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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission - Meeting Date: 2/28/2018 11116 MINUTES CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION GLENDALE TRANSIT OPERATIONS OFFICE 6210 W. MYRTLE AVENUE -BUILDING S GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301 FEBRUARY 28, 2018 6:00P.M. Present: Tom Schmitt, Chair Donald Brazier, Commissioner John Fernandes; Commissioner Chris Hauser, Commissioner Chuck Jared, Commissioner Marie Nesfield, Commissioner Barbara.Rose, Commissioner • Jack Nylund; Commissioner Absent: John Geurs, Vice Chair - Joan Young, Commissioner Also Present: Jack Lorbeer, Transportation Planning Administartor Trevor Ebersole, Transportation Director Patrick Sage, Transportation Planner Allan Galicia, Transportation Systems Administrator Stin•Weber, ITS Supervisor Kurt Christianson, Assistant City Attorney • 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Schmitt called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Chair Schmitt introduced new commissioners Barbara Rose of the Sahuaro District and Chris Hauser of the Barrel District. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA -WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES Approval of the agenda for the February 28, 2018 Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission with the following change: a notice of continuance for items 6b and 6c. Motioned by Commissioner Chris Hauser, seconded by Commissioner Chuck Jared AYE: Chair Tom Schmitt Commissioner Donald Brazier Commissioner John Fernandes Commissioner Chris Hauser Commissioner Chuck Jared Commissioner Barbara Rose Commissioner Jack Nylund Other: Vice Chair John Geurs (ABSENT) Commissioner Marie Nesfield (ABSENT) Commissioner Joan Young (ABSENT) Passed 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Approval of the minutes from the February 1, 2018 Citizen Transportation Oversight Commission meeting. Motioned by Commissioner Donald Brazier, seconded by Commissioner Chuck Jared AYE: Chair Tom Schmitt Commissioner Donald Brazier Commissioner John Fernandes Commissioner Chris Hauser Commissioner Chuck Jared Commissioner Jack Nylund Other: Vice Chair John Geurs (ABSENT) Commissioner Marie Nesfield (ABSENT) Commissioner Barbara Rose (ABSTAIN) Commissioner Joan Young (ABSENT) Passed 4. CITIZEN COMMENTS • No citizen comments. 5. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROJECT-51ST, OLIVE AND NORTHERN AVENUES Mr. Sage introduced Mr. Galicia and Mr. Weber. Mr. Galicia noted that Mr. Weber is the new ITS Supervisor in charge of the Traffic Management Center(TMC), and briefly described the activities performed at the TMC. Mr. Galicia provided information regarding the ITS Enhancement Project, which included the following details: •Olive, Northern, and 51st Avenues ITS Improvements- Installation of fiber optic and conduit which will change these eight standalone traffic signals to those that will report back to the TMC and can be remotely controlled at the TMC and installation of seven closed circuit televisions to view and better control the signals. •Construction and funding. Commissioner Nyland inquired as to what percentage of the system is completed. Mr. Galicia relayed that nearly 80% of Glendale signals are currently connected to the TMC. Mr. Galicia explained that the City operates approximately 200 signals and this project will increase the total with remote capabilities through the TMC to approximately 160. Mr. Galicia noted that many of remaining unconnected signals are located furthest west, where it is more challenging to implement the installation of fiber optic cable. Staff is evaluating wireless systems in that area. Chair Schmitt asked if flashing yellow arrows were controlled at the TMC. Mr. Galicia replied that the TMC can control the flashing yellow arrows,remotely. Mr. Galicia stated that there is a multiphase project underway for the installation of flashing yellow arrows and that several have already been installed. Mr. Galicia relayed that the next phase involves the design and installation of flashing yellow arrow signal heads at 25 locations. After all phases of the project are complete, approximately 50 Glendale intersections will include flashing yellow arrows that can be controlled from the TMC. Mr. Galicia stated that at the intersection of 59th Avenue and Olive Avenue, the flashing yellow arrow is only activated at night and on weekends because of the high pedestrian activity in the area. Flashing yellow arrows are best activated during the times that pedestrian traffic is low. Commissioner Jared inquired about the signal at Bethany Home west of 59th