>> Good evening and welcome to the Monday, April 2nd in the
2018 meeting of the Traffic
Safety Commission.
The first item, we have a quorum and it's 532.
First item in our agenda is 1A, items for consideration, T
SC 18-013 which is to consider
the approval of the Traffic Safety Commission meetings of
February 5th, 2018.
Has everybody had a chance to take a look at the minutes?
Are there any corrections?
Is there a motion for approval?
I'll move.
>> Second.
>> All right.
Everyone in agreement?
Yes.
>> Yep.
>> Okay.
So, items for consideration 1B, TSC 18-014 is to receive a
report and hold a discussion
on a local transportation project advance funding agreement
for a congestion mitigation
and air quality improvement project.
>> Good evening, everyone.
My name is Preet Tamdeshmukh, traffic engineer for the city
and there are quite a few agreements
that we're going through but the first one is item B and
back in-- I'll start with opening
up a nice map here but back in 2015, the city received
funding from congestion mitigation
and air quality portion from the COG and this funding was
primarily to provide sidewalks
near elementary schools, Wilson Elementary was one and then
the other one is Pecan Elementary,
Long Swisher there.
So these two areas were identified and the sidewalks were
identified back in 2015.
When we went back to ask for funding, COG apparently had
over committed funds to everyone
last few years so they moved these-- after we gave them
permission, they moved these
projects further along to fiscal year 2018 and now they
have come back and they said,
"Okay, now we have the money.
This is a good time to move forward and get the agreements
in place."
Once the agreements are in place and signed by both parties
, then we'll get the money
allocated, we can start begin design and construction.
The total schedule for this project is approximately 12
months for both design as well as-- I'm
sorry, it's two years.
There is some environmental assessment also required and
right of way acquisition.
So we're going to begin design once the agreement goes
through council and approval.
This item was already taken to council in a meeting on
March 20th and it was approved.
This is more of an informational item.
This item was originally presented to Traffic Safety
Committee as well as Mobility back
in 2014 when we first were funded for this project.
So the committee was aware of this project but this is just
more information that we're
now starting and moving forward with the project.
And this is the first-- we have about five short segments
close to Wilson Elementary
and then one big segment along with the Conn Elementary.
And as you know, this neighborhood back here is growing.
This is already under construction.
So this particular sidewalk becomes an important missing
link that really needs to happen sooner
than later.
Any questions on this?
>> We have one question.
If-- I'm not sure if the bond package was approved or not
but there's supposed to be
one to replace Wilson Elementary like within the next year.
>> Replace the entire school?
>> Yeah, yeah, like several elementary schools I think are
-- and Wilson is one of them.
So how will that affect this?
>> As far as we know, DISD have communicated this with them
and they don't think that the
whole elementary school will be replaced.
It may be reused for some other school or other facilities
but that sidewalk need would
remain irrespective.
So yes, and I think the bond program is going to happen in
May.
I'm not 100% sure but they are going for bond money in May.
>> I have a question.
What is the environmental assessment that has to be done?
>> A lot of times if some of these sidewalks are within
water features or any creeks, we
don't know what's in this particular area especially behind
the school.
If there are any drainage, flood plains, creeks, then we
have to go through assessment.
Other than that, the ones on Wilson, I don't think there
are any major issues that we can
see.
>> I was wondering a thing over there.
>> Unless it's water within close to a water feature, we
don't need to.
>> OK.
>> Are these the five foot or the eight foot sidewalks?
>> These are five foot sidewalks.
>> Anything else?
>> Anybody else have any questions on this one?
OK.
Well then we can move on to item C, 1C, TSC 18-015 to
receive a report and hold a discussion
on an advanced funding agreement for a transportation
alternative set aside program project, construction
of sidewalks for the Jennings and Lee Elementary School
areas with the Texas Department of Transportation.
>> That's a mouthful name, right?
Transportation set aside.
Yes.
So this particular transportation set aside call came in
December of 2016.
It opened and we were selected last year to get funded for
three projects.
They're actually-- Safe Routes to School is one and the
next item has two projects.
So we got money for Safe Routes to School program and there
are two elementary schools
and we've identified the sidewalks that will be funded by
this particular program.
Under this program, we got funding for almost $1 million
out of which we had a local match
or a local government match of $190,000.
So for $200,000, we got a million dollars worth of work.
