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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Transportation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 8/6/2015 MINUTES CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 5850 West Glendale Avenue Glendale, Arizona 85301 City Hall, Room B-3 August 6, 2015 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: James Grose, Chair Tom Schmitt, Vice Chair Gus Woodman Jeff McAffee Roberta Podzius Frank Johnson John Geurs MEMBERS ABSENT: Darrin Lacey OTHERS PRESENT: Debbie Albert,Transportation Engineer Purab Adabala, Senior Transportation Analyst Patrick Sage, Transportation Planner Jack Friedline, Public Works Director Rick Merritt, Elliott D. Pollack and Company Jennifer. Pyne,Valley Metro Megan Casey, Valley Metro I. Call to Order Chair Grose called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes from June 4, 2015 Meeting Chair Grose called for approval of the minutes. ACTION BY CTOC: Approval of the minutes from the June 4, 2015 meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission with a change on page 7 of"Thursday, August 4,2015"to "Thursday,August 6, 2015." (Motion:Vice Chair Schmitt; Second: Commissioner Podzius;motion carried unanimously) 1 III. Call to the Audience No comments from the audience. IV. Approval of the Agenda Chair Grose called for approval of the agenda for the August 6, 2015 CTOC meeting: ACTION BY CTOC:Approval of the agenda for the August 6, 2015 Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission as presented. (Motion:Vice Chair Schmitt; Second: Commissioner.Johnson; motion carried unanimously) V. Public Input-Commissioners and Staff Vice Chair Schmitt announced that he is the CTOC representative participating on the Downtown Glendale Community Working Group (CWG)that is evaluating high capacity transit (HCT) alternatives for downtown Glendale. During the CWG.meeting on the previous night, downtown Glendale business owners expressed concerns regarding loss. of business during any construction of HCT infrastructure. Vice Chair Schmitt stated that, because the final decisions on type and alignment of HCT in Glendale have not yet been determined,the Glendale General Plan"Envision 2040"that is currently under development and was presented to the.CWG does not yet include any potential impacts of HCT improvements in Glendale. Vice Chair Schmitt asked for direction as to when on the agenda he should provide his report on the Community Working Group and his participation on the working group for the Envision2040 General Plan Update. It was suggested that his report could continue to be made during the Public Input agenda item; considering that is generally the purpose of that agenda item. However, if desired a separate agenda item could be created for his reports. VI. Manager's Report Ms. Albert provided a status update/information on the following topics: • Light rail transit field trip to Mesa—September 9th ■ The CWG will be attending. ▪ A report will be provided to CTOC. • Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Update • Current actions include: • Public Involvement Plan development • Branding • Existing conditions development • Participant orientation meetings ® CTOC Orientation-September Agenda Item for a presentation on the TMP • New River Multi-Use Path Update • Substantially complete 2 • "Punch List" walk-though check this week • Grand opening scheduled for October—the CTOC will be invited. • New Transit Center Construction • The new center is located Arrowhead Mall. • Project recently initiated scheduled for completion in early November 2015. • Regional and federal funds will be used. • Major mall upgrades will be completed at the same time. • Downtown Alley • The majority of the project will be federally funded. • The project is being re-bid. • Myrtle Avenue Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Bid • The project is located along Myrtle Avenue from 65th to 62nd Avenues. ■ The design phase is nearly complete. • The project is expected to begin in the October-December timeframe. • . SRTS Application Process • Update mapping for SRTS city-wide,with a project budget of$79,900.00 • Additional funds available/unapplied • ° $95,000.00 for FY2016 • $460,000.00 for FY2017 • HSIP Applications/Funding Requests ■ Design and Construct Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA) and Geometric Modifications to Improve.Safety at Priority Intersections-$771,000.00 request. Staff has received the preliminary results of an FYA study which was to be completed in July. The final results will be shared with the CTOC in an upcoming meeting. • Procure Emergency Vehicle Preemption Equipment for Priority Signalized Intersections-$887,000.00 request. An unofficial ADOT review of the project application determined that this project will be found ineligible for HSIP funding because the crash data did not show fatal or otherwise serious injury crashes involving emergencyresponse vehicles. VII. Citizen's Bicycle Advisory Committee Appointee Ms. Albert confirmed Commissioners McAffee's interest in serving as the representative of the CTOC on the Glendale Citizen's Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC). Commissioner