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Home My WebLink About2003-08-13 MinutesCity of Fayetteville Sidewalk and Trails Task Force Minutes Wednesday, August 13, 2003 City Administration Building, Room 326 Members present. Bob Davis, Laura Kelly, Jennifer Tracy, Richard Covey, Nancy Allen Public/Staff: Julie Bland, Steve Hatfield, Ginny Apperson Meeting called to order by Bob Davis. Nancy Allen made a motion to approve the June minutes, Laura Kelly gave a second and the motion passed. Steve Hatfield introduced Jennifer Tracy, a new citizen at large member, to the Sidewalk and Trails Task Force. The final Alternative Transportation and Trails Master Plan was distributed to all Task Force members. This was also distributed to City Council last night. The plan will go before the Planning Commission on August 25, 2003. If it passes there, it will go before City Council at the September 2°d meeting. The there are several avenues for public input on the plan. It is on file at the Fayetteville Public Library, posted on the City's web site, and also on file at the City Clerk's office. There was some brief discussion held regarding the availability of printed copies of the Master Plan for the public. Nancy Allen suggested an idea of making one copy available to each Neighborhood Association chairperson for the access of their neighborhood. Steve Hatfield will research the per copy cost of printing and inform the Task Force when that information becomes available. The plan can also be downloaded from the City's web site, free of charge. A final copy of the Task Force Resolution was distributed to all members. The resolution was passed by City Council on July 15, 2003. The resolution defines the purpose of the Sidewalk and Trails Task Force to include adopting Sidewalk and Trails Master Plans. Any plan revisions or amendments must go before the Task Force in order to be adopted. The Resolution also reflects the number of task force members having been lowered and shall now consist of eight voting members and seven non-voting staff/ support members. The frequency of required meetings has been decreased from once per month to once per quarter, however the Task Force can meet more often if necessary. Steve Hatfield gave and update on the Center Prairie Trail. The design is approximately 80% complete. This will be a hard surfaced, multi -use trail complete with lighting and the other amenities that the City's trail system will typically include such as shoulders • 0 August Sidewalk & Trails Meeting Minutes Page 2 and benches. Steve has been working with Cmfton, Tull, & Associates on ways to safely and effectively cross Center Street. The most feasible decision appears to be an at -grade crossing with extensive signage and other traffic control devices. They may also consider installing a slightly raised area with embedded lights to further increase pedestrian safety while using the crossing. The trail will provide access to the new Fayetteville Public Library. The library access will tmfortunately be very steep and therefore not ADA accessible but will provide a route to the library without having to use the street. The total estimated cost of Center Prairie Trail will be between $260,000 - $280,000. The anticipated bid opening for Phase 1 will take place in the next 30 — 45 days. Steve Hatfield gave an update on the West Mud Creek Trail.. The City Council held a special meeting yesterday to award the contract for West Mud Creek Trail to Sweetser Construction. The process is currently underway of obtaining all needed signatures and getting bonds into place. He reported that there was a lot of hard involved in keeping this project under budget and also in designing reduced drainage structures. He also reported a 67% decrease in the bid amount from last year. The cost savings were great and the extra funds will be utilized elsewhere. When the actual amount of extra Federal funds allotted for West Mud Creek Trail is determined, decisions will need to be made as to where the money will be used. The possibilities include enhancing the current West Mud Creek Trail contract or enhancing the connection from Front St. to East Mud Creek Trail. Bob Davis presented the question of how we currently plan for pedestrians to cross Front Street Steve reported that we currently have plans for an at -grade crossing just South of Shorty Small's parking lot entrance, which will include significant signage indicating pedestrian and bicycle traffic approaching, along with street striping. A brief discussion was held on the cmrent status of the T3 authorization / reauthorization. It is uncertain as to whether there is enhancement money available, however they are hoping that some sort of resolution will be reached. There are still opportunities available for a reauthorization. A point was made that now may be a good time to call your representatives to get this issue back in the forefront. Steve Hatfield gave an update on the Lake Fayetteville Trail Spillway Bridge. They have applied for a recreational grant to fund this project. Steve will meet tomorrow with a consultant to finalize the grant application. Steve is designing the approaches, trail, and connections from each parking lot A consultant will be doing the actual bridge design. They are both well under way on the project. The bridge will be located just south of the spillway. There are plans to include bump -outs along the actual bridge itself so that people can stop to look at the spillway or listen and rest without blocking the travel way. The maximum amount of $250,000 will be applied for in the grant. The due date for the grant application is August 29, 2003. The design is probably 75% complete on the bridge and 50% complete on the approaches. The length of the bridge will be between 250 — 300 feet. The bridge will be accessible from Veteran's Park and the North Shores softball complex. The State Historical Preservation Office recently granted clearance for a new loop trail on the north shore, near the pavilion. The trail will consist of a hard surface, natural soil August Sidewalk R Trails Mating Minutes Page 3 type of pavement. It will be a 10 foot wide, multi-purpose trail. The existing tail will receive minor adjustments to minimize erosion, but will not be taken out entirely, as there are still many citizens who enjoy this trail. There is also another grant which will allow for the installation of three informational kiosks along with trail signage for Lake Fayetteville. Steve is hoping to have this project out for bid this fall. Steve Hatfield reported on other business. Steve recently met with City Administration and the decision was made to pursue some other multi -use recreational trails this year. There are currently three small projects out to bid. The first is a loop trail around the new Senior Center. The second is a trail access along the creek from 15 Street to the northernmost parking lot of Walker Park. This would be a great addition for the children who walk near Walker Park and also for the new Skate Park. The trail would also wrap back around to College Avenue. The third project will be Phase One of the Combs Park Trail. Meeting adjourned. SIDEWALK & TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 312 0Auir 5. L,Au%A KELLY 6. $1Mi-ger1kAir 7. 8. a\„ry-,. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. PHONE NUMBER /231.p - (y/52 575-S1D0 7/8 X SS rev -0.2023? 521-4619 515le 8 ”- 4-q-2- —2.243 - 4- 2-2243 4g a - S'JWo