We're going to add sidewalks near Jennings the first or Jen
nings the first elementary
school on Stewart Road.
Stewart Road does not have any sidewalks.
It has really very little in front of the school itself but
for the rest of the stretch
between Windsor and Sun Valley, there are no sidewalks.
And this-- under this project, they will be designed and
implemented five foot sidewalks
on either side of Stewart.
And if you look at the existing sidewalk connections, you
'll see there's a--
there are sidewalks along Windsor and there are sidewalks
some around this area
but Stewart doesn't have anything.
It's a straight shot connection.
So it will provide that.
This is the first school.
The second is the Lee Elementary School and that we are
adding sidewalks along two streets.
One is Audre Lane between-- just north of Latimore and Aud
re Lane again.
It becomes an Audre Lane.
And then on Mulkey which is between Paisley and just north
of Oak Tree.
So these are the segments that are missing and if you look
at the missing links,
there are-- there's a neighborhood here.
A lot of kids actually walk on the street and in here, you
can see along Audre Lane,
there's a path, a clear path on the-- in the parkway area
in the grass.
They can see kids walking to school.
So these are really required sidewalk projects that the
city has identified
and have been funded through COG.
These are federal dollars that are coming in and that's why
we'll have to go
through all the funding federal project execution
requirements per se.
And this is a 15-month project.
We'll need some right of way, some locations and design and
construction.
Any questions?
>> I'm just super happy to see all the sidewalks going in.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. Okay, that brings us to 1D, TSC 18-016 which is to
receive a report
and hold the discussion on an advanced funding agreement
for a transportation alternative set-aside program project,
construction of multi-use side path on Sycamore Street and
bike lanes on Well Street
with the Texas Department of Transportation for receiving
federal funding.
>> Okay. This is the second project that the city secured
funding for
and these two are bike projects.
There is a multi-use side path, 10-foot wide side path
along Sycamore
and the primary reason for this particular side path is
to connect the existing DCTA Transit Center here, Denton
Downtown Transit Center with UNT.
And the sidewalk will be constructed on the north side of
Sycamore.
There are certain locations that will require,
I think there's a new signal, traffic signal at Carroll
that will be required as part of this
and it will be put in.
City has separate funding for that.
It couldn't be part of this particular project but that's
one thing
and then we are currently working with the railroad to put
in a better crossing.
I think the crossing is pretty, in pretty bad shape as far
as the pavement is concerned.
So we're going ahead with Union Pacific having them upgrade
the railroad crossings
and also add more feet, I mean more about 8 to 10 feet on
the north side extra
so that we can actually have that as part of the side path
when we go with this project.
The second project is adding bike lanes on Welch between
Eagle and Hickory.
That project is a-- people don't like this term but it's a
road diet
where the four lane Welch Street will be graded down, not
graded down but it will be reduced
to one lane each direction and a center tunnel lane with
bike lanes on both sides,
something similar to what we did on Eagle.
And this particular segment has low volume, speed is not
super high.
There are several crossings and crosswalks in between
students crossing.
So this is an ideal place to put in bike lanes especially
the bike lanes will connect
to existing bike lanes on Eagle and the future bike lanes
on Hickory.
They're-- The bike lanes on Hickory will be completed after
the construction is done so.
And the total amount for the project is almost a million
dollars, $989,000 of which we city match
is $190,000.
This is slightly a longer project as far as design right of
way and implementation.
It's a 20-month project.
So once we get these agreements signed and get it moving
approximately 20 months later,
we'll have everything complete.
Any questions?
>> I had a question about the Sycamore.
You're going to be putting in a new traffic signal on
Carroll?
>> Correct.
>> I've always wondered why Mulberry is not the route for
the--
I think it was in the bike mobility plan.
I think this little strip of Sycamore was in that plan and
I always wondered
why Mulberry wasn't the choice since there's always already
a light there.
>> Yeah. So the light at Mulberry is not warranted.
It's been there for a while and we went through a bunch of
work analysis
and the actual light is not warranted at Mulberry.
So we were in the process of removing that.
>> Oh, okay.
>> So-- and some funds were allocated to replace it because
it was aging old.
So once we started looking of all these different things,
we decided that it was a better idea
to remove it from that particular location and put it on Sy
camore where we--
and I'm trying to pull the map just because I want to show
the connectivity here.
