2017 05-01Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
May 1, 2017
Council Chambers — Meridian City Hall • 33 East Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho
I. Roll Call
(Meeting called to order at 3:31 pm and roll taken)
X Tracy Hopkins
X Bryan Leisle
X Luke Cavener (ex -officio)
X Ryan Lancaster
X Ryan Hall
X Shawn Martin (ex -officio)
X Stephen Lewis
X Jack McGee
X Toni Tisdale (ex -officio)
X David Ballard
p Lance Baumgartner
o Rhonda Jalbert (ex -officio)
X Brent Knezacek
Mark Wasdahl for Erika
p Miranda Carson (ex -officio)
X Bowen (ex -officio)
Others Present: Brooke Green (ACHD), Nick Foster (Kittleson & Associates), Sgt. Stacy
Arnold, Ted Baird, Brian McClure, and Caleb Hood
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Lewis to approve the agenda; second by Commissioner Hopkins — all
ayes — motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes from March 6th, 2017 Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Lancaster to approve the March 6th minutes; second by
Commissioner McGee — all ayes — motion carried.
4. Old Business Items
a. Ustick Elementary Walk Zone (C. Hood/M. Carson)
Mr. Hood began with a brief review of the topic from last month and informed the Commission
that Ms. Carson will return from maternity leave at the end of the month and would not be
here to review the topic. Mr. Hood requested keeping this as a topic for discussion next
month when Ms. Carson or someone from the school district can attend. Seeing no opposition,
the Commission agreed to keep the item on the agenda for a future update.
b. Transportation Projects Update (memo attached; C. Hood)
Mr. Hood directed the attention of the Commission to page 6 of the packet. He reminded the
Commission that he will not review all items and that new information is in bold print. Mr.
Hood also reiterated that if the Commission has questions or would like clarification on any
item to feel free to interrupt him. Mr. Hood began his update starting on page 7, with the
Linder Road, Ustick to McMillan and the Linder Road, Cayuse Creek to Chinden projects. Mr.
Hood first spoke to the Cayuse Creek to Chinden project and its relative small scope,
approximately 'A mile, but its significance of expanding to 5 -lanes and the improvement in the
area. He mentioned a public involvement meeting at Rocky Mountain High School that night
and Mr. Hood will represent the City at that meeting.
Mr. Hood moved on to ITD project updates starting on page 8. Although not listed or
specifically an ITD project, the Records Avenue area has been a topic of discussion at the
Transportation Commission meetings and Mr. Hood thought this was a good place to note that
Records Avenue, between River Valley and Ustick, is now permanently open.
Mr. Hood then moved onto an 1-84 update. Approximately 2 weeks ago the ITD Board
approved an additional $150 million in GARVEE bonding authority based on the Legislature
decisions in March. There is a public comment period that is open until May 14`h through the
COMPASS website. Construction is initially planned from 2018 through 2022.
Mr. Hood opened the floor for further discussion. Mr. Wasdahl had a point of clarification for
the Eagle Road project that crack sealing will occur but micro -sealing will not take place until
appropriate temperatures allow. Questions were asked and answered.
(Ex -Officio Jalbert arrived during this agenda item)
S. New Business Items
a. ACHD Roadways to Bikeways Plan and Projects (Memo attached; Brooke
Green & Nick Foster, ACRD)
Ms. Brooke Green of ACHD introduced herself and provided a handout to the Commission.
She invited her associate Mr. Nick Foster, from Kittleson & Associates, to assist with delivering
part of the presentation to the Commission. She opened the presentation with a brief personal
background as a Senior Transportation Planner and the Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator at
ACHD. Ms. Green presented information on the update to Roadways to Bikeways Master
Plan. This is a relatively new process in conjunction with agency partners and the communities
ACHD serves. The purpose was to produce a foundational document with broad vision goals
for pedestrian and biking enhancements, by identifying routes, connectivity gaps and areas for
improvement. Ms. Green shared statistical information from the initial plan that began in 2009
on improvements made. The purpose of the 2017 plan is to assess progress since 2009,
identify attainability of goals, objectives and action items, implement performance
measurements, identify emerging trends and technology and prioritize projects. She also shared
high level deliverables and the implementation of an annual report template which Mr. Foster
will present. Ms. Green reminded the Commission that she is soliciting feedback from this
Commission to incorporate into the overall plan as well as take back to the Bike Advisory
Committee (BAC), which Bryan Leisle is a part. The BAC is the advisory board to ACHD for
this initiative. It considers the feedback from community leadership to help advise ACHD on
what community partners and constituents most desire related to biking needs.
