2016 03-07Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
March 7th, 2016
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 x Luke Cavener (ex -officio)
X Darrel McRoberts x Ryan Hall x Shawn Martin (ex -officio)
x Stephen Lewis p Jack McGee x Toni Tisdale (ex -officio)
X David Ballard x Lance Baumgartner o Margaret Havey (ex -officio)
A Tracy Hopkins p Mark Wasdahl (ex -officio) o Miranda Carson (ex -officio)
Others Present: Rhonda Jahlbert (for Margaret Havey) Ted Baird, and Caleb Hood
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Prior to the adoption of the Agenda Commissioner Lancaster requested clarification on the
current agenda. The Commissioner wanted an update regarding the strategic initiatives emails
and the annual report that was recently given. Chairman Hopkins asked Caleb Hood to
provide a brief update. Since the last Commission meeting, ITD District 3 staff informed him
that ITD was applying for a statewide competitive grant for Strategic Initiatives for
transportation projects. ITD District 3 is applying to widen Chinden from Locust Grove to
Eagle Road. Caleb spoke to City Council and other agencies asking for letters of support, as
well as sent emails to the Commission. Caleb drafted a letter and met with Chairman Hopkins
who signed it and letter was forwarded to Amanda LaMott. The deadline was March I", which
is why there was a rush to complete the letter prior to today's Commission meeting. Chairman
Hopkins provided an end of year update - Mayor expressed thanks and gratitude to the
commission for their contribution to the City.
Motion by Lancaster to adopt Agenda as written, second by Lewis — all ayes — motion carried.
3. Introduction of Ex -Officio Member Cavener
Councilman Luke Cavener provided a brief background update on his experience. Currently
serving on Meridian City Council, 3rd year of first term, replaced Councilman Zaremba. He is a
lifelong resident of Meridian and excited to serve on this commission.
(Ex -Officio members Wasdahl and Carson arrived)
4. Approval of Minutes from February 1St, 2016 Meeting
Commissioner Lancaster noted typographical error on item 5a page 3 of packet, ASHTO
should be "AASHTO". No other comments or corrections needed. Motion by Lewis to
approve the minutes with the one change, second by Ballard — all ayes — motion carried.
S. Old Business Items
a. 2016 Transportation Project Priorities Update (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood directed the commission's attention to provided documents, which is a compiled
summary, with incorporated commission feedback, for 2016 Meridian roadway and intersection
priorities. Mr. Hood reacquainted the commission with the purpose of the documents and the
action to amend the documents to establish the proper prioritization so the information could
be presented to Council and then ACHD by April IS`. Questions were asked, discussed and
answered regarding Black Cat/Franklin/Ten Mile, as well as Fairview/Locust Grove lane
configurations and level of service. The phasing along McMillan Road was also discussed.
Clarification was made regarding the notation "high priority" classification which is an ACHD
classification.
Discussion to change the prioritization of identified priority line item #10 (Franklin Road) down
to and move #20 (McMillan) up. Motion by Hall, second by Lewis - all -ayes — motion carried.
Discussion to change the prioritization of Locust Grove, between Fairview and Chinden up.
Motion by Commissioner Leslie to move Ten Mile Road, Ustick to McMillan down in priorities
so two Locust Grove projects can move into the top 15, second by Hall — 7 ayes, I nay -
motion carried.
Caleb provided a brief update on the Community Programs projects. There are no major
changes in priorities year over year. Caleb recommended removing completed projects or
those on the 90 day bid list from the list. There are some new projects so the commission
should prioritization as they deem appropriate. Commissioner Lewis asked for an update
regarding Rails with Trails so he could better assess the prioritization of identified projects. Mr.
Hood provided an update and clarified `joint use' either through purchase, lease or other
means, not that the UP is giving away their property, but allowing us to `buy' a seat in their
ROW. The hope is to engage UP in conversation and show them the benefit to the community
of working together. The Community Projects list is not specific or exclusive of ACHD funded
projects. It is more of a citywide project list, but we prepare it for ACHD as a communication
tool that if there are projects ACHD is constructing and our projects could be benefited in
their overall plan.
Motion by Lancaster to move community program line items 14, 15 & 16 down to below line
25 and move all other projects up 3 places, seconded by Lewis - 3 ayes 5 nays - motion failed.