Woodman offered to serve on the CBAC if Commissioner McAffee was unable. ACTION BY CTOC:Appointment of Commissioner McAffee as the CTOC representative to the Citizen's Bicycle Advisory Committee. (Motion:Vice Chair Schmitt; Second: Commissioner Johnson; motion carried unanimously) VIII. GO Program 2016 Financial Factors and Projections Update 3 Mr. Merritt, of the consulting firm Elliott D. Pollack and Company, provided a forecast for the GO Program sales tax revenue for FY2016-FY2040, including information on inflation, short term interest rates and long term bond rates, and the half-cent sales tax revenue. Commissioner McAffee inquired as to the status of the$1.0 million GO surplus from last, year. Ms. Albert replied that the surplus would be discussed in the next agenda item.: Chair Grose thanked Mr. Merritt for his presentation. IX. : GO Draft Program of Projects Mr.Adabala presented the draft 25-year Program of Projects for the GO Transportation Program. Mr. Adabala explained the procedures and timeframe for the budget process, and provided a background of the GO Program including information on the Proposition 402 Voter Initiative, a summary of the FY 2015-2039 GO Program, and details regarding cost and operations. Commissioner Johnson inquired as to the usage of the % cent tax. Mr. Adabala.noted that the GO tax can be used to leverage federal funds and some projects are funded by a combination of GO, federal, regional and other funds. Commissioner Johnson noted that the revenue projections are lower than projections in prior annual programs. Mr. Adabala stated that this is partly due to a change in the consultant that develops the.projections-the prior consultant used a slightly different methodology to calculate projections. In addition, the GO Program has always been based on bond issuance. Initially, 2.00 debt coverage was requiredand now it is 2.10 debt coverage. Debt coverageis the ratio of sales tax to gross debt service. Vice Chair Schmitt requested further information on the breakout of the farebox and interest funding of 5%. Mr. Adabala explained that the majority of the 5% is farebox derived. Chair Grose wondered how much funding the% cent sales tax generated. Mr. Adabala replied that during the previous year it generated approximately$20.42 million: Commissioner Johnson requested a chart which would show GO funding and expenditures, along with federal funds, on a fiscal year basis. Vice Chair Schmitt asked for the same information in pie chart format. Commissioner Podzius requested one map that would overlay the four Proposition 402 maps as presented. Commissioner Podzius wondered if the numbers presented this evening are in line with • . the rough projections when the GO Program was first presented in 2001. Mr. Adabala replied that they should be similar, but would research the question further. Ms: Albert 4 commented that for the most part, the GO Program is on track with initial project commitments, however, due to the economic downturn, there were cutbacks in some Go commitments, such as transit service for some underperforming routes for example. However, many successes were achieved, and Mr. Adabala noted that the recent transportation audit shows that the Program has been meeting its commitments. Vice Chair Schmitt asked where the Light Rail Study falls in the project schedule. Mr. Adabala noted that funds for that study are allocated for the July 2016-2017 funding cycle. Chair Grose thanked Mr. Adabala for his presentation. X. West Phoenix/Central Glendale High Capacity Transit Study Update Ms. Jennifer Pyne, Valley Metro, provided an update on the status of the study to extend high capacity transit (HCT) into the downtown Glendale area. The presentation included the following: • _.Background • Goal of planning study • Typical economic development impacts from transit investment • Analysis of economic development potential • Other study considerations • Public outreach activities/public input to date • Next steps Ms. Pyne presented a timeline and study schedule. Completion and start of service of HCT in downtown is anticipated in the year 2026. The types of HCT, light rail vs. bus rapid transit, were presented along with a discussion on the alternative routes and estimates of ridership. Vice Chair Schmitt inquired if an environmental study would be conducted for any approved route. Ms. Pyne replied in the positive. Ms. Pyne announced that the goal of the planning phase is to have the transit recommendation made by the end of 2015 and to go before the Phoenix and Glendale City Councils in early 2016. Commissioner Johnson inquired if the study includes looking at monorail. Ms. Pyne replied in the negative noting that only grade level options are being considered due to cost considerations. Vice Chair Schmitt stressed that planning shouldconsider:crossing over Grand Avenue in some manner, whether over or under the railroad tracks.Vice Chair Schmitt noted that it was important to keep an extension to Westgate in mind during the planning phases. Commissioner Woodman agreed. Vice Chair Schmitt noted that CTOC recommended to Council that the future possibility of extending to Westgate should be included in the initial planning phase. 