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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 04/25/2011 • RECEIVED 2011 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes CITY SECRETARYMAY24 'S OFFICE Monday, April 25, 2011 Call Meeting to Order - Mr. Curtis A. Rock, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of March 21, 2011 were approved. III. Presentations and Discussions - a. Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Lt. Sherman said there are no new fatalities to report and the fatality total remains at thirteen (13) for the year 2011. b. Monthly Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report: Tabled for next meeting. c. Police Department Traffic Enforcement Complaints: Lt. Sherman reported that they have been keeping up with the traffic enforcement complaints but there is nothing significant to report. d. State Legislative Update - Freddy Ramirez: Mr. Ramirez distributed some information to the committee members regarding the state legislative update. He said he works with an organization called "Be Kind to Cyclists", a bicycle safety advocacy organization that works in conjunction with Bike Texas, which is the statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization. He stated they have been lobbying the Texas State Legislature for four specific items to hopefully push through the Legislature. The first is "Complete Streets" which requires municipalities who are taking federal and state funds to at least consider during the design phase of either new roads or retrofitting existing roads, they have to at least consider bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The second item is "Rear Red Light" which would require that all new bicycles sold in the State of Texas be sold with both the front light and a rear tail light. Bike Texas has purchased 100,000 light kits for distribution for people who cannot afford to add lights to their existing bicycles. Mr. Ramirez said the third item they are supporting refers to the ban on texting, instant messaging or even e-mailing while driving. The fourth item is called 'Public Utility Right-of-Way" which would allow thousands of miles of public utility right-of- ways to be used by cyclists and pedestrians. The utility companies are hesitant because they do not want to be sued in case of accidents. Lt. Sherman inquired about the light kits. He said Mr. Ramirez had mentioned that they would likely be visible up to 500 feet. He said it needs to be 500 feet or beyond. He said if you are going to give these to the Police Department and we are going to distribute those up to people. It would have to be something that would put them within compliance. Mr. Ramirez said he agrees with him. Apparently, an entire testing process occurs with these light kits. He said he understands and they do not want to impose any liability on the Police Department because somebody comes back and says the little led light was only visible 200 feet. Mr. Ramirez stated they would refer back to the manufacturer who had a test that said that it was visible within 500 feet. SCANNEDPage 1 of 3 e. Possible Installation of Delineators on Everhart Rd. ® Whataburger Way: Mr. Cardenas reported delineators would be installed at this location and they would be similar to the ones by Wal-mart on Everhart Rd. and SPID. Mr. Cardenas said they should be installed within a month. Ms. Cudd asked if he would be putting out a press release to inform the public. He said yes he would. Mr. Cardenas further explained that the delineators would be installed from the intersection to 80 feet past the intersection and all of it would be a straight shot. Mr. Rock asked how far a distance they would be spaced out. Mr. Cardenas said they would be spaced out every 5 feet. Mr. Rock stated a motorcycle could probably get through. Mr. Cardenas said yes a motorcyclist or a cyclist could probably get through. He continued to report that these delineators have a small bump mounted on the base that is similar to a mini speed hump and this would be dangerous for cyclists. f. Discussion on Update of Construction Projects: Mr. Cardenas discussed a list of construction projects. He said currently they are still in the books and in some of these, the construction is already over. There are about 59 construction projects. They range from Parks and Recreation, Drainage, Water, Aviation and Waste Water type of projects. The hot topic right now is the South Guth Ball Field Relocation Project at Paul Jones Ave. and the Paul Jones Extension Project and this extends all the way to Holly Rd. The HEB Pool Complex is underway and it is being redone. At North Beach, there are some sidewalks, lighting and many improvements going in. He said in regards to Packery Channel, the parking is getting in phase II and the parking situation is being extended. Mr. Cardenas said there are some issues with the lighting there. There are some improvements at Billings and the Bait Stand at the Island. The Landfill is getting some improvements with the liner. The Memorial Coliseum is still on the books, they are still doing some earthwork to make it better. North Port Ave. Project just got back on track, they should be completing within the next three weeks by the Museum where Port Ave. turns into Hirsch St. The Laguna Shores Rd. Project is doing very well; Haas Anderson took over this project. He said they are not finished yet. Mr. Cardenas stated this is where they would be putting in a rumble stripe on the road. It is going to be a bike lane but at the same time, joggers can use it because there are no sidewalks. He said there is going to be no parking on the shoulder, only for emergency purposes. Yorktown Blvd. is underway from Staples St. to Cimarron Blvd. and this facility will be having bike lanes. The Staples St. Project by Parkdale Plaza just got started from Carmel Pkwy. to Everhart Rd. He said traffic is starting to become an issue in this area. Kostoryz Rd. Project also has just started between Sunnybrook and SPID; he said there are many traffic issues with this project. Mr. Cardenas said Mansheim is still under construction and it is doing well. Robert St. between Gaines and Ocean Dr. is going into the second phase of construction. He said they are going to open up Santa Fe St. west to Gaines and they are going to close the other part of Robert St. by the apartments. There are some ADA improvements and there is the City Striping Contract coming on board. Mr. Cardenas said that there are about 20 subdivisions that are going up. Mr. Rock asked if these are new subdivisions. Mr. Cardenas said no these are developments and should not have said subdivisions. Ms. Cudd inquired about Weber Rd. Mr. Cardenas said this is a state contract and they would be doing only an overlay on Weber Rd. Mr. Cardenas and the committee members continued discussion regarding the construction projects. Page 2 of 3 • IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations/ Actions - a. Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-committee: Tabled until next month. b. Motion to Reappoint Mr. Curtis A. Rock as Chairperson to Transportation Advisory Committee with Possible Action Taken: Mr. Price motions to approve the reappointment. Mr. Soza seconds. Motion passes. V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda - • Moore Plaza/Staples St. Traffic Signal VI. Public Comment - VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Page 3 of 3