08/04/2010 - Minutes City ®f Tigard
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Transportation Advisory Committee [TTAC]
MINUTES
Wednesday,August 4,2010, 6:30 PM— 8:30 PM
Tigard Library, 2"d Floor Conf. Room- 13500 SW Hall Blvd,Tigard, Oregon
MEMBERS PRESENT (10):
Jeremy Vermilyea (arrived late; 6:45 pm);Christopher Warren;Anthony Rivano;Basil Christopher, Cam
Gilmour;Dennis Mitchell; Don Fox; Maureen Wolf; Steven Bass; Karen Hughart (alternate)
MEMBERS ABSENT (2):
Mike Stevenson;Jennifer Stanfield
OTHERS PRESENT:
Tigard City Council Liaison Gretchen Buchner and Carolyn Barkley
STAFF PRESENT (3):
Judith Gray, Sr. Transportation Planner;Michael McCarthy, Sr. Project Engineer; and Twila Willson, Sr.
Administrative Specialist
1. Call to Order
Judith Gray and Christopher Warren (Vice Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.
2. New Member Introductions
Judith Gray greeted all members of the committee,welcomed the new members, then each person introduced
themselves and briefly explained their interest/experience with transportation issues.
3. Committee Business
a. Roll Call—Twila Willson called the toll.
b. Minutes —The minutes of the May 5, 2010 meeting were approved as presented by unanimous
vote.
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c. Visitor Comments -None
4. Metro Project Funding—Recommendations
Mike McCarthy referenced his memorandum dated July 28, 2010 regarding"Choosing a Project for $1.6
million in available Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (1\4T IP) Funding".The $1.6 million
was previously earmarked by Metro to widen Greenburg Rd from Tiedeman Ave to Hwy 217. However the
project and money was placed on hold. It is now time to spend those funds and there certainly is a need. He
reviewed various suggested possibilities for spending the money as outlined in his memo.
Main Street Green Street Phase II—These improvements would tarty through the next phase of downtown
street and sidewalk improvements. There was concern expressed by several committee members as to how
business owners would feel about the continued disruption. Some discussion with business owners resulted in
conflicting opinions; some expressed the desire to have it done all at once while others complained that it
would create a hardship. The committee expressed a desire to be sensitive to business owners and the impact
there would be to local businesses in the downtown core. There was a recommendation to poll local
businesses in an effort to be sensitive to their wishes. Some were also concerned about the amount of money
being spent on catalyst projects downtown, and that perhaps additional money would be better spent elsewhere
while the current catalyst projects (Burnham,Main St. Phase I, etc.) take effect.
Visitor Carolyn Barkley,local business owner, expressed the fact that her business is not very accessible and
business is dying during the current construction; she is thinking of moving from the downtown area and
possibly even changing careers because of the impact.
Walnut Street Completion—This project would install sidewalks,planter strips, storm drains and bike lanes
along Walnut Street between 116th and Tiedeman by Fowler Middle School.This has been on the priority list
for many years. Right-of-Way (ROW) has been acquired for widening the street and the design was completed
some time ago,however the project was put on hold due to lack of funds.
Metro wants the improvements to focus on developing access to new developments in "centers" such as
Washington Square,Downtown Tigard, or King City Town Center. Walnut Street is a key route for citizens
going to Washington Square and to Downtown Tigard.
Pae Hn/Gaarde/McDonald—This intersection ranks as the #1 accident location in Tigard and there
already is a capacity issue there. There is not enough traffic light green time to accommodate everyone.
Improvements at this location could include adding additional lanes on Pacific Hwy, adding turn lanes, changes
to driveway access, and possible dual tum lanes onto or off of Pacific Hwy. Right-of-Way (ROW) needs to be
addressed by buying out some businesses to minimize financial impact. This project could probably be done in
phases. Congestion issues result in substantial community costs. This project would impact the most people
and provide safety improvements as well as improve a key freight route for business.
All three projects are earmarked as needed improvements and it will be difficult to decide on the best choice.
Discussion followed among the committee members about the various projects and placing parameters on
them. They discussed the possibility of rolling the gas tax into paying toward projects and how they would
meet Metro's criteria. Mr. McCarthy thought Tigard could make very good presentations for all three projects.
The committee decided that ranking each project would be best and each member ranked their order of
importance. Each voting committee member's first recommendation received three (3) points, second received
two (2) points and third received one (1) point. Through this process of calculation, their opinion for
recommendations rated Walnut Street as first choice (22 points),Pacific Hwy/Gaarde/McDonald as second
(20 points), and Main Street as third choice (12 points).