If you look at Sycamore, Mulberry ends at Bell and does not
go across the tracks.
Whereas Sycamore actually gives an access across the track.
There is connections-- let's go down here.
There are connections on this side where you can actually--
all these transit buses are here.
You can actually connect here and then take it down all the
way this way.
As opposed to Mulberry, it would be another issue to take
them across.
This is private property.
We can't really get into it.
>> Oh, right.
That's Boca 31.
>> Yes, right by Boca.
And--
>> The visual arts center is private?
The visual arts center is private?
>> Good question.
I do not know the answer to that one.
>> Yeah, it is the access to the visual arts center.
But I think this trip would be an issue because this is the
lay yard for Union Pacific
and we've been working with them to clean it up for a while
.
But to get access through this would be--
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah, would take years and maybe not even achieve what
we--
>> Well, as long as you're taking out the light on Mulberry
because I don't think people are going to tolerate lights
at--
>> No.
>> Congress, Oak, Hickory, Sycamore and Mulberry.
I'll just run them.
>> Yes, Mulberry light is going to come off.
>> Okay.
>> So I have questions about the side path.
Is this the first side path that Denton will have?
>> Most likely it will go in as the first one.
But there-- oh, actually there's one under construction at
Mayhill.
Mayhill has a 10 foot side path on one side.
>> Okay.
>> The new section and then a 5 foot sidewalk on one side.
>> Okay.
>> So they've taken out bike facilities from within the
actual pavement area and put them
on the side paths which is much more safer than riding near
traffic that's 40, 45 miles an hour.
So that's one I think McKinney new segment that we're
designing.
It would have similar side path.
>> Okay.
>> 380, we got funding from COG on that one.
That project is a little ways away but 380 between Mayhill
and all the way to--
what's that area called?
The park, the Greenbelt.
So from Mayhill all the way to Greenbelt north side,
there will be a side path that we're secured funding for.
So there are several coming on board but the timing is that
we're--
I think Mayhill would be the first one.
This will come after that.
>> So this will be the first retrofitted side--
>> Yes.
>> Side path and then--
>> Correct.
>> Okay. And so with 10 feet, is it anticipated that will
it have two-way bike traffic
on that single side path then?
>> Correct.
>> Okay.
>> It will be marked that way.
It will have a dividing yellow line.
>> Okay.
>> When do we start on Welch with this?
>> When do we start on Welch with the project?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. It's-- as we said, once the agreements are done,
we'll get the design completed.
So it will start at the-- the design will start at the same
time as Sycamore.
So most likely Welch will go in first because it's more
paint
on the pavement as opposed to actual construction.
So it would be a project that would go in later this year
or early next year.
And then Sycamore will follow.
>> And what do you plan on finishing off Hickory?
>> That's a good question.
I don't have the schedule for Hickory but it's online
somewhere.
And I think it should be done end of this year or early
next year.
[ Pause ]
>> I can check that.
>> I'll be happy to do it in the end.
>> Yes. We'll find out the schedule for Hickory Street.
>> It's all for Karen's question.
>> Okay. Thank you.
So if this side path works well and Sycamore, are there
other--
do you have other areas that you might be thinking about
retrofitting in the core?
>> That's a good question.
We're working on updating our bike plan.
We secured funding from last fiscal.
So start of '18-'19 we got funded for an amount of 40 or $
50,000 for a bike plan update.
So we're going through a process firing consultant.
But what we're looking at is we're looking at a total
mobility plan update
which will have different components.
Currently we don't have a thrower plan, a bike plan, a
pedestrian plan.
We don't have them as separate entities.
They need to be separate.
So we're going through a process of identifying and
selecting consultants.
Once we have them on board then we'll start updating.
But definitely we want to look at more side paths, more
side path projects, yes.
>> Okay. All right.
Any other questions about this item?
All right.
We'll move on to another long label here.
Item 1E, TSC 18-017, receive a report, hold discussion and
make a recommendation
to city council for approval of the termination agreement
for first precinct bike lanes
and approval of an interlocal cooperation agreement between
the city of Denton
and Denton County, Texas related to the engineering and
construction
of bicycle facility along Hercules Lane between Loca Street
and Sherman Drive
within the municipal limits of the city
and Denton County Commissioner Precinct Number 1, period.
Sorry about the title but it has to be that long.
