Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout051407 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF MAY 14, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this fourteenth day of May, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were, Frank Benskin, Laurie Medlicott, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci arrived at 7:05 p.m. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Long Range Planning Director Rick Sepler, City Engineer Dave Peterson, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. UPPER SIMS WAY IMPROVEMENTS Mayor Welch noted that the meeting is a workshop and no action will be taken. He explained rules of procedure for public comment. Staff Report Rick Sepler presented a summary and brief discussion of the project to date. The points included: Planning Assumptions/Parameters Project Goals Lessons Learned Issue: large vehicles use of roundabouts Trucks use the apron Center median and access control Three Alternatives Developed for council decision: Signals at Howard and Thomas Roundabouts at Howard and Thomas Signal at Howard only City Council Workshop Page 1 May 14, 2007 He then introduced Scott Sawyer of consulting firm W&H Pacific who discussed the features of the three alternatives. Geoff Masci arrived at 7:05 p.m. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 7:34 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 7:44 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Daniel Zimm: favors a signal at Howard. Joan Sandford: asked why there was no acknowledgement of the PDN advertisement opposing roundabouts. Vi Koenig: opposes roundabouts; supports left turn lane at McPherson. Peter Lauritzen: referred to Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board's list of recommendations already submitted including support of roundabouts and median strip configuration; recommendation for plantings in median strip; sidewalks and crosswalks. Stated getting across roundabouts is generally not an issue for bicycles and pedestrians. Joanna Loehr: favors roundabouts; gave examples of successful projects in other cities. Bob Weidner: stated that during peak hours in Sequim the roundabout makes it almost impossible to move around; not friendly for bicycles and pedestrians. Also raised concern about movement through for trucks that aren't cab-over. Linda Pfafman: cited her involvement in public safety for many years. Stated either solution would be better than what exists now; noted that different types of accidents are associated with roundabouts vs. traffic signals. Her opinion is that overall roundabouts are the safer alternative. Todd Wexman: submitted written comments; spoke in support of signals; said roundabouts would degrade the entrance to the community and be much more expensive. City Council Workshop Page 2 May J 4, 2007 David McCulloch: stated roundabouts are pedestrian friendly - center island refuges important. Cited access control, sidewalks, curbs, crossings and edges as important factors. Scott Walker: stated having a walkable community as a top priority; make sure safety is paramount. Noted that when power is out, traffic signals will be inoperative. Russ Hoover: questioned planning beyond 2026 and financial figures. Jim Boyer: opposed to roundabouts; suggested looking at roundabouts during prime travel time; stated roundabouts are not pedestrian or bicycle friendly. Shirley Rudolph: stated that turn lanes and directional signage should be used to solve many of the traffic problems. Ken Kelley: spoke in opposition to roundabouts, noted effect on his business particularly. Kees Kolff: supports roundabouts primarily for safety; believes they are safer for pedestrians, cars and bicycles. Mary Norwood: supports traffic signals; believes the created gaps allow access to Sims from side streets. Eddie Forcier: plan on getting along for next 20 years. Thanks for getting me the invitation. People trying to get around very scary for kids trying to cross. Girlfriend works in industrial park - think city is dragging feet on any solution. Most people live north of Sims Way. Le Hornbeck: stated concerns regarding how pedestrians will be handled in each of the three alternatives; limited scope of the project; believes roundabouts tend to speed rather than slow traffic. Roger Miles: stated roundabouts work and are rarely replaced; they keep traffic flowing, cut down on emissions; medians would provide a place for plants and trees. Andrew Reding: appreciates staff bringing some measure of science and objectivity to the process; anecdotal information not as helpful. Noted that the overwhelming choice at public workshops was roundabout option, hopes City will give credence to that input. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 8:37 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE City Council Workshop Page 3 May 14,2007 The meeting was reconvened at 8:48 p.m. Staff comments (in reply to public testimony) Rick Sepler: In every alternative, sidewalks and crosswalks are paramount. In reply to the allegation that accident data was not correct, staff will verify. Regarding truck access specific to properties, once overall direction is received from the Council, staff will work with every property owner affected. Fire truck access and response time - staff will review again with Fire Department; public safety staff will always be part of the design process. Scott Sawyer: Truck access: staff will work with property owners; as trucks get bigger and bigger the same issues come up with signals as roundabouts. Capacity & life expectancy: in horizon year of 2626, a roundabout at Howard is still performing at "B" level although the southbound traffic starts to back up and queuing gets longer. Overall performance in 2626 about the same for signal and roundabout. He stated the biggest thing to keep in mind in 2026 is not so much whether one is working better than another but that Sims Way will reach its capacity. Regarding pedestrians: signals provide a break in traffic, but the distance to be covered is longer - and longer still with shoulders, bicycle lanes, turn lanes, right turn pockets, etc. Roundabouts provide a shorter distance to cover but pedestrians are subject to traffic yielding. Speeds in signalized intersections are somewhat higher. Not much data for roundabouts or signal as few pedestrians are hit. Sight impaired pedestrians have the most challenge in a multiple lane roundabout; new technology is pending that would allow a pedestrian pushbutton at roundabouts. Vicki Stegner of Washington Department of Transportation reviewed the most recent accident statistics; copy will be circulated to Council. Mr. Watts replied to Mr. Kelley's assertion that the City had made contractual promises to him regarding his property. He does not believe staff made such J Watts: agreement with city re development of speaker's property - NO light at Thomas, will look into that but don't believe staff did or had legal authority to enter City Council Workshop Page 4 May 14. 2007 into such an agreement. Probably a std document - agreement by property owner to participate in LID for future traffic improvements. COUNCIL QUESTIONS Michelle Sandoval: would like to see greater exploration and information regarding various configurations of backage roads including where they will be absolutely necessary, how much they will cost and what the impediments will be in each scenario. She also asked for more information on sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Geoff Masci: requested mylar overlays with base as cheapest alternative. Requested a bulleted list of street designations and definitions of street terminology, i.e., collectors, major arterials, etc. Actual dollar estimates on each alternative. Traffic volumes for midpoint between now and 2026. Actual square footages of land consumption for circle at Howard, circle at Thomas, and signalization at same locations. Ms. Robinson asked about the center lane without a median and how that affects pulling into the lane to blend with Sims Way traffic. Mr. Sawyer noted it is legal to pull into that lane but not to drive in it (must stop until a break in the traffic occurs.) He added that a "free for all" turn lane is a very confusing setup. She also asked about the overall plan for Upper Sims Way; interested in information on backage roads, and asked about anticipated speed limit for Sims Way. She requested more information about the possible device which would aid pedestrians crossing at roundabouts and more information about signage. Mrs. Medlicott asked for numbers regarding the average speed on Upper Sims under both scenarios and the information about level of usage now, in 2026 and midway between. She asked what input has been received from Jefferson Transit. Are backage roads only necessary if there are traffic signals? Would like explanation of how police or aid car running "code" can control the traffic at a roundabout. City Council Workshop Page 5 May 14, 2007 Provide dimensions of roundabout and truck used in the turning radius demonstration shown on video. Mr. Randels suggested breaking down information on backage roads as follows: backage roads essential to complete the main project; and backage roads desirable but not essential. Mr. Welch asked about modeling for current peak traffic times and information about backups in those situations. Staff will provide information in response to Council questions at the earliest opportunity. SCHEDULE Consensus to schedule Upper Sims Way for regular business meeting Monday, June 18. A workshop without additional public comment will be scheduled either June 4 after the business meeting or on June 11 (dependent on whether utility rate study consultants can reschedule to June 4). ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 p.m. Attest: 9~ cJ1~ Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Page 6 May 14, 2007