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: Leann, in this professional agreement it says approximately 26 percent of your calls are Meridian locations. Gilbert: Yes. That would be -- Bird: But under the agreement of 2013 it was 22 percent was what we was paying; is that right? Gilbert: Uh-huh. Bird: So, you're asking for 3.5 percent increase in payment? Gilbert: Uh-huh. Bird: For fiscal year'15 or back to'14? Gilbert: For upcoming --the year coming forward. '15. Bird: Okay. That's -- Gilbert: Yes. '15. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 8 of 42 Bird: Thank you. De Weerd: Okay. Other questions from Council? Councilman Zaremba. Zaremba: Madam Mayor. I appreciate the work that you do. I have been familiar with humane societies in other cities as well that do a lot of stuff. This is kind of a sideways question. In other cities they have people show up with other things besides dogs and cats and maybe horses. Have you had anything extremely interesting show up recently? Gilbert: Oh, my goodness. We get horses and goats all the time. You guys could probably speak to the most interesting thing we have had of late. De Weerd: Dr. Rosenthal, you will have to come up here and add your name to the record. Rosenthal: Yes. Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I'm Jeff Rosenthal, I'm the CEO of the Idaho Humane Society and I have been with the society for 15 years now and so I have seen every -- every type of critter that ends up. We see every variety -- you know, in our medical, which is, again, a separate program from the rest of the animal control, but very much related, because the hit by car dogs, you know, when they come into the shelter they get first class veterinary care right from the -- from the moment they enter our building, but we also have a number of vets that specialize in exotic animals and thank goodness we do, because we see a tremendous number of strange animals, some of which I have a hard time even identifying sometimes. We see every kind of reptile and you wouldn't think that -- you know, it's like the hare and tortoise story, every year we seem to get at least one giant tortoise that weighs about 20 pounds that has actually gone stray and about half the time we can get them back to the owner, other times we are calling the herpetological society, but I'm amazed at these giant turtles we sometimes get in. Officer McCall remembers once getting a phone call from a lady saying there is a kangaroo in my backyard and, of course, yeah, lady, what have you been smoking. And, sure enough, it was a Wallaby that got loose and so -- De Weerd: Really? Rosenthal: -- thank goodness -- speaking of animal control, a number of years ago we worked very hard -- for instance in the city of Boise to get a great exotic animal regulation that prohibited the ownership of certain animals, because, frankly, there are certain animals that are deleterious, that create big problems in communities -- De Weerd: Now which means what? Rosenthal: Oh, well, things like lions and tigers and bobcats and venomous reptiles and things like that and you would think that folks in the city would know they don't -- wouldn't need to own something like that, but sure enough there are quite a number of folks in every community and, you know, my colleagues in the southwest, for instance, Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 9 of 42 deal with this a lot, because they have very lax laws and they end up housing animals that are very difficult for organizations, you know -- you know, we have housed bobcats, we have housed wolves, we have housed lots of bobcats over the years and those all create a lot of problems. So, you never know what we are going to find and in the most unexpected places. But I appreciate that this has been a great experience so far and animal control is an extremely contentious subject and issue in communities everywhere and we have -- we have such long experience, the folks that you have right now on the front lines are very experienced in dealing with folks and working through problems and mitigating stuff, so we don't have to spend a lot of money -- or at least we can avoid it as much as possible. I appreciate it. Thank you. De Weerd: And I'll never forget -- one of our animal control officers -- I don't know if it was Brenda or Crystal, but they got a call about a monster and her -- her daughter thought there was a monster in her sandbox outside and kept saying that and come to find out there was a badger in there and there definitely was a monster in her sandbox. But it's -- our animal control officers I very much appreciate. They see a different facet of life that we don't and greatly appreciate that. Council, any other questions? Zaremba: No. That was it. Thank you. De Weerd: Mr. Cavener. Cavener: I do have a couple of questions again and I do appreciate everything you guys do. As a dog owner I think the world of the Humane Society. I wasn't on the Council when you came before last year, so you will have to catch me up to date on a couple of things you had touched on in your presentation that there is only rare instances when you euthanize a dog. I'm curious as to what those instances are. Gilbert: If an animal has severe health problems, something that's not treatable in a reasonable fashion -- I mean if you're talking something that's going to be debilitating. If it has severe aggression issues. You know, there is just some dogs we can't put out to adopt, because it's a liability to the public, it's a liability to us. So, we temperament test all the animals that we bring in before we put them on the adoption floor -- well, not necessarily before, but while they are on the adoption floor, if not before. So, that we have an idea are they good with -- you know, are they aggressive towards food, are the aggressive towards other animals. We can't be perfect about it, but we try to at least get some sort of baseline, so if a dog is super aggressive towards humans or other animals or is just really unhealthy and can't be treated, that's when we would euthanize. Cavener: Follow up, Mayor? De Weerd: Yes. Cavener: I think in your presentation you said you bring in 11,000 dogs? Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 10 of 42 Gilbert: Yes. That's what we have brought in so far this year. So, it's probably going to be like 13, 14 thousand. And that's not dogs, that's all animals. Cavener: All animals? Okay euthanized? Five percent? Gilbert: Oh, we are talking like -- Cavener: Less than one percent? And of that are we talking one percent that are Gilbert: -- one -- zero to one and a half percent, probably. We have a 98 percent adoption rate of -- you know. Well, I guess I shouldn't say that. I'm probably a little off on that. I think adoptable dogs we have a 98 to 99 percent adoption rate, but there is other dogs that would be euthanized. I don't have the stats in front of me, but if a dog isn't considered adoptable it wouldn't be considered in that population. Cavener: And if they are not considered adoptable, then, they are euthanized? Gilbert: You know, there is certain dogs that maybe they are not adoptable, but there is a rescue out there that wants to take them on. Like when we did the big Oneida pit bull rescue last year some of the dogs weren't really adoptable, but we were able to put them in rescues that were able to house them and keep them and maybe ultimately adopt them out, like the one down in Colorado and -- so, we look at options like that. We have got five Newfee's right -- Newfoundland dogs right now that we are, you know, looking to possibly put into some sort of rescue if we can't find adopters for them. Cavener: Mayor, a couple of questions? De Weerd: Those are huge dogs. Gilbert: They range from 100 to 150 pounds. But the one we got today -- I just have to tell you -- is a great dane mastiff mix and it weighs 194 pounds. De Weerd: Oh, my God. So, those are little pet ponies. Mr. Cavener. Zaremba: Two bags of feed every day, uh? Cavener: On average how many hours a week is an animal control officer in the City of Meridian? Gilbert: Well, there is somebody on duty for the City of Meridian every day. I don't know what the patrol schedule is, but I mean we have a certain number of officers who rotate and they call -- they patrol when needed, but they are mostly responding to the different areas when they get calls in or if there is a -- you know, because we will get a call if there is a barking dog or whatever and so when they go out to that area they will kind of patrol around and check the other areas. So, four officers on duty every day to Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 11 of 42 cover the area, including Meridian, Boise, and, then, three on the weekends. And, then, there is also somebody on call from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. in order for police dispatch to be able to get a hold of in case of an emergency and we also have officers on duty on call on all holidays. Cavener: Okay. Follow up? On average if a resident calls and they need an officer at their house, what's the average response time? Gilbert: You know, it would depend on the situation. If it's a dog barking and we have got three other calls ahead of it, it's maybe an hour. If it's an aggressive dog and there is -- you know, we triage calls. We respond as quickly as possible. We have had no complaints about our response time that I'm aware of from Meridian. You know, if we have a dog locked in a hot car and it's a hundred degrees out and we have got a barking dog, we are going to respond to the dog in the car first, obviously. I can pull stats on response times. I don't have those with me. We can pull that. Cavener: Great. I'd love to see a copy of those. Gilbert: Okay. Cavener: And one more question, Mayor. My apologies. And maybe this is a misunderstanding on my part, but if I have a -- if I heard you correctly, if I have a feral cat in my garage, I can call you and you will come and get it; is that -- Gilbert: If you trap it. Right? If it's contained we can come and get it. Cavener: Great. Is there a charge associated with that if I call you out to pick up a feral cat? De Weerd: There was before. Cavener: I know there was Mayor. De Weerd: Yes. Just saying. Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. That's why I'm just getting some clarification. Sorry, Zaremba: I guess I have a budget procedure question. Our next item is going to be approval of a contract addenda and I certainly think we are getting our money's worth and it would be well worth doing this addition, but we have already approved the 2015 budget, the 12,000 dollar difference. Does that need to be an amendment? Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 12 of 42 Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Member Zaremba, I think the Police Department -- De Weerd: It just comes out of the Police Department's budget. Nary: I think it's already accounted for. Zaremba: One less car purchased, is that what we are talking about? Milam: Half a car. Overton: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, that was prepared by legal. Nary: I think it has been accounted for in the budget. So, it's already been accounted for in the budget, so it's just adding the contract. Zaremba: Fine. Thank you. Milam: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Yes, Mrs. Milam. Milam: I do have just a quick financial question. So, the increase is due to proportionate -- not necessarily cost increase, but getting us more to the proportion of our usage; is that correct? Gilbert: It's a combination, really, of both. I mean we have got a small increase in our cost projected into our budget, because of increasing costs on our end. I think the average was like one and a half to two percent cost increase and, then, also getting you guys up to your proportionate level. Milam: Okay. So, if we -- next year we reevaluate and if our usage goes down it would -- we can have a reduction? Gilbert: We could, but we would most likely freeze it. If -- you know. If your proportionate share went way down we could reduce it. Milam: Okay. Thank you. De Weerd: If it's going up they won't charge us more. I just want to note for Council that on October 16th at Linda Yanke's house she will be hosting a get together fundraiser, so -- get together for the Idaho Humane Society. As you know they are in the process of a capital campaign and most of their gifts have been from the Boise area. So, we need to insure that our citizens know that this shelter is not just for Boise as -- as the provider of our citizens we do need to insure that we are represented as part of that facility. I know that they have been very generous in sharing the blueprints and we Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 13 of 42 have had citizens involved in the process, not only for the shelter, but also the dog park facility that will be attached to it. So, would encourage you to attend. Again, it is October 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 and if you want more details you can certainly look -- or ask me. I was really appealing to the dog lovers and cat lovers and exotic pet owners as well. So, you if guys want a nice place for the exotic pets to go; right? Any other comments that you want to make? Just wanted to make sure that capital campaign was noted on the record. Gilbert: You bet. De Weerd: Okay. If there is nothing further, thank you so much. Gilbert: Thank you. B. Approval of Addendum A to the Professional Services Agreement for Animal Control Services and Dog Licensing Between the City of Meridian and the Idaho Humane Society for an Amount Not -to -Exceed $352,132.00 De Weerd: Okay. 6-B is approval to Addendum A and I would turn this over to Council. Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: Yeah. I got a question. This -- this not to exceed 352,132. Well, that was our -- that was our contract for fiscal year '14. No? And they -- as I understand they need 12,000 more? What -- I mean am I not adding right or -- Nary: Mr. Bird, Members of the Council, Madam Mayor, remember we also have a credit with them. Remember we transferred vehicles. Bird: The contract was 370. Eighteen out of that made it 352,132. That was for last year. Now, we are putting an addendum on here, but for the same contract amount and they are telling me they want 12,000 more. So, we shouldn't exceed 364,132, if I can add right. Nary: Yeah. I didn't prepare that, Mr. Bird. I'm trying to find that for you, so -- actually, what Finance is telling me we have 357 in the budget for this contract currently for the next fiscal year. Bird: For 2015 or for 2014? Nary: For 2015. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 14 of 42 Bird: For 2015, the new -- the new fiscal year. Nary: Yes. Bird: We have got 257 -- Nary: 357. Bird: 357. Okay. So, in other words, we have to have addenda for about 7,132. Nary: Right. And what Todd is telling me in this e-mail I have in front of me was there is sufficient funds in the police budget to make up the difference. Bird: Well, it -- under the line item we are going to have to have -- we are going to have to have a budget amendment to switch to the line items. De Weerd: Well -- and, really, for the public record this should reflect the contract that we have, not just the cost to the budget. It should reflect the contract. Bird: It should reflect 364,132 dollars, if I'm adding up right. Overton: Madam Mayor, Councilman Bird, in meeting with Leann she says the net amount for FY 2015 -- that correct amount is the amount listed, the 352,132. Moving forward. For FY 2015. Bird: Great. De Weerd: Okay. So -- but that's not how it's reflected in the contract. Bird: That's what last year -- excuse me, Madam Mayor. De Weerd: Uh-huh. Bird: Lieutenant, this is what -- the agreement last year was 370,132, minus 18,000 credit. Nary: No. That was for '15. It was an individual one each year. This is extending that agreement. Each one had a different amount for each year with the set off for the vehicles. Bird: I mean I will be glad for the 352,132. De Weerd: Okay. Well, it sounds like the agenda is right. We want to make sure that the contract reflects the math appropriately. Bird: Madam Mayor? Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 15 of 42 De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: With that I would move we approve Addendum A to the fiscal year 2015 for the animal control services and dog licensing between the City of Meridian and Idaho Humane Society for an amount not to exceed 352,132 dollars. Milam: Second. De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 6-B. Any discussion from Council? Okay. Madam Clerk. Roll Call: Bird, yea; Rountree, yea; Zaremba, yea; Borton, absent; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea. De Weerd: Okay. All ayes. Motion carried. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. Item 7: Items Moved From Consent Agenda De Weerd: There were no items moved from the Consent Agenda. Item 8: Action Items A. Public Hearing Continued from September 2, 2014: Public Works Proposed Utility Rates Increase De Weerd: So, we will move to Item 8-A under continued public hearing on our Public Works proposed utility rate increase. Is there additional information the department wants to provide at this point? Pepin: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, there is no additional information, just a continuance of the public hearing from last week. We don't have an additional presentation. I just asked Caleb to bring open the slide of the approaches that we proposed last week in and around the two percent inflationary increase to water and wastewater base and usage rates and, additionally, the proposal to add $3.75 to the monthly wastewater base fee -- excuse me -- rate for EPA compliance fee. There is no new information at this time. De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. This is a continued public hearing. Is there anyone who would like to provide testimony? Yes, sir. Good evening. If you will, please, state your name and address for the record. Clemens: Brandon Clemens. 4394 North Annetta Avenue. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 16 of 42 De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. Clemens: I didn't make the meeting last week, but I saw it on the web and the gentleman -- we all -- citizens got this in the mail and the slide that Mr. Barry had last week was the outreach and communication to all the citizens and one phone call, one e-mail, zero social media responses, zero blog, zero letters and for 170 million dollars thought that was kind of unusual. So, I did some research and have some information on Nampa. Nampa's phase one proposals -- first phase improvements to their wastewater system at a cost of 28 million dollars. This is on their website and I can leave this here for phase one. They have a phase two over the next ten years and it is too early to tell the exact cost. And Boise is -- had some literature on their website, cost for their wastewater treatment could cost anywhere from 67 million to 92 million, with an additional four million dollars to 36 million dollars to the Lander Street. They have two wastewater systems. So, this information was the first time that I saw everything on one piece of paper at 170 million dollars. Then I got the Meridian Press that was -- the front page about the five dollar monthly increase. So, the gentleman last week said, you know, that was the first he heard of it. This is the first -- I mean the first I heard of it. So, Meridian -- or Nampa had put together for their 28 million dollar -- they put together an advisory group of local citizens. This is on their website and it has -- the advisory group members represent residents, neighborhoods, homeowners associations, industries, developers, business, commercial interests, civil, school, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, low income minority groups, environmental groups and construction contractors. De Weerd: Sir? Clemens: Yes. De Weerd: Can you summarize -- can you get to your point? Clemens: I -- here is a list. Yeah. And I was just offering to put an advisory group together for the City of Meridian, because the numbers are skewed -- 170 million, you know, I don't have all the facts, but I would offer to work with somebody from the city and try to put together, you know, community leaders to see if we can streamline some of those costs. De Weerd: Thank you. Can you tell me -- are we comparing apples to apples? I'm not as familiar with the kind of processes -- if those plants are similar to ours. If the discharge that they discharge their -- if the discharge is the same -- Clemens: Size wise Boise is bigger. De Weerd: Not even size, but operation. I do know there is a big difference in talking to the various mayors across the state that are also dealing with this very same challenge and how to meet these new requirements -- very low requirements. This is -- we are being asked to deal with a constituent that we have never had a requirement on and so, Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 17 of 42 of course, that's not been part of our operation. So, I'm not familiar with Nampa's or Boise and at what stage their sewer treatment plant is and what I'm trying to do is are we comparing apples to oranges or apples to apples? Clemens: Apples to apples I'm hoping. But the size -- you know, they are similar in size and everybody has to take care of the same constituent, but the dollar numbers here versus the other cities is so much higher. De Weerd: Well, we will ask staff, because, I'm sorry I put you on the spot to ask a citizen that kind of question probably wasn't fair. I'm just trying -- I will ask staff, so be prepared, you know, how is Meridian different from these that -- that have been brought to our attention and why is theirs less than ours and -- and those kind of things, but -- so I apologize. Clemens: Do you want -- De Weerd: No. I will have them come up and address that, because you have asked some good questions. Council, do you have any questions? Cavener: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Cavener. Cavener: One. I appreciate when our citizens want to get involved in helping the process, so I appreciate you coming down. Just for my clarification, what would be the goal of this citizen action panel that you would like to form? What would be the end outcome in your estimation? Clemens: Maybe reduce the capital cost and save the five dollar increase in the water. Cavener: Okay. De Weerd: Any other questions? Zaremba: Just a comment to help with that question. I would also ask staff to review. They have done a number of public outreach and citizen inclusion meetings over the past year or so and if they would review those for us as well. Question of staff. De Weerd: Thank you. We will ask staff that as well. Zaremba: Thank you. De Weerd: Thank you for being here and certainly thank you for your offer. We -- we love to take citizens up on their offer to volunteer. So, thank you for that. Additional testimony? No? Tracy, would you like to answer some of the questions that were bought up and help put some of those comparisons perhaps in -- Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 18 of 42 Crane: So, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, so you kind of hit it right. It's not exactly apples to apples. Treatment technologies may be similar, but it's actually the discharge permit that guides what we have to do. Specifically there is a couple of issues beyond phosphorus. So, phosphorus has been the big constituent of concern in the community. We have been planning for this for several years and when the pre - draft permit came out to extremely low limits of technology -- ammonia limits for us, which are much, much lower than some of the other cities around us have been -- are included in what we are dealing with. So, it's not just the phosphorus. I think folks have -- have focused on that, because ammonia itself has been almost as big a challenge as phosphorus for us. So, it isn't exactly apples to apples, because everybody -- they look at the discharge of the stream that you're putting it in, where in the river you're putting it in, what the flows are, the dilution capability, the reasonable potential -- they put numbers and spreadsheets and the numbers come out the way they come out and our ammonia is extremely low. The second half is part of our money that's in there, the whole 100 million -- and a lot of the numbers that are out there cities have put out dealing with just phosphorus only. For us this is one big number that we are talking about here and growth is a significant part of that and capacity is a significant part of that 170 million as well. So, we have some growth in there, we have some phosphorus certainly improvements in there and as well as nutrients, ammonia limits as well. So, it isn't a straight across apple to apple comparison at all. It has to do with the discharge limits of each permit that are proposed. De Weerd: Council, any questions regarding that? Milam: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mrs. Milam. Milam: I apologize I missed the meeting last week. I did watch it, but I couldn't see anything. So -- and I don't know if this is something that you went over, but I would like to know is what are the Nampa and Boise rates -- base rates and usage fees in comparison to our proposed -- Pepin: Madam Mayor, Councilwoman Milam, we will get that information. If I can take a moment to address Mr. Clemens and a couple of comments he made and, then, we can get back to you, if you don't mind that, please. Milam: Absolutely. Thank you. Pepin: Thank you. So, interesting points, Mr. Clemens. So, the outreach efforts we feel have been going on really since January or February. There has been multiple articles in the newspaper about the challenge -- the NPDES permit challenge that we are facing -- Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 19 of 42 De Weerd: Mike, can you just turn this way and just know you are addressing him through addressing the Council. Pepin: Thank you. De Weerd: That was just too awkward; right? Pepin: So, we feel as a department and as a city -- because we did put together a pretty robust communications plan on how we are going to deal with the customer class of our ratepayers. Nearly 30,000 accounts that Meridian has and we feel that six or seven touch points through the media with the help of the Valley Times and the Meridian Press, to include we have gone out and we have actually provided a presentation to BOMA, the building -- Bird: Building Owners -- Pepin: Owners. Thank you, Councilman Bird. Owners and Maintenance Association. Our Director Mr. Tom Barry is at the BCA right now talking with them, trying to get as many touch points as we can out there in the community. We sent out 30,000 fliers identifying when the public could come and speak and be heard, as you have witnessed last week and, then, this week as well. So, we feel these touch points and the public outreach were very substantial considering what we were proposing to do. In addressing some of Mr. Clemens' other comments, Nampa does have a phase one, about 28 million dollars, but we were just on the phone with their public works director yesterday and their phase two portion is 100 to 130 million dollars and what Tracy hit on is really important, because what our challenge -- 170 plus million dollars, it takes into consideration not just water quality, but what Tracy's wastewater plant needs to produce, but also capacity and growth. As the tenth largest -- or tenth fastest growing community in the nation -- Nampa doesn't hold that title. We do. So, we have to also be prepared for growth as we project it to continue. So, our figure while higher than what Nampa's is right now, if you want to use that as a comparison, as Mr. Clemens is suggesting, what they are not factoring in and which they will is some type of a growth factor. Their 28 million dollars for phase one and 100 to 130 for their phase two, that's purely water quality. So, there is 160 million dollars that doesn't factor in any growth at all and we have already factored in growth into ours. Growth to the tune of 73 million dollars. So, if you want to take that off the top of what we are asking, really, water quality is around 100 million dollars over ten years. It's not all dedicated to water quality. It's a large component of growth as well, which we are speaking with the BCA and the developers to offer a proposal to City Council as well in the coming weeks on how we can collect some costs from them as well. So, I just want to provide that to Mr. Clemens in and around the Nampa comment. Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 20 of 42 Zaremba: And I would also repeat something else that has been pointed out in other meetings that we have had with you and Director Barry. In covering what we expect to be roughly a five dollar greater expense to cover many of these costs, the gentleman last week asked a very legitimate question. Is there a component of growth paying for growth in this and the answer I appreciated was -- coupled with this is also the idea that we will raise the hook-up rates -- Pepin: Absolutely. Zaremba: -- so that what used to be called the latecomers fee -- I think something like that -- means that even though this proposal, including an EPA surcharge I think we are calling it, to cover the regulatory issues, current residents, including ourselves, would start paying roughly five dollars more a month to cover all of these coming expenses, but that's not covering all of them. We are recovering much of that from the hook-up fees as well, which does hit people who move in five years from now, six, eight years from now, and have not been paying this rate increase, their hook-up fee will go up quite a bit and -- and to me that seems kind of fair. Pepin: You're correct on that, Council Member Zaremba. We are -- one of the approaches that we are looking at and we will come back to Council with is a sewer connection fee, as you refer to, assessment fee, hook-up fee -- we have heard all three terminologies used, but we are looking at increasing that fee as well and that will impact the development community, which growth pays for growth is kind of our mantra. The ratepayers are not going to be asked to pay for growth. They shouldn't be asked to pay for growth, they should be asked to pay for a portion of improving the wastewater treatment plant that they also utilize. Zaremba: And the regulatory changes. Pepin: Absolutely. Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: The latecomers fee pays for the sewer and water to the -- to the lot. It don't pay for the sewer upkeep or anything like that. That's user fees. Growth pays for itself. It has -- I have been on here 17 years. Our rate fees have been kept up. Our rate fees shows -- has a profit built in it for this kind of stuff and so we as a Council has got to act like a PUC, because we are the PUC for the public. Public municipal -- or public utilities having to go before them and I will guarantee you they go before them with more stuff and better prepared than what we get. They -- and they have -- they have to have a certain amount of public notice and it isn't for two weeks, it isn't for a week. So, we need to make sure that our ratepayers are paying -- are getting looked after by us and that's -- and I -- right now I just asked and I appreciate this -- I asked Mike and Tom this morning to get us current permits and anticipated proposed permits, which we know Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 21 of 42 isn't dye in the wool yet. We think it is. I'm not smart enough to read it. I wished would have had it a week ago so I could give it to somebody to read. But I appreciate that and right now I believe that with our rate fees that we have had we have been able over the last 17 years to grow our wastewater treatment plant, our water facilities, and still have a pretty nice fund balance. So, I -- I really have a hard time -- and this isn't nothing any -- new from me for any of you guys that's in the Public Works. I really have a hard time with the 375 -- even though it sunsets in ten years, I have a -- and I realize that's only 448 dollars a household over ten years. There is a lot of people that -- 448 dollars puts food on the table. So, that's the one thing I -- I really -- the two percent increases, while I don't like them, you know, I could maybe live with them, but I do have a problem with the 375 on that, but it's up to you to prove to me that we need it. De Weerd: Mr. Bird, I guess I would just say on what we have in reserves there specified to a certain element and the city has a history of preparing for growth. It's the only reason that we have been able to have the continued growth that we have had, because of our predecessors in saving and building capacity that will meet our growing demands. I think Finance will tell you that what we do have in reserves -- and I know that Public Works would, too, but if you're looking for that checks and balance, it is specific to maintenance -- maintenance of lines, of -- much of the replacement of what we need to do out at the wastewater treatment plant to maintain and continue operations -- there is two different parts. There is serving the current ratepayers and there is the new growth. That is what our staff has worked with within the engineering, the Public Works, the treatment plant, the HGR and our third -party component that has looked at all the modeling to make sure that these numbers are checked and double checked and the I's are dotted and T's are crossed to making sure that it's not just from internal and what our staff thinks, it has been a real big team approach. We have been saving for this anticipated hit, seeing what other cities have gotten in terms of the phosphorus. The ammonia was -- was something maybe not totally unexpected, but the price tag a little bit so and there are different approaches to getting us to the point where we need to get. The 375 -- and I would hope that just as we did in times of where we needed to raise our rates are evaluated annually and this Council -- and know that each one of you will stand committed that this 375 sunsets in ten years, if not before, and that each year we get an accountability follow up from the department in terms of did the crystal ball meet the needed projections or can we find savings and I would imagine since each one of you have said this, that they will expect that kind of accountability in terms of do the projects continue to be needed and that is something that we have to have an annual conversation at. Your action should sunset it and the only way that fee could continue is to go through this process all over again and I would ask Tracy or Mike is -- that's the built-in accountability to it. Crane: Madam Mayor, if I may, just a couple of quick comments, Councilman Bird. So, one thing about it is we take our ratepayers -- this seriously as well and, you know, believe I can speak for myself and the Public Works staff that we would like to do this as fiscally responsible as possible. So, we wish we didn't have regulations put on us and business as usual that we have done in the past has served us well, but, unfortunately, federal regulations forces us into doing, you know, things that we wish we didn't have to Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 22 of 42 do as far as rates go, but our goal -- we look at it and I say what is our goal? Our goal is a hundred percent compliance with the new regulations with factors figured in, such as operability, reliability, maintainability at the most cost effective price that we can. So, what we have done here is we have built in a couple studies -- the first couple years have some studies built in up front where we can do some pilot testing and try to find out of those cost effective, if you will, ways of doing it. However, the problem is is that if -- at the best available information we have today are the numbers that we have put in front of you and if we delay action and we do need that much money, then, because of the compounding effect, that hit could be bigger to our ratepayers in the future and that's really our concern. Bird: Madam Mayor? Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Thank you, Tracy. Mr. Bird, follow up? Bird: Trace, tell me -- since you -- since you have been out there has there been anytime that we have not been able to fund something that you needed out of the current rate -- or by the rate fees that we -- that we have collected? Crane: Councilman Bird, not to my knowledge today. I would say that today the information that you requested of the current permit verses future -- they are sort of night and day. When we start talking about phosphorus at the limits of technology and ammonia very near the limits of technology, it leaves me as the responsible official in a somewhat uncomfortable position as you start ratcheting down that load and our operational flexibility also gets ratcheted down that low and as we have seen in the past compliance is our -- you know, we have to comply with the regulations. So, I would say that of two years of planning and it's not like -- I guess I would also say that this didn't necessarily surprise us, but the ammonia limit did. But we have been -- Clint and I have been to multiple low phosphorus -- you know, we went to EPA's low phosphorus conference, Coeur d'Alene's demonstration. We have been meeting with multi -city consortiums for a couple of years. We did a facility planning effort with Brown and Caldwell -- or HGR and CH2M Hill. We have had Brown and Caldwell look at it. Many presentations and a lot of work up front and, you know, the conservative -- this is the numbers that we built with the information today that we think -- we hope that with the first couple of years of the studies on the implementation plan that we can find more cost effective ways, but the concern is if not, then, we need to make sure that we fund the compliance. So, I think compliance will not permit those final and we have been negotiating with -- or working with the state on the 401, so it's -- it's pretty close to being -- there will be some changes that you see, but not any real substantive changes that will make a difference on the capital improvements that we need to do, then compliance with that permit in the ten years that we will have to comply is a completely different prospect than there is today. De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 23 of 42 Zaremba: Madam Mayor. I guess my comment is that this is not necessarily a surprise. In a presentation that Mr. Barry made to us a month or two ago and in presentations six or eight months ago when he was first asking should we be exploring an EPA surcharge or changes to our rates, his presentation to the Council included several line charts that showed, okay, we are fine this year. We could leave the rates alone and are fine next year, probably we could leave the rates alone. But by three years from now or four years from now we went into the tank, so to speak, very deeply and I remember looking at those charts and the point he was making is, yes, we have been covering our expenses up until now, but the new things that are coming at us are, unfortunately, going to be at great expense and if we wait until after they have happened or after we have violated the permits and, then, try to solve them, in addition to the cost, there are fines and other things that Meridian just doesn't want to get into and we have seen those charts and perhaps they are not available to look at again today, but it was very clear to me that staying where we are right now could be okay this year, could be okay next year, but eventually it's going to bite us pretty seriously and I appreciate the -- the work that's done to look ahead and anticipate this, say, okay, we need to get a little bit of this money from here and a little bit of this money from there. The pie chart that he has shown us about all the things that are being put together, this is not all going on the ratepayers, there is quite a bit of it that's being charged other ways and this is not news. We have seen this and we know this is coming and I suppose we could ask for that to be explained to us again, but we have had it explained to us. De Weerd: Okay. Any other questions from Council? Pepin: Madam Mayor, I would like to just comment on -- Council Woman Milam's asked about the rates. The information -- so, Meridian in terms of average sewer bill compared to Boise and Nampa, that's specifically the cities you want, we are higher than each one of them by about eight dollars average bill. Total water bill, though, we are much lower than each of them. So, when you add those two together, we are right around a 58 dollar -- and that's based off of 9,000 gallons of water, 5,000 gallons of sewer. So, our average bill puts us in the middle of the pack in terms of regional comparisons. Milam: Thank you. Pepin: And if I could add one more thing to Councilman Zaremba's comments -- and will pull back to what Mr. Barry had brought to the Council a few times and what the Council had given to us in terms of direction and what you felt we needed to go do and we felt we have and one was avoid debt. We want to be a pay as you go, only ask for what you need, spend what you get, be very productive, very proactive. Conduct public outreach and we feel that we have with these two customer classes in terms of the ratepayers and the development community, which that's where Mr. Barry is today, involve impacted professional associations, that's exactly what we have done. It's fiscal conservative, yet proactive and we are and, then, don't delay. So, that message came out in April and we are here in September to reiterate what you asked of us. Thank you. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 24 of 42 De Weerd: Thank you, Mike. Thank you, Tracy. Anything further from Council? Okay. Thank you. If there is nothing further I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing if you so desire. Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Zaremba: I move that we have close the public hearing. Rountree: Second. De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. B. Resolution No. 14-1013: Resolution Adopting the Public Works Utility Rate Increase De Weerd: Council, in front of you is Resolution 14-1013. 1 would -- Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Zaremba: I move that we approve Resolution 14-1013, a resolution adopting the Public Works rate increase. De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Cavener: Second. De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and a second. Discussion? Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Zaremba: I just would repeat my comment. We ask our departments to plan ahead. The Public Works Department has put a lot of effort into planning ahead. I appreciate the public suggestion that maybe for future reviews -- and maybe there should be an annual review, that we do put a citizen committee together. I would not hold this up -- the work that has gone into it, I think they have shown justification for needing to get out ahead of this problems that are coming and I would express appreciation -- the work Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 25 of 42 that has been done and I believe we do need to adopt the rates as they are and coupled with that I think it would not be a bad idea to have a citizen review committee. Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Bird: He just spoke. Zaremba: Mr. Bird. De Weerd: I'm sorry. Mr. Bird. I didn't want to recognize you. Bird: I will be the first to tell you that Tom and his department does do a good job at bringing stuff forward and doing it right. I just at this point, without knowing exactly what our permit's going to be -- and we don't a hundred percent, I -- I have no problem with two percent increases. The 3.75, while it don't sound like a lot, is a lot, and I think we need to -- we need to make sure that we need what we need, not to get ourself built up so that we can keep building a bureaucracy that we are seeing within the administration of that department. Rountree: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Rountree. Rountree: I fully endorse our position that we have taken numerous times on these kinds of things in terms of pay as you go, but my recollection is is we had a number of years ago rather significant increase in utility rates. The end result was we, as a Council, thought much like Councilman Bird was talking about, that it might be too much too soon. We did it incrementally and we actually did that through resolution and it was identified in the resolution. And we have spoken a little bit about that potential with this particular rate increase, but it is not reflected in the resolution at all and Councilman Zaremba brought that up as well, is that it might be -- this might be something, again, that we have an annual occurrence and look at -- because I can tell you when we did that before with the incremental increases on the utility rates we did not implement several of those increases, because we found that we did not need them moving forward and we accomplished what we were trying to accomplish with some of the earlier rate increases. So, I'm not opposed to this. I'm in favor of pay as you go, because if we have to put this off and we have to all of a sudden do something and we have to think about an emergency bond, though it's good for the bond buyers, because it's the only place you can make any interest these days, it's really not very good for the city. So, I would like to see the resolution be beefed up a little bit in terms of maybe making this an incremental thing or at least the evaluation of it incrementally, maybe annually or possibly initially quarterly and that way as we have more definitive guidance from EPA in term of what the permit is going to look like, even though I think we do know what it's going to look like. We can take a rather immediate action, because that's Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 26 of 42 one of the advantages of local government, we can make changes in a matter of weeks, as opposed to -- Bird: Years. Rountree: -- multiple years and sessions as happens at the state and sometimes never as we find in the federal government, but I support it, but I would like to see the resolution change to reflect the concept of incremental evaluation through authorization by the Council in moving forward and these numbers that we see here be the not to exceed numbers and hopefully staff could accommodate some kind of an incremental staging of these rate increases, particularly the fixed -- fixed rate, the EPA assessment. It seems to me that's a bit premature and not have something in the resolution that it needs to be evaluated, because it could be more. De Weerd: Thank you, Council. Milam: I second that, Madam Mayor. I agree with Councilman Rountree. De Weerd: Okay. The motion was to approve this resolution. Council or -- Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Yes. Zaremba: I would comment that the resolution proposed on which I made the motion speaks to the numbers and the math. I would be happy to add an amendment to my motion that would speak to periodic review and possibly incremental implementation. De Weerd: A biannual review or do you have -- Zaremba: Maybe biannual. De Weerd: It should have a time element. Zaremba: Biannual review the first couple of years and, then, annual after that. De Weerd: And you have a not to exceed statement; correct? Zaremba: I hadn't thought of a not to exceed, but -- Rountree: As proposed? De Weerd: Yeah. As proposed. Zaremba: As proposed. Yeah. Okay. Not to exceed as proposed. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 27 of 42 Bird: It can't be more. De Weerd: Second agree? Cavener: Second agrees. Biannual, is that what I heard? Zaremba: Biannual for two years and, then, annual after that. Cavener: Yeah. Second agrees. De Weerd: And, you know, I appreciate Councilman Rountree's reminder that -- and it points to the trust level that we have in staff. When we looked at the three -- the tiered approach to utility rates and it was over a three year, our staff did come back and say we don't need it and I think that shows the diligence to making sure that it is real and it's exactly what we need and from what I hear from our neighboring cities when they got the draft it -- it didn't get more restrictive, so -- more costly. What the hope is is we convince them to not be as restrictive, but they didn't really have success in that either. So, the draft is a pretty good indicator of what to expect. Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Yeah. Mr. Zaremba. Zaremba: I would just comment in our previous approval of what was supposed to be three annual increases and turned out, as I recall, to only be the -- we only did it the first year. The environment at the time was that all of a sudden capital projects came in bid much lower than we expected. So, it isn't necessarily that they were wrong in their projection, we suddenly had an environment where work was cheap and they didn't -- they honestly came back and said, look, we don't need everything we asked for and we very much appreciate that and that's why I'm in favor of saying, okay, let's have ongoing reviews, because the -- there are other circumstances over which we don't have control that do change and sometimes in our favor, surprise, surprise. Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: With this resolution I would prefer to see the rewritten resolution come back before I vote on it. Nary: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Nary. Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I was going to suggest that. I just wanted to clarify what you wanted in it. There is still a ten year sunset clause; correct? Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 28 of 42 Zaremba: Yes. Nary: And a biannual review of the rate for the first two years and, then, annually after that and I heard Councilman Rountree mention reauthorization annually. Is that something the Council wanted? You generally review your rates annually anyway, but do you want a reauthorization as part of this fee? Zaremba: I would phrase it that if the review -- I would say we are -- as we did last time, we put the three phase in place and said we had to make -- we had to take action to stop it from happening, which, in fact, we did for two years. Rountree: I'm okay with that. Zaremba: I would prefer to say let's put it in place and after each review we may take action to stop it. Nary: Okay. Zaremba: Or reduce it. But it will happen if we take no action. Nary: Yeah. And, generally, if you were to increase it say -- I heard that also, that there is always that potential, that would go through the normal process of any fee increase, so you would have public notice and all of that. All right. I was going to suggest if you would, Council, if that's your motion, you can vote on that's the motion for the resolution that you would like brought back for you next week, so you're not approving the one that's on the agenda today -- Zaremba: Yes. Nary: -- we will bring back the one with all the wording additions added to it. De Weerd: Okay. Zaremba: Therefore, do I need to withdraw the motion that I made? Rountree: Just make a second motion. Nary: I think all your motion is a motion to approve the resolution based on what you have stated previously to be brought forward next week. Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 29 of 42 Bird: If I could make a substitute motion. I would move that we return this resolution back to the attorney to be written -- rewritten as proposed by the Council. Zaremba: I would second that. De Weerd: Okay. I do have a substitute motion. Council, any discussion? Okay. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. De Weerd: And we will bring that back next week for your action. Thank you. And thank you to our Public Works staff. We appreciate your diligence on this. I -- this has been a long process and we know that it's not over. So, we do appreciate your stewardship and your attention to it, so thank you. Item 9: Department Reports A. Human Resources Department: Strategic Plan Update De Weerd: Okay. Item No. 9-A is under our Human Resource Department. Their strategic plan update. Perkins: As you can see we are frozen. De Weerd: It's a popular movie. I can tell you don't have kids or really young grandkids to have gotten that joke. Perkins: No. I'm sorry. De Weerd: My granddaughter can sing you word for word the songs in it, too. Rountree: Pretty much. Perkins: The Disney -- De Weerd: Yes. Perkins: Got it. De Weerd: In fact, at our Parks Department they played Frozen and it turned into quite the sing along, as I understand it. Perkins: And I love sing alongs, but I would not have been able to participate. De Weerd: Just not right now, uh? Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 30 of 42 Perkins: Right. Right. De Weerd: Okay. Perkins: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, thank you very much for this opportunity to present. I know how interesting HR presentations are for all of you, so I will keep this fairly brief and allow for questions at the end. I am going to be speaking on the main areas that really I think have a major impact to the city of the HR function that would be recruitment, retention, benefits, compensation, training, and, then, follow up with some special projects. This is your Human Resources team. You are I think familiar with most everyone. Crystal Ritchie, of course, has been here for some time. Laura Lee Berg was hired in March as the HR generalist and Christena Barney joined us as benefits coordinator in January on our -- we currently have an opening posted for an administrative assistant and we -- that posting just closed on Friday, so we will be pursuing candidates for interview here in the next week or so. Thank you. I just wanted to talk to a couple of the highlights for this last year. I joined the team October 21st of 2013, so just three weeks into the fiscal year and so I'm just about to complete my first year. The reason I'm here at all is because of the first bullet that there was a decision to create two distinct departments out of the formerly combined legal and HR units and I think that now that we have done that, we have got things settled, I think both Bill and I -- Bill Nary and I can say that we are very grateful to have a strong partner in the other department. There is plenty of work to do on both sides. As I mentioned, there was almost an entirely new HR team that was hired and fully staffed as of March 2014. So, we have spent quite bit of time just getting our legs under us for this past year, but one highlight that is not on the slide that I really would be remiss in not mentioning is the work that Crystal Ritchie did to hold things together during the transition, I truly do not know how she did it without totally losing her mind and I am so grateful that we -- that she has stayed with the team, that she is there. She has amazing institutional knowledge and really kept things running while I was getting up to speed, while we hired the -- the first admin while Christena came on board, she spent endless hours training people and it's a good thing that Laura Lee and Christena learned better than I do, so -- she's still training me, so -- but do want to really thank her publicly for all of the incredible work that she has done. One of the first things that you hear of when you think of HR -- or think of when you hear of HR is really recruiting. Recruiting is typically the most visible thing that we do and so I wanted to talk to you a little bit and give you some statistics about what we did this past year. It was busy. There were 49 positions filled and as five of those -- well, we posted 44 jobs in fiscal 2014 to date. There is a couple sitting on Crystal's desk. So, that number will go up slightly. We have filled 49 positions and the difference really represents five positions that were posted that were started in fiscal year 2013, but filled during this year and so this resulted in 70 new hires to the city. These consisted of 39 full time, 11 part time, and 20 seasonal groundskeepers for Parks and Rec. We did have an increased average time to fill of 113 days. That is up over about the 90 days that we had to fill an average requisition. It is important to note that at least six months of the year Crystal was really the only person that was doing any -- any recruiting. Plus we had five jobs -- three in police department and two in Public Works that took well in excess of six months to fill. So, if Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 31 of 42 you remove those five jobs that were unusual and kind of were posted and, then, withdrawn and, then, posted again, so there is a lot of noise in some of that, our average time to fill is really about 95 days. So, it's up slightly, but not as bad as it looked. To that point, Crystal is working closely with Public Works on to -- on a tasking that they had developed to streamline their hiring processes and to reduce that time to fill. So, I think next year we will see a much better number there. In addition, we are going to be reviewing and are currently reviewing our sourcing for those hard -to -fill jobs and, again, we will hopefully make up some time there. Retention. The city has incredible employee retention rate. It is 91.4 percent. We had 31 regular employees leave us last year out of -- and my number that I'm using is 362. That ebbed and flowed a little bit throughout the year, but -- so that the total of the -- the employees that left us was eight and a half percent. Four of these were retired; 16 were voluntary, and, then, 11 of them were involuntary. Two of those 11 counted the animal control officers that we had that went with the contract to the Humane Society. The most challenging positions, as I mentioned, to recruit and retain are those which where -- where we compete directly with the private sector and most of those jobs are in Public Works or in IT. We -- those are the areas where we are going to be looking at our sourcing and looking at our retention for those folks. We have been -- we have retained them and we want to continue to, so we will be giving that some attention. Benefits and leave administration is another large area of impact for the city. We did complete our 2015 fiscal year benefit design review, which was submitted into the budget a little bit ago. One of the changes that we intend to make is to have the benefits committee active year around. Up to this point it has been initiated in the early part of the year to go through a benefit design that would be effective, then, the following year. There is so much going on in the world of healthcare and benefit plan design that we really do feel that this needs to be a year around effort. We are going to make some incremental changes to the benefit plans this year, but we are really looking to make some larger changes and we need to do that in a way that will be acceptable to the employees and to the bottom line. So, it's going to take more work than we can get done with the committee in just a couple of months. So, that's one change that you will see us doing. I do want to acknowledge Christena Barney. Christena came to us in January, as mentioned, and she is relatively new to Idaho, but she held a very similar position for Yuba City in California and we are so lucky to have her. She has a very, very good understanding of benefit programs. She came in really knowing how to manage and run a wellness program and in addition she handles the FMLA leave administration, so -- but the very, very best part as far as I'm concerned is that she's really tech savvy and she can teach me and I appreciate that. But she really -- she really has streamlined a lot of things in the processes benefits administration and thanks to the budget for next year we will be able to streamline our benefit enrollment process, not for this current enrollment, but the one afterwards with these new software modules that we are getting. She did get a stand-alone software module that is -- that she runs on her for FMLA administration, so she is much -- we have been much more actively managing those leaves and more attentive to the notifications and the -- and the processes associated with that. So, that is -- we have a really good handle on what's going on with FMLA. She was able to change out our wellness program advisor or partner. We went from St. Luke's to Blue Cross and so it will allow us to better integrate our wellness program into Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 32 of 42 benefits. We still will utilize St. Luke's for some things, like our -- the matrix and the -- what am I -- what's the word? The what? On site biometrics. Went right out of my head. And so St. Luke's will still be involved and so we are still partnering with them, but Christena has really taken on the administration of the wellness program, which is what we were utilizing primarily St. Luke's for and now it's really through Blue Cross. Christena still does the bulk of it, but there is a very robust website and resources that will be made available to the employees. We have done sort of a soft launch of that, but we will be doing much more when we go through open enrollment. The next area of impact is compensation and we are continuing to work the compensation plan that was established in 2012. It is a really well designed, well thought out program, and I think that money that we spent to -- with the consultants to design that and work with us was very well -- was very well spent, because it works well for us. It started with an internal alignment and -- in 2012 and with a schedule to do that every two years and what that means -- it's really an internal look at all of the positions we have, look at the job descriptions, make sure they continue to be accurate, flag any positions that seem out of whack in terms of their grading. Mark those for the budget process this coming year and, then, really just make sure that we are all in alignment there, so it is what it says it is. It has that -- it in and of itself doesn't have a fiscal impact, it may, then, identify jobs that need to be upgraded, but, again, that will go to next year's budget program. We completed the first merit program in November 2013. Reviewed and validated with 43 employees getting some adjustments, which also included a big chunk for the Information Technology team that had not been reviewed in several years, so we caught up there. Last year we did a market adjustment of one percent for all employees, in addition to the merit program. This year we are actually in pretty good shape, so we are going to use the money that was approved through the budgets all for merit, which means that it will -- we are not going to give anybody money for sitting in their chair, which I know is philosophically where we want to be and so it -- but it really will allow us to retain the integrity of the merit program, so I'm very excited about that. As I mentioned, we updated the IT job descriptions and -- through that market review and we have always initiated an update and a review to a simpler job description template, so it will take us some time to convert our jobs to that, but in this internal alignment that will give us an opportunity to do that. And, then, of course, we have the police pay plan that we will be implementing in this year. The Mayor asked for me to provide a schedule for some major -- just sort of a schedule for the things that we do in compensation and this is what -- what you have here in front of you. The general employee positions for -- for the internal alignment, as I mentioned, is every -- excuse me -- it's every three years, not every two years, and so the first one that we did was 2011 in preparation for the comp plan. So, November 2014 will be the -- the HR team will be working with the directors and managers to validate job descriptions and so forth. We will do general employee market reviews -- and this doesn't mean that we have to look at every single job, but we do a spot check to make sure that we haven't fallen behind and we need to -- we will spot check annually and we will do -- I say a full review, but, again, it looks at all the salary review information every two years, so the next one will be scheduled for 2016. Police STEP plan we just did. That's a two year schedule. So, the next one will be 2017. And, then, fire positions get reviewed via contract, so that's a two year schedule as well. So, just another note, as I mentioned Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 33 of 42 that any new positions that come up throughout the year, you know, if -- if they aren't an immediate need, they will be slated to go through the budget position -- or the budget process. If there is an immediate urgent need we will let the directors to plead their case with the Mayor and do it out of cycle, but we really want to get everything back into the regular cycle. De Weerd: You were supposed to take me out of that, since I know how to say no. Perkins: Yeah. So -- training. We spend quite a bit of time in training efforts. Crystal Ritchie leads this effort and the employees best -- or the city's best training did continue. We conducted 20 different sessions. I say we, but through our trainer that we contract with to do this and so for 20 different sessions for employees and supervisors. We have five modules currently in development that will be ready by the end of the year. Separate from the best training we are in HR creating kind of what we call HR -101 modules that are very informal, but designed to be delivered to supervisors and managers to help them do kind of basic supervisory kinds of things in using more specific examples and working through some coaching one on one with them. So, we have come up with our first one, which we will be talking with the -- or the finance staff around how you effectively manage attendance. So, tardiness and attendance and that kind of thing. The ICRMP compliance training, which we had an opportunity to do annually and it nets us a five percent discount, was completed and so we did realize that discount for the coming -- coming year and we -- we are just going to start on that again for the compliance for FY -15 as well. De Weerd: You might note that that includes Council's participation in that online ICRMP -- Perkins: Driving is the new one. De Weerd: Yes. But you also participate. Perkins: Yes. You will have fun. De Weerd: It's just my friendly reminder. Rountree: We did. Perkins: We will be scheduling that. De Weerd: Well, thank you for that. Perkins: We also -- as part of our retention efforts we have a number of recognition programs and what we have done is taken a look and done some tiny tweaks to some of the programs that are already existing. What we wanted to do this year is to recognize some of the longevity milestones a little closer to the anniversary. We -- in the past we -- we recognized them annually at the employee picnic and while that's a Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 34 of 42 great venue, because you have got a lot of people there, for some people it's before their anniversary and for other people it's after their anniversary. So, we have taken to recognizing those and presenting them with certificates and whatever longevity recognition item that we might have, doing that quarterly. We have asked the Mayor to come and we have gotten some really good feedback from the employees. They really do appreciate that. We have also developed an on -the -spot recognition and appreciation that is very inexpensive and just kind of fun and it's got -- I provide a bunch of goofy little items for directors and managers to hand out just to say thank you to recognize a job well done and it is really just -- it's that frequent timely -- and it doesn't have to be expensive recognition. So, we will continue that throughout the year. It's very informal and we are going to be introducing a peer-to-peer opportunity, so it gives an opportunity for employees to recognize one another and we will be coming to the director team here to talk about that program here shortly. We instituted a bimonthly HR newsletter. Another opportunity for us to reach out to communicate with employees. We try to provide some interesting articles. We try to highlight a benefit. We highlight a policy. It also gives us an opportunity to recognize any kind of special achievements. Again, longevity, new hires, promotions, those kind of things and, again, we have gotten some good feedback on that. We had our annual employee event again at Kleiner Park this June and I want to give some special thanks to Laura Lee Berg. You know, it's always great to give the newbie a really big event to do and she really did a great job on. She had some great ideas. We were able to institutionalize some of them and others we decided not to, but I think it was a fun event. We had 346 1 think people show up or at least RSVP and we I think were very fiscally responsible with the budget and I think a good time was had by all. We had great weather and it wasn't super, super hot, which was one of the main complaints that we heard before. The other program that we have is the employee satisfaction survey and it is a retention tool that in and of itself may not -- doesn't -- it helps us figure out how to retain employees. We determined that it was more effective to do the employee sat survey every two years, as opposed to every year. If you try to do things that -- every year, by the time you assimilate the results, you communicate them, you get action plans and you start to implement, it's time to do the survey again. So, we wanted to have an opportunity for action plans to be implemented and assessed, so we could determine how we were doing on the next time we surveyed. So, we are going to be doing -- we skipped this year's, but we will be doing the employee sat survey next year in the spring. All right. This was our 2014 class of youth work life skills interns and we had a great time. We -- Laura Lee and Crystal worked on this and we ran this program for six weeks and we had -- if you go to the next slide, Caleb. We had 36 applications. Of those we had 32 interviews conducted with 24 participants. There were over 2,600 hours worked within the six weeks at a cost of 19,635 dollars. There were seven departments that participated and several divisions that utilized the interns. There was -- we taught them how to put together a resume. We completed a feedback for each of the interns. And, then, did an assessment of the pros and cons and, hopefully, we will have a few improvements for next year. I do want to take a minute to give Mike Pepin some special recognition, because he went kind of above and beyond in that he was very involved in the resume development workshop and he also worked with one very special intern who needed a little extra coaching and we really appreciated -- he did not need to do that, but he was Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 35 of 42 very very good to do that. So, I think all in all it was a very successful outing. They seemed to enjoy their pizza and their time with the Mayor on their final day and -- or final week and we enjoyed that. De Weerd: Patty, if I may, on -- on this program it's received attention from the Association of Idaho Cities and other -- other communities are working on replicating in their communities, because they do say that it shows their commitment to their youth. It has been a great experience, the few that have, that have implemented feedback from their departments and I know these interns and what I heard in the room when I was there is what they have learned, the new respect that they have for what is the work that's performed in our community and some of them actually now have a near -- a new career goal and as we look at a graying effect of our workforce, being able to engage and encourage our -- our up and coming leaders to take a look at some of our jobs that they may be scarce to have, this is -- this is a great investment in that to bring the awareness to the different municipal jobs that are out there. Perkins: We really wish that our -- that a couple of the interns that we had in the HR Department weren't high school kids, because we would love to hire them. They just can't work full time. I don't get it. So, for next year we have lots of work ahead of us and I -- in my budget presentation I showed a picture of my -- my board and that's still there, but a couple of the things that we are going to be working on -- and the priorities are in the process of being level, because we have an off-site schedule to -- to really run through our strategic plan for next year and that's scheduled for the end of the month, but we will continue to focus on the strength -based leadership and that's the book that I gave to each of the Council members last week and the director team has taken that assessment. We are working on some follow-up for that that we will be having here very soon on and, then, we will really want to continue that and make that an ongoing -- an ongoing learning for us and development opportunity for the directors and we will be including you all in that as well you have to complete the assessments and we go forward. So, we are really excited about that. We have a number of other projects already tee'd up and I have talked to -- I have already mentioned the internal alignment, the employee satisfaction survey. A kind of normal project that isn't on here is, you know, the performance evaluations that occur during the month of, you know, September and October and will be due around the 1st of November, so I will be getting that information out. We intend a comprehensive review on all the HR policies, not with an eye on changing really the intent or content, but maybe cleaning up some of the language, clarifying and so forth, and as we do that we will bring that back to you. The other thing that we will be doing in that is separating the procedures out of the policy and so that we have separate procedures, because technology changes, things change, and we don't want to have to come back and bring the whole policy to you, because it doesn't change the policy, it just changes how we go about doing things. We want to have more flexibility to be able to do that. We will also -- we intend to create an employee handbook out of that effort. Right now what we have is our standard operating procedures and we point the employees there and we will continue to point employees there. But it is this thick and what most organizations have is an employee handbook that is a summary and so our intention is to provide that and it's especially Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 36 of 42 helpful with new hires and, then, do this in a -- in a venue where it will be online and, then, you can link -- if you want more detail you can link directly to the policy. So, that's one of the projects that we have for next year that we hope that we will be able to complete. And, then, another big area of work for us is really around the recruiting and on boarding processes. We have a lot of opportunity for streamlining. We have some things that we have done just because we have done them and so we are really looking at streamlining that process and that is part of what -- what I think will help in that overall time to fill. And with that I will entertain any questions that you may have and I thank you again for your time and it's 5:00 o'clock and I didn't want to keep you too late. De Weerd: Thank you, Patty. Council, any questions? Bird: I have none. Milam: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mrs. Milam. Milam: Not a question, Patty. Just a comment. the work that went into that and I really have getting that and reading through that and I love recognition that you're doing, so -- Perkins: Thank you. Milam: -- good work. Keep it up. Great presentation and I appreciate all been enjoying the newsletter. I enjoy the idea of the on -the -spot or on site Perkins: Thank you. Our liaison relationship, so thank you. Rountree: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Rountree. Rountree: You mentioned that you're undertaking the biometrics aspect of the wellness program? Perkins: Uh-huh. Rountree: How secure is that data set? Perkins: Very secure. We are very aware, as is Blue Cross, around HIPAA regulations and will be very -- Christena could speak to that very specifically, but that is definitely something that is part and parcel of how you integrate a wellness program. The biometric piece is separate from the insurance piece, so it -- when you enroll in a wellness program there is a wellness coach that may get some of that if you choose to share that information and they will work with you to make sure that they -- that you are Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 37 of 42 flagging any areas of concern and work with your doctor. They don't check on you, they don't make sure you do it, there is no -- there is no follow up or consequence if you don't, it's just that it's a coaching kind of an opportunity. The HIPAA requirements are all through that. Rountree: Is there any potential liability issue for the city taking that on? Perkins: No, there really shouldn't be. There has -- the biometric piece in wellness programs have -- there are some ways that it can be. Like, for example, if you -- and we are not going to this place -- certainly not at this time. I'm not going to say never, but it isn't our intention to say, okay, well, your cholesterol is here and your goal is down here and so unless hit this goal we are going to charge your premium. Sometimes those goals can get kind of scary and can create some additional liability, particularly if you're dealing with something that might be an hereditary issue, but we are not going to take that on. We are -- the whole biometric -- reason for the biometric is to make sure that the employees have information. It's up to them what they do with it. Rountree: Thank you. De Weerd: Thank you, Patty. Anything else from Council? As you can see, our HR staff is very busy and amidst all of that they are also working on policies and bringing up some procedure. So, still have more of -- Perkins: Doing coaching, doing all kinds of fun things. De Weerd: Yes. Perkins: Thank you. B. Police Department: FY2015 Budget Amendment for Spending Authority for SPF/SIG Mayor's Anti -Drug Coalition (MADC) Grant Award from the Office of Drug Policy for the Not -to -Exceed Amount of $99,814.00 De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. Council, 9-13 is under our Police Department. I will turn this good news opportunity over to Lieutenant Overton. Overton: Madam Mayor, Members of Council, there will be no question on the numbers on this one. This is a four year grant that's only required to come in front of you one time, because once we set it this time it will be good for the next four years. What we are asking for today is a budget amendment to be added to the FY -2015 budget year. This is for a SPF/SIG grant award that we received and I know the question on all your minds is what does SPF/SIG mean. So, knowing that your night will not be complete, SPF/SIG means the Substance Prevention Framework/State Incentive Grant and in the past we have had a drug free communities grant that we had for five years. This is really the same federal grant, very similar, like a close cousin, but it's actually past down Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 38 of 42 through the state of Idaho to the Office of Drug Policy and we actually competitively applied for this grant through the Office of Drug Policy and received it. So, it's similar to what we had before, but only about 30 percent of the amount of work that we had to do, both us and Finance, because the state takes on most of that work in the federal reporting. So, it's good news all the way along, especially for our Finance Department. Now, with these grants this allows MADC and our department to kick back into several of the programs we did before. Now, I will just go down kind of a rough breakdown here on what this means to us, because we have to do a budget submitted for literally almost every dollar of this grant to go forward. We just can't ask for the money, it all had to be submitted in -- in advance. About 10,000 of it is training. Most of that training is required by them for us to send personnel to CADCA training and the nice thing about this grant is they are actually bringing CADCA to Boise, not sending us all over the country for the training. We have got a little bit in office supplies. There is about 49,000 dollars in contracts and agreements and a lot of that is extension of what we have already set up and started and did for the last six years through MADC. Such things as marketing for the anti-drug coalition. A new position that's called an advocacy consultant -- and without saying too much, Madam Mayor, we already have an advocacy consultant -- I got to be careful how to say this -- we can be advocates, but we can't lobby with federal money. So, we have an advocate working for our coalition that we have decided on through a vote of the executive council for MADC and it's a gentleman by the name of Monte. I thought you would like that. De Weerd: And that's by contract? Overton: That will be by contract and we are meeting with him next week to begin that process. We also have an advertising and promotion money set aside, a grant evaluator, which we are going to continue with the same grant evaluator we have had for the past five years. This will also allow us about 48,000 dollars of the money to continue on with the programs we have been successful with in the past, which are a lot of the -- the drug test kits where we go and teach the Not My Kids programs and other programs in the schools. The alcohol enforcement team where we actually lost that money through EUDL. Grants dry up as you go different places and the federal grant that allowed us to do some of that enforcement has dried up. We are able to shift some of that into this new grant and it will allow us to pay for some of those overtime costs for the patrol teams and the youth volunteers to go in and do the compliance checks and shoulder taps at our local establishments on a regular basis. De Weerd: And EUDL means underage drinking. Overton: Underage -- yes. Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws. Yes. De Weerd: Thank you. Just thought I would -- Overton: There is always an acronym at the federal level. The other thing we continue on with is the IDAFY, which is the youth programs we have in the high schools and we also plan on continuing back into the programs for the leadership of the PAL program Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 39 of 42 and all the youth on the football program seeing if we can go beyond. So, we are really excited to have this back. It's a 99,814 dollar grant per year for four years. We get that each and every year and the only difference being this year -- when we add the federal government they were a little hard to deal with, so they let you make changes to your budget up to 20 percent. They have got a real stickler when we are dealing with ODP and one of my former employees is now running ODP and so they really are a little tight with that money. So, if we make a five percent change we have to go in front of them to justify why we are making a change. But they like our program. They like what we are doing and we are excited to get started October 1 with money. The grant actually begins August 1st. But working with Todd it was a bad time to try to come in front of anyone and say where do I want to begin this. So, we are going to start this first year on October 1 spending the money -- a few months behind on spending, but there are no personnel costs for any city employees included with this. The only ones were ones we are contracting with and for programs and events that we are putting on through this. And I stand for any questions. De Weerd: Thank you, Lieutenant Overton. And I just want to commend you for what you have done in prevention, education, enforcement, and treatment. The MADC program has been very successful. It's won a lot of recognition, but what it has done is created programs that are easily replicated. You have been championed to it. You have gone out and paid it forward, which has gotten a lot of recognition and appreciation throughout the state. So, just, please, accept my respect and my appreciation for your leadership in all of this and certainly Brenda and Jewel and the whole coalition has just been phenomenal. So, the awarding of this grant is because of the passion, the talent, and the commitment of those that are involved in MADC. So, thank you so much. Overton: Thank you, Madam Mayor. And I will pass that along to all of them. De Weerd: Thank you. Any questions or comment for lieutenant? Rountree: No. Great. Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: I echo those thoughts, too, lieutenant. The job you guys do over there is fantastic. With that I would move that we approve the FY -2015 budget amendment for spending authority for SPF/SIG Mayor's Anti-drug Coalition grant award from the Office of Drug Policy for the not to exceed amount of 99,814 dollars. Milam: Second. Rountree: Second. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 40 of 42 De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 9-B. Any discussion from Council? Madam Clerk. Roll Call: Bird, yea; Rountree, yea; Zaremba, yea; Borton, absent; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea. De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. Item 10: Future Meeting Topics De Weerd: Council, under Future Meeting Topics I do have a couple of reminders for -- and I know you are aware of the upcoming art walk and the joint meeting with the city of Kuna. But I also wanted to remind you of the 9/11 ceremony. At the ten year anniversary we had a larger event and each year they have committed to keeping it alive, keeping it small, but having a small ceremony. Would invite you and remind you that it is on 9/11 and it starts at 7:40 with a flag raising and at 7:46 we will ask for a moment of silence. So, I will be out of town. Mayor Rountree will be there. I haven't told him. But I hope -- I hope that you can -- can join in this. Zaremba: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Zaremba. Zaremba: Interpreting an e-mail that I saw recently, in the past we have held that ceremony at Station 1. De Weerd: Yes. Zaremba: And the public was invited. The e-mail I saw said that there will be a flag lowering at every station. I was thinking I would attend the one at Station 2, close to my home. My question is is that appropriate or are we all expected to come to Station 1? De Weerd: No. That's appropriate. Station 1 is a little bit -- I guess not formal, but larger, because of the bell and some of the efforts that have gone in from our firefighters. Zaremba: But would I be welcome at Station 2 as well? Niemeyer: You would absolutely be welcome, Councilman Zaremba. Yeah. It's going to happen at every station. It's a little bit low key this year, as the Mayor mentioned, but we did make a commitment never to forget and so we are going to be doing the same ceremony at every station. This offer is to our patrol officers as well if they are out and about a station they can stop in to help participate. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 41 of 42 De Weerd: It's a few minutes out your day, but it is an important few minutes in the history of our country, so -- and those that -- that were lost. Okay. If there is nothing under this item -- Item 11: Executive Session Per Idaho State Code 67-2345 (1)(c): (c) To Conduct Deliberations Concerning Labor Negotiations or to Acquire an Interest in Real Property, Which is Not Owned by a Public Agency De Weerd: -- I will move to Item 11, Executive Session, and do I have a motion? Bird: Madam Mayor? De Weerd: Mr. Bird. Bird: I move we go into Executive Session as per Idaho State Code 62-2345(1)(c). Rountree: Second. Milam: Second. De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adjourn into Executive Session. Madam Clerk, will you call roll. Roll Call: Bird, yea; Rountree, yea; Zaremba, yea; Borton, absent; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (5:14 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.) De Weerd: I would entertain a motion to come out of Executive Session. Rountree: So moved. Bird: Second. De Weerd: All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. De Weerd: Do I have a motion to adjourn? Rountree: Move to adjourn. Bird: Second. Meridian City Council September 9, 2014 Page 42 of 42 Milam: Second. De Weerd: All those in favor? All ayes. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:35 P.M. (AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS) DATE APPROVED C kO-A-U-k©tet ;AT EST: J CE OLMAN, CITY CLERK pTED A UC Q44OSyvs�Jl city of C�E IDIZ IAN,- �DAHD SEAL Fir ��F dF 9� lLe TRE SUP Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5A PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: APPROVAL MEETING MINUTES Approval of the July 9, 2014 Budget Meeting Minutes MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5B PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: APPROVAL MEETING MINUTES Approval of the September 2, 2014 Meeting Minutes MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5C PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: PROCLAMATION Proclamation for Meridian Youth Baseball All Stars Day for the Meridian 12U Major/70 All Star Team MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS IDIAN-- 1 The Office of the Mayor PROCLANA�rION Whereas, being an athlete builds character, confidence and teaches teamwork — traits that will remain with them all through their lives both on and off the field; and, Whereas, the Meridian 12U Major/70 All Stars had an awesome year, ultimately becoming the Pacific Northwest Champion; and, Whereas, being crowned the Pacific Northwest Champion gave them the right to play in the Cal Ripken World Series where there certainly had to be many opportunities for cool selfies; and, Whereas, because of this team's outstanding play all year long, and the fact they went to the Cap Ripken World Series, each player can have a little extra swagger as they begin a new school year and walk their schools' hallways; and, Whereas, with the help of awesome coaches like Vega, Cantrill, Mills and Ranstrom, and super supportive parents, team members Hayden Cantrill, Ryan Franklin, Braeden Guerrero, Gabe Hughes, Seth Jones, Noah Kraft, Mason Leavitt, Quinn McGuire, Braxton Mills, Briggs Ranstrom, Tristan Ray, and Isaiah Vega excelled, with each player making valuable contributions to the team and its success; Therefore, I, Mayor Tammy de Weerd, do proclaim August 23, 2014 as .Meridian youth Basebaft'A CStars Day in the City of Meridian and call upon the community to join me in congratulating this team on their remarkable achievements and for representing Meridian so proudly at the Cal Ripken World Series. Dated this 23rd Day ofAugust, 2014 Tammy de Weerd, Mayor Charlie Rountree, City Council President Keith Bird, City Council Vice -President David Zaremba, City Council Luke Cavener, City Council Genesis Milam, City Council Joe Borton, City Council Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5D PROJECT NUMBER: CPAT 14-001 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION NO. Resolution No. 'A - I 01\ .A Resolution Amending the Comprehensive Plan to amend the Existing Conditions Report (CPAT 14-001 MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. I '� - ) O 1 i BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BIRD, BORTON, CAVE'NER, MILAM, ROUNTREE, ZAREMBA A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO AMEND THE 2011 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY AMENDING THE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT, AN ADDENDUM TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have the authority pursuant to Idaho Code § 50-302 to establish resolutions not inconsistent with the laws of the state of Idaho as may be expedient, in addition to the special powers therein granted, to maintain the peace, good government and welfare of the corporation and its trade, commerce and industry; and WHEREAS, the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan was adopted on April 19, 2011 as resolution 11-784; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on September 2, 2014 regarding the amendment of the Existing Conditions Report, an addendum of the 2011 Comprehensive Plan. WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have deemed it appropriate to amend the 2011 Comprehensive Plan to amend the Existing Conditions Report to the Plan outlined in attachments Exhibit A. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have provided all the requisite notices, held the necessary hearings, and received the required information necessary to make a final decision as required by the Idaho Local Land Use Planning Act to amend the adopted comprehensive plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, IDAHO AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Pursuant to Idaho Code §67-6509, the Mayor and City Council hereby amend the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan as outlined in attached Exhibit A, titled Existing Conditions Report. A copy of this Resolution and the attached amendment shall be held on file in the office of the City Clerk. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT— AMENDED EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT — CPAT 14-001— Page 1 of 1 SECTION 2. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption and approval. 2014. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 9 day of September, APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this q day of September, 2014. ATTEST: Lo APPROVED: �s%yl'ly/ys Mayor 18Ay de Weerd c�P,�tiU A[1cUST� Clry of .,r.. Jay e cz1 nan, r y le. e SF�Af r COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT—AMENDED EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT—CPAT 14-001— Page 2 of 2 EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT ADDENDUM TO THE CITY OF MERIDIAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN dp VA —k7clx x " '✓ is L •� AI o e ■ t�t-Mamma _IrJ v son go 1 -�i�- 'moi ��l�l! _. !n!- ♦ - .. -_ 1 f e ;• �_� � �..�r •.+a.-.i't ,,may=:R '` i Y4-.•! - �..... �.i1�'�E IDIAN^ DRAFT) ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT ADDENDUM TO THE CITY OF MERIDIAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BY RESOLUTION NO. , ON 2014 Prepared by: City of Meridian Planning Division 33 E Broadway Suite 102 Meridian, Idaho 83642 Phone 208.884.5533 Fax 209.888.6854 C �E IDIAN-- I4( CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1-1 ■ Review of the Report...................................1-1 ■ Comprehensive Plan....................................1-2 ■ Local Land Use Planning Act.............................1-2 ■ History................................................1-3 2. Who Lives in Meridian? What Do They Do? 2-1 3 ■ Population, Housing, and Economic Development .......... 2-1 ■ Population and Demographic Characteristics ..............2-2 2-16 Historic Counts and Current Estimates .................. 2-2 Forecasts ........................................... 2-2 Age................................................ 2-3 Race and Ethnicity ................................... 2-3 Gender.............................................2-4 3-3 Educational Attainment ..............................2-4 Cost of Living ....................................... 2-5 Income ............................................ 2-5 Poverty......... ................................... 2-6 ■ Housing Characteristics.................................2-7 Number of Dwelling Units ............................ 2-7 Housing Unit Type ................................... 2-8 Occupancy ......................................... 2-8 Persons per Housing Unit ............................. 2-9 Age of Housing ..................................... 2-9 Housing Value ...................................... 2-9 ■ Housing and Urban Development .......................2-11 3-11 ■ Economic Development................................2-12 3-11 Economic Excellence ................................ 2-13 Economic Development and Infrastructure ............. 2-13 Taxes............................................. 2-13 Labor Force ........................................ 2-13 Employment ....................................... 2-14 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Employers ......................................... 2-14 Trends............................................ 2-16 Meridian Chamber of Commerce ..................... 2-17 Meridian Development Corporation ................... 2-17 Business Enterprise Areas ............................ 2-18 The Core...........................................2-18 3-3 The Fields..........................................2-18 3-3 How is the Land in Meridian 3-1 ■ Land Use, Transportation, and Community Design .........3-1 ■ Land Use..............................................3-2 Built Environment ................................... 3-2 Residential ......................................... 3-2 Commercial ........................................ 3-3 Office.............................................. 3-3 Industrial ........................................... 3-3 Mixed Use..........................................3-4 Civic...............................................3-4 ■ Zoning—Land Use Correlation .......................... 3-4 ■ Land Ownership........................................3-5 ■ Future Land Uses.......................................3-5 ■ Specific Area Plans .................................... 3-8 Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan ................ 3-8 Destination Downtown (Urban Renewal) ............... 3-8 Fields District ....................................... 3-9 ■ Area of City Impact .................................... 3-9 ■ Transportation........................................3-10 Roadway Authority ................................. 3-11 Transportation Commission .......................... 3-11 Roadway Network .................................. 3-12 Interstates, State Highways and Arterials .............. 3-12 Collectors ......................................... 3-15 Local Streets ....................................... 3-16 Entryway Corridors ................................. 3-16 TABLE OF CONTENTS Travel Times and Commuting ........................ 3-16 Transportation Funding Plans ........................ 3-17 Long -Range Plans...................................3-17 3-38 Short -Range Plans..................................3-17 3-39 Funding........................................... 3-18 Meridian's Priority Roadway Projects .................. 3-18 ■ Linking Transportation and Land Use ....................3-18 3-40 Complete Streets Policy ............................. 3-19 Cost Share Policy ................................... 3-19 Master Street Map..................................3-20 Livable Streets Design Guide ......................... 3-20 ■ Mobility Management ................................ 3-20 Roadways to Bikeways..............................3-22 4-10 Pathway System and Sidewalks ....................... 3-22 Transit ............................................ 3-23 Commuteride and Carpools .......................... 3-24 Park -and -Ride Lots ................................. 3-24 Air Travel. ......................................... 3-24 Rail............................................... 3-24 ■ Community Design....................................3-25 4-16 Design Review ..................................... 3-26 The Design Manual ................................. 3-27 Prescriptive Standards vs. Guidelines ................. 3-28 Entryway Corridors ................................. 3-28 Signs............................................. 3-28 Sustainability ...................................... 3-28 Land Use and Transportation Planning ............... 3-29 Siting, Design and Construction ..................... 3-29 Energy............................................ 3-30 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Reduction ........... 3-31 Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Reuse........ 3-32 Preservation and Restoration of Natural Resources .... 3-33 Solid Waste ........................................ 3-33 Livability and Quality of Life ......................... 3-34 Healthy Initiatives..................................3-34 Safe Walking Routes ................................ 3-35 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) DayCare .......................................... 3-36 Youth Programs .................................... 3-36 Senior Programs ................................... 3-38 Success Stories .................................... 3-39 Arts, Entertainment and Community Events............ 3-39 Meridian Arts Commission .......................... 3-39 Meridian History Center and Heritage Programs....... 3-40 Community Events ................................. 3-41 4. What Services are Provided in Meridian? 4-1 ■ Public Services........................................4-1 ■ Municipal Government, City Hall .........................4-1 Mayor and City Council..............................4-4 Commissions, Committees and Boards ................. 4-4 ■ Public Works .......................................... 4-6 Water and Sewer....................................4-6 Water Division......................................4-6 Supply and Distribution .............................. 4-6 Wastewater Division ................................. 4-7 Sewer Collection.....................................4-7 Sewer Treatment .................................... 4-8 Class A Recycled Water ............................. 4-10 Environmental Division .............................. 4-10 Industrial Pretreatment ............................. 4-10 Surface Water Program ............................. 4-11 ■ Public Safety ......................................... 4-13 Police Department .................................. 4-13 Fire Department ................................... 4-15 ■ Recreation, Parks and Pathways .........................4-16 Parks and Recreation Department .................... 4-16 Western Ada Recreation District ...................... 4-19 ■ Solid Waste .......................................... 4-20 Residential Services .................................4-20 Commercial and Industrial Collection ................. 4-21 TABLE OF CONTENTS Transfer Station Cottection ........................... 4-21 Natural Gas Pipeline................................. 5-8 ■ Education ........................................... 4-21 State Highways ...................................... 5-9 West Ada School District ............................ 4-21 Weeds .............................................. 5-9 Enrollment ........................................ 4-22 Floodplains.......................................... 5-9 Bus Transportation ................................. 4-23 National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors....... 5-10 Elementary Schools ................................ 4-24 Fields District ....................................... 5-6 Middle Schools .................................... 4-24 Historic Resources...................................5-7 High Schools ...................................... 4-24 6. Summary 6-1 Charter and Magnet Programs ....................... 4-25 Private Education Opportunities ...................... 4-25 Continuing Education...............................4-25 ■ Libraries ............................................. 4-26 ■ Public Utilities ........................................ 4-26 Electricity ......................................... 4-26 Communications...................................4-28 Gas...............................................4-28 Irrigation..........................................4-28 5. What are the Physical and Cultural Features of Meridian? 5-1 Natural, Special, Historic, & Agricultural Resources .........5-1 Community Concerns ................................ 5-1 Natural Resources ................................... 5-2 Climate.............................................5-2 Air Quality...........................................5-2 Geology.............................................5-3 Hydrology...........................................5-3 Soils............................................... 5-4 Vegetation ......................................... 5-4 Agricutture.........................................5-5 South Meridian ..................................... 5-6 Fields District ....................................... 5-6 Special Sites and Historic Resources ................... 5-7 Historic Resources...................................5-7 Hazardous Areas....................................5-8 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) LIST OF TABLES Table 2A: Historical Census Population, City of Meridian ...........2-2 Table 2B: Recent Population Growth by Meridian City Limits ........ 2-2 Table 2C: Communities in Motion 2040 Vision Forecasts ...........2-3 Table 2D: Age by Jurisdiction...................................2-3 Table 2E: Racial and Ethnic Composition by Jurisdiction ............ 2-4 Table 2F: Educational Attainment by Jurisdiction (25 and Older) ....2-4 Table 2G: Comparative Cost of Living Index, Council for Community and Economic Research...................................2-5 Table 2H: Median Household Income by Jurisdiction...............2-6 Table 2I: Number and Percent of Residents Living in Poverty ....... 2-7 Table 2J: Meridian Housing Units by Year........................2-7 Table 2K: Housing Units by Jurisdiction ..........................2-8 Table 2L: Meridian Housing Units By Type........................2-8 Table 2M: Housing Ownership Rates by Jurisdiction................2-9 Table 2N: Age of Housing Units by Jurisdiction ....................2-9 Table 20: Value of Housing....................................2-10 Table 2P: Housing Median Sales Price by Meridian MLS ........... 2-10 Table 2Q: 2013 Idaho Tax Rates................................2-13 Table 2R: Annual Unemployment Rate by Jurisdiction (%) .........2-14 Table 2S: Treasure Valley Labor Force and Jobs...................2-14 Table 2T: Ada County Employment by Jurisdiction and Sector .....2-15 Table 2U: 2013 Office Vacancy Rates - 5,000 SF+ .................2-16 Table 2V: Office Asking Rates - 5,000 SF+ .......................2-16 Table 2W: 2013 Retail Vacancy Rates - 5,000 SF+ .................2-16 Table 3A: Current Acreages of Zoning District in Meridian ..........3-5 Table 3B: Non -Private Land Ownership in AOCI) ..................3-6 Table 3C: Future Land Uses within Meridian's AOCI................3-7 Table 3D: Roadway Miles by Classification Type ..................3-12 Table 3E: Average Commute Time to Work......................3-16 Table 4A: Meridian Water Consumption ..........................4-7 Table 4B: Historical Sewer Service Accounts .....................4-10 Table 4C: Violent Crime Rates 2012 .............................4-13 Table 4D: Property Crime Rates 2012 ...........................4-13 Table 4E: Meridian City Parks by Category .......................4-18 Table 4F: Meridian Household Hazardous Waste Collection .......4-21 Table 4G: Historical Fall Enrollment, West Ada School District ......4-22 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Table 5A: Agricultural Land.....................................5-5 Table 5B: National Register -Listed Historic Resources, Meridian .....5-7 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1A: Heart of the Valley Shifts to Meridian..................1-4 Figure 2A: Meridian Development Corporation Boundary ........2-17 Figure 2B: Business Enterprise Areas ...........................2-19 Figure 3A Meridian's Area of City Impact ....................... 3-9 Figure 3B: Inset of 2040 Planning Functional Classification Map ...3-13 Figure 3C: Meridian Area Trip Distribution By Time of Day, 2013...3-17 Figure 3D: Example of Master Street Map Roadway Typology .... 3-21 Figure 3E: Shared -Use Pathway Along Waterway ............... 3-22 Figure 3F: Typical On -Street Multi -Use Pathway ................ 3-23 Figure 4A City of Meridian Expenditures by Department ......... 4-3 Figure 4B: Boundaries and Stations of the Meridian Fire Department . ..................................................4-16 Figure 4C: Elementary School Boundaries ..................... 4-23 Figure 4D: Existing Idaho Power Lines/Stations Near the City of Meridian ......................................... 4-27 Figure 5A Soils in the Meridian Area .......................... 5-4 Figure 5B: Agricultural Tax Exempt Land in Meridian ............. 5-6 Figure 5C: Gas Transmission Pipeline ........................... 5-8 Figure 5D: Meridian Floodplains...............................5-10 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) INTRODUCTION Review of the Report In 2010-2011 the City of Meridian updated and reformatted its Comprehensive Plan (the Plan). The primary goal of the re -vamped Comprehensive Plan was to make it more useful for the community, City staff, and decision makers. One way the Plan became more useful, was to separate out key information about the City's history, present day conditions, trends, and current initiatives, from policy and future -looking initiatives. This separated information became the Existing Photo: Meridian City Hall CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Conditions Report, which allowed the Comprehensive Plan to focus on policy moving forward. The Existing Conditions Report is an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan. This Existing Conditions Report (Report) provides a framework for future decision making by detailing the current state, specific directions, and actions taken related to each topical area discussed. The Report takes the City's Mission, Vision, and Values and melds it with the City's Strategic Plan Initia- tives, City department capital improvement plans, and the initiatives in the current Comprehensive Plan. While not policy oriented, this Report is also intended to aid in integrated decision making: i.e., decisions that are made regarding "A good plan is like a road map: land use policy within Meridian, take it shows the final destination and into full account existing conditions usually the best way to get there:' within Meridian, and the impacts on transportation, housing, and economic H. Stanley Judd strategies that current policies have had. To compose this report, existing information regarding Meridian and its Area of City Impact was gathered from many resources. This was accomplished by consulting with other agencies, individuals, and resources including existing plans, studies, and other documents. Some materials used in this report were provided directly by City staff, some information was provided by other affected local agencies and their publications, and some of the information was gathered using other resources like the internet. Where needed, City staff contacted key agencies and requested assistance in putting together this report. This report should be updated every few years, to keep information current and relevant. Comprehensive Plan Meridian's first Comprehensive Plan (Plan) was adopted in 1978. That first Plan was developed to meet the require- ments of the 1975 Land Use Planning Act of the State of Idaho. During the summer of 1993, citizens representing neighborhood groups, developers, real estate professionals, and public agencies participated in a process to modernize the Comprehensive Plan, and was adopted on December 21, 1993. On November 3, 1998, the City of Meridian issued a request for qualifications to prepare the 2002 City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. By June 1999, the process of developing Meridian's 2002 Comprehensive Plan had begun, and was adopted by City Council on August 6, 2002. A significant amount of growth occurred after the 2002 version of the Comprehensive Plan was enacted. Additionally, new initiatives like sustainability and arts had become important considerations with important financial and quality of life implications, and also needed to be addressed. To ensure that the document continued to remain relevant and to make it more useable, City leaders began a significant overhaul in 2010. Surveys, workshops, steering committees, and social media sites were all forms of public involvement to solicit public input and ensure community support for an updated Plan. The goal was to make the Comprehensive Plan a more useful resource that the general public, developers and deci- sion makers could all help implement in making Meridian's future the best it can be. The overhauled Comprehensive Plan was adopted on April 19, 2011, and has since been amended several times. Local Land Use Planning Act Section 67-6508 of Idaho Code (the Local Land Use Plan- ning Act), requires Comprehensive Plans to consider, at a CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) minimum: previous and existing conditions, trends, desirable goals and objectives, or desirable future situations for 16 planning components. This report provides an informative snapshot of the previous and existing conditions and trends in Meridian, Idaho regarding all of the State -required plan- ning components. These components include: property rights; population; school facilities and transportation; economic development; land use; natural resources; hazard- ous areas; public services, facilities, and utilities; transporta- tion; recreation; special areas or sites; housing; community design; agriculture, implementation; national interest electric transmission corridors; and, other components the City has deemed necessary to analyze. However, the desired goals and objectives for each of the 16 planning components are Photo: Settlers Park on Meridian Road and Ustick Road Photo: Generations Plaza on Main Street and Idaho Avenue not part of this report. Rather, this existing condition report sets the foundation and background information to base a desirable future plan for the City. Implementation of policy related components are addressed in the Comprehensive Plan itself, and are not part of this report. History The City of Meridian, Idaho which was incorporated in August, 1903, is one of six cities in Ada County, and is located on the western edge of the Ada -Canyon County border. Meridian, has transformed from a sagebrush -filled mail drop located ......................... For a comprehensive review of Meridian's heritage, see Meridian, by Frank Thomason and Polly Ambrose Peterson, Arcadia Publishing, 2010 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) on the Oregon Trail (Meridian was originally known as Hunter, after a railroad official along the Oregon Short Line route) in the 1880s, to a small fruit orchard center after the turn of the century through the 1930s, to a dairy -based farming community in the 1940s. Its character as a small farming community continued until approximately 1990, when its population was still about 10,000. Since 1990, Meridian has experienced exponential growth that has changed both its character and appearance. From 1990 to 2007, Meridian's population grew from approximately 10,000 to approximately 65,000. Despite some slowdowns in housing starts and job creation during the 2008 recession, the population of Meridian continued rapidly increasing to an estimated population of 85,240 in 2014, according "It takes as much energy to to the Community Planning Association Wish as it does to plan:' of Southwest Idaho. This makes Merid ian the second largest city in Idaho. Eleanor Roosevelt With the increase in population, farms and fields have given way to residential and commercial development. Farm vehicles and feed stores have largely disappeared to be replaced with large residential subdivisions and commercial complexes. Today, several large office parks, new bank branches, restaurants, and major retail centers have sprung up throughout Meridian. St. Luke's has a major hospital located in Meridian, and a variety of medical service companies have come into the City. To continue to provide elevated levels of service, City Depart- ments and their service capabilities have grown. In 2002, a 30,000 square foot police station was constructed. With the increased growth since 2002, an addition to the police station is planned for construction in 2014. Fire Stations 3, 4 and 5 have all come on-line in the past 15 years. The FIGURE IA: HEART OF THE VALLEY SHIFTS TO MERIDIAN Source: 2013 Populations of Ada and Canyon Counties by COMPASS; map by City of Meridian 2014 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) wastewater treatment facility in northwest Meridian has seen several additions, and it can now treat approximately 10.2 million gallons per day. The City currently boasts 240 acres of developed park land and nine pathways/segments. In 2008 Meridian completed a new three-story city hall building, which consolidated most City services. These are just a sampling of the new and expanded municipal capital improvements made in the recent past. The transportation network looks substantially different than it did in 1990, or even 10 years ago. The Idaho Trans- portation Department (ITD) has and continues to widen and re -construct Interstate 84 through the Treasure Valley and a new interchange at Ten Mile Road was completed in 2011. New lanes and upgraded intersections were added along Eagle Road (SH 55) between Interstate 84 and Ustick Road, with more improvements planned for 2014 and 2015. Additionally, ITD began reconstruction of the Meridian Road and I-84 Interchange in 2014. The project will be completed summer of 2015. The new interchange will allow widening of the interstate underneath and provide more lanes over the top. Ada County Highway District (ACHD) road improvements, such as a freeway overpass at Locust Grove Road, Ten Mile roadway widening, and completion of the Downtown Split Corridor project, have helped to relieve congestion, but continued growth continues to put a strain on the transportation system in Meridian. Funding to not only maintain the existing roadways and bridges, but to expand the transportation network, will be critical to lessen the strain a growing community has on the transportation system. Meridian is the population center of the Treasure Valley; people are evenly distributed in all directions from Meridian, with more than 160,000 people within 5 miles of downtown Meridian (see Figure 1A). Although airports, regional medical centers, cultural events and venues, and other urban services CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) and amenities are all easily accessible, Meridian still values and embraces its agricultural heritage. ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) WHO LIVES IN MERIDIAN? WHAT DO THEY DO? Population, Housing, and Economia Development This chapter discusses characteristics of Meridian's demo- graphics including population, gender, race, age, income, education, home ownership, and employment data. As required by Idaho State Statute §67-6508, analysis on Popula- tion, Housing and Economic Development components of the Comprehensive Plan are provided below. These three components set the foundation for consideration of other components later in this report. Photo:Winter in the Woodbridge subdivision The primary purpose of the population discussion is to look at past trends, current population totals, and future projec- tions, along with characteristics such as age, race, and gender. Population inventories and forecasts are used to measure the demand for future facilities such as parks, water lines and roads, and for services such as police and fire protection. Forecasts can also be used by businesses to anticipate market demand and to locate service and commercial facilities. The primary purpose of the Housing element analysis is to evaluate the recent trends in housing and antici- pate the future housing needs of the "When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people! Chinese Proverb community. Past trends in housing and an inventory of current housing conditions provide specific information on residential use. The report assesses where people live and in what type of dwellings, as well as where they might want to live in the future. The purpose of the Economic Development analysis of the chapter is to portraythe business make-up and to analyze the local economy for strengths and weaknesses. This background information will be used to discuss how Meridian may expand its economic base and target specific industries. Employment trends and forecasts may also be used to determine if there is a need for additional land in particular zoning categories, and the demand for future levels of public services. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) TABLE 2A: HISTORICAL CENSUS POPULATION, CITY OF MERIDIAN IW TABLE 2B: RECENT POPULATION GROWTH BY MERIDIAN CITY LIMITS Year 1960 Population 2,081 Average Annual InueneYear N/A 2014 Population 85,240 IncreanKillill 3,860 1910 2,616 2.6% 2013 81,380 3,090 1980 6,658 15.5% 2012 18,290 1,180 1990 9,596 4.4% 2011 16,510 1,418 2000 34,919 26.4% 2010 15,092 -198 2010 15,092 11.5% 2009 15,290 2,250 Source: COMPASS, Communities in Motion Forecasts 2040. 2008 13,040 1,114 2001 11,866 5,301 2006 66,565 10,451 Population and Demographic 2005 56,108 8,418 Characteristics 2004 41,690 5,209 Historic Counts and Current Estimates Note: 2009 estimates were extrapolated from 2000 Census values and likely higher than in actuality. Meridian's population was fairly stable up to about 1990, Source: COMPASS, Population Estimates by City Limits Ada County, March 2014. when the City had a population of 9,596. However, in the mid-1990s, the City's population began increasing rapidly, US Census Bureau, in 2013 Meridian was number 10 in the reaching 34,919 residents by 2000, and then more than top 15 fastest growing large cities, from July 1, 2012 to July doubled to 75,092 by 2010. Table 2A tracks historical Census 1, 2013.2 population data. In March of 2014, the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, or COMPASS, estimated the Forecasts City's population at 85,240 residents. Table 2B tracks yearly population growth in Meridian, beginning in 2004. The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, or COMPASS, is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for While it did not grow quite as precipitouslyI I the Treasure Valley as designated by the U.S. Department of as Meridian, the two-county region as Transportation. As part of its Federal mandate, COMPASS a whole also experienced considerable ■2010 prepares and periodically updates a regional long range growth over the last two decades. Adae ■ 2000 transportation plan for the area. Part of that process is to County grew from 205,775 residents in 2monitor population growth and forecast future changes 1990 to 421,920 in 2014. Similarly, Canyon ■ 1990 within the region. County grew from 90,076 residents in 1990 ■ 1980 to 192,998 in 2014. The City of Meridian ■ 1910 COMPASS estimates that the population of Meridian will grew by 788% from 1990 to 2014 while increase to 151,080 by 2040, an increase of 73.1% from the two-county region grew by 109.5% ■ 1960 today. This estimate anticipates that the county as a whole over the same period.' According to the will increase by 65.7% to a total 674,317 residents in the Population same period. The official regional forecast from the 2014 COMPASS, Population Estimates by City Limits, 3/19/2014 Note: See Table 2A for data. 2 httpl/www.census.goy/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cbl4-89.html CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) TABLE 2G COMMUNITIES IN MOTION 2040 VISION FORECASTS Meridian 81,21529,145 5.6% 151,080 55,632 13.10% 90.9% Boise 244,595 99,388 328,292 145,465 34.20% 46.4% Eagle 23,108 8,320 56,438 20,922 138.10% 151.5% Kuna 18,561 5,849 50,992 19,812 114.60% 238.1% Nampa 93,610 31,950 149,620 56,098 59.10% 15.6% Ada County 406,850 152,194 614,311 212,044 65.10% 18.0% Canyon County 192,990 64,856 341,683 121,315 80.20% 96.4% Note: Demographic areas typically encompass larger geographic areas than city limits. Eagle Demographic Areas include: Eagle -Central, Eagle -Floating Feather, Eagle -Island, Eagle -South River, Eagle -State Corridor, East Foothills and West Foothills Source: COMPASS, February 2014. version of the Communities in Motion plan estimates that the population of the two -county region will grow from 599,840 in 2013 to 1,022,000 in 2040, an increase of 70.4%. Table 2C provides 2013 estimates and 2040 forecasts of population and households in select Treasure Valley Demographic Areas. TABLE 21): AGE BY JURISDICTION Under 5 6.8% 5.6% 1.1% 6.4% 1.1% 6.3% 5 - 9 11.6% 5.1% 8.1% 1.5% 1.4% 6.51/0 10 - 14 10.6% 1.2% 9.9% 1.6% 1.8% 6.61/0 IS - 19 6.9% 6.1% 10.0% 6.5% 1.1% 6.9% 20 - 29 9.1% 16.8% 14.3% 13.9% 13.8% 14.0% 30 - 49 30.3% 26.1% 25.5% 28.3% 24.9% 26.4% 50 - 64 13.1% 20.0% 13.5% 18.5% 18.6% 19.5% 65 + 10.9% 11.9% 10.5% 11.3% 13.3% 13.81/6 Age Median Age iii 2012 30.1 132.8 2000 2012 32.8 1 36.4 2000 2012 28.5 1 29.1 2000 2012 2000 32.8 35.4 33.2 2012 35.2 2000 2012 35.3 31.4 Note: Margin of error results in values that may be greater or less than 100% Source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder, 2000 Census & 2008-2012 American Community Survey. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Please note that COMPASS demographic areas do not directly coincide with existing city limit boundaries. Age Meridian is generally a young community. Based on 2008- 2012 American Community Survey data, as compiled by U.S. Census Bureau, the median age of Meridian residents is 32.8 years, which is slightly lower than the Ada County median age of 35.4. Median age is up slightly in Meridian from the 2000 census median age of 30.1, but still well below the median age of residents nationwide (37.4). Residents 14 years of age and younger comprise over a quarter of the City's population (29.0%). Retired and elderly residents (over the age of 65) make up less of the City's population, at 10.9%, which is up from 2008 estimates of 6.3%. Table 2D shows the age of residents in select Treasure Valley cities, as well as the State and Nation. Race and Ethnicity Table 2E shows the racial and ethnic composition of select subgroups within the Treasure Valley region. For compari- son purposes, the table also includes the racial and ethnic characteristics of other boundary areas. Meridian, Ada County and the State of Idaho are less racially and ethnically diverse than the nation as a whole. The majority of residents in Meridian are white (92.0%). An even higher majority, 93.2%, do not consider themselves Hispanic or Latino. These majorities in Meridian are slightly higher than in Ada County, which is also higher than the rest of the State. The exception locally is in Canyon County, where communities like Nampa have stronger Hispanic and Latino populations (over 20% in 2010), and a high percentage of residents that are of "Other" racial decent. TABLE 2E: RACIAL AND ETHNIC COMPOSITION BY I White 92.0% 89.0% 82.9% 90.3% 83.0% 89.1% 12.4% Black or African 5.2% 4.1% of Meridian residents 25 and older with d ■Some college d a high school diploma increased from ■ HS Grad 92.2% in 2000 to 94.5% in the most recent 12.9% American Community Survey (2008-2012). 0.8% 1.5% 0.1% 1.1% 0.6% 0.61/6 12.61/6 American 21.2% 19.8% State percentages of 21.6% in 2000 and 32.1% 25.5% in 2012, and US percentages of 24.4% and 29.1% in the same years, respectively. 28.5% 21.1% American Indian and Some college, no degree 30.41/6 29.2% 29.2% 21.3% 26.5% 24.2% 29.2% 29.3% 25.3% 0.51/o 0.1% 1.2% 0.1°/a 1.1% 1.4% 0.9% Alaska Native 6.9% 1.3% 9.1% 5.5% 6.8% 1.2% 9.0% 6.3% 8.0% Bachelor's degree Asian 1.81/6 3.2% 0.91/6 2.4% 0.8% 1.2% 4.8% Native Hawaiian and 15.5% 18.2% Graduate or professional degree 5.9% 12.3% 10.6% 14.3% 4.5% 5.8% 9.51/6 12.5% 0.1% 0.2% 0.4% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% Other Pacific Islander 1 11.1% 83.6% 90.8% 94.6% 1 15.9% 1 84.2% 84.6% 89.8% 80.4% 86.4% Other Race 1.9% 2.5% 10.1% 2.4% 11.4% 5.1% 6.2% Two or More Races 2.9% 3.0% 3.2% 2.8% 3.0% 2.5% 2.9% Hispanic or Latino 6.8% 1.1% 22.9% 1.1% 23.9% 1 11.2% 16.31/1, Not Hispanic or Latino 93.2% 92.9% 11.1% 92.9% 16.1% 1 88.8% 83.1% Source: U.S Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Census 2010. Gender Based on 2010 Census estimates, there are 96.1 males to every 100 females in the City. This equates to a population that is 49.0% male and 51.0% female. The ratio of male -to - female residents roughly matches the 2000 census, when there were 96.4 males per 100 females. TABLE 2F: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT BY JURISDICTION (25 AND OLDER) Educational Attainment ■Graduate + Meridian as a community has maintained 2.0% 2.4% a high level of educational attainment ■Bachelor relative to the State of Idaho and US for r ■ Assoc the last several decades. The percentage 5.2% 4.1% of Meridian residents 25 and older with d ■Some college d a high school diploma increased from ■ HS Grad 92.2% in 2000 to 94.5% in the most recent 12.9% American Community Survey (2008-2012). ■ 9th -12th The percentage of Meridian residents from ■ < 9th the same age group with a bachelor's 2012 degree or higher increased from 27.0% to Note: See Table 2F for data. 32.3-/o over the same period, compared to 21.2% 19.8% State percentages of 21.6% in 2000 and 32.1% 25.5% in 2012, and US percentages of 24.4% and 29.1% in the same years, respectively. 28.5% 21.1% Table 2F summarizes the educational attainment of residents for select Treasure Valley jurisdictions, as well as the State and US as a whole. A Less than 9th Grade 2.0% 1.1% 2.0% 2.4% 10.1% 6.3% 2.1% 1.8% 10.8% 1.5% 5.2% 4.1% 1.5% 5.8% 9th to 12th grade (no diploma) 5.8% 4.3% 6.9% 2.9% 12.9% 10.1% 1.1% 3.6% 13.2% 8.3% 10.1% 6.1% 12.1% 1.9% HS graduate (includes equivalency) 26.1% 22.3% 21.2% 19.8% 29.0% 32.1% 23.1% 20.9% 30.3% 33.1% 28.5% 21.1% 28.61/0 28.0% Some college, no degree 30.41/6 29.2% 29.2% 21.3% 26.5% 24.2% 29.2% 29.3% 25.3% 24.1% 21.3% 21.6% 21.0% 21.3% Associate's degree 8.1% 10.8% 1.2% 8.5% 5.5% 6.9% 1.3% 9.1% 5.5% 6.8% 1.2% 9.0% 6.3% 8.0% Bachelor's degree 21.1% 20.01/6 23.0% 24.9% 11.5% 14.1% 21.1% 22.8% 10.3% 13.1% 14.8% 11.31/6 15.5% 18.2% Graduate or professional degree 5.9% 12.3% 10.6% 14.3% 4.5% 5.8% 9.51/6 12.5% 4.6% 5.9% 6.8% 8.2% 8.9% 10.9% Percent HS Grad or Higher 92.2% 94.6% 91.2% 94.1% 1 1 11.1% 83.6% 90.8% 94.6% 1 15.9% 1 84.2% 84.6% 89.8% 80.4% 86.4% Percent Bachelor's or Higher 21.0% 32.3% 33.60/6 39.2% 16.1% 20.5% 31.2% 35.3% 14.9% 19.5% 21.6% 25.50/6 24.4% 29.1% Source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder, 2000 Census & 2008-2012 American Community Survey. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 2G: COMPARATIVE COST OF LIVING INDEX, COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH Boise, ID 94.1 86.9 86.3 89.1 103.4 103.9 100.1 Anchorage, AR 125.3 113.1 151.8 91.9 101.1 135.8 122 Colorado Springs, CO 95.1 92.5 94.1 99.9 96.5 102.4 95.2 Reno -Sparks, NV 90 90.5 81.8 13.6 105.1 94 90.3 Spokane, WA 95.3 90.8 88.2 94.3 100.4 106.4 99.8 Provo -Orem, UT 95.3 88.1 86.1 90 111.1 93.9 101.1 National Average 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Source: Council for Community and Economic Research, 2013 C2ER Cost of Living Index, Comparative Data for Urban Areas, March 21, 2014. Cost of Living The Council for Community and Economic Research prepares comparative cost of living data annually for urban areas across the U.S. The results comprise a relative cost of living index for each participating metropolitan area based on "expenditure pattern for executive households in the top income quintile." The average of all participating localities is the baseline index value of 100, so categorical and composite values can be gauged as a percent of the "norm" or U.S. average based on available data. The index has certain limitations. For example, it does not calculate variations in tax structure and subsequent burdens from one locality to another. It also does not factor in cost differences between sub -metropolitan area jurisdictions (a single value for housing, for example, is assigned to the entire Boise City -Nampa metro area). Spending patterns for the top income quintile are also not reflective of all metro area residents. Still the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index is the most comprehensive and straightforward annual comparison of different metro areas of which the City is currently aware. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Table 2G lists comparative costs of living for metro areas in the northwest region of the United States. The average of all participating metro areas for both categorical and composite values is 100. Within the Boise metro area, grocery items, housing, and utility categories all differ significantly from the rest of the United States. The overall cost of living in the Boise metro area does not however deviate substantially from the national average, orfrom metro areas of similar size within the region. Income Meridian is a relatively affluent community with a median household income greater than that at the County, State, and national level. Based on the 2008-2012 American Com- munity Survey, and with the exception of the City of Eagle, Meridian had the highest median household income of any jurisdiction in the Treasure Valley. Median household income did not grow quite as quickly in Meridian as it did nationally from 2000 to 2012, but still remained over 20% above the national median. The State of Idaho remains roughly 11% below the national median for household income. Table 2H provides median TABLE 2H: MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME BY JURISDICTION I h Meridian 53,216 126.9% 64,101 120.9% 20.3% Boise 42,432 101.0% 49,182 92.1% 15.9% Eagle 65,313 155.5% 80,324 151 A% 23.0% Kuna 40,611 96.1% 52,542 99.0% 29A% Nampa 34,158 82.8% 40,835 11.0% 11.5% Ada 46,140 109.9% 55,499 104.6% 20.3% Canyon 35,884 85.5% 42,691 80.5% 19.0°% Idaho 31,512 89.5% 41,015 88.6% 25.1% us 41,994 100.0% 53,046 100.0% 26.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Census 2000 & 2008-2012 American Community Survey. household incomes for select Treasure Valley communities and the State of Idaho, relative to the U.S. median. It also indicates the percent change in median household income from the 2000 census to the 2008-2012 American Com- munity Survey. Poverty Poverty is determined by using income thresholds for a house- hold of a given size. According to the 2008-2012 American Community Survey, 7.3% of the population in Meridian is considered to be living in poverty. This is considerably lower us Idaho Canyon Ada Meridian 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 10,000 80,000 Note: See Table 2H for data. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) than the national rate of 14.9%. As indicated in Table 2I, the cities of Meridian and Eagle are the only local jurisdictions with less than 10% of the local population living in poverty, and which also increased less than 2% since 2000. In general though, poverty levels have increased faster in the Treasure Valley and Idaho than the national average. The 2008-2012 American Community Survey data reveals a higher percentage of Hispanic/Latino and non-white residents living in poverty in the Treasure Valley. While 7.3% of Meridian's overall population is living in poverty at the time of the survey, 11.9% of Hispanic and Latino residents are living in poverty. In Ada County, the rate for Hispanic and Latino residents living in poverty is significantly higher, at 27.2%. Countywide, 11A% of "White" residents are living below the poverty level while 20.8% of "Black or African American" residents, 20.3% of "Asian" residents, 25.0% of residents of "Some other race," and 19.5% of residents of "Two or more races" are living below the poverty level. It is important to note that 2008-2012 American Commu- nity Survey data does not necessarily reflect all recovery improvements since the economic recession. It is possible that the number of individuals living in poverty may now (2014) be different. Although the percentage of Meridian residents living in poverty is significantly lower than most neighboring com- munities, the City is still taking steps to provide assistance to those in need. One example is a coordinated effort with EI Ada Community Action Partnership to provide utility bill assistance to impoverished residents through the Meridian Cares Program. Funded with City enterprise revenues, Meridian Cares allows residents living at or below the poverty limit to receive up to $100.00 per year to pay City utility bills (water, sewer, and trash). The program avoids service interruptions TABLE 21: NUMBER AND PERCENT OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY that would otherwise make a housing unit substandard (no water, for example). The Meridian Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program includes a number of other initiatives to help the underprivileged. The City, through its CDBG program, enjoys an ongoing partnership with the Meridian Food Bank by providing grant funds which the Food Bank uses to purchase food to distribute to those in need. The City also partners with the Ada County Housing Authority and Neighborhood Housing Services to provide down payment and closing cost assistance for low -moderate income home buyers. Through this partnership, the City use CDBG funds to assist multiple low-income buyers achieve home ownership in affordable housing units. In addition, the City pursues public facility improvements to parks, pathways, and other community improvements in low to moderate income areas to ensure that, regardless of income, Meridian residents have access to quality public amenities. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) COMPASS monitors regional growth in part by tracking building permit data for each jurisdiction in the Treasure Valley. They publish the results regularly in the Develop- ment Monitoring Report (DMR), which provides a wealth of information about residential and commercial building activity in the region. In Meridian, the growth in housing stock has paralleled the pace of growth in population. As shown in table 2J, in 2000 there were 12,293 total housing units in Meridian, and by 2010, there were 27,007. In 2013 the total increased to 29,861, housing units. Each year since 2008, new residential construction in Meridian has comprised 27.7%, or more, of total residential unit construction, in both Ada and Canyon counties. TABLE 2J: MERIDIAN HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Census 2000; COMPASS, 2013 Development Monitoring Report. Based on City Limits. Housing Characteristics Meridian 1,926 5.6% 5,442 7.3% 1.11/6 The City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan supports and Boise 15,310 8.4% 30,051 14.7% 6.3% encourages a variety of housing types ranging from large Eagle 425 3.8% 1,116 5.61/0 1.8% single-family detached homes to multi -family dwellings. Kuna 114 14.2% 2,232 14.7% 0.5% Future Land Use designations allow the City to integrate a Nampa 6,307 12.4% 17,614 22.0% 9.6% range of residential unit densities, from the very low Rural/ Ada 22,471 7.7% 47,081 12.2% 4.5% Estate Residential to High Density Residential. These land Canyon 15,438 12.0% 36,459 19.6% 7.6% uses and other supportive policies are intended to ensure Idaho 148,732 11.8% 231,604 15.1% 3.3% opportunities exist for a variety of incomes, housing prefer- uS 33,899,812 12.4% 44,852,527 14.91/6 2.5% ences, lifestyles, family sizes, and age groups. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2008-2012 American Community Survey & Census 2000. Number of Dwelling Units that would otherwise make a housing unit substandard (no water, for example). The Meridian Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program includes a number of other initiatives to help the underprivileged. The City, through its CDBG program, enjoys an ongoing partnership with the Meridian Food Bank by providing grant funds which the Food Bank uses to purchase food to distribute to those in need. The City also partners with the Ada County Housing Authority and Neighborhood Housing Services to provide down payment and closing cost assistance for low -moderate income home buyers. Through this partnership, the City use CDBG funds to assist multiple low-income buyers achieve home ownership in affordable housing units. In addition, the City pursues public facility improvements to parks, pathways, and other community improvements in low to moderate income areas to ensure that, regardless of income, Meridian residents have access to quality public amenities. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) COMPASS monitors regional growth in part by tracking building permit data for each jurisdiction in the Treasure Valley. They publish the results regularly in the Develop- ment Monitoring Report (DMR), which provides a wealth of information about residential and commercial building activity in the region. In Meridian, the growth in housing stock has paralleled the pace of growth in population. As shown in table 2J, in 2000 there were 12,293 total housing units in Meridian, and by 2010, there were 27,007. In 2013 the total increased to 29,861, housing units. Each year since 2008, new residential construction in Meridian has comprised 27.7%, or more, of total residential unit construction, in both Ada and Canyon counties. TABLE 2J: MERIDIAN HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Census 2000; COMPASS, 2013 Development Monitoring Report. Based on City Limits. TABLE 2K: HOUSING UNITS BY JURISDICTION IW TABLE 2L: MERIDIAN HOUSING UNITS BY TYPE Meridian Boise Eagle Garden City Kuna Star Ada County Unincorporated Ada County Total Canyon County Total Regional Total 12,293 26,534 3,360 29,894 11,850 87,960 2,421 90,381 4,048 7,011 118 7,789 4,590 5,439 67 5,506 1,793 5,010 387 5,397 681 2,116 460 2,576 17,261 26,225 748 26,973 118,516 160,295 8,222 168,517 47,965 70,628 2,572 73,200 Note: Variation in housing unit totals between tables are the result of variations in Census reporting for mobile and manufactured housing. Source: COMPASS, February 2013. Table 2K reports the total number of housing units by jurisdiction, and in the two -county region, in and since 2000. Housing Unit Type Meridian's population is distributed throughout the community primarily in suburban -style developments, comprised of mostly detached single-family housing units. Increasingly however, higher density housing is being constructed throughout the community, particularly near employment areas, major star Kuna Garden City Eagle Boise Meridian 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 ■ 2000 8 Eadier ■ 2001-2013 Note: See Table 2K for data. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Single Family 10,464 85.30% 23,279 88.00% 25,829 86.67% Multi -Family 1,800 14.70% 3,173 12.00% 3,973 13.33% TOTAL 12,264 100.00% 26,452 100.00% 29,802 100.00% Note: Mobile and manufactured homes are not included. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 COMPASS, February 2013 Building Permit Data. roadways, and regional attractions. As shown in Table 2L, in 2000, more than 10,464 housing units in Meridian (85.3% of all units) were traditional single-family units. The remaining 1,800 units (14.7% of all units) were multi -family housing units. Based on the 2000 Census and building permit data compiled by COMPASS from 2000 to 2013, there are now 3,973 multi -family housing units in Meridian. This constitutes 13.3% of the City's 29,802 housing units (not including mobile or manufactured homes). The City realizes that an increasingly larger percent of the population is of the 55 -plus population group, and that there is an increased need for senior housing opportunities. There is a growing demand for non -single-family detached dwelling units, that are easier to take care of and closer to activities and services. Occupancy In 2000 Meridian contained 12,264 housing units, as shown in Table 2L. As shown in Table 2M, 85.7% of those units were owner occupied, with 14.3% being renter occupied. According to the 2008-2012 American Community Survey data, the ratio of housing units occupied by owners to renters in Meridian is 75.5% to 24.5%. This is slightly higher than the 68.1% to 31.9% ratio in Ada County as a whole. There has been a notable increase in renter occupied housing throughout TABLE 2M: HOUSING OWNERSHIP RATES BY JURISDICTION Meridian 85.1% 14.3% 3.8% 15.5% 24.5% 5.1% Boise 61.1% 32.3% 4.4% 60.8% 39.2% 6.2% Eagle 85.5% 14.5% 4.5% 81.8% 18.2% 5.1% Kuna 81.0% 13.0% 3.1% 82.8% 11.2% 2.1% Nampa 10.3% 29.1% 6.1% 66.0% 34.0% 8.5% Ada 14.0% 26.0% 4.3% 68.1% 31.9% 6.0% Idaho 14.1% 25.91/6 11.01/0 10.1% 29.9% 13.4% US 68.1% 31.3% 9.0% 65.5% 34.5% 12.5% Source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder, 2000 Census, 2008-2012 American Community Survey. the valley since 1990, especially in Meridian, when owner occupied units were at 96%. Table 2M also shows vacancy rates at the local, state, and national level in 2000 and 2012. The percentage of vacant housing units is significantly lower locally than State and National averages. Persons per Housing Unit The 2008-2012 American Community Survey reports that there were 2.58 persons per household in Ada County and 2.61 for the nation as a whole. That rate was slightly higher in Meridian, at 2.88 residents per household in 2012. The City of Kuna had the highest rate in the region with 3.26 persons per household. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the City of Boise averaged only 2.38 persons per household. 1990, compared to about 50% in Ada County as a whole. This percentage of new housing stock in Meridian is almost twice as high as the State average of 42.5%. The City of Boise has the oldest housing stock of the Treasure Valley cities. Roughly half of Boise's housing units (50.31/6) were constructed before 1980 (compared to only 9.7% in Meridian). Table 2N provides the age of housing units in select Treasure Valley Communities, and at the statewide level. Housing Value Despite the recession that began in 2007/2008, the 2008-2012 American Community Survey reports that overall median housing values increased throughout the area between 2000 and 2012. Table 20 summarizes the change. In 2000, the Meridian median value of an owner -occupied housing unit with a mortgage was $121,200. The 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5 -year estimates released in December of 2013, indicated that the median value of owner -occupied housing units with mortgages increased to $178,100, a 46.9% increase in twelve years. County wide, increases were slightly lower at 35.1%, and statewide increases were comparable to Meridian at 45.3%. Another more local source of housing data which captures actual selling prices of homes in Meridian is the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS tracks trends in the local housing market, TABLE 2N: AGE OF HOUSING UNITS BY JURISDICTION Age of Housing Meridian Fitting for the level of growth in the last two decades, the Boise housing stock in Meridian is collectively newer than in most Nampa communities, both locally and statewide. Table 2N shows Ada 54.0% 13.4% 32.8% 21.9% 28.1% 22.9% 25.6% 23A% 8.3% 13.3% 1.6% 11.4% 1.6% 31.3% 11.2% 24A% 1.1% 13.1% 11.0% 8.5% 0.4% 5.9% 5.8% 4.41/6 82.1% of housing units in Meridian as constructed since Idaho 24.2% 18.3% 10.4% 26.5% 11.1% 9.0% Census Bureau: American Fact Finder, 2008-2012 American Community Survey. Source: U.S. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 20: VALUE OF HOUSING Less than $50,000 0.2% 1.5% x 0.1% 5.0% x 3.1% 8.2% x 0.61/6 3.1% x 5.3% 1.1% $50,000 to $99,999 19.2% 4.61/6 z 28.5% 9.3% z 62.1% 41.0% z 24.6% 10.3% z 39.9% 16.3% $100,000 to $149,999 51.2% 24.61/6 z 42.2% 25.3% x 21.1% 31.41/o z 42.4% 25.41/o z 32.0% 24.4% $150,000 to $199,999 11.6% 32.9% z 14.6% 22.1% z 4.8% 8.1% z 16.4% 22.8% z 11.9% 19.1°°/a $200,000 to $299,999 5.1% 24.5% z 10.1% 22.8% x 1.5% 1.41/6 z 11.0% 21.9% z 1.3% 18.5% $300,000 to $499,999 0.61/6 9.1% z 3.1% 11.2% z 0.8% 3.3% z 3.9% 12.3% z 2.5% 9.9°% $500,000 to $999,999 0.0% 1.81/0 z 0.1% 3.5% x 0.0% 0.0% z 1.0% 3.2% z 0.8% 3.2% $1,000,000 or more 0.0% 0.4% z 0.1% 0.2% z 0.0% 0.0% z 0.2% 0.4% z 0.3% 0.8% Median (dollars) 1 121,200 1 118,100 1 46.9% 1 120,100 1 161,000 1 38.4% 1 92,200 1 101,300 1 9.9% 1 124,100 1 168,500 1 35.1% 1 106,300 1 154,500 1 45.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder, Census 2000, 2008-2012 American Community Survey. and their data better illustrates effects of the recent reces- sion, and recovery. Table 2P presents the annual average of monthly median sale price for homes in the four Meridian MLS sub -areas. As Table 2P illustrates, overall median sales prices fell between 7.91% and 19.91% in Meridian between 2007 and 2013. However, since 2010 sale prices have increased between 22.90% and 32.00%. While overall home sales prices have fallen since 2007, there has been substantial increases since 2009. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has determined that any household paying more than 30% TABLE 2P: HOUSING MEDIAN SALES PRICE BY MERIDIAN MLS of its income for housing is paying an excessive percentage of their income for housing'. Historically, 19.2% of Meridian homeowners have spent 30% or more of their household income on their mortgage (2000 Census). According to the 2008-2012 American Community Survey, this percentage rose dramatically to 32.7% of homeowners spending 30% or more of their household income on their mortgage. The same data indicates that in 2000, 40.3% of renters spent 30% or more of their household income on rent, and rose to 48.4% of renters in 2012. Southeast Meridian - 1000 211,500 240,000 198,000 118,860 185,000 215,000 221,950 -11.9% 21.4% Southwest Meridian - 1010 310,000 350,000 250,000 216,125 265,000 251,900 285,300 -22.91/o 32.0% Northeast Meridian - 1020 212,500 214,000 169,000 161,500 160,000 180,533 210,000 -22.9% 25.4% Northwest Meridian - 1030 229,900 200,000 165,000 155,000 144,900 166,500 190,500 -11.1% 22.9% Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service, Yearly Reports, 4/1/2014. ......................... httpl/portal.h u d.gov/h ud portal/HU D?src=/program_offices/comm_pl an ni nglaford abl eh ousi ng CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Housing and Urban Development The City of Meridian became an Entitlement Community as designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the fall of 2006. With the Entitlement Community designation, the City receives formula funds annually through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Generally, the City receives approximately $250,000 each year through the Program. Planning Division Staff administer the CDBG Program. The purpose of the CDBG Program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable liv- ing environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low -and moderate -income persons. The City funds a variety of activities to meet that end, with several recent examples including: 1. Homeownership assistance 2. Clearance of dilapidated, dangerous, and blighted properties 3. Meridian Food Bank assistance 4. Boys & Girls Club transportation funding S. Infrastructure design in targeted areas 6. Community amenity improvements such as parks and pathways 7. Code enforcement activities in Old Town 8. All -Abilities Playground at Meridian Elementary School CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: All -Abilities Playground at Meridian Elementary School The overall direction of the City's CDBG Program is estab- lished by the City Council in the Consolidated Plan, which identifies high-level goals and objectives for the five year interval covered by the Consolidated Plan. Activities the City will undertake are then detailed in annual action plans, which the City prepares and submits to HUD each year. Community input was an important component of the five-year plan, and was adopted in July 2012. Photo: Looking towards the cinema in the Village at Meridian Economic Development Meridian seeks to be a vibrant community whose vision is to be the premier city to live, work and raise a family. Fundamental to this vision is a strong and diverse business community that is "Built for Business and Designed for Living." With a vibrant and diverse economic environment, Meridian is home to some of the region's top employers such as Blue Cross of Idaho, Crucial Technology, Western Electronics, Food Services of America, United Heritage, and T -Mobile. As home to many high-tech employers, technology investment is increasingly important to the region. Overall, sense of com- munity combined with a low cost of doing business, strong leadership, and a highly educated and dynamic workforce has led to Meridian's success. Indeed, the Boise Valley and CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Idaho consistently rank among the best areas in business friendliness, cost of living and overall cost of doing business. Families want to work where they live and live where they work. To address that need, Mayor Tammy de Weerd has identified growing family wage jobs as one of her top five priorities and is working toward that end. Over the past several years, the Economic Excellence Team along with the Mayor have visited hundreds of business owners to help identify industries and service sectors that would be beneficial to the community and to businesses bottom-line. The focus on value addedjobs will be delivered through strategic Business Enterprise Areas. In addition, Meridian's solid partnership with the educational institutions in our area, creates a solid foundation for success. Companies that provide family wage jobs require educated workers, and Meridian continues to see an expansion of programs offered to create a highly educated workforce. The City realizes that the 21st century economy requires flexibility. Overthe last several decades, Meridian has evolved from a primarily agricultural -based economy to one increas- ingly based on innovation and creativity. The City is striv- ing to strengthen its competitive position by creating an environment and infrastructure where industries can create, respond, and adjust rapidly. Several of the goals, objectives and action items contained in the City's Comprehensive Plan are meant to improve economic prosperity by ensuring that the economy grows in ways that strengthen industries, retain and create good jobs across a variety of sectors, increase average income, and stimulate economic investment in the community. A strong and diverse economy provides the financial support and stability for Meridian residents that will ensure that public facilities, services, and quality of life are superior. Economic Excellence The Boise Valley has been discovered and is recognized nationally as a destination to locate business and family. To that end the City has established an Economic Excellence team. Economic Excellence staff members, part of the Mayor's Office, can work one-on-one to identify resources from starting, expanding, or relocating a business to Merid- ian. Staff can assist businesses in all aspects of operating in Meridian, including providing assistance with available property locations, incentives and business programs, City processes and development coordination, and other information. Whether the company is a start-up or a world class corporation, the Economic Excellence staff can help it thrive in today's economy. Economic Development and Infrastructure The City recognizes the need for infrastructure to be in place (or readily available) if it is going to attract large employers. Infrastructure needs vary depending on the user, but typically roads, sewer and water, electric utility facilities, as well as easy access to the highways and railroad, are key factors in determining when and where a business chooses to locate or expand. Therefore, the City has taken, and will continue to strive to provide sufficient infrastructure to support all types of businesses. The City has partnered with Idaho Power Company, to plan for possible transmission and substation facilities to accommodate large load requests. The City works with ACHD and ITD to ensure that highways, bridges and intersections are in good repair and can accommodate traffic. The City's Public Works Department has master plans for sewer main lines, water and wastewater treatment that will eventually accommodate all of the lands within the Area of City Impact. Quality of life is a huge factor when a company is selecting a community to do business. Having good schools, parks and supporting services in place help CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Meridian rise to the top of the class. Please see the Public Services, Facilities and Utilities section of this report for more information on infrastructure and other services. Taxes Idaho offers one of the lowest overall per capita tax burdens in the West. Taxes are based on a mix of income, sales, and property taxes. The State does not have roll back or transfer tax. Labor Force The growth of Meridian's labor force paralleled population growth over the same period; the labor force grew substantially from 19,638 in 2003 to 39,386 in 2013, a 101% increase. It is likely that new employment opportunities were a driv- ing force in population increases in the 1990s and 2000s, which explains this apparent correlation. Conversely, as new residents moved into the area, demand for local goods and services also escalated, which in turn increased the need for more local workers. The labor force in the Ada -Canyon two -county region also grew considerably from 2003 to 2013. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Ada and Canyon counties had a combined labor force of 251,613 in 2004 (74,476 in Canyon and 177,137 in Ada). The labor force grew by 14.42% by 2013 to 293,099 (87,191 in Canyon and 205,908 in Ada). TABLE 2Q: 2013 IDAHO TAX RATES Corporate 1.4% Sales & Use 6.01/6 Source: Idaho Department of Commerce. TABLE 2R: ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY JURISDICTION (%) Ih 12004 2.7% 4.1% 5.8% 3.8% 5.3% 2005 2.2% 3.3% 4.5% 3.1% 4.1% 2006 1.7% 2.5% 3.6% 2.3% 3.3% 2007 2.5% 2.6% 3.5% 2.6% 3.6% 2008 4.4% 4.6% 6.0% 4.6% 6.1% 2009 7.7% 7.5% 9.8% 1.6% 9.6% 2010 8.0% 8.4% 10.6% 8.3% 10.6% 2011 7.2% 7.6% 10A% 1.6% 10.3% 2012 5.9% 6.4% 8.2% 6.3% 8.3% 2013 5.2% 5.6% 6.9% 5.5% 7.0% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 4/17/2014. Employment Unemployment rates in Meridian dipped below 2% in 2006, at the peak of the regional economic and housing boom. As illustrated in Table 2R, Meridian has typically enjoyed a lower unemployment rate than neighboring communities, although that relative comfort has dissipated somewhat in recent years. As far as general employment is concerned, Meridian's almost 37,000jobs in 2013 made up approximately 13% of total jobs region wide. As shown in table 2S, approximately two-thirds of all jobs in Ada County are within the City of Boise. TABLE 2S: TREASURE VALLEY LABOR FORCE AND JOBS 12.0 1.96% 38,184 10.0 13.13% 88.13% Boise 112,716 108,130 8.0 Neridim ry 38.35% 2.20% t Bois: 6.0 37,558 - -jbr- Nampa 27.16% SIE-AUA 4.0 205,908 194,618 -4--Canyon 2. Canyon 74,476 70,531.00 29.27% 0.0 Note: See Table 2R for data. Employers Some of the largest employers in Meridian today include: St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Blue Cross of Idaho, West Ada School District, and Food Services of America. For example, in 2013, Scentsy completed their 168,000 square foot corporate headquarters in the heart of Meridian. This building allows for all 700+ Idaho employees to work under the same roof and adds to the growing number of companies with headquarters in this community. Meridian 19,730 19,190 1.96% 38,184 36,217 13.13% 88.13% Boise 112,716 108,130 44.87% 112,016 105,754 38.35% 2.20% Nampa 29,194 27,508 11.42% 37,558 34,978 12.69% 27.16% Ada 111,137 170,446 70.73% 205,908 194,618 70.58% 14.18% Canyon 74,476 70,531.00 29.27% 87,191 81,118.92 29.42% 15.01% Ada 8 Canyon 251,613 240,911 100.00% 293,099 275,737 100% 14.42% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 4/17/2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 2T: ADA COUNTY EMPLOYMENT BY JURISDICTION AND SECTOR Agriculture, forestry, fishing and 11,21 430 1.3% 1,067 1.0% 182 2.2% 107 2.3% 167 2.7% 12 0.5% 680 2.6% 2,645 1.4% hunting, and mining Construction 23 2,236 6.5% 5,536 5.2% 327 3.9% 319 6.8% 505 8.0% 247 10.5% 2,327 8.8% 11,497 6.1% Manufacturing 31-33 2,973 8.7% 10,932 10.3% 1,101 13.0% 292 6.2% 540 8.61/o 268 11.4% 2,786 10.5% 18,892 10.0% Wholesale trade 42 1,092 3.2% 2,687 2.5% 318 3.8% 166 3.5% 208 3.3% 95 4.0% 935 3.5% 5,501 2.9% Retail trade 44-45 4,465 13.0% 12,227 11.5% 1,211 15.1% 490 10.4% 871 13.8% 259 11.0% 3,301 12.5% 22,890 12.1% Transportation and warehousing, 48-49 1,589 4.6% 4,324 4.1% 326 3.9% 154 3.3% 303 4.8% 49 2.1% 1,275 4.8% 8,020 4.2% and utilities Information 51 1,086 3.2% 2,648 2.5% 298 3.5% 79 1.7% 184 2.9% 60 2.6% 567 2.1% 4,922 2.6% Finance and insurance, and real 52-53 2,862 8.4% 6,725 6.3% 693 8.2% 312 6.6% 425 6.8% 139 5.9% 1,764 6.7% 12,920 6.8% estate and rental and leasing Prof, scientific, and mgmt, and 54-56 3,723 10.9% 14,070 13.2% 1,265 15.0% 634 13.4% 723 11.5% 344 14.7% 2,856 10.8% 23,615 12.5% admin and waste mgmt services Educational services, and health 61-62 8,395 24.5% 23,337 21.9% 1,674 19.8% 1,180 25.0% 1,338 21.3% 411 20.3% 5,454 20.6% 41,855 22.1% care and social assistance Arts, entertainment, and Tec, and 71-72 1,895 5.5% 11,689 11.0% 440 5.2% 453 9.6% 540 8.61/o 66 2.81/o 1,981 7.5% 17,064 9.0% accommodation and food services Other services, except public 81 1,207 3.5% 4,736 4.4% 260 3.1% 259 5.5% 212 3.4% 188 8.0% 1,147 4.3% 8,009 4.2% administration Public administration 92 2,274 6.61/o 6,526 6.1% 293 3.5% 279 5.9% 280 4.4% 143 6.1% 1,423 5.4% 11,218 5.9% Total jobs (ages 16+) 34,227 106,504 8,454 4,724 6,296 2,347 26,496 189,048 Source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder, 2008-2012 American Community Survey. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 2U: 2013 OFFICE VACANCY RATES - 5,000 SF+ Meridian 161 3,225,255 481,484481,484 $16.48 15.101, Downtown (Boise) 101 4,111,362 309,449 10,951 320,406 1.1% West Bench (Boise) 162 3,112,916 104,445 25,564 130,009 23.5% Southwest (Boise) 56 1,041,861 198,022 - 198,022 19.0% Lanyon County 241 1 2,335,5551 83,250 183,250 1.3% All Submarkets 1111 21,332,218 2,602,066 1 64,622 1 2,666,688 10.6% Source: Colliers Paragon, Year -End Real Estate Market Review, 2013. $12.80 21,819,141 TABLE 2V: OFFICE ASKING RATES - 5,000 SF+ Meridian $15.55 3,584,685 $16.48 $12.49 - Downtown (Boise) $11.22 1,254,180 $19.31 $16.13 $12.91 West Bench (Boise) $12.28 2,990,100 $14.10 $12.49 $1.14 Southwest (Boise) $11.95 1,124,413 $12.85 $9.15 $9.00 Canyon County $11.29 6,891,428 $12.51 $12.12 $9.12 Averages $12.80 21,819,141 $15.00 $12.12 $9.48 Source: Colliers Paragon, Year -End Real Estate Market Review, 2013. TABLE 2W: 2013 RETAIL. VACANCY RATES - 5,000 SF+ Meridian 113 3,584,685 286,111 1,386 288,091 8.0% Downtown (Boise) 52 1,254,180 82,435 - 82,435 6.6% West Bench (Boise) 19 2,990,100 253,969 - 253,969 8.5% Southwest (Boise) 41 1,124,413 106,510 - 106,510 6.2% Canyon County 158 6,891,428 412,136 412,136 6.9% All Submarkets 644 21,819,141 1,669,018 12,214 1,681,292 1.1% Source: Colliers Paragon, Year -End Real Estate Market Review, 2013. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Table 2T breaks down Ada County employment by sector. In Meridian, "Education, Health Care, and Social Assistance" constitute about 25% of alljobs. Over 2O%ofjobs in Meridian are "Information, Finance, Management, and Professional Services" and an additional 20% are in "Wholesale, Retail, Transportation, and Warehousing." Looking across the entire county, health carejobs are steady. The combination of aging baby boomers and health care reform potential has increased demand and may draw even more investors to this segment in the near term. With a good number of college educated citizens (32% have a bachelor's degree or higher), Meridian is continually becoming an attractive place for companies to locate. Trends In late 2009, the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) hired Bonneville Research to assess the Boise/Meridian market. In their report, Bonneville found that between 1998 and 2008, the Boise/Meridian Metro area economy grew at an annual rate of 5.8%. Employment peaked in the first quarter of 2007 and a slow return to "normal" employment levels is being realized. Bonneville forecasted that demand for commercial office space will be driven by employment growth. The availability of Class A office space has long been a sought after prospect for Meridian. With the recent addition of The Village at Meridian (138,000 square feet of office space), and the Silverstone Plaza and EI Dorado complexes at Eagle Road and Overland Road, Meridian continues to build upon the foundation of established office space. As employment growth continues its climb upward, it is only natural that more office will become available as employers look to expand or relocate. As Table 21-1 shows, Meridian has grown its commercial inventory to 3.2 million square feet. Table 2V compares average asking rates for 5,000+ square foot office space in a number of areas in the Treasure Valley, and Table 2W similarly compares 5,000+ square foot retail vacancy rates, for the same areas. In 2014, the City of Meridian hired a consultant group to conduct a full audit and assessment of economic develop- ment activities, including trends, and to recommend how to best utilize assets to maximize strengths. The results of this study should be available by late 2014. Meridian Chamber of Commerce The Meridian Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization, supported by member investment and the committed involvement of leaders in the Meridian business community. The Chamber provides ways to become involved in the community through leadership opportunities, business advocacy, networking, and promotion of individual businesses. The Chamber is in the business of building relationships between business people, and between business, govern- ment and the rest of the community, in order to maintain a healthy economy and an excellent quality of life. Meridian Development Corporation The Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) was estab- lished in 2001 by the Meridian City Council. Although it is an independent agency, MDC functions as the City's urban renewal agency. The Urban Renewal Area is shown in Figure 2A, and is loosely bound by Fairview/Cherry to the north, East 4th Street to the east, west 4th street, and I-84 to the south. MDC is charged with stimulating and expanding downtown economic development activities. In 2010, MDC completed Destination: Downtown, a visioning plan focused on developing the downtown core. Destination: Downtown established seven CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) FIGURE 2A: MERIDIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOUNDARY Source: City of Meridian Planning Department, 2013. Legend '. 1 Urban Renewal 0 500 1,000 2000 v Feet downtown districts, four vision elements: Livability, Mobility, Prosperity, and Sustainability, and addressed implantation and phasing of improvements. Renewal and redevelopment is supported through strategic use of resources to create successful projects in downtown (MDC receives tax incre- ment financing). The MDC focus is not only onjob creation and affordable workforce housing, but also on developing a pedestrian friendly, transit -supported, diverse and balanced downtown environments. Business Enterprise Areas Meridian is effectively positioned to support existing, emerg- ing, and new businesses by creating planned and integrated Business Enterprise Areas (see Figure 2B). These areas are designed to attract and foster related business interests. This provides an environment where business can thrive in an atmosphere conducive to attracting and retaining a highly qualified workforce. The (ore Meridian has launched the new Health Sciences & Technol- ogy Corridor, The Core', in the heart of the Treasure Valley. The corridor is anchored by several business campuses and Idaho State University with curriculum focused on medical/ health sciences. Not only achieving Meridian's motto of being built for business, The Core will also focus on maintaining a healthy community that is designed for living. Develop- ing a corridor of complementary businesses and services geared towards the medical industry and high technology, The Core will provide a one-stop destination for visitors and workforce with all necessary amenities. ......................... See the website at httpl/www.thecoreidaho.com CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The Fields In 2014, the City of Meridian hired a consultant group to conduct an investigation to determine if Meridian (and the Boise -Meridian -Nampa MSA) could support an Agriculture and Bioscience Mixed-use Research & Innovation District. The District would be located in the northwest corner of Meridian, lying in the Area of City Impact between current city boundaries and the Canyon -Ada County line. This investigation is moving into phase 2 and 3, and should be complete by the end of 2014. FIGURE 213: BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AREAS (hinden 1 McMillan The Fields (Future) CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Fairview Legend N ■Nort rer ewaya ■ ���i ± Area of Impact ®I Wasingtor & Main"District Ten Mile E 0e The Core _ raditiopa City Core Ustick I The Fields (Future) Urban Renewal TO: I cul ural Dijr7cto ' Franklin 0 025 0.5 I 1.5 " _ ..�� i Miles — Southern Gat ` Willg � : .Intentatt 84 7 r CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Ustick — 1 (herr Fairview Urban Renewal `. L Pine —� _ OL 66yMall Franklin 1 Ten Mile _: =--"� r--- Overland L--- ---' f r r Overland I � 1 '-7 ■ 1 Source: City of Meridian Planning Department, 2013. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) HOW IS THE LAND IN MERIDIAN DEVELOPED? Land Use, Transportation, and Community Design This chapter discusses characteristics of the land in the City of Meridian and its Area of City Impact (AOCI). As required by Idaho State Statute, analysis on Land Use, Transportation, and Community Design components of the Comprehensive Plan are provided in this section of the Existing Conditions Report. These components bridge the gap between the previous section (population, demographics, etc.) and the analysis that follows later in the report on other planning components (public services, utilities, recreation, etc.) Photo: Centennial Park on the corner of NE 3rd Street and Idaho Avenue CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) This section of the report is organized by outlining past trends and current conditions in each of the three components: land use, transportation and community design. This portion of the report also includes a brief analysis of future land uses, transportation trends, and community design principles. This information will be used to track progress and update the Goals, Objectives and Action Items of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. The primary purpose of the Land Use discussion is to look at current zoning, future zoning, and land uses within existing City limits and the adjacent AOCI. Recent trends in land use, and the variety of land use categories and designations are briefly explained here, but are covered in more depth in the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. Land use inventories are used to forecast the demand for future facilities such as parks, water lines and roads, and for services such as police and fire protection. These past trends and future forecasts can be used by City Departments as well as businesses, developers, and property owners to anticipate market demand when locating or developing public facilities and private projects. The purpose of the Transportation portion of the chapter is to explain how roads are classified and used in the region; how planning for future facilities is done; and it assesses current trends in transportation. An explanation on fund- ing for transportation projects is provided as well as how roadways are starting to evolve into complete streets. A current inventory of pathways, transit and travel lanes are explained, showing where additional infrastructure and modal options are necessary. Photo: Broadview University, located on Overland Road near Eagle Road In the Community Design segment, the City's Design Guidelines are discussed and explored for the purpose of showing the reader how they relate back to the vision of the community and implementation of the future land use plan. The com- munity design analysis also evaluates how quality of life and sustainability play into making Meridian a great community to live, work, and play. Land Use Land use is a physical expression of the community. Identifica- tion and analysis of a City's existing land use development patterns provides a basis for future land use decisions. Because the City of Meridian has experienced such rapid growth and expansion, it is important to inventory current land uses and then determine how further development CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) should occur. See tables 3A and 3C for acreages of zoning and land uses. Built Environment In recent years, land uses in and around Meridian have changed from primarily agricultural to a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. That trend is likely to continue, as land traditionally used for agriculture continues to be developed to support the needs of an ever-growing community. The pattern of land uses in Meridian is typical of many sub- urban western U.S. cities. Situated along a rail line, historic Old Town is comprised of primarily one- and two-story commercial structures. Single-family homes with fenced yards and attached garages are the norm for residential lots. Along well -traveled roads and highways, shops, restaurants, and supply stores have developed. Industrial uses are gener- ally located along the railroad and interstate. As Meridian's population has grown, and as more vehicles traverse area roads, the pattern has intensified. Portions of the City's northern and eastern boundaries have urbanized adjacent to Eagle and Boise. However, farmland and large -lot County subdivisions still dominate the western and southern edges of the community. Residential A current zoning map reflects the dominance of residential zoning in Meridian; 68.71% of the land area currently incor- porated is zoned residential. These residential neighborhoods are primarily developed at three to five dwelling units per acre, with single-family detached homes. Residential areas also include some duplex units, apartments, single-family attached units, and manufactured homes. Densities within the residential areas range from very low (less than 1 dwelling unit per acre) to high (up to 40 dwellings per acre). While relative to other communities of similar size, Meridian lacks diversity and balance in residential form and density; recent development trends have seen a large increase of multi -family units near mixed use commercial and employment centers. Commercial Commercially zoned lands represent 18.68% of Meridian. Most major intersections in Meridian now contain largely commercial -type zoning and development. Commercial and retail areas are typically along transportation corridors and include everything from small commercial centers and individual businesses to regional malls and commercial/office business parks. Uses include retail, wholesale, service, office, and limited manufacturing. There are five zoning sub -districts within the commercial designation. The General Retail and Service Commercial (C -G) district is the most common, followed by Community Business (C -C) and Neighborhood Business CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) (C -N). Since 2002, two new commercial zoning districts, Mixed Employment (M -E) and High Density Employment (H -E), have been added to the commercial zoning districts of the Unified Development Code. While 118.9 acres of these zoning districts have been annexed, none of these sites have yet developed. Office Although only 773.4 acres (4.261/o of City) are currently zoned for limited office uses (L -O), Meridian enjoys a plethora of office uses that are scattered throughout the commercial districts. A significant amount of the office uses exist as ancillary uses within commercially zoned districts. Office uses are allowed in mixed use and in commercially zoned parts of the City as principally permitted uses. Along arterial roadways, many homes have converted to offices and several professional office complexes have developed. In downtown, near the Eagle/Overland intersection, and in north Meridian, office uses continue to materialize in response to burgeoning residential neighborhood needs for medical and professional services (e.g. - doctors, dentists, chiropractors, etc.) Industrial Industrial zoning represents 6.78% of the total land area of the City. The City has two industrial zoning districts: Light Industrial (I -L) and Heavy Industrial (I -H). Industrial uses in the City of Meridian tend to be of the light -industrial variety and are primarily located along the railroad corridor and the Interstate. Industrial areas of the City typically include warehousing, general manufacturing, railroad users, and industrial/office business parks. Today, there are several opportunities for reinvestment in industrially zoned on under-utilized properties. The City, through its economic development initiatives, hopes to expand its job base by attracting new industrial users, particularly clean industry. Mixed Use Over the past several years, areas planned for mixed use have developed with largely commercial uses. Because of this trend, in 2010 the City amended the mixed use sections of the Comprehensive Plan to ensure diversity in uses for areas planned for mixed use. Similar to the Mixed Employ- ment (M -E) and High Density Employment (H -E) zoning districts, the Traditional Neighborhood – Center JN -C) and Traditional Neighborhood – Residential (TN -R) zoning districts are relatively new. In 2005, when the City adopted the Unified Development Code (UDC), the TN -C and TN -R districts were added. Today, less than 2% of Meridian is zoned for mixed use. However, more and more mixed-use developments—projects that include multiple land uses—are being built in Merid- ian. Often these developments use a variety of the typical zoning districts (e.g. C -G and R-15) to achieve a mix of land uses. Emphasis on the redevelopment of downtown (Old Town) has been a strong priority. The Old Town area is still in a transitional state, from a small rural downtown with little investment, to a growing center with vast potential. With large acreages of commercial and light industrial uses developing along the interstate and other major roadways, reinvestment in Old Town has not kept up with the pace of new development. The Ten Mile Interchange area still contains vast opportunities on largely undeveloped green fields. As the Future Land Uses section will report, aside from residential, mixed-use areas contain the most opportunities for development and re -development in Meridian. Civic Civic areas include public, quasi -public, and open spaces. They include uses like government facilities, public schools, utilities, libraries, post offices, park and recreational areas, CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Evening view of the Village at Meridian and cemeteries. Parks, schools and other public facilities are spread throughout Meridian in a variety of zoning districts. Zoning—Land Use Correlation The City of Meridian maintains a Zoning Map that depicts zoning districts of the City. There are 16 zoning districts listed in the UDC for use within the incorporated limits of the City, as noted in Table 3A. There are a limited number of properties in Meridian that are zoned one designation, but are actually being used for a different purpose. This mismatch occurs for a number of reasons. In some instances, a developer submitted plans a number of years ago and the City approved a zone change but the project never materialized. For example, TABLE 3A: CURRENT ACREAGES OF ZONING DISTRICT IN MERIDIAN I h Land Ownership Low -Density (R-2) 243.4 1.34% Land in the City and our Area of City Impact is controlled by Medium Low -Density (R-4) 6,736.7 37.07% a mix of private and public ownerships, with a large majority Medium -Density (R-8) 4,761.6 26.20% of the land (almost 94%) being held privately. The remaining Medium High -Density (R-15) 625.6 3A4% 6% is owned by West Ada School District, utility -related High -Density (R-40) 120.9 0.67% companies, the State of Idaho, the Federal Government, (ommeidol 3,394.8 18.68 Ada County, the Ada County Highway District, the City of (ioublotol) 18,1154 % Meridian, and other local government entities including the Neighborhood Business (C -N) 129.7 0.71% Meridian Cemetery Maintenance District and others. The Community Business (C -C) 519.0 7.86% amount of privately owned land in Meridian is substantial General Retail and Service Commercial (C -G) 2,627.3 14.46% when compared to the County as a whole. The 2007 Ada Mixed Employment (M -E) 64.6 0.36% County Comprehensive Plan reports that only 47.7% of the High Density Employment (H -E) 54.3 0.30% entire County is privately owned. The bulk of the remainder, ORe Oublotal) 1134 4.26 over 461/o, is federally owned. Table 3B summarizes non -private Office Subtotal Limited Office (L-0) 113.4 4.26% land ownership within the Area of City Impact. Light Industrial (I -L) 1,231.4 6.78%Future Land Uses Heavy Industrial (I -H) Tinditional 0.0 0.00% Today, the City of Meridian has over 17,000 acres within its Old Town (01T) 133 8 0.74% municipal boundaries. At full build out, Meridian is anticipated to incorporate approximately 39,000 acres. The Future Land Traditional Neighborhood (enter (TN-() 90.1 0.50% Use Map (FLUM) portrays locations for the various land use Traditional Neighborhood Residential (TN -R) 63.1 0.35% types. The FLUM's primary purpose is to define and map TOM 18,1154 % future land uses so that development occurs in the direction Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, March 2014, as compiled by Ada County. the City has a number of industrially zoned properties near " the downtown that are developed as residences. In other instances, developers made use of previous City codes that Traditional allowed up to 20% of a site to be used for uses not otherwise allowed in the district. In north Meridian particularly, there Industrial are several developments that are primarily residential, Office but have a limited amount of existing office or small scale commercial commercial uses within a residential zone. Residential CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) 0.0 2,500.0 5,000.0 7,500.0 10,000.0 12,500.0 15,000.0 Note: See Table 3A for data. TABLE 3B: NON -PRIVATE LAND OWNERSHIP IN AOCL 85.11 0.215% » Rural: Rural / Estate Residential is a unique land use laudation ii % of AI and manner most desired by Meridian's stakeholders. The Meridian Joint School District No.2 791.22 1.991% FLUM works in conjunction with the text of the Compre- fit of Meridian 120.19 ,- i 1.811% i hensive Plan, city code, and the various policies of the City. Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District 34.63 .212 0.087% However, the FLUM is not a zoning map and differs in that Meridian femetary District 26.23 0.066% it describes the character and type of the use that is desired Meridian Heights Water & Sewer District 13.11 0.033% in the future, and not necessarily what currently exists. Over Meridian Library District 3.57 0.009% time, however, the FLUM has also evolved to depict where Meridian Library District 3.50 0.009% some existing land uses do exist. For example, existing Fairview joint femetary District 1.00 0.003% schools, parks, fire stations and other civic and private uses Star joint Fire Protect District 1.00 0.003% are depicted on the FLUM. Urban Renewal District for the City of Meridian 0.96 0.002% Settlers Irri ation District 0.05 0.000% The FLUM depicts a built -out Meridian that is very diverse in residential densities, commercial and industrial land uses, and Ada County Highway District 58.38 0.147% public/quasi-public opportunities. While the FLUM depicts Western Ada Recreation District 25.09 0.063% many types of land use designations, they can be broadly Ada County 14.45 0.036% divided into nine basic categories: Idaho Department of Transportation 85.11 0.215% » Rural: Rural / Estate Residential is a unique land use Idaho State Police 42.95 0.108% designation that allows for the preservation of agricul- State of Idaho 14.23 0.036% tural uses and ancillary development of single-family Idaho Department of Lands 12.95 0.033% homes on large parcels, where City services like sewer Idaho State University 10.60 0.027% and water may or may not be provided. Bureau of Reclamation 69.09 0.174% » Residential: These areas are intended to provide a variety United States Postal Service 3.04 0.008% of housing types. Uses include a range of densities US Department of Housing and Urban Development 0.01 0.000% varying from large estate lots to multi -family homes. Intermountain Gas 64.01 0.162% » Commercial: These areas are intended to provide a Idaho Power Company 21.96 0.055% full -range of commercial and retail services for area Northwest Pipeline 4.27 0.011% residents and visitors. Century Link 0.46 0.001% United Water 0.25 0.001% » Office: These areas provide opportunities for low -impact Subtotal of Non-Irrityate land Ownership 2,533.21 6.393% business areas including: personal and professional Total (ity AO(I 39,621.01 100.000% offices, technology and resource centers. Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, March 2014, as compiled by Ada County. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 3C: FUTURE LAND USES WITHIN MERIDIANS AOCI IW Rural 1,948.8 5.0% 0.0 0.0% 1,948.8 5.0% Residential 26,113.5 68.4% 11,342.1 63.5% 15,311.4 39.3% Commercial 1,552.2 4.0% 1,442.1 8.1% 110.1 0.0% Office 314.0 1.0% 292.4 1.6% 81.6 0.2% Employment 660.5 1.1% 281.1 1.61/6 318.8 1.0% Industrial 955.4 2A% 609.0 3A% 346.4 0.9% Old Town 335.9 0.9% 335.8 1.9% 0.1 0.0% Mixed Use 4,994.4 12.8% 2,441.5 13.1% 2,552.9 6.5% Civic 8 Utility 1,536.6 3.9% 1,116.5 6.3% 420.1 1.1% Total 39,011.4 1 100.0% 1 11,861.2 100.0% 21,210.3 54.3% Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, March 2014. Employment: These land uses designations, for use primarily within the Ten Mile Interchange specific area plan (see section on Specific Area Plans), are intended to support a variety of office and manufacturing uses of varying intensity, along with supporting and complimentary secondary uses. Industrial: These areas are designated to allow a range of industrial uses to support industrial and commercial activities. Uses may include warehouses, storage units, light and heavy industry such as manufacturing and processing. » Old Town: This area includes the historic downtown and the core community activity center, and is a unique type of Mixed Use. A wide variety of land uses are encouraged and envisioned in Old Town. Mixed Use: These areas incorporate a variety of dif- ferent, but complimentary and compatible land uses together. These areas are typically situated in highly CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) visible or transitioning areas of the City, and vary in intensity and allowed uses. Civic and Utility: These areas preserve and protect municipal, state, and Federal lands for use as parks, schools, and other public uses. Table 3C breaks down the total Meridian build out area (in acres) by each of the land use groups previously described. The table differentiates between properties on the FLUM that are currently annexed and those that have not yet been annexed into the City. By far, Meridian is planning for residential to use more of the land area than any other designation; 68.4% of the FLUM shows a residential land use designation. This affords the City an opportunity to promote both very low density housing units and some very high density developments throughout the City. The rest of the anticipated land uses are fairly evenly distributed, with Civic & Utility Mixed Use Old Town Industrial Employment Office Commercial Residential Rural 0.0 5,000.0 10,000.0 15,000.0 20,000.0 25,000.0 30,000.0 Note: See Table 3C for data. ■ Annexed ■ Not Annexed Mixed Use being the next highest land use designation at approximately 12.8%. For detailed descriptions of each specific land use, see Chapter 3 of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. Specific Area Plans In addition to the general citywide land use designations, plans have also been developed for specific areas of the City. These Specific Area Plans provide additional narrative and specific detail into how development should occur within these areas. Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan A specific plan has been developed for approximately 2,800 acres bordered roughly by Linder Road to the east, McDermott Road to the west, the Union Pacific Railroad line to the north, and 1/2 -mile south of Overland Road on the south. The Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan is an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan and provides information on land use, the roadway network, and design guidelines specific to the Ten Mile Interchange area. Destination Downtown (Urban Renewal) The Destination Downtown specific area plan outlines a vision and marketing strategy for strengthening downtown Meridian's role in the community. The planning area for Destination Downtown encompasses not only the historic areas of downtown, but also the entire urban renewal area extending from Fairview Avenue/Cherry Lane to Interstate 84. A community -building development group, CRSA was hired by the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) in 2009 to help define a vision for Downtown Meridian. The outcome CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: The (OMPASS/VRr building on Broadway Avenue and East 2nd Street (within the Urban Renewal area) of the public visioning process were several distinct districts, with anticipated uses varying from offices and retail, to enter- tainment and lodging, restaurants, open space, and variety of residential uses. Pedestrian amenities are emphasized throughout the study area. Public and private investment to ensure that Old Town becomes a centralized activity center with public, cultural, and recreational structures is encouraged. The City's Community Development Department has and is working with MDC to link the Destination Downtown plan with the City's Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvement Plans, and development policies. Fields District The City has identified one other area for developing a specific plan. The Fields District is located in the northwest corner of the City's Area of City Impact and is tentatively bound along the Ada/Canyon County line, Chinden Boulevard, Black Cat Road, and Ustick Road. The City has been engaged in research and feasibility studies in this area, and in the near future may initiate a public participation plan leading to a detailed specific area plan. Area of City Impact In accord with section 67-6526 of Idaho Code, an Area of City Impact (AOCI) has been established for Meridian (see Figure 3A). The City's AOCI is the future planning area for the City, where annexation and development in Meridian is anticipated. Although all these properties are not yet incorporated, planning responsibilities for these lands rest with the City of Meridian. The City's AOCI is negotiated with Ada County, pursuant to the Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA). Within the City's AOCI, unincorporated properties are governed by Ada County for day-to-day administration of zoning matters. However, the County uses the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan and the negotiated agreement in the administration of those duties. Ada County has applied a Rural Urban Transition (RUT) zoning district to most of the properties within the City's AOCI. The RUT zone allows five -acre -lots, single-family residential development, as well as agricultural -related uses and a range of conditional uses. To request something other than the RUT zoning, the developer must request urban services from the City of Meridian. Such services include sanitary sewer, water, fire, police, parks, transportation, and libraries. The City (with rare exception) will not provide such CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) FIGURE 3A: MERIDIANS AREA OF CITY IMPACT Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, April 2014. services unless the property annexes into the City. All County development applications within the AOCI are reviewed by the City of Meridian for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and applicable City policies. The importance of cooperating with Ada County is imperative to successful, long-term land use, transportation, and utility planning (such as water and sewer). There are very significant financial implications for not doing so. As such, the City of Meridian is committed to fulfilling the terms of its Area of City Impact Agreement with Ada County. Transportation Today, Meridian's transportation network is primarily com- posed of roadways that are designed for moving cars and trucks. There is also however a local network of pathways and sidewalks, and an ever increasing amount of bicycle facilities located throughout the City. There is not a fixed -line mass transit service in Meridian. There are park-and-ride lots in the City and inter -county bus routes that make several runs on the weekdays between Nampa -Caldwell and Meridian -Boise. Although the rail corridor through Meridian has a long and rich history, and still moves freight, the corridor is largely underutilized today. The future does however hold promise for expanded modes of transport and new types of service. The transportation system into and through Meridian is key to both local and regional commerce and mobility. With Meridian located in the center of the Treasure Valley and along a major east -west interstate connecting the Pacific Northwest to the Inter -Mountain West, moving people, goods and services is critical to maintaining a high quality of life and economic vitality. Congestion adds time and money to commutes, costs businesses time and money, degrades air quality, and creates social burdens. As this chapter explains, CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Ada County Highway District (ACHD), the Community Planning Associa- tion of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) and Valley Regional Transit (VRT) are the key transportation agencies that the City works with to maintain and improve transportation in and around Meridian. Because Meridian does not have authority over any roadways, the City relies on other agencies to provide the necessary funding for roadway infrastructure and its maintenance. Meridian's major transportation challenge is to work with the transportation agencies in the region to meet the existing need for adequate transportation service, while planning for and accommodating the next wave of growth in a way that will maximize efficiency. Poorly planned growth leads to worsening traffic problems, and increased traffic congestion may deter potential employers from locating or expanding. In addition to managing future traffic needs, much of the transportation infrastructure already developed will require maintenance and rehabilitation. Ensuring adequate funding for maintenance of roads, while still adding capacity, will be a critical issue in the near future. Roadway Authority The City does not have any authority to plan, build or maintain public roadways. The Idaho Transportation Depart- ment (ITD) has authority over the highways and interstate system in Meridian: I-84, SH -69, SH -55 and US 20-26. The Ada County Highways District (ACHD) owns and maintains Photo: Bridge deck of the Ten Mile Interchange over 1-84 CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) all of the public, non-ITD roads in Ada County. The Com- munity Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) is the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is charged with air quality conformity and maintaining the long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon counties. Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is the regional public transportation authority for Ada and Canyon counties. City staff and elected officials serve on several transportation agency groups, committees, and boards. Although the City does not have authority, it spends a considerable amount of time and effort to work with ACHD, ITD, COMPASS, and VRT to plan for the needs of the community and ensure that the transportation agencies make decisions that are in the best interest of the City. Transportation Commission In addition to many sub -committees, regional advisory committees, and other transportation agency based groups, in which City staff participates, the City has also established a nine -member Transportation Commission that deals with transportation and traffic safety—related issues. The Commission is made up of nine voting members and six non-voting ex -officio members. Members on the Commis- sion are made up of Meridian citizens, business owners or employees, and transportation professionals with technical expertise and/or education. In aggregate, the Commission provides a broad, city-wide perspective on transportation issues. Appointments to the Commission, are made by the Mayor with City Council approval. The Meridian Transportation Commission's primary responsi- bilities include making recommendations to the City Council on traffic safety and transportation matters that are brought before them either by an agency or a member of the public. The Commission annually compiles a list of the highest priority roadway, intersection and pedestrian improvement projects in Meridian. Other recommendations regarding transportation issues are regularly sent to the Mayor and City Council for consideration. With Valley Regional Transit (VRT) staff assistance, the Commission is currently working on a public transportation plan for Meridian. The Task Force also discusses issues like speed limits, meeting the needs of the traveling public, and safe routes to schools. The Trans- portation Commission generally meets the first Monday of each month at City Hall. Roadway Network As shown in Table 31), Meridian has more than 500 centerline miles of roadway today, including state highways and the interstate. Meridian's roadways are described in terms of a hierarchy of streets, known as a functional classification system. This system, which isjointly used by the ITD, ACHD, COMPASS, and the City, classifies roads and highways into three clas- sifications: arterials, collectors, and local streets (which includes private streets). The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials describe functional classification as a process that involves grouping roadways into classes according to the character of service they are intended to provide. Principal arterials facilitate statewide and interstate transport, involve longer trip lengths, carry high volumes of traffic, and should have a minimal number of access points and limited on -street parking. Except for on I-84, roadway widths typically vary from two to five lanes wide with detached sidewalks on each side and bicycle lanes, within approximately 100 feet of right-of-way. They may serve as a separator for incompatible land uses. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 3D: ROADWAY MILES BY CLASSIFICATION TYPE Interstate 13.5 2.5% Principal Arterial 58.5 10.9% Minor Arterial 59.6 11.1% Collector 19.4 3.6% Source: Meridian Planning Division, 2014, as compiled by Ada County. Minor arterials provide long-distance access, mainly within the state and region, and frequently contain three to five travel lanes, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes. These include medium traffic volume streets to and from other arterials and the freeway. They collect traffic from less significant roadways and distribute traffic and are intended to minimize access conflicts. These arterials may also be section line roads. As shown in Figure 36, most arterials in Meridian are on section lines, in one mile intervals north -south and east -west. The notable exceptions are Pine Avenue and Main Street downtown. A number of the arterial roadways in Meridian are currently two-lane roadways; with the rapid growth over the past ten years, arterial roadways are transitioning into three- and five -lane roadways. Interstates, State Highways and Arterials Meridian has three State Highways that traverse through it. A fourth, State Highway 16 (SH 16), is planned as a freeway/ expressway to someday traverse the western edge of the City. The southern portion of Meridian is bisected from the northern part of town by Interstate 84 (I-84). There are four (principal arterial) state highways that have a significant influence on the transportation system and therefore deserve special attention: FIGURE 3B: INSET OF 2040 PLANNING FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION MAP ' J J O a � m m Lake Hazel v a v o, Hw, = a hinder, Slv tj Interstate m °o ---- Proposed Interstate o € _ ;, K �olum�ia m Expressway cMillan R H o> McMillan Rd �0 - - - - Proposed Expressway war — Principal Arterial Ustick Rd - - - - Proposed Principal Arterial Minor Arterial ° o o Fairview Ave >- " ---- Proposed Minor Arterial Future Interchanges Pine St m Type Franklin Rd � New Interchange - New Overpass ------r------ Source: COMPASS, 2013. Original @ http://www.compassidaho.org/prodsery/tunc-maps.htm CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) 0 m Lake Hazel Rd a K tj m v o v m K �olum�ia m c F O �0 Source: COMPASS, 2013. Original @ http://www.compassidaho.org/prodsery/tunc-maps.htm CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: State Highway SS/Eagle Road, between Fairview Avenue and River Valley Street US 20-26/Chinden Boulevard: US 20-26, also known as Chinden Boulevard, runs along the northern edge of the City. This highway serves as the north boundary of Meridian's Area of City Impact east of Linder Road and bisects the Area of City Impact west of Linder Road. It is expected to be five to seven lanes wide at build -out of the City. The City believes this roadway needs to be protected from multiple access points and preserved as a high capacity corridor (see the US 20-26 Access Management Plan) The City of Meridian has ordinances and development standards that preserve the highway as a major regional transportation facility, connecting the cities of Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Merid- ian, Eagle and Boise. The City supports beautification and appropriate sound mitigation measures along the Chinden Boulevard corridor. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) State Highway 16 (future extension): The extension of State Highway 16 from State Highway 44 to I-84 is a critical step to providing regional mobility for citizens from north Ada County and Gem County to I-84 and south Ada County. A preferred alignment and Environ- ment Study have been completed. The 2040 Planning Functional Classification Map designates SH 16 as an expressway. SH 16 is currently under construction from State Highway 44 down to US 20-26, and is scheduled for completion in August of 2014. The section of SH 16 between US 20-26 and I-84 is currently unfunded. State Highway 55/Eagle Road: State Highway 55 (SH 55), also known as Eagle Road, connects Meridian with the cities of Boise to the east and Eagle to the north. Eagle Road is the most heavily traveled non - interstate roadway in the State of Idaho. Issues that impact Eagle Road traffic will also have an impact on all of Meridian. Recent improvements to Eagle Road include widening, safety medians, additional lighting, and landscaping consistent with the ITD Eagle Road Corridor Study. Additional widening improvements are still planned, and the City will continue to pursue additional enhancements to reduce congestion and improve usability and safety for all modes of travel. » State Highway 69/Meridian Road: State Highway 69 (SH 69), also known as Meridian Road, connects Meridian with Kuna to the south. Although SH 69/ Meridian Road is on a section line, and is designated as an arterial throughout Meridian, it varies in form and function. Meridian Road is designated as a minor arterial from Chinden Boulevard, south to Cherry Lane, where it changes in designation to a principal arterial. For the next two miles, between Cherry Lane and I-84, Meridian Road, goes through downtown and is owned and maintained by ACHD. At I-84, Meridian Road becomes State Highway 69 and is a State of Idaho -maintained facility. Meridian Road/SH 69 varies in street section and speed throughout the City, but not in its importance to the transportation network. The City of Meridian has ordinances and development standards that preserve Meridian Road through downtown and south of the Interstate. Collectors Collectors serve as key transportation routes and link local roads with other collectors or arterials. Typically, they pro- vide direct service to residential areas, contain two to three travel lanes, and have sidewalks and bicycles lanes. Collec- tors typically have right-of-way widths between 57 and 88 feet, and may have on -street parking. Examples of current collector roadways are: Central Drive, Long Lake Way, and Chateau Drive. Collectors are designed to carry higher volumes of traffic and (often seamlessly) connect one arterial to another through a given mile. Collectors are typically constructed by private developers at the time of construction of a subdivision. They may or may not connect through an entire mile section as a classified collector, but in conjunction with local streets, they should connect from one arterial to another. Collector roads were the subject of an Ada County Highway District - funded study by J -U -B Engineers in August 2001. The City of Meridian supports and will apply the following conclusions of that study: » Intersection Spacing: Intersections of collector roads and arterial roads should be located at or near the V2 mile point within any given section. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) » Alignment: Collectors should extend in an essentially straight line for 200 feet to 400 feet from an intersec- tion. Beyond that point the alignment is flexible. » Discontinuity Between Sections: Collectors should not be in a straight alignment for more than two miles to prevent their use as de facto arterials. » Further, the City will use the ACHD Livable Street Design Guide and Master Street Map when reviewing development applications for collector design and cross-section. Local Streets Local streets serve to provide direct access to abutting resi- dential and commercial areas and should be for local traffic movement. Generally, they are two lanes wide with parking and sidewalks, and have a right-of-way width of approximately 50 feet. Through traffic is discouraged. Approximately 70% of streets in Meridian are classified as local streets. Entryway Corridors The City has designated several entryway corridors that lead into and out of the community. As a gateway to the City, the principle is to protect and strengthen the visual appearance of the roadway corridor for those entering. Entryway corridors are depicted on the Future Land Use Map and explained in the text of the Comprehensive Plan. Generally, entryway corridors require additional landscaping along key arterial roadways. Travel Times and Commuting As shown in Table 3E, the average commute time in 2012 for those living in Meridian is 20.2 minutes. This isjust slightly longer than the average commute time for all Ada County residents. However, the average commute time in Meridian is less than the surrounding communities of Eagle, Kuna and Star. The time of day people travel has a significant impact on not only commute times but also on planning for transportation infrastructure. The highest portion of trips in Ada County occurs during the morning and late -afternoon rush hours. Therefore, demand on roadways leads to congestion during these peak times. This congestion often causes more people to look at alternative times to travel, and when available, alternative modes of transportation. In Ada County, the "rush CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 3E: AVERAGE COMMUTE TIME TO WORK I h Boise 18.3 Eagle 24.1 Garden City 11.6 Runa 25.9 Star 30.3 Nampa 22.1 Ada 19.9 Canyon 22.1 Source: 2012 COMPASS Regional Household Travel Survey. hour" is only about two hours per day with peaks between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. (see Figure 3C). Spreading out the distribution of trips would make more efficient use of the transportation infrastructure already in place. Policies like staggered work hours or non-traditional work schedules, could be designed by businesses to encour- age travel outside of the normal rush hour. Today, most work schedules are the traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 Note: See Table 3E for data Transportation Funding Plans Long -Range Plans The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) maintains the region's long range transporta- tion plan, Communities in Motion (CIM), which contains the regionally significant corridors in Ada, Canyon, Elmore, Boise, Gem and Payette counties. COMPASS does transportation modeling for the region and uses traffic forecasts to not only anticipate where roadway projects are needed but also to monitor air quality standards and to provide development activity reports. The COMPASS Board, which is composed of local elected officials and special interest organizations, is charged with making decisions about transportation and related air quality planning, primarily through CIM. The 2035 version of the long-range plan was adopted by the COMPASS Board in 2010. FIGURE 3C: MERIDIAN AREA TRIP DISTRIBUTION BY TIME OF DAY 2013 (Average Weekday Traffic for 1 Selected Sites) 10.01/4 8.0% g 2.0% 0.0% E o 0 0 o E o 0 o g g 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 o g 6 a== 4 4 4 x 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Time of Source: ITD Traffic Counts October 2013, via COMPASS, February 2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The 2040 version of the plan, currently in draft format, is to be adopted in 2014. The Federal government requires CIM to be updated at least every four years. The plan addresses anticipated transportation issues over the next 20 years, evaluates how projected population and economic growth and development patterns will impact current transportation facilities, and considers funding and expenditures for future transportation needs. CIM seeks to strike a balance between roadway expansion, maintenance and other transportation alternatives, such as transit, carpooling, bicycling, walking, and transportation demand management. The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) also has a long-range transporta- tion plan, called the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), for Ada County. The ACHD CIP lists arterial roadways that are eligible to use impact fee dollars that are generated within the County. The ACHD CIP is fiscally constrained with a 20 year horizon. Short -Range Plans In addition to long-range plans, ITD and ACHD have near-term transportation plans. The ITD's Transportation Investment Program (ITIP) contains about five years of projects and is typically updated annually by the ITD Board, with input from other agencies (like COMPASS) and the public. The projects in COMPASS's CIM are used to draft the Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) which feeds into the ITIP. The ITIP shows how Federal transportation funds will be used to finance projects including: roadways, bridges, highway safety, public transportation, maintenance projects like overlays (i.e., new layers of paving), and even airports and air quality projects. The ACHD near-term funding program is called the Integrated Five Year Work Plan (IFYWP). This plan is usually adopted in summer each year by the ACHD Board of Commissioners. The IFYWP primarily contains both maintenance and capital projects for roadways, intersections, bridges and pedestrian facilities, and is meant to coincide with the overall budget adoption process. Projects in the IFYWP are prioritized primarily on safety, congestion and other cost -benefit and programmatic criteria. Each year the City of Meridian sends a list of priority projects to ITD, COMPASS and ACHD for consideration as the ITIP, TIP and IFYWP are adopted (see below for more information). Funding Funding for roadways in Meridian, and throughout Ada County, is provided through taxes and fees. Most of the moneyfor roadway maintenance and new capital projects are provided via the gas tax, vehicle registration fees, Highway User Funds, development impact fees, and property taxes. In 2005, the ITD recommended that a new program, GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds, be used to fund six transportation corridors throughout the state. Three of the six corridors: I-84, Caldwell to Meridian; I-84, Orchard to Isaacs Canyon; and, Idaho 16, I-84 to Emmett, are in the Treasure Valley. To date, almost $900 million in GARVEE bonds have been authorized by the Legislature. GARVEE funds were used to widen I-84, build a new interchange at I-84 and Ten Mile Road, and reconstruct the Meridian Road Interchange, which is one of the last GARVEE projects. To keep up with demand, other funding options, like a local option sales tax, an increase to the gas tax and/or establishing economic development zones, have been discussed by the Legislature, but have not been approved. New funding mechanisms will most likely be needed to keep up with the demand for both maintenance and expansion of the necessary transportation infrastructure in the Valley. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Meridian's Priority Roadway Projects Each year the City Council, at the recommendation of the City's Transportation Commission, sends a list of high priority transportation projects to ITD, ACHD, and COMPASS. The projects in the priority list include state facilities (highways and interchanges), ACHD roadways and intersections, and key pedestrian projects. In 2013, some of the top priority projects were: Ten Mile Road, Cherry to Ustick (road widen- ing); Ustick, Meridian to Leslie Way (road widening); Ten Mile Road, Ustick to McMillan (road widening); Linder Road, Franklin to Cherry (road widening including RR crossing); Meridian Interchange Rebuild; Linder Road Overpass; and pedestrian sidewalks in downtown. Most of the money for roadway maintenance and new capital projects is provided via the gas tax, vehicle registration fees, Highway User Funds, development impact fees, and property taxes. Linking Transportation and Land Use The relationship between housing, transportation, and the environment is becoming more evident every day. Changes to one impact the others, and there are very real financial and quality of life implications for decisions. In June 2009, a partnership between HUD, DOT and EPA was established to encourage livable and sustainable communities. This Federal -level partnership and policies have set the stage for what is being worked on locally. Photo: Completing the Split Corridor Phase 2 project was a priority for the City use to implement TLIP: the Complete Streets Policy, the Livable Streets Design Guide, a Cost Share Policy, and a Master Street Map. Complete Streets Policy The primary purpose of the ACHD Complete Streets Policy is to ensure that streets, bridges, and transit stops within Ada County are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained so that pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and people of all ages and abilities can travel safely and indepen- dently on and along public streets. In the past, for example, ACHD primarily constructed five -lane arterial streets with attached sidewalk, no bike lanes, and no concern for the abutting land uses. The Complete Streets Policy balances all users' needs and sets the foundation for land use agencies to partner with ACHD to create user-friendly corridors that meet the needs of the traveling public as well as the goals of comprehensive and specific area plans. The Complete Streets Policy is contained in Section 3100 of the ACHD Policy Manual. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Cost Share Policy To better connect transportation planning and land use decisions, ACHD and the cities in Ada County have compiled A tool in the TLIP repository is the ACHD Cost Share Policy. the Transportation and Land Use Integration Plan (TLIP). This The Cost Share Policy maintains flexibility within the roadway plan, initiated in 2007 and adopted in 2009, envisions livable design process, establishes a consistent set of transporta- streets for the future. The goal is to create a roadway network tion elements that ACHD will be responsible for, and allows that balances the needs of all roadway users —motorists, partnering agencies an opportunity to participate in creating pedestrians, cyclists, transit and people with disabilities—with a "complete" street section. This policy allows partnering streets that complement the built environment. Because a agencies to work with ACHD to design, construct and fund one -size -fits -all program for roadway construction does not non -transportation elements as part of ACHD's road improve - respond to the land use needs of the community, the City ment projects. Many times the City requests features like and ACHD have agreed to work more closely tojoin together detached sidewalks with landscaping or multi -use pathways the land use plans of the City with the transportation plans to improve pedestrian safety and enhance community of the District. There are four tools that ACHD and the City aesthetics along specific roadways. The Cost Share Policy allows a partnering agency to enter into an agreement with CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) ACHD to ensure appropriate improvements are included for all users, in road projects. Master Street Map In January of 2010, ACHD adopted a Master Street Map for Ada County. This map is another TLIP planning tool that works in conjunction with city comprehensive plans. The Map creates a vision for future roadway characteristics based on land use plans and transportation goals. The Master Street Map provides the guide for arterial right-of-way needs, col- lector street locations and design, regional mobility corridor locations and design, and other specific roadway features desired throughout the City and its Area of City Impact. The Master Street Map designates location, function, and typology for roadways, and specifies the number of travel lanes and right-of-way needed for each collector and arte- rial in Meridian. Meridian supports the Master Street Map through adoption by reference in the City's Comprehensive Plan. The information contained on the Master Street Map is used by both ACHD and the City when roadway projects are beginning the design process, and in the development review process. Livable Streets Design Guide The final tool in the TLIP toolbox is the Livable Streets Design Guide. The Guide sets the design parameters for roadways in Ada County. After referencing the Master Street Map to see what type of roadway is planned, a developer, agency staff, or the general public can go to the Guide to see what elements are specifically envisioned for any arterial and collector roadway. Based on the City's land use components contained in the Comprehensive Plan, pathway locations on the Master Pathway Plan and ACHD's needs for capacity, the Livable Streets Design Guide illustrates what each street typology should look like. There are customized cross sections CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Detatched walkways and landscape buffers help to protect pedestrians from Yehides within the Guide for access, the pedestrian zone, parking, transit, bicycles, buffers, travel lanes and landscaping. Figure 3D depicts an example roadway typology from the Livable Streets Design Guide. Mobility Management Mobility management is a concept that focuses on using all available resources to augment and advance mobility for all people. Several strategies are typically used to meet the needs of citizens from all walks of life. In 2009, COMPASS, through a Federal grant, developed the Mobility Management FIGURE 3D: EXAMPLE OF MASTER STREET MAP ROADWAY TYPOLOGY Design/Operating Speed 35 mph 6e • • ° • Numberofravel Lanes u, ®� (perdirection) Travel Lane Dimensions 11' a CenterTurn Lane r / c a 4 •' Dimensions ° a Q r %/ - 9� O Q Right Turn Lanes Allowed for heavy turning movements or heavy trudatafhc n Medians l I; to be substituted with tum lanes at intersections Median Openings for cross streets only when medians used fi Bicycle Lanes I c v On -Street Parking Permitted, not typical; but possible Tpemllel Za j �A � when used (includes gutter pan width) Drainage curb and gutter Buller Area 6'(see dear zone and buffer zone below) Q d Sidewalk 5'minimum recommended (see walk zone a dimension below; frontage zone allows shy area from sidewalk as needed) / Intersection Contrd signals or stops (stops cart cross streets only) Lighting Standards vehicle/roadway only Source: Residential Arterial, ACHD Livable Street Design Guide, May 2009. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The landsmpng andenhanom Pedestriammnevearmentsdeplored lnthe noss- sectx m s depen d en hrtme fun ding and Nrure maintenance by a developer er fro n jurisdiction. Thesemsrsare, notbome byACHD. Streettreesplacerim six(6)-footbuf- fer(cwnWnedCkarard8 Oo Zones) require mot bonen, or, city/county/developer asn provide addal m rof two (2) fee oRighr-of way —see ACHD Lee Pluming Polley Pedestrian Zone This Is an Illustratme le,end to explain how the pedes- trian rove Is broken down: the colors do NOrindicate color -based surface treatments. Clearzone:2' IN Buffer Zone: 4' Walk Zone: S'minimum recommended . Frontage Zone: 2'for utility placement and buffer from walls The landsmpng andenhanom Pedestriammnevearmentsdeplored lnthe noss- sectx m s depen d en hrtme fun ding and Nrure maintenance by a developer er fro n jurisdiction. Thesemsrsare, notbome byACHD. Streettreesplacerim six(6)-footbuf- fer(cwnWnedCkarard8 Oo Zones) require mot bonen, or, city/county/developer asn provide addal m rof two (2) fee oRighr-of way —see ACHD Lee Pluming Polley Development Guidebook to help local governments establish partnerships and collaborate to provide the most efficient transportation system. The guidebook is a resource manual of best practices that incorporates transit access, mobility enhancements, and site and road design. The Guidebook includes a checklist for local governments, developers, and others to incorporate access and mobility into land use decisions. The Guidebook also explores how providing mode choices helps to serve all roadway users. Roadways to Bikeways In May 2009, a long-range master plan for bicycle facilities in Ada County was adopted by the ACHD Commission. The Roadways to Bikeways Plan provides a broad vision, policy, and goals and objectives for how the ACHD can facilitate and improve conditions for bicycling in Ada County. The Plan designates dedicated bicycle facilities within a quarter -mile from 95% of Ada County residents; it will connect all parts of the County. The adopted bicycle master plan guides future investments in the bicycle system on roadways: to enhance and expand the existing on -street bikeway network, fill-in gaps, address constrained areas, provide for greater local and regional connectivity and encourage more bicycling. The Plan also provides basis for signed, shared roadways, bicycle boulevard designations, and a variety of programs and policies to allow and promote safe, efficient, and convenient bicycle travel. In 2012, ACHD also adopted the Downtown Meridian Neighborhood Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, which identifies safety and connectivity needs within the downtown area. Within Meridian, there are currently 14 miles of bike lanes and 5.25 miles of bike routes. A bicycle map, available on the ACHD website, shows the current and planned bicycle routes. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) FIGURE 3E: SHARED -USE PATHWAY ALONG WATERWAY Source: Updated graphic from the Meridian Pathway Master Plan, 2010. Pathway System and Sidewalks The Meridian Pathways Master Plan is a guide for pathway development over the next 20 to 50 years. The Plan proposes an extensive pathway network stemming from the existing creeks, canals and other drainage or irrigation laterals within and around the City of Meridian. The Plan includes an inven- tory of existing pathways and micro -pathways, as well as a comprehensive network of future pathways that will connect residents to schools, parks, businesses, neighborhoods, and various recreation and entertainment destinations. The City of Meridian currently maintains nine pathways, including the Fothergill Pathway, the Bear Creek Pathway, the Blackstone Pathway, the Locust Grove Pathway, the H.R. Bud Porter Pathway, the Diane & Winston Moore Pathway, the Five Mile Creek Pathway from Pine to Badley, the Jackson Drain f Connection, and the Lochsa Falls/Paramount Pathway. Today, these pathways primarily serve as a recreational amenity, but they are also used for commuters going to and from work and school. The Pathways Master Plan includes detailed maps and design standards for future pathways in the City. As an offshoot of the Meridian Pathways Master Plan, the City also finalized a Rail with Trail Action Plan in early 2010. The Action Plan takes a closer look at the Union Pacific Rail Corridor, presents a conceptual alignment for a multi -use pathway paralleling the tracks from McDermott Road to Eagle Road, and proposes strategies for implementation of the future facility. In 2014, the City received a Transportation Alternatives Projects (TAP) grant to study the trail/arterial crossings near the railroad tracks. Additional local and federal FIGURE 3F: TYPICAL ON -STREET MULTI -USE PATHWAY 12 - 14' I1 64 I 10' Source: Updated graphic from the Meridian Pathway Master Plan, 2010. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) grant money is being pursued for design and construction of the trail. ACHD has a dedicated pool of funds for projects that expand and enhance a safe, efficient, and accessible pedestrian and bicycle network for all residents of Ada County. These pedestrian and bicycle projects are known as Community Programs. ACHD currently offers a Community Programs application for pedestrian and traffic calming projects which gives citizens, neighborhood associations, and land use agencies the ability to apply for projects. As of 2010, a target of 5% of the annual Integrated Five Year Work Plan capital funds are dedicated to Community Programs, which typically equates to $1.5 - $2 million per year. In addition, half of the local vehicle registration fee money goes toward Community Programs each year. Through public outreach programs, the community has previ- ously highlighted the need for more quality parks, recreation programs, pathways, and other public amenities. The Treasure Valley Futures Program Community Outreach emphasized the community's interest in more pedestrian linkages and enhanced design standards. The City is interested in making these linkages when opportunities present themselves. The City's Unified Development Code requires sidewalks and micro -pathways be installed with new subdivisions. Through ACHD's Community Programs, a group of select community members have identified gaps in the pedestrian pathway and sidewalk system. These gaps now await improvement. Transit Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is the regional public trans- portation authority for Ada and Canyon counties. VRT does not currently provide a fixed -line bus service in Meridian. However, the City is currently working with VRT to design and then implement a fixed -line bus system. Annually, the City contributes to an inter -county transit service that runs between Nampa -Caldwell and Meridian -Boise. Park-and-ride lots serve as the primary stop for the inter -county bus. Two City Council members serve on the VRT Board which establishes policy and guides the strategic priorities for public transportation. VRT has an approved plan to develop a regional public transportation system in the Treasure Valley. The plan, called ValleyConnect, calls for bus services in all cities in Ada and Canyon counties. Commuteride and Carpools ACHD operates a Commuteride vanpool service in Ada County where each van accommodates 11 to 14 people. The Commuteride program provides ride matching services that connect commuters with similar home and work locations and schedules. Similarly, Commuteride helps businesses plan a customized vanpool service for businesses and their employees. Commuteride Carpool and Vanpool Service is a cooperative effort between ACHD, VRT, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). Park -and -Ride Lots Park-and-ride lots are a service provided by ACHD. The lots offer a place for commuters to park and collectively ride to work in a prearranged carpool or vanpool. Existing park-and-ride lots are located at Gem Street between Main Street and Meridian Road; Overland Road and SH 69 (Country Terrace); Overland Road and Eagle Road (Rackham Way); and at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center (Eagle Road/I-84). To assist potential users, these lots are marked with green and white directional signs. The City anticipates that additional park-and-ride lots will be necessary in the future and will CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) coordinate with ACHD on siting these future lots as develop- ment demands. Park-and-ride lots are a service provided by ACHD. The lots offer a place for commuters to park and collectively ride to work in a prearranged carpool or vanpool. Air Travel The City of Meridian does not have an airport within the City limits or Area of City Impact. However, the Boise Airport (BOI) provides passenger and freight service to the citizens and local businesses. BOI is the only public, general aviation and commercial airport located within Ada County. The airport is located approximately ten miles east of Meridian off I-84. BOI serves over three million passengers annually. It is also home to the Idaho Air National Guard and the National Interagency Fire Center. There are also airports just west of Meridian, including the Nampa Airport (MAN) and Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL), providing professional pilots, businessmen, corporate, industrial and recreational aircraft owners aviation options. Rail The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) owned Boise Cutoff spur rail line runs east—west and bisects the City between Cherry Lane and Franklin Road. In 2009, the Boise Valley Railroad began operation along the spur line to provide freight movement to industrial customers. Today, WATCO Companies has a long-term lease with UPRR to operate the Cutoff in Meridian. In 2009, a preliminary study was completed by the region's planning organization (COMPASS) to determine the feasibility of a regional high capacity mass transit line. The High Priority Corridor Study identified the Boise Cutoff as the primary candidate for a future transit line. A future multi -use pathway (rail with trail) is also in the planning stages along the rail line. Meridian's current Comprehensive Plan and the land uses along this corridor reflect the anticipated multi -modal uses along the rail corridor. Community Design Community design tends to focus on elements of the natural and built environment that contribute value to living, working and playing in the community. One could make an argu- ment that all of the components in this report should be analyzed in this section. It is true that most all of the other components (land use, transportation, housing, etc) factor into community design. However, for the purposes of this report, community design includes analysis primarily on design review, sustainability, livability, healthy initiatives, and arts and community events. These terms are all inter -related and are very subjective, the terms often mean different things and/or are more or less important to different people and groups. The goal of this section of the report is to explain how the community has come together to define what community design means and frame how it works in Meridian. As the City moves forward with the Comprehensive Plan policies, it will use this framework to analyze and develop potential strategies for the City. The inherent goal of community design is to improve on the livability and quality of life for not only current, but also future generations of Meridian residents. In this section of the report, a description of the current policies, initiatives and programs that contribute to community design and quality CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Community design provides flexibility to be creative, while protecting neighboring investments and community values of life are presented. Like the other elements analyzed in this report, the components of this chapter directly shape the look, feel and function of the community known as Meridian. A large portion of this section of the report is dedicated to the City's design review process. Design review is a process that applies design review procedures, guidelines, and standards for the review of outdoor projects and physical development. Essentially, it is a discretionary review of the aesthetic aspects of physical development. The design review examines the physical and functional relationships of the various components of development and works in tandem with adopted zoning codes and use standards. Community design also involves preserving and enhancing unique and extraordinarily valuable areas of the City. Basi- cally, community design provides a means to maintain the unique characteristics of the City, and to improve the built environment for today and tomorrow. This section also addresses livability and sustainability, two buzzwords in society today. In Meridian, livability and sustainability go hand-in-hand with a healthy community, including physical, social, and mental health. Arts, community events and celebrations all play a role in making Meridian livable. A truly healthy community is one that is sustainable long-term, working with its current residents to define what elements are key to providing a high quality of life today and for future generations. When the 2002 version of the Comprehensive Plan was developed, citizen groups met to discuss issues and concerns regarding community character. Issues related to development included infilling or increasing density within the city limits and preserving habitats and natural areas. These issues will be addressed later in the report. Many stakeholders thought that particular areas within the City were under -used and that perhaps, these should be the first areas considered for redevelopment rather than farmlands/green fields. Many felt that the City under -utilizes areas already disturbed by development. Residents were also sensitive to preserving open space within urban areas; they felt that by identifying these areas and natural resource areas such as wetlands, riparian areas, and wildlife areas, the City could achieve a balance of open space and new development. Planting more trees and designing a community garden were also discussed. These elements relate directly to community design and creating a high quality of life. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) As part of the overall planning process for the 2002 Com- prehensive Plan, a sub -committee was established to discuss community design and special sites. This sub -committee identified a number of issues and concerns that focused on design standards, zoning, and the implementation of the current Comprehensive Plan. Standards of specific concern related to gateways and community signage. Citizens sug- gested establishing a unified sign and gateway theme for the community. Also, they expressed concern regarding the protection of existing special sites like waterways and historic buildings. These concerns form the foundation for the goals, objectives, and action items contained in the Comprehensive Plan. A truly healthy community is one that is sustainable long-term, working with its current residents to define what elements are key to providing a high quality of life today and for future generations. Design Review In 2007, the City Council determined it was in the best interest of the City to discuss implementing citywide design review. City Planning staff established a design review steering com- mittee to guide them in crafting the program. Members of the design review steering committee, representing various professions from the development community, volunteered numerous hours and offered their expertise, insight, and experience to assist City staff in drafting the guidelines for design review. Design review is intended to promote and establish com- munity character and economic stability by ensuring that urban design and architectural principles adhere to com- munity established goals. Design review is also intended to protect the general health, safety and welfare of the citizens by enhancing property values; protecting the natural envi- ronment; promoting community pride; protecting historical resources; preserving the aesthetic qualities which contribute to a City's character; and promoting the economic vitality of the community by preserving and creating well-designed commercial and residential developments. The design guidelines contained in the City's Design Manual implement the vision of the community and enhance quality of life through good design practices. The design guidelines are meant to work in concert with existing development, the Comprehensive Plan, and City Code. The Design Manual The Design Manual and design review process establish standards to encourage quality building and site design. They establish a set of guiding principles and flexible standards that encourage creativity as opposed to mandating specific standards. The Design Manual establishes expectations for proposed developments based on the context: urban, rural, or suburban, in which the development is proposed. These design guidelines were developed to address the following: 1. Building Orientation 2. Building Form Scale and Materials 3. Fa4ade Treatment, Entrances and Roofs 4. Pedestrian Pathways and Connectivity CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Open space on the Scentsy Campus provides employees opportunities to stay active and enjoy the outdoors 5. Streetscape Design 6. Site Design 7. Parking In addition to providing the City with a planning tool that uses design guidelines to address the functional and aesthetic qualities and characteristics of development, the Design Manual lays the foundation for growth and development to create attractive, lasting, and quality -built environments that contribute to the progression of Meridian as a livable community. Prescriptive Standards vs. Guidelines Design standards vary in the amount of detail and specific- ity that a community employs. Some communities provide general guidelines for design that allow some autonomy on the part of the developer and designer. The City of Merid- ian's Design Manual provides mostly general guidelines, but there are some specific design standards that are required through the Unified Development Code. This model provides flexibility and promotes creativity within the community, but sets a minimum standard for certain elements through code. The Manual provides graphic examples to lessen ambiguity for developers. Eliminating guesswork ensures the process is as efficient as possible but still allows for unique projects to be created. Entryway Corridors Meridian has designated several arterial roadways as entryway corridors, or gateways into the City. Generally, entryway corridors require additional landscaping along major arterial roadways that lead into and out of Meridian. These gateways have a significant effect on visitors first impression of the City, making them especially important for not only landscaping but also building, parking lot, and public space designs. Signs Signs are necessary not only for wayfinding, but also for advertising, marketing and community character purposes. Like landscaping in entryway corridors, signs can impress upon visitors a community's character. Signs should not be a distraction to motorists or pedestrians, or otherwise present a safety hazard by interfering with line -of -sight, blocking traffic control devices, or hampering traffic flow. Likewise, signs should enhance the aesthetics of the com- munity by complimenting building designs and landscaping. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Signs should provide assistance to the public and business owners in locating businesses, gathering places, roadways and other attractions. Meridian has taken a hard look at sign regulations to ensure there is balance between safety, advertising, communication, architectural elements, aesthet- ics, and free speech. Sustainability The fundamentals of sustainability within local government center on creating balanced solutions; solutions that deliver services at levels citizens expect; doing so in an environmentally and socially responsible way, and ensuring the best economic choice in the long term. These fundamentals interact in the process of balancing the needs of protecting and enhancing our economy, our natural environment and our community's built environment today and for future generations. Meridian's popularity as a prime location to build a business and raise a family has required the City to rise to the challenge of providing services at a new level of demand. Commercial and residential developers seek out Meridian because it is "livable." Yet, with growing demand for services, the City is challenged to maintain its well -touted "livability' factor. Over the last decade, the City of Meridian has assertively stepped-up to the challenges and dynamics of incorporating sustainability concepts in a variety of projects from tackling energy conservation issues; establishing a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and reclamation facility; to estab- lishing and staffing an Environmental Division within the Public Works Department. "Sustainability and Environmental Awareness" is a stated priority issue of City leadership and will be a dynamic aspect of how future service, programs and projects are understood, created and implemented. Future success bodes well, due to the accomplishments gained in Photo: The Portico office building achieved a LEED Gold rating the City's recent past, sustainable practices today are applied in Meridian in a wide variety of ways. Land Use and Transportation Planning As part of the its planning process, the City promotes areas of mixed-use development that bring shopping, services and recreation opportunities within walking distance of dwellings. The Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan exemplifies this type of compact, mixed-use development that will allow people to live in an area where they can get to work, go shopping, or go to dinner and see a movie without the need o a car. Mixed-use developments are envisioned to provide the necessary density of homes to support bus and transit CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) programs. Through this type of planning, automobile trips will be reduced along with their emissions. The City of Meridian continues to promote transporta- tion alternatives. For many years, the City has required that developers install segments of the multi -use pathway system as subdivisions are built. The Master Pathways Plan designates routes for multiple use pathways throughout the City. These pathways are intended for non -motorized usage. Sidewalks, paths, and bike lanes directly adjacent to roadways provide a link between pathways or between a pathway and a destination. People who choose to ride or walk rather than drive are typically replacing short automobile trips, which contribute disproportionately high amounts of pollutant emissions. Since bicycling and walking do not pollute, require no external energy source, and use land efficiently, they effectively move people from one place to another without adverse environmental impacts—they are sustainable forms of transportation. The potential of other modes of transportation, like bus and light-rail, are currently being evaluated. As mentioned previously in this report, the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) operates a Commuteride vanpool service in Ada County where each van accommodates 11 to 14 people as well as park-and-ride facilities. The City realizes that van and carpooling can help to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, reduce driver stress, and not overwhelm parking in downtown Meridian. To encourage more carpooling, the City has provided designated parking stalls at City Hall for those that carpool to/from work. Siting, Design and Construction The design, construction, and operation of buildings impact the environment. In 1998 the U.S. Green Building Council Photo: Meridian City Hall achieved a LEED Silver rating developed a set of standards for environmentally sustain- able design, construction and operation of buildings. These standards are formalized in certifying a building as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third -party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduc- tion, improved indoor environmental quality, and steward- ship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. LEED is a voluntary certification program that can be applied to any building type and any building lifecycle phase. It promotes CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) a whole -building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in key areas: 1. Sustainable Sites 2. Water Efficiency 3. Energy and Atmosphere 4. Materials and Resources 5. Indoor Environmental Quality 6. Locations and Linkages 7. Awareness and Education 8. Innovation in Design 9. Regional Priority Guidelines encouraging buildings to be sited and designed consistent with LEED concepts are included in the City's Design Manual. As an example of Meridian's efforts to be good stewards of the environment and to set a positive example, City Hall was constructed with LEED certification in mind. In 2009, Meridian City Hall achieved the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), Silver Certification. Among other benefits, Idaho Power Company has calculated City Hall's annual energy savings to be the equivalent of providing power to 56 homes for an entire year. Energy In February 2009, the United States Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Included in the Act was the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program which appropriated funds to be used by states, local governments, and tribes for implementing energy conservation strategies and projects. The goal of the EECBG program was to reduce total energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emission and improve energy efficiency in transportation, building, and other sectors. Through the EECBG, Meridian was awarded $608,000.00 in 2009 for energy efficiency projects. A portion of the funds were used to prepare long and short term energy strategies for the City for increasing efficiency in city and public facilities, thereby reducing City operating costs and reducing greenhouse gases. Funds also went to a variety of constructed improvements, including replacing older less efficient pumps with blowers at the water treatment plant, replacing Main Street lights between Franklin Road and I-84 with more energy efficient bulbs, and upgrading other lighting fixtures at facilities throughout the City: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Reduction The City of Meridian has begun and completed a number of efforts to reduce and limit the impact of City operations on air quality in the Treasure Valley. The City has done this by working with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), supporting valley -wide initiatives, implementing City policies, evaluating land use applications, and by City departments and contracted entities using best management practices. The following are some of the actions the City has been involved in, or is currently implementing: 1. Town Hall Meetings on Business Emissions: The City has worked with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Idaho Small Business Develop- ment Center to give presentations to local businesses on strategies for them to reduce their emissions. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) 2. Clean Air Zone Idaho: The City of Meridian is a member of the Clean Air Zone Idaho program. This program encourages citizens to avoid idling and "Turn off your engine" while waiting in City parking lots. These signs are placed at all City facilities. This program improves air quality by reducing vehicle emissions. 3. Telecommute to work: The City has instituted a VPN, or virtual private network, that allows city workers to telecommute. The VPN provides remote access to the network, file, and servers through a secure connection, allowing certain employees to perform their work from home or other locations when needed. Every trip eliminated from the City's roadways improves its overall air quality by eliminating vehicle emissions. 4. Radio Read Meters: The City of Meridian's Public Works Department staff utilizes radio read meter technology and in -vehicle mounted computers to transmit and access information in an effort to reduce trips to and from the field and office. This technology not only reduces fuel costs but also pollutant emissions. S. On-line Business: The City of Meridian has expanded the amount of business that can be conducted with the City on its website. The City recognizes that every transaction that can be done online is a potential trip off the road. 6. Biogas: The City installed biogas conditioning equip- ment at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, to treat the methane -rich biogas so that it can be used to provide heat to the digesters and wastewater treatment plant buildings. The Public Works Department diverts and utilizes the biogas generated from the anaerobic digesters as an alternative fuel amendment (in lieu of combusting natural gas) in a few of the wastewater treatment plant's boilers. The use of biogas as the heating source for the digestion process saves the City up to $5,000 per month during winter operations. Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Reuse The Public Works Department Wastewater Division operates and maintains a centralized wastewater treatment facility. This facility is located in northwest Meridian, near the Ustick and Ten Mile intersection. With a vision for sustainability, Meridian became the first city in Idaho to be issued a City- wide Class A Reclaimed Water Permit in 2009. This permit CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Reclaimed water system at the Meridian Wastewater Treatment Plant signified a change in how the City uses existing and finite water resources available in the Treasure Valley Aquifer System. The City is now using highly treated, or reclaimed water, instead of irrigation water on selected City parks, the Ten Mile Interchange Landscaping, a commercial car wash, and other open spaces. This conserves ground water and reduces discharge flows into the Boise River. As Meridian is located in an and climate, reclaimed water is a "drought - proof" water supply that reduces demand on municipal supply, frees up agricultural water for agricultural uses, and lowers effluent flow to the Boise River. It demonstrates economic and environmental sustainability for wastewater treatment plants. A nutrient recovery process that produces fertilizer was Preservation and Restoration of Natural Resources assessed at the Meridian Wastewater Treatment facility through Avast majority of Meridian's natural watercourses have been a three-week pilot study in 2009. The study was conducted altered by irrigation users. Many residents no longer recognize at no -cost to the City of Meridian as part of a public-private these creeks and watercourses as natural resources. While partnership. The study revealed that implementing the Meridian residents and visitors are often denied access and process would be effective in generating an environmentally potential benefits from these watercourses and associated friendly fertilizer through the removal of a percentage of the floodplains, these same water courses do provide critical phosphorus load. The Public Works Department's vision for "Our irrigation water delivery. sustainability holds that Wastewater Treatment Plant, by the year 2030, will be self-sustaining—utilizing closed- In recent years, there have been renewed efforts to study looped systems to recycle and/or reuse 80% of the waste additional restoration opportunities to improve and reestablish stream via water reclamation, co -generation, and nutrient some of the historical and natural conditions of waterways. recycling strategies." The City has held conversations on how to better educate the general public about the importance of these waterways for natural conservation, regulatory needs, and for the history of the irrigation districts that support agricultural industry. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) During the summer of 2009, the City's Public Works Depart- ment, with the assistance of volunteers and members of the Idaho Youth Conservation Corps, oversaw Meridian's first stream restoration project along the Five Mile Creek near Locust Grove Road and Franklin Road. Restoration targeted a 700 -linear -foot stretch of the creek. The work helped reshape this portion of the creek to a more natural condition and preserve the floodplain from development. The project was paid for by wetlands mitigation funds from the Idaho Transportation Department. The City plans for more projects like the Five Mile Creek restoration in the future. Solid Waste Republic Services is the solid waste collection contractor for the City of Meridian. Republic is dedicated to provid- ing reliable and innovative recycling and waste reduction programs to the City. See Chapter 4, Solid Waste, for more information on recycling efforts. Livability and Quality of Life As explained at the beginning of the Community Design section, livability and quality of life are hard terms to explain and measure. Benchmarks, or metrics for measuring livability, are difficult to describe. Often places that are livable have the "it" factor. They are the most sought after places to live. For the purposes of this report, livability and quality of life refer to the environmental and social quality of an area as perceived by its residents. Community livability is about creating neighborhoods that are safe, vibrant, attractive, affordable, accessible, cohesive, and full of character. A few key factors that primarily contribute to livability within a community are: health, personal security, overall cleanliness, quality and quantity of social interaction opportunities, entertainment, aesthetics, and existing unique cultural and natural resources. Livability is largely affected by conditions in the public realm—places where people naturally interact with each other and their community—like parks, streets and sidewalks, and other community gathering places. Livability is important because it can maintain or increase property values and business activity, and it can improve public health and safety. New urbanism (sometimes referred to as Smart Growth and/ or Neotraditional Design) is a land use strategy striving to enhance quality of life. New urbanism has gained traction over the past several years, and some of the design ele- ments of New Urbanism are included as part of the City of Meridian's planning documents. Essentially, new urbanism is a land use management strategy that is based on making a community more livable by providing walkable, connected, mixed-use, diverse, sustainable, high-quality neighborhoods that provide a variety of transportation options for everyone. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Although there are no statistical data on Meridian's livability today, one could argue that Meridian's popularity indicates that many of the livability factors are present in most areas of Meridian. This is not to imply that the City should not explore ways to improve our neighborhoods and make them even more livable. Healthy Initiatives The impact of the built environment on public health contin- ues to be explored by many organizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a healthy community as: "A community that is continuously creating and improv- ing those physical and social environments and expanding those community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing to their maximum potential." The City realizes that it is at the local level that it is imperative to take a proactive approach in addressing the link between the built environment and health. By 2040 nearly 50% of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65 or under the age 18. Therefore the livable and sustainable community of the future must have physical and social features that benefit people of all ages. When a wide range of needs is addressed, family and individuals have the opportunity to stay and thrive in their communities as they age. Multi -generational planning also builds community. Rather than creating and encouraging social, income, or age -segregating neighborhoods of the past, the City hopes to foster diverse multi -generational neighborhoods that accommodate different lifestyles and stages which contribute to sustainable communities. The City encourages a mix of not only housing options, but also amenities and opportunities for interaction across generations. Today, Meridian does not have a plan to address aging and multi -generational needs. Through better understanding physical and social needs, building consensus, and developing new shared strategies that link the generations and build more inclusive and sus- tainable communities, the City can facilitate the creation of neighborhoods that are truly vibrant and healthy. Central District Health Department (CDHD) reviews develop- ment applications and sends comments and conditions back to the City, related to any potential public health issues. CDHD has adopted a policy to further smart growth and sustain- able development in southwest Idaho. Not surprisingly, the objective of the policy is to support land development and building decisions that promote improved public health. CDHD recognizes that the built environment has an impact on public health, with links to obesity, diabetes, and asthma, to name a few. This cooperative partnership between the City of Meridian and CDHD is not new, but what is new are some of the policies and principles these agencies are jointly trying to implement. Safe Walking Routes A healthy community is one that has good connectivity between residential areas and community gathering places, like schools. As part of the development review process, the City regularly requires developers to install sidewalk, micro -pathways and multi -use pathways that connect to school sites. The West Ada School District has walk route maps for their schools which can be found on their website. The City is in regular contact with West Ada School District and ACHD working to fill in gaps in the pedestrian system — particularly near elementary and middle schools. The City and the School District annually partner to compile a list of high priority pedestrian projects for ACHD's Community Programs. The list of priority projects, as well as the Safe Routes Map, is based on concerns City staff and School CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Detached pathway along Main Street near the Meridian Interchange District employees hear from parents and others in the community. Some programs, like Safe Routes to School, have been around for several years. The City supports the YMCA, via COMPASS, as they administer the Safe Routes to School Program in Ada County. Safe Routes coordinators go to elementary and middle schools in Meridian and educate children on things like bicycle and pedestrian safety. This fun, interactive, educational program has been well received throughout the community. Photo: Community fishing event Day Care Accessible, affordable and quality before- and after-school child care is a necessary component of creating a livable community. A robust local system of child care and early education programs has social, economic and environmental benefits for children, families and the community as a whole. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2012 64.6% of mothers with children under the age of 18 held jobs, and 56.7% of mothers with children under 1 year old held jobs. By providing child care service that is affordable and close (or within) residential areas, child care can contribute to the local economy by supporting parents and local employ- ers. The American Planning Association (APA) has long recognized that child care is a critical component of livable communities. As such, APA advocates for including child CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) care policies within local planning. Local planning policies play an important role in ensuring adequate child care in a community. Creating policies, identifying local resources and working with developers and community partners, the City hopes to have a more proactive and positive influence on the child care programs being provided in the future. Youth Programs Meridian prides itself on being a unique city with an abundance of choices that support our commitment to maintaining a safe and caring community and strive to be a place young people feel accepted, respected, and connected. Our city government and civic leaders are extremely pro -active in engaging youth in nearly every aspect of community life, including community service and opportunities to provide a youth perspective in policy making, advocacy, and issues of importance to young people. As the home to many families of all shares and sizes, Merid- ian's mission is to be a premier city to live, work and raise a family. Meridian has received recognition from several national award programs and publications. These honors include being selected by Family Circle Magazine as one of their "Top 10 Best Cities for Families," by Money Magazine as one of its "100 Best Places to Live;' and by America's Promise Alliance and ING as one of the nation's 100 Best Communities for Young People." The City of Meridian has developed and maintains severa initiatives and organizations focused specifically on youth. The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) is a teen organi- zation that gives a "voice" to our teens and opportunities for them to shape our future. Youth Council members, in graded 9 through 12, meet with the Mayor and other advisors twice a month to discuss issues and ideas of interest to the youth of Meridian. They are actively involved in many community service projects and events, and with several volunteer and advocacy activities they plan themselves. Events they have planned and participated in have focused on issues important to them as diverse as seatbelt use, texting while driving, smoking and nicotine use, and hunger. Through the City of Meridian's Youth on Commissions Program, high school students apply and are appointed to seats on City commissions, committees, coalitions, and task forces which serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council. These include the Parks and Recreation Commission, Transportation Commission, Mayor's Anti -Drug Coalition, Meridian Arts Commission, Historical Preservation Commission, and the Solid Waste Advisory Commission. To promote advanced education, the City annually offers up to four $1,000 City of Meridian Scholarships to graduat- ing seniors who will be attending accredited colleges or vocational programs. These scholarships are awarded to successful applicants who demonstrate evidence of leader- ship potential through their community involvement, as well as volunteerism, school activities, or work experience. Additional consideration is given to applicants who have completed the Meridian Police Department's Alive at 25 safe driving courses. Alive at 25 is a free defensive driving class taught several times a month by Meridian Police officers with the goal of lowering auto accidents involving teens and young adults, ages 14-24. Through interactive media segments, workbook exercises, class discussions and role playing, this four-hour course helps young drivers develop convictions and strategies that will keep them safer on the road. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Younger children in Meridian also have opportunities to engage with City government. For a number of years, the Mayor has invited presidents and CEOs of local companies to notjust sponsor a book but to alsojoin her in co -hosting the Mayor's and CEO's Kids Book Club. Each month during the school year, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 gather to discuss a pre -selected book with Mayor Tammy and each respective month's "leader -reader." The goal is to impart on our youth the importance of being a good reader, as well as the pure enjoyment to be found through reading a good book. Students who actively participate get to keep the hardcover books they are provided with, therefore building their own home libraries with high-quality books. To further promote reading and literacy, a Little Free Library is to be placed in Meridian City Hall's outdoor plaza, serving as a free all -hours community book exchange for children and adults alike. Through the City of Meridian's Youth on Commissions Program, high school students apply and are appointed to seats on City commissions, committees, coalitions, and task forces which serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council. Meridian's Parks and Recreation Department maintains 20 city parks, which feature child -friendly amenities such as playground equipment; ball fields; basketball, tennis, pickle ball, bocce and volleyball courts, Frisbee golf cages, game tables; splash pads; horseshoe pits; and skateboard ramps. The department also offers a variety of enrichment programs, classes, and day camps for children and teens, primarily offered at the Meridian Community Centerthe City owns and maintains, located in Old Town Meridian adjacent to the Centennial Park. Apart from programs and organizations offered through the City of Meridian, local children and teens have access to the Meridian Boys and Girls Club and the Homecourt YMCA. The Meridian Boys and Girls Club offers two sessions of kindergarten as well as after-school and school vacation care and activities for school -aged children. The Homecourt Y serves Meridian residents and is a sports complex featuring four full-sized basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Both facilities are operating at nearly full capacity and the Boys and Girls Club is looking to expand. In addition, the Treasure Valley YMCA is looking to build their next facility in the City of Meridian. It is possible that both projects would include a partnership with the City of Meridian who is also in dire need of additional space for indoor sports and other indoor activities. Senior Programs Photo: The Meridian Senior (enter in Kleiner Park On the other end of the age spectrum, older adults must interact with the built environment in ways that reflect became apparent that Meridian Seniors needed a place to their physical capabilities and lifestyle. Although they may have more time after retirement to enjoy parks and other call their own and they began to raise money with various recreational activities, conditions such as chronic diseases fund raising events. The Meridian Senior Center is now a non-profit community center that enhances the lives of and limited vision may limit mobility. Providing accessible and suitable housing options that are easily accessible to its members through traditional activities. These activities community destinations are key to allowing older adults to include bingo, pinochle, bridge, art, quilting, and exercise and sewing classes. The center also provides some specialized remain independent, active and engaged with the community. Housing for seniors that is integrated into the fabric of the activities and events, such as tax preparation assistance, community is becoming increasingly important as the Baby Alzheimers' Caregivers Support Group, attorney visits, and blood pressure and blood sugar testing. The programs are Boom Generation enters retirement. designed to meet the physical, emotional, and social well - In the early 1960s a group of seniors started meeting at the being of senior adults over the age of 60. old Occident Club once a month for potlucks and cards. It CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) In May 2012, the Meridian Senior Center built a new 13,800 square -foot facility in Meridian at Julius M. Kleiner Park, near Fairview Avenue and Eagle Road. The new center was made possible by a generous land and building donation from the Julius M. Kleiner Family Trust. The new center includes a main dining area with two state-of-the-art kitchens, complete with the latest equipment, an arts and crafts room, a cards and game room, a health screening room, an indoor walk- ing track, and office space. The facility is open to Meridian residents and those that live in the surrounding community. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Kleiner Park Center is the place to be for seniors in the community. Success Stories Healthy behavior is a combination of knowledge, practices and attitudes that together contribute to motivate actions regarding health. The City of Meridian can learn from other communities' success in creating and promoting programs that encourage a healthy and vibrant community. Some of these success stories include programs and projects that incorporate things like community gardens, sharing of resources (e.g. — vehicles and parking lots), cooperatives where local goods, services and wares can be sold or traded, branch libraries, and additional policies that encourage socially and environmentally conscious design and construction projects. The City strives to better understand the impact of neighborhood design on residents' ability to be physically active, the impacts of development on natural systems, and the effects of community design on overall community health. By taking actions that promote and preserve good health, Meridian should be a community that sustains well into the future. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Concerts on Broadway event in front of Meridian City Hall, hosted by the Meridian Arts Commission Arts, Entertainment and Community Events Meridian Arts Commission Meridian envisions a vibrant arts and entertainment scene that integrates the arts experience into everyday life and enhances the spirit of the City. The Meridian Arts Commission (MAC) was created in 2006, and since then it has provided the community with visual, performing, and musical arts opportunities throughout the year. Through the Art in Public Spaces collection, Meridian City Hall integrates visual art into its functional spaces on hallway walls in the building. City Hall also has dedicated space in which art is the function: Initial Point Gallery, located on the third floor. MAC curates and installs monthly art exhibits in Initial Point Gallery, featuring the work of Treasure Valley artists, and schedules an opening reception for each show, many of which include performances by local musicians. MAC encourages children to take part in the arts by partner- ing with Treasure Valley Youth Theater, a Meridian company. The inaugural performance was "Peter Pan, Jr.;' presented in March 2014, to rave reviews. In the summer, MAC presents Concerts on Broadway, a popular free outdoor concert series on the steps of City Hall. A major public art piece, "Underthe Sun and Dreaming;' by C. J. Rench, is slated for installation at the gateway to downtown Meridian, at the south end of the Split Corridor. Additional public artwork with a birds of prey theme, designed by local artist Alicia Dyson, will soon take wing on the overpass of the Meridian Road Interchange, in conjunction with the overpass construction. Meridian History Center and Heritage Programs The Meridian History Center is a volunteer -operated education center and office located on the first floor of City Hall. These volunteers maintain, display and archive records, photographs, and memorabilia relating to Meridian's rich history. In the late 1980s, the City established the Historical Preser- vation Commission to preserve the character and fabric of historically significant areas and structures within the City of Meridian and to honor and preserve its rich heritage for future generations. The Historical Preservation Commission consists of five members serving three-year terms. At least two appointed members have professional training or experi- ence in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) history, urban planning, archaeology, engineering, law or other historic preservation related disciplines. Meridian remains true to its identity by remembering its past while looking towards the future. In addition to having a history center and art gallery located inside Meridian City Hall, monuments in Generations Plaza, along Meridian Road, and in the City Hall Plaza pay tribute in words and photos to Meridian's earliest settlers, Meridian's evolving history, and past City leaders. Photo: The Meridian History Center lasted within City Hall Photo: The Meridian Historical Walking Tour is a self guided tour of historic structures in downtown Meridian Community Events The community celebrates several traditional annual events including Dairy Days Celebration, Chili Cook -Off, Firefighter's Salmon BBQ, Concerts on Broadway Series, Family Fourth of July Extravaganza, National Night Out, Free Family Fishing Day, and Winterland Parade and a Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. Attendance at these community celebrations shows how engaged and important these events are to the business community and citizens. The visual arts, performing arts, community events, and Merid- ian's heritage are integral components of the community's identity. As this section reports, the culture in Meridian is CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) distinct and alive, giving it a rich quality of life. The sense of community is evident in many celebrations and events, neighborhoods, and public institutions. ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN MERIDIAN? Public Services This chapter discusses the characteristics of public utilities, facilities and other services provided in the Meridian area. As required by State Statute, schools, recreation, and other public services, facilities and utility components of the Comprehensive Plan are analyzed here. As part of the public services section, the report also outlines the way the City is governed, including its various boards and commissions. The City itself has several departments, each responsible for providing specific services. This chapter will not only detail which services each City Department provides, but also CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) services that are provided and managed by otherjurisdic- tions, agencies or service providers. A current inventory of infrastructure like parks and pathways, fire stations, schools, and other public services are explained. This chapter also reports how non -private service and utility providers are meeting needs today and how they plan on meeting future demand for services. Other services, like transportation, youth programs, and senior activities (see Chapter 3) were explained previously in this report and are not duplicated here. Municipal Government, City Hall Meridian City Hall is a three-story 100,000 square -foot building located in downtown that serves as the hub of Meridian's municipal government. City Hall currently houses nine City departments serving as a convenient "one -stop -shop" for citizens seeking services including: 1. Information Services: The Information Services is comprised of two divisions: the Clerk's Office and Information Technology. The City Clerk's Office provides support and administrative services to the Mayor and City Council, all operating departments, and the public, while maintaining for the City an essential, formal link with citizens, area businesses, other jurisdictions and a wide variety of public agencies. Information Technology provides technical assistance to City staff on all things technology, including: phones, computers and other electronics. 2. Community Development: The Community Develop- ment Department is comprised of three divisions, including: Building Services, Land Development Ser- vices, and Planning. Building Services is responsible for activities associated with structural, fire, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Land Development Services is responsible for plan review and coordina- tion with the Public Works Department, to ensure that new developments are properly serviced by utilities like sewer, water and drainage. The Planning Division is divided into two groups: Current Planning and Comprehensive Planning. Current Planning is primarily responsible for processing development applications and assisting property owners and developers through the land use permitting and entitlement process, and over-the-counter inquiries. Comprehensive Planning is involved with long-range and specific area plans, transportation planning, community development, and administration of the Community Development Block Grant program. 3. Public Works: The Public Works Department con- sists of seven divisions: Engineering, Construction, Administration, Environmental, Business Operations, Water, and Wastewater. The mission of Public Works is to anticipate, plan and provide exemplary public services and facilities that support the needs of a growing community in an efficient, customer -focused and financially responsible manner. Public Works cooperates with other agencies such as the Ada County Highway District to coordinate efforts on utility work and transportation services. More discussion on the Public Works Department occurs later in this chapter. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) 4. Finance/Purchasing/Billing: The Finance Department is the general business management arm of city government, providing specific financial and account- ing services for elected officials, City employees, and the citizens of Meridian. Basic services of the Finance Department include: budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, utility billing, accounts payable, purchas- ing and payroll, monitoring state and city rules and regulations, and maintenance of sound internal con- trols. The mission of Purchasing is to provide contract management, and procurement services through competitive public bidding to obtain maximum value for the tax dollar and to provide service to all City of Meridian departments and the public in a timely, courteous and ethical manner. "To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to do:" Khalil Gibran S. Parks and Recreation Department: The Parks and Recreation Department's mission is to enhance the community's quality of life by providing well-designed atnd properly maintained parks and recreational opportunities for all citizens. More discussion on the Parks and Recreation Department occurs later in this chapter. 6. Fire Department: The Fire Departments mission is to protect and enhance the community through profes- sionalism and compassion. More discussion on the Fire Department and the services it provides occurs later in this chapter. 7. Human Resources: Human Resources assists all City departments in determining staffing needs and coor- dinates recruitment to fill those needs. Recruitment efforts include working closely with the Directors of each department within the City to post and advertise open positions, processing and reviewing applications, scheduling and conducting interviews, tracking the process of all applicants, and providing information on the progress to interested parties. 8. City Attorney's Office: The City Attorney's Office pro- vides leadership to the City and works as a strategic business partner with managers and employees to help the City achieve its mission, goals and objectives. The City Attorney's Office proactively seeks to understand and meet the needs of its customers, elected officials, and employees of the City by providing expertise, direction, support, and training in the areas of law while ensuring a safe, fair, and legally -compliant work environment. 9. Mayor's Office: The Mayor's Office focus is on becoming the Star of the New West, transforming Meridian into a 21st century city. Meridian is uniquely conducive to supporting a broad array of business activities while maintaining the high quality lifestyle and focus on family so greatly valued. Fulfilling the needs of busi- nesses and families begins with having a safe and caring community that provides quality education, family -wage jobs, cutting-edge health care, diverse housing options, a trained workforce, and an abundance of recreation, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. Meridian seeks to be a vibrant com- munity whose vision is to be the premier city to live, work and raise a family. The Mayor's Offices' main commitment is to help neighbors realize this vision. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) FIGURE 4A: CITY OF MERIDIAN EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENT i Waste Water $11,822,654.00 A Water $9,112,10 City Admin $4,980,808.35 ■ Public Works Community $3,114,118.00 Development $2,864,992.00 ■ MUBS $1,541,346.00 Source: Finance Department, FY2014 Meridian Budget Summary. Fire Department $10,000,416.00 Parks & Recreation $4,664,211.00 ■ Police $15,125,912.50 The City of Meridian's mission for 2025 is to continue to be a safe, attractive, and inviting community that is full of diverse activities. Meridian delivers quality service, planning, and fiscal responsibility with open spaces, strong partnerships, and various educational opportunities. Culture, unique business, venture, and an abundant choice ofjobs make Meridian not just a destination, but a lifestyle. Mayor and City Council Meridian uses the Mayor -Council form of local government. In Meridian, the Council, which includes the Mayor, possesses both legislative and executive authority. The City Council adopts codes that govern the City in addition to applicable state and federal law. The Council also deals with property acquisition, serves on regional commissions and boards, and must approve of mayoral nominations. The Council also exercises primary control over the municipal budget. The Mayor and a representative from each of the six council seats are elected by the citizens, each term consisting of four years. Elections for City Council are held every two years with three of the six seats up for election. Mayoral elections are held every four years. Commissions, Committees and Boards Citizen involvement is an essential ingredient for strong local government. The City of Meridian promotes citizen involve- ment by inviting residents to serve on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees designed to assist City leaders in information gathering and deliberative processes. Some of the volunteer boards and commission in Meridian are: L Parks & Recreation Commission: This all volunteer commission focuses its efforts on park planning, capital improvements, pathways, policies, recreation programs, CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) and budget. The Parks & Recreation Commission makes policy recommendations to the City Council as they relate to the parks system. The Commission is composed of at least five, and up to nine members that are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Each member serves a three-year term with no maximum on number of years of service. Citizen involvement is an essential ingredient for strong local government. The City of Meridian promotes citizen involvement by inviting residents to serve on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees designed to assist City leaders in information gathering and deliberative processes. 2. Planning & Zoning Commission: This all volunteer com- mission advises the City Council on planning policies and goals, development projects and issues related to land use, zoning, transportation, and housing issues, as framed by Meridian's Comprehensive Plan. There are five members of the Planning & Zoning Commis- sion. Each member is appointed by the Mayor, with confirmation by the Council. Terms for Commissioner are six years, with no maximum. 3. Meridian Arts Commission: This all volunteer com- mission works on arts/cultural policy and promotes public awareness and participation in the arts. The purpose of this advisory commission is to highlight the City's rich cultural resources, enhance the City's aesthetic environment, and promote the development of economic, educational, recreation, and tourism opportunities within the city through the advancement of publicly accessible arts. The Commission consists of a minimum of five members and no more than nine members at any time. Each commissioner serves a term of three years, except for the youth member that serves a one-year term. One member of the City Council serves as a liaison and ex -officio member of the Commission. 4. Historical Preservation Commission: The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) works to preserve the character and fabric of historically significant areas and structures within the City of Meridian to honor and preserve its rich heritage for future generations. The HPC is advisory to the City Council and submits an annual report regarding the Commission's activities and accomplishments. There are currently six volunteer members on the HPC, appointed by the Mayor with confirmation from the City Council. Terms of office for the HPC are 3 -years. S. Transportation Commission: The Transportation Com- mission researches and makes recommendations to the City Council related to traffic safety issues, pedestrian and bicyclist concerns, speed limits, public transportation, and priority transportation projects. The Commission provides a forum for cooperation, coordination, and communication between the City, other governmental agencies, and citizens and organiza- tions concerned with the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This Commission is made up of nine voting and six ex -officio mem- bers which include: West Ada School District, ACHD, COMPASS, ITD, VRT and a City Councilor. Transporta- tion Commission members are comprised of four citizens, three business owners/employees, and two CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) members with some technical/educational expertise in transportation. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and City Council by resolution. 6. Impact Fee Advisory Committee: This Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding existing and proposed impact fees and fee structures to help ensure that growth pays its own way. This is an ad-hoc committee established by the Mayor and City Council. 7. Solid Waste Advisory Commission: This Commis- sion's purpose is to propose and recommend to the Mayor and the City Council any new or amended rules, regulations, policies, and fees relating to the orderly and efficient administration of the City's fully -automated solid waste collection system. The Commission consists of a minimum of five members but not more than nine members serving a term of 3 years. Appointed members are selected from: one Utilities Billing Manager or designee, one Director of Public Works or designee, one City Attorney or designee, and at least three but not more than five local citizens. In addition to the groups listed above, other organizations like the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, the Mayor's Faith Ambassador Council, and the Mayor's Anti -Drug Coalition allow citizens to be actively involved in serving various needs throughout the community. Public Works Water and Sewer The City of Meridian owns and operates a domestic water system, sewage collection system, and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) serving the residents of Meridian. The Water Division provides customer service and operates and maintains public wells, the distribution system, and reservoirs. The Wastewater Division provides customer service and operates and maintains the collection system, lift stations, and the wastewater treatment plant. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The Water, Wastewater and Environmental divisions are part of the Public Works Department, which is responsible for reviewing water, wastewater, and environmental related issues for new developments, short and long range planning of utilities, administration, rate analysis, operation of water and wastewater facilities, engineering and utility coordination, special projects as assigned by the Mayor and City Council, and more. Unlike most communities outside of Ada County, the City of Meridian Public Works Department does not have jurisdiction over roads and highways within the City. Public Works does not have jurisdiction over pressurized irrigation systems or irrigation canals either. Water Division Supply and Distribution The Meridian water system consists of a large network of deep wells, booster pump stations, reservoirs and over 400 miles of six-inch to 16 -inch pipe line. Twenty wells, ranging in capacity from 800 to over 2,500 gallons per minute (gpm), are located throughout the City. A 500,000 -gallon elevated storage reservoir is located near Meridian Speedway. A two -million gallon, ground -level reservoir is located near the northwest corner of Meridian and Ustick Roads. Another large tank is under construction near Locust Grove and Victory Roads. The cumulative capacity of existing wells is over 40 million gallons per day (mgd). Wells and reservoirs are linked via a telemetric Supervisory Controls and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to a central computer at the Water Department. This system controls reservoir levels, well on-off cycles, and pressure set points. Several wells are equipped with standby generators in the event of power failure. A Water System Master Plan Update, including a new computer model was completed in 2012. Based on 2013 water use records, Meridian used 3.1 billion gallons of drinking water for its household and commercial uses, which is approximately 8.7 million gallons of water each day. While all subdivisions constructed after 1993 were required to install pressurized irrigation systems using non -potable water, significant irrigation demands exist from residential neighborhoods that were constructed prior to that time. As shown in Table 4A, winter water demand in the City is about 173 million gallons/month while summertime demand is 363 million gallons/month. Summer irrigation activity increases demand by 190 million gallons/month. Meridian is currently researching the feasibility of providing additional irrigation supply or capacity to landscapes that are currently served by Irrigation Districts. In order to keep up with water demand, the City has con- structed, on average, one new well per year, each of which is funded by connection fees charged to new development. Water line extensions to new developments are generally paid for and constructed by developers. Although the City plans for new wells and reservoirs, the specific locations of those facilities are largely dictated by growth patterns. The water system will be expanded to meet the demands of growth while ensuring that new development pays for those additional required facilities. TABLE 4A: MERIDIAN WATER CONSUMPTION Winter Average 1 113 million gal/month Inceased Demand (over winter) 190 million gal/month Potential Conservation 1.14 billion gal/year Source: Meridian Public Works Department. April 2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) Wastewater Division Sewer Collection The sewer (also known as wastewater) collection system in the City consists of over 390 miles of eight -inch to 36 -inch pipe and nine lift (pump) stations of various sizes. Sewage flows by gravity to the wastewater treatment plant located west of Ten Mile Road, approximately 1/4 mile north of Ustick Road. In 2010 JUB Engineers completed a Sewer Master Plan Update which included a new computer simulation for modeling sewer impacts. The computer simulation allows Public Works to conduct sewer modeling as new development applications are proposed and are built. The model helps staff identify priority areas for development in the City as well as segments of the existing sewage collection system that are approaching capacity. Capital improvements can then be prioritized to upgrade the lines that are projected to reach capacity. The next Sewer Master Plan update will occur in 2015. No new City -funded sewer trunks or expan- sions are planned as of January 2014, but the City actively evaluates existing infrastructure and replaces or upgrades as appropriate. Sewer main replacements are necessary to replace aging infrastructure in the sewer collection system. Replacement projects are identified in a variety of methods, most commonly through the sewer TV and cleaning program and thorough analysis of the collection system by the Wastewater Division and Public Works technical staff. Capital funds are utilized to design and construct sewer infrastructure replacements identified throughout the City, including replacements of the sewer collection system infrastructure in the downtown sewer corridor. As new developments are proposed in the downtown sewer corridor, Public Works staff will research the need for additional capacity in the sewer system and the Sewer Main Replacement budget will allow Public Works to plan and design required improvements. Notable upcoming sewer projects include, but are not limited to: the 8th Street Rehabilitation projects and the NE 3rd Street Sewer Replacement. Due to the magnitude of improvements required for these projects, funding and construction will occur over several years. Sewer line extensions provide new sewer infrastructure and improvements throughout the City. One major driver for these types of projects is Ada County Highway District (ACHD) road reconstruction. As ACHD projects are scheduled, City staff looks for deficiencies in capacity or improved operational opportunities that can be completed in conjunction with ACHD projects. By designing CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) improvements in coordination with road construction, the City saves money on pipe installation by removing the need to restore pavement and pay for traffic control. This also minimizes inconvenience to the travelling public. Sewer Treatment The present wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) began operation in 1979 with a rated capacity of 2.8 mgd. The WWTP consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment followed by disinfection. Treated effluent is discharged to Five Mile Creek. Two major construction projects are cur- rently underway at the WWTP. The Wastewater Laboratory Expansion and New Administration Building projects will add much needed office and lab space to the facility. Two other projects are nearly complete: the Fermentation and Odor Control Project, and the Wastewater Fiberoptics Loop. Many other improvements and expansions have occurred at the wastewater treatment plant over the last five years. The estimated design capacity at the plant today is approximately 10.2 mgd as approved by the Department of Environmental Quality. An update to the wastewater treatment plant facility plan was completed in 2012. The results of the facility plan will be used to develop the capital improvement plan for the W WTP and guide the future studies, improvements, and expansions at the plant for the next several years. The City of Meridian received a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permit from the CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in September of 1999, which expired in 2004. The discharge permit placed limits on flow, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, toxicity, and bacteria. Numer- ous sampling and monitoring requirements for the effluent, Five Mile Creek, and the Boise River are also mandated. The Public Works Department expects to receive a new NPDES discharge permit in the fall/winter of 2014. This will include nutrient limits on phosphorus as low as 0.07 mg/L, which could precipitate significant capital investment into upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. The EPA has proposed up to a 98% reduction in the amount of total phosphorus discharged to the Lower Boise River by all point sources. In order to comply with total maximum daily loads (TMDL), Meridian may have to construct expensive phosphorus removal facilities at the WWTR The additional associated costswill be apportioned to all ratepayers, although the actual construction of these additional improvements will depend on actual growth rates. Currently, NPDES permits are not required for stormwater within the City. However, with increasing population growth, it is expected the City will be responsible for additional compliance measures, requiring additional staff and funding. All proposed septic systems in the Meridian area are reviewed and approved by Central District Health. Approval is based on characteristics such as distance to groundwater and soil suitability. Distance to groundwater in the Area of City Impact ranges from four to 20 feet and is influenced by seasonal irrigation patterns, with depths lower in summer than in winter. Proposed sewer lines are also subject to approval through the Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (QLPE) review process or from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Today, there are relatively few active septic systems within the corporate boundaries of the City. A vast majority of dwellings in Meridian are connected to the City's sewer system. The demand for new sewer service accounts has continued to increase every year since 2003, as shown in Table 4B. Class A Recycled Water The City of Meridian continues to develop its Class A Recycled Water program to produce and distribute recycled water for a variety of uses. Recycled water is a highly treated water resource generated at the City's municipal wastewater treat- ment plant (reclaimed) that meets standards for Class A reuse, as established by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The City has been producing Class A recycled water since 2009, and beneficially reusing the water for turf irrigation at Heroes Park. This demonstration project offered a highly visible means by which to educate the public about the value of this resource. By the close of 2011, additional infrastructure was installed to extend recycled water service TABLE 4B: HISTORICAL SEWER SERVICE ACCOUNTS 1 2003 15,193 N/A 2004 11,299 13.86% 2005 20,292 11.30% 2006 23,245 14.55% 2001 24,281 4.48% 2008 24,851 2.35% 2009 25,364 2.04% 2010 26,054 2.12% 2011 26,620 2.11% 2012 21,361 2.18% 2013 28,351 3.64% Source: Meridian Utility and Building Services, January 2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) to other use sites, such as irrigating landscaping at the Ten Mile Interchange and the treatment plant site, as well as a commercial gas station and car wash. The City was issued a Final Wastewater Reuse Permit (No. LA -000215-02) on April 19, 2010. This permit is effective for five years and allows for recycled water use in irrigation, dust suppression, toilet flushing, lined surface water features, sanitary sewer flushing, and fire suppression throughout the City. This "City-wide" permit supports the expansion of the program that is presented in the Master Plan. For example, a permit modification was approved in March 2011, to include commercial car washing as an authorized recycled water use. The City's recycled water program has the potential to continue to evolve as the City gains experience with the production and distribution of the resource. Environmental Division The Environmental Division of the Public Works Department is composed of Administrative, Industrial Pretreatment, and Surface Water Program areas. The Division applies and promotes sustainable policies, procedures and public education in orderto foster environmental quality, economic vitality and social benefit in the program component areas of NPDES Permitting, Floodplain Administration, Industrial Pretreatment, as well as, surface and groundwater quality, air quality, energy conservation, sensitive areas and habitat protection, community recycling, and other appropriate initiatives. Industrial Pretreatment The Industrial Pretreatment Program is responsible for execu- tion of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated pretreatment program which monitors and regulates industrial and commercial wastewater discharges in the public sanitary sewer system. The pretreatment program is an integral part of the wastewater treatment process. Citizens in the community rely on the completeness of the Environmental Division's program to protect them from environmental harm. It is important that the Division have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved pretreatment program that will stand the scrutiny of citizens and regulators alike. The Pretreatment section of the Environmental Division accomplishes their mission through education, inspection, and enforcement. The section performs over 700 inspections per year. The City plans to initiate and maintain a pretreatment pro- gram that supports a new Public Owned Treatment Works Photo: Ten Mile Creek near the Locust Grove water reservoir CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) and a residential grease disposal program over the next five years. Additionally, the City will negotiate NPDES parameters that support a reasonable and enforceable community pretreatment program. Surface Water Program The Surface Water Program is responsible for floodplain administration, stormwater program development and compliance, surface water hydrological improvements and surface water quality protection. In October 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency promulgated final Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Regulations. These regulations affect, among others, small municipal separate storm sewer systems located in urbanized areas. Ada County as a whole is listed as an urbanized area in Appendix 6 of the final rule. Although the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is responsible for all public street stormwater runoff, the City of Meridian may be required at some time in the future to submit an application for an NPDES permit, possibly in conjunction with ACHD and others. The stormwater management program required by NPDES must include the following six components: 1. Public education and outreach on stormwater issues 2. Public involvement and participation 3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination 4. Construction site stormwater runoff control Photo: Five Mile (reek and pathway S. Post -construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment 6. Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations The primary impact to the City is that NPDES permits and corresponding stormwater pollution prevention measures are required during the construction of City capital improve- ments where ground disturbing activities exceed one acre. As a result, Meridian requires that all City capital improve- ment projects provide and implement either an Erosion CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP), or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Handling of stormwater drainage poses an ever-present challenge for both the public and private sectors. The ACHD has completed drainage studies for portions of Meridian's Area of City Impact and is studying additional areas. Given the topography and water table, alternatives for the handling of surface drainage are limited. If subsurface solutions are not available, then large areas of land may be consumed for drainage facilities. Those areas could serve jointly as open space and stormwater facilities, if designed to handle the low-volume storms without restricting the area's use for other purposes, including recreation. The use of natural and constructed drains for stormwater must be explored, and standards established to make the use of such drains a feasible alternative to the consumption of large areas of land. This is an area where cooperation between public agencies and development community is needed. The City applies the following general policies when reviewing new developments and drainage: 1. Drainage solutions shall be formulated to address the requirements of the public (City of Meridian and ACHD), irrigation/drainage districts, and the develop- ment community. 2. Solutions may include subsurface or surface facilities, and discharge into drains. "Non-structural" drainage bio-swales along the arterial roadways may minimize "regional" solutions and reduce costs. Photo: Meridian motorcycle patrol officer having a friendly conversation with a resident Public Safety Police Department With the rapid rate of growth, one would expect an increase in the number of crimes occurring in Meridian. This has not been the case for the City of Meridian. The City takes great pride in the crime rate when compared to the dramatic increase in population. The rate of criminal offenses has remained lower than the national and state averages for several years. Tables 4C and 4D provide a breakdown of crime rates at a local, state, and national level by crime type in 2012. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) According to preliminary reports, Meridian crime rates for 2013 will be even lower with a violent crime rate at approximately 121.9 and a property crime rate at approximately 1,289 per 100,000 inhabitants. The rate of violent and property crimes in Meridian is decreasing despite the fact that the City has grown so quickly. In 2013, the Meridian Police Department received 58,938 calls for service. This is a decrease of 6% from 2012, when calls for service saw a high of 62,603. Review of officer to population ratio and response times suggests that with the addition of officers, detectives, school resource officers, neighborhood contact officers, support staff and the advancements of the administration, the Meridian Police Department is maintaining a respectable crime rate as well as an impressive clearance rate at approximately 49.7% in 2013. TABLE 4C: VIOLENT CRIME RATES 2012 Meridian 120.11 State of Idaho 201.9 United States 386.9 Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, 2012 Crime in the United States. Note: includes murder, non -negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery & aggravated assault TABLE 41): PROPERTY CRIME RATES 2012 Meridian 1511.9 State of Idaho 1938.5 United States 2859.2 Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, 2012 Crime in the United States. Note: includes burglary, larceny -theft, motor vehicle theft & arson. Photo: Meridian police officer handcuffing a suspicious cow The Criminal Investigations Division of the Meridian Police Department is now comprised of twelve investigators, two evidence technicians, and an administrative secretary. With the addition of detectives in the unit, these officers are able to focus more time on individual cases or complex series. Meridian Police Officers recovered over $170,000 in stolen merchandise, were dispatched to 3,095 traffic collisions, and took reports on 1,596 collisions in 2013. Many of these calls dispatched as traffic collisions, may have ultimately been categorized differently depending on the incident. The Meridian Police Traffic Team has 4 officers, one corporal and CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) one sergeant who specialize in investigating these types of incidents. In the fall of 2013, a new 13,000 square foot Public Safety Training Center and Police Department remodel was approved to begin construction in May 2014. This facility is an all- purpose Public Safety Training Center with several classrooms, a matt -room, a K-9 training field, and a future site for a scenario village. The training center will be used by all City departments but its primary focus will be on the needs of the Police and Fire departments. In addition to the train- ing center, the Police Department will be going through a remodel that will include 2,100 new square feet of building and a second floor expansion over the lobby. The second floor will also see some major changes to allow for a more efficient use of space and an increase in office space. This is just the first phase of the project; the second phase includes an indoor shooting range. The Police Department also administers and supports several special programs including: 1. MADC — Meridian Mayor's Anti -Drug Coalition is run from the Police Department and works collabora- tively with a multitude of sectors of our community for drug education, and prevention by dealing with environmental strategies to reduce the amount of illegal drug use and drug abuse in our community. 2. The Ambassador program is run in coordination with the Parks Department, to have volunteers be the eyes and ears in parks. Volunteers help any person who needs it, and ensure that visitors follow the rules — helping to keep parks safe for all. 3. Police Athletic League, or PAL, which is an activity program for children aged 3 to 14. 4. Business Crime Prevention Program includes training for local businesses on how to handle crimes such as shoplifting and fraud. S. Bike patrol throughout the City. 6. Neighborhood Watch is a program that the Police Department supports throughout the community. Additionally, the Police Department also began sup- porting the online neighborhood networking program NextDoor.com in 2014, to better connect with resi- dential areas and to help keep residents connected with each other. 7. Prescription Drug Drop Off is a program where old or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications can be disposed of properly. The Police Department has collected over 7000 pounds since October 2009. Fire Department The Meridian Fire Department was formed in 1908 and consisted of only volunteers for many years. The Meridian Rural Fire District was organized in the early 1950s. The two departments decided in the 1970s to combine forces and house their fire equipment in one station located in the center of town. The Meridian Fire Department hired its first full-time employee in 1977 serving as a Fire Marshall for the two districts. The Fire Marshall was the only full-time employee until 1991 when the first paid firefighter was hired. The Meridian Fire Department has quickly transformed from a primarily all -volunteer department into a combination CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Photo: Fire Department training facility behind the Franklin Road Fire Station department with 57 full-time firefighters and 20 part-time on-call personnel. As shown on Figure 4B, Meridian Fire has also grown to five Fire Stations strategically located throughout the Meridian area. In 2005, a Fire Education Safety Center was constructed off of Locust Grove Road and today it is staffed by an Education Specialist. In 2007, a state of the art training tower was built onto Station 1, providing numerous training opportunities for Fire personnel. Today, the Fire Department plans on having a total of 11 fire stations throughout the City at full build -out. FIGURE 4B: BOUNDARIES AND STATIONS OF THE MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The Meridian Fire Department responds to emergency calls in a 54 square mile jurisdiction, serving a population in excess of 90,000 residents. The Fire Department is managed by a team of professionals that includes a Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Prevention, Deputy Chief of Operations, six Division Chiefs, a Fire Inspector, a Training Officer, and specialists for EMS, Communications, Logistics, Quality Assurance, Health and Safety, Public Safety & Education, and three Administrative Support Staff. The Meridian Fire Department responds to emergency calls in a 54 square mile jurisdiction, serving a population in excess of 90,000 residents. In 2013, Meridian firefighters responded to 5,414 calls for service. Services provided by the Meridian Fire Department include: Fire Suppression, Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Service, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Fire Prevention Education, Fire and Life Safety Inspections, and Plans Review for new developments and construction. Recreation, Parks and Pathways Parks and Recreation Department The City of Meridian Parks and Recreation Department is the primary recreation service provider for Meridian. Programs, activities, and services provided by the Parks Department are organized by seasons of the year; i.e., winter, spring/ summer, and fall. These activities include kids, teens, and adults/seniors classes and leagues. The Meridian Community Center, located at 201 E. Idaho Street, is a 4,200 -square -foot building, which sits on a parcel of land at 0.33 acres. The Community Center is a valuable resource for recreation classes, summer and winter camps, and other activities Photo: Playground at Kleiner Park offered throughout the year. Other organizations also provide recreation services to the people of Meridian and surrounding area. Some organizations serve a particular age group such as Boys & Girls Club, 4-H, Scouts, with others serving all segments of the population (league sports clubs, biking and hiking clubs, etc.). The City of Meridian completed the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan (CPRSP) in August 2003. This plan is also referred to as the "Parks Action Plan." As noted in the CPRSP, a majority of private organizations depend on public facilities such as parks, schools, or other publicly owned assets in order to facilitate their recreation activities. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The CPRSP provides a guideline for recreation development, which includes the following: 1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the document organization, a brief analysis of population growth, and an inventory of park land found in the City. 2. Park and Open Space Recommendations: Identifies a concept for parks, trails, and open space, and provides design standards and policies for each park type and makes specific recommendations for each site. 3. Facility Recommendations: Provides policies and recommendations for specialized facilities such as pathways and trails, indoor recreation space, sports facilities, and other specialized areas. 4. Administration and Management Recommendations: Includes recommendations and policies for administrat- ing a park and open space system, establishes policies and recommendations for staffing the program, and looks at potential changes to the Park Impact Fee structure. 5. Project Funding: Provides a list of potential fund- ing sources, identifies project priorities, suggests a financing strategy, and recommends a six-year capital improvement program. Existing recreation resources in Meridian include 17 fully or partially developed City parks and 4 acres of ball fields at Heritage Middle School, which are owned by the West Ada School District, but maintained and scheduled by the City of Meridian. Today, total developed park land is 240 acres. In addition, there is one 22 -acre park owned and operated by Western Ada Recreation District. Undeveloped parks include the Borup/ Bottles properties -47.2 acres, Bainbridge property -7.5 acres; South Meridian property -77.7 acres; a small parcel located at Storey Park —4.5 acres, and an additional small parcel at Meridian Settlers Park at 5 acres. This undeveloped park acreage totals 141 acres. The existing and proposed parks typically provide sports fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and restrooms. Table 4E shows a listing of the existing parks with their associated amenities. The Meridian Pathways Master Plan (updated January 2010) is a guide for pathway development over the next 20 to 50 years. The Plan proposes an extensive pathway network stem- ming from the existing canal system within and around the City of Meridian. The Plan includes an inventory of existing pathways and micro -paths, as well as a comprehensive network of future pathways that will connect residents to schools, parks, businesses, neighborhoods, and various recreation and entertainment destinations. The City of Meridian currently maintains nine pathways/segments, including the Fothergill Pathway, the Bear Creek Pathway, the Blackstone Pathway, the Locust Grove Pathway, the H.R. Bud Porter Pathway, the Diane & Winston Moore Pathway, the Five Mile Creek Pathway from Pine to Badley, the Jackson Drain Connection, and the Lochsa Falls/Paramount Pathway. To estimate future park acreage needs and levels of service standards for Parks, the National Recreation and Parks Asso- ciation (NRPA) developed guidelines on the basis of acres of park land per 1,000 residents within a specified service area. Guidance from NRPA suggests that cities develop their own standards through a set of formulas based on various factors such as population, location, existing recreation in the surrounding area, use, and other factors. The CPRSP has CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) TABLE 4E: MERIDIAN CITY PARKS BY CATEGORY Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park: 58.2 acres; amenities include amphitheatre/ bandshell, tree arboretum, artwork, basketball, bike racks, bocce ball, commu- Regional nity garden, concessions building, drinking fountains, fishing ponds, labyrinth, Parks Meridian Senior Center, mutt -mitt stations, open play, walking paths, picnic shelters, playgrounds, tot lots, restrooms, sand volleyball, splash pad, Veterans Memorial, decorative water features, and off-street parking. Meridian Settlers Park: 52.1 acres; amenities include open play, bike racks, drinking fountains, walking path, soccer fields, fishing pond, Idaho's first uni- versally accessible playground, Splash Pad, Sound Garden, Little City of Rocks, Tree of Hope, swings, rock monuments, concessions building, restrooms, picnic shelters, shade structures, tables/benches, tournament -style horseshoe pits, tennis courts, baseball/softball fields, clubhouse, winter disc golf, mutt -mitt stations, and off-street parking. There is an additional 5.009 -acre undeveloped parcel. Bear Creek Park 18.8 acres; amenities include open play, picnic shelter, tables/ Community benches, playground, restrooms, softball fields, volleyball standards, basketball Parks court, walking paths, drinking fountain, winter disc golf, mutt -mitt stations, and off-street parking. Heroes Park: 30.1 acres; amenities include open play, basketball, fishing pond, mutt -mitt stations, soccer field, walking path, pond, playgrounds, climbing rocks, picnic shelters, benches, bike racks, drinking fountains, concessions/ restroom building, reclaimed water plaza, and off-street parking. Storey Park: 14.5 acres; amenities include open play, picnic shelters, tables/ benches, playground, restrooms, softball field, horseshoe pits, mutt -mitt station, monument, drinking fountains, bike racks, and off-street parking. There is an additional 4.458 -acre undeveloped parcel. Tully Park: 18.1 acres; amenities include open play, picnic shelters, tables/ benches, playground, concessions, restrooms, softball fields, basketball court, memorial tree program, bike racks, skateboard park, drinking fountain, walk- ing path, and off-street parking. Neighbor- 8th Street Park: 2.8 acres; amenities include open play, restrooms, walking hood Parks path, playground, bike racks, table/bench, and off-street parking. { Continued next page } Source: Meridian Parks and Recreation Department 2014. TABLE 4E: MERIDIAN CITY PARKS BY CATEGORY Neighbor- Champion Park: 6.0 acres; amenities include open play, picnic shelter, tables/ hood Parks benches, playground, restrooms, basketball court, drinking fountain, walking path, and off-street parking. Chateau Park: 6.1 acres; amenities include open play, picnic shelter, tables/ benches, playground, restrooms, basketball court, walking paths, drinking fountain, rock monument, and off-street parking. Gordon Harris Park: 11.1 acres; amenities include open play, playground, picnic shelter, mutt -mitt station, restrooms, walking paths, pond, drinking fountain, and off-street parking. Renaissance Park: 6.5 acres: amenities include open play, restrooms, play- ground, mutt -mitt station, picnic shelter, tables/benches, basketball court, drinking fountain, walking paths, and off-street parking. Seasons Park: 1.1 acres; amenities include open play, picnic shelter, tables/ benches, bike rack, mutt -mitt station, playground, restrooms, basketball court, drinking fountain, walking paths, sculpture, and off-street parking. Centennial Park: 0.4 acres; amenities include open play, basketball court, Mini Parks bike rack, monument, electronic play, game table, picnic shelter, monument, sculpture, benches, and drinking fountain. Cox Monument: 0.1 acres; amenities include small grassy area, picnic shelter, table/bench, decorative water feature, and monuments. Fire Station #4 Park: 0.6 acres; amenities include a rock wall and bench, small open play area, and a walking path. Special Use City Hall Plaza: 0.9 acres; amenities include amphitheater, pergola, benches, Parks restrooms, water features, bike racks, Heritage Pavilion, commemorative plaque, historical interpretive signs, and off-street parking. Generations Plaza: 0.2 acres; amenities include open play, drinking fountain, decorative fountain, historical monument, game table, benches, and bike racks. Source: Meridian Parks and Recreation Department, 2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) determined that an average of to 5 acres per thousand of park space is realistic for this area. The City currently has about 240 acres of developed park space within the Area of City Impact available for public use. This equates to 3 acres of park land per 1,000 population in 2014. As previously discussed, a park and recreation action plan (CPRSP, 2003) has been adopted. This plan outlines future goals and actions for parks and recreation planning. It also identifies park needs in the community. If the City were to develop the park land that is currently undeveloped (141 acres), it would have a total of 4.6 acres per thousand, based on a current population of approximately 81,380. With COMPASS' projected 2040 population of 154,750, the park level of service would be 2.4 acres per 1,000 population by the year 2040 if all existing undeveloped park land were developed. The Parks and Recreation Department intends to work with the development community and other organiza- tions whenever possible to create partnerships and bring additional parks to fruition. Western Ada Recreation District There is a public park in Meridian that is not owned and maintained by the City. At 22 acres, Fuller Park, which is owned and operated by the Western Ada Recreation District, contains amenities, such as baseball fields, a fishing pond, playground areas, picnic shelters, restrooms, an open play area, a walking path, and off-street parking. Residents of Meridian also have access to a pool during the summer located in Storey Park. The pool facility at Storey Park is owned and operated by the Western Ada Recreation District. Solid waste' The City of Meridian contracts on its refuse and recycling services. In 2012, the City of Meridian approved the transfer of its solid waste franchise agreement by Sanitary Services Company (SSC) of its right, title and interest in the franchise to Republic Services, and continues to perform under the terms and conditions of the Agreement as of 2014. Republic Services has demonstrated its commitment to providing reliable solid waste collection; innovative, effective recycling and waste reduction programs; quality customer service; valuable public outreach and education efforts; and strong community involvementto Meridian residents and businesses. Residential Services In 2013, Republic Services collected a total of 34,370 tons of trash from the residential sector in Meridian. This was an increase of 3.2% or 1,112 tons in trash which can be partially explained by the 2.6% increase in household accounts over the previous 12 months. The average Meridian household disposed of 213 pounds of trash per month in 2013 By the end of 2013 there were 26,997 active household accounts in the City of Meridian. Of those accounts, 80% participated in the recycling program. Meridian residents recycled a total of 4,150 tons during 2013, a 3.3% increase from the previous year. Due to depressed secondary markets, the average price for curbside commingled recyclables was a negative (-$6.33)/ton in 2013. Republic Services covered the annual cost to process those materials as prescribed within the Franchise Agreement. Republic Services initiated a "grass only' subscription based recycling pilot program in 2013. This cart has year round benefits, including: leaf recycling in November (during ......................... Data from the 2013 Republic Services Annual Report CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Meridian's leaf collection program) and overflow trash from December through March. The grass is taken to a farm in south Ada County where it is recycled, and either used to create cattle feed or soil amendments, depending on quality control testing. Republic Services also provides a hazardous waste collection service. In 2013, 7,570 vehicles delivered 117 tons of hazardous waste to this site. By comparison, 5,711 vehicles delivered 77 tons in 2012. This was a growth of 33% participation and 52% materials accepted. Commercial and Industrial Collection Republic Services provides collection to each commercial business in Meridian at least once a week. In 2013, commercial trash was taken to the Republic Services transfer station, consolidated with other trash, and taken to the Ada County Landfill. By the end of the year, Republic's commercial trucks had collected 15,974 tons of trash from Meridian businesses, a 7% (1,204 tons) decrease from 2012. This decrease in ton- nage may be due to the difference in reporting technologies between SSC and Republic Services. Republic Services offers commercial commingled recycling in Meridian. Numerous businesses and every school in Meridian recycle. Starting in 2014, Republic Services began tracking how many of the 1,049 Meridian businesses are utilizing the commercial recycling program. Commercial recycling dipped in 2013, with businesses recycling a total of 1,277 tons, 101 tons less than 2012. This decrease in tonnage may be due to differences in reporting methodologies used by SSC and Republic Services. Roll off services are provided on request to both permanent and temporary accounts. Industrial service includes compactors or roll off boxes (6, 8, 10, 20, 30, or 40 cubic yards). The mini boxes (6, 8, and 10 cubic yards) are taken to the Republic Services transfer station for consolidation. The larger boxes are direct hauled to the Ada County Landfill. Industrial trash continued to increase throughout the year with an annual total of 21,856 tons. This was an increase of 20% (4,335 tons) as compared to 2012. Republic Services also offers an industrial recycling service. In 2013, 3,801 tons of industrial material was recycled as compared to 4,024 tons the previous year by Meridian's indus- trial sector. The industrial sector is comprised of temporary CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) services, such as construction site removal work, and is more variable. Transfer Station Collection Located at 2130 W. Franklin Road, Republic Services' transfer station accepts waste from commercial trucks, residential trucks, roll off trucks, mini roll off trucks, public vehicles, and local businesses. The waste collected at the transfer station is consolidated and taken to the Ada County Landfill for disposal. In 2013, the transfer station collected 91,782 tons of material, a 22.3% increase over 2012 tonnage collected. TABLE 4F: Meridian Household Hazardous Waste Collection Source: PSC Environmental Services Company, April 2014. Education West Ada School District' Public school facilities in the City of Meridian are operated by West Ada School District (formerly Joint School District No.2). Enrollment data about the school district are for the entire district, an area larger than the City of Meridian and its Area of City Impact. West Ada School District covers 384 square miles and serves the cities of Meridian, Star and Eagle, western and southwestern portions of Boise, part of Garden City and the unincorporated areas of Ada County that lie between these municipalities. In total, there are 32 elementary schools, 9 middle schools (2 of which are alternative middle schools), 6 comprehensive high schools, ' Text provided by West Ada School District TABLE 4G: HISTORICAL FALL ENROLLMENT, WEST ADA SCHOOL DISTRICT 2012-2013` 31,312 231 2,132 2,826 2,892 2,951 2,888 2,894 2,932 2,939 2,815 2,934 2,186 2,534 2,438 2011-2012 36,538 235 2,113 2,806 2,812 2,930 2,868 2,814 2,911 2,918 2395 2,913 2,166 2,516 2,421 2010-2011 35,933 301 2,122 2,852 2,882 2,843 2,826 2,896 2,861 2,164 2,629 3,056 2,528 2,432 2,329 2009-2010 35,322 245 2,151 2,849 2,839 2,803 2,814 2,808 2,698 2,511 2,830 2,830 2,509 2,399 2,310 2008-2009 34,441 205 2,131 2,829 2,110 2,199 2,162 2,681 2,492 2,801 2,568 2,611 2,416 2,414 2,236 2001-2008 33,432 226 2,629 2,135 2,691 2,159 2,628 2,418 2302 2,543 2,483 2,583 2,491 2,289 2,189 2006-2001 32,211 212 2,555 2,609 2,619 2,542 2,381 2,652 2,412 2,395 2,412 2,664 2,400 2,281 2,011 2005-2006 30,582 204 2,446 2,531 2,400 2,259 2,511 2,365 2,306 2,335 2,460 2,414 2,332 2,011 1,936 2004-2005 28,655 232 2,313 2,259 2,132 2,361 2,231 2,162 2,214 2,313 2,204 2,322 2,146 1,965 1,195 2003-2004 26,981 208 2,023 1,981 2,234 2,103 2,012 2,121 2,156 2,139 2,166 2,191 2,104 1,196 1,141 2002-2003 26,114 185 1,881 2,155 2,010 1,958 2,014 2,114 2,082 2,122 2,015 2,189 1,925 1,681 1,651 2001-2002 25,233 158 2,011 2,001 1,886 1,911 2,042 2,005 2,082 1,922 1,988 2,024 1,822 1,102 1,601 2000-2001 23,946 133 1,839 1,846 1,891 1,943 1,920 2,001 1,832 1,911 1,811 1,954 1,191 1,612 1,456 1999-2000 22,820 143 1,619 1,841 1,851 1,830 1,891 1,161 1,834 1,140 1332 1,861 1,114 1,561 1,430 Note: 2012-2013` values by grade are estimates calculated from known enrollment total and % of total for each grade from previous year. Source: Idaho Department of Education, Fall Enrollment Statistics, Historical Fall Enrollment, 2013. 3 alternative high schools, 2 charter high schools, and 1 magnet high school throughout the district. The mission statement West Ada School District is "Preparing Today's Children for Tomorrow's Challenges." Enrollment Not including the Pre -Kindergartners, there were 17,236 elementary -age children enrolled in West Ada School District at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. There were 8,482 middle school children enrolled in the school district at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. High school, grades 9 through 12, enrollment at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year was 10,437. Table 4G shows historical student enrollment in West Ada School District, which has almost doubled over the last 15 years. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Enrollment growth has placed tremendous demands on schools. Since 2000, the district has opened 9 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 2 alternative middle schools, 3 high schools, and 3 alternative high schools. In the past ten years, West Ada School District has opened schools at a faster pace than any district in the history of the state of Idaho. With an additional 500 students per year projected to move into the district, this rate of new school construction is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Land acquisition for future school sites within West Ada School District are based upon the following acreage standards: » Elementary Schools 10-12 acres » Middle Schools 40 acres » High Schools 55 acres 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 Note: See Table 4G for data. FIGURE 4C ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOUNDARIES 1 1 / 1 1 / —9th -12th —6th -8th 1 I — I st-8th Star Note:nolo Based on past trends, the District estimates that approximately 1,000 acres of land will be needed within Meridian's Area of City Impact to meet the needs of all existing and projected K-12 students. As shown on the Future Land Use Map, about one elementary school is projected within each square mile of the City. Depending upon the residential density of an area and other build -out factors, the District estimates that it will need at least one middle school for every two to two and a half square miles and one high school for every three square miles of fully developed land. Bus Transportation School bus transportation in West Ada School District is a cooperative effort involving transportation staff, schools, parents, students, and the community. The district transports an average of 13,400 students per day to 50 different schools on 270 buses. Each year West Ada School District buses cover an average of over 3 million miles and use approximately 400,000 gallons of fuel. The District bus facility is located on Franklin Road, between Linder and Ten Mile Roads in Meridian. The mission of the transportation department of the district is to provide safe, efficient, and enjoyable access CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Andrus I i .Ryer Elementary 1 a< 4eph ", School I Boundaries p ranklin - eine Men an Overland- Pe rine — Overt d Im 84 t April 2014 L Legend Si na I L _11 School District Boundary Yao a Mendian Area of City Impact N 1 Ami A 1 m 1 M ry Pherso L L Haz f -1e Columbia ` _ 0 0.5 2 3 Miles u' i 'Silver 1 Sage Lake ' Hazel I )7_T_11r r Source: From the West Ada School District website, 2013. to learning in a manner that contributes in a positive way to the overall academic success of the students of this district. To reduce the need for safety busing, the district works with ACHD and City staff to develop safe routes to school. Through this collaborative effort, projects are identified with school boundaries, walk zones and safety busing in mind. Elementary Schools Elementary schools include kindergarten through grade five. Most of the elementary schools in the district have a traditional school year calendar, but there are four elementary schools in the district that have a modified calendar. The district operates 32 elementary schools, each strategically located through the 384 square mile district. These schools range in size from 320 to 750 students. The buildings vary in age, with the oldest being 56 years old and the newest having opened in 2013. The district's older facilities are all well maintained and have been periodically remodeled over the years to improve efficiency, safety and comfort. Middle Schools Middle schools include 6th through 8th graders. Like most of the elementary schools, the middle schools have a traditional school year calendar. The district's middle schools serve as a bridge for pre -adolescents as they move from elementary to high school. A team approach is used in core classes at grade six to ease the transition from the elementary classroom. Academic emphasis is placed on refinement of basic skills through instruction in traditional subjects such as language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science. The curriculum in middle school is expanded to include more opportuni- ties to pursue the fine arts and other elective choices. The middle schools are committed to providing students with CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) an educational experience that prepares them academically, physically, and socially for successful high school years. To reduce the need for safety busing, the district works with ACHD and City staff to develop safe routes to school. Through this collaborative effort, projects are identified with school bound - cries, walk zones and safety busing in mind High Schools Academic excellence is the focus at the district's high schools. In 2012, 90.7% percent of West Ada School District high school seniors graduated in 2012. All of the district's high schools offer a full academic program with courses in basic skills and college -preparatory skills. Intensive instruction in the liberal arts and technical areas prepare high school students for the best colleges and universities as well as for today's workforce. Central Academy, Meridian Academy and Eagle Academy, the district's alternative high schools, provide opportunities for at -risk students. Meridian, Centennial, Eagle, Mountain View and Rocky Mountain High Schools are all 5-A classification for athletic competition and other competitive programs such as music, drama, and debate. They have a rich tradition of winning regional and state championships and are often recognized for outstanding achievement in music and the arts. Students develop leadership skills through a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities. Charter and Magnet Programs In addition to traditional scholastic opportunities, West Ada School District offers a variety of Charter and Magnet schools to accommodate, encourage, and challenge all students. Magnet schools are available at all levels and include: The Arts: Christine Donnell School of the Arts, Pioneer School of the Arts, Chief Joseph School of the Arts and Eagle School of the Arts. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education: Galileo K-8, Summerwind STEM Academy (K-5), Spalding STEM Academy (modified calendar) (K-5), Barbara Morgan STEM Academy (K-5), Lewis and Clark Middle School (6-8), Heritage Middle School (6-8), and STEM programs have been expanded at all high schools. Other Magnets: Paramount Elementary Literacy Magnet, Gateway School of Languages and Culture, and Renaissance Magnet High School. A fully recognized International Bacca- laureate (IB) high school. Students complete their Associates degrees while completing their high school diplomas. Strong partnerships with Idaho State University and the College of Western Idaho formed the foundation of this program. Additionally, West Ada School District offers several Academy High Schools which provide more one-on-one interaction between students and educators. Private Education Opportunities In addition to the public school system, Meridian has several private schools opportunities. These facilities cater to all children of all ages, from pre-school through high school. Some of the larger private schools in Meridian are: Cole Valley Christian, Challenger School, A Child's Choice Montessori CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) School, and The Ambrose School. There are several other, smaller private schools in Meridian as well. In addition to traditional scholastic opportunities, West Ada School District offers a variety of Charter and Magnet schools to accommodate, encourage, and challenge all students. Continuing Education The City has a solid partnership with the education institu- tions in Meridian, primarily West Ada School District, and Idaho State University (ISU) who opened the doors to ISU-Meridian in the fall of 2009. Students at ISU specialize in Law and Leadership, Research and Medical Arts, and International Studies. The City has been working with ISU to not only strengthen educational programs but to create partnerships with the private sector. The ISU President's Southwestern Idaho Advisory Council on Health Science Education and Economic Excellence focuses on specific business and research opportunities. This Council of business and educational leaders helps prepare ISU to expand health science education opportunities and support the efforts of The CORE. Other colleges and universities in the Meridian area include (main campus location in parenthesis): Boise State University (Boise), University of Idaho Extension (Boise), University of Phoenix (Meridian), College of Western Idaho (Nampa), College of Idaho (Caldwell), Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa), Stevens-Henager College (Boise), Guardian College (Meridian), Broadview University (Meridian), University of Phoenix (Meridian), Carrington College (Boise), Brown Mackie College (Boise), and Treasure Valley Community College (Ontario, OR). Libraries' Separate from the City, is the Meridian Library District. The mission of the Meridian Library District is to provide a safe and inviting place where residents can interact with each other; find information about their community and its offerings; investigate a wide range of topics pertaining to their work, school and personal lives; and develop a love of reading and learning that will continue throughout their lives. The Library District currently has two libraries, one in the Silverstone Business Campus and the main library branch on Cherry Lane. In an ongoing commitment to offer services to the entire community, Meridian Library operates its bookmobile Wednesday through Saturday at locations throughout the District. Public Utilities Electricity' Idaho Power Company is an electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale and purchase of electric energy. Idaho Power provides electrical services throughout the City of Meridian and the Area of City Impact. Idaho Power is a public service company regulated by the Idaho Public Utility Commission, the Oregon Public Utility Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Power is predominantly supplied by 17 hydroelectric generation facilities on the Snake River system. Power is also supplied ......................... hur://www.mld.org/ ° Text provided by Blake Watson, Idaho Power Company CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The Library District currently has two libraries, one in the Sil- verstone Business Campus and the main library branch on Cherry Lane. through a shared ownership of three coal-fired generation plants located in Wyoming, Montana and Oregon. Additional generation is provided through Idaho Power's ownership of three natural gas-fired generation plants. Idaho Power's headquarters are in Boise, Idaho. They have an employee base of approximately 2,300 people. Today, Idaho Power serves a 24,000 square -mile service area and roughly 1,000,000 people in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. As of January 2014, Idaho Power serviced approximately 35,000 residential and general business customers within the City of Meridian limits. With 17 low- cost hydroelectric power plants as the core of its generation portfolio, Idaho Power's 501,000 residential, business and agricultural customers pay some of the nation's lowest prices for electricity. Idaho Power facilities currently located in the Meridian area include two transmission lines and five substations, one located at the intersection of Locust Grove and McMillan Roads; the second located at Black Cat Road and Franklin Road; the third located near the intersection of Franklin Road and E. 2nd Street; the fourth near the intersection of Ten Mile and Ustick Roads; and the fifth near the intersection of Stoddard and Overland Roads. Figure 4D depicts the general location of electric utility facilities of a voltage of 69,000 volts or greater. Typically, public streets and road rights-of-way FIGURE 41): EXISTING IDAHO POWER LINES/STATIONS NEAR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN r EqM ; EeCb�. 'pond �•�.T- \ (4Uire Richt bland, Island ! A4i r 00. Pask 'c m ' \ a Spunwes IC1.Y j as, 5 1 -m (FutureJf r�,�. Nn Go CIUD caHw. Jlu �l 4 �i ry Axa' Ito 36 Cl \ v° Pv b Le r F..� I two - .. mount Rd u L ra, Isla I� C¢ �..� rc �Istare GnH ene�y(Fmore) u Garde�3ly Oim�Lu \� Qo r name. rim MemAl Y11 •,•. � f �1ae \184 W E \\ O1� 6 xCet McORn — Park 9c oil\ •... .. CC QQ ,� _ �i Yta nC a`Ye _ _ o ut a y ,Yareoa pa ys —- ' - o o• IndRid a Ar P MrPortRd i �1 l� — \ewI f V ry Nam x.0.5,./ tiN.y I o Vcm � > � \ �i armn z t id y 7ts' �mp,. EVictory Rd r � �l, = .. 13d r i t assay (FUWref] Mllsdare N W i1, Rd I A.* 0 hila Goren Bons r III a old Army Anporl ry r Nmbnal Guatd 1wpy—Y r 2 WGo. Nan ff" Pisani Legend ii nr) eR mmzAlar, WISE, LE .a,..2 A Existing Substation Figure I -y Existing Transmission ] Meridian City Limit City Meridian Idaho Existing Facilities ao:uurmu ••.,,., Miles'a'WYDI. ,•.t,...,..Po.=11° 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 riw,cozncamwm Source: Blake Watson, Idaho Power Company, April 2014. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) serve as corridors for electric facilities. Transmission lines are usually located on road rights-of-way or private easements that Idaho Power Company acquires from property owners. Additional transmission lines and substations will be necessary in the future in order to service Meridian's growing needs. Designation of the locations of future electric utility facilities shown in Figure 4D applies to a general utility corridor area rather than to a specific site. Idaho Power takes a proactive stance in the planning process and is committed to strengthening communication with Meridian so that both the City's and Idaho Power's goals can be mutually recognized and implemented. In December 2012, Idaho Power completed the Eastern Treasure Valley Electric Plan. The plan involved a Citizen Advisory Committee to assist Idaho Power in the placement of potential future locations for transmission lines and substations. Idaho Power employs a three-part strategy: responsible planning, responsible development and protection of resources, and responsible energy use, which ensures they approach the current and future demands thoughtfully. Wise use of energy helps ensure fair priced and reliably electricity today and tomorrow. Communications Centurylink provides basic telephone service and CableOne provides cable T.V. service, within the City of Meridian and its Area of City Impact. Both companies provide internet services. Several telecommunications companies offer wireless and cellular phone service and other providers offer internet and T.V. service through other wireless means. Portions of the City have been equipped with fiber -optics. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Gas Intermountain Gas Company is the sole provider of natural gas in southern Idaho, including Meridian. There are dual, high-pressure, natural gas pipelines that bisect the southwest part of the Area of City Impact. These pipelines and the associated easement are discussed further in the Hazardous Areas section of this report. Irrigation Irrigation water in Meridian is supplied by a series of irrigation canals and laterals diverted from the Boise River. Three main canals serve the City and its Area of City Impact: New York Canal, Ridenbaugh Canal, and Settlers' Canal. Maintenance and operation of the New York Canal and its laterals is performed by the Boise Project Board of Control, under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. Both the Board of Control and the Bureau of Reclamation review rights-of-way, easements, road crossings, relocation of facilities, utility crossings, and other related matters for the New York Canal. Water rights associated with the New York Canal are administered by the Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District (NMID). The NMID is also responsible for maintenance and operation of the Ridenbaugh Canal and its laterals and administration of associated water rights. Settlers' Canal is operated and maintained by Settlers' Irrigation District, while its laterals are maintained by the water users. Settlers' Irrigation District is responsible for administration of water rights associated with Settlers' Canal. WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES OF MERIDIAN? As required by Idaho State Statute, this section of the report includes a discussion of Natural Resources, Hazardous Areas, National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, Agriculture, and Special Sites and Historic Resources. These physical, cultural, historical and natural resources (and obstacles) form the basis of the community and affect growth and development. Analysis of the City's natural resources includes climate, air quality, geology, hydrology, soils, and vegetation. Special sites, including community landmarks and natural features CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) that are important to the community are then identified in this section. Agriculture has both natural/physical and social/cultural impacts on the community and is addressed next, followed by Historic resources representing Meridian's heritage. Hazardous areas, those that could pose a threat or danger to the community if not properly administered, are addressed right before concluding this section. The last couple of paragraphs concern National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. Natural, Special, Historic, & Agricultural Resources Community Concerns When the 2002 version of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan was composed, citizen groups were formed to discuss issues and concerns regarding natural resources and com- munity character. The following is a brief synopsis of some of those concerns, which have also been reinforced in recent years, and are included as goals within the current City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. Meridian residents tend to value their natural resources and are interested in preserving and protecting them while rec- ognizing a need for growth and development. Water quality/ pollution, canal tiling and piping of ditches, noise pollution, air quality, floodplains, connectivity, density, neighborhood services, natural habitat, agricultural preservation, and open space preservation were the top concerns expressed. As growth continues, increased pressures are placed on natural resources. Productive agricultural soils, vegetation, and waterways are all valuable resources that the residents of Meridian enjoy and want to preserve. While develop- ment is expected within the Area of City Impact, a maze of monotonous development is not desired, either. City leaders and citizens focus on trying to balance open spaces and Meridian's agricultural heritage with development and growth. Development in Meridian which expresses concerns and appreciation for the aesthetic qualities of the physical environment should be encouraged. Meridian has seen much of its natural resources change over the years from agricultural open spaces to a growing city. Growth projected for Meridian emphasizes the need for attention to Merid- ian's character, specifically its natural and historic resources. Providing and protecting unique sites and resources will assure continuance of the quality of life that the residents have come to know and expect. Natural Resources Climate The City of Meridian and surrounding area is favored by a mild, and climate. While summer hot periods rarely last longer than a few days, temperatures of 100° F or higher occur nearly every year. July is the average warmest month, with the average high temperature of 92° F. January is the average coolest month with an average low temperature of 22° F. The normal precipitation pattern in the Meridian area shows a December winter average of 1.47 inches of precipitation and a very pronounced summer low of about 0.23 inches in August.I Meridian has a United States Depart- ment of Agriculture Hardiness Zone designation of 7a, with ......................... The Weather Channel, hur://www.weather.com CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) Photo: Hoar frost at Meridian City Hall some areas of 6b. Meridian's elevation is approximately 2,600 feet above sea level. Air Quality= The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) regularly monitors air pollutant levels in Ada County. During the 1970s and early 1980s the County experienced violations of the national standards for carbon monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM10). As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the area as nonattain- ment for these two pollutants. Ada County, however, has not ......................... ' Idaho Department of Environmental Quality experienced any violations of the national standards for CO since 1986. In 1999, EPA removed Ada County's designation of nonattainment for PM10. In 2001, IDEQ submitted a Main- tenance Plan for CO that can help the progress of the area into attainment, and in 2002 a maintenance plan for PM10. As a result of efforts to restrict CO and PM10 pollutant sources, Northern Ada County is currently classified as a Limited Maintenance Area for CO and PM10. Automobile and area source emissions are the two major sources of CO. The main sources of PM10 are fugitive road dust and agriculture. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) Geology' The Meridian area lies within the Snake River and Boise River Plains. Geology consists of a series of volcanic lava flows inter -bedded with soil layers. Most outcrops within a few miles of Meridian expose black basalt lava flows on the Snake River Plain. Significant geologic areas include the Snake River and its tributary, the Boise River, plus the Idaho Batholith. Generally, geology -related issues in the region involve the basalts of the Snake River Plain or the windblown silt and sand that covers the basalt. The windblown material on the plain in the Meridian area supports some of the best farmland in southwest Idaho, but its properties can create problems for construction. Large structures placed directly on this material rather than on engineered foundations may settle because of compaction or the spreading of the unconsolidated material. Hydrology The hydrology of the area is affected by agricultural and development practices in the local area. Surface water within the Area of City Impact includes the Boise River; seven peren- nial creeks; intermittent creeks; plus an extensive network of canals, laterals and drains. Groundwater in the Meridian area appears to be of good quality and close to the surface. Groundwater is the primary source of potable water for the City. Twenty deep wells are located throughout the area which provides drinking water to residents. Use of septic tanks in areas of poor soils and/or a high water table pose a threat in terms of groundwater. Because of the community's agricultural base and location in a relatively low rainfall area, groundwater resources are extremely important. All surface and subsurface drainage returns to the Boise River. ......................... ' 2002 City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan Soils An understanding of soil properties makes it possible to predict suitability or limitations for present and future uses. In some cases, limited soil absorption for a domestic septic tank, combined with a high seasonable water table, limits the capacity of the soil to absorb and filter additional liquid being discharged by a drainfield. The probable result is usu- ally contamination of groundwater supplies. Soils that are shallow or water -saturated do not have adequate volume to absorb and filter sewage effluent. Figure 5A shows common soil types in the Meridian area. Vegetation Trees provide shade and wildlife habitat, reduce heat island effects, reduce soil erosion, and improve air quality. Throughout the Meridian area are natural tree and shrub corridors along the creeks and drains. Not only do these vegetation resources provide aesthetic values and recreation opportunities, they are also critical for wildlife, allowing for the migration of species between developed areas. Without these riparian zone corridors and the ability to move through them, many species would not have habitat areas large enough to support them. Protection and preservation of natural vegetation along all creeks and drains within the Meridian area assures that residents are able to continue viewing wildlife and natural scenery, while preserving a valuable natural resource. There are no forests in Meridian, but outside of the riparian zones previously mentioned, portions of the City are heavily planted with trees and shrubs. Parks and subdivisions contribute to the recreational and aesthetic values of the City, and enhance the appearance of urban areas as they are typically densely landscaped. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) FIGURE 5A: SOILS IN THE MERIDIAN AREA �v go kgsl —ATa6. County I... 1�matv) PEE Soils 711; INNER 0 amin Off 0 0.2503 1 1.5�ti roaApril 2014 2_ IOWA rrh d' UNWORN,_ �� ��- Legend`�ai\ a:1 Area a( Impact NEWS, AP,o� SIM Mill ZZ Soils 114A, v-�4�1 °, 1 �mp\' g i_\� Nbo At Loam xC.tiy ��►`\��.d`ii \.a�� \ F ,I!y��\'I ANuie iarriv@ems \` ''I®P�✓\�� kr`\, \```\\` Whorp wbb11 bam 1,.'r ``ar.� �� ♦ ` va Whorp sift bam %I/'�., �^ '1 .�. S \` \d1 �``;►O ,1• `� 7/ I \ 11 1 El ah sill loam --,'�= .'••- `�►�- rouftun-Nobs �, ;mss roufton-PhINs ;� Q�% ��0���`\ \\���Ip��yji► �� I/ "SIF roWN4sftos a r \ / 11? `�- N0§00 1 - Pipelbe sill loam �\h�II�( i2/ ��i N. gr.,el Pt Er,dl PuNem at Iwm Purdam-Power sift It. rr krk Nepl.rgitls krk Naplowkids �.■■� Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2014. Soil data from the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey, http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.goy/app/, 2013. TABLE 5A: AGRICULTURAL LAND A Total Area 39,621.01 Total Developed 22,911.36 Developed in Last 50 Years 15,919.30 Development on Prime Farmland (If irrigated) 11,359.61 Total Remaining Undeveloped Land 16,655.66 Undeveloped Prime Farmland 1,542.94 Undeveloped Prime Farmland (If Irrigated) 9,521.98 Undeveloped Not Prime Farmland 1,121.68 Source: Prime farmland (soil) data provided by COMPASS, January 2012. Note: Development status determined by existing City limits, Roadway ROW, County subdivisions, and pending development applications as of May, 2014. Ag exempt properties (determined by State tax codes, 2013) were subtracted from City limits and County subdivisions. Agriculture Much farmland in the Meridian area has, or is being converted into, urban development. However, there are still some prime agricultural lands in production within Meridian's Area of City Impact. For the purposes of this report, prime farmland is defined as land that has a good combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food Acres 0.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 30,000.00 40,000.00 ■ Developed Before 1960 ■ Developed After 1960 ■ Undeveloped Prime Farmland ■ Undeveloped Not Prime Farmland Note: See Table 5A for data. Prime farmland assumes irrigated soils. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) 0.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 30,000.00 40,000.00 Acres ■ Development on Prime Farmland ■ Development not on Prime Farmland ■ Undeveloped Prime Farmland ■ Undeveloped Not Prime Farmland Note: See Table 5A for data. Prime farmland assumes irrigated soils. and other agricultural crops with minimum inputs of fossil fuels, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor and with minimal soil erosion, while also having access to irrigation water. Figure 513 shows the irrigated agricultural land, meadows, and dry grazing land in Meridian. While rapid growth has converted 15,979 acres of agricultural lands into roads, houses, and shopping centers over the past 50 years, there is still 9,528 acres of undeveloped land with soils considered to be prime farmland (if irrigated) within Meridian's Area of City Impact (AOCI). Within this area, 7,543 acres of this prime farmland are in active use (irrigated), and there is an additional 7,128 acres of open space that is not prime farmland, but could be used for other agricultural uses. With a rich history built on agriculture, Meridian would like to preserve some of its rural character, protect opportunities for local produce, maintain and expand diversity in employ- ment opportunities, and preserve a variety of housing and lifestyle choices, such as living on working agricultural land or open space. South Meridian In 2008, Meridian in cooperation with Ada County began the process of evaluating current and future land uses in South Meridian. This study area, loosely defined between I-84, Kuna, Boise, and the Ada -Canyon County line, was eventually adopted into the Meridian Area of City Impact. While the process clearly identified which city that County residents and stakeholders most identified with, either Meridian or Kuna, no land uses were selected and the entire area was instead designated as a Future Planning and Referral Area, to be determined later. In 2012, through a second round of public outreach and planning efforts, the City worked with stakeholders to identify future land uses for this area. An "ultra-low" density future land use designation was developed as part of this process. This new land use, Rural/estate Residential, is intended to protect rural lifestyles, while allowing for small ranchettes and rural neighborhoods, such as clustered developments. Clustered developments consist of a small neighborhood of homes developed in relatively close proximity, to reduce utility costs, and are surrounded by open space or integrated with community farming areas. These types of developments can help transition to nearby urban projects and also protect larger agricultural uses into the future. Fields District At the time of this report, the Fields District, a study area in the northwest corner of Meridian, is being evaluated for agricultural and bioscience related opportunities through private, public-private, and public -public initiatives. This study is evaluating available land, local and state policies, market demand, partnership, capital needs, and human resources for a variety of unique economic development CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) FIGURE 5B: AGRICULTURAL TAX EXEMPT LAND IN MERIDIAN I Tax Exempt Agricultural Land April 2014 Legend LMea of Ilryan ® ail Emi6 Agricultural Land - Naled At Will - lWow land F_ Dry Grnng land D 0.25 0.5 1 1.5 � nae: Overland r, S '• Columbia Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2014. lake Hazel ' TABLE 5B: NATIONAL REGISTER -LISTED HISTORIC RESOURCES, MERIDIAN Register Number Resource Home Address 5001599 Bell, R.H. and Jessie, House 131 E. Pine St. 5001600 Hill, Clara, House 1123 N. Main St. 82000210 Hunt, E. f., House 49 E. State St. 82000223 Meridian Exchange Bank 109 E. 2nd St. 3000122 Mittleider farmstead Historic District 515 Rumpel Ln. 8000905 Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co. 815 N. Main St. 82000221 Neal, Halbert F. and Grace, House 101 W. Pine St. 96001506 Tolleth House 134 E. State Ave. Source: National Register of Historic Places Program, httpJ/www.nps.goy/nr/research/` and marketing initiatives not only in northwest Meridian, but the in Treasure Valley as a whole. Some of the outcomes from this process may involve identifying and preserving for agricultural related land uses, tourism, education, economic development, clustered subdivisions, and/or food security. Special Sites and Historic Resources Historic Resources Meridian has a unique, storied history. Preservation of that history is important because of the richness and meaning that it adds to the lives of its residents and the link it provides between the past and future. As development has increased, however, rural historic resources throughout the region have disappeared. Historic preservation in Idaho began in 1881 with the creation of the Historic Society of Idaho Pioneers. In 1907, the Idaho State Historical Society, a state agency serving several pres- ervation functions, was formed. Preservation efforts in Idaho began in earnest in 1966 with the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act. Meridian's Historic Preservation dates back to the late 1980s. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) As shown in Table 5B, there are several Meridian properties currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to these properties, more than 140 historic architectural resources have been recorded within the City, and more than 30 outside the City, but within the Area of City Impact. The recorded buildings probably representjust a sample of the actual number of historic buildings within the entire study area. Historic commercial buildings recorded within the City reflect its important agricultural heritage. They include grain elevators, a feed mill, a wagon shop, a cheese factory, and a number of shops. Historic public buildings include a public library, Meridian Rural High School, and a municipal pumping station, all constructed prior to 1923. The history of town settlement is also reflected in the many private historic residences that have been recorded. Outside the City Core, but within the Area of City Impact, architectural resources include historic farmsteads, residences, hay derricks, irrigation facilities, and schools. Some of these, such as the White Cross School/Hamming Farmstead, are no longer present due to road widening and residential development. A study of historical irrigation in Ada County recorded a number of agricultural features within Meridian's Area of City Impact. These include the Ridenbaugh Canal Check Dam and associated structures, the Ten Mile Check/ Weir structures, the Sundell Lateral Lava Rock Check, and various Settler's (temp) Canal features. No Geological sites or monuments have been identified in Meridian, nor are there any Native American sites recorded within Meridian's Area of City Impact. However, the Five Mile Creek is noted in Ada County's 2006 Historic Preservation Plan as a potential site for archaeological exploration. Cross- ing of this facility requires a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers which triggers a site investigation for historic and cultural resources. Hazardous Areas Besides floodplains, some heavy industry located primarily near the rail corridor, and gas stations scattered throughout the community, there are few other hazards or hazardous areas that are noteworthy in the Meridian area. Without large industrial complexes, an airport, petroleum tank farms and other uses which tend to generate safety and pollution concerns, the City of Meridian is relatively free of hazardous areas which plague larger metropolitan areas. As more development occurs however, safety and hazardous areas will likely increase from more service stations, increased traffic, and storage and conveyance of hazardous chemicals associated with certain businesses. While federal regulations provide protection to a degree, as development increases, so will the potential for spills, accidents, and fires. Natural Gas Pipeline As shown in Figure 5C, there is a high-pressure natural gas pipeline that runs through the northwest and southwest areas of Meridian. This pipeline operates at a maximum pressure of 850 PSIG and carries only natural gas. There is typically a 75 -foot wide easement that is associated with the pipeline. Coupled with the gas transmission pipeline, there is an existing liquefied natural gas plant located in the northwest part of the Area of City Impact, at 4014 N. Can -Ada Road. Liquefied natural gas is gas that has been converted temporarily to liquid form for ease of storage or transport; liquefied natural gas takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state. It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non -corrosive. Hazards include flammability, freezing and asphyxia. The City and the gas company have CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) FIGURE 5C: GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE 1 1 Chinden 1 1 1 a =- Millan ` 1 Ustick o I Fairview. u 1 _ Pine l S{ an lin £ g ' -Interstate-14_= �' c T erlan - Gas Lransmission Overland 1 Line April 2014 Legend ' aF Amity - ml Area of Inpaa (ay limas ■.'. Wilian¢Pipeline H 9-�- 1 _ , ■ N u is ' o�sos1 13 r\ Note: This map shows the general location of gas and hazardous liquid transmission pipelines under Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration jurisdiction. All pipelines are not represented on this figure. Contact the appropriate pipeline operator prior to excavation activities. Source: National Pipeline Mapping System website, 2010: wwwnpms.phmsa dor gov certain restrictions and specific provisions when developing on or around the gas pipeline. State Highways State Highways are typically posted for higher -speeds and are considered by many in the community to be hazard- ous. There are four ITD roadways that currently traverse through Meridian: Interstate 84, SH 55 (Eagle Road), U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard), and SH 69 (Meridian Road). Many of the accidents that occur in Meridian are along State Highways. The City has worked, and will continue to work with ITD, ACHD and COMPASS on improving safety along State Highways for motorists and pedestrians. Some of the safety projects that the City would like to see include: additional pedestrian facilities, intersection improvements, and improved access management. Weeds There are vast and far reaching economic and environmental impacts of invasive weeds. Idaho has about 800 of the nation's 2,000 weed species present, most of which are alien to the state. Noxious weeds overwhelm native plant communities and disturbed areas, spreading steadilyyear byyear. Importing natural controls is not possible for all weeds, and may take many years and significant financial resources to introduce natural controls. Therefore, it is important to educate and implement aspects of weed management. Prevention and inspection are the most economical management system for reducing the rate of noxious weed spread. Floodplains The City of Meridian is a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates development in flood prone areas. Although located in the high desert, CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) over 24 miles of intermittent and year-round streams are found within Meridian's Area of City Impact. These streams are unique because they also serve an irrigation purpose. These dual-purpose waterways have been channelized and widened to allow them to carry large flows in the event of a canal failure. Even though the streams have been modified each stream has associated Special Flood Hazard Areas. Flood events have occurred in the early spring when rain and rapid snowmelt combine. Meridian has experienced such flooding events in 1963 and 1982. Because certain areas of Meridian are affected by Special Flood Hazard Areas (Figure 5D), the City has developed Floodplain Overlay Districts (FP Districts). All development in FP Districts is regulated through permits and includes activities such as grading, filling, building structures, and even storage of materials. The purpose of the FP Districts is to guide development in the flood -prone areas of any watercourse that is consistent with the requirements for the conveyance of flood flows and to minimize the expense and inconveniences to the individual property owners and the general public caused by flooding. Meridian currently maintains good standing in the NFIP by meeting or exceeding minimum floodplain development standards. Additionally, Meridian's floodplain administration program is evolving to provide more benefits to residents. Idaho has about 800 of the nation's 2,000 weed species present, most of which are alien to the state. Noxious weeds overwhelm native plant communities and disturbed areas, spreading steadily year by year. FIGURE 51): MERIDIAN FLOODPLAINS Meridian seeks to become a member of the Community Rating System, an NFIP program that rewards communities that go above and beyond the minimum program requirements by giving their residents discounts on flood insurance premiums. The program includes activities in Public Information, Map- ping, Flood Damage Reduction, and Flood Preparedness. National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors During the 2007 Idaho State legislative session, the Local Land Use Planning Act was amended to require that Com- prehensive Plans incorporate an additional element to address National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been tasked with identifying national corridors. Designating a National Corridor does not constitute a recom- mendation or a proposal to build additional transmission L facilities; it simply serves to spotlight the congestion or constraints adversely affecting consumers in an area. The DOE L issued two draft National Corridor designations; one in the ■ Northeastern States and one in the Southwestern States. The ■ State of Idaho is indirectly affected as several transmission 10 facilities either cross the state or emanate from the state toward the congested area. Idaho Power has provided maps o c illustrating their current and proposed facilities within the ` Meridian Area of City Impact and the Treasure Valley. Should the Idaho State Public Utilities Commission notify the County of other federally mandated corridors, the Comprehensive Plan and this report will need to be updated. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 )DRAFT) Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2014. SUMMARY This report is a companion to the City's Comprehensive Plan, last adopted in April of 2011, and most recently amended November 2013. By separating relevant information about the City's history, present day conditions, trends, and current strategic plan for its future, the Existing Conditions Report 2014 allows the Comprehensive Plan to be a clear and concise vision document. By understanding what Meridian's resources are, its history, and some of its recent initiatives, this document serves to identify planning, policy, and services which should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. In this regard, the Existing Conditions Report is not only an invaluable planning and decision making tool, but a means to measure progress. CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) The source documentation for this report is largely composed of material which, with time, changes. Given that, the Existing Conditions Report is a living document, and as sufficient time has passed or significant changes occur within the City, updates will be made to retain its relevance as a companion document to the Comprehensive Plan. It is envisioned that this report will be updated approximately every three years. ' —This page left intentionally blank — CITY OF MERIDIAN EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2014 (DRAFT) —This page left intentionally blank — C�/(fIEN'L HO Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5E PROJECT NUMBER: CPAT 14-002 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION NO. Resolution No. (� (�1 a : A Resolution Amending the 2011 Comprehensive Plan to Incorporate the Downtown Master Street Plan as an Addendum to the Plan (CPAT 14-002) MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. I t - 10I a BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BIRD, BORTON, CAVENER, MILAM, ROUNTREE, ZARE MBA A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO AMEND THE 2011 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY INCORPORATING THE DOWNTOWN MASTER STREET PLAN AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have the authority pursuant to Idaho Code § 50-302 to establish resolutions not inconsistent with the laws of the state of Idaho as may be expedient, in addition to the special powers therein granted, to maintain the peace, good government and welfare of the corporation and its trade, commerce and industry; and WHEREAS, the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan was adopted on April 19, 2011 as resolution 11-784; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on September 2, 2014 regarding the incorporation of the Downtown Master Street Plan as an addendum of the 2011 Comprehensive Plan. WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have deemed it appropriate to amend the 2011 Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the Downtown Master Street Plan as outlined in attachments Exhibit A. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have provided all the requisite notices, held the necessary hearings, and received the required information necessary to make a final decision as required by the Idaho Local Land Use Planning Act to amend the adopted comprehensive plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, IDAHO AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Pursuant to Idaho Code §67-6509, the Mayor and City Council hereby amend the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan as outlined in attached Exhibit A, titled Downtown Master Street Plan. A copy of this Resolution and the attached amendment shall be held on file in the office of the City Clerk. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT— DOWNTOWN MASTER STREET PLAN —CPAT 14-002—Page I of 1 SECTION 2. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption and approval. 2014. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this I day of September, APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 9 day of September, APPROVED: Mayor Tammy de Weerd -DAL°LST ATTEST: Yom° J . n-1 A a "Cityof c COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT—DOWNTOWN MASTER STREET PLAN— CPAT 14-002— Page 2 of 2 DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE Street Cucss-secticn Master plan r�. , IN SUPPORT OF Destination: Dowkowm 1 ( DRAFT) �3 C�10- E IDIAN-- IDAHO This page intentionally left blank DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE Street Cross-section Master plan (t is the !rope that this #0 will Ix used to PosGtunly impact and yw* I*e wm& aI d'fV6 fnaa t and u"fivuenau t Do"&" Meridian. %dais Plan is tMt& ded to Protect and sufrr'E existiny yxesness, excite and &wAry ye new &skies, and to p?smre and create the network qF roads, PttEGrways, and e&a&ve, w -Mm eMvvwm&r65 whda suffvrt am a&ve and viirwt pace to lure, w&y ekd %1 Council Adopted on: Month, Day, Year MR %O/� IN SUPPORT OF: � Destination: Dowkowm Assembled by the Meridian Community Development Department. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) For questions, please call 208.884.5533. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Street Cross-section Work Group Meridian Development Corporation Ada County Highway District Contributing stakeholders Agency Contact Information Community Development 208.884.5533 Economic Development 208.489.0537 Parks 6 Recreation 208.888.3579 33 E Broadway Ave.. Suite 102 Meridian, Idaho 83642 33 E Broadway Ave.. Suite 102 Meridian, Idaho 83642 33 E Broadway Ave.. Suite 206 Meridian, Idaho 83642 Attn: Meridian Development Corp. Administrator 208.477.1632 33 E Broadway Ave. Meridian, Idaho 83642 Ada County Highway District Development Services 208.387.6100 3775 Adams St. Barden City, Idaho 83714 For new inquiries, the City of Meridian Community Development Department can help to coordinate efforts and direct interested parties to the correct agency staff person. (✓�E IDIAN4- IDAHO TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1-1 Approach....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1-1 Howto use this document...................................................................................................................................................................................................1-1 KeyConcepts.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1-1 DesignFlexibility.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1-2 PlanOutline..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1-2 Whento Use this Document................................................................................................................................................................................................1-2 4-7 PublicAgencies.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1-2 Largeprojects (Street Blocks)..............................................................................................................................................................................................................1-2 Small Projects (one or several parcels)............................................................................................................................................................................................1-2 CityCore: Street Map.............................................................................................................................................................................................................1-3 Creatingthe Plan.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 Conceptualization...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-1 Outreach.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-1 SupportingDocuments.........................................................................................................................................................................................................2-1 ACHDPolicy Manual.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-2 Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines....................................................................................................................................................................................2-2 City of Meridian Improvement Standards, Section 11 Streets................................................................................................................................................2-2 Cityof Meridian Unified Development Code................................................................................................................................................................................2-2 DesignManual........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-2 MeridianPathways MasterPlan.......................................................................................................................................................................................................2-2 East 3rd Street Extension Alignment Study Report....................................................................................................................................................................2-2 DestinationDowntown........................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-2 PartnerAgencies.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-3 AdaCounty Highway District............................................................................................................................................................................................................2-3 MeridianDevelopment Corporation................................................................................................................................................................................................2-3 Cityof Meridian......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2-3 DestinationDowntown Districts.........................................................................................................................................................................................3-1 Washingtonand Main District...........................................................................................................................................................................................................3-1 TransitOriented Development District........................................................................................................................................................................................... 3-1 Traditional City Core (also known as Old Town).........................................................................................................................................................................3-1 NeighborhoodPreservation Area..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3-1 Design Cross-section Format.............................................................................................................................................................................................................4-1 Cross-section Requirements...............................................................................................................................................................................................................4-1 5-1 Cross-section Alignments....................................................................................................................................................................................................................4-1 Cross-section Alternatives....................................................................................................................................................................................................4-1 LowImpact Development.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4-1 Parking....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4-2 ParkingRequirements..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................4-2 AccessibleDesign...................................................................................................................................................................................................................4-2 Cross-section Corridors & Segments................................................................................................................................................................................4-2 Corridor: Main Street.............................................................................................................................................................................................................4-3 Main Street: Carlton Avenue to Fairview Avenue.......................................................................................................................................................................4-4 Main Street: Ada Avenue to Carlton Avenue................................................................................................................................................................................4-5 Corridor: East 2nd Street......................................................................................................................................................................................................4-6 East 2nd Street: Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue............................................................................................................................................................. 4-7 East 2nd Street: Bower Avenue to Ada Street...............................................................................................................................................................................4-8 Corridor: East 3rd Street.......................................................................................................................................................................................................4-9 East 3rd Street: Franklin Road to Broadway Avenue...............................................................................................................................................................4-10 East 3rd Street: Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue............................................................................................................................................................4-11 Corridor: Ada Street.............................................................................................................................................................................................................4-12 AdaStreet: Main Street to East 3rd Street...................................................................................................................................................................................4-13 Corridor: Bower Street.........................................................................................................................................................................................................4-14 Bower Street: Meridian Road to East 3rd Street.........................................................................................................................................................................4-15 Corridor: Broadway Avenue...............................................................................................................................................................................................4-16 Broadway Avenue: Meridian Road to Main Street....................................................................................................................................................................4-17 Broadway Avenue: Main Street to East 2nd Street...................................................................................................................................................................4-18 Broadway Avenue: East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street.............................................................................................................................................................4-19 Corridor: Idaho Avenue.......................................................................................................................................................................................................4-20 Idaho Avenue: East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street......................................................................................................................................................................4-21 Idaho Avenue: Main Street to East 2nd Street............................................................................................................................................................................4-22 Idaho Avenue: Meridian Road to Main Street............................................................................................................................................................................4-23 Corridor: Pine Avenue..........................................................................................................................................................................................................4-24 Pine Avenue: Meridian Road to East 3rd Street.........................................................................................................................................................................4-25 Pine Avenue: West 8th Street to West 4th Street......................................................................................................................................................................4-26 Pine Avenue: West 4th Street to Meridian Road.......................................................................................................................................................................4-27 Pine Avenue: East 3rd Street to East 6th Street(Appx.)..........................................................................................................................................................4-28 Pine Avenue: East 6th (Appx.) to Locust Grove Road...............................................................................................................................................................4-29 Corridor: State Avenue........................................................................................................................................................................................................4-30 State Avenue: Meridian Road to East 3rd Street........................................................................................................................................................................4-31 Corridor: Carlton Avenue....................................................................................................................................................................................................4-32 Carlton Avenue: Meridian Road to Main Street.........................................................................................................................................................................4-33 CarltonAvenue: Main Street to East3rd Street.........................................................................................................................................................................4-34 SpecificPlans........