HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/10/2008 04B Minutes 05-21-2008 Council Transportation and Transit Committee Li B
® Minutes of
Yakima City Council Transportation and Transit Committee
City of Yakima Council Chambers
Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2 Street, Yakima, WA 98901
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
4:00 — 5:30 p.m.
City Council Members Staff Other
Micah Cawley Dave Zabell, Asst. City Manager Paul Overby, Selah
Rick Ensey Chris Waarvick, Dir. Of Public Works City Council
Neil McClure Debbie Baldoz, Accountant
[Bill Lover (Alt)] Ken Mehin, Transit Manager
Brett Sheffield, Chief Engineer
Bob Desgrosellier, Senior Engineer .
Wayne Deason, Street Operation Supr.
Joan Davenport, Supr. Traffic Engineer
Laura Vallejo, Bilingual DA II
Councilmember Neil McClure called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. He opened the
meeting with the first item on the Transit Agenda, which relates to the Summer Free Ride
Day that Transit has been providing for the past several years. Chris Waarvick stated that
40 because of the interpretation they received from the Federal Transit Administration if they
provide free bus service they must also provide free Dial -a -Ride service as well. Chris
Waarvick and Ken Mehin both commented that it's not a financial issue but the problem is
not having the Dial -a -Ride capacity to provide the service.
At this point Transit is proposing to have just Free Saturday service, but'discontinue Free
Wednesdays. Micah Cawley asked if we could provide the service until we are fully booked
and then let them know we can no longer take reservations for that day. Ken Mehin
responded that we could not do that because of our existing Dial -A -Ride contract.
Therefore, Micah Cawley motioned the call and Neil McClure seconded it.
Other items discussed were the Union Gap bus service re -bid and the upcoming meeting
Yakima Transit has on June 2 at Union Gap City Hall to defend their bid. Rick Ensey
asked if there had been any changes to our bid and Ken Mehin responded that because
their service is to be free, we had to raise our hourly rate by $4.00 an hour. He added that
if our bid is rejected by Union Gap, they have 120 -days to cease our existing service.
Micah Cawley asked if City Council members can attend this meeting, and Ken Mehin
responded that they can and he would like as many members as possible to attend.
Ken Mehin reviewed the 2007 Federal Transit Operating Grant status. Transit continues to
work on meeting all their requirements and we are hoping to get the funding no later than
the end of June. He explained we have also run to into some delays because the City's
. firewalls haven't allowed the transferring of all the reports. Chris Waarvick added that
meanwhile Transit is . prepared to delay a bus order if warranted. There will be a
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contingency plan developed and Ken Mehin will have an update for the Council by the end
of the week. The fare increase was briefly mentioned and Transit would like to start the
process this year to help defray increasing fuel costs.
Chris Waarvick brought up the Terrace Heights bus service grant that was declined.
However, because of the interest from the community, Transit is looking at other funding
options.
Neil McClure ended the meeting by recommending that the combined committee be
separated. The reason being is that he feels the time frame for Transit has been shortened
and at the same time Transportation is left waiting. He asked Ken Mehin how he felt and
he responded that he agrees and we are no longer able to get into depth with some of
Transit's issues, and there isn't the time to brainstorm any ideas. Paul Overby also agreed
with both Neil McClure and Ken Mehin in that he would also like to see it go back to the
way it was. Paul Overby added that he is available to attend either way, but feels that
Transit segment should be separated off. Micah Cawley stated that they will try and
reappoint the committee and Neil McClure said he would bring it up before the City Council.
Micah Cawley motioned to move the committee and Neil McClure seconded it.
The Transit portion of this session concluded at 4:25 p.m.
Regarding the items under the "Transportation" portion of the agenda, Bob Desgrosellier
provided an update of the Grade Separation Project, indicating Right of Way and Final
plans are in process. The tentative schedule is for July bid process with construction to •
begin in October. The aesthetic portion has been approved for the Lincoln portion.
The next item discussed was preparation for a presentation by Tim Eyman scheduled for
Tuesday May 27, 2008 regarding his Congestion Relief Initiative (1 -985). Joan Davenport
summarized a report that identified the current conditions and efforts for traffic signal
synchronization in the City of Yakima. It was noted that staff has been working on this
project which is very important to efficient use of the Arterial Street system: In general,
intersection and traffic signal improvements are critical, but expensive projects. The
Yakima Urban Area Transportation Plan 2025 and the current 6 -Year Improvement Plan
lists these projects and supports the need to continue to make improvements. No action
was required from the Committee.
Chris Waarvick presented a question to the Committee regarding the potential to include
the Street Maintenance Best management Practices (BMP) Audit with the City -wide
Performance Audit to be conducted by the State Auditor's office. Council member Cawley
agreed. The committee voted to table the street BMP study until after the city -wide Audit.
Chris Waarvick requested direction from the Committee regarding a Stakeholders process
to begin discussion of long -term funding programs for transportation needs.
Councilmember McClure indicated he thought neither the Council nor the public was ready
for this, at this time. The Council needs to investigate options and priorities to generate
direction for funding and projects. The Committee indicated they would like a full review of
the 6 -year. Plan including capacity needs, safety projects, preservation issues and . other
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critical areas for transportation funding. The consensus of the Committee was not to
411) pursue a Stakeholders process for Transportation funding at this time.
Bob Desgrosellier gave a summary of the request from the Yakima Downtown Association
for angled parking on 3 Street, between Yakima Avenue and "A" Street. The Council
committee was supportive of the plan and encouraged the project to be expanded from
Yakima Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
A proposal by Yakima County Commissioners to acquire ADA compliant parking in the
vicinity of the Courthouse using angled parking on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was
also discussed. Brett Sheffield indicated that angled parking would not be allowed on MLK
Blvd because it is classified as a Principal Arterial. However, staff indicated they have had
contact with County staff and will work on other options to add ADA compliant parking in
the vicinity of the Courthouse. -
Next regularly scheduled meeting is June 18, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
Approved by: Lieli%------____
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