ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 20, 2018

 

CALL TO ORDER
Newberry called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioners Present:  Corinne Vièville, Joe Graf, Bruce Borgerson, David Young, Sue Newberry
Commissioners Absent: Kat Smith
Council Liaison Present: Mike Morris
Staff Present: Scott Fleury, Taina Glick 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
None

CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes: July 19, 2018

Commissioners Borgerson, Vièville m/s to approve minutes as read.
All ayes. Minutes approved.

PUBLIC FORUM
Louise Shawkat 870 Cambridge St
Shawkat expressed displeasure about the condition of the bike lane on E Main St after chip sealing and the need to reduce emissions from transportation.

Heulz Gutcheon 2253 Hwy 99
Gutcheon expressed concern about safety for pedestrians/cyclists and the lack of electric car charging stations proposed for a development in the area of Siskiyou Blvd and Park St.

NEW BUSINESS
Ice Cream Truck Permit Review
Fleury requested input regarding the potential for a permit and associated process to allow for the sale of frozen treats from a vehicle.

Kelly Sacks spoke to her safety and operational plan which was requested by Public Works.

Commissioners debated the topic and offered the following suggestions for consideration:
·         type of vehicles to be used
·        vending in congested areas
·        children safety
·        disallowing idling
·        tiered rate structure based on potential emissions
·        clarify verbiage to clearly state permit is for sale of frozen treats only
·        removal of references to age of applicant and parent signature line
·        distance from existing businesses

Bear Creek Greenway Presentation
Michael Black, Parks Department Director, presented the Bear Creek Greenway extension plan. See attached. Black sought recommendation from the Commission to approve the recommendations as described in the Extension Feasibility Study. Commissioners and Black discussed pros and cons of each option.

Borgerson moved to support alternative B as the preferred extension of Bear Creek Greenway short term and also support the new trail through the Mace property connecting Sleepy Hollow to the new Bear Creek but recommends against designating a portion on city streets as part of the Bear Creek Greenway and to keep alternative A as part of the planning process.  No second.

Young moved to accept recommendations as given with the added recommendation that the interim alignment not be designated as part of Bear Creek Greenway. Borgerson second.

Graf moved to amend original motion to state the commission strongly supports the short-term alignment as the preferred alignment. Young seconded. All yes. Amendment passes.

Motion becomes move to accept recommendations as given with the added recommendation that interim alignment not be designated as part of Bear Creek Greenway and the commission strongly supports the short-term alignment as the preferred alignment.

Commissioners argued with wording of above motion and suggested the intent of their motion should read as follows:

Motion becomes to accept recommendations as given with the added recommendation that interim alignment not be designated as part of Bear Creek Greenway and the commission strongly supports the short-term alignment move forward and be implemented expeditiously. All ayes. Motion passes.

Michael David 2200 Buckhorn Springs Rd – 779 Sylvia St
Resident lives in Sleepy Hollow neighborhood and is concerned about the impact of the proposed trail utilizing the area.

OLD BUSINESS

None

TASK LIST
Newberry advised commissioners she requested that Fleury italicize any changed items for ease of review. 

Commissioners requested information from staff about:

• Iowa Street
• Sharrows on Main St
• Transit Feasibility Study report
• Crosswalk policy

FOLLOW UP ITEMS

None

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Safe Routes to School Grant Process
The City’s letter of intent has been accepted and we are approved to continue with the application process. A staff report has been submitted to Administration and the topic will go to Council for approval to formally apply for the grant. These funds would be utilized for sidewalks on Garfield, Lincoln, Wightman, and California which have been designated as high priority projects in the TSP. Newberry queried staff about amending the TSP. Commissioners discussed possible amendments. 

Transportation System Development Charge (SDC) Updates
Graf reported on the recommendations of the group responsible for SDC fee analysis and the approved fee increase steps.

TGM grant award
The City received this grant for the revitalized downtown project. Graf inquired if there will be an advisory committee established.    

COMMISSION OPEN DISCUSSION
Newberry inquired why ODOT removed the flashing light at Tolman Creek Rd and Siskiyou Blvd, leaving 5 control boxes in place. Fleury advised the group that ODOT is working on the intersection currently.

Graf discussed parking concerns about the development mentioned in Public Forum this evening. Graf suggested someone evaluate the new light at S Mountain Ave and Siskiyou Blvd. Vièville indicated that one audible signal isn’t working at this intersection. Fleury indicated that the City can repair if she provides the location.

Young informed staff that the bike path between Wightman St and Walker Ave is overgrown.

FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS
Trails Master Plan Presentation
MUTCD 4-way stop training
Parking Permit Policy

ADJOURNMENT: 8:13 pm         

Respectfully submitted,

Taina Glick
Public Works Administrative Assistant