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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Committee - 06/24/2013 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 24, 2013 I. Call Meeting to Order - Mr. Edd Price, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of May 30, 2013 were approved. III. Presentations and Discussions - a. Monthly Traffic Fatality Reports: Capt. Gutierrez reported three (3) new fatalities, which brings the total to thirteen (13) fatalities for year 2013. He said fatality eleven (11) occurred at the 9300 block of SPID-EB Access Rd. on June 1. This was a rollover accident. Fatality twelve (12) happened on June 6 at the 15700 block of Cruiser St. He said a woman accidentally stepped on the gas and ended up hitting her husband in the driveway. In addition, fatality thirteen (13) took place on June 16 at 2:20 a.m., at the 5700 block of Leopard St. This fatality seems to be alcohol related. b. Top 20 Traffic Accident Locations for the Month: Capt. Gutierrez reported twelve locations were at the top with three accidents each. He noted US-181 was at the top extensively and now it remains off the list. c. Police Department Traffic Enforcement Complaints: Capt. Gutierrez reported there were six complaints for the month of May and speed appears to have been a factor in each complaint. They had officers assigned on Ocean Dr., specifically looking for vehicles that were racing. Additionally, there were a couple of vehicles caught racing on NPID. d. CCPD DWI 2013 Statistics: Capt. Gutierrez presented a new report to the committee to see if they would be interested in reviewing it on a monthly basis. He suggested discussing the DWI Statistics Report instead of the Traffic Enforcement Complaints since the DWI statistics have more relevance to the safety of our streets. The report explains what is being done with DWI's on a month-to- month basis. It has different types of categories related to total arrests, traffic crashes, fatalities, etc. He said all this information is combined in the report. The committee members commented they liked the report. Capt. Gutierrez reported last year there were 1,036 DWI ft DUI arrests, which is the most they had since they have been keeping statistics. This year they are already up 28% to last year's totals, they will probably have two record years in a row. Ms. Cudd asked if these numbers were involved in accidents. Capt. Gutierrez responded these are all the DWI's cases combined. Ms. Cudd inquired about the DUI cases. Capt. Gutierrez said DUI applies to minors. e. Monthly Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report: Ms. Brigida Gonzalez, vice chairperson for the subcommittee, presented the report in the absence of Ms. Page 1 of 4 Gretchen Arnold. She mentioned for some time now, anytime there are city projects or road projects in our community the subcommittee has been very interested in providing city staff with input and feedback on how the repairs or refurbishing impact cycling and pedestrian issues. They were given the opportunity in their last two meetings to review some of the drawings and comments being offered by the contractor. Ms. Gonzalez said a comment was raised at their last meeting that the intent of the subcommittee is to designate bicycle facilities at any of these roadways. She stated this is not the exercise, the exercise is to give and provide feedback and if a bicycle and pedestrian amenity would be offered that city staff be aware of what those requests would be from the subcommittee. f. Discussion of Bicycle ft Pedestrian Sub-committee Vacant Positions - RTA and Pedestrian: Ms. Gonzalez informed the TAC the Bicycle 6t Pedestrian Subcommittee is composed of eleven members. There are positions in the group that are dedicated to various entities in the city. For example, they have a representative from MPO, TxDOT, TAMU-CC, etc. The RTA has always had a representative and they are a very large partner. Recently, they have acquired an additional position, which is the pedestrian. This position is dedicated to pedestrian issues and this is a very important part of their advocacy. Fortunately, for the group, someone recommended that Mr. Shawn Flanagan become a member of the subcommittee. Mr. Flanagan is with TAMU-CC and he is in attendance today. In addition, Ms. Gonzalez talked about Ms. Jane Dare Haas. She mentioned the RTA representative retired a few months ago and the RTA has submitted Ms. Haas name as their representative. Ms. Gonzalez invited the two candidates to introduce themselves to the committee. g. Discussion of Placement of Education Signs for "Safe Passing": Ms. Gonzalez reported that initially they were informed they would be given the opportunity to post twelve (12) signs to identify roadways that need additional information for drivers to give safe passing distance to bicyclists. Together with city staff, it has been concluded there are actually some designated bike lanes within our city but those are not necessarily the locations where they would be placing the signs. Instead they would be installing the signs where it's called a "shared roadway". In other words, this is somewhere bicyclists frequent but there are no markings indicating there is a bike lane. These signs would provide some protection for the cyclists and educate the drivers this is somewhere they need to practice the safe passing ordinance. It also lends itself for the Police Department to be able to enforce the ordinance. The premise is if there is no signage educating