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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 9/4/2001 * PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at the Workshops, Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council. MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP September 4, 2001 1:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Scruggs, Vice Mayor Eggleston, and Councilmembers Clark, Frate, Goulet, Lieberman, and Martinez. ALSO PRESENT: Martin Vanacour, City Manager; Ed Beasley, Assistant City Manager; Rick Flaaen, City Attorney; and Pamela Oliveira, City Clerk. 1. UPDATE ON GRAND AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS IN GLENDALE CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Mr. Jim Book, Transportation Director OTHER PRESENTERS: Mr. Dave French, URS Corporation Project Manager; and Mr. Steve Jimeniz, Arizona Department of Transportation Urban Freeway Projects Manager Last year, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) commenced the engineering design and environmental assessment phases for the first four Grand Avenue intersection projects included in the September 1999 Grand Avenue Major Investment Study (MIS): 27th Avenue/Thomas Road; Loop 101 connection at 91st Avenue; 43rd Avenue/Camelback Road; and 51st Avenue/Bethany Home Road. The final engineering for these intersection improvement projects is complete. The start of construction for the four projects is programmed for varied periods between October of 2001 and January of 2003. ADOT contracted with the URS Corporation to conduct the Design Concept Report (DCR) phase for the three remaining Grand Avenue intersection projects within the City of Glendale: the Grand Avenue underpass at 59th Avenue/Glendale Avenue; the Maryland Avenue overpass at 55th Avenue/Grand Avenue and the 67th Avenue overpass at Northern/Grand Avenue. In addition, ADOT has contracted with the URS Corporation to conduct the DCR for the Olive Avenue overpass at 75th/Grand Avenue which is located in the City of Peoria. In the Design Concept, ADOT and its consultant will conduct a detailed evaluation of the recommended concepts for these intersections, including the identification of design issues, community concerns, design alternatives, and evaluation of measures to 1 mitigate identified project impacts and concerns. The Design Concept Study concludes with a final recommended design for each of the intersections which must be completed before any work on preliminary and final engineering plans can be finalized. The final designs for these projects are scheduled to begin in October of 2001 for the 67th overpass at Northern Avenue/Grand Avenue, the Maryland Avenue overpass at 55th Avenue/Grand Avenue, Olive Avenue overpass at 75th/Grand Avenue and October of 2002 for the Grand Avenue underpass at 59th Avenue/Glendale Avenue. Representatives of ADOT and its consultant were present to discuss this item and answer any questions the Mayor and Council may have. In 1998, the Maricopa Associations of Governments (MAG) completed the Grand Avenue Corridor Study that extended along the entire length of Grand Avenue from 7th Avenue/Van Buren to the Beardsley Canal. The Study identified the need for significant improvements along Grand Avenue to provide better traffic flow, promote economic development and improve the aesthetics of the Grand Avenue corridor. The Grand Avenue Corridor Study identified and analyzed 14 options for Grand Avenue and recommended options for further study within a focus area between Interstate 17 and the Loop 101. ADOT, in cooperation with MAG and local jurisdictions, followed up on the recommendations from the Grand Avenue Corridor Study and initiated a Major Investment Study (MIS) for Grand Avenue. The Grand Avenue MIS refined and evaluated the final options recommended in the MAG Grand Avenue Corridor Study: (1) construction of Grand Avenue as a limited expressway; and (2) construction of alternating grade separations (overpass/underpass) at the major Grand Avenue intersections. The Grand Avenue MIS was completed in September of 1999 and identified as the preferred option, the construction of alternating grade separations at eight locations along Grand Avenue to eliminate the six-legged intersections. MAG and ADOT have added the eight recommended intersection improvements along Grand Avenue to the State's Current Transportation Program, and $180 million has been programmed through the year 2007 for the design and construction of these projects. In September of 2000 ADOT presented to the Mayor and Council an overview and status update of the Grand Avenue intersection improvements. At that time, the Mayor and Council asked for a future follow-up discussion to answer the new questions posed to ADOT and its consultant. There are no direct City costs associated with the Design Concept Study phase for these ADOT projects. The recommendation was to provide staff with direction. 