2017 07-03Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
July 3, 2017
Council Chambers — Meridian City Hall • 33 East Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho
1. Roll Call
(Meeting called to order at 3:32pm and roll taken)
x Tracy Hopkins
X Bryan Leisle
X Luke Cavener (ex -officio)
o Ryan Lancaster
x Ryan Hall
X Shawn Martin (ex -officio)
x Stephen Lewis
X Vincent Koontz
X Toni Tisdale (ex -officio)
x David Ballard
X Lance Baumgartner
X Rhonda Jalbert (ex -officio)
x Brent Knezacek
X Erika Bowen (ex -officio)
X Miranda Carson (ex -officio)
Others Present: John Wasson (for Shawn Martin), Tod Morris (for Rhonda Jalbert), Emily Kane,
Elizabeth Sayre, Sgt. Stacy Arnold, Officer Will Stoy, and Caleb Hood
Introduction of New Commissioner Vincent Koontz
The Chairman asked newly appointed member, Mr. Vincent Koontz to share a little about
himself as an introduction to the Commission. Commissioner Koontz gave a brief history of
himself, his purpose for being on the Commission and appreciation for being appointed.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Prior to the adoption of the agenda, two changes were made: move Old Business Item 4a,
ACHD Roadways to Bikeways Plan and Projects update to August, and move Future Meeting
Topics item 6a. Future School Sites to New Business as item 5f, time permitting.
Commissioner Hopkins motioned to adopt the agenda as amended; second by Commissioner
Baumgartner — all ayes — motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes from June 5, 2017 Meeting
Chairman Ballard asked for discussion, changes, or a motion to approve the June 5th meeting
minutes. Commissioner Lewis made a recommendation under New Business topic 5b,
regarding US 20/26; at the bottom of page three, fourth line from the bottom, to change the
word "what" to "change". Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the June 5th minutes as
amended; second by Commissioner Hopkins — all ayes — motion carried.
4. Old Business Items
a. ACHD Roadways to Bikeways Plan and Projects (cont. from May)
(Item continued to August)
b. Transportation Projects Update (memo attached; C. Hood)
Prior to his update, Mr. Hood reminded the Commission, especially for new member
Commissioner Koontz, the format he follows in this section - last month's information is used
as a template and new information will be in bold. Mr. Hood does not review all items listed in
the memo, but highlights specific changed topics of interest. It is assumed that the
Commissioners review the packet information and if there are questions on items not
specifically covered, Mr. Hood is happy to field questions and provide further detailed
information.
Mr. Hood continued with the transportation updates in the memo that begin on page 6 of the
packet. Mr. Hood called the Commission's attention to page 7, and the Linder Road, Ustick tc
McMillan and Linder Road, Cayuse Creel, to Chinden projects and the second Public
Involvement Meeting (PIM) will be held on August 31 st at the Meridian Library.
At the bottom of page 7, the 2017 construction project, W. Is'
Street to Pine, and at the top of
page 8 the W. 4" Street, Broadway to Maple, projects now have sidewalks and gutters and are
substantially complete.
Mr. Hood concluded with the US 20/26 item and mentioned the comment period is open until
July 31"for the ITIP. He encouraged the Commissioners to provide comment to ITD.
Mr. Hood opened the floor for further discussion. Questions were asked and answered.
S. New Business Items
a. Speeding in Residential Neighborhoods (Frank Marcos)
Mr. Marcos has been a resident of Meridian since 2012 and serves on the Mayor's Senior
Advisory Board. He lives in the Alpine Pointe Subdivision and is on its HOA Board and
Neighborhood Watch committee. He thanked the Commission for allowing him to speak and
expressed his, as well as his neighbors' concerns for speeding in the 21 1 -lot residential
subdivision. Currently there are only two speed limit signs in the subdivision which has five
access points. ACHD did a speed study a couple of years ago in the subdivision, but with no
real improvement. Mr. Marcos is seeking advisement from this Commission on what can be
done to limit speeding and improve safety within the subdivision, possibly additional signage, a
new speed study, additional stop signs or other options.
The floor was opened for discussion which tool, place. Discussion about additional traffic
calming and stop signs at one particular intersection were discussed. John Wasson from ACHD
offered to look into potential mitigation measures that align with District policy.
b. Meridian Road (SH -69) Speed Study (memo attached; E. Bowen)
Ms. Bowen began by directing the Commission to page I I of the packet, which contained an
overview/summary of •the speed study. Data was collected in May and June from tubes and
radar. Ms. Bowen noted that the density of the area studied is more rural and five locations
were used to collect the data which was analyzed and shared in the packet. Ms. Bowen shared a
brief PowerPoint presentation to highlight and review a few specific areas of interest. Speed
limits are set at the 85th percentile, because that is the speed a majority of motorist drive
nationwide. Studies have shown that most people don't pay attention to speed limit signs and
drive what they feel comfortable driving for the area. The more congested the area, the slower
people typically drive. The biggest issues exist when there is a big speed differential, which is
why the 85% rule is used to set speed limits. The most severe accident location along the SH -
69 corridor is at Overland Road. This location's rank, is 30th out of the 2000 intersections
studied by ITD District 3; ranking is based on severity and frequency of crashes. Other
locations, along SH -69 — Calderwood, Victory and Amity - ranked much less. Ranking is used to
allocate safety dollars by ITD. Based off the data, Ms. Bowen has made some recommendations
for speed limit changes in the area. Signs are ready for installation, but Ms. Bowen wanted to
brief the Commission prior to the changes. Future improvement projects to SH -69 are part of
the (TIP including signalization at specific locations.
