Transportation Commission Minutes 1.18.2023
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MINUTES OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING
City of Chandler, Webex Meeting +1-415-655-0111 Access Code: 2593 465 4618
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Commissioner Enoch called the meeting to order at approximately 4:06 p.m.
Members in Attendance:
Chair Dan Henderson
Commissioner Sam Enoch
Commissioner Ron Hardin
Commissioner David Heineking
Commissioner Dean Brennan
Commissioner Donald Smith
Members Absent:
Vice Chair John Repar
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)
Dan Haskins, Principal Engineer, Public Works & Utilities (call-in)
Jason Crampton, Transportation Planning Manager
Nancy Jackson, Recording Secretary/Transportation Planning Coordinator
Others Present
Sanjay Paul, HDR (call-in)
Alan Berry (call-in)
Joe Martin, Via (call-in)
Emily Shapiro, Via (call-in)
Eileen Yazzie, Y2K Engineering (call-in)
SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES
None
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CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Transportation Commission Regular
Meeting of November 16, 2022.
Commissioner Enoch requested a motion for approval of the minutes for the
November 16, 2022, Transportation Commission meeting. Commissioner
Smith seconded the motion.
On the minutes from November 16, 2022, Commissioner Brennan requested
a reminder be sent Ms. Houston asking for follow-up on whether the right-a-
way has been given back to the city and who maintains the landscaping.
Commissioner Brennan is also asking for Mr. Knutson to provide information
regarding the condition of alley’s that had been improved a year or two ago.
The minutes were approved 6-0 by all Commission members present.
BRIEFINGS
Briefing items two and three were switched due to consultant being available
on-call. Item three, Hunt Highway Study was presented first, and the Protected
Bike Lanes Study changed to item three.
2. Hunt Highway Study
Mr. Jason Crampton, Transportation Planning Manager gave a brief slide
presentation on the Hunt Highway: Traffic Calming and Separated Bike Lanes:
Cooper to Val Vista. Mr. Jason Crampton introduced consultant Sanjay Paul of
HDR Consulting.
Mr. Crampton completed an overview of the study. The study is another design
assistant grant awarded through MAG to help complete some preliminary
design efforts on several bicycle related studies. Recently, a kick-off meeting was
complete, and staff wanted to get input from the Transportation Commission
early in the process.
Mr. Crampton reviewed the Study Area and Project Background, which was
recommended and taken directly from the Transportation Master Plan. The
Transportation Master Plan was vetted by the Commission and approved by City
Council. The study area is Cooper Rd to Val Vista and is about three miles and
borders the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). There is currently a casino
under construction in the area and this study looks at the impacts of the bike
and traffic calming options.
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A study of traffic volume and speed was conducted and noted that it was pre-
casino opening. The casino opening is tentatively scheduled for March 2023.
Noted in the slides were speeds on Gilbert that were in the 85th percentile.
Interesting take away – some vehicles were going 90 mph throughout the day.
Also, some concerns were noted that there have been some bicycle fatalities in
this area. One change that may impact speeds with the casino opening is a
change from a stop sign to traffic signal at Gilbert Rd and Hunt Highway. With
the opening of the casino, it is anticipated to have an uptick in traffic volume.
Commissioner Heineking asked if the road in that area was going to be
widened?
Mr. Crampton responded no plan to widen least Hunt Highway. Mr. Crampton
didn’t believe there were any plans to widen Gilbert Rd either. Mr. Ryan Peters,
Strategic Initiatives Director, responded to Commissioner Heineking, that
turning lanes were being added and a widening of Gilbert Rd south of Hunt
Highway. Additional intersection improvements on Hunt Highway will also
happen.
Commissioner Smith asked if Hunt Highway would be one-lane in each
direction or two?
Mr. Peters responded that it would be to widen one lane. Mr. Peters continued
stating it is complicated because it is community land that is owned by different
members of the tribe. They would have to secure all property rights along the
corridor before they could propose constructing and widening, but for now it is
just focused on the Chandler side.
Mr. Crampton continued with the briefing discussing slide titled Potential
Treatments. Right now, survey work is being completed. Staff is reviewing GRIC
Traffic and Drainage reports and looking at a variety of options and potential
solutions. The review of the developing speed calming treatments should be
completed by next month. In April, we will conduct public outreach and start
developing design and cost estimates.