Yeah, this project actually started way back in 2011.
November of 2011 we first executed the-- we first got
approved through the ordinance
and executed the previous version of this particular
agreement.
We got funding from Denton County Commissioner Precinct 1
for bike facility
within that particular precinct.
And back in the day we identified a project.
It was along Pennsylvania Avenue in Southridge neighborhood
.
And when residents found out about it, they were completely
opposed
to that particular project.
They did not want any bicycle facilities running through
their neighborhood.
So then that project was shelved and then we held on to the
agreement.
We never received any money from the county all these years
.
So we held on to the agreement.
We had to go back, re-identify other projects.
So we came back with Hercules Lane and the county agreed,
okay let's move forward with this particular one.
So what we have to do is since the agreement was signed for
one particular project,
we have to cancel the original existing agreement and then
we have to sign the new one
with this Hercules Lane project.
And that's the item in front of you today.
We're going to get $50,000 from the county and our match is
going to be $50,000.
Our match is coming from our bike fund which typically we
get $200,000 every year.
So $50,000 won't be a big deal.
And given that there's a lot of development going on in
this particular area on the north side,
Hercules Lane is in some portions it's a wide street, some
parts it's narrow.
So we're working on working with developers to make the
other halves whole
but at the same time we need some kind of bike facility.
So based on the money that we received, we will come up
with a plan to--
we'll come up with a design to put in bike facility along
this particular stretch of Hercules.
And I think that's it.
We request that you recommend a council approval of the
termination agreement
and council approval of the new agreement.
The length of the project is going to be 12 months.
Any questions?
>> Are there sidewalks along that whole route?
>> That's a good question we can find out but--
>> Yes, it appears that on the south side fairly and then
it's a mix and match,
some of them don't have on the south.
>> Right.
>> But up until Stewart and then this side, I think this
development will play a big role
but once it goes in we'll get the right way that's needed
to go all the way.
So most likely it may happen that if we're waiting for this
developer there will be some compromise
and what goes in here we may have to look at, you know,
restricting parking on one side
and doing some creative thinking there until the
development goes in.
And then the rest of them we can put in, definitely this
section we can put in bike lanes.
Yeah, the section that's developed has sidewalks.
>> Okay.
>> Yes.
>> How do they defend bicycle facility?
>> It's either a bike lane, a shared, share or shared use
lane which means it has markings
on the pavement saying that this is a share or that's also
a bike facility.
It could be an off street bicycle multi-use trail.
So those are the different types of facilities.
>> So would this not be a candidate for a share path or you
just don't know yet which--
>> Exactly, that's what it is.
It could be a combination of everything.
>> Okay.
>> It could be some locations we will put in a lane and
then it transitions
into a share row and then continues.
Until these developments come in and we develop, it'll be a
--
that's the toughest part is these developments need to come
in.
>> Okay, what are those that have parcels zoned?
>> These?
>> The undeveloped parcels.
>> That's a good question.
I do not know.
>> Sorry, what was the question?
>> What are the-- what is the zoning for the missing parc
els?
>> Right, because that kind of dictate what type of bike
facilities would be best.
>> Let's find out.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> Are they?
>> Oh.
>> Okay.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> Oh, okay.
>> The ones over by Sherman.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> There's a sign there that says commercial.
>> This is commercial.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> The number of questions that they ask.
Yeah, I'm trying to pull up a zoning map which the city
website, internal website has it.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> NR6.
>> Oh, okay.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> And a little pocket of NR3 in there.
>> Okay, but that's all--
>> NR6, NR3 here.
>> And an NR2.
>> NR2.
>> That one.
Yeah, that one.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> Yeah, and they won't stay there.
>> Yeah, I just didn't know where the commercial began, so
this is all.
>> Okay.
[ Inaudible Remark ]
>> Okay, any other question?
Maybe that was just for my own amusement.
I'm sorry, pretend.
>> That's okay.
That's okay.
>> Okay, does anybody else have any other questions about
this motion for approve--
recommend approval to city council?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Everyone in favor?
>> Aye.
>> All right, passed unanimously.
>> Okay, next we have 1F, TSC 18-018 to receive a report
and hold a discussion regarding pavement art and its use as
a traffic calming technique.
>> This is a very interesting topic.
This was brought up and requested by Council Member Begheri
in one
of the mobility meetings, mobility committee meetings.