Ms. Bowen stood for questions, particularly about where appropriate to place the speed limit
change signs in the vicinity of the Calderwood intersection. Sgt. Arnold and Officer Stoy gave
some input from the Police and trafi•ic perspective. Based on the discussion, Ms. Bowen offered
to look at it again and return to a future meeting to brief the Commission.
c. Meridian Police Department Status Report (Sgt. Stacy Arnold)
Sgt. Arnold began with a brief commentary, from PD's perspective, on the SH -69 presentation
by Ms. Bowen. The primary accident data they encounter are rear -end collisions. Sgt. Arnold
also introduced Officer William Stoy for additional comments. Both Sgt. Arnold and Officer
Stoy are in support of lower speeds on SH -69 because the higher the speeds the more severe
the accidents and property damage.
Sgt. Arnold briefly mentioned that PD is working with Mr. Wasson on the school zone speed
limit signs. No other updates were presented at that time and the floor was opened for
discussion. Questions were asked and answered.
d. Valley Regional Transit (VRT) Public Transportation Update (T. Morris)
Mr. Morris reacquainted the Commission with a brief introduction of himself and his newly
appointed position as the Community Programs Manager at Valley Regional Transit. He
proceeded with a basic overview of what he planned to review, and began his presentation with
the Harvest Transit Update.
The Harvest Transit Program officially kicked off in December of 2016. However, due to
vehicle procurement issues, ridership numbers were lower than expected. Mr. Morris shared
ridership data which is continually increasing. The goal for ridership is 550 rides per month, and
in May 2017 it was at 412, not quite at goal, but trending in the right direction. Next steps that
will help to increase ridership is the transfer of the dispatch software application management
directly to Harvest Transit/Church. Another observation and change is to merge the two
originally designated service areas of North and South, into one city-wide area of service.
Originally, the design of the program was to have designated areas where vehicle resources
would be assigned and stay within their designated region. VRT has received positive feedback
on this change.Mr. Morris stood for questions and answers on the Harvest service.
Mr. Morris moved on to some other general VRT updates including outreach efforts for
Harvest Transit, the Dial -A -Ride program, Rides to Wellness program (in conjunction with St.
Luke's and St. Alphonsus) and funding requests from VRT to the City to help support the
community programs that VRT provides. VRT will be requesting approximately $69K for FYI
in support of the VRT programs $60K for direct operation of programs (wages, fuel, vehicle
maintenance, etc.) and $9K for administrative costs, excluding the Rides to Wellness program
which is fully funded by St. Luke's and St. AI's. VRT is also looking for other partners and grants
to help shoulder costs. Mr. Morris offered to follow up at another meeting on detailed
breakdown of costs and other rider trends. Additional conversation took place and Mr. Morris
answered additional questions. Mr. Morris suggested reporting out on the inter -county fixed
routes at his next appearance in front of the Commission.
e. Staff Communications (memo attached; C. Hood)
Mr. Hood directed the Commission to the Staff Communications topic starting on page 12.
There are not many updates to the communications in the packet, but Mr. Hood did mention
the work, group that has developed with residents from Woodbridge Subdivision, ACRD and
himself to look at potential land use and transportation changes in the area of the Interstate,
Franklin, Eagle, and Locust Grove.
Mr. Hood apologized that Ms. Green was unable to attend and present the topic Roadways to
Bikeways and included her email in the packet (she's out of town). The topic will be pushed to
August 7th
The last item Mr. Hood brought up was a VRT field trip from Caldwell or the Happy Day
Station to Main Street Station in Boise, possibly on September I It'; details to be
discussed/worked out in August.
f. (from 6a) Future School Sites (Ms. Carson)
Ms. Carson began her presentation with a brief history on the school bonds that have been
issued since 1957 and reviewed some additional statistical information on enrollment growth by
region as well as by school. Additional schools are needed. Currently planned are 5 Elementary,
3 Middle, in addition to Star Middle opening in the fall, and 2 High Schools. Student population
will still be over capacity even with the additional schools added. Ms. Carson shared current
and future site locations. Eleven Schools are needed, however, realistically 10 will be opened
within the next 10 years and additional land will need to be purchased for the schools. All the
information is public information. Ms. Carson offered to email the 30 page plan to the
Commission.
The floor was open and Ms. Carson stood for questions.
6. Future Meeting Topics
Chairman Ballard asked for any additional agenda topics for the next meeting.
A request was made for an update on the 1-84IMeridian Road Interchange & Overland Road
fixes including ramps, westbound ramp elevations and stacks. A request to follow-up on the
VRT field trip on September I I `h
a. Future School Sites (August) - moved to New Business item 5f of July meeting
b. FY2018-2022 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)(August)
c. 2023 Transit Scenarios (August)
d. Master Mobility Map
7. Next Meeting Date: August 7, 2017
8. Adjourn
Motion by Commissioner Lewis and second by Commissioner Hopkins to adjourn — all ayes —
motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
(AUDIO RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
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