Commissioner Enoch asked if there is a sidewalk on the north side that runs
the entirety of the area? Mr. Crampton responded yes and that he believes
there are no gaps in that sidewalk except for a small gap close to Cooper Rd.
Commissioner Enoch asked if that area was all Chandler owned? Mr.
Crampton responded the study will investigate this as there may be some
easements that the City will need to get from some of the Communities.
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Commissioner Heineking asked if the traffic study indicated how much more
traffic there is going to be? Mr. Crampton stated he believe that it did provide
an estimate, but it was not as significant as you would thou have thought. The
prevailing thought was that there would be a huge uptick in traffic, but maybe
at a 10% increase. Mr. Peters responded that Hunt Highway does not go
through to I-10. There are other routes more convenient for traffic, so they don’t
expect a lot to come from the west.
Mr. Crampton thanked everyone for their questions. He stated it was all just
modeling at this point and more will be known in the months when the actual
traffic counts are performed. Mr. Peters stated there is a long-range plan from
Town of Gilbert through their most recently approved bond package to punch
through Hunt Highway to the east that is expected to increase traffic. Mr.
Crampton stated he would not expect that to happen too soon as that project
is several years out and that is a massive undertaking.
Commissioner Heineking stated that all this was for protection for the bicyclist
and pedestrian and is pretty important.
Commissioner Enoch asked if there have been any more requests to PD to have
additional traffic officers out there as a deterrent for the 90+ mile per hour guys?
Mr. Peters stated that PD is constantly evaluating their resources. If they see
an increase in traffic speeds, they will respond accordingly but it ebbs and flows.
Commissioner Brennan asked for clarification from Mr. Crampton if GRIC was
going to do all the improvements at the intersection of Gilbert Rd. and Hunt
Highway? Mr. Crampton stated that Gila River Indian Community will widen the
section of Gilbert Rd to the south of Hunt Highway and are paying for the traffic
signal as well.
Commissioner Brennan also asked if there have been any meetings with the
residents along the north side of Hunt Highway? Mr. Crampton stated there
have been several public meetings that Mr. Ryan Peters was involved with, most
of those regarding the concerns residents have related to the casino.
Transportation Policy will have additional public outreach associated with this
study to look for traffic calming and bicycle/pedestrian improvements.
Commissioner Brennan stated that it sounded like there has been a lot of
cooperation between the City and GRIC. Mr. Crampton responded that there
has been fair amount of communication.
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3. Protected Bike Lane Feasibility Study
Mr. Crampton, introduced the Protected Bike Lane Feasibility Study, stating the
project kick-off meeting has occurred and it is very early on in the study.
Mr. Crampton The project goal is to increase the number of miles of protected
bike lanes around the city. There are other projects, like along Frye Rd., that are
very capital intensive and expensive. However, this study will look at other
opportunities around in the city where we can develop easier, quicker, lower
cost solutions.
Mr. Crampton stated during the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP)
development a lot of feedback was received and this slide represents that
feedback. Mr. Crampton reviewed the graphic and the different types of riders
in the community. What was found with TMP update was an overwhelming
majority of our population fall into the interested but concerned; stating they
want to get out and bike, but they don’t want to use a bike lane on an arterial
street. Studies and all that we do with our bike retention program, has us
looking to cater to this segment of the population since it is a majority. We are
trying to get people to feel more comfortable and safer. This Protected Bike Lane
Study is going to look at where the best opportunities exist for that type of
approach.
Mr. Crampton stated that the vision of the TMP Update is to develop an
environmentally friendly, multimodal transportation system. The system would
include improvements for bike and pedestrian facilities, safety, and a desire to
connect to transit and population centers. The study would also like to develop
design standards for different types of bike facilities and improve visibility,
safety, and comfort for all users. The study will also utilize count data to help
decide where improvements need to go.
Mr. Crampton moved to review the status of the Frye Rd Protected Bike Lane.
This is a two and a half-mile corridor of Frye Rd. west of downtown and connects
to the Paseo Trail. We are currently at 60% design plans and hope to get to
construction later this year or early in 2024.
This study has a CIP that was approved last year with a local match and
implementation funds to help install some of these protected bike lanes over
the years. Every other year we are looking to receive roughly a couple of
hundred thousand dollars to help install a half-mile in each direction or one mile
in one direction.
