2016 04-112
Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
April 11th, 2016
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 o Luke Cavener (ex -officio)
x Darrel McRoberts x Ryan Hall o Shawn Martin (ex -officio)
x Stephen Lewis x Jack McGee x Toni Tisdale (ex -officio)
x David Ballard x Lance Baumgartner o Rhonda Jalbert (ex -officio)
x Tracy Hopkins x Mark Wasdahl (ex -officio) o Miranda Carson (ex -officio)
Others Present: Walt Satterfield, Sgt. Stacy Arnold, Gerald Diffendaffer, Ted Baird,
Mayor Tammy and Caleb Hood
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Ballard to adopt Agenda as written, second by McGee – all ayes – motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes from March 7th, 2016 Meeting
Prior to approval Caleb noted that the meeting minutes that are in the packet are from March 7 th
not February 1st. Motion by Lancaster to adopted minutes as presented in the packet, second by
Lewis – all ayes – motion carried.
Shawn Martin arrived.
4. Old Business Items
a. 2016 Transportation Project Priorities Update (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood informed the Commission that the City Council adopted their recommendation of
Roadway, Intersections & Community Programs priorities without any changes. The list of priority
transportation projects is available on the City Website:
http://www.meridiancity.org/city_clerk.aspx?id=14651 . Caleb noted that Council appreciated the
Commission’s work and did discuss the recommendation but made no changes. The Council
focused their discussion around the 3, 5 & 7-lane arterial roadways, in particular Fairview. ACHD
has received the City’s recommendation and is working on the Integrated Five-Year Work Plan
with a draft forthcoming, then a public hearing and adoption in the fall.
b. Transportation Projects Update (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood provided a brief update starting on page 7 of the packet. Specific projects mentioned
were:
a) Pine Avenue, Meridian to Locust Grove: There is a 75% plan review meeting happening
next week with community involvement later in the year.
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b) Meridian Road from Cherry to Ustick (page 8): Caleb has a meeting with ACHD to
coordinate the public information meeting (PIM) being held on Monday evening the 18 th at
City Hall. The PIM is open house style if interested contact Caleb for specific time.
c) Arterial Dynamic Messaging Signs (bottom of page 8): These are the advance warning signs
that alert drivers to delays on the interstate. Three of the 4 signs are on roadways in
Meridian: Eagle Road north of Overland, Ten Mile south of Franklin and Meridian south of
Corporate.
d) Town Hall Meeting (page 9): A town hall meeting is being held at The Ambrose School,
located on Locust Grove and Chinden, at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 27th. The first
agenda topic is to specifically discuss the US 20/26 project – staff will provide a status
update and explain the purpose of the task force and 3 subcommittees.
e) MDC Signage: Although not a transportation project, the ribbon cutting/unveiling of
downtown historic signs is going on this afternoon.
f) Transit Update (bottom of page 9): There has been a work group established which has
met twice so far to develop a Meridian transit service scenario that is geared toward
elderly and disabled for Council to consider later this spring. This would be similar to Dial-
a-ride serving about a 12 square mile radius.
g) Draft CIP Handout (page 10): Caleb attends the ACHD CICAC and CIP Task Force
meetings and has details of intersections, roadways and constrained roadways if anyone is
interested. Mr. Hood thought a map visual would be easier than reviewing the voluminous
data. ACHD should publish draft CIP and have a public hearing July 27, 2016.
Mr. Hood opened the floor for any questions regarding any of the memo items, those highlighted,
or any not specifically mentioned in the update. Mr. Lancaster inquired about service plan changes
to Valley Regional Transit service that was discussed last month and the changes that were
presented to Council by VRT. Mr. Hood provided an update; Council heard a more Meridian-
centric presentation and after all public comments the “do nothing alternative” recommendation
was put forth to VRT. No additional questions asked; moved onto New Business Items.
