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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 1 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 2 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%------____ I , . 3