Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Transportation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 1/7/2016 MINUTES CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 5850 West Glendale Avenue Glendale, Arizona 85301 City Hall, Room B-3 January 7, 2016 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: James Grose, Chair Tom Schmitt,Vice Chair Gus Woodman Frank Johnson Jack Nylund Roberta Podzius John Geurs Karen Griego Jeff McAffee MEMBERS ABSENT: Darrin Lacey OTHERS PRESENT: Debbie Albert,Transportation Engineer Purab Adabala, Senior Transportation Analyst Patrick Sage,Transportation Planner Matt Dudley,Transportation Jennifer Pyne, Valley Metro Abhi Dayal,Valley Metro Megan Casey, Valley Metro I. Call to Order Chair Grose called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes from December 3, 2015 Meeting Chair Grose called for approval of the minutes. ACTION BY CTOC:Approval of the minutes from the December 3, 2015 meeting of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission as written. (Motion: Vice Chair Schmitt; Second: Commissioner Nylund; motion carried unanimously) Ill. Call to the Audience No comments from the audience. 1 IV. Approval of the Agenda Vice Chair Schmitt made a motion for approval of the agenda for the January 7, 2016 CTOC meeting. ACTION BY CTOC:Approval of the agenda for the January 7, 2016 Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission as presented. (Motion:Vice Chair Schmitt; Second: Commissioner Nylund; motion carried unanimously) V. Public Input—Commissioners and Staff Vice Chair Schmitt discussed his continued involvement in the General Plan Steering Committee. He identified the need to include any high capacity transit extension decision in the Glendale General Plan 2040 Update. Commissioner Woodman discussed his attendance at the January 4, 2016 Citizens Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. He reported on the Phoenix Grid Bike Share program presentation. Much of the resulting discussion focused on the initial capital costs for the system, which includes a $3,500 per bike purchase costs, and the programmed maintenance costs for the bicycles at $1,400 per bike, annually. Commissioner Nylund suggested exploring the potential for corporate or local businesses to provide sponsorship for the initial bike purchases and/or the operations and maintenance, if the City of Glendale decides to pursue a bike sharing program. Commissioner Geurs expressed his appreciation of the CTOC Commissioner Appreciation night at the Phoenix Coyotes game on December 17, 2015. VI. Manager's Report Ms. Albert provided a status update/information on the following topics: 1. High Capacity Transit • West Phoenix/Central Glendale High Capacity Transit Study with the Glendale Working Group • Central Mesa Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line Tour—December 9th 2. Streets • 59th Avenue and Olive Intersection Improvements • Capacity Improvements • MAG Federal Funding Requests 3. MAG CMAQ/TA Funding Applications • These funds were awarded for 8 of 10 project funds submitted for consideration: • Emergency Vehicle Preemption • Camelback Road:51St to 67th ITS • Camelback Road: 75th to 91St ITS • Camelback Road: 75th to 83rd Sidewalks • 67th Avenue from Glendale to Orangewood: Sidewalks • Orangewood from Grand to 67th: Bike lanes and Sidewalks • Safe Routes to School ($RTS): Helmets, Crossing Guard Equipment, and more • Also, Paradise Land sidewalks as previously discussed 4. Bide/Pedestrian • New River Multi-Use Path Update • Grand Canal Multi-Use Path • Myrtle Avenue Safe Routes to School 2 Chair Grose thanked Ms. Albert for the updates. VII. West Phoenix/Central Glendale High Capacity Transit Study Updates Mr. Dayal and Ms. Pyne gave an update on the status of the study to extend high capacity transit into the downtown Glendale area. The presentation included the following information: • Goals of planning study • Map of Level,3 route alternatives • Level 3 evaluation summary • Estimated light rail ridership information was provided for each route • Transit types comparison • Recommended light rail route • Advantages of the recommended route • Potential station areas • Anticipated costs • Anticipated project capital funding • Federal funding criteria • CTOC Trip to Mesa — December 9, 2015 • Next steps Commissioner Nylund inquired about how the proposed extension would cross Interstate 17. Ms. Pyne explained that it is complicated but feasible, and that Valley Metro has been coordinating with area stakeholders (City of Phoenix, MAG, ADOT, Grand Canyon University, etc.) regarding the interstate crossing and other aspects of extending the pject along the Camelback Road corridor. Commissioner Griego suggested reaching out to Alhambra High School in the pject area, which hosts over 3,500 students and faculty at the school, many of whom would be users of the system. Commissioner Johnson inquired regarding who would own of the system along Glendale Avenue. Ms. Pyne explained that the City of Phoenix would be responsible for the four miles of the route in Phoenix, and Glendale would be responsible for the 3 miles of the route within the Glendale boundaries. Commissioner Geurs inquired as to the responsibility for the system along 43rd Avenue, which is the boundary between the cities of Phoenix and Glendale. Ms. Pyne stated that this determination is still under discussion. However,these discussions are trending towards a shared cost for the two-mile 43rd Avenue section where the City of Glendale would be responsible for the southbound portion and the City of Phoenix the northbound portion. Commissioner Podzius inquired about consideration of a Camelback Road to 59th Avenue route option. Ms. Pyne replied that this route dropped out early in the alternatives consideration for multiple reasons that included: • Camelback Road to 59th Avenue into downtown Glendale is considered a "backdoor" approach into downtown. • This section has a lower ridership potential compared to the recommended route, due to the industrial nature of the adjacent land use. • This route would require two railroad crossings before reaching downtown Glendale, where the recommended route would not re�uirecrossing the railroad toreach dovvntoxvn. 