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The study was funded through a MAG grant of $80,000 and a local match of
about $5,000. Mr. Crampton introduced the consultant, Eileen Yazzie, from Y2K
Design. Y2K is the same firm who did the 15% design for the Frye Rd Protected
Bike Lanes, so they are very experienced in the design of protected bike lanes
and luck to have them on board.
Mr. Crampton reviewed the Scope of Work slide. It will be a nine-month project
which he hopes to wrap up in the fall or late summer. The project will have a
survey as well as a website that will provide education and awareness for
residents. In the spring we hope to utilize the Family Bike Ride event as an
opportunity to get some additional outreach and input from residents.
Mr. Crampton stated the Design Guidelines will help us understand what type
of width will be needed for a Protected Bike Lane. On Frye Rd, for example, we
have lane width of 16 feet in each direction, which is way too wide. We knew
that we may not need as large of buffer on Frye Rd, but we need help to
understand what that buffer needs to be and what that bike lane needs to be to
make things work. That will be one of the earlier steps. We will then talk about
what types of barriers we want to include. Mr. Crampton shows several types
of barriers to look at. They include delineator posts, bollards, armadillos and
then a mixture. Striping can be used to help designate where the buffer is, and
painting to make the bike lanes more apparently to vehicular traffic.
The next task Mr. Crampton discussed was data collection. We will take an
inventory of all our streets and identify what the curb-to-curb width is and
compare it to the vehicular lane to see if there is any opportunity to narrow the
vehicular lane to gain a little space for the buffer. We do not want to remove
any vehicular lanes or widen the roadway.
Mr. Crampton reviewed a map of the roadways will be evaluated. We will use
the design guidelines to see if there is space to feasibly implement protected
bike lanes. We will look at several data points to determine what the benefit
would be, taking into consideration average speeds, traffic, other bike facilities
connection, driveways, utilities, and bus stops.
With a developed list, the next step would be to further exam the feasibility and
develop prioritized ranges. We will look at such things as land use
demographics, transit, and bicycle activity. We probably will not do the counts
but pull data source from Strava or streetlight that counts data based on phone
use and movement. We will once again ask for public feedback and maybe
some other metrics. And finally, the consultant will develop planning level cost
estimates for each of the different types of protection solutions. And then
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things will be wrapped up with a study/report that the consult will produce for
us.
Consultant Eileen stated Chandler is at the best positions to do this type of
study because so many cities across the country have been testing all these
different types of protection and finding the good, the bad, the value, the
maintenance, and the different nuances of the different types of protections.
This is a great opportunity for Chandler to utilize the best practices across the
country. This past summer New York City has a new directive on their protected
bike lanes in that they want the highest level of protection, so they created an
initiative to do better barriers for their bike lanes. There is not a one size fits
all. Even with the Frye Rd protected bike lane, while it is mainly concrete
medians, there are places that are putting in some vertical delineators. There
are some other places that are using parking protected. You all are doing it with
the Frye Rd and taking it a step further saying what else is out there and that
we can do and let use the best practices that other cities have tested out.
Commissioner Enoch asked if there was going to be any type of study into
bicycle use on any of the roads before we chose it? It was interesting to see
that there was cell phone use and how fast the cell phone was moving would
determine if it were on a bike. Mr. Crampton responded there are a number
of apps that track bicycle activity. There is a company called Streetlight that
collects data to show pedestrian and bicycle usage and they can get very in-
depth. There is a cost to acquiring the data but a lower cost that going out and
counting bikes. Consultant Eileen stated that with one of the other
applications used by cellphone and fitness watches is called Strava. I am a
member of Strava, and when I am activity doing something – biking, walking,
running etc. my watch connects to my Strava application. And Strava was, she
believes, made available through MAG for jurisdiction throughout the region.
People thought it was going to be the golden ticket to understand everything
about bicycling. It is not, but it tells us where people currently ride the most.
That is where people ride because that where they feel the safest or are the
most comfortable. That is again, that route as well. Use that data to understand
what roadways people are using right now to bike. Even if it is for exercise, that
gives an insight of where people are comfortable riding on the street.