And she had seen some use and she wanted to find out what's
going on,
what is exactly-- what does this entail?
So we kind of did some research and what exactly is traffic
calming art?
So what's the concept?
The concept primarily is three-dimensional objects painted
on the pavement
that typically drivers react to.
And it's based on their initial perception and based on
that, they slow down.
So that's-- when they react to their initial perception,
they slow down.
That's how traffic calming is achieved with the element of
surprise and the novelty factor.
So what are the pros of putting in art?
And this is a pretty decent picture here.
It helps you slow down.
It can be installed really quickly.
It's a low-cost alternative.
And then it's initially effective in reducing the speed,
but later on, you can educate people.
So those are the pros.
There are definitely cons to this.
And this is something-- it's a con.
You shouldn't be putting that on the pavement.
Yeah, I wouldn't do that.
But it's a very temporary solution, the reason being if you
're spending a few hundred
or a few thousand dollars to put it in, it won't last you
more than a year,
year and a half at the most given the Texas temperature and
especially northern Texas,
our temperature variations, the rain and everything
together.
Typically, pavement markings don't go beyond two years.
If you're talking art, it'd probably go a year and a half
at the most.
It's a very short lifespan.
It's ineffective-- same thing that I talked.
And then nighttime, there is an issue with visibility.
It won't show up if the street is-- or that particular
portion is not lighted up.
And then the main concern that we have is it does not
comply with federal guidelines.
Federal guidelines has specified only two colors should be
used
and then they have accepted or approved a third one.
So the first one is white, the second one is yellow,
and then the third one they recently approved is green for
bicycles.
So those are the only three approved colors federal
guidelines allow in order to guide drivers
or give them some direction or control traffic or give them
message.
Only those three colors are allowed.
So that's the issue that we have with this particular art.
So it's a thing that we're exploring.
I think what council wanted to look at is spending the
public art money
in doing something like this.
There are two aspects.
This is-- the traffic calming effect is part one
but just giving an aesthetically pleasing entrance to
certain areas.
I mean, if you're talking about-- if you painted in--
as an entrance to downtown square or something, that's a
different story
and that's a different way of doing it.
But this-- the actual traffic calming staff doesn't
recommend it
but we're presenting it to council at some point.
But I really wanted the committee to know what's going on
and we talked about it in mobility
and yeah, we're going to do something in front of council
at some point but not yet.
Any questions?
>> Under what applications is that most common?
Like coming up to a stop sign or yield sign or not?
I mean, not with a stop sign or yield sign in the area.
Is that the purpose to--
>> So this common application for example here across walks
is more prevalent in cities
where there's a lot of pedestrian traffic where it becomes
a thing that if you're a visitor
to that particular area or downtown area, people that don't
take it every day,
those are the people that actually slow down to look at it
or will-- they have an effect.
So they-- and there is a lot of pedestrian traffic so it
actually helps pedestrians
so that creates a more safer environment.
So that's the application if it's in the middle of
residential neighborhood,
I mean after the first couple of weeks no one would notice
it because they're like, yeah,
I know that, I'm going to just drive over it.
I drive over it every day.
Any other questions?
>> Do you have any idea what that looks like for a
pedestrian?
Would they be able to see that that's a crosswalk from the
side?
>> It looks like a-- I mean I don't have a comparison like
this but it will most likely look
like that for a pedestrian flat.
It has to be a certain angle when you're approaching it.
It doesn't give you a 3D effect if you're not approaching
it.
>> I just wonder if it is not useful for pedestrians to
know where the crosswalk is.
>> No, I think it's-- this is a better way of showing them
crosswalk as opposed to this
but this is more for-- this whole shading effect is more
for the driver.
>> Any questions?
>> OK. If not, that brings us to our favorite, the 1GTSC 18
-019 staff reports, the matrix.
>> OK.
>> And how's everything looking there?
>> Yes, I think the first few items-- let's see.
Yeah, part of the downtown parking working group, they're
still discussing valley
and loading zones so that's still under consideration but
there's no plan to move forward yet.
Small area plan, I think you probably know more than I do
about the small area plan
but it's moving and once that some decisions are made
especially parking, what I heard loud
and clear was parking was the main issue and everyone's
pointing it out
so obviously there will be some kind of plan to tackle it
and address it so.
