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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Transportation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 8/7/2014 MINUTES CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY,AUGUST 7, 2014 6:00 PM The regular meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission (CTOC) was called to order by the Chair. The following Commission members, staff representatives, and guests were present: COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: William Sheldon, Chair James Grose, Vice Chair Kevin Frei John Ferguson Jeff McAffee Judy Padia Joyce Stribling Tom Schmitt Gerald Woodman COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Jennifer Cameron OTHERS PRESENT: Debbie Albert, Transportation Engineer Purab Adabala, Senior Transportation Analyst Cathy Colbath, Deputy Public Works Director Luis Cordova, Elliot D. Pollack Bob Darr, Transportation Planning Manager Kent Dibble, Dibble Engineering Jack Friedline, Interim Public Works Director Peter Knudson, Dibble Engineering Robert Schaevitz, Consultant I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Sheldon called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chair Sheldon called for approval of the minutes. ACTION BY CTOC: Approval of the minutes of the May 1, 2014 meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission. (Motion: Commissioner Schmitt, Second: Commissioner Woodman; passed unanimously) III. CALL TO THE AUDIENCE There were no comments from the floor. IV. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chair Sheldon called for approval of the agenda. ACTION BY CTOC: Approval of the August 7, 2014 Agenda of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission. (Motion: Commissioner Stribling; Second: Commissioner Schmitt; passed unanimously) V. PUBLIC INPUT—COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF Commissioner Schmitt provided an updated on a recent General Plan Steering Committee meeting, which included a presentation on the West Phoenix/Central Glendale light rail transit (LRT)project. He asked if CTOC has seen the presentation. Vice Chair Grose responded that yes, the commission has seen it; however, some alignments under consideration have been eliminated while another has been added. Commissioner Schmitt indicated that the City of Phoenix is interested in an alignment that passes Grand Canyon University and that the General Plan Steering Committee has voted 70% in support of the Glendale Avenue alignment. Commissioner Woodman asked if there would be another presentation to CTOC. Debbie Albert indicated that Valley Metro is scheduled to come back to CTOC for a presentation in October. Ms. Albert also stated that the locally preferred alternative (LPA) is underway and is anticipated to be voted on by the Phoenix and Glendale City Councils next spring, but that the LPA would be presented to CTOC prior to going to council. Vice Chair Grose asked if staff had obtained a legal opinion regarding the original ballot language regarding LRT on Glendale Avenue. Debbie Albert stated that there had been a previous legal option shared that stated Glendale Avenue could be considered as an option. Chair Sheldon notified the commission that they would see the project in the annual GO Program of Projects for their approval. Vice Chair Grose, reported that there were no new developments at the previous Glendale Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting. VI. MANAGER'S REPORT Debbie Albert, Transportation Engineer, provided the following updates/reports: • General Engineering Consultant Contract -Dibble Engineers • GO Program audit • Northern Parkway -Landscape and overpass construction -Desert Peaks Award 2 -Phase 2 public meeting(August 20, 2014) • Downtown high capacity transit • New River multiuse pathway • Bell Road travel times Commissioner Schmitt asked if the traffic signals along Bell Road were coordinated. Ms. Albert explained that yes, they are coordinated as best they can be based on signal spacing and traffic demand. She explained that the City has used regional funds in the past to assist in this coordination effort and that there is an upcoming project to install adaptive capabilities for signal operations on Bell Road throughout the valley. VII. FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS FOR THE GO PROGRAM Robert Schaevitz, Consultant,presented an outlook on projections for sales tax revenues for the GO Program. Commissioner Woodman asked if inflation was taken into consideration. Bob Schaevitz responded that yes, the model is set in current dollars, which includes inflation. Commissioner Schmitt asked what the current bond rating was. Bob Schaevitz responded that several years ago it was A/AA. Purab Adabala clarified that the City could only achieve an AA rating due to community size and that the bonds were rated AA by S&P in 2007. Mr. Adabala stated that Moody's downgraded GO Program bonds to A3 from A2 during the past year. Bob Schaevitz stated that special revenue bonds are based on sales tax, but that the City's finances as a whole are considered. Commissioner Schmitt asked what was included in the "Other—20%" category and if highway user revenue funds were included. Purab Adabala replied that Bob Schaevitz prepares the projections for the GO Transportation Sales Tax fund and this presentation along with the next one is related to the sales tax. Other funds include those that allow the City to complete the GO projects and include funds such as federal congestion mitigation and air quality funds, lottery money, and transit operations and maintenance grants; however, HURF funds are not included. VIII. DRAFT 2015-2039 GO PROGRAM OF PROJECTS Purab Adabala, Senior Transportation Analyst, presented the draft 25-year Program of Projects for the GO Transportation Program. Commissioner Schmitt asked if the LRT project was constructed on Camelback Road who would be responsible for funding the project. Debbie Albert responded that the issue of payment has not yet been finalized since a preferred alignment has not been selected. Additionally, the City of Phoenix is working to identify projects and funding for future transportation improvements. However, it is anticipated that there will be a strong federal component as well as cost sharing between the cities and region. Vice Chair Grose asked if there is any banked money for the LRT program. Purab Adabala referred to a chart from his presentation and stated that there is not banking,but there is savings on bonding capacity. 3 Commissioner Woodman asked if Traffic Systems Management in the program refers to the Traffic Management Center (TMC). Purab Adabala responded yes, the TMC is included in that budget. Commissioner Schmitt asked about the $1.8 million shown for land acquisition. Purab Adabala explained that the City is going through a friendly condemnation and that the funds were necessary to acquire additional land for the Runway Safety Area as a result of a runway extension project. Vice Chair Grose asked that "friendly condemnation" be explained. Purab Adabala explained that it involves working in partnership with the property owner to acquire the required land. Commissioner Schmitt asked what the transit fare recovery is currently. Purab Adabala responded that it varies and that the City's dial-a-ride operation has a 5%recovery, while LRT can be around 25%. Chair Sheldon thanked staff for getting the summary review presentation to the commission early and that it was helpful to see it in advance of their required action. He asked for clarification on what their approval means so as to be clear on CTOC's responsibility. Debbie Albert responded that based on the CTOC ordinance, they are required to review and recommend this financially balanced program to City Council for action. Commissioner Woodman asked if operations are included each year in the total costs and if pavement management is included or is that effort generally HURF funded. Purab Adabala explained that in 2008, City Council added $57.5 million of pavement management to the program and that the funding has been adjusted several times over multiple years to keep the Program financially balanced. Currently, Pavement Management is funded at $2 million annually thru FY 2031. Commissioner Woodman stated that this expense seems out of place. Commissioner McAffee asked for details on the 59th and Olive avenues improvement project. Debbie Albert explained that based on a safety evaluation,there are plans to install median islands and street lights as well as modified curb ramps and bus bays. Vice Chair Grose commended the City on the improvements that have already been made at 59th and Olive. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The following items were identified as topics for future CTOC agendas: • Audit Review when the report is complete • Update on the Myrtle Avenue Safe Routes to School Project • CTOC roles and responsibilities • Overall transportation financial picture including Highway User Revenue Funds, General Funds, and GO Transportation Program funds 4 o Debbie Albert indicated that a similar presentation on finding has been given to CTOC in the past; however it was part of a retreat that took place on a Saturday. Staff would be willing to put together a similar event if that is what the commission would like. X. NEXT MEETING DATE AND TIME The next meeting is scheduled for September 4, 2014 at 6 PM. XI. ADJOURNMENT C air hit aE't me the meeting at 7:37 PM illiam - •on, Chair 5