Commissioner Enoch stated they had not heard of Strava and then asked if the
Commission would push it out to the community to say hey you can use this to
be counted for wherever you are riding? Consultant Eileen stated there is no
membership fee. It is just a tool or app people use to in those exercise
communities. She would not suggest pushing out to the community. With
Strava data we are taking the existing data that is already out there where people
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have already logged in. She also added there is supplemental bike count data
at various select points throughout Chandler again working with MAG. Those
are a bit old, but we still have those too and we will be looking at all that
information when it comes down to the prioritization of why we are doing the
study, why is it important. A key part of the public involvement is talking about
what is a priority for you when you are biking. Is it going to and from places, is it
going to the grocery store, is it going to commercial, is it for exercise with the
family or going to a restaurant? Understanding what factors are important to
the community to evaluate on the roadways to put the protection in.
Commissioner Brennan commented he was glad to see there was a public
outreach plan included with this project and how comprehensive it is. He also
mentioned that with the Parks Strategic Master Plan has a recommendation
regarding the preparation of bike and trail master plan for Chandler. He thinks
it might be a missed opportunity to accomplish or include that as part of this
process. From a strategic planning process, it would make more sense to have
done the strategic master plan for the bike and trails plan simultaneously as one
plan. He has a concern about which streets are going to be include. You did
identify arterial streets. Are you just looking at arterial streets that currently have
bike lanes? Or you be looking at arterial streets that do not have bike lanes and
therefore do not get a lot of use. But maybe there should be bike lanes on those
arterial streets? Mr. Crampton responded that we would look arterials with
bike lanes or if there are planned bike lanes may also be considered. Most of
the arterials that do not have bike lanes would need to be widened to add bike
lanes. The scope of this study is not to come up with projects that are highly
capital intensive and would not be included. Commissioner Brennan stated
the one specific street he mentioned was Arizona Ave. Arizona Ave is currently
six lanes wide and it appears most of those lanes are fairly wide. Arizona Ave
would be a prime candidate for bike lanes, either stripped or protected. He
questioned or was trying to understand why that major arterial street that
connects areas to the north from downtown, why it does not have bike lanes?
Mr. Crampton stated it was good feedback and acknowledged it is a critical
bike/pedestrian corridor of the city. It is a high-capacity transit corridor and it
is important. As far as this study is concerned, even narrowing those lanes
would not be able to come up with enough space for a protected bike facility.
Arizona Ave has been looked at before and to do it properly the roadway needs
to be widened. Arizona Ave is an important corridor, and we will be looking at
Arizona Ave with another study later this year. We are not disregarding Arizona
Ave; it is just not part of this study.
Commissioner Brennan - In north Chandler Elliot Rd has a bike lane on the
north and south side. His asked would there be a potential to widen the sidewalk
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and include a bike path along with pedestrian sidewalk which would be separate
from the street? There are large storm water retention basins along the north
side of Elliot so there seems to be space to move the north bike lane off Elliot
and put it in an area adjacent to the existing sidewalk. Mr. Crampton again
thanked the Chairman for his feedback but stated it would not be part of this
study to look at those off-street solutions for Elliot but is it is very good feedback
in general. Commissioner Brennan continued his comments stating that it
would provide, not only along Elliot, but other areas in Chandler where there are
retention basins along the arterial streets it would make sense where you cannot
widen the street to provide a protected lane. It would be an opportunity to
include a bike lane, for example along Alma School Rd. where there is not a bike
lane you would at least have a bike lane off the street and adjacent to the
sidewalk. He stated he did not know whether we should just limit our study to
existing streets with bike lanes if there are other options that can be used to
provide a bike lane.
Commissioner Henderson noted he heard from Mr. Crampton multiple times
about capital intensive projects, although Dean brings up some very good
points, sounds like some of those reason why those might not be considered is
the capital implications associated with that. Mr. Crampton responded that for
the scope of this study it would not fit within the study. A Capital Improvements
Program that was approved to help implement some of the recommendations
from this study. A pathway recommendation would be much more capital
intensive and would not fit within the budget of our Capital Improvements
Program. While these are very good recommendations and important solutions
to consider it is something we would not be able to implement under this CIP
this study hopes to inform.
Commissioner Brennan stated it could just be a recommendation that these
projects that are beyond grasp, beyond the scope of the study could be
considered for future implementation. Mr. Crampton agreed that could be
language withing the study that suggestions to look at those types of solutions.
Commissioner Heineking stated it makes sense to look at these low costs,
implementable, protected bike lanes that are in the study that potentially have
funding that could quickly be implemented and take advantage of it and bringing
in Y2K to see what else is out there. Great Plan. Get through this plan and look
where they do not fit and then it makes sense to look at the sidewalks or where
else we can do something that is more capital intensive by adding a bike path or
trail along the side of the road. That makes great sense, but you should not take
away what is implementable quickly and fundable right now. Stay the course.
