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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Transportation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 5/6/2010 MINUTES CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY,MAY 6, 2010,2010 7:00 PM The regular meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission(CTOC)was called to order by the Vice-Chair,Allan DeFranco. The following Commission members, staff representatives, and guests were present: COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Allan DeFranco,Vice-Chair Brent Ackzen Jackie Doerr Barbara Garland William Sheldon Art Spina Betsy Turner COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Larry Kucera(Excused) Rose Jacobson(Excused) OTHERS PRESENT: Jamsheed Mehta, Transportation Director Terry Johnson,Deputy Transportation Director Cathy Colbath,Transit Administrator Matt Dudley, Transit Supervisor Allan Grover, Transportation Planner Purab Adabala, Senior Transportation Analyst Joseph Salazar, ADOT Project Manager Jack Husted,representing Parsons Transportation Group Howard May, citizen I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair DeFranco called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. IL APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vice-Chair DeFranco called for approval of the minutes. ACTION BY CTOC: Approval of the minutes of the March 4, 2010 meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission. (Motion: Commissioner Turner, Second: Commissioner Spina; unanimously passed) 1 III. CALL TO THE AUDIENCE There were no comments from the floor. IV. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Vice-Chair DeFranco called for approval of the agenda. ACTION BY CTOC: Approval of the May 6,2010 Agenda of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission. (Motion: Commissioner Ackzen; Second: Commissioner Turner; unanimously passed) V. PUBLIC INPUT—COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF Commissioner Turner reported that the Glendale Family Bike Ride was a success this year. However,there were one-third fewer bicyclists participating at this year's event than last year's event. Commissioner Turner also attended the Annual GO Program Open House and approximately 20 citizens attended to review transportation projects and provided positive comments on the event. Commissioner Doerr asked what these meetings were intended to accomplish. Terry Johnson responded that the annual open house is intended to solicit public comments and provide information on transportation projects in the Glendale Onboard (GO) Transportation Program. At every annual GO open house, city staff and GO project consultants are available to answer questions from the public. VI. MANAGER'S REPORT Due to the number of agenda items,there was no manager's report this month. VII. NORTHERN PARKWAY STATUS REPORT Dr. Terry Johnson provided a brief overview of the Northern Parkway project, stating that Glendale developed the Design Concept Report(DCR) and Environmental Assessment(EA) for this project and is now awaiting final approval of the EA. In accord with the IGA approved by the partners, MCDOT will complete the design and undertake construction of the Parkway. Jack Husted, P.E.,provided background on the Northern Parkway including the involved jurisdictions and transportation agencies,project cost and scope, and provided a handout on project milestones. Mr. Husted stated that property acquisition offers to property owners will be pursued after the"Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI)is received for this project. Commissioner Spina asked how it was determined how much right-of-way(ROW)to buy and what is the process for acquiring ROW. Mr. Husted explained that the involved jurisdictions must follow federal procedures for ROW acquisition. Dr. Johnson added that most right-of-way is purchased just prior to construction but funds are also reserved to protect the alignment from new development. 2 Commissioner Doerr inquired about annexation plans along this corridor. Dr. Johnson explained that much of the area is now in the unincorporated area of Maricopa County but plans are active to incorporate much of this land into the City of Glendale. Jack Husted informed the Commission that he will return for periodic updates on the progress for construction of the Northern Parkway. VIII. UPDATE ON LOOP 303 FREEWAY PROJECTS Joe Salazar,ADOT Project Manager,presented a slide show of potential aesthetic treatments on exterior walls of bridges to be constructed across Loop 303. Several design options used on other bridges in the Valley were presented,with two design options for the City of Glendale—an abstract airplane design and a Thunderbird symbol. Of the seven Commissioners in attendance, five preferred the airplane design and two Commissioners preferred the Thunderbird symbol. In response to a question from Commissioner Sheldon on proposed landscaping along Loop 303, Joe Salazar said he would return later this year to discuss landscaping preferences with the Commissioners. IX. TRANSIT LIFE CYCLE PROGRAM—POLICIES AND PROGRAMS Terry Johnson provided a brief history of transit tax election results within the Valley since 1985, as well as funding concepts based on geographic and jurisdictional equity. Dr. Johnson also presented information on sources of Glendale transit funding. Cathy Colbath presented a map of previous and current changes to the regional Transit Life Cycle Program(TLCP), a summary of how changes to the TLCP were developed, and recent changes to the TLCP guiding principles. Matt Dudley addressed changes to the TLCP for light rail transit(LRT); including a map of LRT extensions that are delayed due to reduced regional sales tax revenues. This map shows that LRT in Glendale has been delayed from 2017 to 2026. Mr. Dudley also provided information on a current study to analyze five potential corridors for the Glendale LRT extension. Commissioner Garland asked why the Phoenix NE corridor will have 50% federal funding and 50%regional funding,while Glendale's extension will have 50%federal and 50%local funding. Dr. Johnson explained that at the time the Plan was approved in 2004,the Glendale and METRO corridors had previously been included in the Regional Transportation Plan based upon available funding. Therefore, additional regional funding was not needed to complete these facilities. X. CHANGES IN BUS SERVICE Cathy Colbath announced that a public hearing will be held on May 19 at Glendale City Hall to solicit public comments on proposed bus service cuts due to reduced revenues including the loss of LTAF funds for transit services. 3 Commissioner Sheldon asked if the loss of bus service was based on analysis of persons who would be most affected by the loss of service (low income persons). Ms. Colbath responded that an origin and destination study is conducted every five years and provides some demographic information which can be used to help determine affects of transit service cuts. Commissioner Sheldon asked how the upcoming public hearing has been advertised. Ms. Colbath responded that we are working with Valley Metro and notifications were advertised in the Arizona Republic, on buses, and on the Valley Metro website. XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sheldon asked if city staff had forecasts of the economic impacts due to funding cuts. Mr. Johnson replied that financial assumptions used for the GO Program will be presented in September as part of the update of the 25-year program. XII. NEXT MEETING DATE AND TIME Meeting times are being targeted for 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2010. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Vice-C I dr DeFranco .i • ed the meeting at 8:43 PM. ,. t E:� .. Al 7 e ranco, Vice-Chair 4