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5-1 Expansionof the Planning Area..........................................................................................................................................................................................5-1 EstablishingPriorities............................................................................................................................................................................................................5-1 DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION This plan was created to identify future street cross- sections within an area of downtown Meridian known as the City Core (see street map on page 1-3). Previous planning efforts have indicated basic aesthetic and infra- structure elements that were desired in the downtown area, but did not: resolve issues with alignments and identify the specific location of improvements; » provide consideration for interim conditions, or » discuss priorities for improvements in constrained areas. Part of the issue stems from a focus on areas outside of the actual roadway — those areas behind the back of curb. Without an understanding for what the ultimate design of a street is and where the back of curb would lie, there is no way to identify a starting point to ensure linear and continuous installation of partial or phased improvements along the street edge. GOALS The Downtown Meridian I City Core Street Cross-section Master Plan is designed to: identify which elements and at what scale, are appropriate for improvements on specific blocks in the City Core; and » clearly define redevelopment expectations that impact or are impacted by the street environment. The framework provided by these cross-sections is critical to enhance synergies of efforts by local agencies and private development, and to promote appeal, reinvestment, and economic development within the City Core and greater downtown area. It is expected that redevelopment with the City Core will occur as a result of partnerships and collaboration. APPROACH This plan identifies specific cross-sections for each street segment within the City Core and a few key entryway corridors into downtown. By identifying cross-sections that consider the future alignment for each street, agen- cies are more able to efficiently facilitate redevelopment opportunities in the City Core. Regardless of scope, scale, or speed of redevelopment within the City Core, this plan provides a framework that ensures: » pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular network connec- tivity is created and maintained; that future improvements are supportive of the long-term vision for downtown; and » that improvement expectations are transparent and clearly defined for agencies, developers, and property owners. Additionally, the plan seeks to build upon the previously developed Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines by providing additional considerations for actual use of the streetscape, and not just the implementation of consistent aesthetic elements. Some streets for example should place greater emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, due to location or being a thoroughfare, while others are much more valuable in supporting street presence for local businesses. Others still because they lack thoroughfare or arterial visibility, offer opportuni- ties for unique designs and features to generate greater awareness and attraction. KEY CONCEPTS Working with this plan is straight forward. Despite the large number of pages, the vast majority of the plan are the cross-sections contained in Chapter 4. In most cases only a few of these cross-sections will be of interest to any given stakeholder. It is important for to review and understand: » the supporting documents to this plan (Chapter 2); » how partner agencies are involved and can help (Chapter 2); » the applicable cross-section for an area or property of interest (Chapter 4); and » corridor goals and background information for each cross-section of interest (Chapter 4). This master plan is only one component of the develop- ment process, and the supporting material and processes listed in the background section must also be understood and complied with. This plan is a very high level first -step in identifying the vision for streets downtown. In some cases streets may have a more detailed and specific vision, DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) INTRODUCTION and may require unique solutions to work around special tions, contact the City of Meridian Planning Division circumstances or impediments. In all cases implementation at 208.884.5533. will require coordination with the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). For questions on development applica- DESIGN FLEXIBILITY It should be understood that on many streets no single cross-section will work in every circumstance. For this reason, street cross-section designs are explained so as to convey intent and needs, rather than to simply list expectations without explanation. These cross-sections allow for flexibility in design elements provided: » the intent and connectivity requirements are main- tained; » that the finished product reflects a form and function which meets the vision of the Destination Downtown plan (see Chapter 2 for information about Destina- tion Downtown); » that the design can be consistently carried through and integrated in build out conditions for an entire block; and » alignments are safe across intersections. PLAN OUTLINE Following this Chapter 1 Introduction, a background is provided in Chapter 2 explaining the history leading up to this plan and an explanation of supportive planning documents and agency roles. Chapter 3 briefly touches on existing conditions (to memorialize where we've been) and is followed by a street design discussion in Chapter 4, which includes street cross-sections. This document then concludes with next steps in Chapter 5 and some additional appendices. WHEN TO USE THIS DOCUMENT The variations in scope, size, and location of a redevel- opment, roadway, or streetscape project have different improvement requirements appropriate to the impact a project has on the surrounding environment. In general, the Features checklist included on the top -left of every cross-section in Chapter 4 provides a high-level indica- tion of what elements must be provided; items which are not marked are not applicable. In all cases preserva- tion for improvements consistent in dimension with the depicted cross-section must be provided, regardless of when improvements are installed. Preservation must be created through dedication of easement or right-of-way. Sidewalks and parkways are required, where described, and must always be installed. Other improvements are required where they can be built, and space allocated and preserved for when they cannot. Determinations with regard to whatfeatures are appropriatewill be determined on a case-by-case basis by the City of Meridian Planning Division, in coordination with Ada County Highway District. PUBLIC AGENCIES For projects led by a public agency, all permanent improve- ments which can be installed, must be, and to the extent possible, consistent with the identified cross-section. This requirement should not be triggered by: fa4ade improvements, change of use, interim facilities, or utility/ infrastructure improvements occurring entirely within right-of-way. In no circumstance is street furniture ever required. A public agency should seek partnerships with both private development and other agencies regardless of scope to seek joint improvements, cost -savings and cost-sharing, and to coordinate timing of efforts in order to limit construction impacts. LARGE PROJECTS (STREET BLOCKS) For large projects led by private development, the expec- tation is for identified cross-section improvements to be built to their ultimate configuration, including any necessary modification to existing curb alignments and adjustments to storm -water infrastructure. Partnerships and support should be explored with public agencies for projects aligned with and supportive of the Destination Downtown plan. Large projects are defined as develop- ment along the majority of a typical downtown street block (more than half a block). SMALL PROJECTS (ONE OR SEVERAL PARCELS) For small redevelopment projects, such as those on one or several small parcels, the expectation of improvements is generally limited to preservation. Preservation will allow for installation of improvements through agency -led partnerships at a later date. Life -safety and ADA improve- ments are also required, with sidewalks installed or modi- fied consistent with the applicable cross-section to the extent possible. While placemaking improvements can be costly, they are a critical element for promoting safe and attractive environments that increase awareness and draw in an urban pedestrian environment. Partnerships should be explored to realize additional placemaking improvements with redevelopment, which is supportive of Destination Downtown and consistent with the appli- cable cross-section. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) INTRODUCTION CITY CORE: Street Map IST Meridian Elementary IST E� a Lu �-• - � � G�1 � "q ■ ��LC06 M MCI cm Aj 4 is 6 *I �`E �6: r Traditional City Core District Transit Oriented Development City Core Boundaries t . (Old Town) L Washington &Main District District Note: For a description of the various districts shown on this map, see the Destination Downtown Vision plan P www.maridiandeveloomentcaro.com © DS Post Office 2 AND A HALF P �# .Neighborhood Preservation . Public Open Space Areas =Do, -"" O D' SDo' North DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) INTRODUCTION `•M it ,..: This image from the Destination Downtown Vision Plan depicts an urban concept for the future of downtown Meridian. Created by the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) • the City's urban renewal agency, Destination Downtown is a narrative describing the long-term vision of downtown Meridian. Comprised of six unique districts, the framework of the Plan outlines desired characteristics for the different geographic areas of the urban renewal area. Districts include the: • Northern Gateway; • Southern Gateway; • Washington & Main; • Traditional City Core; • Transit Oriented Development / Cultural; and • Neighborhood Preservation Areas. Destination Downtown (the Plan) also broadly touches on green space, transit, parking, and then delves into four main goals, also described as focus areas. These focus areas include: Livability, Mobility, Prosperity, and Sustainability. While each focus area provides several objectives and includes a number ofpriority action items, the bulkof the plan is more illustrative and intended to provide a framework for greater discussion and further refinement. The key working component of the Plan is actually a separate implementation document, titled Implementing the Vision. This supplemental material is comprised of many additional objectives and action items, categorized by the four focus areas (goals). These objectives and action items identify strategies, scope, timing, and priorities. While helpful, this document did not identify champions or lead roles, and in some cases were cumbersome and difficult to implement due to complexity of tasks. To further support and assist with implementation of the Plan, City staff refined the implementation strategies by assigning lead roles for the strategies and creating smaller more manageable action items. For City led efforts, departments were identified to champion speck action items. Foradditional information on the Destination Downtown Vision Plan, see the Meridian Development Corporation website @ www.meridiandevelopmentcorp.com 2. BAC1144GROUNP CREATING THE PLAN This master plan effort began by establishing a street cross-section work group of agency staff from the City and Ada County Highway District (ACHD), and by repre- sentatives from Meridian Development Corporation (MDC). This work group collectively discussed the long-range vision of the plan, challenges, and implementation of the cross-section plan. The work group began by exploring existing conditions and with familiarization of expectations provided by related planning efforts and existing studies. CONCEPTUALIZATION For each street, a corridor focus was determined to ensure that connectivity was maintained (or preserved), and that the street environment (existing right-of-way, buildings, land use, etc.) could support desired elements throughout the corridor. Some streets for instance are more residen- tial in nature while others are more oriented towards a pedestrian supportive commercial environment. These streets were then examined in the context of both the existing environment and what is envisioned within the Destination Downtown plan, and priorities for improve- ments were set based on identified needs. Some streets for example would prioritize pedestrian oriented commercial, and others in constrained condi- tions would need to balance improvements for all users. Not every street can cater to every need, and reasonable street cross-section widths must be maintained not only to protect existing environments and improvements, but to preserve an urban character that is comfortable and safe for motorists and non -motorists alike. Additionally, streets must be considered as a network, and the spe- cial features or conversely the burdens of one must be considered for their impacts on the others. After priorities were set for each street, such as safe routes to school or on street parking, street cross-section concepts were developed to illustrate what reasonable solutions might look like. These cross-sections were dis- cussed among the planning working group members, and then used as a launching point for broader outreach with stakeholders. OUTREACH The outreach process first targeted stakeholders likely to be more directly impacted, or who have shown past interest in this topic. Outreach was then extended to a general audience, and 434 postcards were sent out invit- ing every property owner and building tenant within the planning area to an open house. The open house was held on September 30th, 2013 in Meridian City Hall from 4pm to 6pm. Public comments were generally supportive of the draft cross-sections pre- pared by the working group. After the meeting, an online comment form was made available on the City's website to encourage and allow for additional participation. The online comment form was left up for the month of October 2013. While most of the plan is based and reliant upon other planning documents vetted through other public processes, some of the more unique cross-sections such as those on Idaho and East 2nd, did not receive much feedback. Staff soughtfurther involvement and comments as a result, and extended additional invitation to discuss key sections of the plan with stakeholders. There were no additional comments as a result of this subsequent outreach. See the appendices for outreach materials. In addition to public comment, the City also actively and regularly engaged ACHD and MDC to ensure their comfort and support with proposed cross-sections. While mem- bers of both agencies were on the working group, the City coordinated with additional agency representatives. This coordination helped to ensure that other staff and members with relevant specialties were able to comment on applicability, safety, and to provide opportunities for joint partnerships in the future. DOCUMENTS The Downtown Meridian I City Core Street Cross-section Master Plan is intended to work cohesively with previously adopted plans and standards adopted by the City and other partner agencies. While designed to be accessible and readable, and to convey a general vision of streets within the City Core, it is not intended or designed to provide the full breadth of information necessary for installation of actual improvements. Coordination with otherjurisdictions such as the Ada County Highway Dis- trict (ACHD), Meridian Development Corporation (MDC), impacted stakeholders, and familiarization with other requirements and standards is critical for construction of roadway improvements consistent with this plan. The following paragraphs summarize some relevant docu- ments and requirements to be considered when improving streets in the City Core. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) BACKGROUND ACHD POLICY MANUAL ACHD is responsible for all streets and roads in the City Core. Since this oversight includes the planning, design, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and traffic supervision of these streets, all improvements must meet adopted ACHD Policy. This includes ACHD Tree Planting Policy. DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES The City of Meridian Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines, by MDC, were the original design guidelines that specified product materials and installation details for streetscape improvements within the City Core. While the Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines are no longer the enforcement or design tool used by the City and MDC for installation of improvements within the City Core, it was the principle source of design criteria and product selection requirements used during the creation of Sec- tion 11 Streets, in the City Standards (see below). These standards, while streamlined, reflect the intent and use of the original Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines. CITY OF MERIDIAN IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS, SECTION 11 STREETS The City of Meridian Standards Section 11 Streets detail and describe the required products and installation meth- ods for streetscape improvements within the City Core. These standards provide specifics on different types of pavement, street furniture, landscaping, and other more detailed requirements for the streetscape environment. The Section 11 Streets standards are an integral part of this plan, and verify proper specification and installation of any street improvements made behind the back of curb(s). CITY OF MERIDIAN UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE The Unified Development Code ([UDC], Title 11 of Merid- ian City Code), constitutes the official zoning ordinance for the City of Meridian. This code provides allowances and restrictions for development within the City. While the UDC does not directly regulate the look and feel of the streetscape environment within public right-of-way, it enables the other applicable standards that do. The UDC works in conjunction with the City's Design Manual and Standards to define and provide guidance for how devel- opment should look and function within the City Core. DESIGN MANUAL The City of Meridian Design Manual is a tool which communicates through formal and transparent design guidelines, the City's expectations for a safe, vibrant, and caring community. The manual is separated into several sections covering Urban, Urban/Suburban, Suburban, and Residential Developments. Section B, Design Guidelines for Urban Developments, is the applicable Design Manual section associated with development and redevelopment in the City Core. This section in conjunction with the UDC provides guidance for site and building aesthetics within the City Core. MERIDIAN PATHWAYS MASTER PLAN The City of Meridian Pathways Master Plan is a collection of design guidelines, specifications, and descriptions for both existing and future pathway locations. The purpose of the plan is to develop a comprehensive network of multi-purpose pathways that link important pedestrian generators, environmental features, historic landmarks, public facilities, Town Centers, and business districts. This plan was critical to ensure identified pathway connections were preserved for in street cross-sections. EAST 3RD STREET EXTENSION ALIGNMENT STUDY REPORT The 2009 East 3rd Street Extension Alignment Study Report by Six Mile Engineering memorializes the com- munity's desire and commitment to the construction of a missing road segment downtown. Despite East 3rd being one of only three public roads to cross the railroad tracks between Linder and Locust Grove (two -miles), the roadway does not currently connect Fairview to Franklin. The study examined several potential alignments, iden- tifying one preferred, to connect the missing section of road between Carlton and Gruber. DESTINATION DOWNTOWN The Destination Downtown plan was created by the MDC in 2010 to promote the vision of downtown Meridian. The vision, to support a family -friendly community centered around a hub of pedestrian friendly cultural, recreational, dining, and shopping opportunities, is paramount to the success of downtown. Six distinct districts divide the plan into focus areas and uses. These districts include the Northern Gateway, Neighborhood Preservation Areas, Washington & Main, Transit Oriented Development and Cultural District, the Southern Gateway, and Traditional City Core (also known as Old Town). The vision plan boundaries match the Urban Renewal Area, and extend from Fairview Ave down to the Interstate. Destination Downtown is adopted by reference in the City's Comprehensive Plan, :- From the Destination Downtown Vision Plan. This image is an example of vibrancy and activity. Mamount to the success of downtown Meridian is the realization of what makes it irreplaceable and the opportunities which set it apart from big box stores and strip malls. "The challenge for downtown is to not compete, but to be unique and special. For Meridian, what needs to be developed is a downtown that does not revolve around neighborhood retail, but is instead driven by destination retail, en- tertainment, events, and an active nightlife all located in a compact, intimate, and beautifully landscaped setting — a true gathering place." "The elements most commonly identified as missing by younger generations are what sociologist Ray Oldenburg has referred to as third places. Third places are the traditional gathering places found outside the home (our first place) and the workplace (our second place). Third places include cafes, pubs, town squares, small retail shops, village greens, and entertainment venues. Creating a third place can put a community on the map and give it a focal point, a heart, and identity. After all, besides its people, the heart and soul of any community is its downtown:' Third places must also be connected and accessible — they arenot just islands independent of their surroundings. "Tourist will not go where locals are not present, so it is important to make sure that Meridian Downtown residents are active, engaged, and highly visible." Residential neighborhoods must be connected, accessible, and safe. Context sensitive street designs can connect neighbor- hoods, create comfortable environments, and increase awareness of downtown businesses. {quotes from the Destination Downtown Marketing Analysis, by Bonneville Research. 20 10) t _14o 1JK1 KF N 4. II 0u u i Public plaza in Portland Oregon with a number of activities, entertainment venues, and accessible food -cart and restaurant services. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) BACKGROUND and staff has been actively supporting implementation of the plan through a number of directives included within the City's Comprehensive Plan. ADA COUNTY HIGHWAY DISTRICT Meridian, like all other cities in Ada County, does not own or maintain its own roadway network, and responsibility is instead left to the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). As the right-of-way authority for public roadways in Ada County, many of the traditional improvements typically paired with streets, such as streetscapes, are generally also within ACHD's oversight. For the City Core, ACHD has granted the City a master license agreement that enables the City to work more closely with MDC and other downtown stakeholders, to enhance place -making opportunities. While the City is able to regulate and make improvements in the streetscape, those elements behind the back of curb, ACHD still retains full control of the right-of-way and must approve any alterations to the street. Any improvement which impacts line of sight for vehicles, even behind the back of curb, must also be approved by ACHD prior to placement or construction. All other improvements must be coordinated with the City or MDC. ACHD involvement, feedback, and cooperation in the creation of this plan was critical, as will their ongoing par- ticipation for implementation and infrastructure improve- ments in the future. All redevelopment and place -making improvements should seek the cooperation of ACHD to maximize investment, cost-sharing, and to reduce construc- tion impacts through timing of installation, co -placement of improvements, and to install joint -use facilities. MERIDIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MDC is the City's Urban Renewal agency and was created through adoption of the Meridian Revitalization Plan, by ordinance 02-987 on December 3, 2002. The plan, which outlines special powers, duties, and obligations of MDC, also includes several major goals. These goals vary in scope, and include: » the elimination of environmental and structural deficiencies; » the assembly of land into parcels suitable for mod- ern development; » making public improvements which stimulate new economic growth; » implementing performance and design standards; » strengthen the tax base, and » creating public plazas, civic facilities, gateways, and the like. The Destination Downtown vision plan, created by MDC, was developed to supplement the tools and guidelines of the Meridian Revitalization plan with more specific projects, efforts, and direction to realize a bright and vibrant downtown Meridian. CITY OF MERIDIAN While the City formed an urban renewal agency to focus efforts and dedicate funding to the improvement of down- town, the City still supplies a great deal of other resources to promote economic health and vitality in the heart of the City. The Public Works Department continues to make utility infrastructure improvements within the City Core, and the Parks and Recreation Department installs and maintains all streetscape improvements, parks, and plazas within this planning area. City staff also dedicates time and resources in support of MDC led activities, from planning and coordination to administration of funds from both local and federal resources. This also includes allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars. With the City's heavy involvement and active participation in efforts towards realizing a vibrant downtown, develop- ment interests in Downtown should seek to understand on-going City improvements and activities that may be jointly beneficial, in order to realize cost -savings or capitalize onjoint-venture opportunities. The Community Development Department can facilitate inquiries about City led efforts, and communicate standard policies and procedures for development within the City Core. �TV0 E L 111111IAll J�KLC�Ji �j�//• X�� ', IFrom the uestmation Downtown Vision Plan. This image is an example of pedestrian improvements to enhance safety. ui J Wide pedestrian walkways, trees, plant material, trafficcalming features, and pedestrian scale design elements help to make pedestrians a priority focus (The Gateway, in Salt Lake City, UT). Vehicular traffic and even on -street parking may be important on pedestrian oriented streets, but the priority is to create safe and comfortable pedestrian environments that promote connectivity, activity, and social experiences. A few benefits of pedestrian oriented streets include: » Enhanced safety -Wider sidewalks, on -street parking, landscaped parkways, and other physical buffers such as street furniture all provide greater separation of pedestrian and vehicular ar- eas, which enhances pedestrian safety.' Safer, accessible, and attractive environments support uses typical in a traditional downtown, where walking and leisurely activity is expected. » Vibrancy - Streets with active pedestrian life become vibrant cultural and economic centers that not only draw visitors from surrounding areas, but encourage Third Place. The principle of Third Place, as written by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, is a "setting beyond home and work (the "first" and "second" places respectively) in which people relax in good company and do so on a regular basis:'[ » Health & Comfort - Street trees and other landscaping not only provide shade and reduce heatisland, which creates more comfortable environments for leisurely activity, but they are also shown to reduce stress, by reducing mental fatigue and feelings of irritability.' I Tumlin, J. (2012). Sustainable Transportation planning. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2 Oldenburg, R. (2001). Celebrating the Third Place. Marlow & Company. 3 University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign. (Vol. I No. 6). Cooler in the Shade: Aggression and Violence are Reduced with Nature Nearby. University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign, Human -Environment Research Laboratory. University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) BACKGROUND 3. Exisnm6 CONDITIONS Downtown Meridian and more specifically the City Core is a collection of old and new. Some streets lack basic sidewalk improvements and others are equipped with enhanced lighting, parkways, and other aesthetic improve- ments. Similarly, properties and existing structures vary from old and in disrepair to new and state-of-the-art. A number of buildings in the City Core are historic with their construction dating back more than 100 years. Uses also vary, from single -level commercial and industrial to multi-level mixed use and residential. Right-of-way (ROW) for streets in downtown is typically limited to 80 -feet, with some streets having as little as 50 -feet. In some locations limited ROW can be overcome either because of generous setbacks of existing structures and facilities or because redevelopment is likely to occur. However, other locations for a variety of reasons are likely restricted to what's currently available. This plan is sensi- tive to ROW and, wherever possible, works with existing availability to minimize impacts to property owners and structures. In many areas of downtown storm -water infrastructure is old and accurate data is not always available for the loca- tion and sizing of facilities. Storm -water is an important consideration for any development making improve- ments along public right-of-way, and best discussed and investigated early on. DESTImATiom DowNTOWm DISTRICTS The following is a brief summary describing the state of existing conditions for Destination Downtown districts impacted by this plan. WASHINGTON AND MAIN DISTRICT The Washington and Main District has successfully devel- oped into a charming area with a number of residential to commercial conversions, infill projects, and an assortment of professional services, dining, and retail uses. Buildings are generally well maintained with interesting architecture, improved landscaping, and as a whole are very inviting. There are occasional gaps in sidewalks and streets do not generally have consistent streetscape thematic elements. TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Cultural District promotes multi -modal access and transit sup- portive densities to provide for future transit services to downtown. Today, existing uses within the TOD are almost all low-density. Residential areas are isolated and lack any pedestrian friendly connectivity within core areas of downtown, and other uses are generally auto -oriented or industrial in nature. City Hall is the only notable new improvement within the Destination Downtown TOD vision. The multi -story structure provides interesting architecture, supports a large work -force, was developed in conjunction with a public plaza, and supports pedestrian friendly community events. TRADITIONAL CITY CORE (ALSO KNOWN AS OLD TOWN) The Traditional City Core (TCC) on the surface very much presents the appearance of a traditional downtown area, but for the most part lacks any integrated mixed uses or residential opportunities. The TCC has not yet been able to attract enough destination uses to create and sup- port a lively environment, or regularly draw people in from the adjacent residential neighborhoods. Activities are generally limited to peak hours and special events, with off hours largely vacant of pedestrians. The COM- PASS and VRT building is a notable new construction project which reduced blight and provides a desirable architectural aesthetic, but is more akin to development within a strictly employment area, or as a resource for transit supportive development within the TOD (which it is immediately adjacent to). No new projects within the TCC have included a residential component, created additional draw to neighboring residential areas, and have not created synergies to support or enhance other desired TCC uses and an active pedestrian environment. NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION AREA Though very little of the Neighborhood Preservation Areas (NPA) overlap the planning area of this document, they are essential in supporting Destination Downtown, which this plan builds upon. While some residential infill and redevelopment has occurred, improved and renovated properties are generally isolated and do not truly feel like part of downtown, other than to be in an older area. Connectivity with the core areas of downtown is limited with sidewalks frequently in disrepair, missing, or unus- able due to poor drainage and other existing conditions. Lighting is often inadequate, and a number of existing uses create the appearance of an unsafe environment. Pedestrian activity is generally non-existent, and there appears to be very limited synergies shared between most of the residential areas with the core downtown area. From the Destination Downtown Vision Plan. This image is an example of transit oriented development. m Transit -oriented development (TOD) is compact, mixed-use development near transit facilities and high-quality walking environments. The Transit Cooperative Research Program concludes that the typical TOD leverages transit infrastructure to promote economic development and smart growth, and to cater to shifting market demands and lifestyle preferences. TOD is about creating sustainable communities where people of all ages and incomes have transportation and housing choices, in- creasing location efficiency where people can walk, bike and take transit. In addition, TOD boosts transit ridership and reduce automobile congestion, providing value for both the public and private sectors, while creating a sense of community and place'. Meridian's future Transit Oriented Development and Cultural District includes those areas in Downtown Meridian around the Railroad Corridor, between Franklin Road and Broadway Avenue. By laying the groundwork for future public transit opportunities, Meridian would be able to offer residents and visitors convenient and sustainable transportation options within the City and greater Treasure Valley area. Benefits of a TOD include: I Federal Transit Administration. (n.d.). Transit Oriented Development. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from US Department of Transportation: http://www.fta.dot.gov/12347 6932.htm1 • reduced vehicular congestion;' • greater access to services and activities;' • reduces household spending on vehicular transportation' • promotes a healthier lifestyle with more walking' • more affordable transportation through increased densi- ties;' and • reduces sprawl through infill and compact development: 2 Federal Transit Administration.(n.d.). Transit Oriented Development. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from US Department of Transportation: http://www.fta.dot.gm/12347 6932.html 3 US Department of Transportation.(2005, December). Transit Oriented Development. Retrieved from TOD: Lessons Learned: httpJ/www.fta. dot.gov/documents/TOD—Lessons—Learned-12_21.pdf DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) EXISTING CONDITIONS 4. STREET PES14H Each street segment in the plan has an identified cross- section. Street segments are generally those areas with a consistent design, but some streets may have additional segments because they are intersected by major road- ways or have other special considerations. The following is provided with each segment: » a typical cross-section exhibit; » a chart comparing existing vs. ultimate conditions; and » narrative describing the design, intent, special con- siderations, and implementation. CROSS-SECTION REQUIREMENTS Cross-section exhibits represent a desired vision of the future and address identified needs and features from other transportation and vision planning documents, but do not necessarily reflect all conditions and some varia- tion may be required. The supporting narrative describes not only why certain elements exist or how the street is likely to reach a fully improved and ultimate condition, but also what any variation to the plan must address. Regardless of cross-section or extent of variations, each street must not only support identified needs, but do so consistently for the length of a block and sometimes throughout the entire corridor. While some variations are likely, they should occur only as a result of obstructive existing conditions, for intersection configurations, or to provide additional improvements and features which better serve the pedestrian environment. All future variations to this plan must seamlessly integrate with the designated cross-section, or be consistently carried through for the length of a block or corridor as appropriate. CROSS-SECTION ALIGNMENTS For each cross-section to be realized, the identification of a starting point and alignment for future street configu- rations is critical. While some improvements may occur as a result of improvements for the length of an entire block, others may be intermittent occurring mid -block (for example). The starting point for an alignment, identified as the centerline of the existing road (or in some cases as the edge of existing ROW), is used to ensure that regard- less of existing conditions, some improvements (such as sidewalks) may be improved gradually. Each cross-section generally identifies the existing centerline of roadway, edge of existing ROW, and directional orientation. It is the intention of this plan that gradual and partial improve- ment of the street environment be considerate to both public and private funds, and be installed in their ultimate configuration wherever possible. In general, improvements should be installed consistent with existing curbs, and curb alignments only modified to ultimate configurations when they can appropriately transition into existing improvements (such as with drive- ways or street corners), or when the curb can be adjusted for the length of an entire street segment. Dimensional standards for the installation of some elements such as streetscape improvements may not always be feasible without other modification to the curb alignment and storm -water infrastructure, in which case improvements must be designed with flexibility for expansion to ultimate configurations later (including preservation of space to do so). Opportunities should be explored for interim condi- tions which maximize immediate value, and for providing resources to jointly finish improvements when ultimate conditions may be realized. CROSS-SECTIOm ALTERNATIVES While most cross-sections are intended to bear some flexibility, there are cases where significant design alterna- tives may be needed. The intent of design alternatives is not to allow for a reduction of facilities. Instead, they are intended to allow for more preferential improvements that require greater participation and partnerships that may otherwise be financially infeasible for smaller scale redevelopment. Alternatives may also be used to accom- modate special site conditions with respect to existing trees, utilities, and to resolve other unique existing conditions. These alternatives should strive to maintain proposed alignments, and still provide improvements consistent with identified priorities for each cross-section segment. In no case should design alternatives be allowed which are detrimental to planned connectivity or negatively impact street network operations, which is not supportive of the long-term Destination Downtown vision, or which compromises safety. LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT Low Impact Development (LID), also known as Green Storm -water Infrastructure ([GSI], and included more broadly under the term of Green Infrastructure [GI]), is, at a very basic level, storm -water management and treat- ment processes intended to protect our water resources. There are however other benefits to LID, including aes- Low Impact Development in Portland, Oregon. For more information, see www.cleanrivers do x.org LoTt Development (LID) also known as green infrastructure, is an ecologically -based stormwater management approach favoring soft engineering to manage rainfall on site. The goal of LID is to sustain a site's pre -development hydrologic regime by using techniques that when pos- sible infiltrate, filter, store, and evaporate stormwater runoff close to its source. Contrary to traditional "pipe -and -pond" conveyance infrastructure that channels runoff elsewhere through pipes, catchment basins, curbs, and gutters, LID often remediates polluted runoff onsite or through a network of distributed treatment landscapes.' Permeable surfaces as a finished grade material is one basic form of LID. A permeable hardscape surface, as opposed to traditional non -permeable asphalt or concrete, allows water to pass through gaps or porous material and infiltrate, rather than flowing into other conveyance facilities. Unit pavers are a common form of permeable surface as they are durable and easy to maintain, and come in awidevariety of forms and uses. Other less modular materials include permeable concrete and asphalt. Maintenance is an important consideration with permeable surfaces, and the location and environment should be an important consideration when choosing the type. Some permeable surfaces are more difficult to clean or are more sensitive to runoff with debris. Tree trenches are another LID tool well suited for use in an urban environment. Tree trenches are a structural framework, used in lieu of heavily compacted soils directly beneath a paved surface. This subgrade framework supports the roadway and/or pedestrian sidewalk or plaza environment. Large hollow cavities within the framework and below the finished grade allows the use of non -compacted soils to promote plant I Architecture, Fay Jones School of. LID a design manual for urban areas. Fayette- ville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press, 2010. Water is conveyed into a rain garden between breaks in curbing and through permeable stone pavers, in Portland, Oregon. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN Low impact development (green infrastructure) system and trail at Kaiser Permanente in Modesto, CA growth, increase the water storage capacity of the soil (loose soil can hold more water), and provide easy access to buried utilities (in conjunction with unit pavers). Silva Cells by deep - Root are one example of a modular tree trench framework. Rain gardens are another form of LID bioretention which not only store stormwater, but also mitigate for pollutants. Mitigation of stormwater pollutant is accomplished through phytoremediation processes (treatment of toxins with plants and organics), as runoff passes through the plant and soil com- munity. Rain gardens combine layers of organic sandy soil for infiltration and mulch to promote microbial activity. Native plants are recommended based upon their intrinsic synergies with local climate, soil, and moisture conditions without the use of fertilizers and chemicals. Rain gardens are best applied thetic landscaping improvements and opportunities to use them as buffers between pedestrian facilities and the roadway. LID techniques may also be able to provide both short-term and long-term cost savings through planning and partnerships of multi-purpose facilities. While LID is desired for protection of our interconnected system of rivers, creeks, and riparian outdoor recreation facilities, from excessive discharge and pollution, they may also be required with increasingly complex and stringent federal permits for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems. LID and other green infrastructure are preferred design alternatives to parkways in some locations of the City on a relatively small scale. Theywork well along driveways in low lying areas of a property.' Bioswales are another bioretention device in which pollutant mitigation occurs through phytoremediation and similar natu- ral processes. Bioswales combine treatment and conveyance services, reducing land development costs by eliminating the need for costly conventional conveyance systems. The main function of a bioswale is to treat stormwater runoff as it is conveyed, whereas the main function of a rain garden is to treat stormwater runoff as it is infiltrated. Bioswales are often found located along roads, drives, or parking lots.' I Architecture, Fay Jones School of. LID a design manual for urban areas. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press, 2010. Core. LID techniques should not however be installed where improvements would significantly restrict safe pedestrian activity, particularly in locations with zero -setback development. LID techniques are very appropriate in landscaped bulbouts, parkways, medians, and spaces where pedestrian activity is not envisioned, or where adjacent facilities will meet the described intent. Preferred types of LID include permeable pavers, bioswales, and tree trenches. Streets most appropriate for LID techniques are generally those segments with landscaped parkway strips, and buildings with larger setbacks, though tree trenches may be integrated almost anywhere. Some appropriate roadway segments for consideration of LID improvements may include: » Bower between Main and East 3rd; » Idaho between Meridian and Main (full redevelop- ment); » State (depending on property owner interest); » Carlton (depending on property owner interest); » Main North of Carlton; and » Pine in residential areas and where existing trees can be protected. LID techniques should also be considered for smaller, interconnected systems throughout Downtown. Regard- less of where low impact development is installed, design features should ensure that on -street parking is easily accessible and that 5 -foot sidewalks at a minimum are still provided. When LID techniques are not ancillary and directly inte- grate with existing storwmater management systems for a roadway, they will require extensive analysis, planning, and coordination for integration into existing systems. These systems require very specialized plant materials, soils, and other construction materials to maximize effi- ciency and value, and to meet local, state, and federal standards. For more information on LID, see sidebars on page 4-1 and 4-2. This street cross-section master plan is not a parking plan. While parking is a critical issue and an essential continu- ing discussion, because this plan has no horizon year and represents a build out, the evolving nature of the topic is better left to more dynamic and comprehensive con- siderations. While it is possible to estimate future needs, when and where those needs occur requires solutions to be more flexible. Solutions that also take into account interim and progressive needs, and that also consider on-site redevelopment requirements and future off- street public parking facilities. This plan is considerate of on -street parking provisions, provides consideration for impacts, and recommends minor improvements to optimize efficient on -street availability, but ultimately on - street parking needs to be considered as part of a larger and more comprehensive parking management plan. PARKING REQUIREMENTS In general all redevelopment which does not provide access to public or shared parking lots, and which have or may have alley accesses, should remove curb -cuts and driveways from public roadways. Private off-street parking facilities should only take access from public roadways when alleyway access is not available, or traffic to the property would create unsafe traffic conditions. Within the urban environment, protection of and provision for multi-purpose public parking should take priority over limited single -use private facilities, when one may nega- tively impact the other. In areas where on -street parking may be significantly reduced due to future improvements by identified cross- sections, implementation of this plan should consider triggers and thresholds for prioritizing and phasing improvements, such that parking is not lost in one area without appropriate and timely compensation in others. Opportunities should be explored by the parking author- ity (MDC) to consider and balance current, interim, and ultimate parking needs, and to make or require improve- ments which are fair to existing stakeholders, without unintentionally discouraging redevelopment. Future development will ultimately determine need, but a park- ing management plan should be considered to identify projected needs, solutions, and most importantly create realistic implementation strategies. It is the intention of this plan that all future facilities are constructed with thoughtful design that seamlessly integrates accessibility features for all ages and abilities. At a minimum, this plan supports the Americans with Disability Act, and all requirements within the current ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as published by the United States Department of Justice, must be met. CROSS-SECTION CORRIDORS & SECMENTS The following pages function as cut -sheets and contain cross-sections for each street segment within the planning area. Measurements are always in an orientation perpen- dicular to the existing centerline. Sizes are approximate and based on Geographic Information System (GIS) roadway centerline and right-of-way data. Record GIS information is kept by the City for centerline and right-of-way data used by this plan. All improvements must be surveyed and verified prior to final design and installation. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN : Main Street Main is the primary roadway into the heart of Down- town. While Meridian Road may facilitate more traffic through the area, it is not as accessible or visible to most downtown businesses, and is not supportive of the pedestrian environment contributing to the charm, appeal, and marketability of downtown. With the completion of the split corridor project, Meridian Road supports higher speed through traffic prefer- ences, and provides the framework for Main to be an inviting environment that balances connectivity and pedestrian safety, making special events, shopping, and dining more attractive. Main extends the full length of the Urban Renewal Area and is integral to the connectivity of all of the districts described in the Destination Downtown vision plan. Within the extents of this planning area, Main connects the Washington and Main District, the Traditional City Core (TCC), and the Transit Oriented Development District (TOD). Main is also integral to the identification of each district, and provides the greatest opportunity and visibility for distinct district thematic. Reflective of both existing conditions and vision plan descriptions of the future, there is a north to south intensification of land use moving south from the Wash- ington and Main District into the TOD. This transition is supportive of the smaller residential to commercial conversion and infill redevelopment to the north, and encourages more dense development within the TCC and TOD, necessary to someday support transit opportunities along the rail corridor to the south. Main between Ada and Franklin is constrained by a unique roadway and traffic configurations in support of the split corridor cross-over. Gradually changing conditions make single cross-sections ineffective to address this area, but streetscape improvements and way -finding enhancements should never -the -less be proactively implemented as an entryway corridor into Downtown. Priorities should be on maintaining pleasant and safe pedestrian connectivity despite the vehicle focus, by adding street trees, pedestrian lighting, and making all reasonable efforts to provide for detached sidewalks. Improvements should be parallel to and follow the back of curbs, except where bulb outs or curb extrusions may occur. Looking south along Main Street, between Pine Avenue and Idaho Avenue. LOCATION MAP Looking north along Main, between Ad4and Bower. f LTON A Generations Plaza: located on the north-east corner of Main and Idaho, Generations plaza is a downtown anchor that enhances the visibility, attractiveness, and draw of downtown Meridian. The plaza provides pedestrian amenities, supports community special events, and creates additional opportunities for attractive outdoor dining and catering frontage. - Looking north along Main, between Pine and State. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN MAIN STREET: Carlton Avenue to Fairview Avenue I-< sit u Existing edge of ROW L Maintain existing curb lines with parallel parking (tyi Pedestrian Parallel Parking MAIN STREET Carlton Avenue to Fairview Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: 26'to CL of Road Main north of Carlton is a traditional downtown street lined predominately with residential to commercial conversions and some infill redevelopment. Restaurants and profes- sional services are the predominate types of existing uses, with some government services and a number of historic structures. The street is critical for north -south vehicular and pedestrian connectivity into downtown, and is the primary arterial access for business and residential access between Fairview and Franklin. This roadway segment is outside of the planning area, and not covered by the City's ROW master license agreement with ACHD. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to maintain and improve connectivity, and to balance the needs of both automo- Maintain existing CL of road W to CL of Road tive and pedestrian uses. Detached walkways and land- scape buffers are the top priority, with on -street parking also being critical. Street trees, signage, and lighting are intended to be consistent thematic elements, with pavers and streetscape furniture occurring where appropriate, and must be carried forward as consistent entryway thematic elements for the length of the corridor. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The only significant variation to the typical existing (2013) street cross-section is the potential for short center median islands. These islands are envisioned to occur where traf- fic patterns will be minimally impacted, generally only restricting alleys from becoming through streets, and be built to provide additional aesthetic and thematic benefits to the street environment. In some cases planter strips between the back of curb and detached sidewalk may be preferred over pavers, especially in conditions where Existing edge of ROW 14' PMrian building setbacks are further from the roadway, but should still integrate other typical improvements. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: In most cases the actual roadway for the Main cross- section is already built -out with little need for roadway reconfiguration. Future improvements will generally be located behind the back of curb or involve relatively minor curb line adjustments, and occur either through private redevelopment and infill projects or improvements by MDC and partner agencies. LOCATION MAP 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Three lanes with fView Facing North) center turn lane turnlane Parking Parallel (both sides) Design is based on extents Preservation 0, „0 0 0 d, ,y of existing ROW. Maintain existing curhline along Parking varies C-3 • m . ' parallel parking. Sidewalks Im c Bike support Sherrcws Sharrows Pathway ryr Streetscape Buffer p < m c Q Parkway Buffer .V Y Ila • - Furniture M FG_Lighting " ✓ Required. 0 Desired -� M Al M I-< sit u Existing edge of ROW L Maintain existing curb lines with parallel parking (tyi Pedestrian Parallel Parking MAIN STREET Carlton Avenue to Fairview Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: 26'to CL of Road Main north of Carlton is a traditional downtown street lined predominately with residential to commercial conversions and some infill redevelopment. Restaurants and profes- sional services are the predominate types of existing uses, with some government services and a number of historic structures. The street is critical for north -south vehicular and pedestrian connectivity into downtown, and is the primary arterial access for business and residential access between Fairview and Franklin. This roadway segment is outside of the planning area, and not covered by the City's ROW master license agreement with ACHD. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to maintain and improve connectivity, and to balance the needs of both automo- Maintain existing CL of road W to CL of Road tive and pedestrian uses. Detached walkways and land- scape buffers are the top priority, with on -street parking also being critical. Street trees, signage, and lighting are intended to be consistent thematic elements, with pavers and streetscape furniture occurring where appropriate, and must be carried forward as consistent entryway thematic elements for the length of the corridor. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The only significant variation to the typical existing (2013) street cross-section is the potential for short center median islands. These islands are envisioned to occur where traf- fic patterns will be minimally impacted, generally only restricting alleys from becoming through streets, and be built to provide additional aesthetic and thematic benefits to the street environment. In some cases planter strips between the back of curb and detached sidewalk may be preferred over pavers, especially in conditions where Existing edge of ROW 14' PMrian building setbacks are further from the roadway, but should still integrate other typical improvements. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: In most cases the actual roadway for the Main cross- section is already built -out with little need for roadway reconfiguration. Future improvements will generally be located behind the back of curb or involve relatively minor curb line adjustments, and occur either through private redevelopment and infill projects or improvements by MDC and partner agencies. LOCATION MAP Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Three lanes with Three lanes with center center turn lane turnlane Parking Parallel (both sides) Parallel (both sides) Parking Capacity' PINE AVE Varies Walkways (ea. side) B -feet detached. B -feet detached, min. varies Buffer (ea. side) Varies by area 8 -feet landscape buffer Pathway None None Bike support Sherrcws Sharrows C Z p < Z < c Q ADA %T Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 80 -feet Road Three lanes with Three lanes with center center turn lane turnlane Parking Parallel (both sides) Parallel (both sides) Parking Capacity' Varies Varies Walkways (ea. side) B -feet detached. B -feet detached, min. varies Buffer (ea. side) Varies by area 8 -feet landscape buffer Pathway None None Bike support Sherrcws Sharrows ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN MAIN STREET: Ada Street to Carlton Avenue Existing edge of ROW 14' Pedestrian Ada Street to Carlton Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: Maintain existing curb lines with parallel parking (tyi 26'to CL of Road Main between Ada and Carlton is a traditional downtown street lined predominately with older buildings and some infill redevelopment. Restaurants and professional services are the predominate types of existing uses, with some gov- ernment services and a number of historic structures. The street is critical for north -south vehicular and pedestrian connectivity, and is the primary arterial access for busi- ness and residential uses between Fairview and Franklin. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to maintain and improve connectivity, and balance the needs of both automotive and pedestrian uses. Detached walkways and landscape buffers are the top priority, with on -street parking also being critical. Street trees, signage, pavers, and lighting are Maintain existing CL of road 26' to CL of Road intended to be consistent thematic elements, and must be carried forward appropriately as consistent entryway thematic elements for the length of the corridor. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The only significant variation to the typical existing (2013) street cross-section is the potential for short center median islands. These islands are envisioned to occur where traf- fic patterns will be minimally impacted, generally only restricting alleys from becoming through streets, and be built to provide additional aesthetic and thematic ben- efits to the street environment. On -street parking should generally be parallel where it occurs, with angled parking discouraged due to traffic and safety impacts, especially for bicycle users. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: In most cases the actual roadwayforthe Main Street cross- section is already built -out with little need for roadway Existing edge of ROW 14' Pedestrian N reconfiguration. Future improvements will generally be located behind the back of curb, and occur either through private redevelopment and infill projects, or improvements by MDC and partner agencies. Driveways and unnecessary access points to Main should be restricted or removed with redevelopment, particularly near alleyways. LOCATION MAP 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Three lanes with Three lanes with center I fView Facing North) center turn lane n�•�,� Parking c Parallel (both sides) Design is based on extents Preservation 0, „0 III 0 0 a ,y of existing ROW. Maintain existingcurbline along' Parking.Jm^.. varies Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet per standards parallel parking. Sidewalks m Bike Support c Sharrows Q Pathway o ryr < c Q f FG_Streetscape Buffer m I— Parkway Buffer - - F6_ Furniture FG_Lighting " ✓ Required. 0 Desired -� Existing edge of ROW 14' Pedestrian Ada Street to Carlton Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: Maintain existing curb lines with parallel parking (tyi 26'to CL of Road Main between Ada and Carlton is a traditional downtown street lined predominately with older buildings and some infill redevelopment. Restaurants and professional services are the predominate types of existing uses, with some gov- ernment services and a number of historic structures. The street is critical for north -south vehicular and pedestrian connectivity, and is the primary arterial access for busi- ness and residential uses between Fairview and Franklin. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to maintain and improve connectivity, and balance the needs of both automotive and pedestrian uses. Detached walkways and landscape buffers are the top priority, with on -street parking also being critical. Street trees, signage, pavers, and lighting are Maintain existing CL of road 26' to CL of Road intended to be consistent thematic elements, and must be carried forward appropriately as consistent entryway thematic elements for the length of the corridor. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The only significant variation to the typical existing (2013) street cross-section is the potential for short center median islands. These islands are envisioned to occur where traf- fic patterns will be minimally impacted, generally only restricting alleys from becoming through streets, and be built to provide additional aesthetic and thematic ben- efits to the street environment. On -street parking should generally be parallel where it occurs, with angled parking discouraged due to traffic and safety impacts, especially for bicycle users. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: In most cases the actual roadwayforthe Main Street cross- section is already built -out with little need for roadway Existing edge of ROW 14' Pedestrian N reconfiguration. Future improvements will generally be located behind the back of curb, and occur either through private redevelopment and infill projects, or improvements by MDC and partner agencies. Driveways and unnecessary access points to Main should be restricted or removed with redevelopment, particularly near alleyways. LOCATION MAP Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Three lanes with Three lanes with center center turn lane turnlane Parking Parallel/Angled (both Parallel (both sides) PINE AVE Parking Capacity' III B2 Walkways (ea. side) 6 -feet detached, 6 -feet detached, min. varies Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet per standards Pathway 0 None Bike Support C Z Sharrows Q N o p < < c Q ADA T Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 80 -feet Road Three lanes with Three lanes with center center turn lane turnlane Parking Parallel/Angled (both Parallel (both sides) sides) Parking Capacity' III B2 Walkways (ea. side) 6 -feet detached, 6 -feet detached, min. varies Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet per standards Pathway None None Bike Support None Sharrows ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hydrants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN : East 2nd S East 2nd ends on its north extent at Carlton, to the south at Franklin, and is also interrupted bythe Railroad properties immediately south of Broadway (with no crossing). Despite the lack of north -south connectivity, East 2nd is important both for local vehicular traffic and for pedestrian connectivity within the Traditional City Core (TCC). The shorter block lengths enhance accessibility and visibility for businesses, and provide great connectivity for those looking to live in walkable residential neighborhoods with access to goods and services. Within the planning area, East 2nd primarily serves the TCC, but also supports the Transit Oriented Devel- opment & Cultural district (TOD) to the south of the railroad tracks. The local connectivity on each segment of the corridor is critical for both of these districts, and more -so than even Main, provides the opportunity to enhance multi -modal and pedestrian friendly uses and activities, which is absolutely essential to critical elements of the Destination Downtown vision plan. The support for and provision of vibrant and active streets and streetscapes is paramount to the vision of the TCC, and the limited out -of -network connectivity for this roadway provides a unique opportunity to support these activities without creating congestion on more through corridors. LOCATION MAP holds the south-east corner of Idaho and E 2nd. Formerly a police station, the Community Center now provides a central and convenient location for a variety of classes and events. The Meridian Community center is adjacent to Centennial Park. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN JARLTONAVE I NE AVE 0 Z a I I FFC f N Z 'a f ADA C M a 5T holds the south-east corner of Idaho and E 2nd. Formerly a police station, the Community Center now provides a central and convenient location for a variety of classes and events. The Meridian Community center is adjacent to Centennial Park. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN EAST 2ND STREET: Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue Existing edge of ROW W nWW.sa 3' 10' Walkway Streetscape Parallel Parking Band Drive Lane Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: East 2nd between Broadway and Carlton consists of short block lengths with frequent cross -street and alley inter- sections. The only through cross -street on this segment however is Pine, with all other streets dead -ending within a mile. This limited connectivity is less conducive to heavy traffic movements and provides additional opportunities for pedestrian supportive focus and enhancement. INTENT: This street segment is unique in that the short block lengths and limited traffic allow for multiple cross-sections, which while consistent in thematic and alignment, offer a vari- ety of configurations. Priority improvements should be focused on a wider pedestrian environment with emphasis on unique and memorable place -making configurations. {view Facing North) Design is hosed an extents of existing ROW. ZI'to CL of Road 19' Pedestrian While cross-section configurations with increased parking are provided, in most conditions parking servicing local businesses should be consolidated off-street or located elsewhere, allowing for a more lively and dynamic pedes- trian environment that increases area draw. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: East 2nd is intended to be a charming traditional down- town street that is able to cater to social shopping and dining experiences through unique design enhancements and comfortable pedestrian spaces. While trees are kept to provide a more pedestrian scaled and comfortable pedestrian environment, they are pulled further from the buildings to allow for more unobstructed business and community streetscape uses, such as outdoor dining. Cross-section options exist for medians or other special street features such as topiary or artwork. See appendix. Existing edge Note: See the appendices for alternative cross-section designs IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: As a segment, the frequent cross -street and alley breaks allow East 2nd to be developed more piecemeal than many other areas of the City Core. However, the curb -less nature of the identified cross-sections and resulting grade changes with new facilities will likely require improvements to be made for the full width of the cross-section (both sides of the road). It may be possible for redevelopment to occur in half -block increments, between a cross -street and alley, but there is likely greater long term cost -savings to do a whole block at a time. Storm -water is an important con- sideration. Improvements should occur as public-private partnerships to generate and foster greater place -making, raise awareness, and be supportive of new businesses or renovations able to make use of the facilities. 4 ONANM CARLTON AVE Preservation r FG_ Parking V' Sidewalks F_ Pathway _ }` FG_ Streetscape Buffer c m ADA %T 7 Parkway Buffer F6_ Furniture FG_ Lighting ��•iii ✓ Required. • Desired Existing edge of ROW W nWW.sa 3' 10' Walkway Streetscape Parallel Parking Band Drive Lane Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: East 2nd between Broadway and Carlton consists of short block lengths with frequent cross -street and alley inter- sections. The only through cross -street on this segment however is Pine, with all other streets dead -ending within a mile. This limited connectivity is less conducive to heavy traffic movements and provides additional opportunities for pedestrian supportive focus and enhancement. INTENT: This street segment is unique in that the short block lengths and limited traffic allow for multiple cross-sections, which while consistent in thematic and alignment, offer a vari- ety of configurations. Priority improvements should be focused on a wider pedestrian environment with emphasis on unique and memorable place -making configurations. {view Facing North) Design is hosed an extents of existing ROW. ZI'to CL of Road 19' Pedestrian While cross-section configurations with increased parking are provided, in most conditions parking servicing local businesses should be consolidated off-street or located elsewhere, allowing for a more lively and dynamic pedes- trian environment that increases area draw. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: East 2nd is intended to be a charming traditional down- town street that is able to cater to social shopping and dining experiences through unique design enhancements and comfortable pedestrian spaces. While trees are kept to provide a more pedestrian scaled and comfortable pedestrian environment, they are pulled further from the buildings to allow for more unobstructed business and community streetscape uses, such as outdoor dining. Cross-section options exist for medians or other special street features such as topiary or artwork. See appendix. Existing edge Note: See the appendices for alternative cross-section designs IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: As a segment, the frequent cross -street and alley breaks allow East 2nd to be developed more piecemeal than many other areas of the City Core. However, the curb -less nature of the identified cross-sections and resulting grade changes with new facilities will likely require improvements to be made for the full width of the cross-section (both sides of the road). It may be possible for redevelopment to occur in half -block increments, between a cross -street and alley, but there is likely greater long term cost -savings to do a whole block at a time. Storm -water is an important con- sideration. Improvements should occur as public-private partnerships to generate and foster greater place -making, raise awareness, and be supportive of new businesses or renovations able to make use of the facilities. 4 ONANM Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way. curb -less Parking Angled and parallel Angled, parallel, and none Parking Capacity' 79 Attached. detached. Walkways (ea. side) and missing segments 5 -feet or less 57 (may vary) Detached or bollard separated, width varies. 5 -feet min. Buffer (ea. side) Varies Varies. min 19' where exists with walkway Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hydrants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVE PINE VE 0 C Z p Z Z c m ADA %T Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way. curb -less Parking Angled and parallel Angled, parallel, and none Parking Capacity' 79 Attached. detached. Walkways (ea. side) and missing segments 5 -feet or less 57 (may vary) Detached or bollard separated, width varies. 5 -feet min. Buffer (ea. side) Varies Varies. min 19' where exists with walkway Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hydrants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN EAST 2ND STREET: Bower Avenue to Ada Street FEATUPE-S V Preservation FG_ Parking V' Sidewalks F_ Pathway F_ Streetscape Buffer F_ Parkway Buffer F_ Furniture F_ Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired 0 0 {View Facing North Design is hosed an extents of existing RDW. 5' Pedestrian B" to CL of Rand Bower Avenue to Ada Street CONSIDERATIONS: East 2nd between Bower and Ada, much like the seg- ment north of Broadway, consists of short blocks lengths intersected by multiple cross -streets and alleys. This street segment dead -ends at Bower along properties with rear abutment to the railroad corridor. The street is currently dominated by older single-family residential housing, in an area largely cutoff from the rest of the City Core and surrounded by major arterials and industrial uses. Exist- ing public ROW is limited to approximately 49 -feet, and with parcels both small in overall size and short in depth, acquiring more ROW is unlikelyto occur. Additional mobil- ity improvements, streetscape enhancements, and general redevelopment within the Destination Downtown vision, without concerted parcel assembly efforts, will be difficult. 19' B" to CL of Rand 5' INTENT: Sidewalks and then on -street parking are the priority. There is no existing ROW available for other improvements or enhancements, and additional acquisition is unlikely to occur. If through redevelopment or parcel assembly additional ROW is made available, streetscape improvements should focus on safety and pedestrian supportive improvements and activities, such as detached walkways and landscape buffers consistent with other areas of downtown. Main- taining unique assets such as existing trees should be a priority, and improvements should be careful to avoid their removal whenever possible. On -street parking should be secondary to preserving existing assets. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: Though this cross-section requires limited improvements in ultimate conditions, the narrow streets and older trees provide their own unique charm and character to the street environment. Interim and ultimate improvements which continue to build upon this aesthetic with large canopy deciduous trees will help to provide a comfortable and active pedestrian environment. The narrow roadway, on -street parking, and limited connectivity should keep automotive speeds slow, and reinforce the neighborhood feel. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Implementation of this roadway segment is most likely to occur through redevelopment. While future access to alternative transportation is likely to create demand for higher density and mixed uses, with limited existing connectivity and visibility, development will likely be slow to occur until transit services are made available. Street improvements are minimal however and may occur gradu- ally with individual parcel redevelopment. 4 DONATION MAP 11 CARLTON AVE Cross-section Width 49-feet(ROW) 49 -feet Road Two-way PINE AVE Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' If IF Attached. various Walkways (ea. side) widths and gaps in Attached. 5 -foot min. service 0 C z p < Z Z. < c Q ADA IT None Pathway None 11 Cross-section Width 49-feet(ROW) 49 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' If IF Attached. various Walkways (ea. side) widths and gaps in Attached. 