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Commissioner Enoch stated the faster you can get this implemented the more
response back we can get on how it is received- if ridership is up or what not for
the protected bike lanes.
4.
Chandler Flex Update
Mrs. Nancy Jackson stated that a quick briefing item on Chandler Flex Service and
introduced online Joe Martin and Emily Shapiro with Via, the contractor who
operates the service.
Mrs. Jackson provided a program timeline recap. Jason Crampton secured a grant
for $2 million from A for Arizona to operate the service. There was a quick turn-a-
round with an RFP and a contract. Via was selected in April/May and the service
level was defined in May/June. Next, development of the logo and branding,
followed by vehicle wraps and launch day in July. The City meets with Via once a
week and to talk about operations. July, August, and September we watched our
service and ridership grow consistently. In October, the fare was introduced to
riders. The last two months of November/December were spent evaluating the
service to see where we need to take it.
The next slide presents the Flex Performance Indicators. Mrs. Jackson thanked Joe
and Emily for helping put the slide presentation together. The chart shows a weekly
summary of what the ridership looks like. Between July and December, the past six
months, we had 13,821 rides amongst 1,231 unique riders. You can see where
students went on fall break, and we implemented of the new fee during this time.
And the chart shows the rebound of the kids going back to school and people
getting use to the new fare structure.
Commissioner Smith asked how does someone get designated as a unique rider?
Mrs. Jackson responded that when somebody who has used the service at least
once is a unique rider. Mr. Crampton stated that when you use the program, you
have to create an account in the app. There are basically 1,231 accounts created
that have taken a ride. There are probably more accounts created, but not everyone
who has created an account has taken a ride. Commissioner Smith asked where
does the 13,831-number come from? Mrs. Jackson stated a unique rider may take
five trips a week or may take one trip a week. That is the total trips taken for the
first six months. Another thing to point out in this slide is even this the consisted
growth and the constant monitoring we were able to meet 91% of the demand of
those who requested rides. That is a percent we are proud of.
The next slide presents Other Performance Measures. Mrs. Jackson stated one of
the things we wanted to make sure that we were being very efficient in the service
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being provided. We are serving an average of 3.2 passenger per vehicle hour. With
similar cities in comparison, the City of Chandler is on the higher end of our
utilization. At the peak of our implementation, we were closer to a four and we are
still hoping to get back to the four level. We want to make sure we strike a balance
between meeting the demand but not having drivers sitting on the side of the road
waiting to pick up a passenger. Having a balance between efficiency and utilization
is key.
Mrs. Jackson continues to discuss Popular Flex Destinations heat maps. The purple
is where people are starting and arriving for their Chandler Flex trips. Chandler
High School and Hamilton High School at the most popular destinations. We are
averaging forty percent of trips are going to and from schools. Other high
frequencies destinations include Tumbleweed Park and Snedigar Sportsplex.
Via conducted a public feedback survey in late 2022 that received 58 responses.
97% would be “somewhat” or “very disappointed” if they did not have Chandler Flex
to use. A quarter of the riders mentioned school transit as their primary use. Which
means three quarters of the respondents were utilizing the service for work or
social habits.
Mrs. Jackson also noted on the previous slide the average rating for the rider’s app
was 4.8 out of 5 stars. That is another way we monitor how the public feels about
our service.
When asked how Chandler could improve, the survey results showed that residents
would like the service area increased. This was not a surprise to us as staff has been
hearing this since launch week. They would also like to see operations on the
weekends.
That summarizes our summary of Chandler Flex. Moving forward we will continue
to study and learn as much as we can to provide another public transit options in
Chandler. Mrs. Jackson asked if there were any questions or if Emily, Joe, or Jason
wanted to help with the summary.
Commissioner Smith asked what is the fare? Mrs. Jackson stated the fare is two
dollars per ride for a typical ride. If students are going to and from school, the ride
is free. If you are an ADA rider, your trip is one dollar. Additional passengers are
also one dollar. Mr. Crampton mentioned that seniors over 65 are a dollar. Mr.
Joe Martin stated that connections to a few public transit stops are free as well.
Commissioner Enoch asked if that is a tie in with to the first mile, last mile? Mr.
Crampton responded it is just a tie into our entire transit network. Commissioner
Heineking asked if the school is going to help pay for it? Mr. Crampton stated no.
