HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2008 04B Minutes 02-20-2008 Council Transportation and Transit Committee F �i
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M inutes of
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Yakima City Council Transportation and Transit Committee
City of Yakima Public Works Administration Building Conference Room
2301 Fruitvale Blvd, Yakima, WA 98902
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
4:00 — 5:30 pm
City Council Members Staff Other
Micah Cawley Dave Zabell, Asst. City Manager Gary Forrest
Rick Ensey Chris Waarvick, Dir. Of Public Works
Bill Lover, Alternate Michael Morales, Dep. Dir. CED
Gary Jones, YPD
Brett Sheffield, Chief Engineer
Bob Desgrosellier, Senior Engineer
Jeff Cutter, Assistant City Attorney
Joan Davenport, Supr. Traffic Engineer
Councilmember Micah Cawley called the meeting to order at 4:00. Neil McClure was elected
chairman of the Committee and Micah Cawley was elected Co- Chairman. Joan Davenport
summarized the Arterial Street Speed Limit Study Recommendations and explained the
methodology for setting speed limits, the findings, map and background in the City of Yakima,
in which speed limits are governed by Yakima Municipal Code 9.50.370. It was noted that a 0
comprehensive update of Arterial Street Speed limits has not been conducted in Yakima
since the late 1970's and is included as an implementation measure of the Yakima Urban
Area Transportation Plan. Yakima Police Sergeant Gary Jones provided comments
regarding enforcement and the focus on street corridors with high collision rates.
Cawley asked about including review of the streets that are listed at 20 miles per hour in the
Municipal Code. Lover noted that this had been discussed by the City Council but was not
supported as part of this study. Waarvick confirmed that in 2007 Council had considered
speed limit changes with respect to a request to change the speed limit of 38 Avenue. (Date
of action was August 7, 2007)
The Committee discussed various methods to obtain public comments on the draft report and
directed staff to conduct an open house and work with Randy Beehler on media releases
prior to a City Council hearing to consider these changes to the posted speed limits.
The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program was summarized by Davenport. She explained
the background of the program that was adopted in 1995. In 2007, the City Council adopted a
budget policy issue that authorized an updating the Traffic Calming Program, as well as
$50,000 for demonstration projects. The update of the Traffic Calming Program reflects a
more current approach, consistent with other communities. The principal updates in the
program include a two -phase approach which focuses first on education and enforcement,
followed by possible installation of physical traffic calming devices if found necessary.
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Approximately $38,000 has been spent on implementation of the Traffic Calming Program. A
speed radar trailer was purchased, as well as four stationary speed detection signs. The
® Yakima Police Department will operate the portable speed trailer. The stationary signs will be
placed on neighborhood streets for a limited time periods. In addition, high visibility crosswalk
material was purchased for installation at the Convention Center on North 8 Street as a
demonstration project.
Mr. Gary Forrest presented a statement regarding the Traffic Calming Petition from the
Barge- Chestnut Neighborhood Association that was filed in May, 2007. He indicated a
preference to be reviewed under the existing policy, not the proposed policy. It was agreed
that this item will be brought back to this committee on March 19, 2008:
Michael Morales provided an update of the Grade Separation Project. He described the
phasing of implementation and status of the funding. Significant partners for the project
include the Freight Mobility Board and the TRANS - Action Committee.
Next regularly scheduled meeting is March 19, 2008 at 4:00 PM.
Approved byl Cao-S7
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