2020-07-06Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
July 6, 2020
Virtual Meeting Information
https://us02web.zoom.us/i/82728806452
Or join by phone: Dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID: 827 2880 6452
I. Roll Call
(Meeting called to order at 3:32 p.m.; Zoom Meeting started and roll taken)
x David Ballard
p David McKinney
x Ryan Lancaster
x Walter Steed
o Tracy Hopkins
x Stephen Lewis
X Jared Smith
x Tom LeClaire
x Joseph Leckie
x Luke Cavener (ex -officio
arrived 3:45)
X Shawn Martin (ex -officio)
x Toni Tisdale (ex -officio -via
Zoom)
p Ian Updike (ex-officio)(by
phone)
x Stephen Hunt for Alissa
Taysom (ex -officio arrived 3:40)
p Justin Price (ex -officio)
Others Present: Lindsey Bowshire, Randy Spiwak, Sgt. Brandon Frasier, Ted Baird, and Caleb
Hood
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Chairman Ballard called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Lewis motioned to
adopt as presented; second by Commissioner Lancaster - all -ayes — motion carried.
3. Introduction of Commissioner Walter Steed
Chairman Ballard opened the floor to Commissioner Steed for a brief introduction, which he
did.
4. Approval of Minutes from June I, 2020 Meeting
Chairman Ballard asked for any corrections to the June I, 2020 minutes. Commissioner Lewis
motioned to approve; second by Commissioner Lancaster — all ayes - motion carried.
5. Old Business Items
a. Transportation Projects Update (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood directed the attention of the Commission to page nine of the packet. As a reminder,
new information is in bold. Mr. Hood will highlight noteworthy changes and is happy to review
any item not covered at the end of the update.
Mr. Hood noted that there weren't many major updates but reviewed the projects at a high-
level. On page 12, Mr. Hood noted that the online open house for Fairview, Locust Grove to
Eagle has been closed but he does not have the summary of results at this time.
Mr. Hood concluded his review noting that ACHD will be hosting an online meeting at 5:30 on
July 16, 2020 to discuss the Integrated Five -Year Work Plan and budget.
Mr. Hood stood for question, none took place, but Chairman Ballard provided some general
observations and comments.
b. Downtown Alleys (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood noted that most of the alleys downtown are westbound, but he has not done a
complete inventory of all the alleyways.
Chairman Ballard invited the Meridian Downtown Business Association (MDBA) President,
Lindsey Bowshier, to address the Commission, as she has been part of several discussions on
this topic. She gave a summary of the feedback that she has received from the MDBA
membership/stakeholders; around directional consistency through the entire alleyway and
signage at all entrances of that alley; median damage from deliveries, as well as concerns for
downtown residents. The basic feedback was around specific alleyways and not that all alleys
needed to be directionally specific.
Chairman Ballard provided some comments and opened the floor for questions and discussion,
which took place. Ms. Bowshier would like to extend the MDBA membership -polling period for
an additional 90 days, to gather additional feedback to provide at a future update to the
Commission and make a formal request to the Commission on proposed solutions. Chairman
Ballard extended the invitation to Ms. Bowshier to attend the October Transportation
Commission meeting and present at that time.
c. Subcommittee Update on Future Role of the Transportation Commission
(T. LeClaire)
Commissioner LeClaire provided an update from the recent Subcommittee meeting where the
future role of the Commission was discussed. The Subcommittee has another meeting coming
up and additional updates and discussions with the full Commission are forthcoming.
d. Hall Letter of Appreciation
Mr. Hood mentioned that he drafted a letter thanking Mr. Ryan Hall for his service on the
Commission. The letter was reviewed, routed and signed.
6. New Business Items
a. Meridian Police Department Update (Sgt. Brandon Frasier)
Sgt, Frasier provided a brief update on the COVID-19 impacts in the community including
issues Meridian PD has had to address since the last update; i.e. aggressive driving, the State
statute regarding texting while driving, and how that nullifies the City Ordinance as well as gaps
in the Bill that pose some challenges for MPD. Sgt. Frasier also touched on traffic volumes, the
July 4 holiday, and the reduction in drunk driving, etc.