the public that this is a shared roadway and this is a requirement for them to provide safe passing; they will know not to do this. Ms. Gonzalez mentioned Mr. Bill Green informed the group they would be installing fifteen (15) signs instead of twelve (12). They were issued a map and together with city staff were able to identify the best locations for the placement of the signs. Mr. Green directed the Engineering staff to begin using the new safe passing signs with existing Bond 2008 Projects and add them to any Bond 2012 Projects that would be having bike lanes. h. Discussion of Transportation Advisory Committee Vacant Position: Mr. Green mentioned there might be a change in the future where the City Council would go through the process of appointing someone without the committee's input. He Page 2 of 4 does not know if or when or how the decision would be made. Mr. Green encouraged the committee to check if there are individuals within the community that would be interested in applying. He knows City Council will be ready to take action when there are good candidates for the vacant position. He would be happy to assist in anyway if there any people that are interested in applying and need some assistance with the contact information. He stated, we as staff cannot per say go and recruit. Mr. Price asked if any applications have been turned in. Mr. Green responded he does not believe there are but would have staff check with City Secretary's Office. He said an update would be provided to the committee by the end of the week informing them where things stand in terms of the number of applicants that have applied. Ms. Cudd said this came up at the City Council meeting last month; some of the City Council members were not happy with the committees recommending individuals to their committees. The main criticism she heard from one of the members is that they want to open it up to everyone in the community and want more diversity in the committees. Mr. Green said in terms of the policy direction, if the committee could find a potential candidate and was brought to the chair's attention then the chair could visit with the City Secretary's Office for the proper protocol. He said at some point in time, solicitation from the committees might not be welcomed. They had this discussion but no policy decision or direction has been made or given. L Discussion on No Cell Phone Use While Driving: Mr. Green mentioned there has been some information about what other communities are doing and Mr. Bites suggested that they would be interested in hearing the committee's position or feedback for such an avenue. Mr. Price said Mr. Robert Jacobi has been the one discussing this issue for some time. He sent some information to be distributed to the members. The committee has not taken the position to do anything as of right now. We did vote on it and it was suggested not to follow up at that time but Mr. Jacobi still wishes to discuss it; for that reason, it continues on the agenda. Mr. Green said this merits further discussion; once we have a philosophical conversation then staff needs to sit down and begin to put together a frame work for pushing the discussion further. It will help staff performance duties greater having an understanding of whether or not it has the endorsement of this group. Ms. Cudd mentioned initially when she joined this committee she was all for it. She has not changed her mind but does not know making a law will really make much difference. Mr. Price stated to make sure this item is placed on the agenda next month. Ms. Cudd commented it would be interesting to see what Mr. Jacobi learns when he meets with the Mayor in July. IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Subcommittee Review for Recommendations/ Actions: a. Motion to Appoint Ms. Jane Dare Haas for RTA Representative to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee with Possible Action Taken: Ms. Cudd motioned to appoint Ms. Jane Dare Haas as the RTA representative to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee. Mr. Harris seconded. Motion passed. b. Motion to Appoint Mr. Shawn Flanagan for Pedestrian Representative to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee with Possible Action Taken: Mr. Hall Page 3 of 4 motioned to appoint Mr. Shawn Flanagan as the pedestrian representative to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee. Ms. Cudd seconded. Motion passed. V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda • CC Mobility Plan Update • Update on Road Markings on Chaparral St. C IH-37 • Discussion for Future Council Consideration on Converting 3rd St. from Del Mar Blvd. to Ayers St. to a Two-Way Street VI. Public Comment - • Mr. Shawn Flanagan introduced himself to the TAC and commented he was asked to join the group. He is the cross-country and track coach at TAMU-CC since 2000. Mr. Flanagan mentioned he would be very happy to accept the position for the pedestrian representative if approved. • Ms. Jane Dare Haas mentioned she represents the public transportation sector and is delighted to have the opportunity to provide feedback. The RTA wants nothing more than to have safe passage of people on our streets because that is what they do for a living. The RTA is delighted to have the opportunity to participate at the table when decisions are being made that protect pedestrians crossing, streets to get on or off a bus or to get on a bus with their bike. VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 3:21 p.m. Page 4 of 4