2015 11-09Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
November 9th, 2015
Council Chambers — Meridian City Hall • 33 East Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho
I. Meeting called to order at 3:30 pm and Roll taken:
x Ryan Lancaster X Bryan Leisle o David Zaremba (ex -officio)
x Darrel McRoberts X Ryan Hall x Shawn Martin (ex -officio)
X Stephen Lewis X Jack McGee o Toni Tisdale (ex -officio)
x David Ballard X Lance Baumgartner o Margaret Havey (ex -officio)
x Tracy Hopkins x Mark Wasdahl (ex -officio) o Miranda Carson (ex -officio)
Others Present: Emily Kane, Sgt. Stacy Arnold, Austin Petersen, Brian McClure
and Caleb Hood
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Ballard and second by McGee to approve the agenda — all ayes — motion carried.
(Ex -Officio Havey arrived)
3. Introduction of Commissioner Baumgartner
Commissioner Baumgartner gave a brief introduction about himself.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 5th, 2015 Meeting
Motion by Ballard and second by McRoberts to approve minutes — all ayes — motion carried.
5. Old Business Items
a. Transportation Projects Update (memo attached; C. Hood)
Caleb supplemented the information included in the packet by highlighting that the ACHD
Commission adopted the 2016-2018 IFYWP on October 28th. The Ustick Road corridor,
Meridian, Cherry to Ustick and the Linder, Franklin to Pine projects changed years in the
ACHD program. He also mentioned that the Idaho Avenue Placemaking project was moving
forward and would be discussed later in the meeting.
b. Roadway Lightning Follow-up (memo attached; A. Petersen)
Austin Petersen provided a memo to the Commission and followed-up verbally on the status of
roadway lighting policy at ACHD. A question was asked and answered about transitional
lighting.
6. New Business Items
a. Safe Routes to School & Transportation Alternative Program (memo
attached; C. Hood)
Caleb explained to the Commission the historical funding source for safe routes to schools (set
aside funds) and how that changed with the current transportation bill. Caleb mentioned that
COMPASS has issued a Call for Projects and also explained to the Commission that City Staff
has considered potential Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) projects. The Rail with
Trail (RWT) project and the Community Center streetscape improvement projects were the
top two projects staff identified. There is approximately (only) $450K/year in TAP funds
available in the region. Phase I of the RWT project already has TAP funding for construction in
2018/19. There is still a right-of-way need for the RWT pathway. The Eagle Road Gap project
was also explained — a Project Development project a COMPASS — for lighting and pathway
improvements along Eagle Road.
(Ex -Officio Tisdale arrived)
Jared Holyoak, ITD Program Manager was contacted about ITD's TAP process; the State
anticipates an application period for FY2018 will open later in December. There is a local match
requirement, funds can't be used for property acquisition or right-of-way, and a $500K project
limit/cap. A PowerPoint presentation about the State's application process will be shared in the
future.
Toni Tisdale encouraged the Commission not worry about the funding source, but apply for a
project and COMPASS will help to find the grant opportunity. The Commission thought that
projects that help schools were a top priority. Although a motion was not made, the
Commission did not oppose the projects presented. Staff mentioned that the City Council
would also hear and act on this topic the following day.
b. Idaho Avenue Placemaking Project (C. Hood)
This topic first came up last month and the Commission asked for more information. The
history and the genesis of this project were explained. Through a grant, a report was prepared
by Project for Public Spaces and Idaho Smart Growth that recommended lighter, quicker,
cheaper improvements to attract and keep people downtown. Idaho Avenue was one of the
top locations to implement LQC improvements. The City, MDC and downtown businesses
have been working on a cross-section and amenities to use the right-of-way differently.
Planters, bike racks, tables, chairs, paint, decking/boardwalk and other amenities have been
discussed. Staff is getting some cost estimates for some of the amenities. The City and MDC
have budgeted money in FYI 6, but are really looking for partnerships and for the businesses to
activate and actively use the "reclaimed" area. Implementation of the project is planned for the
spring of 2016.
Partnerships and design standards for amenities were discussed. Table service and alcohol
consumption were brought up. It was clarified who actually initiated the grant, the boundaries
of the study area, and who was involved in the audit and downtown study. ACHD was asked
how they felt about this project and if similar projects had been done in Ada County and the
coordination efforts to this point. A comment/suggestion was made regarding labeling the
sidewalk "clear zone" on the exhibits and to be aware of sight triangles while designing the
parking near intersections. A clarification on the intended duration of the project and then
putting the roadway back to the way it currently exists after the project or making ultimate
changes to the roadway and curbline. There was a comment/concern about the adjacent
businesses gaining leasable space and equality. Another question/concern about how bike
signage and striping could/would work on this block. A question about mid -block crossing and
going from business to business as a pedestrian arose. A concern about mobile vendors and
how that would work with this new area was discussed. Staff informed the Commission that
they would be kept in -the -loop on this project going forward.
c. Transportation Commission End of Year Report for 2015 (memo attached;
C. Hood)
The City Clerk asked that the Commission prepare a 2015 End of Year (EOY) Report. A draft
report was prepared and included in the Commission's packet. The format was a carry-over
from the 2014 EOY Report.
Commissioner Ballard moved to adopt the 2015 annual report with the inclusion of the
December agenda topics (friendly amendment was made by Commissioner Lancaster) —
Commissioner McGee seconded — all ayes — motion carried.
d. Staff Communications (memo attached; C. Hood)
Caleb drew the Commission's attention to page 24 of the packet and the pedestrian hybrid
beacon that is now activated on Meridian Road at Broadway Avenue. Shawn Martin stated that
ACHD has looked at the signal and options to include it with the coordination plan with the
other signals on Meridian Road, lengthening the walk time, and other tweaks. A
question/concern about land use planning and why city hall was located across an arterial from
the parking lot. A request to include the HAWK signal near the Meridian Speedway on Main
Street in coordination with the other signals was made. A question about how ACHD
determines where pedestrian beacons/signals should be placed — parks, schools, neighborhood
walking paths were examples. Another option, to include a minimum wait time between
actuations, was brought up to help lessen the amount of cycling in between pushes. A question
about the history of the Meridian being the "through" street and Main Street being the "to"
street was brought up - in 2005 with the Downtown Meridian Transportation Management Plan
(DMTMP) determined.
7. Future Meeting Topics
a. COMPASS Freight Study
b. Eagle Road Speed Limit Update
c. VRT Transit 101
Staff mentioned that there were not any/many topics for the December meeting. The
Commission asked to add a topic to the December meeting regarding Police Department
concerns, issues and updates. Possibly getting a similar update from the School District was also
brought up.
8. Next Meeting Date: December 7th, 2015
9. Adjourn
Motion by Lewis and second by Ballard to adjourn — all ayes — motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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