Same thing, Fannin Street is in the same area and it will
be definitely at that--
at those intersections and on Fannin it will be addressed.
Old North and University, northbound visibility.
We're currently working on project to add left turn lanes.
I think the primary concern here was people are going
around people
that are waiting to make the left so they're in a through
left lane
and they're swinging so it makes difficult for the person
on the other side
to know what their intentions of the driver on the opposite
side is so.
>> I'm almost out of the way here in that intersection.
>> Oh my God.
Yes, so we are in the design phase for adding left turn
lanes in both north-south directions.
I think southbound is easier.
It already has a right turn lane so we might think of
switching
and making a right through lane and then a left only.
So that might be an alternative but northbound needs some
expansion
because of the great change.
So that's part of the project that we're going to-- we're
working on it's under design.
So the schedule on that one, we will most likely go to
construction by October this year.
That's the schedule.
>> I'm in there till October.
>> I'll see what I can do.
>> Only this summer.
>> I'll only turn right there if I can help it.
Just going straight across, you can't see what's coming.
>> Old Alton, that one, yeah, I looked at it and we don't
have any jurisdiction
over that particular bridge right there.
It's a very gray area.
I think we're in the county and then we're in the city,
part of it in the county.
So that is still up in the air.
We can't really do anything at this point.
I've communicated this with the county but they really don
't seem to have
that as their priority for some reason.
Mingo Road between Bell and Old North, this is a much
bigger project primarily
because of the drainage issues.
There is a big ditch on one side and then railroad on the
other side.
We don't have right of way on the railroad side.
It's not going to happen that we would ever get right of
way.
So all the right of way has to come from the north side of
Mingo.
So what we're in discussions with city management is Mingo
would become a bigger street
and we'll take it to council at that point.
But we're thinking of Mingo from Bell Place all the way to
university
or where it meets Old North, at least to that portion, to
the channel that it was shut
down at, the bridge part.
We're going to take that and create a bigger project and
then most likely fund it
through the next bond program.
But in the meantime, we're working with TWU to see if we
can put a path right
by the fence or something in the meantime.
So we haven't reached a solution yet.
Forward Drive at Collins Left Turn.
So this intersection, this particular one is being studied
and I looked
at the preliminary results of the analysis and that
intersection has been flagged
as needing some improvements and most likely the left turn
lanes would be one
of the additions that would happen there.
But it's a bigger project and I think the funding will come
through a joint something between UNT and the city.
Met Park.
Yeah, we are working with actually the medical city folks
and we're working with them.
We're going to cut the speed bump into speed cushions and
that's going
to happen in the next week or so.
We already have talked with street crews and they're on
board.
McKinney Sidewalk.
We-- it is on a list and that list is out for design.
So once we get a consultant on board, we'll design and put
that in next six to eight months.
It's under the 2018 Sidewalk package.
The Sidewalk and Calhoun just got added to the list so most
likely that will go
to the 2019 Sidewalk package and-- but the 2019 Sidewalk
package doesn't have funds
for construction so we just have money to design.
We'll get a design and then we'll ask for more money from
council.
And I think there are other avenues.
I think we're going to pursue some SRTS grants for this
particular--
for the Sidewalk project because it's right by the middle
school.
So it qualifies much more than any other Sidewalk.
>> At what point is the school district liable for the Side
walk?
Do not?
>> We-- it's a state entity.
We can't force them.
They'll do it around their perimeter.
Most of the times they do it, for example, Geyer High
School
and all the newer development that goes in.
But existing things that's not-- it becomes city problem.
>> OK. Because the only reason that that potential for the
Sidewalk was on my radar
because-- was because this was part of a discussion when I
was
on P&Z number of years ago.
And I remember when there was a Sidewalk that's added to
the west side
of the ball diamond at Denton High and that was part of the
discussion
that they would put the Sidewalk in on that west side of
the ball diamond.
And that's there but I've been waiting for that Sidewalk.
So they can say, "Forget."
Or maybe it was a-- if we get around to it, we'll do that.
>> Maybe next bond package if we can add a bunch of Side
walks next to schools.
>> Maybe.
OK.
>> D-I-S-T.
>> Yeah.
>> North Hickory Street.
This one definitely it's on our radar.
It was pointed out.
We have some monies for ADA ramps.
