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2012-05-15 TPC Minutes I I I • Transportation and Parking CommissionCity of Northampton r 210 Main Street,Room 18 autt, Northampton,MA 01 060 JuS111 _ (413) 587-1210 www.n o rt h a m pfon m a.g ovLtp c MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 15, 2012 City Council Chambers, Puchalski Municipal Building 4:02 p.m.—6:14 p.m. Members Present: Eugene Tacy, Deborah Bruce, Leslie Stein, James Lowenthal, Gary Hartwell, Owen Freeman-Daniels;Ned Huntley, Russell Sienkiewicz, Wayne Ferden Members Absent: Paul Sustick Others Present: Laura Hanson, DPW Meeting called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chair Eugene Tacy... Quorum met. 1. Public Comment a. Parking at St. Valentine's Church, King St. —Christine Newmann, Parish Committee Chair ■ Expressed delight at the proposal to install two metered parking spaces in front of the Church, and thanked Ms. Hanson for the recommendation and hopes TPC will expedite. b. Traffic Calming, Union St. —Tim Van Epps, 3 8 Union St. ■ Acknowledged counters installed and that there are approximately a thousand cars a day on Union St.,, reiterated that he and his wife are willing to pay for temporary speed humps to be installed; MOTION, Mr. Freeman-Daniels, to Close Public Comment; Seconded, Ms. Stein, Motion Carried. _ .2... Approval of Minutes of April 171.20 12 ■ Ms. Stein-,sought c-lar-ification of multiple-Items, which led to the following modifications: 1 f E t i I -Motion to Re-open 1'u Ic omment was move to etweeri Ageri a Items 3& Y�- 4, and identified as Agenda Item 1 c (w/footnote),; -Agenda Item 1 c, bulleted items 5 & 6, were moved to Agenda Item 1 b, creating the Discussion section; --Agenda Item 3, bulleted Item 5: the phrase ". . . a subcommittee" is replaced by"a parking subcommttte "; -Agenda Item 3: Motion to Table was, by consensus, confusing and was stricken- -Agenda Item 6: The phrase "Deemed Covered in Item 3" is replaced by "No Discussion"; ■ Chair Tacy corrected the spelling of Mr. Yacuzzo's name. MOTION, Mr. Huntley, to Approve Minutes as Amended; Seconded,Mr. Freeman- Daniels; Abstained, Mr. Lowenthal; Motion Carried, 3. Discussion of Revisions to ordinances' —Mayor David J. Narkewicz ■ Presented a series of ordinance updates as recommendations, leaving to TPC the option to change or amend them; said he submitted his budget, which includes a reorganization of the TPC, differentiating into two divisions, maintenance and enforcementicollection, and including: - 922-115 TPC'Membership: while removing the reference to the Parking Director, and replacing the position with the Director of Central Services, and introducing the position of Traffic Engineer to work on the TPC staff; acknowledged Ms. Hanson as someone who's been doing the work to-date; mentioned Chris Mason on the Energy & Sustainability Commission as another example; - 422-119 TPC Powers & Duties: replaced "Parking Director" with"Director of Central Services"; said the language also clarifies jurisdictions between what was the Parking Director's and the DP W's; assigned parking zoning authority to the TPC what was once the Parking Director's as it pertains to the Central Business District; - #22-120 TPC Bylaws, Rules &Procedures: suggested TPC change language from "shall appoint" a parking subcommittee to "may appoint" to provide TPC the option on the matter; - #22--121 TPC Parking.Receipts: replaces the Parking Director with the City Collector as the one providing TPC with annual reports of all parking monies collected; - #22--123 TPC Stang: again, the Traffic Engineer to serve ex--officio to the TPC as staff when not voting as designee by DPW; 4140-5.fist of.enforcement Officers, Penalties; etc.: removed language as it 1 Item out of sequence with 5/15/12 Agenda 2 t I I pertainedto Parking Director; .___._.__.