5 Commissioner Podzius wondered when Northern Avenue was removed as a main route for the transit system. Ms. Pyne stated that Northern Avenue was initially under consideration; however, major travel patterns revealed that Northern Avenue would not be as beneficial as other routes. Ms. Pyne commented that Camelback Road offers a high level of benefit because it provides a longer direct route with more frequent access for users. Furthermore,there are many businesses as well as Grand Canyon University along the route. Ms. Pyne shared that Camelback Road is already one of the busiest bus routes in the entire valley system. Ms. Pyne stated'that Glendale Avenue is attractive due to higher redevelopment opportunities and pedestrian traffic. Commissioner Woodman suggested approaching Grand Canyon University for financial investment in the transit system if it is constructed along Camelback Road. Commissioner Woodman noted that the University could financially benefit from the transit service due to an increase in students. Vice Chair Schmitt commented that he attended a City of Phoenix meeting regarding the transit system and it was announced that from the current light rail system,$8.2 billion in economic development was realized. Ms. Pyne agreed and noted that this figure is for the entire line along Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Ms. Pyne added that the Glendale Community Working Group (CWG), of which Vice Chair Schmitt participates, consists of 47 members and has met three times. The CWG will meet through October. Commissioner Geurs wondered why the route alternatives do not include HCT following Grand Avenue all the way into downtown Glendale or going further west on Camelback Road and then north on 59th Avenue to downtown Glendale. Ms. Pyne explained that based on businesses, pedestrian routes and industrial areas, these routes were not optimum. Commissioner Geurs asked'if the project must go all the way to downtown Glendale. Ms. Albert explained that the directive from Council and the ballot is for high speed transit to come to downtown Glendale. Commissioner Johnson inquired as to who will make the final decision on the transit system. Ms. Pyne stated that it would be the City Councils of Phoenix and Glendale. Ms. Albert agreed, noting that Council will have the final vote on the preferred transit mode and route alternative. Ms.Albert commented that a recommendation from the CWG would be made as well as a recommendation from CTOC prior to Council vote. Ms. Albert stated that the Commissioners are welcome to attend the CWG meetings. If a quorum will attend, Ms. Albert will post the meeting. 6 Commissioner Geurs stated that Councilman Aldama will be hosting a public meeting with Valley Metro on September 17th and all are invited. Ms. Albert will send the Commissioners a schedule of upcoming meetings relating to the topic. Chair Grose thanked Ms. Pyne for her presentation. Xl. CTOC Performance Measures—Refined Goals and Objectives Mr. Sage gave a presentation on the proposed CTOC Mission and Vision statements as well as goals and objectives based on discussions during the June 4, 2015 CTOC meeting. CTOC Proposed Mission Statement "The Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission will ensure that the Glendale Onboard (GO) Transportation Program is implemented in a fair, cost effective and timely manner, serving the best interests of the citizens of Glendale in the present and for the future." CTOC Draft Vision Statement "CTOC envisions a high quality, multi-modal transportation system for Glendale that provides safe mobility options to all citizens and visitors, and provides the necessary infrastructure to support economic activity and deliver and meaningful connections between people and places." Mr. Sage presented the draft goals as discussed at the June 2015 meeting for final consideration. ACTION BY CTOC: Approve the refined CTOC Mission Statement,CTOC Vision Statement and Goals/Performance Measures. (Motion: Vice Chair Schmitt; Second: Commissioner Geurs; motion carried unanimously) XII. Future Agenda Items Running list of requested agenda items: • Flashing Yellow Arrows • School Zone Safety • Summary/Update on 1-10/1-17 Corridor "Spine Study" • City Government Departmental Structure/Transportation Coordination • - Intergovernmental Coordination Process (Funding) • Bench Sponsorship Program • HAWK Signals • General Project Development Process • Analysis of Federal Project Funding versus GO Project Funding Commissioner Podzius stated that the "No U-Turn" signs off of the 101 at 75th Avenue were damaged and not replaced. Ms. Albert will follow up on the missing signage. XIII. Next Meeting Time The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in Room B- 3 in City Hall. XIV. Adjournment Chair Grose adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Jam s Grose, Chair SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS Please contact transportation staff at (623) 930-2940 at least three (3) days prior ton the meeting for special accommodations. Hearing impaired persons please use the Arizona Relay Service at 1-800-367-8939. 8