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MINUTES OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING City of Chandler, Webex Meeting +1-415-655-0111 Access Code: 2591 910 1180 Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL Commissioner Hardin called the meeting to order at approximately 4:15 p.m. Members in Attendance: Vice Chair John Repar Commissioner Sam Enoch Commissioner Ron Hardin Commissioner David Heineking Members Absent: Chair Dan Henderson Commissioner Dean Brennan Commissioner Donald Smith Staff Members Present: Ryan Peters, Strategic Initiatives Director John Knudson, Director of Public Works & Utilities (call-in) Kevin Lair, Transportation Manager, Public Works & Utilities (call-in) Kimberly Moon, Capital Projects Manager, Public Works & Utilities (call-in) Warren White, Principle Engineer, Public Works & Utilities (call-in) John Owens, Downtown Redevelopment Specialist, Cultural Development Jason Crampton, Transportation Planning Manager Sasha Pachito, Transportation Planning Coordinator Nancy Jackson, Recording Secretary/Transportation Planning Coordinator Others Present None 2. SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES None. 3. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of the Minutes of the Transportation Commission Regular Meeting of January 19, 2022. Transportation Commission Minutes September 21, 2022 Page 2 of 6 Vice Chair Repar requested a motion for approval of the minutes for the May 18, 2022, Transportation Commission meeting. Commissioner Heineking made the motion to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2022. Commissioner Hardin seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with the modifications, 4-0 by all Commission members present. 4. ACTION AGENDA Intergovernmental Agreement between the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the City of Chandler for the Chandler Protected Bike Lanes Study. Ms. Sasha Pachito, Transportation Planning Coordinator gave a brief presentation on the Chandler Protected Bike Lane Study. Y2K Engineering was selected to complete the study using a grant in the amount of $75,440 and a local match of $4,560. Ms. Pachito stated the staff is recommending that the Transportation Commission approve the study. The next step would be to take it to the October City Council Agenda. Commissioner Repar asked how many miles were being considered. Mr. Jason Crampton replied that there are over 300 miles of bike lanes in Chandler in both arterial and collector streets. Not all will be considered depending on if there is enough space available to add protection. Those bike lanes that meet criteria will be ranked and resources allocated. Commissioner Enoch reconfirmed that this study is to determine which areas are going to be best suited and how much the cost will be. Commissioner Hardin asked if any public comments had been received. He questioned if all citizens understand the priority. Ms. Pachito stated that just yesterday a citizen requested a protected bike lane. Commissioner Heineking shared that people that are just learning to ride or considering taking up riding would be more inclined to do so if there were a protected bike lane. Commissioner Enoch asked if schools would be considered as part of the criteria in the study. Mr. Crampton responded that he believed bike lanes near schools would be part of the criteria in determining protected bike lanes. Transportation Commission Minutes September 21, 2022 Page 3 of 6 Commissioner Heineking made the motion to recommend approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the City of Chandler for the Chandler protected bike lanes feasibility study, with a local match not to exceed $4,560. Commissioner Hardin seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0 by all Commission members present. 5. Discussion Downtown Pedestrian Projects Update Jason Crampton, Transportation Planning Manager introduced John Owens, Downtown Redevelopment Specialist, Cultural Development. Mr. Owens defined where Downtown Chandler is. He explained that key to downtown redevelopment is fostering economic growth through redevelopment, building an 18-hour downtown, creating a distinct sense of place, walkability, opportunities for innovation, being the heart of the community, and welcoming to all. There is very little vacancy downtown and new projects include housing units, restaurants and bars, gathering spaces, infrastructure improvements and growth in the Downtown South area. Mr. Owens talked about the Pedestrian and Wayfinding Plan for the Downtown area. Information was gathered about why people are downtown, where they park, and where they go. Signage will be created based on this information. Ashley and Paseo Trails Connection Study Mr. Jason Crampton provided an update on the Ashley and Paseo Trails study. The study looks at creating safer trail connections across major roads in the city. One intersection identified for the installation of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) is Ashley Trail where it crosses Cooper Road. An extension of the trail is being proposed to connect the Paseo Trail to the Ashley Trail. Currently there is no pedestrian or bicyclist crossing at this multi-lane intersection. Commissioner Hardin asked what feedback was received from the four houses that border the project? Mr. Crampton responded that a letter was sent out a month ago to the homeowners in the area and no one has responded to the letter. During the HOA meeting the project received positive feedback. Commissioner Hardin asked if there were any accidents reported at the intersection? Mr. Crampton responded that none have been reported. Transportation Commission Minutes September 21, 2022 Page 4 of 6 Paseo