� - 428-10 & #28-11 Responsibilities of Parking Director: said language makes TPC more involved with decision-making and maintenance of lots. • Entreated the TPC to go over the language of the updates and suggest further changes or approve as is and forward to the City-Council. Discussion • Chief Sienkiewicz said parking enforcement officers had authority to write tickets, but would double-check; • Chair Tacy inquired as to time-frame; was instructed the sooner/the better, but that the Budget goes into effect July 1 and would codify ordinances by then; • Mr. Feiden suggested the Director of the Board of Health should participate; • Consensus to put ordinance updates on next meeting's Agenda(6119112). MOTION,Mr. Freeman-Daniels, to Continue with ordinances as Proposed by Mayor David J. Narkewiez until Next Meeting; Seconded, Ms. Stein, Motion Carried. 4. ordinance: Amend 312-36 Parking Meter Locations and Regulations—Parkin Passes (Referred by City Council of April 5, 2012)2� ■ Mr. Freeman-Daniels referenced his "lengthy memo" (dated 5115112)that offered a set of ordinance changes to the Code with respect to TP C's vote to raise monthly parking passes to $60, and suggested it be considered as an alternative measure; wondered why the CoC didn't send a representative to the meeting; questioned whether permits were being issued for all long-term lots; added some other points: - clarification of what one is buying the permit for; - long-term lots that were raised $0.251hr are now identified as Zones 3C & 4C; - all 10-hour red-capped parking is consolidated into Zone 3 D, thus creating two classes of permits and prices: $30 for long-term only, and $60 for long-term lots AND 10-hour meters; - TPC to have discretion over how many passes are sold as data indicates fee increases from long-term lots was only 66% whereas the 10-hour meters were 100%; suggested that a 100% increase where the lots see only a 66% increase is disproportional; - review 4 possible goals for issuing passes: price discount, convenience, commerce, and revenue; - expressed concern that the fee increase is raising revenues on the backs of Northampton's workers; - received feedback from downtown providers via CoC. survey that specific private lots provided,those with specific slots and those without, cost less than Z zbid 3 f E- E the $60/mo proposed by the City, another reason not to raise the current rate, -recommended in.conclusion to leave the long-term lots at$30/mo and raise the red-capped 10-hour meters to $60/mo; * Ms. Stein clarified the long-term lots as having ticket machines and 10-hour spots are me ered and on the street; • Mr. Feiden said he likes the two-tier system,though thinks the long-term should still be raised above $30/mo; added that fees might reflect occupancy of lots, e.g.,higher vacancy should mean lower rates/higher occupancy, higher fee, etc.; said that lower rates might apply to the Roundhouse lot, West St., and maybe Pleasant St., etc.; • Mr. Lowenthal dismissed the"raising rates 100%" argument citing a rate increase from$1 to $5 as a 500% increase could still be an acceptable increase in the market of supply & demand; reemphasized his support for the increase as a"just enough" incentive for drivers to consider walking or biking into town; Mr. Freeman-Daniels countered that drivers will simply park farther away, which he deemed unfair to neighborhood residents; reemphasized his belief that the hike in rates was a mistake; • Chief Sienkiewicz proposed letting the ordinance go through, then revisit the matter in six months to determine if the lots are selling out, and, if not, conclude the rates were raised too high and thus could be brought down again; said support for the raise to $60 is shared at the police department; • Chair Tacy observed that he hasn't head too much difficulty finding parking spaces in town; expressed concern that the rate hike was implemented purely as a revenue generator, or seen as such (vs. a means to alleviate parking problems downtown); • Ms. Bruce proposed raising rates from $30 to $45 rather than $60; MOTION,Mr. Freeman-Daniels to Recommend Code as Amended (page 2: from $30 to $45) to City Council; Seconded, Mr. Huntley; Role Call Vote—In Favor: Ms. Bruce, Ms. Stein, Mr. Hartwell, Mr. Huntley, Mr. Freeman-Daniels; opposed: Chair Tacy,Mr. Feiden, Mr. Lowenthal, Chief Sienkiewicz; Motion Carried. 