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Commissioner Enoch asked if the fare was going to stay at those prices or will there
be an increase? Mr. Crampton responded that right now there is a balance
between supply and demand and the revenue helps offset some of the operating
costs. Moving forward, if the service is able to continue without the grant, we may
need to look at what that fare is, and do we increase it to help lower our operating
costs. Other ideas we have discussed are looking at options like a weekly pass and
referral bonus. Chairman Henderson asked when does the grant end? Mr.
Crampton responded May of 2024. Chairman Henderson asked you would not
characterize the program as a neighborhood circulator, right? Mr. Crampton
stated it does circulate in neighborhoods, but it is not a neighborhood circulator.
Usually, a neighborhood circulator follows more of a specific route and you would
just go to a stop location and hop on. This is completely “on-demand,” meaning if
there is no demand it is not going to go. Commissioner Smith asked if we looked
at Waymo for this service. Mr. Crampton responded that we have looked at
Waymo and their operating model does not fit well with this. To use Waymo you
must be over 18 and they only provide single passenger rides. They do not share
rides like public transit does. Microtransit like Flex does not fit well with their current
operating model. They would have to change radically to work with this program.
We have talked with Waymo about this and it is not something they are ready to do
right now.
Chairman Henderson asked if there an ability to expand service under the current
guidelines of the grant? Mr. Crampton responded yes, there is. We could expand
the service area, but the biggest hurdle with that is creating too large of an area that
people get used to and the grant goes away and that ongoing cost for the city. If
the city does provide the continuous local funding for it becomes a little more than
what we can manage. Because of that we have not been very aggressive in
expanding the service area. Chairman Henderson asked what about the weekend
service? Mr. Crampton responded that is similar. We could add it but right now
we are still tweaking our driver shift hours during the week trying to maximize the
number of vehicle hours to best fit our ridership patterns. There are certain days
at certain times of the day we have a high number of riders denied a ride because
there is not enough supply to match the demand. Once this is maximized that we
can determine if there is an excesses supply of driver hours that can be applied to
weekends within the funding capacity of the grant. Chairman Henderson asked
what are the operational hours? Mr. Crampton replied 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. We
were operating 6 a.m.– 9 p.m. but we just recently adjusted to 5:30 a.m. because
there was a huge demand at 6 a.m. so, we are trying out 5:30 a.m. Commissioner
Heineking asked if this the entire fleet – the seven flex vans – four regular and three
ADA accessible? Mrs. Jackson responded yes. Mr. Crampton also stated while the
picture does not show it there are bike rakes on the back of the on the four non-
wheelchair vehicles.
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Commissioner Hardin asked at the end of this program, which is a little more than
a year away, will the program continue or is it contingent upon the grant? And if so,
if the O and M costs kicks in assuming these are newer vehicles and when the
maintenance on the cars what does that number look like in terms of fare? I know
you do not have it today, but I am just concerned about its ability to continue. He
thinks this is something we would like to continue – if there is another grant to add
to it. Mr. Crampton responded that the hope is to have the service continue. Via
has a great grants team that is helping us look for other funding opportunities once
this grant expires. We are always looking for grant funding. But we also have other
funding sources like the Arizona State Lottery proceeds that we could apply towards
funding some of this. But the use of those funds would be at the discretion of the
City Council. Once we get closer to May of 2024, we will have some decisions to
make as a city, but the hope is that we can continue to make that happen.
Commissioner Hardin stated he is happy with the program but more concerned
about the ability to promote, market, recruit and get on the good side of the city of
council – ahead of the game? Is there anything we should be doing to get ready for
this? Mr. Crampton stated there have been a lot of residents that have shown their
interest in support and gratitude for this which has been helpful. The high rider
feedback has also been helpful, and that people are using it in high number is really
critical in helping us tell that story.
