2022-10-03 Minute BookMeeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
October 3, 2022
Council Chambers – Meridian City Hall 33 East Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho
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Roll Call
(Meeting called to order at 3:31 p.m.; YouTube started and roll taken)
o David Ballard x Stephen Lewis x John Wasson (ex-officio-
ACHD)
x Zachary Shoemaker x Jared Smith x Liisa Itkonen (ex-officio-
COMPASS)
o Ryan Lancaster x Tom LeClaire o RD Huntley (ex-officio-WASD)
x Walter Steed x Hoyoon Song x Alissa Taysom (ex-officio-VRT)
x Tracy Hopkins x Justin Price (ex-officio-ITD)
Others Present: M. Carson, C. Hood, R. Goodspeed, T. Murray
Introduction of Meridian Police CPL Randy Goodspeed
Introduction of New Youth Commissioner Hoyoon Song
Adoption of the Agenda
Chairman Steed noted that item 6 on the agenda would be deleted since Cpl Goodspeed had
just been introduced. Motion by Commissioner Smith to adopt; 2nd by Commissioner Hopkins -
All ayes; Passes
Approval of Minutes
1. August 1, 2022
2. September 12, 2022
Motion by Commissioner Hopkins to approve both sets of minutes; 2nd by Commissioner Le
Claire - All ayes; Passes
Old Business Items
3. Transportation Projects Update M. Carson
Ms. Carson began the update noting ACHD is going to start with their Integrated Five-Year
Work Plan process in November. On page 9, Eagle Road there are some signal improvements
that ACHD will continue to work will the remainder of the year. On page 11, Chinden West
Final Phase Meridian, to Locust Grove began construction in September and will continue
through December. Construction will pick back up and finish in the summer of 2023.
Highway 16 began construction began in August and is anticipated to be complete in 2024. An
interagency safety review team has been assembled to discuss State Highway 55/Eagle Road
regarding safety and speed. VRT local route started in October; the route will be free to ride
for the month. If you download the app, you will get another month free.
Miranda stood for comments. There was some discussion about the speed checks on Eagle Rd.
New Business Items
4. Railways in Treasure Valley (Elaine Clegg & Lila Klopfenstein)
Discussion about the History of High-capacity transit planning and proposed next steps. Lila
reviewed the purpose of high-capacity transit (HCT). HCT is faster than a local bus, carries
more people than a local bus, and has improved service and amenities. There are 3 types of
High Capacity transit modes. 1. Bus Rapid transit. 2. Commuter rail 3. Light rail. They are
working on a transit that would run East to West, from Caldwell, though Nampa, Meridian and
out to the Boise Bench. This research is being conducted primarily because of the growth in the
Treasure Valley. A survey called All Aboard was conducted. Based on the survey, the approved
the Boise Rail to the cut off in Boise. Looking ahead a scope of work needs to be developed
and study will be conducted. In the long-term funding still needs to be secured, an
environmental review will be conducted, and infrastructure needs to be built. Lila stood for
questions. There was some further discussion.
Elaine Clegg began a presentation about restoring passenger rail in the Treasure Valley. Rail is
being considered because much of rural America is underserved by long-distance intercity
passenger rail options, including portions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado,
Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, residence of which for years have not
had good access to passenger rail service. Rail would provide single seat rides in overlapping
city pair markets, and could combine many small markets to generate economic volumes.
There are also a lot of economic benefits of passenger rail. There are environmental
advantages, as trains are three times more efficient than a car with emissions.
The IIJA includes $15 million to study discontinued long-distance lines for feasibility and cost
benefit for restoration. The next steps are to support FRA study, join an Interstate Rail
compact in Idaho, and coordinate and utilize funding authorized in IIJA to improve
infrastructure. There was some further discussion.
5. I-84 Corridor Operations Plan (H. Mulhall)
Hunter Mulhall, began his briefing on the contents of the I-84 Corridor Operations Plan and the
next steps. The contents of the plan are: Identifying operational challenges, project goals and
objectives; Identifying, screening, and ranking tactics; and Developing an operational vision, and
roadmap for implementation. The project, co-managed by ITD and Compass, set out to identify
TSMO/ITS strategies and tactics that can help to improve operations and safety on the I-84 and
I-184 corridors. The plan is to reach policy makers for planning and funding. The scope of the
project is Exit 25 in Middleton, to 57 in Gowen and I-84 to drop down in Boise. The Goals and
Objectives: 1. Improve the safety of the I-84/I-I84 corridor. 2. Respond to regional growth by
maximizing capacity and reliability of I-84/I-I84 for travelers and freight. 3. Manage I-84/I-I84 as
part of an integrated transportation system, including state highways, arterials and transit. Next
steps are to complete HOV analysis (December 2022) and continue to work with ITD and
Regional operations workgroup to develop, program, and fund tactics. Mr. Mulhall stood for
questions, there was some further discussion.
