Loading...
2011-04-19 TPC MinutesTransportation and Parking Commission City of Northampton 210 Main Street, Room 18, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 587 -1210 www.northamptonma.gov /tpc MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 19, 2011 City Council Chambers, Puchalski Municipal Building 4:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. Members Present: Maureen Carney, Ned Huntley, Russell Sienkiewicz, Wayne Feiden, Debin Bruce, Gary Hartwell, William Letendre, Laura Hanson Members Absent: Paul Sustick, Leslie Stein, James Lowenthal, Jesse Adams Others Present: Laura Hanson, DPW; Eugene Tacy, Ward 7 Meeting called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Chair, Maureen Carney. Quorum met. 1. Public Comment — Cook's Dam Parkin a. Councilor Eugene Tacy, Ward 7 Councilor Tacy said parking near the Dam has been a problems for 3 years, involving blocking the streets, trash, and possible break -ins, although whether the latter is causally related is inconclusive. He has received numerous calls and emails from constituents on the matter, adding that it has been discussed with Northampton police on numerous occasions, including with Captain Savino and Capt. Koncas, which he assured has made steps toward resolving the issue. Residents have expressed appreciation, he added, and that consistent patrolling in the area has reduced the problem. Other remedies have included installing No Parking and No Trespassing signs by the police and Look Park (owners of the property). The signs are made of paper and are temporary; as such they often get torn down and thrown away. Therefore, he said he would push for additional hard signage during the Announcement segment at the Council meeting later this week. And he asked to be advised as to the best way to proceed. Discussion, Q &A • Chair Maureen Carney pointed out the matter was not on this month's agenda and suggested doing just that on next month's agenda, so that it's posted and affording those with something to say on the matter to do so for the public comment. • Councilor Tacy confirmed there were residents who would want to speak, although many of the swimmers are not residents and likely would not participate. • Chair Carney observed the water was accessible from Look Park via the bike trails from downtown. • Debin Bruce pointed out that one had to pay a recreational fee to access the water through Look Park. • Chair Carney countered there was no walk -in fee; people could walk in and not have to pay. • Councilor Tacy wanted attention be turned to out -of- towners' accessing the water from the Country Club parking lot as a continuing problem, even as the concerns of drug paraphernalia and trash has been largely remedied by stepped - up police patrols. He suggested permanent No Parking /Tow Zone signs as the solution. • Chief Russell Sienkiewicz asked if the private property owners were on -board with that as a solution, and clarified the area in question was near the bridge around Arch Street. And he said the Country Club does a good job in monitoring who was parked in their lot. He further suggested a proposed ordinance to address the situation. • Chair Carney suggested the matter be put on next month's agenda or Councilor Tacy can bring it before the City Council, even though that would mean it would be referred back to the Commission. • Ms. Bruce asked how long the temporary signs have been up (August of last year). • William Letendre offered to write the ordinance provided he was given the parameters, i.e., "the wording of from where to where," etc. • Councilor Tacy assured Mr. Letendre he'd be in touch on that point, and then departed the meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes of March 15, 2011 MOTION, Chief Sienkiewicz, to Approve Minutes; seconded, Mr. Letendre; noted by Ms. Bruce, Scribner errors; Motion carried. 3. Report on Passenger Rail Service a. Chair Carney observed member James Lowenthal as not in attendance inasmuch he requested an update on this matter; and the one to give the update in lieu has to leave at 4:30 p.m. She then suggested dispensing with the Minutes of 3/15. Discussion, Q &A • Bill Letendre alerted the Commission to all hi -speed rail funding for Connecticut and Massachusetts has been eliminated in the House version of the Congressional spending bill, adding that more information would be available by the May meeting. MOTION, Mr. Letendre, to Continue; seconded, Chief Sienkiewicz; Motion carried. 