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Metro would like the committee's recommendation very soon. Councilor Buehner requested that a written
report from the committee be presented to Council explaining their recommendations. The recommendations
should be presented to Council in September.
There was a motion by Christopher Warren that was seconded by Cam Gilmour to recommend Walnut Street
as the committee's first choice, followed closely by Pacific Hwy/Gaarde/ McDonald as second choice, and
Main Street as third choice. The motion was unanimously agreed upon by all members.
5. Pedestrian/Bicycle Subcommittee Selection, Roles
Basil Christopher is the subcommittee chairperson. Mike McCarthy reported that eleven applications have
been received for eight openings on the subcommittee. All the applications look very good. Mike McCarthy
and Basil Christopher will review the applications and interview applicants in order to acquire a good mix of
bicyclist,pedestrians, etc. to fill the subcommittee. It was mentioned that not all the applicants lived or worked
in Tigard. (Some lived in the unincorporated area of Tigard and one lived in Beaverton near the border.) It was
discussed that there wasn't a requirement that members had to live within the City of Tigard.,but if good,
quality people were willing to work on this subcommittee to improve our community then they should measure
their qualities based on merit,with perhaps some preference being given to Tigard residents.
6. TriMet Pedestrian Access Study
Judith Gray presented an updated to the committee on this topic. The purpose of the regional committee,led
by TriMet,is to develop better pedestrian conditions and improvements throughout the area. The committee
identified focus areas throughout the region;in Tigard the downtown transit center area was identified for
consideration in the study. The committee selected Gresham for the initial field evaluation of pedestrian
conditions,including time spent in the field identifying specific conditions. All participating agencies are
supposed to perform similar evaluations with assistance from TriMet.Judith would like the bike/ped
subcommittee to work assist with this effort to gather information, take photos, and identify the data to
acquire. Some TTAC members suggested that they might also be available to help with field work.Judith will
keep the committee updated on this process.
7. Staff Updates
a. Main Street Green Street—The downtown parking study is underway. There are a series of open
house meetings that will be taking place at the Chamber of Commerce offices. Mike McCarthy will
email the schedule to the committee.
b. Proposed Yamhill Transit Stop on Commercial Street-Judith reported that the Yamhill transit
commuter bus is seeking a designated bus stop in downtown next to the transit center.
c. Rail-Volution—The conference is October 18. Judith distributed the conference flyers. She said
it would be a good opportunity for Tigard to network with others. Mobile tours will take place and
the WES line is included as one of the tours,which will involve Tigard staff. The cost for
registration is high,but she wanted to keep committee informed of the event.
d. HCT Planning—The formal projects have not gotten started yet, but there have been regional
project coordination and scoping taking place.
e. Construction Projects
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Burnham Street Project- Still hoping to finish the project this fall. The projected deadline is June
2011. Kodiak (contractor) will push to complete as soon as possible,but they cannot pave in the wet
winter months.
Pacific Hwy,Main. Greenberg project- Expected about the same time for completion. The project
is moving along well. Full paving won't be completed until the end of the project. A great amount of
work has been completed. The utility poles need to be moved. It's anticipated that by
October/November they will have lanes open,but not completely done.
Counselor Buehner reported that the Transportation Summit at PSU, all-day semhnar,is coming up.
Judith will send out information to committee members.
Bike Maus —these have been a big bit. Mr. McCarthy said they are now in the third printing. Some
suggested submitting the bike map for awards.
Dennis Mitchell reported that the traffic fight project will be completed in September and will help
with traffic flow by providing better flexibility.
Yellow flashing—fights will be finished in early September.
Paving projects coming up in a few weeks: Slurry Seal in Picks Landing area south of Durham Rd and
west of 92nd Ave and in NW Tigard from about 130"'west and north of Bull Mountain.
Pavement overlays — 121st near Scholls Ferry, 72"d Ave (Baylor to Beveland),Pfaffle St, and Sequoia
Pkwy (Cardinal to Upper Boones). ARRA-funded overlays also coming on Upper Boones (72nd to
Durham), Bonita (Milton to 76 h) and Sequoia Pkwy (Bonita to Cardinal).
The sidewalk on Barrows Rd. was poured last week.
Judith Gray reported that the meeting in September will be a walking tour held outside. She will send more
information about where to meet, etc., at a later date.
8. Adjourn—The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 pm.
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Twila Willson,TTAC Secretary
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The next TTAC meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 1, (outdoor meeting place to be
announced)from 6.•30pm —8.30pm.
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