Avenue. Mr. Galicia replied that the traffic signal at that location is a HAWK (High Intensity Activated Crosswalk), which is activated by pedestrians with a push button. Mr. Galicia noted that there are four HAWKs in the City: two along Bethany Home Road, one on Glendale Avenue near Glendale High School, and one in north Glendale near the pedestrian bridge over the Loop 101. Commissioner Jared commented that he observed a HAWK's red light activated with no pedestrian in the crosswalk. Mr. Galicia explained that once the push-button is activated, it cannot be deactivated, so a pedestrian likely pushed the button and subsequently changed their mind, not crossing the street. Commissioner Brazier inquired if the project at intersection of Olive and 59th avenues has been completed. Mr. Galicia explained that the safety phase of the project was recent completed, but that construction of capacity improvements will begin soon, to add right turn lanes and on Olive Avenue and bus pull outs. Commissioner Nylund asked about the duration of traffic signal sequence, noting that some lights are shorter in duration than others. Commissioner Nylund specifically noted the intersection of Arrowhead Loop and 67th Avenue. Mr. Galicia explained that the setting of the signals is based on traffic demand and that cycles consider traffic patterns during specific period such as morning, mid-day, evening, and off peak. Mr. Galicia relayed that at Arrowhead Loop and 67th Avenue, the left turn arrow may be shorter, but the green is held longer and potentially more cars can turn left. Commissioner Nylund stated that the area is getting more congested. 6. MOVING GLENDALE AHEAD- DRAFT TRANSPORTATION PLAN Mr. Lorbeer gave a presentation on the Draft Transportation Plan that addressed the following items: • Information on recent financial adjustments to the transportation program. • Requesting CTOC's recommendation on the Level of Service standard for Glendale. Commissioner Nylund inquired about the pavement reconstruction project and the span of the project in the budget. Mr. Lorbeer explained that this project is current being implemented over a five-year span. Mr. Ebersole provided additional project details and stated that a full update on the project would be brought to the Commission at a future meeting. Chair Schmitt inquired about the source of the funding for the utility relocations on Camelback Road and Glendale Avenue currently under construction. Mr. Ebersole stated that he did not have those details on hand, but could report back to the commission. Mr. Lorbeer noted that there is a new development on Glendale Avenue and Southwest Gas was installing those service lines. Mr. Lorbeer noted that the developer was most likely paying for that project. Mr. Ebersole announced that the financial adjustments presented are still subject to change and the CTOC would be updated. Chair Schmitt asked how the financial adjustments affect the GO Program. Mr. Lorbeer explained that, for example, the $900,000 per year that has been allocated from the General Fund to the GO Program in the past will now be discontinued, and therefore represents a loss of funds for the transportation program. Other financial adjustments will now require the use of HURF funds or other transportation program funding sources. Mr. Lorbeer briefly discussed the concept of Level of Service (LOS) a means to measure network congestion using the following letter assignments: LOS A/B represents free flow conditions; LOS C/D represents moderate congestion; and LOS E/F represents severe congestion. Commissioner Nesfield inquired if the LOS assignment represents congestion throughout the day, or a point in time. Mr. Lorbeer replied that the LOS assignment typically represents the peak periods of traffic congestion, such as 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Lorbeer presented the following aspects of changing the LOS standard: Current Glendale Roadway LOS Standard is C •5 of 6 Peer Cities (Avondale, Chandler, Goodyear, Phoenix, and Scottsdale) use LOS D. •A travel time comparison for the peak hour commute along 59th Avenue from Camelback Road to Deer Valley Road was performed. The results indicate only a minor difference in travel time between the LOS C and LOS D conditions. • Improvements to achieve LOS C would require an estimated $85 million more compared to a LOS D standard, and would require much greater right of way acquisition and other community impacts for construction. •The proposed Transportation Plan recommends that the city adopt a LOS D standard. Commissioner Fernandes asked if an air quality review was performed, considering that an additional two to three minutes of travel time