3 Commissioner Geurs inquired as to the number of park and rides facilities anticipated to accommodate a light rail transit system. Ms. Pyne stated that the City currently has one located in the area of the recommended light rail route, but additional locations would be considered depending on demand. Several commissioners who attended the December tour of the Mesa light rail system provided their thoughts on the experience. Commissioner Geurs appreciated Valley Metro providing the opportunity to tour the system and was impressed with the train operation and facilities. Vice Chair Schmitt expressed the value of hearing directly from Mesa business-owners regarding their concerns and challenges related to the light rail project, particularly during the construction period. Their experience in how the City of Mesa worked with them to minimize and offset impacts was reassuring to hear about, and Vice Chair Schmitt expressed the importance of the City of Glendale providing similar level of support to affected businesses. Chair Grose asked if the City of Phoenix met with the businesses along 19th Avenue prior to construction of the light rail extension in that location. Ms. Casey replied that Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix developed a business assistance program for that project, as Valley Metro/City of Mesa team did the same for the Mesa extension project. Ms. Casey commented that the City of Glendale project would include an assistance program that would be tailored to the individual businesses in that project area. Commissioner Nylund commented that flexibility and communication is a critical piece for success with both the City and the business owners, and expressed appreciation of the openness of City of Mesa staff and the business owners at the Mesa light rail tour. Commissioner Johnson also attended the Mesa light rail tour and expressed appreciation for the information. Commissioner Johnson stated that downtown Mesa appears to be emphasizing entertainment in their redevelopment, and downtown Glendale is expected to evolve differently. Commissioner Podzius asked if the recent resignation of the Valley Metro CEO would impact receipt of federal funds. Ms. Pyne replied in the negative and Mr. Dayal agreed. Mr. Dayal stressed that Valley Metro is governed by a very good Board which sets the budget and has strong fiscal controls. The upcoming Valley Metro public meetings for the West Phoenix/Central Glendale Transit Corridor Study were discussed. Commissioner Podzius asked for a description of the advertising for the meetings (scheduled for January 19th in Phoenix and January 20th in Glendale). Ms. Pyne commented on the various methods of advertising and outreach. Commissioner Nylund suggested advertising in the Glendale Star. Ms. Casey stated that the Glendale Star does run the press releases sent by Valley Metro, but an article or additional advertising could be pursued for future outreach. Vice Chair Schmitt asked if the CTOC must agree with the CWG's recommendations "as-is"to move the study forward, or if CTOC could propose other options. Ms. Albert stated that CTOC could vote to endorse the CWG recommendation "as-is," or could draft its own recommendations. Commissioner Nylund asked if the Commissioners should attend the public meetings in January. Ms. Pyne encouraged attendance. Ms. Albert agreed, and added that a summary of the public meeting will be shared with the CTOC at the next CTOC meeting as part of the ongoing Valley Metro presentations to CTOC on the West Phoenix/Central Glendale High Capacity Transit Study. 4 Ms. Albert commented that the CTOC participation in the process is greatly valued. Chair Grose thanked Valley Metro staff for their presentation. VIII. FY2015 GO Annual Report Draft Mr. Adabala presented the draft GO Transportation Program Annual Report for fiscal year 2015. Specific information was presented, including: • FY2104-15 GO Program Account Summary • FY2104-15 GO Program Revenue Summary • FY2104-15 GO Program Cash Expense Summary • Status of GO Program Bond Funds • Status of Transportation Bond Issuances • The status of all capital projects funded through the GO Program at the end of FY2015. A map of the projects was also displayed. • The status of all programs funded through the GO Program at the end of FY2015. ACTION BY CTOC: Recommendation of FY2015 GO Annual Report and forward to the City Council for their consideration. (Motion: Commissioner Geurs; Second: Vice Chair Schmitt; motion carried 8-1.) IX. Future Agenda Items Running list of requested agenda items: • School Zone Safety • City Government Departmental Structure/Transportation Coordination • Project Development and Agency Coordination • Bench Sponsorship Program • Commissioner Woodman Presentation on IMSA Conference • Glendale General Plan Update X. Next Meeting Time The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in Room B-3 in City Hall. Xl. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. 16. es Grose, Chair SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS Please contact transportation staff at (623) 930-2940 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting for special accommodations. Hearing impaired persons please use the Arizona Relay Service at 1-800-367-8939. 5