2 51St Avenue and Bethany Home Road Councilmember Martinez asked if construction would begin at Montebello and 51st Avenues. Mr. French said that area would be cut to almost ground level. He acknowledged that some businesses would be removed. He stated that their removal has been discussed with the property owners. Mr. French confirmed for Councilmember Goulet that ADOT has developed a signage plan. Councilmember Goulet expressed concern about traffic capacity on Montebello Avenue. Mr. French explained that Montebello Avenue would have one lane in each direction. Councilmember Goulet said he envisioned a number of people getting off on Montebello Avenue with the intention of going west and, after finding they cannot, needing to turn around. Mr. French agreed that there could be confusion. He stated that they hoped the signage plan would help. Councilmember Goulet asked Mr. French if they had done any forecasts in terms of traffic patterns and capacities. Mr. French said they had a traffic forecast for the whole corridor and reviewed the eight intersections to develop more detailed land configurations and capacity calculations. Councilmember Lieberman asked if a survey had been done to determine the number of people who turn west at Bethany Home Road and Grand Avenue. Mr. French said traffic counts were included in the initial report and going west at that intersection was considered a minor movement. 55th and Maryland Avenues Councilmember Goulet asked if it would be possible to allow people to turn left as they go over Maryland Avenue heading east. Mr. French said he could look into that possibility. In response to Councilmember Frate's question, Mr. French said the wait will be shorter than it is today if a train is present. Mayor Scruggs asked Mr. French if any of the answers he had given to Council's questions would be different if the northern alignment was chosen. Mr. French stated that they would be. Mayor Scruggs said they originally had a serious concern about the impact of the northern alignment on homes; however, her understanding was that the northern alignment had been shortened to where homes would no longer be impacted. Mr. French said that was correct. He pointed out, however, that it would take the vacant lot. Councilmember Martinez said taking the vacant lot would bring traffic closer to the homes. Mr. French agreed that the roadway would be closer with the northern alignment. Mr. Jimeniz noted that the final design had not been done yet. He stated that the design concepts are broad enough to accommodate small modifications. Mr. French stated that there was no measurable difference between the two alternatives in terms of neighborhood impact. He noted, however, that noise studies had not yet been completed. 3 Mayor Scruggs asked if ADOT would buy the entire lot from the property owner if only a portion of it was needed. She also asked who would be responsible for landscaping and buffering the remaining, unused, portion of the property. Mr. French said, because it is a small lot, they would probably take the entire lot. He said the remainder of the lot could be declared as excess right-of-way and be sold after completion of the project. Mr. Jimeniz said they would not know their exact approach until an appraisal has been done on the property. Councilmember Martinez expressed his opinion that it would not be feasible to build anything on the small remaining portion of the lot and, therefore, he would hope ADOT would take the entire lot. Councilmember Clark said, based on the information presented, their attempt to get smoother traffic patterns on Grand Avenue has come at the expense of those residents who live south and west of Grand Avenue. She said the solutions for 51st Avenue and Bethany Home Road and 55t and Maryland Avenues were unacceptable. Mr. French acknowledged the problems that residents south and west of Grand Avenue will encounter. He stated that they had worked to develop an acceptable compromise. Councilmember Clark said, while she understood and appreciated ADOT's intent, it comes at the expense of many local residents. Mr. French explained that 55th Avenue was selected for elimination because it crosses three tracks, making it very dangerous. Councilmember Goulet asked if the small portions of land would be landscaped. Mr. French said the plan depicts ADOT's standard landscaping. He explained that the ground would be covered with decomposed granite and have desert plantings. He said remnant parcels would not normally be landscaped. Councilmember Goulet asked if a plan for routing drivers to existing businesses hag been developed. Mr. French said access to businesses on Grand Avenue south of 43` Avenue would remain unchanged. Councilmember Lieberman asked if the State would purchase all of the Sands' property if it went to the south side. Mr. French said that was what he believed would happen. Councilmember Martinez asked when the final decision would be made. Mr. French said another public meeting had been scheduled for this fall, and the decision should be made when the environmental assessment work is completed sometime early next year. Councilmember Goulet asked if the traffic routings included in the Council's information had been displayed at public meetings. Mr. French said they were not presented at previous public meetings, but would be displayed at the public meeting scheduled for sometime this fall. Councilmember Goulet asked if the public meeting would cover all intersections. Mr. French explained that they were doing one intersection per meeting. 59th and Glendale Avenues Mayor Scruggs asked what the height of the overpass would be. Mr. French stated that it would clear the railroad by 23.5 feet and would have a structure depth of approximately six feet. Councilmember Goulet asked if the proposal had been shown to the public. Mr. French stated that it had not. Councilmember Goulet said at least three neighborhood associations will be categorically opposed to the overpass. 