2023-10-02
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Monday, October 02, 2023 at 3:30 PM
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Agenda
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ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
_____ David Ballard _____ John Wasson, Ex-Officio - ACHD
_____ Zachary Shoemaker _____ Lila Klopfenstein, Ex-Officio
_____ Ryan Lancaster _____ David Reinhart, 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
ADOPTION OF AGENDA [ACTION ITEM]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES [ACTION ITEM]
1. August 7, 2023
2. September 11, 2023
OLD BUSINESS [ACTION ITEM]
3. Transportation Projects Updates - M. Carson
NEW BUSINESS [ACTION ITEM]
4. Bird Scooter Presentation - TJ Birkel
5. Ex-Officio Updates
6. Staff Communications - M. Carson
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
7. Records/River Valley Roundabout Feasibility
8. Belltower and Coppercloud Speed Concerns
NEXT MEETING - November 6, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
Monday October 2, 2023
Council Chambers – Meridian City Hall 33 East Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho
Roll Call (3:31pm)
x David Ballard x Stephen Lewis x Shawn Martin (ex-officio-ACHD)
x Zachary Shoemaker x Jared Smith x Lila Klopfenstein (ex-officio-COMPASS)
o Ryan Lancaster x Tom LeClaire x David Reinhart (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: Miranda Carson, Tishra Murray, TJ Birkel, Sgt. Smith
Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Song to adopt; 2nd by Commissioner Hopkins - All ayes; Passes
Approval of Minutes
1.August 7, 2023
2.September 11, 2023
Motion by Commissioner Hopkins to adopt; 2nd by Commissioner Smith - All ayes; Passes
Old Business Items
3.Transportation Projects Update - M. Carson
Ms. Carson began on page 7 with the ACHD Integrated Five-Year Work Program (IFYWP), the
IFYWP draft was presented to ACHD on September 27th. There were only very minor changes
from the initial draft to the adoption draft for the Meridian project lists.
The Meridian Intersection and Pedestrian Safety Taskforce final report of process, comments and
findings will be presented to City Council on October 3rd.
The Linder Road, Overland to Franklin project will have it’s second public outreach meeting mid
to late October.
The Locust Grove Road, Victory to Overland and roundabout at Victory are now open. Minor
work still remains.
Amity Rd and Locust Grove Rd & Amity Rd, Meridian to Locust Grove were presented to the
ACHD commission on September 13th to discuss the projects status, questions and concerns
from the public; letters from the City were submitted. It was determined this project will be put
on a longer hold until the ACHD Commission has had an opportunity to work with ACHD staff
and hear from the public on options for the intersection and road improvements.
Ms. Carson continued on page 9 of the packet, with an update on Linder, Ustick to Pine. The
ACHD Pedestrian Advisory Group (PAG), ACHD Commissioners, and City staff did an onsite
review of the existing conditions on this stretch of road. Based on the feedback from the project
team, PAG, ACHD is working with consultants to develop new concepts.
Idaho Highway 16 extension, U.S. to I-84 construction progress continues.
On September 5th, ITD Staff presented to City Council a report on SH-55/Eagle Road Safety
Review. ITD did not propose to change the speed limits. Rather, they proposed to implement a
type of advisory sign which would suggest a lower speed at certain times of the day based on
certain conditions. City Council members and the Mayor were not supportive of the outcome
and asked that ITD lower the speeds limit. ITD indicated that they will review the concerns
further.
Regarding the Nine Mile Creek Pathway, from Linder to Meridian, the Parks department is moving
forward to obtain final access on 3rd street, that will make the Rail with Trail segment from 3rd
street to 8th street possible. The goal is now construction in 2024/25.
Regarding the Five Mile Creek Pathway, the City has entered into an agreement with ACHD to
construct the pathway across their property on Ustick and be reimbursed after construction is
complete. Construction is currently underway.
Mary McPherson Elementary Pathway, the City developed a concept for a pathway between
Crest Ridge Drive and Mary McPherson Elementary along the Farr Lateral. Parks has requested
an engineering proposal to complete the site survey and easements, per the preliminary concept
layout. The plan is to bid the project as soon as possible, contingent upon funding by Council.
Black Cat at Gondola HAWK signal construction is complete.
Ms. Carson stood for questions. There was some further discussion.
New Business Items [ACTION ITEM]
4. Bird Scooter Presentation- TJ Birkel
Mr. Birkel from Bird Scooters gave a presentation on shared electric vehicles. He explains how
you would download the Bird app, sign a user agreement & verify that the rider is 18 or older.
He also explained how to make a payment, complete the education tutorials, and then that would
unlock the scooter. He explained the pricing, which is a standard pricing, $1.00 to unlock, plus
a per minute fee. Average ride is usually $7.00 a ride. He also discussed equitable pricing options.
He also spoke about Bird’s safety focus which has driven a safety record superior to cars and
micro-mobility competition. After five years and millions of rides taken on shared fleet vehicles,
he was pleased to report a global injury incidence rate of 1:50K rides, less than half the medical
incident rate of cars.
Mr. Birkel stated that Bird has experience with operating in Idaho. He then explained what a
customized program would like for Meridian. Mr. Birkel also explained the Geozones are
location-specific area divided into four zones. Each zone is autonomously regulated based on the
vehicle’s exact location, thanks to Bird’s industry-leading VLS. He also spoke about the local
economic impact to the City.
Mr. Berkel stood for questions. There was some discussion.
Commissioner Lewis made a motion to recommend that City Council begin the RFP process to
pursue micro-mobility; 2nd by Commissioner Ballard; All Ayes.
5. Ex-Officio Updates
D. Reinhart (WASD) spoke that school is now in session. They are approximately transporting
ten thousand students a day to sixty schools. There are more routes, but not as many bus drivers.
He also reported that the drop off and pick up of students at Camelia Ln has been successful at
Meridian Middle School.
Sgt. Smith (MPD) had no updates to provide.
L. Klopfenstein (COMPASS) mentioned that they have recently wrapped up a regional housing
coordination plan, which will go before the COMPASS Board on October 16th. COMPASS is also
kicking off a regional safety action plan and a transportation funding government study.
T. Price (ITD) provided an update on the Eagle Road speed presentation to City Council from
September. What was proposed at that meeting was advisory signage, that says watch for stopped
traffic, which would have beacons on it, which can be turned on during the most congested times.
There was also an update on crash data provided, that Mr. Price has evaluated crash data on Eagle
Rd recently. He has information on specifics if the Commission wants to submit their requests
for this information.
A Taysom (VRT) noted that VRT has approved the FY24 service changes.
J. Wasson (ACHD) spoke about the request of traffic calming on Chateau, west of Locust Grove,
has been closed with no action. They are also currently working at the command staff level for
some traffic calming changes. ACHD is no longer requiring cut though studies. There are no plans
at this time for a roundabout at River Valley and Records. There was some further discussion
about Belltower and Coppercloud speed concerns.
6. Staff Communications – M. Carson
Due to time constraints, Commissioner Steed, pointed out one topic - Commissioner Song was
reappointed through September of 2024.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
7. Records/River Valley Roundabout Feasibility
8. Belltower and Coppercloud Speed Concerns
9. Lost Rapids/Bird Park
10. VRT Change Summary
11. American Fork/Linder Crossing
Next Meeting Date: November 6, 2023
Adjournment; 5:26 pm
(AUDIO RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
APPROVED:
_______________________ _______________
WALTER STEED, CHAIR DATE
ATTEST:
________________________ _______________
CHRIS JOHNSON (City Clerk) DATE