2015 10-05Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
October 5th, 2015
Council Chambers — Meridian City Hall • 33 East Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho
1. Meeting called to order at 3:30 pm and Roll taken:
X Ryan Lancaster X Bryan Leisle x David Zaremba (ex-ofricio)
X Darrel McRoberts X Ryan Hall x Shawn Martin (ex-officio)
X Stephen Lewis X Jack McGee x Toni Tisdale (ex-oflficio)
X David Ballard p Vacant x Margaret Havey (ex-officio)
X Tracy Hopkins X Mark Wasdahl (ex-officio) o Miranda Carson (ex-officio)
Others Present: Ted Baird, Sgt. Stacy Arnold, Lance Baumgartner, Alan Ginkle,
Liisa Itkonen and Caleb Hood
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Ballard and second by McGee to approve the agenda — all ayes — motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes from September 14th, 2015 Meeting
Motion by Lancaster and second by Ballard to approve minutes — all ayes — motion carried.
4. Old Business Items
a. Transportation Projects Update Memo (memo attached; C. Hood)
Caleb supplemented the information included in the packet by highlighting that there will be a
Meridian Road Interchange dedication ceremony on October 29th. He also mentioned that the
project and the 1-84 mainline widening will not be fully complete by the end of the month, but
should be by the first of the year. Caleb also mentioned that 15 people attended the initial US
20/26 Task Force meeting on September 28th and what the group is trying to accomplish. It was
also mentioned that a placemaking/rightsizing/road diet project is being explored along Idaho
Avenue, between Main and 2"d Street. Parklets, the conversion of on -street parking to pocket
parks, was also explained to the Commission. City Staff is exploring the option of allowing
parklets downtown with ACHD.
S. New Business Items
a. Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Presentation (Cynthia Gibson)
Cynthia Gibson, Executive Director of the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance was present to explain her
organization to the Commission. She explained some state and national trends in walking, biking
and health as well as some of the member services the Alliance provides. Questions were asked
about TAP funding and how COMPASS manages that grant in the metropolitan area as well as
how the Alliance is funded and its objectives.
b. Northwest Meridian Truck Traffic and Routing (C. Hood)
Caleb stated that this topic was initially discussed during the August Commission meeting. The
Commission asked at that time that the Idaho Trucking Association (ITA) be represented at a
future meeting where this is discussed. Further, the City Council asked that the Commission
continue the dialogue and explore potentially designating truck routes in north Meridian.
The Commission asked questions about what route(s) may make sense, if any, and what staff
has explored. A question about existing truck routes in Ada County was asked and how that
was working. The recent petition submitted to ITD to allow 129,000 pound trucks along
Chinden was also discussed. Alan Ginkle, Chairman of the ITA addressed the Commission and
offered his assistance and the Association's data and other resources if needed. The
Commission struggled to understand the issue(s) — is it noise, volume, weight, safety, other?
The question arose if the City had an engine brake ordinance. Sgt. Stacy Arnold was asked if
incidents increased recently along the Ten Mile corridor. Liisa Itkonen, COMPASS, provided
the Commission with an update on the long-range transportation plan corridor priorities and a
freight study COMPASS recently kicked -off.
The Commission had little appetite for designating truck routes at this time and thought that
the real solution is to improve/complete the network (eg — SH-16 and US 20/26) to help any
perceived problem. The Commission discussed potentially sending a letter to the Council
asking them to support SH-16 improvements. A motion was made by Commissioner Leisle to
send a letter to Council — the motion was later rescinded. Instead of a letter, Staff will provide
an update/message to the Council about this topic and the Commission supporting
improvements to SH-16.
c. Staff Communications (memo attached; C. Hood)
Caleb drew the Commission's attention to page nine of the packet and that the new youth
Commissioner, Lance Baumgartner was present and will start next month.
6. Future Meeting Topics
a. Safe Routes to Schools and Transportation Alternative Program
b. Eagle Road Speed Limit Update
c. VRT Transit 101
d. Agency Transportation Coordination
The Commission asked to add two additional topics to future agendas: 1) COMPASS Freight
Study Update and 2) Idaho Avenue Rightsizing.
Commissioner Lancaster moved and Ballard seconded to extend the meeting to no later than
5:40 pm — all ayes — motion carried.
Caleb shared the COMPASS call for projects e-mail and that this topic (grants) would be
discussed next month. It was requested that any potential projects be e-mailed to Caleb.
7. Next Meeting Date: November 9th, 2015
Caleb mentioned that he would be out of town on November 2"d, the next regularly scheduled
Commission meeting date.
Motion by Lewis and second by Ballard to have the next meeting be on November 9`h — all ayes
— motion carried.
8. Adjourn
Motion by McRoberts and second by Lewis to adjourn — all ayes — motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
APPROVED:
TRACY HOPKINS, CliAllk
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