5. TemDorary Parking on Section of Middle Street—Chief Sienkiewicz Said there was targeted enforcement albeit with no systematic plan or analysis; No discussion... _ 6... Traffic Calming Sum mar —Laura Hanson DPW 4 E I i i i , � J'resented a two-page spreadsheet o tab es r-'-anking projects 21 projects and entitled"overall Ranking for Traffic Calming Projects in Northampton, MA (as of May 2012)"; * Explained the table structure as follows: - each project summarized with respect to volume, speeding, crashes, sidewalks, lanned DP-W work;P-ED-activity;neighbor-support;Pace-Car participate, alternative funding, and waiting list; - summarized most of the projects with comments and some discussion amongst the Commission members; - First page with 11 TCRs, second with 10; said grayed columns are those projects already taken care of; - offered TCRs 19-21 for future votes; Discussion ■ Ms. Stein commented on Union St. and the prospect of speed humps being implemented; • Mr. Lowenthal inquired about State St. being "on-hold" for more funding and a prospective need to narrow the street; ■ Ms. Bruce sought clarification about procedure for TCRs, which are brought forth by DPW, City Council, or residents; ■ Mr. Huntley said the issue of capital improvements has not been as yet determined. 7. New Traffic Calming Request--Fruit Street ■ Mr. Freeman-Daniels said Tony Hoschatt(?) of 20 Fruit Street turned in a TCR on April 5 I expressing concerns of AM/PM rush hours,pedestrian/bicycle safety, high-traffic volume, speeding vehicles, parking issues, sign placement, difficulty in crossing street, implementing parking meters, etc. ■ Chair Tacy acknowledged general confusion as to how item got on Agenda and suggested it be addressed for next month's meeting so that residents could attend and address the Commission. Postponed to next month... S. DPW Updates—Ned Huntley & Laura Hanson • North St. bids were opened; contract awarded to Caracas Construction; to begin construction in late June, utilities done by end of the year; pavement to be finished in 2013; • Preconstruction of Market&North Sts. to commence first week in June; Crack-sealing to be done-on Ding-St., Pleasant'St.;parts of-Main--St., Damon Rd., etc.; 5 x I i l i • - �d to has a a�in contract for_Iockanum Rd. The Sta p g 9. New Business a. Mr:L-owenthal • Norwadic Rail Trail at 25%... • This is Nat'l Bike week;Northampton's big bike breakfast set for 5115112 at the Courthouse. b. Ms. Stein * Secondary bus stops; PVTA to weigh in; signs being put up to alert public, starting at Elm St. near Cooley Dickenson, and Leeds. c. Mr. Feiden • Projects to be funded include the Park &Ride lots in Leeds,`near the VA, and sidewalks along Damon Road to the Big Y; d. Mr. Freeman-Daniels... ■ Farmers Market; Maxie wechter; C SAs; Farms... MOTION, Chief Sienkiewicz, to Adjourn; Seconded, Mr. Freeman-Daniels; Motion Carried--6.14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Gregory P. Ammons Johnson&Hill Staffing 6 f i 1 1 ! f [ 'r I City of Northampton -.As of: 5/16/2012.. Traffic Calming Request Ranking Ex ___ p lanation of Items _... __.. __. _ __.._...__ _.___.. �.. 1. volume Manual: Up to 5 points�l point for each 1000 vehicles per day. Change: Up to 10 paints for each 1,000 vehicles per day(greater than 500 vehicles will be rounded up one point). Use the highest volume street if there is a neighborhood evaluation. (ex. Prospect Street (TC6): Counted 9,516 vehicles per day would be given 10, with an indicating which Street or Utility Pole (UP#) where the volume was collected .