The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2005-04-13 MinutesCity of Fayetteville Sidewalk and Trails Task Force Minutes Wednesday, April 13, 2005 City Administration Building, Room 326 Members Present: Kyle Cook, Laura Kelly, Sam LaFoy, Scott Mashburn, Craig Mauritson, Surendra Singh, Sean Trumbo Public/Staff: Ginny Apperson, Gary Dumas, Terry Gulley, Steve Hatfield, John McLarty, Ron Petrie, Adam Wallworth Meeting called to order by Kyle Cook. Craig Mauritson made a motion to approve the February 2005 meeting minutes. A second was given and the motion passed. .. Gary Dumas and Ron Petrie presented the proposed Transportation Improvement Plan. Approximately three years ago the need for a Transportation Improvement Plan was recognized. A transportation study was 'bonducted which included citizen surveys that identified several million dollars worth of immediate improvements currently needed to satisfy existing transportation needs. Traffic, *spoliation, access and mobility were identified as some of the primary citizen concerns. These results were combined with various other elements of the study and presented to the Street Committee. The Street Committee then added eight additional projects which are now included in the proposed Transportation lmproveinent Plan.. During the planning stages of the proposed Transportation Improvement Plan, the need for trail access and alternative transportation accommodations was recognized and is now includedin the Proposed phut' After considering various ideas and comments, the plan is proposing the construction of six foot sidewalks along both sides of each newly constructed or improved street along with a three foot expansion to the outer lane of each street. This would allow adequate space between pedestrians, cyclists and passing motorists. It was determined that these improvements could be accomplished while remaining within theMudget identified in the proposed plan. A few streets that were previously planned to receive three lanes, including Cato Springs and Old Wire, may end up being reduced to two lanes with the addition of turning lanes where appropriate. The plan for a short section of Zion Rd may also be changed in this way. These changes will occur, without the elimination of sidewalks and underground drainage, in order to reduce costs thus allowing for the above mentioned improvements to occur throughout the areas proposed in the plan. Sidewalk and Trails Task Force Mating Minutes • Page 2 Ideas and options were discussed which could involve improvements to areas near the University of Arkansas campus. One idea mentioned would involve a connection between Arkansas Ave. and Gregg Ave. There are several options being considered, by both the City and the U of A, for the design and exact mute of this connection. Another significant improvement included in the proposed plan could create an additional route for travel between College Ave. and I-540, which would allow traffic to avoid using the intersection of Joyce Blvd. and College Ave. to access the interstate. The plan also includes a cost share between the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and the City of Fayetteville, which was agreed upon by the City Council last year. The cost share would include improvements to the east side of Fayetteville spanning from Mission Blvd. to the City Limits. These improvements would cost an estimated $7,500,000.00, which would require the majority of the City's Capital Improvement budget for the next four years. Acquiring finding for this project will be essential to allow for remaining CIF funds needed for other projects throughout the next four years. Several proposed projects involve areas that are the property of the Arknocns State Highway and Transportation Department. Most of these'are considered "to be determined" until the State provides their decision as to whether or not they will participate in each of these projects. They have indicated a willingness to participate but they will not provide a definite answer, with details, on the amount of funding available and which streets they would include, until 2007: The current funding proposal estimates the need for $162,000,000.00 to complete the improvements included in the plan. Laura Kelly brought a handout created -for use by cities during the planning of trails and paths. The articlei+eports thatshared-use piths next to roadways often do not function well due to problems involving bicycle use. Conflicts at intersections and driveways are a primaryconcem when considering these paths. The source of these problems lies in the fact that cyclists may travel against the flow of traffic when using the trails and paths, which makes it.very difficult or even impossible to follow standard traffic rules and regulations. Kyle Cook initiated a discussion of the resolution draft which has been created and distributed to all Sidewalk and Trails Task Force members for discussion and editing. The purpose of this resolution will be to present this committee's request for the allocation of a certain percentage of the funding received from the Transportation Bond issue, to be dedicated for the construction of alternative transportation facilities and accommodations. An in-depth discussion was held about this resolution. Task Force members presented their ideas, concerns, and suggestions regarding the most effective way to approach the issue and details of how their ideas and goals should be expressed through this document. Sidewalk and Trails Task Forte Meeang Minutes Page 3 The discussion resulted in some changes being made to the resolution. The Task Force members supported and agreed upon the final changes. Kyle Cook read the final resolution draft aloud. Sam LaFoy made a motion to approve the final resolution. Laura Kelly gave a second and the motion passed. The resolution will be presented to the Street Committee during their next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. Terry Gulley gave an update on current sidewalk construction. The sidewalks on Beechwood Ave. have been completed. Current sidewalk projects include Church St. and Locust Ave. Improvements will also soon be made to West St., including sidewalk construction along with paving. This project will include a much needed piece of sidewalk in front of Grubs Bar & Grill. Crews are in the process `of constructing connections, where they have been missing, along Gregg Ave. from Poplar to North St. Surveys have been completed to identify city right of way.along Lawson St., south of Asbell Elementary School. The Transportation Division is currently planning a neighborhood meeting on Lawson St, during which potential sidewalk; drainage, and street improvements will be discussed with area residents. Steve Hatfield gave an update on current trail projects. The only current project is the Lake Fayetteville Trail Spillway Bridge. The bridge construction has been completed. The grading is basically complete for.the trail section. Construction is currently delayed due to inclement weather, but will be finished within a fewvcorking days. The connections between East and West Mud Creek Trails have 'been completed along Front St. Other Business — Laura Kelly spoke briefly on behalf of the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks. This group promotes bicycle advocacy for both cyclists and non -cyclists. More information can be obtained by contacting BCO through e-mail at bco@cavem.uark.edu. Name Sidewalk & Trails Task Force Sip In Sheet Date: V1 I 3? 2 Cj Phone Organization u 4p5-1,t4?r 0ti4)4kf1-f3Ni3 Trans yam,-h'r,- Sr179- C. 7g-530 7- /J,,� 2 ,„b.tte o / 443 - ¢5/L -e ,See', 14ufm 4'y' -9s ?/ /1� 4-(q , 521. 1-619 BiotinQAtorou effhe j -A,. KELLY tlR ILr�j lc "(sok. 521-x',,37 GL cog- so/. 7/6P PRs18 q 7 4IZoe! a . a 7 . 8[,, 7i h.t�.�/ ,/ calque 3VI / .724 Aa an. C 9Th � a?rr2a 57S-8Lo4�� "1�`lY �`3 "-cam j,7Q °4. ly�,.t7 °f 4) 17/2 �ls�yin..,/ /947)M 7 a» ULM .71-4^rzf(,&ms 4,L"'j Y.a,