Trail/Chandler Boulevard & Cooper Road/Paseo Trail There are two intersections at Paseo Trail and Chandler Boulevard & Cooper Road and Paseo Trail that are being evaluated. Proposed improvements for Paseo Trail/Chandler Boulevard may include a midblock pedestrian traffic signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, or maintain the existing conditions with a pedestrian refuge island. Proposed improvements for Cooper Road/Paseo Trail may include a pedestrian hybrid beacon (North), a pedestrian beacon (South), or an installation of a traffic signal. Commissioner Heineking asked if there was anyway to make the crossing at Cooper Road/Paseo Trail less appealing to cross? Mr. Crampton said it could be considered if other improvements are not applied. Paseo Trail/Queen Creek Road & McQueen Road/Paseo Trail Mr. Crampton explained the crossing data from the study. The solution includes diverting the Paseo Trail traffic to the newly installed light at Queen Creek and Airport Boulevard. The McQueen Road/Paseo Trail crossing will have a proposed diversion near Airport Boulevard. Commissioner Hardin asked if there was a way to accelerate any of these plans? Mr. Crampton responded that it may be possible to pursue close out funding to accelerate the projects. Transportation Projects Update Ms. Pachito reviewed the following projects: Chandler Flex- We are two months into the program. 4,560 rides have been completed since the start of the program. Hamilton High was a top destination with other top locations being the Chandler Mall, Intel, and the Chandler library. Ride ratings are approximately 4.77 stars out of 5.0. Forty percent were shared rides with an average distance of 3.8 miles. The fare will be $2 per ride starting October 1, 2022 but will remain free for students. Commissioner Hardin asked how many of the 4,560 riders were kids. Ms. Pachito responded that approximately 1,500 were students. Commissioner Enoch asked if the rides will be available for after school programs or is it just to the school? Ms. Pachito responded that the rides starting at the school are typically going home or to some other after school program. Transportation Commission Minutes September 21, 2022 Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Hardin asked that once the program has been fully established, can we go back and look at the data and possible forecasting for Chandler Flex? Mr. Crampton responded that they can look at that information later. Shared Mobility Program – The program started a year ago. Different vendors have been employed, but currently Bird continues to be the provider. Staff is currently still accepting application from other vendors. Complaints are minimal and most relate to improper parking. First-Mile, Last Mile-The program is a partnership with Lift and has had steady growth. Rides average approximately 3.04 miles in length and cost the City, on average, $5.52 per ride. October Bus Service Changes-Two routes will have service changes. Route 156 (Chandler Blvd.) will improve peak hour service to 15 minutes. Route 541 (Express) will be eliminated. Route 96 (Dobson Rd.) will have no changes but is considering eliminating the South of Pecos in April of 2023. Mr. Crampton reviewed the following projects: Construction Complete: Gilbert Road (Ocotillo-Chandler Heights) Alma School Road (Pecos-Germann) Under Construction: Cooper Road (Alamosa - Riggs) – Completion in Winter 2022 Chandler Heights Road (McQueen – Gilbert) – Completion in Winter 2022 Coming Soon: Ocotillo Road – Construction begins Winter 2022 Chandler Heights Road (Gilbert-Val Vista) – Winter 2023 Hamilton Street (Appleby-Carob) – Fall 2023 Lindsay Road (Ocotillo – Hunt) – 2024 Kyrene Branch/Highline Canal Path Mr. Crampton gave an update on the Kyrene Branch/Highline Canal Path project. An open house public meeting was held on August 22, 2022 with 35 attendees. The City has received 13 Comment Cards and 1 letter. There were five positive comments, five negative comments, and four neutral comments. Final design will begin in 2023. Commissioner Heineking asked about the concerns the residents had? Mr. Crampton replied that the concern was it would bring more people into the area. Transportation Commission Minutes September 21, 2022 Page 6 of 6 Another concern is an increase in trash and dog waste. The latter issue should improve because the City will be maintaining the path. Frye Rd. Protected Bike Lanes Mr. Crampton updated the Commission on the protected bike lane project on Frye Road. A consultant is preparing the design plans and the Downtown Art Project will have four unique art designs, eight panels each. The CUSD Student Art Project will have three unique designs from San Marcos Elementary, Frye Elementary and Bologna Elementary. Commissioner Enoch asked how long is the lifespan of the artwork? Mr. Crampton responded that this will need to be evaluated. I-10 Wild Horse Pass This study is close to completion. Two-thirds of the funding is in place. Chandler Prop 400 Extension Projects The Governor vetoed the proposal to add an initiative on the ballot to provide an extension of the sales tax that funds regional transportation projects and services critical to Chandler residents. Other funding sources are being evaluated. 6. MEMBER COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 7. CALENDAR The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 8. ADJOURNMENT With no further items, Commissioner Hardin requested a motion to adjourn at 5:58 p.m. Commissioner Heineking made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 p.m. and Commissioner Enoch seconded the motion. _________________________________________ _____________________________________ Dan Henderson, Chairman Nancy Jackson, City of Chandler