Mr. Foster introduced himself as a Senior Planner with Kittleson & Associates, a third -party
consultant, which ACHD has contracted to assist with developing the 2017 ACHD Roadways
to Bikeways Plan. Mr. Foster reviewed the prior goals and objectives and the status of each as
they relate to the neighborhood plans, which are the tool for community involvement. He then
reviewed the ACHD stress -routes and the four groups of bicyclists that use them and the key
factors to consider in making adjustments and recommendations. He reviewed the timeline of
activities/updates and when the final plan should be available. The floor was opened for
discussion as well as questions which were answered by Mr. Foster, Ms. Green and Mr. Hood,
regarding stress level data analysis, metric development, multi -use pathway standards and
amenities. ACHD agreed to provide an update to the Commission in July, but asked the
Commission to provide feedback of desired updates to ACHD as soon as possible, so edits can
be incorporated.
Prior to the Meridian Police Department Status Report, item 5b, special guests from the
Mayor's Office, April Guinsler and Morgan Andrus presented the Commissioners with a token
(coffee mug) of thanks for their service and dedication to the City of Meridian by serving on the
Transportation Commission.
b. Meridian Police Department Status Report (Sgt. Stacy Arnold)
Sgt. Stacy Arnold provided a brief update. He mentioned that the new section of Records
Avenue between River Valley and Ustick is open. One issue that is causing residential concern,
in the area, is excessive speed and that the speed limit signage is not posted for southbound
traffic. New signage is needed ASAP, for safety as well as enforcement. PD has issued citations
for speeds as high as 47 mph in the area.
The other update Sgt. Arnold provided was regarding Eagle Road north of River Valley and lane
striping from 3 lanes to 2. The striping and signage is not clear and is causing an issue for
motorists not knowing when to merge and that the third lane has been extended north of River
Valley. Motorists are driving in the "breakdown" lane to merge or being forced into the
shopping center. Sgt. Arnold is requesting that paint crews prioritize this area. Sgt. Arnold
concluded his update and opened the floor for questions and answers.
Questions were posed for updates on the Brandy's Jewel/Victory school crossing, lighting and
the COMPASS Charter School area on Cherry. Shawn Martin mentioned that lighting for
Brandy's Jewel area will be completed over the summer in time for the next school year. A
further update on the COMPASS Charter School area will be provided in June by Mr. Martin.
c. Downtown Striping for On -Street Parking (B. McClure)
Mr. McClure began with a brief description of the issue and why he came to address it to the
Commission. Mr. McClure received a voicemail regarding re -striping of on -street parking at the
Southeast corner of 2"d Street and Carlton in front of the church. There is confusion on whose
responsibility it is to ensure the striping is maintained within the downtown core area as the
City has a contract with ACHD for back of curb maintenance, but not on the street side. It was
conveyed by the caller that Cole Valley Christian offered to have the striping done. As there is
no clear defined process for this type of request, Mr. McClure responded to the caller letting
her know that he would follow up with Meridian Development Corporation (MDC), ACHD
and others and respond back with an update. Further off-line discussions took place and MDC
will field those requests, but a work permit would be required from ACHD. Further
discussions for future situations would need to occur between MDC, ACHD and the City of
Meridian to ensure timely resolution to issues for on -street parking concerns. Mr. McClure
concluded by asking the Commission if they had any insights or recommendations they would
like for him to relay to MDC.
The floor was opened for discussion. Questions were asked and answered.
d. Staff Communications (memo attached; C. Hood)
Mr. Hood directed the Commission to the Staff Communications topic starting on page I I of
the packet. Mr. Hood briefly highlighted the communication on training opportunities offered
which included information on how to sign-up if anyone was interested.
Prior to moving to Future Meeting Topics, Commissioner Leisle asked if the Commission
would like to hold an open -house type event for neighborhood plan discussions as it relates to
ACHD Roadways to Bikeways Plan and Projects. Discussion took place, but there is some
concern that that type of request should come from City Council, not the Transportation
Commission. Mr. Hood mentioned that if the Commission wanted to request a neighborhood
study that was something ACHD would consider in their five-year work plan and could be
requested for 2018.
Chairman Ballard informed the Commission he is part of the Freight Advisory
Board/Committee with COMPASS and there is a study group that will be presenting a template
for reviewing a Truck Corridor Ordinance, if anyone is interested.
6. Future Meeting Topics
a. Eleven vs. Twelve Foot Travel Lanes (June)
b. Meridian Road Speed Study (June)
c. US 20/26 Corridor Study (June)
d. VRT Transit 101
f. Master Mobility Map
Chairman Ballard asked for any addition agenda topics, none were requested. Chairman Ballard
called for a motion to adjourn.
7. Next Meeting Date: June 5, 2017
8. Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Lewis and second by Commissioner Hopkins to adjourn — all ayes —
motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 4:59 p.m.
(AUDIO RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
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