Commissioner Lewis made a motion to move line item 15 & 16 down below line 25 and other
items up on the list - all ayes - motion carried.
Mr. Hood mentioned that there are two additional types of projects that haven't historically
been on the project list that the Commission could consider for prioritization, which ACHD
would consider for funding; wayfinding signage and shared lane markings. Mr. Hood will share
project information with Council tomorrow and will bring back any feedback over the next
couple months.
b. Amendment of Commission Bylaws (C. Hood)
Caleb Hood provided a brief update starting on page 7 of the packet. Last month the
Commission reviewed the information, briefly. Caleb noted the documents included in the
packet and the purpose of them as the guidelines/rules for the Commission. Included
documents are the original 2013 ordinance, the updated 2015 ordinance and a `clean' copy of
the updated bylaws. Questions were asked, discussed and answered, particularly about the
format and repetitiveness in the various documents. Motion to adopt amended Bylaws by
Ballard, second by Lewis — 7 ayes, I nay — motion carried.
c. Meridian Police Department Status Report (Sgt. Stacey Arnold)
Mr. Hood noted that he received an email from Sgt. Arnold that he would not be able to attend
this month.
d. Transportation Project Update (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood directed the Commission to page 18 of the packet. On page 20, information on the
MDC Idaho Ave Placemaking project was presented. Mr. Hood shared the approved concept
plan. There is an expected soft opening in April with a `formal' event in May. Mr. Ballard has
attended several of the meetings offered some additional comments. ACHD is still reviewing
the plan with their legal department. Mr. Hood does not anticipate any issue with approval.
6. New Business Items
a. Valley Regional Transit 2016 Service Change Proposals (M. Havey)
Rhonda Jalbert presented in place of Ms. Havey. Ms. Jalbert is the Development Director for
Valley Regional Transit and reviewed the August service changes and the three Intercounty
transit proposal specifics with the Commission. She reviewed data received from VRT
consultants on the route system service, how to make them more reliable and sustainable,
route performance and issues related to service. She reviewed the current state, collection of
information through interviews with multiple agency and business contacts, as well as actions
taken by VRT. The VRT Board has not approved any route changes at this time; they will
review concepts and vote on recommendations April 4`h. Any approved changes are slotted to
occur in August 2016. Ms. Jalbert pointed that public comment closes March 13`h and directed
the Commission to the Valley Ride website survey and requested a letter of
comments/recommendation from the City Council on which scenario(s) the City prefers. Mr.
Hood will present any recommendation the Commission would like to provide to City Council.
Motion by Commissioner Lewis and second by Commissioner Ballard for Mr. Hood to make a
"soft" recommendation to City Council on proposal 2 — all ayes — motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Lewis and second by Commissioner Ballard to extend past 5:30
meeting deadline — all ayes — motion carried.
Questions were asked regarding ridership and intercounty routes through Meridian as well as
fiscal impact. VRT will come back at a future time to share ridership numbers, discuss other
operational opportunities and share received community feedback regarding recommendations.
b. Staff communications (C. Hood)
No current staff communications, the memo was left as a place holder for next meeting.
7. Future Meeting Topics
a. COMPASS Freight Study
b. Eagle Road Speed Limit Update
c. Speed Limits on Ten Mile Road
d. VRT Transit 101
e. ACHD CIP
f. US 20/26 Corridor Study
g. Master Mobility Planning
At the direction of the Chairman last month, Mr. Hood contacted Gerald Diffendaffer and
invited him to attend the next Commission meeting. Caleb will be on business travel during the
April 4th meeting. Mr. Hood will contact Mr. Diffendaffer on change of date (to April I I th) and
see if he is available to attend the next scheduled meeting of the Commission. (Topic is not
currently represented on future meeting topics, as new date needs to be determined.) Liisa
Itkonnen will attend next month to update the Commission on the COMPASS freight study and
is aware of the proposed new date of April I I th, 2016.
8. Next Meeting Date: April I Ith, 2016 (changed from April 4th)
9. Adjourn
Motion by McRoberts and second by Ballard to adjourn — all ayes — motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
(AUDIO RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
TRACY HOPKINS, CHAIR
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