4. Amend Ordinance 312-99—Violations and Penalties a. Chair Carney said this and the subsequent ordinance (Item 5) was presented before the City Council upon recommendation by the Mayor and Parking Director, and deferred to Mr. Letendre. b. Mr. Letendre explained #312 -99 is revising the standard parking violations in the Article of Penalties and Repeals from Group B status of $10.00 (including spaces in front of the Theater, Hotel, Fire Station and Concert Hall; double - parked; 20 feet from the corner; right wheels not at the curb; taxi zone; bus stop; private road or driveway; less than 15 feet of clearance; over 12 inches from the curb; vehicle displaying advertising; vehicle for sale; grass plot; overtime; meter space; angle space; meter violation —the last three being the important ones) to $15.00, emphasis placed on standard meter violations. Discussion, Q &A • Chair Carney inquired as to when the fine was increased from $5.00 to $10.00. • Mr. Letendre indicated that "that was before I got here, back in the 1990s." • Gary Hartwell said it was more around 1999 -2000. • Mr. Letendre concurred and said the rationale for the increase was that it was a `revenue generator for the city.' • Chair Carney pointed out to those not in attendance at last week's City Council meeting that the current suggested increase was presented by the Mayor and that it was for precisely that, to raise revenue. Also, she said, there was a 10 -year lag since the previous increase, and that this year is "the worst in budget consequences" due to cuts made by the state and otherwise. Consequently, the proposed fine increase is one of the primary ways the city can recoup some money to fund services overseen by Mr. Letendre. • Mr. Letendre corrected the Chair, saying the fine supports the General Fund for use by the city. • Ned Huntley inquired if the fine increase was in compliance or in line with other communities. • Mr. Letendre said that it was, but cautioned against comparing to fines as you go East, because they're "out of sight." • Chair Carney concurred that Boston and Cambridge, for example, were "really steep." MOTION, Chief Sienkiewicz, to Move Forward to the City Council; seconded, Ms. Bruce; Motion Carries 5. Amend Ordinance 312 -36 E.1 –Parking Meter Regs. a. Mr. Letendre said four (4) classes of meters are to be changed: - la) One -hour meters (all on Main Street) from $0.50 to $0.75/hr; - lb) Two -hour meters (in parking lots, e.g., Masonic lot, Strong lot, Armory lot, and most of the side streets, e.g., Pleasant and Gothic, etc.) from $0.50 to $0.75/hr; - 30 10 -hour meters /long -term lots from $0.15 to $0.25/hr; - 3d) 10 -hour meters (e.g., South St.) from $0.25 to $0.50 /hr Discussion, Q &A • Chair Carney noted the "first hour is still free." • Mr. Letendre said there are unintended consequences, although it works out pretty well for the police who can patrol the garage for under an hour, coming & going as they please. • Mr. Huntley inquired as to how much money could be generated if the first hour wasn't free— speculating $100K, $200K? • Mr. Letendre indicated it wouldn't be that much, suggesting, without having calculated it, that it wouldn't be more than $50K. He added that prior to implementing the "new system," people weren't using the garage and that making the first hour free prompted people to start using it. He added that "It's worked," although it's still not full every day except on the weekends. • Chair Carney noted that the increases would likely increase the use of quarters over nickels and dimes. • Ms. Bruce agreed the first - hour -free policy was a good idea and suggested increased garage fees if they're going up all over town. • Mr. Letendre explained that keeping the price the same in the garage would encourage people to use it more. • Chair Carney expressed surprise there was little to no input from the Business Community on this issue, although there would be more opportunities to do so down the road. • Mr. Letendre conveyed anecdotally the overall consensus by Business is to "go for it! "—adding that the attitude was the same the last time fees were raised. MOTION, Chief Sienkiewicz, to Move Forward with Partial Recommendation; seconded, Ms. Bruce; Motion carried. 6. DPW Updates a. Laura Hanson, DPW: Pedestrian Safety Project - MassDOT has put out their bid; about 20 crosswalks downtown to be done in thermoplastic due to be opened on April 26'; she received the email indicating they're on a selection for a contractor with the hope of starting work within "a month." She offered to provide a presentation for the next meeting to show which crosswalks are to be done; Conz Street Construction Project is available at the DPW building; contractors are picking up their contracts and plans; a pre -bid conference is scheduled on May 2 d ; a bid opening on May 9'; projected cost is $940K; the Conz St. Construction Project scope of work includes roadway, curbing, sidewalk, driveway, excavations and installations, etc. Work includes the installation of valves to the water main so that they can shut it off, Pedestrian Paddles put out on crosswalks will be going out in the next couple of weeks; residents have been requesting them back; North King St./Hatfield St. intersection RFP has gone out from the Office of Planning & Development (OPD); five (5) contractors have submitted their RFP and are under review by the DPW and OPD. A Contractor is expected to be chosen by the end of April 2011. Traffic Calming Application #12: The most recently submitted TCA will be looked at by the DPW in the near future. Ms. Hanson will try to place the traffic counters out next week (weather permitting) for more accurate counts since this week is school vacation week. Discussion, Q &A • Chair Carney noted there were mitigation funds for the development of the North/King