4 Councilmember Lieberman stated that a number of businesses support the overpass design because closing the Grand Avenue intersection for nine months does not appeal to them. Councilmember Martinez asked which alternative would have a bigger impact on businesses. Mr. French said the overpass would require eliminating more businesses because it would need more room. He pointed out, however, that all businesses would be impacted during construction, regardless of the alternative chosen. Councilmember Frate stated that an overpass has to be more detrimental than an underpass in terms of noise. He said the overpass would also eliminate the hometown/downtown atmosphere. Councilmember Martinez asked if noise studies would be done on the different alternatives. Mr. French said noise impacts would be done as part of the overall environmental study for each of the alternatives. Councilmember Lieberman noted that the 59th/Myrtle Avenues overpass would provide two ways into the downtown area. Mayor Scruggs stated that there is a steady stream of cars traveling south on 59th Avenue that turn left onto Glen Avenue and then enter the City's parking garage or continue a short distance on 59t Avenue, turn left, and enter the City's' parking garage from 59th Avenue. If the overpass was constructed, these cars would have to turn left onto Myrtle Avenue, travel through the neighborhood to Glen Avenue or to Palmaire Avenue, and then over to the old 59th Avenue to enter the City's parking garage. Mr. French confirmed that traffic heading south into downtown Glendale would have to turn left at Myrtle Avenue because going past Myrtle Avenue would put them on the overpass. He explained that the City parking garage could be accessed two ways - either by taking Myrtle Avenue to 58th Drive and then taking Palmaire Avenue to the old 59th Avenue, accessing the City's parking garage off the old 59th Avenue garage or by taking Myrtle Avenue to 58th Drive and accessing the garage off Glenn Drive. Mr. Book noted that the access road between Myrtle and Palmaire Avenues does not permit southbound traffic, as it is a one-way road going north. Councilmember Martinez asked if businesses in the area were aware of the proposed alternatives. Mr. French said many were. Councilmember Lieberman said Alternative 1B does not eliminate the railroad track at either approach. Mr. French agreed. He stated that traffic would disperse faster because it would only be a four-point intersection. Mr. Book stated that they could expect an 80 second decrease in delay time at the intersection. Councilmember Goulet asked if local traffic would be permitted during construction under Alternative 2A. Mr. French said one lane in each direction would be available. Councilmember Lieberman pointed out that there would be less potential for loss of business with the overpass because it would avoid a nine-month closure of Grand Avenue. Councilmember Clark said the railroad has always been the problem for local communities and asked why having fly-overs at all intersections was not considered. She suggested doing a north/south fly-over now and coming back in ten years to do the 5 east/west fly-over. Mayor Scruggs said Mr. Book presented various concepts to the Council approximately three years ago and the Council directed staff to move forward with alternating grade separations. Mr. Book said ADOT had studied various Grand Avenue alternatives, all of which concluded that Grand Avenue should be a freeway. He said cost has been the major constraint. He explained that the original emphasis was to improve east/west access; however, with the completion of 1-10, equal emphasis was placed on moving north/south. He said the alternating grade separations were an attempt to deal with the desire to do both north/south and east/west travel. Councilmember Clark said, right now, she knows of six ways she can cross Grand Avenue to avoid an approaching train, whereas, she will be forced to wait at a light for the train to go by once the improvements have been made. Councilmember Goulet expressed his opinion that the long-term benefits to the City, in terms of the anticipated development of the west side of the Valley, outweigh the inconveniences. Mayor Scruggs emphasized that their goal was to improve traffic for the entire community and that no areas of the City had been singled out for unfair treatment. She said similar problems exist at the 1-10 freeway. Councilmember Lieberman said he had suggested during a public meeting last year that they do nothing to the intersection at 59t" and Grand Avenues. Councilmember Clark said she was most disturbed by the removal of so many Grand Avenue crossing points. Mayor Scruggs stressed that, before Council gave its approval to move forward, a massive public outreach campaign was conducted. She said, overwhelmingly, people asked for grade separation because it would provide greater access. Councilmember Martinez said, while a perfect solution cannot be found because of the landscape, all of the options represent an improvement to the current situation. 