6. Lost Rapids Citizen Requests (M. Carson)
Ms. Carson presented a citizen inquiry with regard to speed limit signs to be posted near Bird
park in Lost Rapids, and a painted cross at the Bird Park entrance.
With regard to speed limit signs, Mr. Wasson, provided the following the information.
SPEED: Placing additional speed limits signs would not likely lower speeds. It was also expressed
that with 2 signs 3500’ apart and a default 25mph speed in Meridian no driver can claim they
didn’t know the speed if cited. That is not to say that speed is not an issue. Meridian Police,
ACHD traffic, City staff will work in the next couple weeks to review past speed data and if
needed collect more recent speed data along this stretch. Next steps may include the following.
1. Cut through evaluations. 2. Pedestrian crossing evaluations. 3. Speed limit feedback signage,
speed cushions, or other traffic calming as warranted. They will be looking at peak hours, for
how many people are in the area. Mr. Hood added some information about adding parking
spaces, if possible.
The crosswalk inquiry discussion was as follows.
CROSSWALK: Currently there is illegal parking happening along Lost Rapids, and it is likely
those users who are crossing. This illegal parking along the street needs to be addressed. Ms.
Carson will also inquire the Parks about the process for determine if additional parking should
be added to the park. With new apartments coming South of Costco, town homes west of
Costco, and the subdivision being built out just North of the Park, foot traffic across Lost
Rapids (not from illegal parkers) will be increasing in the coming years. The Transportation
Commission prioritizes all transportation projects in the City annually. This process will begin
this month, and I will add this crosswalk to the prioritization list for their (and subsequently
Council’s) consideration.
7. Staff Communications (M. Carson)
Ms. Carson presented a information on citizen concerns regarding overgrown weeds on the
sidewalk and a crosswalk on near Pleasant View at Black Cat and Gondola. A resident inquired
regarding City Jurisdiction and transportation planning; he was frustrated how road planning is
integrated in our area. Mr. Hood responded to that inquiry that is in the packet.
The speed limit changed on Meridian road from 35MPH to 40MPH. ACHD talked to Meridian
Police Department about the change in the speed, but Planning was not given a chance to weigh
in. Going forward MPD and Planning will coordinate on these requests for input from road
agencies and will let the Transportation Commission know about any changes in speed limit.
Future Meeting Topics
8. City Project Prioritization (November)
9. Lost Rapids
Next Meeting Date: November 7, 2022
Motion by Commissioner Smith to adjourn; 2nd by Commissioner Hopkins – All ayes; Passes.
(AUDIO RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
APPROVED:
_______________________ _______________
WALTER STEED, CHAIR DATE
ATTEST:
________________________ _______________
CHRIS JOHNSON (City Clerk) DATE
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Monday, October 03, 2022 at 3:30 PM
All materials presented at public meetings become property of the City of Meridian. Anyone desiring accommodation
for disabilities should contact the City Clerk's Office at 208-888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting.
Agenda
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ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
_____ David Ballard _____ Shawn Martin, Ex-Officio - ACHD
_____ Zachary Shoemaker _____ Liisa Itkonen, Ex-Officio
_____ Ryan Lancaster _____ RD Huntley, Ex-Officio - WASD
_____ Walter Steed _____ Alissa Taysom, Ex-Officio - VRT
_____ Tracy Hopkins _____ Justin Price, Ex-Officio - ITD
_____ Stephen Lewis
_____ Jared Smith
_____ Tom LeClaire
_____ Hoyoon Song
INTRODUCTION OF MERIDIAN POLICE CPL RANDY GOODSPEED
INTRODUCTION OF NEW YOUTH COMMISSIONER HOYOON SONG
ADOPTION OF AGENDA [ACTION ITEM]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES [ACTION ITEM]
1. August 1, 2022
2. September 12, 2022
OLD BUSINESS [ACTION ITEM]
3. Transportation Projects Update
NEW BUSINESS [ACTION ITEM]
4. Railways in Treasure Valley - Elaine Clegg & Lila Klopfenstein
5. I-84 Corridor Operations Plan - Hunter Mulhall
6. Meridian Police Department Update - Cpl Goodspeed
7. Lost Rapids Citizen Requests - M. Carson
8. Staff Communications - M. Carson
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
9. City Project Prioritization (November)
NEXT MEETING - November 7, 2022
ADJOURNMENT