Sgt. Frasier also made a brief comment regarding the topic of alleyways and the misconception
of the public on the lawfulness of vehicles blocking alleys for a short period for load/unload
activity. The only other feedback Sgt. Frazier had regarding alleyways in downtown was the
need for uniformity throughout the alleyways and signage.
Chairman Ballard opened the floor for questions and discussions, which took place around
UTV/ATV's (legality of driving on Meridian roads) and, Records Ave and issues with (car club
exhaust) noise and speeding.
The topic will remain as a standing item on future agendas.
b. Default Speed Limit (Randy Spiwak)
Prior to the update from Mr. Spiwak, Mr. Hood gave a brief recap of this topic and the
discussion that took place in November/December of 2019. There is reference material in the
packet on page 23 for additional context. Mr. Hood also made the distinction that there are
two related but different issues to be discussed: the potential reduction of a citywide speed
limit standard from 25 MPH to 20 MPH and school zone speed limits.
Commissioner Lewis provided a brief summary of the research analysis he did on the ITD
2014-2018 pedestrian crash data which was included in the packet. Sgt. Frasier noted that three
of the crashes were not related to speed and were on private property. It was also noted that
the only items that would potentially be impacted by the proposed reduction to a 20 MPH
speed limit are the seven line items highlighted in yellow on the spreadsheet.
Chairman Ballard invited Mr. Spiwak to the podium to present his additional new research data,
which he did. The floor was opened for discussion, which took place. Mr. Baird made a
clarification regarding the State Statute and school zone limits and suggested that if the
Commission wished to deviate from the State Statute that should be discussed further. A
motion by Commissioner LeClaire to recommend to City Council an ordinance amendment to
reduce citywide speed limit from 25 to 20 MPH; second by Commissioner Smith — 2 aye, 5 nay
— motion failed.
Chairman Ballard thanked Mr. Spiwak for his research and presentations to the Commission.
No further action was taken.
Prior to opening item 6c, Commissioner Lewis motioned to extend the meeting to 5:45 second
by Commissioner LeClaire — all ayes — motion carried.
c. Valley Regional Transit Bus Service and Stop Location Updates (S. Hunt)
Mr. Hunt presented an update instead of Ms. Taysom regarding the fixed route transit
expansion in Meridian. A memo was included in the packet regarding the goals of the expansion
and the proposed stop locations. Mr. Hunt noted that conversations with Meridian staff and
stakeholders have occurred over the last year discussing fixed route transit between Ten -Mile
Crossing and Kleiner Park as well as other neighboring city connections.
In April, the VRT Board approved the proposed alignment; a map was included in the meeting
packet on page 28. VRT has been discussing stop locations with Meridian Development
Corporation (MDC) and other stakeholders to determine the best locations and amenities
needed. Currently there are six locations within the MDC area and VRT is working with MDC
on securing needed funding.
Mr. Hunt concluded his update and stood for questions, which took place.
d. June Walk Audit Workshop Report (C. Hood/Tracy Hopkins)
Mr. Hood noted that this topic begins on page 39 of the packet. In the interest of time Mr.
Hood did a brief summary review and noted that Commissioner Hopkins and Councilman
Cavener attended the June workshop, in addition to himself. Mr. Hood did a high-level review
of the 1.5 day workshop and noted some highlights from what was learned/experienced.
Mr. Hood stood for questions. Chairman Ballard solicited Councilman Cavener's feedback,
which he provided. Councilman Cavener thought the workshop was beneficial, but a 1.5 day
investment of time was a bit challenging. Councilman Cavener suggested a truncated version
next year for the Transportation Commission to attend.
e. Staff Communications (C. Hood)
Mr. Hood referenced the included staff communications memo and stood for any questions.
6. Future Meeting Topics
a. Harvest Transit Update
b. Signs in City Ordinances
c. The Comprehensive Plan and Master Mobility Map Components
d. Main/King Crosswalk
Chairman Ballard reviewed the current Future Meeting Topics and opened the floor for any
other discussion or additional agenda topics. Two additional topics were suggested for future
meetings:
ATV/UTV on public streets (August)
Alleyways update (October)
7. Next Meeting Date: August 3, 2020
8. Adjourn
A motion by Commissioner Lewis to adjourn; second by Commissioner Lancaster — no vote
taken. Meeting adjourned at 5:40p.m.
(AUDIO RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
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