5 -foot min. service Buffer (ea. side) None None Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN East 3rd Street Other than the Meridian Road and Main, East 3rd is the only other north -south roadway between Linder and Locust Grove which crosses the railroad tracks. The corridor intersects several major east -west arterials, including Pine and Franklin, and will be extended north to Fairview in the future. A HAWK pedestrian signal at Franklin provides for safe pedestrian connectivity to Storey Park and the Ada County public swimming pool. With the future extension from Carlton to Fair- view, East 3rd would provide for increased north -south connectivity, and be a viable alternative to Meridian Road and Main for local traffic, especially bicycle and pedestrian users. A connective multi modal East 3rd corridor is critical to the vision of the Destination Downtown plan, and is noted in both the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Pathway Plan. The roadway will be important as a defining and sup- portive resource for both the Traditional City Core and Washington and Main districts, and to support greater pedestrian connectivity between the business and residential oriented districts. While the preferred cross-section within the East 3rd Street Extension Alignment Study Report (Six Mile Engineering, 2009) does not provide accommodation for the pathway identified within this plan, the pre- ferred alignment could be modified to support one, and do so without additional right-of-way impacts not considered with the study. The space provided for the dedicated bike lanes within the study, which are not provided south of Carlton, could instead be utilized for the pathway. Bikes could then either consistently use the identified ten -foot pathway, or ride on -street with sharrows for the length of the corridor. The pathway is a critical and required element along the identified East 3rd corridor, between Fairview and Franklin. With no bicycle lanes and limited sidewalks along Meridian Road and Main, East 3rd is the only north - south opportunity to provide safe dedicated bicycle facilities for all age groups and users, into and through downtown. LOCATION MAP Centennial Park: Located on the south-west corner of Idaho and E 2nd, Centennial Park has a number of community facilities, in addition to those provided bythe adjacent Meridian Community Center. The public playground at Centennial Park is the only one within the City Core. EXISTING PHCTCS r > r V d DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVE INEA E 0 Z ~ a N o C ADA 5T Centennial Park: Located on the south-west corner of Idaho and E 2nd, Centennial Park has a number of community facilities, in addition to those provided bythe adjacent Meridian Community Center. The public playground at Centennial Park is the only one within the City Core. EXISTING PHCTCS r > r V d DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN EAST 3RD STREE FEATURE -S, V Preservation FG_ Parking V Sidewalks F6_ Pathway FG_ Streetscape Buffer V' Parkway Buffer F_ Furniture 46— Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired 27 Pedestrian Franklin Road to Broadway Avenue Franklin Road to Broadway Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: East 3rd between Franklin and Broadway is predominately residential in nature, but is entirely within the Transit Ori- ented and Cultural district (TOD). Improvements should be supportive of higher density and transit supportive uses in ultimate conditions, and all efforts should be made with redevelopment to provide for additional enhancements which capitalize on these future services. Alleyways are another important consideration with the corridor, and must be adequately signed and enforced to ensure pedes- trian safety along the corridor. While alley use is already predominately one-way for westbound travel, this should be verified and coordinated with impacted stakeholders, and considered for access with redevelopment. N m 0 L v {View Facing North) Design is based an eastern edge of b existing ROW, but may vary if con- sistent for continuous segments on- sistentforcontinuoussegments J -11 Existing edge of 18'to Existing � of Road (varies) -7 20' to CL of New Road Alignment 14' Pedestrian tParallel Parking INTENT: The primary intent of this cross-section and any varia- tion is to provide for safe and convenient north -south pedestrian connectivity between Franklin and downtown. The required ten -foot detached pathway must be on the west -side of the road, which has fewer driveway conflicts and opportunities for further reductions with redevelop- ment taking access from alleyways. Walkways must be detached, and residential appropriate lighting provided to enhance safety. On -street parking should be provided, but angled and perpendicular configurations are heavily discouraged to ensure continuity of the pathway and to reduce back -out conflicts with through traffic. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: While East 3rd is not intended to serve as an entryway corridor, it is important for connectivity into the down- town area and should be inviting. Tree lined streets with ample buffers for the detached pathways and sidewalks are all important safety and aesthetic elements for the long-term health of the neighborhoods. Bulbouts should be developed at street corners to further enhance safety and provide additional opportunities for landscaping and additional district thematic elements. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Though implementation may occur with fragmented parcel specific redevelopment, it is assumed that implementation of the pathway will require concerted efforts on behalf of MDC and City. The pathway is critical for accessibility, safety, and quality of life, and should be implemented in blocks and segments. Interim redevelopment enhance- ments may not require full improvements if MDC and the City are not able to expand and maintain pathway components, but redevelopment must make allowances for future installation. I LOO CATICO N MAP Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) 76 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' Varies 51 Walkways (ea. side) Varies, 4 to 5 -feet. Detached. 6 -feet min. fragmented gaps (east side) Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -foot landscape buffer. min. Pathway No Yes. 10 -feet min. (west side) Bike Support No Sharrows ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVE PINE AVE 0 C Z p < Z < c Q ADA ST Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) 76 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' Varies 51 Walkways (ea. side) Varies, 4 to 5 -feet. Detached. 6 -feet min. fragmented gaps (east side) Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -foot landscape buffer. min. Pathway No Yes. 10 -feet min. (west side) Bike Support No Sharrows ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN EAST 3RD STREE FEATUPE-S, V Preservation F6_ Parking V Sidewalks F6_ Pathway F6_ Streetscape Buffer V' Parkway Buffer F_ Furniture 46— Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired 2Z Pedestrian Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue CONSIDERATIONS: J 17' to Existing CL of Road (varies) -3' 20' to CL of New Road Alignment t tParallel Parking Though East 3rd between Broadway and Carlton is pre- dominately residential in nature, it is adjacent to three different commercial districts including the Northern Gateway, Washington & Main, and Traditional City Core districts. While efforts should be made to enhance district identities, with the proximity to the commercial districts, opportunities exist to blend boundaries for uses supportive of the overall Destination Downtown vision plan. INTENT: The primary intent of this cross-section and any variation is to provide for a safe and convenient north -south pathway connection between Carlton and Broadway. The required ten -foot detached pathway must be on the west -side of the road to maintain alignment with the pathway configura- tion south of the tracks, and to help improve pedestrian connectivity with urban uses to the west. Walkways must be detached by landscape buffers with large canopy trees, and residential appropriate lighting must be provided to enhance safety. On -street parking should be provided, but angled and perpendicular configurations are heavily discouraged to ensure continuity of the pathway and to reduce back -out conflicts with through traffic. All rede- velopment must be considerate to and supportive of the residential nature of this corridor segment. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: While East 3rd is not intended to serve as an entryway corridor, it is important for connectivity into the downtown area and should be inviting. The tree lined streets with ample buffers for the detached pathways and sidewalks are all important safety and aesthetic elements for the long-term health of the neighborhoods. Bulb -outs should be developed at street corners to further enhance safety {View Facing North) Design is based on eastern edge of existing ROW, but may vary if con- sistent for continuous segments on- sistentforcontinuoussegments f �v v Existing edge of 14' Pedestrian and provide additional opportunities for landscaping and additional district thematic elements. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Though implementation may occur with fragmented parcel specific redevelopment, it is assumed that implementa- tion of the pathway will require more concerted efforts on behalf of MDC and the City. Interim redevelopment enhancements may not require full improvements if the City is not able to expand and maintain pathway com- ponents, but redevelopment must make allowances for future installation. I OOANM Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) CARLTON VE Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel PINE VE 63 64 Walkways Attached 4 to 5 -feet. Mass fragmented gaps (east side) Buffer (ea. side) Varies 0 C Z p < Z < F C Q ADA ST min. Pathway No Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) 76 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' 63 64 Walkways Attached 4 to 5 -feet. Detached, 6 -feet min. fragmented gaps (east side) Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -foot landscape buffer. min. Pathway No Yes. 10 -feet min. (west side) Bike Support No Sharrows Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN _.. Ada is a short corridor that ends to the west at Merid- ian Road and to the east at East 3rd. It is primarily used for local residential and business access, with no existing destination locations or significant vehicle trip generators. With the completion of the Split Corridor, East 3rd is bisected by both Main and the cross-over. These crossings greatly limit east -west connectivity efficiencies on Ada. The segment of Ada between Main and Meridian Road was reconstructed as a part of the Split Corridor Phase 2 project, and may be viewed as an ultimate configuration, with one exception. The new roadway is abnormally wide for a single -lane one-way travel direction. Extra space is provided for on -street park- ing, despite very little accommodation for it along the roadway, when considering turning movements, curb cuts, line of sight, and safety considerations. This should be considered for modification in the future. Two-way traffic along Main ends at Ada, with south -bound traf- fic on Main forced to make a left or right turn onto Ada, and either go west (turn right) towards Meridian Road or east (turn left) towards East 2nd. Northbound traffic crossing Ada is one -lane only. No cross-section is provided for this segment. All properties along Ada to the west of Main have alleyway access, and should be considered for property access, parking, and other site improvements with redevelopment. While additional improvements should be made to encourage and take advantage of future transit sup portive elements, these enhancements should occur behind the back of curb and be made through rede- velopment. Improvements equivalent to the Standard City of Meridian Improvement Standards apply, to the extent possible, with detached walkways being required where possible. In cases with attached walk- ways, equivalent improvements to the standards must be made behind the walk and include appropriate trees, such as columnar varieties, and other safety, site, and hardscape amenities provided. Additionally, alley frontage may be considered for improvements, such as plazas, particularly with efforts where site conditions restrict the ability to meet City standards along the street. Looking east along Ada, between E 2nd and E 3rd. LOCATION MAP Looking east along Ada, between Main and E 2nd. The Split Corridor Phase 2 project brought with it significant changes to Ada. As a result of the project, traffic heading south on Main must turn onto Ada and then turn onto Meridian to continue heading south. The segment of Ada between Meridian and Main is one-way westbound traffic only, which helps to limit conflicts with prioritized cross-over traffic. Looking west along Ada, between Main and Meridian. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN ADA STREET: Main Street to East 3rd Street ✓ Required. DesiredL J .h' d a c 3 rl�= Existing edge of ROW II' Pedestrian Ms 19' 6" to CL of Road Main Street to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Ada between Main and East 3rd is a small segment spanning two short blocks. Primary users are residential, though a few existing businesses face Main. Existing ROW is limited to only 55 -feet, though there is flexibility with setbacks of existing development and through redevelopment, for additional acquisition of ROW or easement in the future. As redevelopment occurs, especially with future TOD supportive improvements, bulbouts and other pedestrian improvements should be considered to increase safety and provide additional opportunities for aesthetic improvements. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is primarily for preservation of existing street character. Ada between Main and East 3rd has a number of large existing street trees which should {view Facing East} Design is hosed and centered an a extents of existing RDW and not the existing centerline of read ' Y L] —i. Existing CL of road, varies Existing edge of 19' B" to CL of Road II' Pedes be preserved whenever possible. Preservation should be prioritized and secondary only to safe and continuous pedestrian facilities. To the extent possible, other improve- ments consistent with downtown pedestrian aesthetics and improvements are encouraged. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: As uses are intensified, pedestrian improvements and other aesthetic enhancements such as the tree lined streets and landscaping will become increasingly more important. Com- mercial and professional uses should consider long-term benefits to outdoor seating areas and other improvements. While existing ROW is limited, the detached sidewalk, reduced (six-foot) planter strip, and on -street parking were all deemed important for the long-term needs, vision, and character of the street. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Implementation of this roadway segment may occur gradu- ally through redevelopment. Additionally, the width of the identified cross-section exceeds the available right-of- way. Certain improvements, namely sidewalks, should be detached and installed outside of existing ROW through agreements with property owners or required with rede- velopment. While future access to alternative transporta- tion is likely to create higher demand for more intensive development, limited existing connectivity and visibility will likely slow redevelopment. ONANM CARLTON AVE m Preservation E c FG_ Parking ` m Sidewalks v Pathway a FG_ Streetscape Buffer o O Parkway Buffer Y m ' '111, v (— Furniture m m 46— Lighting c ✓ Required. DesiredL J .h' d a c 3 rl�= Existing edge of ROW II' Pedestrian Ms 19' 6" to CL of Road Main Street to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Ada between Main and East 3rd is a small segment spanning two short blocks. Primary users are residential, though a few existing businesses face Main. Existing ROW is limited to only 55 -feet, though there is flexibility with setbacks of existing development and through redevelopment, for additional acquisition of ROW or easement in the future. As redevelopment occurs, especially with future TOD supportive improvements, bulbouts and other pedestrian improvements should be considered to increase safety and provide additional opportunities for aesthetic improvements. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is primarily for preservation of existing street character. Ada between Main and East 3rd has a number of large existing street trees which should {view Facing East} Design is hosed and centered an a extents of existing RDW and not the existing centerline of read ' Y L] —i. Existing CL of road, varies Existing edge of 19' B" to CL of Road II' Pedes be preserved whenever possible. Preservation should be prioritized and secondary only to safe and continuous pedestrian facilities. To the extent possible, other improve- ments consistent with downtown pedestrian aesthetics and improvements are encouraged. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: As uses are intensified, pedestrian improvements and other aesthetic enhancements such as the tree lined streets and landscaping will become increasingly more important. Com- mercial and professional uses should consider long-term benefits to outdoor seating areas and other improvements. While existing ROW is limited, the detached sidewalk, reduced (six-foot) planter strip, and on -street parking were all deemed important for the long-term needs, vision, and character of the street. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Implementation of this roadway segment may occur gradu- ally through redevelopment. Additionally, the width of the identified cross-section exceeds the available right-of- way. Certain improvements, namely sidewalks, should be detached and installed outside of existing ROW through agreements with property owners or required with rede- velopment. While future access to alternative transporta- tion is likely to create higher demand for more intensive development, limited existing connectivity and visibility will likely slow redevelopment. ONANM Cross-section width 55 -feet (RDW) 61 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel(non-pavedParallel shoulder) Parking Capacity' Varies Varies Walkways (ea. side) None, except for one Detached. 5 -feet parcel. Buffer (ea. side) None 6 -foot landscape buffer. min. Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVE PINE AVE 0 C Z p < Z < c Q ADA T Cross-section width 55 -feet (RDW) 61 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel(non-pavedParallel shoulder) Parking Capacity' Varies Varies Walkways (ea. side) None, except for one Detached. 5 -feet parcel. Buffer (ea. side) None 6 -foot landscape buffer. min. Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN Bower S Bower is a short road corridor along the south side of the railroad tracks, dead ending just past Meridian Road to the west and just past East 5th to the east. Bower is intersected by Meridian Road, the Split Corridor cross-over, and Main. As a result of these restrictions, there is very little connectivity or access for east -west through traffic. While predominately light industrial in nature, there are also some existing commercial and residential uses along the corridor. With Bower entirely within the Transit Oriented Devel- opment and Cultural district (TOD) of the Destination Downtown vision plan and running adjacent to and parallel the railroad corridor, the road is critical for future access of transit supportive development. TOD's typically have higher densities with a mix of uses to maximize investment, accessibility, walkability, conve- nience, and appeal. To realize the type of development envisioned in Destination Downtown, Bower must be re -built. Looking east along Bower between Main and East 2nd. Looking east along Bower LOCATION 1017 L` Several properties along Bower and abutting the railroad are undeveloped. Within the Destination Downtown vision plan, this area is within a Transit Oriented Development & Cultural district (TOD), and in the long-term is planned for higher density redevelopment. Increased residential and employ- ment densities are critical for the provision of affordable transit services to someday serve Meridian.. west along Bower between Main and Meridian. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVE INEA E 0 Z a o c' £ N Z � o M Q DA ST L` Several properties along Bower and abutting the railroad are undeveloped. Within the Destination Downtown vision plan, this area is within a Transit Oriented Development & Cultural district (TOD), and in the long-term is planned for higher density redevelopment. Increased residential and employ- ment densities are critical for the provision of affordable transit services to someday serve Meridian.. west along Bower between Main and Meridian. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN BOWER STREET: Meridian Road to East 3rd Street o m � Preservation FG_ Parking 9 .� Sidewalks m L Ir m Pathway ilc FG_ Streetscape Buffer 0 7 Parkway Buffer YFA F6_ Furniture T c FG_ Lighting�M ' ✓ Required, • Desired m r3 17 At a Existing edge of RDW 13' Pedestrian 20' to CIL of Road IL 88' !Perking Walkway Streetscape Parallel Meridian Road to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Bower has a number of existing conditions which may require several variations of the plan defined cross-section, to ease the build out of future improvements and devel- opment. There are several existing building facades and footprints which encroach upon public right-of-way, and some grading challenges along back of walk with newer improvements that may restrict opportunities for streetscape improvement. The roadway should be welcoming and pedestrian friendly. INTENT: This cross-section while ROW restricted is intended to provide a consistent thematic that is reflective of both the TOD district and greater downtown area, and to enforce the City of Meridian Pathway Master Plan. Sharrows should be Existing CL of road, varies 20'to CL of Road provided to promote motorist awareness of bicycle users and direction for all users, to share the road. Supporting automotive and pedestrian uses is critical, and the street must facilitate all modes. Streetscape improvements sup- porting an active and safe pedestrian environment are the priority, but on -street parking is also important and should be provided when possible. While the required sidewalk widths are reduced from other areas, due to the limited available ROW, whenever possible wider walkways should be integrated into the streetscape environment with new development. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: It is likely that with future transit services and proximity to activities and services in the Traditional City Core (Old Town), redevelopment pressures will leave few of the older more industrial and residential buildings standing. Ultimate conditions are intended to be dense and focused on transit access, and for the streetscape to be supportive of those {view Facing East} Design is hosed and centered an o- extents of existing RDW and not ,y 1 the existing centerline of rand -^1 Existing edge of RDW 13' Pedestrian uses. Improvements should include lively additions and thematic to increase awareness, interest, and sense of place. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Redevelopment along Bower is expected to occur gradu- ally and over -time. While some larger redevelopment may occur through parcel assembly or larger public-private or public -public partnerships, such as development of an actual transit station, it is assumed that in most cases redevelopment will occur through private and parcel spe- cific redevelopment. Limited right of way and a number of existing conditions do limit interim improvements, but all opportunities should be explored to preserve and protect buildings of existing businesses. Bower should be a priority for public improvements when opportunities for transit, or transit supportive uses begin to develop. 4 LOO OATIOO N MAP tI CARLTON AVE a L I PINE AVE 0 C Z IDA'T A O Cross-section Width 54 -feet (RDW) BB -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel. limited Parallel Parking Capacity' Varies 34 Walkways (ea. side) Attached 4 to 5 -feet. Detached. 5 -feet, min. fragmented gaps Buffer (ea. side) None 8 -foot landscape buffer Pathway None None Bike Support None Sharrows Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN : Broadwav Avenue Broadway is a critical corridor within the City Core and larger downtown area. It is important for east -west pedestrian, bicycle, and automotive connectivity due to its length, existing and planned signalization cross- ings on both Main and Meridian road, and potential for future expansion. Like Idaho, and with the exception of Pine, Broadway is significantly longer than every other east -west corridor in the area, and it may be extended east to Locust Grove in the future. Currently, Broadway extends to the westjust beyond West 8th, andjust past East 6th to the east. The City's Comprehensive Plan discusses an extension to Locust Grove in this area. Broadway serves as the boundary between two of the most prominent, unique, and complimentary districts of the Destination Downtown vision plan — the Traditional City Core (TCC) and Transit Oriented Development and Cultural District (TOD). More than the other districts, the TCC and TOD districts are both intended to support higher densities of mixed use development, and to be places which support art, civic, and social activities. Broadway provides convenient access to the Neighbor- hood Preservation Area (NPA) districts on both sides of Meridian Road, which will be critical to support the increased social retail and dining venues needed for greater draw, awareness, and true destination status of downtown Meridian. It is critical for the Broadway corridor to effectively support a variety of uses, activities, and transporta- tion opportunities, and to be supportive of existing services and environments. Ultimately, Broadway will also need to provide future access to the transit and transit supportive services spanning the length of the TOD and urban renewal areas boundaries, and beyond. City Hall: Located on the south-west corner of Broadway and Main, the reconstructed City Hall includes a public plaza, amphitheater, fountains, a grassy park area, and public parking. City Hall is a critical draw for downtown Meridian, bringing employees, City residents, those looking to do business in the City, and supporting a number of regular events and activities. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN BROADWAY AVENUE: Meridian Road to Main Street c 41E A'VE c / v :y v..,.� W - / � Emomm r"4�vwr�__ OTIMIlizi N. W-� Existing edge of ROW Existing streetscape improvements outside of ROW Existing edge of ROW 9' Pedestrian 4' 33'to Existing CL of Road (varies) -761, AT 6" to Existing CL of Road (varies) 2Z Pedestrian Pathway Buff or t Meridian Road to Main Street CONSIDERATIONS: There are a variety of existing conditions along this segment of Broadway. Angled parking exists for most of this street segment, but is cut short along the north-east edge by an existing building. While full streetscape improvements have been made adjacent to Bank of the Cascades and the City Hall public parking lot, there are no streetscape improvements along a portion of City Hall. Improvements adjacent to the old Farmers and Merchants bank building on the north-west corner of Broadway and Main deviate from streetscape standards. A future signal is planned at the Meridian Road and Broadway intersection, and may necessitate removal of some existing streetscape and parking to facilitate left or right turn movements. Parking for City Hall is generally adequate today without on -street facilities, but parking demand from special events and the existing environment on the south side of the street. meetings frequently exceed off-street availability. Potential redevelopment of existing buildings along the north-west corner of Broadway and Main could also alter INTENT: the streetscape, if more retail or dining services with street The intent of this cross-section is to provide east -west pathway connectivity and to balance pedestrian and parking needs along a mixed use street. A buffer adjacent to the required ten -foot multi -use pathway is necessary for safety along the northern face of City Hall, to provide greater visibility and additional stopping separation. All elements of this cross-section including pedestrian con- nectivity, streetscape aesthetics, and on -street parking are priorities and must be provided where feasible. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: While existing improvements are in good condition and for the most part could easily be viewed as ultimate conditions, provision for a needed pathway providing connectivity into downtown would dramatically alter presence were, for example, accommodated. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Implementation of ultimate conditions between Merid- ian Road and Main Street will most likely occur through development of a pathway by the City. Existing improve- ments along most of the north street edge are viewed as ultimate condition, with the pathway missing from the southern side. Implementation of the pathway will require alteration of existing curb -line and removal of angled parking along the south side of the street. It is likely that parking will not be removed until additional surface lots or garage facilities are available elsewhere, to offset loss of existing on -street facilities. rm Cross-section Width 79-feet(ROW) 89 -feet A Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel and angled Parallel and angled Parking Capacity' 36 26 Walkways (ea. side) Mixed attached and Detached. 5 -feet (min.) detached. 5 to 7 -feet Buffer (ea. side) None 8 -feet per standards Pathway No I9 -feet (south side) Bike Support No No ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN E Preservation FG_ Parking Y Sidewalks °O c Pathway m FG_ Streetscape Buffer c 0 a 9 7 Parkway Buffer ti by existing northern curb along F6_ Furniture -� m FG_ Lighting c ✓ Required. • Desired m r.3 c 41E A'VE c / v :y v..,.� W - / � Emomm r"4�vwr�__ OTIMIlizi N. W-� Existing edge of ROW Existing streetscape improvements outside of ROW Existing edge of ROW 9' Pedestrian 4' 33'to Existing CL of Road (varies) -761, AT 6" to Existing CL of Road (varies) 2Z Pedestrian Pathway Buff or t Meridian Road to Main Street CONSIDERATIONS: There are a variety of existing conditions along this segment of Broadway. Angled parking exists for most of this street segment, but is cut short along the north-east edge by an existing building. While full streetscape improvements have been made adjacent to Bank of the Cascades and the City Hall public parking lot, there are no streetscape improvements along a portion of City Hall. Improvements adjacent to the old Farmers and Merchants bank building on the north-west corner of Broadway and Main deviate from streetscape standards. A future signal is planned at the Meridian Road and Broadway intersection, and may necessitate removal of some existing streetscape and parking to facilitate left or right turn movements. Parking for City Hall is generally adequate today without on -street facilities, but parking demand from special events and the existing environment on the south side of the street. meetings frequently exceed off-street availability. Potential redevelopment of existing buildings along the north-west corner of Broadway and Main could also alter INTENT: the streetscape, if more retail or dining services with street The intent of this cross-section is to provide east -west pathway connectivity and to balance pedestrian and parking needs along a mixed use street. A buffer adjacent to the required ten -foot multi -use pathway is necessary for safety along the northern face of City Hall, to provide greater visibility and additional stopping separation. All elements of this cross-section including pedestrian con- nectivity, streetscape aesthetics, and on -street parking are priorities and must be provided where feasible. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: While existing improvements are in good condition and for the most part could easily be viewed as ultimate conditions, provision for a needed pathway providing connectivity into downtown would dramatically alter presence were, for example, accommodated. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Implementation of ultimate conditions between Merid- ian Road and Main Street will most likely occur through development of a pathway by the City. Existing improve- ments along most of the north street edge are viewed as ultimate condition, with the pathway missing from the southern side. Implementation of the pathway will require alteration of existing curb -line and removal of angled parking along the south side of the street. It is likely that parking will not be removed until additional surface lots or garage facilities are available elsewhere, to offset loss of existing on -street facilities. rm Cross-section Width 79-feet(ROW) 89 -feet A Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel and angled Parallel and angled Parking Capacity' 36 26 Walkways (ea. side) Mixed attached and Detached. 5 -feet (min.) detached. 5 to 7 -feet Buffer (ea. side) None 8 -feet per standards Pathway No I9 -feet (south side) Bike Support No No ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN {View Facing East} D MD m Design is hosed on southern edge of existing RDW and constrained a 9 !Y ti by existing northern curb along cm existing angled parking CARLTON AV c 41E A'VE c / v :y v..,.� W - / � Emomm r"4�vwr�__ OTIMIlizi N. W-� Existing edge of ROW Existing streetscape improvements outside of ROW Existing edge of ROW 9' Pedestrian 4' 33'to Existing CL of Road (varies) -761, AT 6" to Existing CL of Road (varies) 2Z Pedestrian Pathway Buff or t Meridian Road to Main Street CONSIDERATIONS: There are a variety of existing conditions along this segment of Broadway. Angled parking exists for most of this street segment, but is cut short along the north-east edge by an existing building. While full streetscape improvements have been made adjacent to Bank of the Cascades and the City Hall public parking lot, there are no streetscape improvements along a portion of City Hall. Improvements adjacent to the old Farmers and Merchants bank building on the north-west corner of Broadway and Main deviate from streetscape standards. A future signal is planned at the Meridian Road and Broadway intersection, and may necessitate removal of some existing streetscape and parking to facilitate left or right turn movements. Parking for City Hall is generally adequate today without on -street facilities, but parking demand from special events and the existing environment on the south side of the street. meetings frequently exceed off-street availability. Potential redevelopment of existing buildings along the north-west corner of Broadway and Main could also alter INTENT: the streetscape, if more retail or dining services with street The intent of this cross-section is to provide east -west pathway connectivity and to balance pedestrian and parking needs along a mixed use street. A buffer adjacent to the required ten -foot multi -use pathway is necessary for safety along the northern face of City Hall, to provide greater visibility and additional stopping separation. All elements of this cross-section including pedestrian con- nectivity, streetscape aesthetics, and on -street parking are priorities and must be provided where feasible. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: While existing improvements are in good condition and for the most part could easily be viewed as ultimate conditions, provision for a needed pathway providing connectivity into downtown would dramatically alter presence were, for example, accommodated. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Implementation of ultimate conditions between Merid- ian Road and Main Street will most likely occur through development of a pathway by the City. Existing improve- ments along most of the north street edge are viewed as ultimate condition, with the pathway missing from the southern side. Implementation of the pathway will require alteration of existing curb -line and removal of angled parking along the south side of the street. It is likely that parking will not be removed until additional surface lots or garage facilities are available elsewhere, to offset loss of existing on -street facilities. rm Cross-section Width 79-feet(ROW) 89 -feet A Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel and angled Parallel and angled Parking Capacity' 36 26 Walkways (ea. side) Mixed attached and Detached. 5 -feet (min.) detached. 5 to 7 -feet Buffer (ea. side) None 8 -feet per standards Pathway No I9 -feet (south side) Bike Support No No ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN BROADWAY AVENUE: Main Street to East 2nd Street ✓ Required. • Desired Existing edge of ROW /i jr Main Street to East 2nd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Broadway between Main and East 2nd is generally indus- trial storage on the southern side of the roadway, along to the railroad tracks, and dominated by older buildings in disrepair on the northern side. Sidewalk facilities are also in disrepair, and non-existent on the south. The streetscape on the north -side of Broadway has been redeveloped on the corridor segments both to the west and east — only this segment is lacking improvements. INTENT: Future improvements will need to support mixed use development and balance the pedestrian environment with parking provisions. It is expected that future redevelop- ment on both sides of the road will be transit supportive higher density mixed uses, and the pedestrian environment CL of Road (varies) 20'to CL of New Rand should reflect this. While the ten -foot multi -use pathway is required on the south -side of the street, it's possible that future pathway connectivity may be integrated with redevelopment, and the pathway pulled within the adja- cent property. On -street parking and standard streetscape improvements are required, and must align and integrate with improvements to the east and west. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The north -side of this cross-section includes standard required streetscape improvements, and a wider walkway consistent with other corridor improvements to the east. The south -side of the street provides the required path- way connection, but may simply mirror improvements on the north -side, orjust meet streetscape standards if the pathway is integrated into future development through the southern properties. Parallel parking is provided instead of angled to enhance safety and create a more pedestrian friendly corridor, and to limit wider cross-sections, maintain ^SrY V -A {view Facing East} Design is teased an ROW along northern edge 2Z Pedestrian alignments across intersections, and to reduce setback impacts to neighboring properties and buildings. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Curb line changes necessary to be supportive of pedestrian activities and allow businesses greater street presence will likely require improvements to occur for the full length of the block, on one or both sides of the roadway. Unless large scale redevelopment occurs, public participation will be necessary for implementation and play a large role in redevelopment of the streetscape, particularly with the multi -use pathway. With eventual removal of existing angled parking, it is expected that additional off-street surface or garage parking will need to be provided elsewhere to offset loss and accommodate future downtown parking needs. Improvements on the north -side of the roadway should be a focus to compliment Idaho and increase demand for land to the south. 4 Two-way CARLTON AVE Parking Angled Parallel Parking Capacity' 31 18 ti fir Preservation a - U ti o north side, none on m FG_ Parking 0 v L B -feet per standards Sidewalks m Yes o F6_ Pathway f Z. < c Q FG_ Streetscape Buffer ADA %T drants, and other conditions WE F_ Parkway Buffer h s F6_ Furniture .� W FG_ Lighting 5 ✓ Required. • Desired Existing edge of ROW /i jr Main Street to East 2nd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Broadway between Main and East 2nd is generally indus- trial storage on the southern side of the roadway, along to the railroad tracks, and dominated by older buildings in disrepair on the northern side. Sidewalk facilities are also in disrepair, and non-existent on the south. The streetscape on the north -side of Broadway has been redeveloped on the corridor segments both to the west and east — only this segment is lacking improvements. INTENT: Future improvements will need to support mixed use development and balance the pedestrian environment with parking provisions. It is expected that future redevelop- ment on both sides of the road will be transit supportive higher density mixed uses, and the pedestrian environment CL of Road (varies) 20'to CL of New Rand should reflect this. While the ten -foot multi -use pathway is required on the south -side of the street, it's possible that future pathway connectivity may be integrated with redevelopment, and the pathway pulled within the adja- cent property. On -street parking and standard streetscape improvements are required, and must align and integrate with improvements to the east and west. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The north -side of this cross-section includes standard required streetscape improvements, and a wider walkway consistent with other corridor improvements to the east. The south -side of the street provides the required path- way connection, but may simply mirror improvements on the north -side, orjust meet streetscape standards if the pathway is integrated into future development through the southern properties. Parallel parking is provided instead of angled to enhance safety and create a more pedestrian friendly corridor, and to limit wider cross-sections, maintain ^SrY V -A {view Facing East} Design is teased an ROW along northern edge 2Z Pedestrian alignments across intersections, and to reduce setback impacts to neighboring properties and buildings. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Curb line changes necessary to be supportive of pedestrian activities and allow businesses greater street presence will likely require improvements to occur for the full length of the block, on one or both sides of the roadway. Unless large scale redevelopment occurs, public participation will be necessary for implementation and play a large role in redevelopment of the streetscape, particularly with the multi -use pathway. With eventual removal of existing angled parking, it is expected that additional off-street surface or garage parking will need to be provided elsewhere to offset loss and accommodate future downtown parking needs. Improvements on the north -side of the roadway should be a focus to compliment Idaho and increase demand for land to the south. 4 Cross-section Width 79-feet(ROW) 84.5 -feet Road Two-way CARLTON AVE Parking Angled Parallel Parking Capacity' 31 18 Detached. 4 to 5 -feet PINE AVE Walkways (ea. side) north side, none on Detached. 5 -feet (min.) south side. 0 Varies B -feet per standards C Z None Yes Q F Z p p < Z. < c Q conditions, and assume full compliance with cross ADA %T drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. Cross-section Width 79-feet(ROW) 84.5 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Angled Parallel Parking Capacity' 31 18 Detached. 4 to 5 -feet Walkways (ea. side) north side, none on Detached. 5 -feet (min.) south side. Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet per standards Pathway None Yes Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN BROADWAY AVENUE: East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street F {View Facing East} Design is based on ROW along a E a northern edge Preservation o 0 o ti FG_ Parking Sidewalks F6_ Pathway 3 ji f�r�y FG_ Streetscape Buffer O 7 Parkway Buffer >j 1 V y F6_ Furniture T .� 46- Lighting rz— ✓ Required. • Desired m c3 Existing edge of ROW t 18' G" Pedestr' 27 to CL of New Road Alignment 22 to CL of New Road Alignment 2Z Pedestrian t t East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Broadway between East 2nd and East 3rd is a mix of either finished ultimate improvements, or weed patches and drainage ditches without any streetscape enhance- ments. The north -side of the roadway is completed along the COMPASS & VRT building, with a wide walkway and a typical buffer including street trees and pedestrian fur- nishings. The south -side lacks curb, walks, trees, and any other improvements, and is adjacent to open drainage, canal equipment, and largely vacant railroad property. INTENT: Future improvements will need to support mixed use development and balance the pedestrian environment with parking provisions. It is expected that future redevelopment on the south -side of the road will be higher density mixed uses, be transit supportive, and the pedestrian environment should reflect this. While the ten -foot multi -use pathway is required on the south -side of the street, it's possible that future pathway connectivity may be integrated with redevelopment, and the pathway pulled within the adja- cent property. On -street parking and standard streetscape improvements are required, and must align and integrate with improvements to the east and west. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: The north -side of this cross-section includes standard required streetscape improvements and a wider walkway. The south -side of the street provides the required path- way connection, but may simply mirror improvements on the north -side, orjust meet streetscape standards if the pathway is integrated into future development through the southern properties. Parallel parking is provided instead of angled to enhance safety and create a more pedes- trian friendly corridor, and to limit wider cross-sections, maintain alignments across intersections, and to reduce setback impacts to neighboring properties and buildings. The wider roadway is for facilitation of bus loading and unloading in the future. This may be reduced if provisions are made outside of ROW with future development on the south side of the street. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: With ultimate condition improvements existing on the north side of the road, future enhancements are expected to only occur on the south -side of the roadway. Unless large scale redevelopment occurs, public participation will be necessary for implementation and play a large role in redevelopment of the streetscape, particularly the multi- use pathway. Improvements may occur through private redevelopment of existing railroad properties, as part of a public led effort to provide connectivity to and through downtown with the pathway, or a combination of the two. Cross-section Width 78-feet(ROW) 84.5 -feet Road Two-way ICARLTON AVE Parking Angled 6 Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' 13 26 Detached, 10.5 -foot Detached, 10.5 -feet Walkways (ea. side) PINEAVE (north -side) none on south side. Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet per standards Pathway 0 10 -feet (south side) Bike Support C Z None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, z conditions, and assume p < < C Q may alter final count. See Parking section under ADA ST A Cross-section Width 78-feet(ROW) 84.5 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Angled 6 Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' 13 26 Detached, 10.5 -foot Detached, 10.5 -feet Walkways (ea. side) walkway north side. (north -side) none on south side. Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet per standards Pathway None 10 -feet (south side) Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN Idaho Avenu Idaho is an iconic downtown corridor in Meridian, providing connectivity to Generations Plaza, Centen- nial Park, and the Meridian Community Center. This street also provides primary access for a number of popular shops and services between Main and East 2nd. Similarly to Broadway, Idaho is important for east - west connectivity, and with the exception of Pine, is significantly longer than every other east -west corridor in downtown. Currently, Idaho extends between West 8th and approximately East 6th. In the future, Idaho may be extended further east to Locust, though Broadway is the preferred alignment extension. Idaho currently serves the Traditional City Core (TCC) district and both of the Neighborhood Preservation Areas (NPA) within the urban renewal area. The TCC district supports greater densities of mixed use devel- opment, iconic to traditional downtowns. The NPA are intended to preserve historic housing, promote resi- dential infill, and provide a local base of residents to participate in events, frequent restaurants and shops, and to provide residential opportunities for individuals and families interested in a more urban and pedestrian friendly environment. Idaho due to its location within downtown, the con- nectivity of the local roadway network, and its prox- imity to several key community resources, provides a framework for the corridor to act as a centerpiece of vibrancy and activity. Moving forward it should con- tinue to host events, activities, and provide exciting opportunities for a variety of businesses and uses. The proposed cross-sections for Idaho establish this framework. LOCATION MAP f LTON Despite streetscape improvements on both sides of the street, heavy surface parking, utility infra- structure, and government owned property limits activity on part of Idaho between Meridian Road and Main. With the exception of Sunrise Cafe and the Heritage Building, there are limited existing uses on this segment of Idaho with daily community draw into the downtown area. <q.-.. EXISTING PHOTOS f Y yy 1 t\ T —-,. :,...;► RQ ai,,. �' (t WeDl lie. HOUR AM y DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN IDAHO AVENUE East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street F 80-feet(ROW) CARLTON AVE Road (View Facing East) Two-way Parking m PINE, a Design is hosed an extents of 31 (including Centen- 27 (including Centennial nial Park parking) existing ROW and not the exist - Preservation 4 to 5 -feet Varies, fi to 9 -feet Buffer (ea. side) ing centerline of road. FG_ Parking C Z p 0 m� Bike Support Sidewalks No Pathway FG_ Streetscape Buffer tc c / ` 7 Parkway Buffer c V h F_ Furniture .1 m c 46 Lighting. v ✓ Required. • Desired �' m W V - -. r ! Ll rwa Existing edge of ROW Existing edge of ROW 26'to Existing CL of Road (varies) -T Ifi'to CL of Road 17 Walkway Streetscape t t East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: There are a number of unique existing conditions which provide both opportunities and challenges for future improvements. On the north side of the street, structures belong to non-profit churches and clubs, and along the south edge of the street is the Meridian Community Cen- ter and Centennial Park which extend the length of the street. There is incredible opportunity for activities and social events to create community attraction and draw more people into the Traditional City Core here. Existing parking configurations on the street do not meet design standards. INTENT: This street provides a great deal of opportunity for place - making and supporting large gatherings. While there is some public parking available on neighboring properties and streets, it is important to maintain existing parking to the extent possible. Some parking will have to be modified to rectify inadequate existing facilities, and to enhance safety and limit opportunities for collisions. While parking is criti- cal for events, it is also a priority to enhance and support the pedestrian environment. Street buffers, street trees, and other landscaping must be provided where feasible for pedestrian safety, comfort, and thematic continuity with other downtown improvements. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: With no signalized intersections and limited connectivity, this cross-section is able to maintain angled parking on the north side of the street without sacrificing streetscape improvements or comparable facilities (e.g. grassy park area instead of street furnishing zone). Angled parking should be removed in front of the Community Center, but be preserved along the park edge where there is adequate ROW and City owned property, for standards compliant angled parking facilities. Additional efforts should be made to integrate other streetscape elements into the roadway segment and to maintain a cohesive corridor thematic. Wider lanes are to protect angled parking on the north and to maintain safe intersection alignments. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: While it is unlikely that significant redevelopment of existing properties will occur, future investments may still occur as part of public-private or public -public partnerships. For the most part, it is possible for future improvements to occur as smaller separate projects. However, if the intersection with East 2nd is ever reconfigured either due to changes along Idaho between Main or East 2nd, or parking and alignment configuration changes occurring along East 2nd, bulbouts and other intersection elements should be evaluated on this roadway segment. Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Two-way Two-way Parking Angled (two -sides) PINE, VE 31 (including Centen- 27 (including Centennial nial Park parking) Park parking) Walkways (ea. side) 4 to 5 -feet Varies, fi to 9 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet per standards C Z p Z z c M ADA ST Bike Support No No Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Angled (two -sides) Angled (one -side) Parking Capacity' 31 (including Centen- 27 (including Centennial nial Park parking) Park parking) Walkways (ea. side) 4 to 5 -feet Varies, fi to 9 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet per standards Pathway No No Bike Support No No Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN IDAHO AVENUE Main Street to East 2nd Street FEATUPE-S V Preservation F6_ Parking I� Sidewalks Pathway F6_ Streetscape Buffer 7 Parkway Buffer F_ Furniture F6_ Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired Existing edge of ROW Pedestrian Main Street to East 2nd Street CONSIDERATIONS: PA'V. This segment of Idaho between Main and East 2nd is the definitively classic downtown street. Businesses are a traditional downtown mix of restaurants, shops, and services, the buildings are older, and the street is spatially constrained. The streetscape is important for pedestrian connectivity, sharing a special connection with Main Street and Generations Plaza, and connecting to both the Merid- ian Community Center and Centennial Park. INTENT: This cross-section is intended to enhance the streetscape and provide greater opportunities for pedestrian and busi- ness use. The priority improvements with this cross-section are pedestrian safety, creating greater opportunities for businesses streetscape presence (such as outdoor dining), CL of Road QY 0 m m v and aesthetic enhancements such as street furnishings, way - finding, and banners. Parking is important, but considered secondary to unique place -making opportunities which allow for both safe pedestrian facilities and business uses. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: Due to the central location and importance of Idaho, this street uses a unique cross-section to address parking con- siderations while maximizing the pedestrian environment. Parallel parking which currently exists on both sides of the street has been relocated and converted to perpendicular parking on the north side. Existing curb cuts for a park- ing lot on the south side of the street, currently serving a bank, greatly reduces the effectiveness of on -street parallel parking configurations and parking availability for other businesses. Without dedicated turn lanes at intersections and because the street corridor does not serve as a throughway, drive speeds are envisioned to be slower with limited impacts to safety by back out parking. o- m ti {view Facing East} Design is hosed an extents of existing ROW. Existing edge of W'toCIL ofRand Pedestrian IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Because a rebuild of this street is a total re -configuration that calls for removal of curbs, relocation of all trees, and changes to finished grade, this street segment should be reconstructed all at once. Curbs may be included, but reduce emphasis on the pedestrian. Full closure is likely unnecessary as elements may still be phased. This redevel- opment project is envisioned to occur as a public-private or public -public partnerships. In the interim, maintenance should continue to occur and efforts made to ensure safe conditions of existing walkways and other improvements. The unique design of this street will require further con- siderations, additional refinement, and coordination with ACHD. 4 Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel (both sides) PINE AVE Parking Capacity' 18 21 Walkways (ea. side) 4 to 5 -feet 10 to 14 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies Varies Pathway None None Bike Support 0 C Z p < Z < c Q ADA %T values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel (both sides) Perpendicular (one -side) Parking Capacity' 18 21 Walkways (ea. side) 4 to 5 -feet 10 to 14 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies Varies Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN IDAHO AVENUE Meridian Road to Main Street LJ L�VJI-JL�31_�l � � N m Preservation CIO- Two-way FG_ Parkingtt ry c I� Sidewalks 23 26 Walkways (ea. side) Varies. 5 to 8 -feet II -feet Pathway (� 8 -feet FG Streetscape Buffer None D C Z a o 7 Parkway Buffer - None F6_ Furniture ti+ V r d Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired - c y Existing edge of ROW �u 19' Pedestrian 18' to Meridian Road to Main Street CONSIDERATIONS: Idaho between Meridian Road and Main is a street that could potentially see a great deal of redevelopment, or very little. A number of the existing properties are owned by non -profits, utility, or the City, and a large number of streetscape improvements have already been made in line with existing streetscape design standards. There are six curb cuts despite the short block and alley access for most every property. These curb cuts reduce on -street parking and impact safety. Sidewalks are typically much more generous in size on the south -side of the street than the north. INTENT: This segment of Idaho is intended to support a variety of existing and future uses, balance parking and pedestrian CL of Road (varies) - T 21'to CL of functions, and be consistent with other improvements and thematic elements in the corridor and Traditional City Core (TCC). Priorities may vary if significant block redevel- opment occurs, but based on current users and trends, parking, pedestrian uses, and aesthetic improvements are all equally important. It is intended that as redevelopment occurs, on any level, that excessive curb cuts be removed or appropriately sized and internal circulation of larger parking areas be adjusted. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: This cross-section largely maintains the status -quo and builds upon existing conditions and previously implemented improvements. Trees, streetscape furnishings, and other thematic elements should continue to be maintained and enhanced. Depending on redevelopment, walkways may be wider to provide additional outdoor dining and small open spaces, but should occur outside of ROW. This cross-section does not propose improvements necessitat- {View Facing Eastl Design is hosed an extents of v - •o euo ROW. Maintain existi' Y r urhalignment except for fulI crh m redevelopment of a street edge. W L 19' Pedestrian Existing edge of ROW ing full redevelopment or heavy alteration to the existing streetscape environment. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Improvements to this street segment are most likely to occur through gradual redevelopment. Public improve- ments can be viewed as minimal, likely limited to addi- tional thematic elements or maintenance / replacement of existing improvements. Redevelopment might include rebuilding the curb line and widening walkways on the north side of the street, and the adjustment or removal of excess curb cuts. Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) CARLTON AVE Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel PINE AVE Parking Capacity' 23 26 Walkways (ea. side) Varies. 5 to 8 -feet II -feet Buffer (ea. side) 8 -feet 8 -feet Pathway None D C Z a o N z o r M ADA %T None Cross-section Width 80-feet(ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' 23 26 Walkways (ea. side) Varies. 5 to 8 -feet II -feet Buffer (ea. side) 8 -feet 8 -feet Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN : Pine Avenue Pine is the primary east -west arterial roadway to and through downtown, and the only roadway which con- nects Linder on the west, to Locust Grove on the east. Fairview and Franklin to the north and south traverse the edges of downtown, but do not actually move cars through downtown. While the name changes, Pine actually extends all the way from Ten Mile in west Meridian to the greenbelt in Boise, and is an increas- ingly important corridor for bicyclists. There are a significant number of broken, missing, and isolated sidewalk, bicycle, and pathway supportive improvements along Pine, which limits east -west pedes- trian and bicycle connectivity. Areas of Pine outside of the downtown (mostly to the west) generally provide more improved and consistent pedestrian and bicycle facilities, allowing greater use. Pine is classified as an arterial roadway and is critical to moving both local and regional traffic. Pine is currently only a two-lane road throughout the downtown area. ENTRYWAY IMPROVEMENTS While a number of identified cross-sections along Pine are outside of the project limits and even the urban renewal area boundaries, these considerations are nec- essary due to the importance of Pine as an entryway corridor. An existing I-84 overpass on Locust Grove, and a future crossing on Linder further emphasize this importance, for connecting north -south corridors and attracting residents of south Meridian. These intersec- tions and connectivity provide special opportunities to create additional awareness and draw through enhanced aesthetic, branding, and way -finding. Efforts should be made to improve safety, provide greater connectivity, and make aesthetic improvements consistent with other downtown efforts outside of the planning area and throughout the corridor. ACHD involvement will be critical for cross-section improvements outside of the City Core and urban renewal area, especially around intersections and in areas with ROW limitations. There are a number of small canals littered along Pine, between Main and East 5th. Many of these small canals overflow or leak, flooding sidewalks and areas of the street. Some of the sidewalk surfaces have become slick, have heaved, or are narrow and unsafe adjacent to other fencing, walls, and landscaping. &PIPAPLooking west along Pine between E 5th and Locust Grove. Looking east along Pine between E 5th and Locust Grove. Sidewalks on the north -side of Pine and east of Main are frequently heaved. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN PINE AVENUE: Meridian Road to East 3rd Street CARLTONAVE Road Two-way rFrp Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity* Preservation v o 0 0 ti n � Parking 5 -feet with many areas EJ having none or in Sidewalks = m o m Buffer (ea. side) Pathway 8 -feet, min. r n < Streetscape Buffer c Q m ADA %T Parkway Buffer .v —A X y Furniture 46—Lightin9 t �+ W }�/ ✓ Required. • Desired N Existing edge of ROW IF Pedestrian 25' to Meridian Road to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: Limited right of way and a number of existing improve- ments restrict expansion opportunities for this segment of Pine. This is further complicated by the need to safely support and facilitate movement not only for vehicles, but also bicyclists and pedestrians. Existing on -street parking provides yet another challenge and must be balanced with other considerations. Most properties facing Pine currently have alleyway or side street access, or are able to do so, and large setbacks for many existing properties provide additional voluntary opportunities for redevelopment driven improvements. INTENT: Maintain existing CL of road {View Facing East) Design is hosed on extents of existing ROW. Existing edge of ROW 8" 8' 7' ,no Drive Lane Drive Lane Bike Lane rallel Parking Parkway Walkway tion and ensure efficient and safe travel for all modes, and to provide opportunities for thematic entryway elements leading into and through downtown. Connectivity for all modes is the top priority, but entryway improvements and other Streetscape aesthetics such as landscape buffers, lighting, and other improvements should not be forgotten. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: All sidewalks are enhanced, a seven -foot pathway is provided on both sides of the roadway, and bike lanes provide a place for commuter cyclists. Parallel parking is maintained and formalized (where there is no curb or striping) on both sides of the street. Existing parkway behind the back of curb is enhanced to maintain the safe, friendly, and comfort- able pedestrian elements provided by tree -lined streets. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: The intent of this cross-section is to balance the needs of Many of the ultimate improvements occurring behind the auto, pedestrian, and bicycle connectivity, to limit conges- back of curb may be provided through redevelopment, through public improvements, and through public-private partnerships. Improvements within the street or adjust- ment to existing curb lines would need to be part of larger infrastructure improvements occurring for one or multiple blocks, and likely initiated by ACHD, MDC, or the City. 4 ONANM Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTONAVE Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity* Varies Varies Ave Walkways (ea. side) 5 -feet with many areas 7 -feet on both sides having none or in 0 disrepair C Z Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet, min. n < Z < c Q ADA %T —A X Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity* Varies Varies Varies greatly. 4 to Walkways (ea. side) 5 -feet with many areas 7 -feet on both sides having none or in disrepair Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet, min. Pathway No Yes Bike Support Bike lane, with large Yes broken segments Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN PINE AVENUE: West 8th Street to West 4th Street FFATURF-S, V Preservation FG_ Parking Sidewalks Pathway Streetscape Buffer Parkway Buffer Furniture FG_ Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired 0 Y m {view Facing East} Design is hosed an centered extents of existing ROW. Pedestrian 25' to CL of Road West 8th Street to West 4th Street CONSIDERATIONS: This cross-section is outside of the City Core. Limited right of way and a number of existing conditions restrict expan- sion opportunities for improvements on this segment of Pine. This is further complicated by the need to safely support and facilitate movement for not only vehicles, but also bicyclists and pedestrians. Existing on -street parking provides yet another challenge and must be balanced with other considerations. Most properties facing this section of Pine do not have alleys and must take access from Pine. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is preservation of existing facilities, and to balance the needs of auto, pedestrian, and bicycle connectivity. Connectivity for all modes is the top priority, but to the extent possible, entryway improve- 25'to CL of Rand ments and other streetscape aesthetics such as signage should be provided. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: Within ROW, this segment of Pine has no pathways or detached sidewalks. Parallel parking is maintained on both sides of the street, not only to preserve existing parking capacity, but to buffer pedestrians from through traffic with no formal parkways to separate sidewalks from the roadway. Existing property owners and redevelopment should continue to carry -forward planting of large canopy trees of similar varieties near back of walk, to shade the pedestrian environment and create an inviting downtown entryway thematic. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: This segment of Pine is predominately preservation of existing facilities. There are no missing sidewalk or bike lane segments, though some facilities are undersized. Improve - Pedestrian ments will likely occur gradually and overtime through private redevelopment. ACHD involvement will be critical for cross-section improvements outside of the City Core and urban renewal area, especially around intersections and with regard to traffic impacts, actual alignment, and other design considerations. MDC, ACHD, and the City should continue to expand and improve signage and way finding as appropriate. 4 ONANM Cross-section Width 60 -feet (ROW) 60 -feet CARLTON AVE Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity* Varies Varies (no impacts) Walkways (ea. side) 5 -foot attached 5 -foot attached Buffer (ea. side) PINE AVE None Pathway None None Bike Support Bike lane Bike lane 0 C Z p < Z < c Q ADA %T Cross-section Width 60 -feet (ROW) 60 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity* Varies Varies (no impacts) Walkways (ea. side) 5 -foot attached 5 -foot attached Buffer (ea. side) None None Pathway None None Bike Support Bike lane Bike lane ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN PINE AVENUE: West 4th Street to Meridian Road FEATURE -S, V Preservation FG_ Parking Sidewalks Pathway Streetscape Buffer Parkway Buffer Furniture FG_ Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired r 0 Y m 8161, 5' Walkway Parallel Parking Bike Lane West 4th Street to Meridian Road CONSIDERATIONS: This cross-section is outside of the City Core. Limited right of way and a number of existing conditions restrict expan- sion opportunities for improvements on this segment of Pine. This is further complicated by the need to safely support and facilitate movement for not only vehicles, but also bicyclists and pedestrians. Existing on -street parking provides yet another challenge and must be balanced with other considerations. All properties facing this segment of Pine have access to a side street or alley. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is preservation of existing facilities, and to balance the needs of auto, pedestrian, and bicycle connectivity. Connectivity for all modes is the top priority, but entryway improvements and other ~ 5' 8161, 7 Bike Lane Parallel Parking Walkway streetscape aesthetics such as signage, landscape buffers, lighting, and other improvements should not be forgotten where feasible. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: Within ROW, this segment of Pine has no detached walk- ways. Parallel parking is maintained on both sides of the street, not only to preserve existing parking capacity, but to buffer pedestrians from through traffic with no formal parkways to separate the sidewalks from the roadway. Existing property owners and redevelopment should con- tinue to carry -forward planting of large canopy trees of similar varieties near back of walk, to shade the pedestrian environment and create an inviting downtown entryway thematic. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: This segment of Pine is predominately preservation of existing facilities. There are no missing sidewalk or bike lane IV iew Facing East) Design is based on centered extents of existing RDW. segments, though some facilities are undersized. Improve- ments will likely occur gradually and overtime through a combination of private redevelopment and public agency improvements. While there is ample ROW for the build out of the identified cross-section, widening of the bike lanes and sidewalks will require adjustments to existing curb lines and resolving a number of existing conditions on the north side of the street. ACHD involvement will be critical for cross-section improvements outside of the City Core, especially around intersections and with regard to traffic impacts, actual alignment, and other design considerations. 4 LOO CATICk N MAP I CARLTON AVE Cross-section Width 70-feet(ROW) 64 -feet Road Two-way PINE AVE Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity' Varies Varies (no impacts) Walkways (ea. side) 5 -feet attached 7 -feet attached Buffer (ea. side) None None 0 C Z p < Z < c Q ADA %T Bike Support Bike lane Bike lane ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN Cross-section Width 70-feet(ROW) 64 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity' Varies Varies (no impacts) Walkways (ea. side) 5 -feet attached 7 -feet attached Buffer (ea. side) None None Pathway None None Bike Support Bike lane Bike lane ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN PINE AVENUE: East 3rd Street to East 6th Street (Appx.) Road ICARLTON rFrp Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity' Preservation d o 0 0 ry n FG_ Parking many areas having v �� none or in disrepair Sidewalks = m Varies m 71 Pathway Yes r Streetscape Buffer; uffer Z <Q m Parkway Buffer .v y Furniture t �+ 46—Lightin9 W }�/ ✓ Required. • Desired N Existing edge of ROW IF Pedestrian 25' to East 3rd Street to East 6th Street CONSIDERATIONS: This cross-section is outside of the City Core. Limited right of way and a number of existing improvements restrict expansion opportunities for this segment of Pine. This is further complicated by the need to safely support and facilitate movement for not only vehicles, but also bicy- clists and pedestrians. Existing on -street parking provides yet another challenge and must be balanced with other considerations. Most properties facing Pine currently have alleyway or side street access, or are able to do so, and large setbacks for many existing properties provide additional voluntary opportunities for redevelopment driven improvements. (View Facing East} Design is based on centered extents of existing ROW.' L Maintain existing CL of road Existing edge of ROWS CIL of Road (Varies) t I 25'toCLo® ®stria INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to balance the needs of auto, pedestrian, and bicycle connectivity, to limit conges- tion and ensure efficient and safe travel for all modes, and to provide opportunities for thematic entryway elements leading into and through downtown. Connectivity for all modes is the top priority, but entryway improvements and other streetscape aesthetics such as landscape buffers, lighting, and other improvements should not be forgotten. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: All sidewalks are enhanced, a seven -foot pathway is provided on both sides of the roadway, and bike lanes provide a place for commuter cyclists. Parallel parking is maintained and formalized (where there is no curb or striping) on both sides of the street. Existing parkway behind the back of curb is enhanced to maintain the safe, friendly, and comfort- able pedestrian elements provided by tree -lined streets. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Many of the ultimate improvements occurring behind the back of curb may be provided through redevelopment, through public improvements, and through public-private partnerships. Improvements within the street or adjust- ment to existing curb lines would need to be part of larger infrastructure improvements occurring for one or multiple blocks, and likely initiated byACHD, MDC, or the City. ACHD involvement will be critical for cross-section improvements outside of the City Core, especially with regard to traffic impacts, actual alignment, and other design considerations. LOO OATIOO N MAP Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) VE Road ICARLTON Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity' Varies Varies PINE AVE Walkways (ea. side) many areas having 7 -feet on both sides none or in disrepair 0 Varies 8 -feet, min. C Z No Yes p < Z <Q c HA5�T Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 80 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel both sides Parallel both sides Parking Capacity' Varies Varies Varies greatly, with Walkways (ea. side) many areas having 7 -feet on both sides none or in disrepair Buffer (ea. side) Varies 8 -feet, min. Pathway No Yes Bike Support Bike lane, with large Yes broken segments Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN III PINE AVENUE: East 6th (Apex.) to Locust Grove Road FEATURE -S, V Preservation F6_ Parking V Sidewalks F6_ Pathway 7 Streetscape Buffer F6_ Parkway Buffer 7 Furniture 46— Lighting ✓ Required. • Desired 1:412IAPA IF Pedestrian East 6th to Locust Grove Road CONSIDERATIONS: 24'to CL of Road This cross-section is outside of the City Core. There are also a large number of missing bike and pedestrian con- nections within this area. Most properties facing this sec- tion of Pine do not have alleys and must take access from Pine, though roadway expansion (such as East Broadway) may allow for new access considerations in the future. There are several roadways leading into subdivisions on this segment of Pine, but except for the intersection at Locust Grove, there are no center turn lanes to facilitate turning movements. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to balance the needs of auto, pedestrian, and bicycle connectivity, to limit conges- tion and ensure efficient and safe travel for all modes, and 24'to CL of Rand to provide opportunities for thematic entryway elements leading into and through downtown. Pathway connec- tions must also be maintained and expanded between Downtown, Locust Grove, and with the Five Mile Creek pathway. Connectivity for all modes is the top priority, but entryway improvements and other streetscape aesthetics such as landscape buffers, lighting, and other improve- ments should not be forgotten. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: A seven -foot pathway is provided on both sides of the roadway, and bike lanes provide a place for commuter cyclists. Parkways behind the back of curb are added to enhance and create safe, friendly, and comfortable pedestrian elements provided by tree -lined streets. Where parkways are not feasible, existing property owners and redevelop- ment should continue to carry -forward planting of large canopy trees of similar varieties near back of walk. In urban areas, parallel parking should be maintained or installed Y 15' Pedestrian (View Facing East) Design is hosed an centered extents of existing ROW. ' on both sides of the street to enhance capacity and buffer pedestrians from the roadway, but may be omitted where property impacts are substantial. The cross-section may vary dramatically at intersections. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: This section of Pine is missing a large number of critical pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and improvements will likely require public agency support for installation. Other improvements may occur gradually and overtime through private redevelopment. MDC, ACHD, and the City should continue to expand and improve signage and way find- ing as appropriate. ACHD involvement will be critical for cross-section improvements outside of the City Core and urban renewal area, especially around intersections and with regard to traffic impacts, actual alignment, and other design considerations. ONANM Cross-section Width 50-feet(ROW),varies 78 -feet Road Two-way Three -lanes with center turnlane Parking No No Parking Capacity' None None Walkways (ea. side) None 7 -feet on both sides Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet Pathway Varies Yes Bike Support None Bike lane Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVE PINE AVE 0 C Z z p < < c Q ADA %T Cross-section Width 50-feet(ROW),varies 78 -feet Road Two-way Three -lanes with center turnlane Parking No No Parking Capacity' None None Walkways (ea. side) None 7 -feet on both sides Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet Pathway Varies Yes Bike Support None Bike lane Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN State Avenu State is a short east -west corridor which extends from Meridian Road on the west, to Cathy on the east. There are no traffic signals at crossings with Main or Merid- ian, and so the corridor primarily serves local traffic. Sidewalks have generally been provided along State between Meridian Road and East 2nd, but there are a number of missing segments to the east of East 2nd where pedestrian connectivity becomes more limited. Most properties along State have alleyway access. Within the Destination Downtown vision plan, State is split between the Traditional City Core (TCC) and the eastern Neighborhood Preservation Area districts (NPA). Areas within the TCC have seen a number of residential to commercial conversions, and include a number of professional service and retail shops. It is expected that additional conversions and redevelop- ment will occur within this mixed use and business friendly district. Areas within the NPA are primarily residential, with very little redevelopment or improve- ments. Additional infill and residential redevelopment is expected to continue within the NPA. Looking east along State between E 2nd and E 3rd. LOCATION MAP East State has seen a number of residential to commercial conversions, which is encouraged and supported by the Destination Downtown Vision Plan, and by City Code for Old -Town zoning. Looking west along State between Main and E 2nd. Looking west along State between Main and Meridian. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN EARLT0N AVE I NEA E 0 Z a N I I FFC Z 'a C M f f a ADA ST East State has seen a number of residential to commercial conversions, which is encouraged and supported by the Destination Downtown Vision Plan, and by City Code for Old -Town zoning. Looking west along State between Main and E 2nd. Looking west along State between Main and Meridian. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN STATE AVENUE: Meridian Road to East 3rd Street Existing edge of ROW II' Pedestrian Wal Meridian Road to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: 30.5'to CL of Road With increasing residential conversions and a number of professional and retail services being provided, it is expected that State will have continuing need for parking facilities. All future improvements should be considerate of parking needs, but ensure that effective and safe pedes- trian facilities are still provided. While urban streetscape improvements may not be required with larger existing setbacks, some consistent aesthetic improvements are still necessary not only protect the charm, appeal, and marketability of the downtown environment, but to also enhance pedestrian safety. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to ensure that adequate parking is provided for conversions and redevelopment, Existing CL of road, varies to provide adequate pedestrian connectivity, and to pre- serve the charm, appeal, and marketability of downtown Meridian. Pedestrian connectivity and safety features, such as detached walks and lighting enhancements, are most important, followed by parking and then other enhance- ments such as hardscape. To improve on -street parking, and because properties have alley access, curb cuts should be removed from all locations where public or shared surface parking lots are not provided. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: With street traffic being slow, with limited existing and future connectivity, and to help mitigate parking chal- lenges needed to support continuing unit conversions and redevelopment, angled parking is provided with this cross-section. Parkways separate the pedestrian environ- mentfrom parking, and provide room fortree-lined streets that reduce heat island, enhance pedestrian comfort and safety, and support elements consistent with downtown Existing edge 30.5'to CL of Road aesthetic. Island breaks should occasionally split long rows of parking stalls, similarly to City of Meridian off-street parking requirements. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Improvements along State Avenue are likely to occur both through private redevelopment and public-private partnerships. While possible to only redevelop segments of a street with angled parking, it is less confusing and safer for improvements to be made for the entire street block. At a minimum and regardless of ultimate conditions, redevelopment should ensure that adequate pedestrian facilities are provided and that aesthetic improvements behind existing back of curb are consistent with the final vision. ONANM 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTONAVE fView Facing East) Two-way Two-way Parking Design is hosed and centered on �+ ROW Preservation PINE AVE a •- , .i extents of existing and not c the existing centerline of road FG_ Parking �� m Yca 2 � Sidewalks F_ Pathway � 3 r,. _ r 11 7 Streetscape Buffer o " m c o 5 -feet, min. Parkway Buffer :2.: m 1� V C Z Furniture None m Z 46— Lighting p < c c Q ✓ Required. 0 Desired-jQAIL C Existing edge of ROW II' Pedestrian Wal Meridian Road to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: 30.5'to CL of Road With increasing residential conversions and a number of professional and retail services being provided, it is expected that State will have continuing need for parking facilities. All future improvements should be considerate of parking needs, but ensure that effective and safe pedes- trian facilities are still provided. While urban streetscape improvements may not be required with larger existing setbacks, some consistent aesthetic improvements are still necessary not only protect the charm, appeal, and marketability of the downtown environment, but to also enhance pedestrian safety. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to ensure that adequate parking is provided for conversions and redevelopment, Existing CL of road, varies to provide adequate pedestrian connectivity, and to pre- serve the charm, appeal, and marketability of downtown Meridian. Pedestrian connectivity and safety features, such as detached walks and lighting enhancements, are most important, followed by parking and then other enhance- ments such as hardscape. To improve on -street parking, and because properties have alley access, curb cuts should be removed from all locations where public or shared surface parking lots are not provided. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: With street traffic being slow, with limited existing and future connectivity, and to help mitigate parking chal- lenges needed to support continuing unit conversions and redevelopment, angled parking is provided with this cross-section. Parkways separate the pedestrian environ- mentfrom parking, and provide room fortree-lined streets that reduce heat island, enhance pedestrian comfort and safety, and support elements consistent with downtown Existing edge 30.5'to CL of Road aesthetic. Island breaks should occasionally split long rows of parking stalls, similarly to City of Meridian off-street parking requirements. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Improvements along State Avenue are likely to occur both through private redevelopment and public-private partnerships. While possible to only redevelop segments of a street with angled parking, it is less confusing and safer for improvements to be made for the entire street block. At a minimum and regardless of ultimate conditions, redevelopment should ensure that adequate pedestrian facilities are provided and that aesthetic improvements behind existing back of curb are consistent with the final vision. ONANM Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) CARLTONAVE Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Angled PINE AVE 48 119 Fragmented. attached Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to Detached. 5 -feet 5 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies 5 -feet, min. 0 None None C Z None None Z p < Z. < c Q ADA %T Cross-section Width 80 -feet (ROW) 83 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Angled Parking Capacity' 48 119 Fragmented. attached Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to Detached. 5 -feet 5 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies 5 -feet, min. Pathway None None Bike Support None None ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN Carlton Avenue Carlton, similar to State, is a short east -west corridor extending from West 1st to just past East 5th. While there are no traffic signals along Carlton, there is a HAWK pedestrian signal at the Meridian Road intersec- tion, providing a safe pedestrian crossing and school route for children attending both Meridian Elementary and Cole Valley schools. While through connectivity is limited, a number of popular destinations including both schools and the US Post Office directly front Carlton. Most small parcels have alley access, and large parcels all take access off multiple roadways. Carlton serves as the boundary between the Traditional City Core (TCC) and the Washington and Main (WAM) districts, and serves both of the Neighborhood Preser- vation Areas of the Destination Downtown vision plan. A number of properties in both the TCC and WAM have redeveloped or converted from residential uses, and this process is expected to continue in the future. Where the TCC is geared more toward integrated mixed use, the WAM especially is expected to see additional conversions and lower density uses. Additional infill and residential redevelopment is expected to continue within the neighborhood preservation area. Carlton is a diverse mix of residential, residential to commercial conversions, services, and public services. Carlton is also a connection serving both of the existing schools within the Downtown area, Meridian Elementary School and Cole Valley Christian School. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVENUE Meridian Road to Main Street FW 59-feet(ROW) 63 -feet {View Facing East} Two-way mDesign Parking is hosed on centered GO �+ E `m t per- �, . extents of existing RDW Preservation Fragmented, attached Detached. 5 -feet north Walkways (ea. side) Parking v c m ' � Sidewalks � y � c m B -feet, min. F6_ Pathway / C Z c 7 Streetscape Buffer c and HAWK signal at a � Z Parkway Buffer o v r M .Jm^.. Furniture m ADA %T 46- Lighting c ✓ Required. • Desired m .% V W r, VF 9 Existing edge of ROW Existing edge of RDW 19 B" to CL of Road Pathway Parkwayi iParkway 19' B" to CL of Road -Z Walkway Meridian Road to Main Street CONSIDERATIONS: This segment of Carlton has limited ROW, but still needs to balance parking and pedestrian needs while providing a consistent downtown aesthetic that promotes safety, comfort, and economic development. With a number of destinations on Carlton including two schools, pedestrian uses are expected to be higher, particularly with a dedi- cated pedestrian crossing at Meridian Road. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to promote infill, con- versions, and redevelopment consistent with downtown design guidelines and the Destination Downtown vision plan, while protecting existing uses and strengthening pedestrian connectivity. Pedestrian connectivity and safety such as detached walks and lighting enhancements are most important, followed by parking and then other enhancements such as wider buffers and hardscape. To improve on -street parking, and because properties have alley access, curb cuts should be removed from all loca- tions where surface lots are not provided. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: Parallel parking is preserved to maintain existing capacity, and removal of driveways will provide additional oppor- tunities over time. The lower density and more residential feel of the street, along with limited ROW and reduced streetscape buffers, lends itself to parkways with trees planted among decorative grasses and groundcover, rather than hardscape. The 7 -foot detached pathway on the south side of the street will provide safe accommodations for pedestrians, most notably school children. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Redevelopment along this segment of Carlton is expected to occur through gradual private redevelopment. While some improvements such as curb alignments may require coordinated public support, walkways and landscaping should occur through all other redevelopment, and curb - cuts removed at every opportunity. LOOOATION MAP Cross-section Width 59-feet(ROW) 63 -feet CARLTON AVE Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel PINE, VE 22 Fragmented, attached Detached. 5 -feet north Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to and 7 -feet south 5 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet, min. Yes, 7 -feet for schools C Z No and HAWK signal at a � Z o o z r M ADA %T Cross-section Width 59-feet(ROW) 63 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' 21 22 Fragmented, attached Detached. 5 -feet north Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to and 7 -feet south 5 -feet Buffer (ea. side) Varies B -feet, min. Yes, 7 -feet for schools Pathway No and HAWK signal at Meridian Bike Support No No ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN CARLTON AVENUE Main Street to East 3rd Street 59 -feet 0 0 o Preservation o o ^ •. o h FG_ Parking v 26 Sidewalks F6_ Pathway Fragmented, attached Detached. 7 -foot min. Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to south and 5 -foot min. 7 Streetscape Buffer m north Parkway Buffer a • " y Furniture .X 2 -feet min. north 46— Lighting � ✓ Required. • Desired < C Existing edge of RDW 19' B" to CL of Road Main Street to East 3rd Street CONSIDERATIONS: This segment of Carlton has limited ROW like the rest of the corridor, but still needs to provide adequate pedestrian connectivity and maintain a consistent downtown aesthetic. Off-street parking facilities at an existing funeral home, the US Post Office, and the Cole Valley Christian School greatly reduce public on -street parking. Limited ROW and a number of constrained properties virtually eliminate opportunities for additional improvements outside of public ROW, and in some cases within ROW. INTENT: The intent of this cross-section is to promote infill, con- versions, and redevelopment consistent with downtown design guidelines and the Destination Downtown vision plan, while protecting existing uses and strengthening Maintain existing CL of road 19' B" to CL of pedestrian connectivity. Pedestrian connectivity and safety such as detached walks and lighting enhancements are most important, followed by parking and then other enhancements such as wider buffers and hardscape. While off-street parking is limited, all efforts should be made to explore creative and innovative design options which provide for more. DESCRIPTION OF ULTIMATE CONDITIONS: Parallel parking is preserved to maintain existing capac- ity, and removal of driveways will provide additional opportunities over time. The lower density and more residential feel of the street, along with limited ROW and reduced streetscape buffers provides some opportunity for parkways on the southern side of the street, rather than hardscape. Existing conditions and limited ROW reduce opportunities on the north side of the road, but a narrow band separates the sidewalk from the street and provides a space for lighting. The 7 -foot detached pathway on the Existing edge of RDW {View Facing East} Design is hosed on southern edge of existing RDW south side of the street will provide safe accommodations for pedestrians, most notably school children. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS: Redevelopment along this segment of Carlton is expected to occur through gradual private redevelopment. While some improvements such as curb alignments may require coordinated public support, walkways and landscaping should occur through all other redevelopment. LOCATICO N MAP Cross-section Width 59 -feet (RDW) 59 -feet CARLTON VE Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel PINE AVE IB 26 Fragmented, attached Detached. 7 -foot min. Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to south and 5 -foot min. 5 -feet north Buffer (ea. side) Varies 6 -feet, min. south, and 0 2 -feet min. north C Z � p < < c Q ADA %T Cross-section Width 59 -feet (RDW) 59 -feet Road Two-way Two-way Parking Parallel Parallel Parking Capacity' IB 26 Fragmented, attached Detached. 7 -foot min. Walkways (ea. side) and detached 4 to south and 5 -foot min. 5 -feet north Buffer (ea. side) Varies 6 -feet, min. south, and 2 -feet min. north Yes, 7 -feet for schools Pathway No and HAWK signal at Meridian Bike Support No No ' Parking impacts and future values are estimates, do not indicate interim conditions, and assume full compliance with cross section. Driveways, fire hy- drants, and other conditions may alter final count. See Parking section under Street Design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) STREET DESIGN S. NEXT STEPS The next steps discussion is included as an opportunity to suggest a process to identify priority areas for reinvest- ment by the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) and other agencies. In some cases there may be needs which should be addressed before redevelopment occurs, or because development will not occur without certain improvements. This master plan represents phase one of a larger effort to prioritize and implement a cross-section improvement program. While this master plan identifies cross-sections, the concept and intent are equally important since existing conditions will vary along the street, and conditions may change. Phase two efforts will be more focused on taking a closer look at identified priority segments with specific plans, and then implementing improvements. Priority segments mayjust include preparation and readiness for when partnerships are available. Prioritized projects may be complete installation of full cross-sections for streets, or partial installation of critical improvements needed to enhance safety and to address specific goals. Specific goals may be to partner with identified redevelopment partners, implement critical improvements to improve connectivity, or to improve issues identified as road blocks for further private redevelopment. While this plan supports Destination Downtown, the City Core which this planning area matches, does not actu- ally match several of the districts within the Destination Downtown plan. The results are several gaps in design guidelines and standards for several districts of the plan. Two prominent examples are the areas between Ada and Franklin, which are part of the Transit Oriented Develop- ment & Cultural District, or the areas north of Carlton which are part of the Washington and Main District or Northern Gateway Districts. There are also areas of both Neighborhood Preservation Areas important for connectivity and preservation considerations, which are not covered by this plan. In the future this plan may be expanded to cover these other areas. While private redevelopment, the City, and ACHD all play a critical role in revitalizing downtown streets, the extents of this master plan are wholly within the MDC urban renewal area boundaries. Furthermore, this plan is largely intended to support the Destination Downtown vision plan. As such, projects will, for the most part, need to be coordinated with and prioritized by MDC. While some cross-section projects may work indepen- dently of other agencies or interested groups, all efforts should never -the -less be made on the part of all involved agencies and parties, to maintain clear communication and provide regular updates to discuss ongoing activi- ties and efforts within the planning area. Where possible, synergies should be sought to maximize efficiencies and provide greater return on investment. The following are recommended considerations for pri- oritizing areas of improvement: 1. Connectivity — will improvements provide greater access, enhance safety, and increase awareness of existing improvements, infrastructure, and allow for greater public engagement with downtown busi- nesses and activities? 2. Destination supportive—will improvements provide greater opportunities to make downtown Merid- ian more marketable, attractive, and supportive of activities? 3. Community supportive — do the existing businesses generally support the improvement? 4. Rooftops —will improvements capitalize on and improve the number of rooftop and residential units which are needed to directly supply, create, and enhance a sense of 3rd place and create the critical mass necessary to make downtown more active outside of peak hours? 5. Return on investment — are improvements in a loca- tion where private redevelopment is likely to occur and in turn enhance property values and the effec- tiveness of TIF? 6. Funding — are there interested partnerships, or opportunities to create them, which will provide greater impact and help to reduce the investment requirements on anyone agency? Can improvements serve more than one function and provide benefit to other potential partners? Are grants available that could help to otherwise fund projects that would not be feasible? All efforts should be made to seek local, state, and federal grants ranging from planning to site preparation and construction. 7. Timing — are the necessary supportive improvements in place to support construction? For example, if on -street parking is being removed/re-configured, are there other parking facilities nearby to offset the need? Can redevelopment occur in an area without ready partnerships to install such facilities if they are missing? DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) NEXT STEPS 6. APPENDICES A. East 2nd Street Cross-section Alternatives B. Other Street Design Concepts C. Downtown Meridian Street Network "Needs Map' by Work Group DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES SEE FOLLOWING PAGES DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES EAST 2ND STREET: Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue (option 2) Existing edge of RDW w ZP Pedestrian Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue (option 2) This cross-section is an alternative concept for East 2nd Street between Broadway and Carlton. The intent of this alternative is to provide a design example in a condition where no parking was warranted or needed, and a larger pedestrian gathering area was preferred. -11 Existing edge of in, in, 3' is, Drive Lane Drive Lane Band Strestscope Walkw Note: See page 4-7 for hoseline cross-section. {view Facing North} Design is hosed on extents of existing RDW. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES EAST 2ND STREET: Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue (option 3) &fisting edge of ROW 21'to CL of Road Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue (option 3 This cross-section is an alternative concept for East 2nd Street between Broadway and Carlton. The intent of this alternative is to provide a design example in a condition where no parking was warranted or needed, and a median or special street palcemaking feature was preferred. 21' to CL of {' Existing edge 19' Pedestrian Note: See page 4-7 for hoseline cross-section. {View Facing North} Design is hosed on extents of existing RDW. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES EAST 2ND STREET: Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue (option 4) Existing edge of ROW 33' to CL of Road Broadway Avenue to Carlton Avenue (option 4) This cross-section is an an alternative concept for East 2nd Street between Broadway and Carlton. The intent of this alternative is to provide a design example in a condition where more parking was preferred, and pedestrian and other placemaking features was less desired. 9 N 9 G a m a A v v , d f� in f - W - i Existing edge of ROWS 33'to CL of Road Pedestrian Angled Parking Note: See page 4-7 for hoseline cross-section. {view Facing North} Resign is hosed on extents of existing ROW. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES SEE FOLLOWING PAGE. THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE LESS PREFERRED CONCEPTS INTENDED TO SUPPORT EXISTING USERS WHEN IDEAL CONDITIONS CANNOT BE MET. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE LESS PREFERRED CONCEPTS INTENDED TO SUPPORT EXISTING USERS WHEN IDEAL CONDITIONS CANNOT BE MET. Main Street to East 3rd Street This concept is an alternative cross-section variation of how important streetscape and parking conditions can be made, while working around constrained existing right-of-way. This example is in front of the Meridian Meat and Sausage facility, which lacks any streetscape improvements. The idea can be applied elsewhere. Meridian Meat and Sausage has its own off-street parking. Design is only a rough concept, and other solutions may exist for a variety of existing conditions. Meridian Road to East 3rd Street This concept is an alternative cross-section variation of how important streetscape and parking conditions can be made, while working around constrained properties. This example is in front of the Meridian Methodist Church. It is important to note that backout angled parking along a roadway with important bike facilities is not safe nor preferred, especially in the long-range. However, on -street parking is an important consideration Downtown. If a project with necessary pedestrian and bicycle improvements cannot move forward, due to impacts by angled to parallel parking conversion losses, a concept such as this may be a solution. This alternative would require an easement to provide pedestrian facilities outside of existing right-of-way. Design is only a rough concept. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE LESS PREFERRED CONCEPTS INTENDED TO SUPPORT EXISTING USERS WHEN IDEAL CONDITIONS CANNOT BE MET. East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street This example represents all three of the preferred cross-sections for Idaho. Example is for contrast to adjacent alter- native. Please note that plan view design is a very rough schematic and does not necessarily reflect a final concept or design. East 2nd Street to East 3rd Street This cross-section is provided to illustrate how parallel parking may be kept on the north -side of the Meridian Com- munity Center, in lieu of other streetscape improvements. This solution is not desired as streetscape improvements and buffers from edge of roadway are preferred. There is normally ample parking on this street. Please note that plan view design is a very rough schematic and does not necessarily reflect a final concept or design. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES SEE FOLLOWING PAGE. THE MAP WAS AN ITERATIVE PROCESS TO IDENTIFY STREET AND STREETSCAPE NEEDS. COMMENTS ARE COLOR CODED BY DATE. DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN I CITY CORE STREET CROSS-SECTION MASTER PLAN ( DRAFT ) APPENDICES Downtown Meridian Street Network N.T.S. •k . Need uwque elements for different district e.g. poles, banners, tree species, etc. Ran aarrktar IST ■ •1 • I .■ ■ o I II 1 Continu¢ improvement r -----------------MERIDIAN (hke Marvest Chur J I 1 1 1 1 I I J I I IIJ I J I- O'ty ".# I J scud. -ib /g w �� II I i �✓ ' - I - 1 i $RR FUMre HAWK 1 I 80 BO' 1 eeacon ($iyrwp e J I 1 '■ 1 Franklin & Lr(( 1 I 1 IRE ■ Nou,All KOWdlmensbnsareapproNmate t03M 2MOC Meeting Commeltts Ol/a8/M13 MOC Meeting CoMM=. N/OM2D13 MCC Meeting Commelttz Transit Oriented Development 1. Integrate and Transition Existing Businesses 2. Art and Cultural Opportunities 3. Emphasize civic/TOD facilities 4. Create an event or performance venue 5. Dense Development Neighborhood Preservatian 1. Residential Preservation 2. Historic Designation Fufure conrwctian JJJ"' to Locurt 4rove Editional City Core 1. 2 - 4 Story Infill and Restoration 2. Traditional Architecture Themes 3. Continuous Urban Edge 4. Vertical & Horizontal Integration of Uses 5. Preserve Downtown Housing 6. Emphasize Walkability and Activity 7. Develop Civic Uses Meridian Elementary ttayc&A4irls Enby corridor J ..J 1 J J– W�= Entry corridor Bike &vehicle supportive (:�/- E IDIAN�,-- IDAHO IST `lor, - y o k the 3 Cros HAWK Beacon? Port Office =d & urea . 1-2AB6A 4hF------------------- ym Pine . 1 6 L* . L ®shington S Main 1. Small Scale Buildings 2. Residential Streetscape 3. Integrate Historic School and Post Office i i "Family ConnectioW' (bike) from park to Downtown and Fairview. Street should support bike & ped. Legend ----- Proposed Pathway •---- On -street Pathway Future Pathway - Park / Plaza maw a � ate, 3 � idor e J Fu[ure enh et artp jest B Fairview n atN2 co ee don to Fairview 0 NORTH APPENDICES This page intentionally left blank E IDIAN�- IDAHO Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: RECREATIONAL PATHWAY EASEMENT Recreational Pathway Easement at Bridgetower Heights Subdivision Between Cottonwood Development, LLC and the City of Meridian MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS ADA COUNTY RECORDER Christopher D.Rich 2014-074049 BOISE IDAHO Pgs-5 VICTORIA BAILEY 09/11/2014 10:06 AM MERIDIAN CITY NO FEE 11111111111111111111111111 111111111111111111 11 111 00020184201400740490050055 RECREATIONAL PATHWAY EASEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, maA and entered into this tjaay of Sepithrthr2014, between 00-Ifortootct be44ereinafter referred to as"Grantor",and the City of Meridian, an Idaho municipal corporation,hereinafter referred to as"Grantee"; WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, Grantor is the owner of real property on portions of which the City of Meridian desires to establish a public pathway; and WHEREAS,the Grantor desires to grant an easement to establish a public pathway and provide connectivity to present and future portions of the pathway; and WHEREAS, Grantor shall construct the pathway improvements upon the easement described herein; and NOW,THEREFORE,the parties agree as follows: THE GRANTOR does hereby grant unto the Grantee an easement on the following property, described on Exhibit "A" and depicted on Exhibit "B" attached hereto and incorporated herein. THE EASEMENT hereby granted is for the purpose of providing a public recreational pathway easement for multiple-use non-motorized recreation,with the free right of access to such facilities at any and all times. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD,said easement unto said Grantee,its successors and assigns forever. THE GRANTOR hereby covenants and agrees that it will not place or allow to be placed any permanent structures, trees, brush, or perennial shrubs or flowers within the area described for this easement,which would interfere with the use of said easement,for the purposes stated herein. IT IS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED,by and between the parties hereto, that the Grantor shall repair and maintain the pathway improvements. 1 Recreational Pathway Easement THE GRANTOR hereby covenants and agrees with the Grantee that should any part of the easement hereby granted become part of,or lie within the boundaries of any public street,then,to such extent such easement hereby granted which lies within such boundary thereof or which is a part thereof,shall cease and become null and void and of no further effect and shall be completely relinquished. THE GRANTOR does hereby covenant with the Grantee that it is lawfully seized and possessed of the aforementioned and described tract of land,and that it has a good and lawful right to convey said easement,and that it will warrant and forever defend the title and quiet possession thereof against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the said Grantor has hereunto subscribed its signature the day and year first hereinabove written. GRANTOR: BY: 6d1on 44.4 044,4r44 Its: A� STATE OF IDAHO ) ss County of Ada ) On this Z5 day of —5`1,� , 2014, c�°re me, the_undersigned, a NotaryPublic in and for said State,'personally appeared pvt,e, tAc6M0,-, . known or identified to me to be the • that executed the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that such eompany executed the same. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,I have hereupp et my hand and affixed my official seal the day and year fist above written. PETER J"WILSON Notary Public NO\VRYIC FOR IDAHO State of Idaho Residing at: Commission Expires: �2�� t 1� Recreational Pathway Easement GRANTEE: CITY OF MERIDIAN G 1T 7, S • Tammy de/W;erd,Mayor 11dc/(1.v.„-ck&)%0 - gob 03' Attes. sy J. ee Holman, City Clerk f Approved By City Council On: ..' , n ,�- , DOS 4 STATE OF IDAHO ) : ss. County of Ada ) On this 11 day of -e , ,2014,before me,the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said Stateersonall appeared TAMMY DE WEERD and -� -fin€ p Y p� known to me to be the Mayor and City Clerk, respectively, of the City of Meridian,Idaho, and who executed the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that the City of Meridian executed the same. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal the day and year first above written. IVLC,VMAL. 41,:f\cilE • %\‘' • (SEAL) j f NOTARY P LIC FOR ID, 0 `A\ ''"; Residing at: La_kilit • 7, • : Commission Expires: to _a f i itov, Recreational Pathway Easement TEALEY'S LAND 12594 W. Explorer Drive, Suite 150 = Boise, Idaho 83713 SURVEYING (208) 385-0636 imiimmFax (208) 385-0696 Project. No.: 3689 Date: August 13, 2014 EXHIBIT "A" A 18-foot wide City of Meridian Multi-pathway Easement lying in the NE % of the NE 1/4 of Section 34, T.4N., R.1W., B.M., Ada County, Idaho and more particularly described as follows: Commencing at an iron pin marking the Northeast corner of said Section 34; thence along the North boundary of said Section 34 North 88°56'29" East 1305.20 feet to a point; thence leaving said North boundary South 01°04'04" West 75.34 feet to a point, said point marking the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence continuing South 01°04'04"West 18.00 feet to a point; thence South 88°56'29" East 244.83 feet to a point; thence North 01°15'45"West 18.01 feet to a point; thence North 88°56'29"West 244.09 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING. ,1tl: I Lw 3 - " .firPtVIVO is wci 1 -41% 11 .4p. AO,. W:136891Docs13689-meridian pathway ease-C.doc-jdc a; D No aM T rn D3 c v. > �c coif o r �_� zp N rn �� 1 , �, 'E -1---0n S01.04'04•w I A .m m 75.34' z J x -, z ,, • oD�o rD Z N N N N O _ t/ �{ N7C-G-+1r , c` {g VI 0, N CO ..0 t:' °cri M A— s -.,...AT,sTio„,, . .. 0 A , i. i 1) I V)(-1)- g, '4.” .T.% 1 •N C ,0 A g c a a 1 V RSR '.OR a z z ��_ .z.,{z N k N 1 1 ij 6 mo:,' � C>Z �' \`°1 I F41 31 ``. fir: V p \ 1 Z _ Iw p••••• l :� . ` 1 1 O r N 1 1 o ) I I -- tri" °AllrillD illi. d �—n mill N ...--„::63 7_\D-i'''''-'-.4 .�ti."Z� as ;� :. ii:---9: `_�� '' •44*1:.........66.17.....:::::......,,,...:0, :� 41- I-,\\�,,.9 1-3~C-19..../._6,``02, I 1- ! d �'+(� '' �• '' \'♦ 1. ,11 11111.6 '1 ,,,'''''''' 0 r.. "(r''',„OP „.0-‘' 3 — t;',....V° . "....„ /: ' ‘ .S ' ei CIO"' t 4 1 ,,, / ,.•,,,- ,-- ,-- ,--,_,,f0-- .,.......„.- .,„ ,, i , „- „-,,,,,,,.... „0,,,-• cl , 1 ..... , .„.„ ,,,,,„ i ..., , ,- td .:,/ , _____„,), __ ,,,,.., ,,i� i/ /moi/\��` •.. I 11! ..., ,' ...4.7,0„.... -,•_„, , , ,„,('' / /. _. -_....._ o 3 t".1 .--4 z Pa I H ,, A3 Q —I ———i———— cl) . 1 N — /�/� Vii%���\\ U) 70 D ; Z til V = 0 ulj lJIoAl All ' X } 1 i\- s , / ,/,_ -ri H >CI 7-1 0 rnt 0 Z i ,__, i-Li )71 0-4 ) =,� C PO __\ k` r Ja �,1� D O Y m --II 0 'ill o--i , n tri A : i( Fi.ti li n i )-3� r? D =, j '4' p l t CD .›, Z , I.,.. ril 1-4 tii z Ill IP *441\ rTi till 9, 1-..i t ,'; z el rl ulan in v m Z ' Z0 f cps, t.2.7-, :t---, zo _ M '� f 7.7,-;17.71 rr:774 ' 1 ! m ,.•., w ,,, ,.. A 3; ..,.. ...,...% _ H t \ til I ,551 \ (1) a� i m>v• - - mo f is.i ki/s* ,, l\ PAZ'. E I rb 6.15R ,it)4 .4.6 .•'..41:C;,. A • I PAZF0 is oil O --......._.,...._____,2 ___ , ,.. Vat.'",41'a._ 93.15' '~ e -ir ' (0 N i -- .5 - s79324' v z S 00 1315 r.. TEN —� -..._- --- C c -a .'+I. <�:`� MILE ROAD 1:._(-7;'' o a• :;. W N V v\: Q` �Ar -� l� 4 Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5G PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: APPROVAL OF MOA Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with Meridian Development Corporation for Contribution to Historic Walking Tour MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR CONTRIBUTION TO HISTORIC WALKING TOUR PROJECT This MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR CONTRIBUTION TO HISTORIC WALKING TOUR PROJECT ("Agreement") is made this I day of September, 2014 ("Effective Date"), by and between the City of Meridian, a municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Idaho ("City'), and Meridian Development Corporation, an urban renewal agency organized under the laws of the State of Idaho ("MDC'). WHEREAS, City and MDC mutually agree that the preservation of history is a vital part of retaining the character and heart of the community and to that end the City and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has undertaken the Historic Walking Tour Project ("Project"), within which historic homes and buildings within the City have been identified as valuable and integral to the fabric of our City and therefore should be noted and honored by their inclusion in a public tour of the various structures. The means of identifying these gems of the community will be by a permanent marker embedded in the sidewalk, inclusion in a written materials describing the historical significance, a creation of a "Smart Tag" to create an interactive nature of the exhibit, and a video piece electronically linked to the Smart Tag for each facility that will visually describe and preserve the historical value of the facility for time immemorial. These structures are located throughout various locations in and about Downtown Meridian, the project is done in joint cooperation and with permission from the property owner Ada County Highway District ("ACHD") for the sidewalk marker, as a benefit to the public; WHEREAS, the Meridian Historic Preservation Commission intends to work with ACHD, and MDC to install approximately twelve Project markers and at locations with the urban renewal district boundaries in fiscal year 2015; and WHEREAS, MDC is willing to contribute to City up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) toward expenses related to the Project; NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and agreed, and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: I. CITY'S RESPONSIBILITIES. A. Project installation. Between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015, City agrees to apply MDC's contributions to the installation of identifiers and preparation of information as described in the above recitals for approximately twelve (12) Project sites in the Meridian Urban Renewal Area as part of the Project. The applicable proposed sites are identified and described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. B. Acknowledgment of contribution. If City decides to acknowledge contributors to the Project, City shall acknowledge MDC on the identifiers and materials for the sites that are part of the Project and the subject of this Agreement. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR MDC'S HISTORIC WALKING TOUR PROJECT CONTRIBUTION PAGE 1 OF 3 C. Invoice MDC. City shall remit to MDC invoices, with receipts for payments rendered to vendor(s) for the identifiers and materials for the various Project sites that are the subject of this Agreement, and shall request reimbursement from MDC to City for such payments, in a total amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). II. MDC's RESPONSIBILITIES. A. Reimbursement. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of each of City's invoices, MDC shall provide payment to City in the amount of such invoice, in a total amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). B. Logo. MDC shall provide City with a copy of its logo, in digital format, for use on contributor acknowledgments, if any, for the Project sites. C. Appropriation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, MDC's obligations under this Agreement to provide payment to City as described herein shall be subject to and dependent upon appropriations being made by the MDC governing board for such purpose. The officer or administrator charged with the responsibility of preparing MDC's Fiscal Year 2015 budget shall include in the proposed budget the amount noted herein, which will be duly considered by the Board along with the other proposed expenditures for Fiscal Year 2015. III. GENERAL TERMS. A. Term. This Agreement begins immediately upon execution and shall remain in effect through September 30, 2015. B. Notice. Notice required to be provided by either of the parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and be deemed communicated when mailed by United States Mail, addressed as follows: City: City of Meridian MDC: Meridian Development Corporation City Attorney's Office Ashley Squyres, Administrator 33 E. Broadway Avenue 33 E. Broadway Avenue Meridian ID 83642 Meridian ID 83642 Either party may change its address for the purpose of this paragraph by giving formal notice of such change to the other in the manner herein provided. C. Entire agreement; modification. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations, representations, and discussions, whether verbal or written, of the parties pertaining to that subject matter. The Agreement may not be changed, amended, or superseded unless by means of writing executed by both Parties hereto. D. Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement in whole, or in part, due to convenience, nonappropriation, or when either or both parties agree that the continuation of the project is not in the parties' best interest, by providing thirty (30) days written notice. If MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR MDC's HISTORIC WALKING TOUR PROSECT CONTRIBUTION PAGE 2 OF 3 MDC is the terminating party, City shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for payments made for services properly performed by City to the date of termination. E. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law and by Article VIII, section 4 of the Idaho Constitution, City agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MDC and its officers, agents, consultants, and employees from and against any and all liability, claims, losses, actions, or judgments, costs and fees, including any costs and attorney's fees incurred therein, for damages, losses, or injury to entities, persons or property for any act, error, or omission arising out of or in any way connected with the activities and programs described herein and/or the activities of City and its officers, employees, contractors, or agents related to or connected with this Agreement. F. Severability. If any part of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such holding will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other part of this Agreement so long as the remainder of the Agreement is reasonably capable of completion. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if any invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted. G. Applicable Law. The Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Idaho and jurisdiction for any disputes arising hereunder shall be in the Fourth Judicial District, Ada County, State of Idaho. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on thisc3AIL day of September, 2014. DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: CITY OF MERIDIAN: Tamm-�Veerd, Mayor e �Q0�P013 AUCLsrl GO ,9yJ Attest: city of EIZ\IDIAN� maxo 'EAL Jaye D ,1 ty Cler , ede TRE'110 Py MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR MDUS HISTORIC WALKING TOUR PROJECT CONTRIBUTION PAGE 3 OF 3 Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 5H PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE Approval of City Wide, Evergreen Sole Source Purchase for Alan Bradley products from Consolidated Electric MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Memo To: Jaycee L. Holman, City Clerk, From: Keith Watts, Purchasing Manager CC: Jacy Jones, Dennis Teller Date: 9/2/14 Re: September 9 City Council Meeting Agenda Item The Purchasing Department respectfully requests that the following item be placed on the September 9" City Council Consent Agenda for Council's consideration. Approval of City Wide, Evergreen Sole Source Purchase for Alan Bradley products from Consolidated Electric. Recommended Council Action: Approval of advertisement for Sole Source Purchase in the local paper 14 days prior to purchase and authorize the Purchasing Manager to issue purchase orders and/or contracts for Alan Bradley products as needed. Thank you for your consideration 0 Page 1 �E IDR IAY CITY OF MERIDIAN SOLE SOURCE FORM Date: 08-21-2014 Item or Service: Allen Bradley Products / Electrical PURCHASING AGENT 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, ID 83642 Phone: 208-888-4433 Fax: 208-887-4813 ❑ Sole Source: Item is available from only one vendor. Item is one -of -a kind item and is not sold through distributors. Manufacturer is a sole distributor. Refer to instructions on 2n, page for completion. JUSTIFICATION: (Attach additional pages if needed) The City's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System was recently re -designed under the direction of it's 2013 SCADA Master Plan. This master plan was developed to increase capability and capacity of our current SCADA System while identifying and standardizing specifications and equipment required for new and replacement systems. Part of this new standardization is the incorporation of Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) and related sensors and hardware. These pieces of equipment are specific and are in need of matching Allen Bradley hardware in order to operate effectively and avoid data transfer/connectivity issues. Every distributor for Allen Bradley equipment is assigned a specific geographic territory in which they are designated to sell Allen Bradley products. They are prohibited from selling outside that assigned territory and risk being terminated as a distributor should they "sell or attempt to sell these products outside their Territory". Columbia Electric Supply, a partner of Consolidated Electric, with their Idaho branch, is an exclusive distributor of Allen Bradley products for the Idaho Treasure Valley region. *Please see attached the attached letter from the manufacture dated August 26, 2014 CERTIFICATION I am aware of the requirements set forth in the City's Purchasing Policy & Procedures Manual for competitive bidding and the established criteria for justification for sole source/sole brand purchasing. I have gathered technical information and have made a concerted effort to review comparable/equal equipment. I hereby certify as to the validity of the information and feel confident that this justification for sole source/sole brand meets the City's criteria and is accurate. Von Potter Requestor Department Manager Signature Council Approval Date: Purchasing / Approval: PuraKasing Manager IS Allen-Bradley • Rockwell Software August 26, 2014 Keith Watts City of Meridian Finance Department 33 E Broadway Meridian, ID 83642 Re: Columbia Electric Supply, Boise, Idaho Dear Keith: Rockwell Automation This is to confirm that Columbia Electric Supply (CES) currently is the appointed Rockwell Automation distributor authorized to sell Allen-Bradley Standard Controls, Drives, PLC/MMI and Rockwell Software products, along with related services, in the geographic area in which your facilities are located. As a matter of Company policy, full factory product and sales support is made available only to the local authorized distributor, and it is Rockwell Automation's practice and policy to always promote and recommend the use of that distributor to customers in that geographic area. Rockwell Automation discourages the use of other non - authorized sources, including distributors who may hold an Allen-Bradley appointment in another locale. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact either CES at (208) 322-1231 or our local Rockwell Automation sales office at (208) 841-2981. Respectfully, David Phillips Senior Sales Engineer Rockwell Automation cc: Von Potter, City of Meridian Lane Piva, CES Rich Colbert, CES Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY UPDATE Idaho Humane Society Update: Animal Control Services and Proposed Cost Increase for Fiscal Year 2015 MEETING NOTES �c�h n ��e,r��/ Le A n,-. �-� �I b�•rk /Je � �oszv��� � Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 6B PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ADDENDUM Approval of Addendum A to the Professional Services Agreement for Animal Control Services and Dog Licensing Between the City of Meridian and the Idaho Humane Society for an Amount Not -to -Exceed $352,132.00 MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS ADDENDUM A to PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES AND DOG LICENSING BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY This Addendum A to the Professional Service Agreement for Animal Control Services and Dog Licensing Between the City of Meridian and the Idaho Humane Society is made this �}h day of September, 2014 ("Effective Date"), by.and between the City of Meridian, a municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Idaho (hereinafter "City"), and the Idaho Humane Society, Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Idaho (hereinafter "IHS"). WHEREAS, City and IHS entered into a Professional Service Agreement for Animal Control Services and Dog Licensing Between the City of Meridian and the Idaho Humane Society on September 24, 2013 ("September 24, 2013 Agreement"); WHEREAS, IHS has analyzed animal control services provided within Meridian, and requests payment commensurate with services provided; WHEREAS, City finds that IHS has the necessary qualifications and capabilities to continue to provide a full range of animal control services to the Meridian community, to protect the community's health and welfare, and to assure that the animals are maintained consistent with the provisions of City Code; NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and agreed, and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: I. TERM. The term of the September 24, 2013 Agreement shall be extended to cover the period beginning the 1st day of October, 2014, through the 30th day of September, 2015. II. COMPENSATION. City agrees to pay IHS for animal control services provided within Meridian City limits during the Agreement term, as extended by this Addendum, in an amount not to exceed $352,132.00. This amount represents the cost of provision of services under this Agreement ($370,132.00), less $18,000.00 in consideration of City's donation of two (2) animal control vehicles to IHS on September 24, 2013. Such amount shall be payable in twelve equal installments. City shall pay IHS within thirty (30) days of receipt of invoice for services rendered in the previous month. City shall not withhold any federal or state income taxes or Social Security tax from any payment made by City to IHS under the terms and conditions of this Agreement; payment of all taxes and other assessments on such sums shall be the sole responsibility of IHS. ADDENDUM A TO SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH IHS FOR ANIMAL CONTROL AND DOG LICENSING SERVICES PAGE I of 2 III. SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 AGREEMENT FULLY IN EFFECT. The intent and effect of this Addendum is to extend the term and increase the payment amount for services provided by IHS as set forth in the September 24, 2013 Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Addendum does not otherwise modify or alter any term or condition of the September 24, 2013 Agreement in any way. The September 24, 2013 Agreement remains in full effect, and all terms and conditions thereof are incorporated in this Addendum as though fully set forth herein. rd IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the Wday of September, 2014. IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY, INC.: Jeff Rosenthal, DVM Chief Executive Officer CITY OF MERIDIAN: Tan ADDENDOM A TO SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH IHS FOR ANIMAL CONTROL AND DOG LICENSING SERVICES PAGE 2 of 2 Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 7 PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: Items Moved From Consent Agenda MEETING NOTES 00 V\4 Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: $A PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: PUBLIC WORKS PROPOSED UTILITY RATE INCREASE Public Hearing Continued from September 2, 2014: Public Works Proposed Utility Rates Increase MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS RECEIVED El : art, CITY OFNfE roux CITY CLERKS OFFICE CURRENT PERMIT REQUIREMENTS C UCZIZENT- f E�ytt F Page 4 of 32 Permit No. ID -002019-2 SPECIFIC LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS During the period beginning on the effective date of this permit the permittee is authorized to discharge wastewater from Outfall 001 to Five Mile Creek, and from Outfall 002 to the Boise River provided the combined discharge from Outfalls 001 and 002 does not exceed 7.0 mgd, and the discharge meets the limitations and monitoring requirements set forth herein. , This permit does not authorize the discharge of any waste streams, including spills and other unintentional or non -routine discharges of pollutants, that are not part of the normal operation of the facility as disclosed in the permit application. A. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements for Outfall 001 1. For Outfall 001, the effluent limitations and monitoring requirements in Table shall apply. TABLE 1: Effluent Limitations and 1Vlnnitnr;na RP ,;,A ,P r f n„+47-11 nm _o EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Average Monthly Limit [Average Weekly imit Daily Maximum Limit Sample Location Sample Frequency Sample Type PARAMETER Flow, MGD --- -- --- Effluent Continuous Recording Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD,) Dilution ratio' : < 4:1 10 mg/l 20 mg/I --- Influent and Effluent 2/week grab composite Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD,) Dilution ratio' : • 4:1 20 mg/I 30 mg/I --- Influent and Effluent 2/week grab composite Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 30 mg/I 45 mg/l --- Influent and 2/week grab composite Effluent Fecal Coliform Bacteria'- 100/100 ml 200/100 nil 800/100 ml Effluent 5/week grab E. Coli Bacteria' --- --- --- Effluent 5/week grab Total Ammonia as N°, mg/L --- --- --- Effluent 2/ week grab composite Page 6 of 32 Permit No. ID -002019-2 B. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements for Outfall 002 I. For Outfall 002, the effluent limitations and monitoring requirements in Table 3 shall apply. TABLE 3: Effluent Limitatinnn and T%A ., 4—'-- r__ �I 2. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam, other than trace amounts, to the Boise River. 3. The pH range of each effluent sample from Outfall 002 shall be between 6.5 - 9.0 standard units. The permittee shall monitor for pH five (5) times per week. Sample analysis shall be conducted on a grab sample from the effluent. 4. 85% Removal Requirements for BODS and TSS: For any month, the monthly average effluent concentration shall not exceed 15 percent of the monthly average influent concentration. VL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS' Average Average Daily Sample Sample Sample PARAMETER Monthly Weekly Limit Maximum Location Frequency Type Limit Limit Flow, MGD --- --- -- Effluent Continuous Recording Biochemical Oxygen 30 mg/I 45 mg/I — Influent and 2/week grab Demand (BODS) Effluent composite Total Suspended Solids 30 mg/l 45 mg/I --- Influent and 2/week grab (TSS) Effluent composite Fecal Coliform Bacteria' 50/100m] 100/100 ml 500/100 nil Effluent 5/week grab Ma 1- Se tember 30 Fecal Coliform Bacteria' 100/100 ml 200/100 ml 800/100 ml Effluent 5/week grab October 1- A ril 30 E. Coli Bacteria' --- --- --- Effluent 5/week grab Total Ammonia as N', mg/L — --- --- Effluent 2/ week grab composite Footnote: I. Between May I and September 30: the average monthly fecal coliform count must not exceed a geometric mean of 50/100 ml based on a minimum of five (5) samples per month. The average weekly fecal coliform count shall not exceed a geometric mean of 100/100 ml based on a minimum of five (5) samples per week. Between October 1 and March 31: the average monthly fecal coliform count must not exceed a geometric mean of 100/100 nil based on a minimum of five (5) samples per month. The average weekly fecal coliform count shall not exceed a geometric mean of 200/100 ml based on a minimum of five (5) samples per week. 2. Monitoring for E. Coli shall start four (4) years from the effective date of the permit and continue for one year. Analytical results do not need to be reported on the DMR, but shall be retained on site. Sampling results for the first six months of monitoring shall be submitted to EPA with the Permittee's next permit application. 3. Results for the analysis of total ammonia do not need to be reported on the DMR, but shall be retained on site. miffed to FPA with fhP P—;ffee _c_-..__ �I 2. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam, other than trace amounts, to the Boise River. 3. The pH range of each effluent sample from Outfall 002 shall be between 6.5 - 9.0 standard units. The permittee shall monitor for pH five (5) times per week. Sample analysis shall be conducted on a grab sample from the effluent. 4. 85% Removal Requirements for BODS and TSS: For any month, the monthly average effluent concentration shall not exceed 15 percent of the monthly average influent concentration. '?A- RECE'vED CITY OFCCCs ,nnw CITY CLERKS OFFICE PROPOSED PERMIT REQUIREMENTS �2 o PoS E��V4 FT pE2 Permit No.: ID0020192 Page 5 of 47 I. Limitations and Monitoring Requirements A. Discharge Authorization During the effective period of this permit, the permittee is authorized to discharge pollutants from Outfall 001 to Fivemile Creek, and from Outfall 002 to the Boise River, within the limits and subject to the conditions set forth herein. This permit authorizes the discharge of only those pollutants resulting from facility processes, waste streams, and operations that have been clearly identified in the permit application process. B. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring 1. The permittee must limit and monitor discharges as specified in Tables I through 5; below. All figures represent maximum effluent limits unless otherwise indicated. The permittee must comply with the effluent limits in the tables at all times unless otherwise indicated, regardless of the frequency of monitoring or reporting required by other provisions of this permit. Table 1: Combined Loading Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements for Outfalls 001 and 002 Effluent Limitations Effluent Monitoring Requirements Effluent Limitations EfFluent MoniWring Requirements Parameter Units Average Average Sample Limit Flow MonthlyLimit Weekly Limit Fre uenc Sample Type Phosphorus, Total as P (May — Se tember) Ib/day 5.95 14.0 5/week calculation Five -Day Biochemical Oxygen mg/L 20 30 2/week 24 -hr. comp. lb/day 1,701 12,552 Demand (BOD,) calculation Demand (BODS) Ib/day 2,552 3,828 2/week calculation Total Suspended Solids (TSS) lb/day 710 1,065 5/week calculation 1. These effluentimits lare subject to a compliance schedule. See I.C. 2. The combined loading from outfalls 001 and 002 must not exceed these limits. Table 2: Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Re uirements for Outfall 001 Effluent Limitations Effluent Monitoring Requirements Parameter Units Average Monthly1��Malxyimurn'mtSample Frequency Sample Type Limit Flow mgd Report — I Report continuous recording Temperature 5,6oC (Year -Round See notes 7 and 8. continuous recording Biochemical Oxygen mg/L 20 30 2/week 24 -hr. comp. lb/day 1,701 12,552 Demand (BOD,) calculation removal 85% min. — Unronth calculation Total Suspended Solids m L 30 1 45 — 5/week 24 -hr. comp. Ib/day See Table 1 (TSS) calculation %removal 85% min. — 1/month I calculation PH— S.U. 6.5 — 9.0 at all times 5/week grab 126 576 E. coli Bacteria °' #/100 ml (geometric — I I (instantaneous 2/week grab mean) max.) Phosphorus, Total as Ps pg/L Seasonal average limit 120 µg/L 24 -hr. comp. (May — September) 2/week calculation Ib/day See Tablel Preliminary draft permit. This document does not authorize a discharge. Penn it No.: ID0020192 Page 7 of 47 11 Table 2: Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements for Outfall 001 11 Parameter Units Average Average Maximum - Monthly Weekly Sample Frequency Sample Type Limit - i imft Daily Limit i. me average momnly t. Loll bacteria counts must not exceed a geometric mean of 126/100 mlbased on samples taken every 3-7 days within a calendar month. See Part V for a definition of geometric mean. - - 2. Reporting is required within 24 hours of a maximum daily limit or instantaneous maximum limit violation. See Parts 1.13,2. and III.G.. - - 3. Sampling must be conducted twice per year, once during the period from April I through October 31, and once during the period from November 1 through March 31 each year. For each twice -per -year sampling event, the permittee must collect three 2441our composite samples within a calendar week. The permittee must report the results of sampling for these parameters on the March and October DMRs. 4. These. effluent limits are subject to a compliance schedule. See I.C. 5. Temperature data must be recorded using micro -recording temperature devices known as thermistors. Set the recording device to record at one-hour intervals. Report the following temperature monitoring data on the DMR`. monthly instantaneous maximum, maximum daily average, seven-day running average of the daily instantaneous maximum. 6. Use the temperature device manufacturer's sofivare to generate (export) an Excel text or electronic ASCII text file. The - file must be submitted annually to IDEQ by January 31 for the previous monitoring year along with the placement log. The placement logs should include the following information for both thermistor deployment and retrieval: date, time, temperature device manufacturer ID, location, depth, whether it measured air or water temperature, and any other details that may explain Table 3: Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Re uirements forOutfall002 Parameter Units Effluent Limitations Average Average Maximum Monthly Weekly Daily Limit Limit Limit Effluent Monitoring Berlinrements Sample Frequency Sample Type Flow mgd Report Re ort continuous recording Temperature (April, May, August, September, November) °C Sec Table 5. continuous recording Temperature5,' (December—March, June — Jul , October) °C See notes 5 and 6. continuous recording Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BODS) mg/L 30 45 — 2/week 24 -hr. comp. Ib/da 2552 3828 — calculation %removal 85% min. — — 1/month calculation Total Suspended Solidsm (TSS) L 30 45 — 5/week 24 -hr. comp. lb/da See Table I calculation % removal - 85% min.) — — 1/month calculation H S.U. 6.5 — 9.0 at all times 5/week grab E. coli Bacteria 1 ` #/100 m] 126 (geometric mean) — 406 (instantaneous max.) 2/week gob Phosphorus, Total as P° (May — Setember) µg2 70 165 — 2/week 24 -hr. comp. lb/da See Table] calculation Phosphorus, Total as P (October—A ril) mg/L Report Report — I/month 24 -hr. coo P. Ammonia, Total as N (November—June) mg/L 0.255 — 1:04 5/week 24 -hr. comp. lb/day 21.7 885 calculation Ammonia, Total as N (July — October) mg/L 0.242 — 1.06 5/week 24 -hr: comp. Ib/day 20.6 90.2 calculation Dissolved oxygen mg/L 6.0 minimum 5/week grab %sat. 75%minimum calculation Bis(2-Ethylhexyl)g/L Phthalate 9.20 13.4 1/month 24 -hr. comp. lb/da 0.783 Ll4 — Y calculation - Cyanide, weak Acid µg/L 16.47 — 1 19.3 1/month See I.B.8. Preliminary draft permit. This document does not authorize a discharge. 3oig� R:ve[Z Permit No.: ID0020 t 92 Page 9 of 47 Table 5: Effluent Limits for Temperature for Outfall 002 Table 4: Influent Monitoring Re uirements Units Parameter Units Statistics to Report on DMR Sample Frequency Sample Type Biochemical Oxygen Demand BODS) mg/L Monthly average 2/week 24 -hr. comp. Total (TSS)Suspended Solids mg/L Monthly average 5/week 24 -hr. comp. Phosphorus, Total as P p m L Monthly average, maximum weekly average 1/month 24 -hr. comp. ArsenicL Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. com . Cadmium, total recoverable ftµ/' L Monthly average, maximum daily ,/year 24 -hr. comp. Chromium, total µg/L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. comp. Chromium VI, dissolved ttgfL Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. comp. Copper, total pg/L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. comp, P, Cyanide, Weak Acid Dissociable µg/L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year See I.B.8. Lead, total recoverable µg/L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr, comp. Mercury, total µ Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. comp. Molybdenum, total µg/L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. comp. Nickel, total recoverable µ L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. comp. Silver, total recoverable µg/L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24-1v. comp. Zinc, total recoverable L Monthly average, maximum daily 2/year 24 -hr. com . 1. Sampling must be conducted twice per year, once during the period from April I through October 31, and once during the period from November 1 through March 31 each year. For each twice -per -year sampling event, the permittee must collect three 24-hour composite samples within a calendar week. The permittee must report the results of sampling for these parameters on the March and October DMRs. Table 5: Effluent Limits for Temperature for Outfall 002 Month Units Effluent Limits Maximum Weekly Maximum Maximum Daily Instantaneous Tem erature Limitr Limit Maximum Limit April — Ma °C 13.0 — — August °C — 19.0 — September °C — 19.0 22.0 November °C 13.7 — — 1. The weekly maximum temperature (WMT) is the mean of daily instantaneous maximum temperatures measured over a consecutive seven (7) day period ending on the day of calculation. 2. The maximum daily limit is the highest allowable average temperature measured over a calendar day or any 24-hour period that reasonably represents the calendar day for the purposes of sampling. 3. These effluent limits are subject to a compliance schedule. See I.C. 2. The permittee must report within 24 hours any violation of the maximum daily or instantaneous maximum limits for the following pollutants: Total ammonia as N, total recoverable copper, weak acid dissociable cyanide, total mercury, total recoverable zinc, and E. coli. Violations of all other effluent limits are to be reported at the time that discharge monitoring reports are submitted (See III.B. and III. H.). 3. The permittee must not discharge floating, suspended, or submerged matter of any kind in amounts causing nuisance or objectionable conditions or that may impair designated beneficial uses of the receiving water. Preliminary draft permit. This document does not authorize a discharge. Permit No.: ID0020192 Page 17 of 47 analytical result per row and include the following information: name and contact information of laboratory, sample identification number, sample location in latitude and longitude (decimal degrees format), or other real- world coordinate system (e.g., State Plane), method of location determination (i.e., GPS, survey etc.), date and time of sample collection, water quality parameter (or characteristic being measured), analysis result, result units, detection limit and definition (i.e., MDL etc.), analytical method, date completed, and any applicable notes. Surface water monitoring results must also be submitted with the application for renewal of this permit (see Part V.B of this permit, Duty to Reapply) as a spreadsheet- or text -format electronic file. The file shall be in the format of one analytical result per row and include the following information: name and contact information of laboratory, sample identification number, sample location in latitude and longitude (decimal degrees format), or other real- world coordinate system (e.g., State Plane), method of location determination (i.e., GPS, survey etc.), date and time of sample collection, water quality parameter (or characteristic being measured), analysis result, result units, detection limit and definition (i.e., MDL etc.), analytical method, date completed, and any applicable notes. Table 6: Surface Water Monitoring Re uirements — Fivemile Creek Parameter Upstream Sampling Frequency Downstream Sampling Fre uenc Maximum MDL Flow, CFS 1/week — BODS, mg/L 1/month — Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L 1/month — Ammonia, mg/L I/quarter — 10 gg/L Total Phosphorus, gg/L 1/month I/month 10 gg/L Total Nitrogen, mg/L 1/month 1/month 0.1 mg/L Chlorophyll a 1/month 1/month l i /L Temperature, °C Continuous Continuous — H, standard units 1/month 1/month — Turbidity, NTU 1/month 1/month Hardness as CaCO3, mg/L — 1/month 10 mgtL Arsenic, dissolved, gg/L 1/quarter — 1 pg/L Chromium, total, dissolved 1/quarter — 5 gg/L Chromium VI, dissolved 1/quarter — 1 gg/L Copper, dissolved, gg/L 1/quarter — 1 gg/L Lead, dissolved, gg/L 1/quarter — 0.5 gg/L Mercury, total, ng/L 1/quarter — 1.8 ng/L Nickel, dissolved, gg/L 1/quarter — 1 gg/L Silver, dissolved, i L I/quarter — 0.2 Zinc, dissolved, gg/L I/quarter — 2 gg/L Table 7: Surface Water Monitoring Requirements — Boise River Parameter ==Fr eam Sampling Downstream Sampling Maximum MDL equency Frequency Preliminary draft permit. This document does not authorize a discharge. Permit No.: ID0020192 Page 18 of 47 Table 7: Surface Water MonitoringRequirement — Boise River Parameter Upstream Sampling Frequency Downstream Sampling Fre uene Maximum MDL BOD„ mg/L 1/month — Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L Continuous Continuous Dissolved Oxygen, %sat. Continuous ContinuousAmmnia, mg/L 1/quarter — j,//L Total Phosphorus, µg/L 1/month 1/month Total Nitrogen, mg/L I/month 1/month Chloro hyll a I/month 1/month Temperature, °C Continuous Continuous — H, standard units 1/week 1/week Turbidity, NTU 1/week 1/week Hardness as CaCO3, mg/L — 1/month 10 m /L Arsenic, dissolved, µg/L 1/quarter — 1 lrg/L Copper, dissolved, µg/L 1/quarter — I ILa Lead, dissolved, µg/L 1/quarter 0.5 µg/L Mercury, total, ng/L 1/quarter 1.8 ng/L Nickel, dissolved, µg/L 1/quarter — 1 rg/L Zinc, dissolved, µg/L 1/quarter g Notes: 1. Continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen is required for the final full calendar year of the effective period of the permit. F. Methylmercury Requirements 1. Mercury Minimization Plan The permittee must develop and implement a mercury minimization plan that identifies potential sources of mercury and the measures to reduce or eliminate mercury loading. Written notice must be submitted to the EPA and the IDEQ that the plan has been developed and implemented within 180 days of the effective date of this permit. Any existing mercury minimization plan may be modified for compliance with this section. The mercury minimization plan must include the following: a) A Program Plan which includes the City's commitments for: (i) Identification of potential sources of mercury that contribute to discharge concentrations; (ii) Reasonable, cost-effective activities to reduce or eliminate mercury loadings from identified sources; (iii) Tracking mercury source reduction implementation and mercury source monitoring; (iv) Monthly monitoring ofPOTW effluent; (v) Twice per year monitoring of POTW influent; (vi) Resources and staffing. b) Implementation of cost-effective control measures for direct and indirect contributors, and Preliminary draft permit. This document does not authorize a discharge. Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: $B PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION NO. Resolution No. 0�3 Resolution Adopting the Public Works Utility Rate Increase MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. ) y - 101 -�> BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BIRD, BORTON, CAVENER, MILAM, ROUNTREE, ZAREMBA A RESOLUTION ADOPTING WATER AND SEWER BILLING RATES AND FEES; AUTHORIZING THE MERIDIAN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT SUCH FEES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, following publication of notice according to the requirements of Idaho Code section 63-1311A, on September 9, 2014, the City Council of Meridian held a hearing on the adoption of the proposed water and sewer billing rates and fees, as set forth in Exhibit,4 hereto; and WHEREAS, following such hearing, the City Council, by formal motion, did approve said proposed water and sewer billing rates and fees; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN CITY, IDAHO: Section 1. That the water and sewer billing rates and fees, as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, are hereby adopted. Section 2. That the City of Meridian Public Works Department is hereby authorized to implement and carry out the collection of said rates and fees. 2014. Section 3. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect on September 20, 2014. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho this 9th day of September, APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 9th day of September, 2014. APPROVED: Tammy de Weerd, Mayor ATTEST: Jaycee Holman, City Clerk ADOPTION OF WATER AND SEWER BILLING RATES AND FEES PAGE 1 ►� wq :a k W 2 M O V m N z LU K z W Z N M m J_ m 0'I LU Q tylLL NOI m a L a c E 0 0 u> N � � � o nfNzm n r r n r m3nift��?r 0 f%ilN u m.4�IN W�4�Ori a'oi ud 6 o (6 roles rl: N NN fMO j O V M � lml" C41 w O10'O O O O O�OQO O'OO Fri NrM�V N,ID lmlm mIm m W � M1N 1 O 1- m OO r<<o F 4 V(D m N 'r e C7 N d{Ot�OMi aND100.E M N} t VIN IfIM �� mN 4 0 N (U a0 O iC rw m�m mm m'm gmym C4 m mini m m ;m F m SIN M L6, L6'o N�(O 'o w �- o�c o�o o!ofg o ;NCM a vi'lo r�co p M�m m m m 0 m mm C�j almlIm minim Sl k m ;:I ` T VIN�(O r�o 3- lbd o�- 0 of . 01 0 -11 C:l -t 0on 0 0 . 0RIO 1 8 S m W[m 3 NI4 .6 T m m m mjm mm M� cl� mm � m 6 co co CM ai 4 I 6 (61r N .6 C6 a; 4 6 S MM cr;:M. v ui C\f V7 16 (D K .6 lull 11 O0� 0 C, N C� M 6 UT FRt y3 41,6 co 6NH�UJNM III w Mm aN I giUT P� c i 0-. rn "Im 6 M"q N� lwq 1 cv ml yi M�m m m m 0 m mm C�j almlIm minim Sl k m ;:I ` T VIN�(O r�o 3- lbd o�- 0 of . 01 0 -11 C:l -t 0on 0 0 . 0RIO 1 8 S m W[m 3 NI4 .6 T m m m mjm mm M� cl� mm � m m E 2 a a, S S MM cr;:M. v ui C\f V7 16 (D K .6 11 O0� 0 C, N C� M 6 UT FRt y3 41,6 co 6NH�UJNM III w Mm aN I giUT CY ai� cli Ili �i 'd 'o K C6 " i 6 M�m m m m 0 m mm C�j almlIm minim Sl k m ;:I ` T VIN�(O r�o 3- lbd o�- 0 of . 01 0 -11 C:l -t 0on 0 0 . 0RIO 1 8 S 8 3 NI4 .6 6 C'i 8 an � 2 a a, S 11 O0� 0 C, N C� M 6 UT FRt y3 41,6 co 6NH�UJNM III w Mm aN I giUT M�m m m m 0 m mm C�j almlIm minim Sl k m ;:I ` T VIN�(O r�o 3- lbd o�- 0 of . 01 0 -11 C:l -t 0on 0 0 . 0RIO 1 8 S 8 8 . � E p,pj LO �Ppi P [111 P ipi P llNl P r+� HT Hf HT FfTI Ha tt 6,9, �i6O cc::) > C,- OJ o0 m It 0 aim a ll 1001 00 00 �00 I 0� q 00 w m C6 �, LO 91 � + Ct Ct q - adId 0 m Z R k HT fA Lb m C) wm [2 E w 0 p,pj LO �Ppi P [111 P ipi P llNl P r+� HT Hf HT FfTI Ha tt 6,9, �i6O cc::) > C,- OJ o0 m It 0 aim a ll 1001 00 00 �00 I 0� q 00 w m C6 �, LO 91 � + Ct Ct q p,pj LO �Ppi P [111 P ipi P llNl P r+� HT Hf HT FfTI Ha tt 6,9, �i6O cc::) > C,- OJ o0 m It 0 aim a ll 1001 00 00 �00 I 0� q 00 w m C6 �, LO 91 � Ct Ct q - adId 0 LU Z R k HT fA C) wm p,pj LO �Ppi P [111 P ipi P llNl P r+� HT Hf HT FfTI Ha tt 6,9, �i6O cc::) > C,- OJ o0 m It 0 aim a ll 1001 00 00 �00 I 0� q 00 w m C6 �, LO 91 � J+ - adId 0 LU R R k p,pj LO �Ppi P [111 P ipi P llNl P r+� HT Hf HT FfTI Ha tt 6,9, �i6O cc::) > C,- OJ o0 m It 0 aim a ll 1001 00 00 �00 I 0� q 00 w m C6 �, LO 91 � W Q a Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 9A PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT Human Resources Department: Strategic Plan Update MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 9B PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: POLICE DEPARTMENT FY 2015 BUDGET AMENDMENT Police Department: FY2015 Budget Amendment for Spending Authority for SPF/SIG Mayor's Anti -Drug Coalition (MADC) Grant Award from the Office of Drug Policy for the Not -to -Exceed Amount of $99,814.00 MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: EMAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS a N d '._ a G E E a v �0 u 11 E � 3 Z U Q CC G U C 0 O Qs o 4) U U C O LL c d C_9 O Z m Q cc U L W LL (A Z a W � E Q O o a LL F- CL W Q V cl E 0 h m Lo N vd a } E <) LL w d. a T a y 3 — 9 T m 3 9 U O .t'C. C c U m � c 4= y+ 0-0 0 O s 0 � O E au)) a a 0 O O N CL O C a> c `0 U y N N N O M � '._ a m E E a v u 11 E � 3 U Q CC G C C 0 O Qs o 4) U U m O LL c d C_9 O E Z m Q W U L LL (A Z W � E Q o Q LL F- W V cl m T a y 3 — 9 T m 3 9 U O .t'C. C c U m � c 4= y+ 0-0 0 O s 0 � O E au)) a a 0 O O N CL O C a> c `0 U y N N N O M � o� -|x } m �) C, e ) j d � Z) k j § \ 2 ( 2 ) 2co / - ` - CL 0 c ]§ Ell & <D } \ !k0 / \ \ [/ \ a - (] , ! §$/G2 ..0 13 n -»d» a, S y}( \CL _ o� -|x } m �) C, \ d � Z) k / CL 0 c ]§ Ell & <D } \ !k0 / \ \ [/ a - (] ! o� -|x } m �) C, \ d � Z) k / ]§ & N" !k0 \mN0 \ [/ a - (] ! §$/G2 ..0 n -»d» a, S y}( \CL _ / } \ / � ° -|x } m �) \ d � k N" !k0 \mN0 gE§§G a - ! §$/G2 ..0 n -»d» a, S y}( _ / } \ \\\\\ \) CL ° -|x } m �) \ � k \ \ / 0 0 / -|x m \ \ / 0 0 / Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 10 PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: Future Meeting Topics MEETING NOTES Ari W rn\k oj/Il Cev-e-M0Y-"-A i' 4o grvn Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS Meridian City Council Meeting DATE: September 9, 2014 ITEM NUMBER: 11 PROJECT NUMBER: ITEM TITLE: EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive Session Per Idaho State Code 67-2345 (1)(c): (c) To Conduct Deliberations Concerning Labor Negotiations or to Acquire an Interest in Real Property, Which is Not Owned by a Public Agency MEETING NOTES Community Item/Presentations Presenter Contact Info./Notes CLERKS OFFICE FINAL ACTION DATE: E-MAILED TO STAFF SENT TO AGENCY SENT TO APPLICANT NOTES INITIALS