And I think we have a street lighting project going through
that area.
So most likely once that happens or as part of that project
,
we can make sure that that driveway ramps are in place.
So it's at that particular driveway, correct?
It's an entrance to the front here-- frontier driveway
parking lot.
And then the last one, Valley Dumpsters.
This one-- I'm not to discuss the options available to the
areas.
We're going to-- I saw your email response to Sarah and I'm
not sure--
we'll try and talk to them.
Is Soledad going to talk to them?
Great. Go ahead.
>> If I can respond.
Solid Waste has worked with me recently on the dumpsters.
So they're happy to contact them again to see if maybe a
different option.
But they said the dumpsters were released recently and they
're where they're--
they're perfectly liable to keep-- or appropriate to keep
them where they are.
So there are other options and they're definitely willing
to contact the residents
to find out that's what they would like to do.
But there might be additional costs associated with
something else such as carts.
They'd have to have staff to put the carts so they could be
emptied.
Whereas the dumpster just sits there all the time.
But those are their options and they have offered them
other avenues.
So if that's something that you'd wish that the city did
contact to see if they could work
out something better, we'd be happy to ask them to do that.
But as is, they're well within the rights.
>> OK.
>> It's just an aesthetical issue.
I understand though.
>> Yeah. And sometimes I might think that, you know, in
some of the small apartment complexes
or, you know, triplexes that maybe the system for taking
care of trash was in place--
have been in place for 25 years and they just haven't been
-- they haven't rethought it.
>> Right.
>> And so sometimes it's good to just have somebody say,
you can think about this issue again
and there might be a choice that is better.
>> Yeah, we'll be happy to have city staff contact them to
update them on their options
because some of those options are new now that might
actually work better.
So we'll be happy to contact them.
>> OK.
>> The construction-- reconstruction of Hickory reconfig
ured that area?
I mean, because there'll be new streets and then new
sidewalks.
I don't remember where the dumpster is there.
>> Close to Carroll.
It's in the-- there's 10 units close to Carroll.
So I don't know.
>> Because obviously with ADA, you can't have dumpsters on
the sidewalks.
>> Right.
>> So they're rebuilding the sidewalks.
>> Right.
>> Are they going to have to move anything?
Could we use it as an excuse for them to move things?
[ Laughter ]
>> I don't know.
>> We'll try.
>> OK. Does anybody else have anything to add to the matrix
?
>> I got one.
>> So, Jim, I'm looking at it and I want to make sure I
understand it.
>> You're talking about the area in front of the fire hyd
rant?
>> No. If you're going towards downtown.
>> Right.
>> The copy shop is on the left.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Over here-- yeah, well, there's a fire hydrant.
But that-- could you put the Google map?
>> Yes. I'll put it up.
[ Silence ]
>> Perfect.
Yeah. OK.
Right there on the right-hand side.
>> Is this particular section or this is the one--
>> Right there.
The last legal parking spot is one car up there.
Do you see the white line?
OK. They park between that white line and the crosswalk,
the white crosswalk there.
>> In front of the fire hydrant?
>> Uh-huh.
>> Yeah.
>> Which is illegal.
>> I can corroborate that.
>> Yes.
>> This is illegal.
And today, it was on the other side too, right in front of
the car print shop.
Just like that guy.
OK.
>> Wow.
>> So, what happens is I'm driving a 35-foot bus.
And I-- and if I stop behind the crosswalk, put the cross
walk up to take the right turn.
If I stop at the crosswalk, they've got enough space there.
I'm over in the lane, I'm in the road.
But what happened, I had an accident there.
It was non-preventable and the cop gave him a ticket.
But he was in that spot and of course, I had my turn signal
on.
But I'm moving and I'm turning right and he comes out with
me and he's in my blind spot,
you know, so I crushed him against the--
>> This pole?
>> -- against the side there.
No, it was further up on the turn.
>> Oh, around this corner.
>> Yeah, right there, right there.
And what happens is, that's bad.
But once I turn, Jimmy Johns, they're not parking.
They're parked illegally.
They're staying too far out this way.
So, I have to swing way over to the left to get around the
last car that's parked there.
That's one too many, you know, towards me.
So, what I was asking him is, of course, I said put a big
rock there.
But I don't know what you do in that kind of situation.