} Re: Volume is very important and should be emphasized more, plus there are streets in Northampton with higher volumes of traffic. •r i;i''•'•S,ry.rrr:fit 2. Speeding 'ice..✓• YY.j;-..:.'[:-.' Manual. U to 10 points-Using measured 85th erc�htile`sp'ee;d (highest from both directions}, Up p g p :.; Y2. point for each mile per hour starting at 10 m.ph.�.over the sped limit. Change: Up to 10 points Using measured 85Y `percentile speed1YpRo�nt for each mile per hou r over the speed limit. Use the highest:;�p"�'•ed street if there 's.'.•f.a. >ne�gh bo rh vod evaluation. h'r.sP<Act,_: ual 85 30 mph h ex• Mvntview Neighborhood (TC5): Halkeeet Speed limitW25 m would b e 5}■ ���fir,}; .;•I•.:•:•,R n, f�:. ,[i, ri.,,i•iii;µ::rl'` e,•M1�'ji:: R e Speed i s very important s n d ds haul d be em p h.v.,a.s.i.z ed` �;o re; '1:'f':f]:{'+11'i1•7. 41.7{{[i:T�:}'"ce;,:.�}:1.:.i ,i.#^.i. 3 Crashes / . Manual: Up to 10 paints-1 point fors' .ach�c per year r ased.on the three-year average �_e: ragsh ,..«r. .A.., , Change: Up to 10 points-2 points f�``r''each cr'a[sh'p'e.r year bas; Yd,on the five-year average ;,.- LL °c-ri s7, t�•... T:C:7.`�::>r 'r:GKLT. J.4, usin the hi hest th'r `e a:c ident inters'lions ',i` er than 0'5=-.' ill be rounded up one oint ■ (ex. State 5trefet: 4 : Used:{three areas forrcalcul`atiori­'b4 ed,on 2004-2008 accident data: State St�k&Trumbull Rd Entersectian• 5�+4+5+4+4=22 accidents} State St &F�ln-n'gSt inter_5:',ction (3+5+2'*�..$+2=20 accidents} f$St�at:e.;Street (2v+-,Ak6+3*"�. 3:-1��~a:cc i d e n is tl i \ . f'� ON."'N'rrr�. r..c: !r I.'.:�,,.��}[fS 1'}•ili'i i 'Y�3i i1r _:�:'f'. ✓[r C3'[.."s A7.yy,•v'.•• +R 7:.']->{{.7T:�fm s':;;t ffG;.N[Q!'�.fJ."'N';.T"i i+ ..4�•;: .5�:t.i 4 LY f.1 i. n _.•,[7 LYy,=`;�.-.. Ranfrn virouldbe ears 3rr=�- terseEcti`ans - 4 x Z points - S total pints rRe��5 lhcrease the=em s hasps'fo:rthis statist�cl�b tu:t�lizin more data and issue more points. �i:i�], us:ua;lly we look at t`h, .p:ast 5 yeafrs:of crashes for a warrant analysis (MUTCD), l fn.tinM!n.[ ''�fC 3 5334 5.,'r'}>i:? •ti J•j1 7; 40 Sidewalks :::tY L;.r�''.3.u'in Manual: u`��4to:.10 oints-§;,""``:;'' ; 10 points if no sidewalk. p p points �f sidewalk on one side of streets p Change: N v n'e;:<r}}Y. ,:„ hex. Austin CircleC9}: R`e `eijved 10 points since there are no sidewalks on the street.) 5. Planned DPW Roadwork � Manual: 50 points-50 points if roadway has been programmed for DPW resurfacing, Rehabilitation, or reconstruction in the next 5 years. Change: Up to 100 points-one point per$1,000 of funding up to$100,000. (ex. Conz St (TC20): Earned 104 points because it was a planned construction DPW project for _ --201.1-that-.cast--app-rgximately. $7QQ,QQQ, utilizi.ng-funds from the State Depa.rt_m.ent of Transportation {Chapter 90} and the Community Block Grant (CDBG).) Page 1/2: M:\Traffic/Traffic Calming\TCA Ranking\TCA Ranking_ltem Eva l.uation_o51.62o12.doc i t 1 i r City of Northampton As of. 5/16/2012 Traffic Calming Request Ranking p Ex anation of-Items 6. Pedestrian Activit Manual: Up to 10 points-Points given for high pedestrian activity centers. Change: Up to 10 points-Using the following scoring system within the impacted area (one—half mile from suggested street or neighborhood requesting traffic calming): (School/College= 1 point, Playground/Park=1 point, Hospita1=1 point,CDBC Vicinity= 1 point, Retail Business=1 point/Population=up to 5 points using the census 2010-blockgroups population map, (ex. Baystate Association (TC1)., Total of 9 points: Northampt`an, High School (1), Maines Field (1), Cooley Dickinson Hospital (1), CDBG (area #8216022 1`) :Business (1) and Population (4)}. Re: Needs to specify points for activities in a neighbo_rhv `d.for clarity. .t,�[r�J. j is .3� •, 7. Neighborhood Support , :. 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