5. New Business Items
a. Meridian/McMillan Intersection Configuration (Gerald Diffendaffer)
Mr. Diffendaffer expressed his concern with the intersection design. Commissioner Lancaster
inquired of Mr. Diffendaffer of what action he’d like from the Commission. Mr. Diffendaffer replied
“nothing”. Shawn Martin was present to provide additional context of the situation. Some
improvements have been implemented by ACHD since Mr. Diffendaffer’s incident. Commissioner
Lewis expressed agreement with Mr. Diffendaffer’s concern and a need for a reconfiguration of the
intersection, by adjusting the lanes by approximately 6 feet and removing about a 400 foot section
of bike lane.
Motion by Commissioner Lewis for the Commission to write a letter to City Council
recommending striping changes and removal of the bike lane as a temporary fix until a more
permanent design solution can be implemented by ACHD, second by McRoberts – 8 ayes, 1 Nay –
motion carried. Motion amended to have Mr. Hood write a memo and verbally present to City
Council explaining the Commission’s recommendation and recommend that City Council write a
letter to ACHD – motion carried.
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b. Freight Component for CIM 2040 2.0 (Walt Satterfield, COMPASS)
Mr. Satterfield provided a brief background of his experience and his new role as the long range
freight planner. Mr. Satterfield explained how the long range planning process and the freight
component/needs assessment impacts the region. The Federal Government requires a 20 year plan
with updates every 4 years, with a greater focus on the freight component which is what
COMPASS is currently evaluating. The COMPASS plan is called Communities in Motion (CIM) and
the horizon year is 2040. COMPASS has kept the plan name CIM 2040, but are calling it CIM 2040
2.0 since it still meets the 20 year requirement by the anticipated adoption date in 2018.
COMPASS is using all the same demographics, growth allocation and expects the Board to adopt
the updated plan.
CIM focusing around 4 transportation components: roadways, public transportation,
bike/pedestrian improvements and freight, these will ultimately be combined. Walt will be talking
specifically about freight and its impact to the economy, identifying and planning for projects that
enhance freight movement as well as funding from the Federal Government. There is ~ $80 Billion
dollars of freight that moves along Interstate 84, ~ $3.9 Billion moving between Ada & Canyon
counties. The impact of the freight component is significant to the economy and it is important to
understand. The goals are to improve safety, manage congestion and improve the movement of
goods to businesses that need them. COMPASS utilizes a freight work group model with broad
representation from the community for advisement; Commissioner Ballard sits on that work group.
Supplemental data was also presented. Once fully developed Mr. Satterfield is willing to return and
present again. Questions were asked and answered.
c. Meridian Police Department Status Report (Sgt. Stacy Arnold)
Sargent Arnold brought to the Commission the need for a crosswalk at Records & Village, which
became apparent during the Easter Egg Hunt at Kleiner Park, which brought out ~ 35K people.
Additionally, there is a need for a crosswalk at Main & King - there haven’t been a lot of crashes,
but there have been a lot of near misses. Questions and discussion occurred. Mr. Hood
mentioned that the Main & King crosswalk is on the enhancement list to ACHD, but it’s labeled
incorrectly as Williams - Mr. Hood will get that corrected. Further discussion and additional
suggestions were made for ‘old fashioned’ police traffic patrol at Records & Village during events
and additional signage, speed limit change or installation of RRFB at Main & King. Thanks from Mr.
Hood and the Commission to Sgt. Arnold for bringing these items to the Commission’s attention
for consideration. Additional feedback/request from Commissioner Lancaster - he would like a
refresh on the speed study on Meridian Rd. between Ustick & Chinden.
Mayor Tammy asked to address the Commission and acknowledge the entire Commission, as part
of National Volunteer Month. Mayor Tammy specifically acknowledged and thanked Commissioner
Ballard for his commitment not only to the Commission but also as a transportation representative
on several boards. Additionally, Mayor Tammy acknowledged Commissioner Baumgartner for his
support on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council with the Rail with Trail item for their mock ballot.
d. Chateau Traffic Calming (memo attached; C. Hood)
Mr. Hood presented and conveyed the request of Mayor Tammy for the Commission to consider
potential improvements near the Chateau/Ten Mile intersection. Josh Beach provided a review of