could impact air quality. Mr. Lorbeer explained that transportation projects may be included in the regional air quality conformity process. Commissioner Brazier inquired as to the wait time at a red light at 59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road during peak congestion. Mr. Galicia believed that occasionally, during the period of highest congestion, a driver might experience a two-cycle delay (two minutes). Commissioner Nylund commented that 59th Avenue is one of the worst accident-rate streets in the city. He also commented that if it takes 22 minutes to go 12 miles, traffic progression through the city is very slow. Commission Nylund noted that he advocated at the last meeting to maintain the LOS C standard. Commissioner Nylund stated that if there is an increase in traffic up north and if the City is LOS D, slower traffic progression will result. Mr. Galicia explained that going north from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. traffic signal timing is programmed to favor westbound and northbound traffic. That approach is reversed during the morning peak travel time. Commissioner Jared commented on issues with the train. Mr. Galicia stated that the City cannot control the train, but has refined traffic signal operations near at intersections near Grand Avenue. Commissioner Nylund wondered if changing the LOS standard should be put directly to a citizen's vote, and for approval of the funds that would be required to construct projects to meet the current LOS C standard. Mr. Lorbeer commented thatcity officials are elected to make these types of decisions. Commissioner Nylund noted that the GO funding was voted on by Glendale residents to implement transportation projects. Mr. Lorbeer agreed that the GO funds were put in place for a variety of transportation needs. Chair Schmitt noted that there are twelve-lane highways in California which are still congested at peak hours. Commissioner Nesfield asked whether the funds that would be needed to reach the LOS C standard is currently not budgeted, and would therefore need to come from other areas. Mr. Lorbeer stated that the current version of the plan includes funding to address'only five specific intersections. • Commissioner Hauser asked if the majority of intersections operate at LOS D. Mr. Lorbeer commented that they analyzed 61 intersections and half were LOS D or below. Mr. Lorbeer announced that staff will be presenting this agenda item at the next Council workshop for the Transportation Plan and would like a recommendation on the issue from CTOC. Commissioner Nylund asked if Council has heard this presentation and Mr. Lorbeer relayed that Council has heard staff present on changing the LOS standard multiple times. Commissioner Nesfield asked if LOS E or F is acceptable sometimes. Mr. Lorbeer commented that staff does not consider an LOS of E or F acceptable at any time. Chair Schmitt reminded all that the LOS is for during peak hours and not during an accident or a similar issue. Commissioner Nylund inquired if the LOS could be revisited at a certain point in time. Mr. Lorbeer replied in the positive. a. Recommendation to advise the City Council that CTOC supports changing the Glendale Level of Service standard to D. Motioned by Commissioner Chris Hauser, seconded by Commissioner Marie Nesfield AYE: Chair Tom Schmitt Commissioner Donald Brazier Commissioner John Fernandes • Commissioner Chris Hauser Commissioner Chuck Jared Commissioner Marie Nesfield Commissioner Barbara Rose Commissioner Jack Nylund Other: Vice Chair John Geurs (ABSENT) Commissioner Joan Young (ABSENT) Passed b. Recommendation for the 5-Year Implementation Plan This item was postponed. • c. Recommendation for the 25-Year Implementation Plan This item was postponed. 7. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Lorbeer provided updated information on the upcoming Glendale Family Bike Ride. 8. COMMISSIONER UPDATES There were no commissioner updates. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioners may suggest items for placement on future meeting agendas. 10. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission will be held on April 5 at 6:00 p.m., in the Filed Operations conference room, located at 6210 W Myrtle Avenue, Building A-Suite 111/112, Glendale, Arizona, 85301. • 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:43 p.m. 1 .• TRANSIT OPERATIONS OFFICE TOUR terested•CTOC members had the opportunity to tour the Glendale Transit Operations Office f.:cilities. Th- Citiz- Transportation Oversight Commission meeting minutes of February 28, 2018 were submitted and .pp o -• this fifth day of April, 2018. 1 _ Patrick Sage Recording Secretary