intersection. • Wayne Feiden said that "we" did not agree with the Food Co -op, so there was money just for design; and the assumption is to get Federal and State funding. • Chair Carney responded to Ms. Hanson inquiry on Traffic Calming Application Ranking Review explaining that Councilor David Narkewicz requested a copy because folks on Pine Street are subjected to vandalism after the Commission recommended they park on the street there. • Councilor Tacy informed the Chair that South Main is in Councilor David Murphy's Ward 5. • Chair Carney conveyed an inquiry from Mr. Weisman as to whether traffic counters merely counted cars or measured speed. Ms. Hanson assured that they did measure speed, volume and vehicle type. • Mr. Feiden departed at 4:37 p.m. • Chair Carney said another traffic calming request ( #13) might be forthcoming from a Jim Montgomery for the Leeds area of Leonard St., East Center St., Front St., Upland Rd., Evergreen Rd., and Chestnut Grove. • Ms. Bruce asked if there was any mitigation money for that, and Ms. Hanson confirmed that at $47.5K from the developer. • Mr. Huntley added that the Planning Board conditions include that there be traffic calming—period. • Chair Carney said she looked forward to an update on the implementation. 7. Other Announcements a. Ms. Bruce said the Planning Board heard a soccer club application for the Oxbow Marina area; particularly noteworthy was the number of Island Road residents showing up to take issue with how bad the traffic was in the area; over the last three years, there have been two local teams playing there, now excluding Western United. She added the Planning Board's remedies were to provide a Spring permit only and to reduce the playing schedule by half. b. Middle Street - Chair Carney attached a letter from Physician Tom Quinn suggesting the 2 -hour limit on parking would be detrimental to patients as staffers who did park on the street would then be forced to park in the parking lot (where the patients now park). She added that Councilor Murphy conveyed the sentiment that staffers would be instructed, if not mandated, to park in the Church's parking lot at the end of the street, which would be a pay lot. She said Councilor Murphy had been in communication with Dr. Quinn, who sent the letter subsequent to the 3/15 Commission meeting. Consequently, she said, Councilor Murphy is instructing any who inquire to attend the Ordinance Committee meeting scheduled on May 9' at 6 p.m.; significant in that the measure on Jake Brakes has been referred back to Ordinance after vehicle operators objected to not having the opportunity to provide further input. Chair Carney suggested an advance scheduling of the items before that meeting so as to make it more convenient for the many expected to be in attendance. Discussion, Q &A • Chief Sienkiewicz asked if the Chair wanted the Commission to reconsider their vote on Middle Street in light of Dr. Quinn's letter. Chair Carney clarified that there is more to be heard about Middle Street, including from Mr. Letendre who was absent from the last meeting. And that there would be, subsequent to the Ordinance meeting, a 1st Reading and a 2nd Reading before the Council. Letendre clarified he was not in favor of the Ordinance as the problem as presented did not in fact constitute the warehousing of cars, which is when someone parks their car and lets it sit for a month or so, whereas in the case of Middle Street, employees park it in the morning and move it after work at night. Councilor Tacy informed the meeting that when the Medical Building was conceived, its intent was to be only one floor. But as planners built on that, the parking situation grew more troublesome with respect to the residents. He suggested that Florence had parking issues, not parking problems, although Middle Street is becoming a problem. Chair Carney said Mr. Feiden (who left at 4:37) had been in attendance at those meetings and would be able to expand further on the Middle Street issue. Mr. Letendre added that part of the issue is that the residents are new to the neighborhood and just don't want cars parked in front of their houses all day. No action was taken. 8. Committee and Department Head Reports Edward Square - Chief Sienkewicz reported that DPW Chief Ned Huntley, the Mayor and he met with a group of citizens and their Ward Councilor to discuss parking and snow removal problems, and the end result would be a petition asking for a declaration of public way from the residents. The Chief wanted to make T &P aware that Ned Huntley, the Mayor and he already are OK with it. Regarding an email received from a South St resident that South St. gets little traffic enforcement, Chief Sienkewicz offered several statistics about NPD efforts to disprove the claim the NPD wasn't doing anything /enough. Discussion, Q &A • Chair Carney sought clarification that there are only 4 cruisers available during any one shift; the Chief said that that was generally correct as a minimum. Motion to Adjourn, Chief Sienkiewicz; Seconded, Ms. Bruce; Approved Unanimously 5:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Gregory P. Ammons Johnson & Hill Staffing