Chairman Henderson asked are you currently updating council on the data and
the feedback and the satisfaction? Mr. Peters responded that staff does a quarterly
update through a memo process, and we also visit with them in work sessions. We
intend to do that before the end of the year. But ultimately, it is the City Council’s
decision and these conversations do come up during budget presentations. If you
are looking for advocacy the State Legislature and governor could really help us out
with Prop 400 extension. Right now, it is looking like a perilous pass, so if we want
to ensure that funding source is renewed, that includes the transit element as we
sought last year. We are at their mercy, so we are looking at other ways of providing
ongoing funding. To your question of expanding the program, that is something
we are sensitive to we certainly have ambitions for an expanded city-wide program,
but we do not want to get to far ahead of our skis without a long-term funding
source. Mr. Crampton thanked Mr. Peters for bringing up Prop 400 extension. Our
State Lottery proceeds can only carry us for a year or two beyond that. We had
looked to our Prop 400 funding source to help provide funding to offset some of
our other transit funding to be able to continue to operate Chandler Flex. But
without that Prop 400 funding source it become much more challenging to operate
this or any other transit service in Chandler. As Ryan mentioned that is going to be
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an important issue at the State Legislature, and we will need all the advocates we
can get.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Transportation Project Status – Dan Haskins provided the update on the following
projects:
Cooper Road construction received final completion on December 9 and is closed
out.
Chandler Heights Improvements from McQueen Rd. to Gilbert Rd.; making it two
lanes in each direction and is currently under construction and will be going on until
winter of this next year.
Ocotillo Rd – Gilbert to 148th St. is being widened to two lanes in each direction.
Currently under construction. Scheduled to be completed in fall of this year.
Chandler Heights Rd Improvement – Gilbert Rd to Val Vista Dr. That will be widened
to two lanes in each direction. Currently in the design process. Anticipate going out
to bid in winter of 2023.
Lindsay Rd Improvement – Ocotillo Rd to Hunt Highway – we are making it two lanes
in each direction. Currently in the design process and anticipated going out to bid
for construction in winter of next year.
Traffic Study for Kyrene Rd – the study has been completed.
Traffic Signal at Warren Rd and Nevada - a NTP was received on January 9, 2023,
and construction has started.
Hamilton Street Improvement - Appleby Rd to Carob Dr. - the design is under way.
Construction is anticipated for fall of 2023.
Dobson Rd Improvement at Intel Driveway #1 and #4 – this is from Price Rd. Market
Pl. to Chaparral Way construction is in progress, but completion date has been
extended to coordinate with other projects SRP is involved with.
Arterial Congestion Monitoring is a data collection device for major intersections
Construction – currently long lead items limited NTP so we should be starting
construction soon when the equipment gets delivered
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Intersection Improvements at Ray Rd. and Dobson the study is almost complete
and the application for grant funding will be submitted.
Traffic Signal at Ocotillo and Pinelakes Way - the design has been finished on this
project.
Alley way Rehab - PM10 Dust Emissions Reduction Project 2 – FMA 16, 25, 39 and 41
- this is progress and bidding in 2023.
Chandler Video Detection Cameras - opened bids on January 12, 2023 and will
procure camera and once received, the cameras will be installed.
Chandler Local Detection and Communication Systems and Chandler ICM Detection
and Communication Systems – both these projects are in design and will be
following the same path and anticipating construction in fall of 2023.
Armstrong Way and Hamilton St. Improvement – this improves the south half of
Armstrong Way, and the west half of Hamilton St. and design is scheduled for spring
of 2023.
Cooper Rd. Insight Loop Extension - this is Cooper Rd. to Insight Loop Emmet Dr
intersection – design is scheduled to summer of 2023.
Commissioner Brennan asked if the alley rehab project – is it similar to what was
done further north in Chandler by paving the alleys? Mr. Haskin responded yes.
Mr. Crampton provided updated on Frye Road Protected Bike Lanes – had already
been discussed. Kyrene Branch and Highline Canal we have some proposals to
review and should get into design in later this spring – looking at awarding a
contract in April. That has a lot of public interest.
Ashley and Paseo Trails Connection – we are looking at starting design following the
Kyrene Branch and Highline Canal project.
1. MEMBER COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Brennan regarding the Protected Bike Lane Study. In the bi-
partisan infrastructure law which was adopted in 2021 there is a Safe Streets and
Roads for All Program which includes $5 billion dollars – that is $1 billions dollars a
year for five years. Those are discretionary funds that are specifically for projects
that provide safe environments for pedestrians, bicyclist and other individuals uses
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of the transportation system. So hopefully City staff will consider applying for some
those funds and maybe use those dollars to add to the funds already available in
the CIP to pay for some of these separated bike paths.
2. CALENDAR
The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023
3. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Henderson announced the adjournment of the meeting.
_________________________________________ _____________________________________
Dan Henderson, Chairman
Nancy Jackson, City of Chandler