But the cop told-- when we had the accident, the cop told
the guy, he says, you know,
you're not-- you weren't-- you came out, you weren't in the
roadway.
So, they came-- he comes straight out because he was going
to turn right
and he thought I was going to go straight.
I don't know why he thought that.
But if you do it right and you stop that bus before that
white line, they've got room there.
Which is why I always have to look down and see if there's
somebody sitting
in that driver's seat and see if they're ready to come out.
>> So, first and foremost, I can-- what we can do is
probably add some marking here
that says that this area shouldn't be-- if we paint it a
certain way,
they'll still start parking on that paint too.
But I think there are a couple of things.
UNT maintains enforcement in this area.
We have an agreement with UNT to do the parking enforcement
so I can get with them
and make sure that they enforce this particular spot.
>> They're not enforcing any of it on that side.
>> Yeah.
>> And they're not chalking the tires.
They're missing all kinds of revenue.
You know, they just don't have anybody assigned to it.
>> I think the part of the issue is this particular parking
going away
and then the meter is being pulled out.
That's the--
>> That's in our picture.
They are pulled out.
>> They are pulled out.
So, the issue is we're-- this particular parking, we're in
a limbo
because we're waiting the small area plan to finish for
council to act
on restricting parking on this side and putting in bike
lanes.
>> Right.
>> That's the whole project.
>> That came through us.
>> Correct, but the council didn't approve that one and
they wanted to wait
until the small area plan is done so that they can ban
parking here
and then we can move forward and install the bike lanes.
So, that's where we're at.
UNT doesn't care what happens here.
They don't really want the parking.
They're happy with the bike lanes but once these meters are
pulled out,
I'm not sure if enforcement is being carried out but I can
check.
>> So, it's supposed to-- the signs are up to our parking.
Just like--
>> Signs-- oh, yeah.
>> Just like the square.
>> The signs are up.
>> Yeah, the signs are up.
>> What I can do is probably add some paint here and add
some marking,
hatch marking that-- that way it's clear that-- in white
paint.
It's clear that you're not supposed to park here.
>> Right. Do it on the other side too.
>> This one is a parking spot if you can see that.
This is a parking spot.
>> But that looks yellow on the curb.
>> It might be a loading zone for this particular--
I can take into that.
But there are loading zones that are marked--
>> I mean, if people were going to-- you know, if somebody
was going to turn left,
that might be a problem to them.
>> That sure is a-- but you know what happens when you--
if it's a parking space, it would be an issue if we start
eliminating that.
That just to-- yeah, the businesses that are not going to
like eliminating this particular
parking spot, the last one.
But this one, we can do something.
It's fine if I have fire hydrant.
>> And that is a loading zone over here on the Fry Street
side that-- where that van is.
That's-- that is a loading zone.
>> It is.
This one is.
>> So, yeah.
So they do have that loading zone.
But the plate-- the park-- the non-parking spot that Jim is
talking about,
if there's somebody in there, since that's right in front
of my office,
it's somebody in there all the time.
>> This-- yes.
>> On the other side.
Over on the-- on the campus side, yeah, that little spot.
I even had-- today, I was crossing the street and I even
had to look to--
before I came to think, is this really-- it's not a parking
spot.
>> It's not.
>> Because there's somebody always in that spot.
>> Fire hydrant is there.
You can't be within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
But we can stripe it white.
>> Got a lot riding.
>> That's going to throw people off a little bit.
They think it's a loading zone.
But loading zones are yellow.
>> Got a lot riding on that small area plan, don't we?
>> A lot riding on that one.
>> A lot of pressure.
>> We better fix the world in that.
Okay. Yeah, I'll add this to the matrix and--
>> Thank you.
>> All right.
Does anybody have anything else for the matrix?
>> Speaking of-- I have to check to see if the--
whatever happened to the-- I slept since then.
Speaking of the Fry Street area, what happened with the
speed change?
Was it one of the business owners going to come back with a
report or a petition?
>> I think we did a study twice.
>> You did?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> It was not recommended to change.
>> Yeah.
>> She was going to take a survey or something.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. It came back through and we changed and--
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, that's fine.
Okay. If there are no other items to the matrix--
>> Motion to adjourn.
>> Everybody's ready to go.
All right.
Seconded?
>> Second.
>> And we are adjourning at 626.
Thank you everybody.
>> Wow, within the hour.
[ Silence ]