67th and Northern Avenues In response to Mayor Scruggs' inquiry, Mr. Book said the public hearing on 67th and Grand Avenues would be held on September 5, 6:00 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Center. Councilmember Clark asked how the transportation package would be impacted. Mr. Book said the transportation package does not address areas east of Grand Avenue, and, therefore, the two are compatible. Councilmember Lieberman asked if a diamond shaped intersection would work better. Mr. French pointed out that the intersection only has four legs. He said a diamond intersection would create a fifth signal phase and would not work as well. Councilmember Goulet asked if, at some point, they would forecast what time of year the streets would be open. Mr. Book said a more specific schedule would be developed. Mayor Scruggs said, if they move ahead with improvements to 59th and Glendale Avenues, they would like to work with ADOT and negotiate the time when Glendale Avenue would be closed. Mr. Jimeniz said they could write the contract documents to specify when closures occur. 6 Mr. Jimeniz clarified they intend to make the preferred alignment notification at the fall public meeting. He noted that none of the intersection improvements have been designed to accommodate light rail, stating they will be looking for direction from City staff on that issue. 2. RESOLUTION TOPICS FOR ARIZONA LEAGUE OF CITIES AND TOWNS CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Ms. Amy Rudibaugh Duffy, Director of Intergovernmental Relations; Ms. Dana Tranberg, Intergovernmental Relations Assistant; and Mr. Jon Paladini, Deputy City Attorney. Each year, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns (League) asks jurisdictions to submit legislative resolutions for consideration by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Resolution Committee. From the resolutions submitted, the Resolution Committee determines the League's legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Proposed legislative resolutions can include changes to current laws that are burdensome or need clarification. Each proposed resolution must include a clear explanation of its purpose and effect, its direct municipal impact, and its financial impact (the estimated potential cost to cities and towns if the proposed resolution is implemented and the identification of additional funding sources if appropriate). The Intergovernmental Relations Department sent notices to the City of Glendale Leadership Team, Department Heads, the Mayor, and the Council requesting the submission of resolution topics. Two resolutions were brought forth for policy consideration. One resolution deals with the issue of speed enforcement in residential areas and the other resolution focuses on initiative measures. These two resolutions were forwarded to the Council for consideration and policy direction. All resolutions receiving Council policy approval will be forwarded to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Resolution Committee for review. In previous years, the Glendale City Council has submitted resolutions on a wide range of topics, including group homes, the restoration of the state aviation fund, unfunded mandates, and protection for Luke Air Force Base. Recommendations by the Glendale City Council will be forwarded on to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Resolutions Committee. There are no additional costs associated with these resolutions. The recommendation was to review the proposed resolutions for possible submittal to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Mayor Scruggs explained that the Executive Committee has developed criteria they believe will tighten down the resolution process so that those resolutions that have the greatest applicability to the most number of cities will be given higher priority. 7 Councilmember Martinez commented on the proposed resolution to amend the State Statute to allow municipalities to set absolute speed limits in residential areas. He said the Police Department becomes frustrated when citations are dismissed because of the current language of the law. He suggested that the issue be addressed at a later date. Mr. Paladini said, while the court is given some discretion in determining what is a reasonable and prudent speed, it is not a concern in a majority of other communities. Mayor Scruggs asked if other cities allow a five-to-seven mile per hour leeway with regard to speed in residential areas. Mr. David Dobrotka, Police Chief, said the reasonable and prudent interpretation is not applied as liberally in other cities. Councilmember Lieberman said it is difficult to determine the accuracy of speedometer and radar readings and, therefore, he accepts being within nine miles of the speed limit as an acceptable range. He expressed his opinion that it would be hard to justify spending a judge's time hearing traffic tickets that are only two or four miles over the speed limit. Councilmember Martinez stated that he had heard of situations where officers have not cited offenders who were going 20 miles over the speed limit because other people were not on the street. Mr. Dobrotka stated that it would be hard to justify the officer's actions in that kind of situation. Mayor Scruggs noted that the City Prosecutor and the Police Department have developed criteria for reasonable and prudent speeds; therefore, she believes the issue is being addressed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. 8