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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 07/24/2000 ' TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMIT __' MINUTES "',` (Meeting of July 24,2000) ;' Members Present •7 Clif Moss Orlando Noyola Anthony Alejandro Chief Mike McCain•• - - _ - Robbie Foster Stuart Sher Israel Ybarra Members Absent Don Davenport I. CALL TO ORDER-Chairperson Alejandro called to order at 1:38 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Motion made by Mr. Moss,seconded by Mr. Sher to approve minutes as published. Motion passed. III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON -None IV. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE/PUBLIC CONCERNS -None V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") - In the absence of Capt.Tisdale and Sgt.Leeton,Sgt.Chris Lynch presented the monthly traffic fatality report,stating that fatalities total sixteen as of this date. Brief explanation of the fatality accidents followed. VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(June,2000), (ATTACHMENT"B")- Mr.Seiler briefly stated that there were 792 accidents for the month of June. Total accidents down 1%and alcohol/drug related accidents down 27%. Fatal accidents 15;up 25% and fatalities 16;up 23%. Confirmed alcohol related is 6 out of 15 for year 2000. Regarding the top 27 high accident locations remains compared to last month.Traffic congestion at the intersection of Staples/Curtis Clark,with the opening of a new apartment complex,and Staff is working with adjacent property owners to accommodate their concerns. Mr. Sher asked for identification of the Gollihar/Staples intersection versus the Gollihar/Staples Autotown intersection. Mr. Moss suggested Committee's participation in the involvement of safety recommendations for motorists. Mr.Moss expressed specific interest in"driver distractions"such as applying cosmetics,reading the newspaper,using cellular phones and adjusting radios. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. REVIEW of Leopard Street Phase 1 and 2 Street Improvement Project- As part of the continuing discussion of on-going street capital improvement projects, Mr. Seiler briefly discussed the Leopard Street Project between McKinzie Road and Rehfeld Road, administered by the Texas Department of Transportation for$2,930,600. The contractor is Haas-Anderson Construction. Projected start date is July 17,2000 for a duration of 265"working"days and completion late Fall,2001. The following project will feature curbing of center median,while maintaining current width; the "thru" two (2) lanes and outside shoulder lanes unaffected by project; however, existing lanes will be overlayed with new asphalt surface and spot patching of shoulder areas. There will be continuous street lighting improvements throughout project length, median left turn lanes will be improved with longer and more definitive channelization. Widening, geometric enhancements to most median openings, closure of four(4)existing median openings which have inappropriate spacings with existing median openings or intersections;bus"tum-outs"at locations selected by RTA,little or no landscaping. Future related projects will include Leopard Street Phase 3 in August,2000 (Rand Morgan Road to McKinzie Road and outside street curbing and driveway improvements(future bond issue). VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW Staff recommendation for converting Water Street and Belden Streets, beginning at Power Street and ending at Chaparral Street,to a one-way traffic pattem, related to the construction of the new Federal Courthouse- Mr. Tom Utter, Director of Development Services stated Staffs recommendation for the one-way traffic pattern is being tabled for infusion of more input from the Federal Marshals office. S , t The nd part of recommendation is for installing hour(long-term)parking meters along of er and BeldensecoStreets, betweenthisStaff Power Street and Chaparral Street10-, ata parking meter rate of$0.50 per hourside,associatedeachWat with the CAS 0000 parking needs for the_____Federal Courthouse- Mr.Utter stated that the Fed _ourthouse has limited parking due to limited funds. City is planning to implement and address traffic circulation and increased on-street parking needs relating to the new Federal Courthouse. Water and Belden Streets are adjacent to a privately-owned lot on which an off-street parking lot may be constructed. On-street angled parking,with parking meters,is also proposed along this two-block street section.Mr.Ybarra questioned both the necessity of parking meters and also the$.50 per hour charge. Mr.Seiler stated that installation of parking meters is not to generate revenue but to provide,parking tumover and optimum utilization. Compared to other cities,the City has the lowest parking meter rates in the State. Mr.Ybarra suggested using a Security Officer in lieu of parking meters. Mr. Seiler stated that using a Security Officer would be the most expensive form of parking control. Senior Chief McCain asked if City must give money to the General Services Administration? Mr.Seiler stated no,not at this time. Mr.Sher inquired if this recommendation included any other streets. Mr.Seiler stated no. Mr.Seiler stated that the City's Code of Ordinance requires identification of specific parking meter limits on streets. Mr. Noyola asked if the parking limits are to be in 4 and 10 hour increments or another choice of 1 or 2 hour limits? Mr.Seiler responded that the 4 or 10-hour time limit meters would be used. Mr.Seiler also stated that presently the City has two(2)types-30 minute and 1 hour increments up to a maximum of 10 hours. Commercial loading zone needs for the Circle K store at Belden/Chaparral may also effect the installation of parking meters on the north side of Belden Street. Mr.Sher inquired if any other entities will be located in the new Federal Courthouse. Mr. Seiler stated he was unaware of any. Mr.Noyola requested that,in the next or future meeting,the Staff bring back a discussion of the overall parking needs of properties in the areas immediately adjacent to and further from the new Federal Courthouse. Mr. Seiler replied in the affirmative. Motion made by Senior Chief McCain, seconded by Mr. Foster to approve Staff recommendation at the rate of$.50 per hour using 10-hour meters. Motion passes 7 vs 1. IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT A. Applicants for Transportation Advisory Committee vacancy are requested. X.. COMMITTEE MEMBER ISSUES for FUTURE TAC COMMITTEE MEETINGS-None XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS - Mr. Alejandro inquired on the status of pending pedestrian grant. Mr. Seiler stated that the Communications Office is preparing the PSA Also,there is a need to study the need for pedestrian barriers on the Crosstown Expressway and identification of related accident experience. XII. NEW CONCERNS-None XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. 00002.