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 All right, it is 6.01 and we're going to call the meeting to order. We do have a quorum present.

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 Val Vera and Valerie Morgan have been excused for the evening due to reasons they've explained to Mark.

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 Because of the new sound recording system, I want to let you know that we need to make sure that

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 I recognize you by calling your name and that we don't interrupt or talk over each other.

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 Because it messes up that captioning that we fought so hard to get.

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 All right, so this is the meeting of the Committee on Persons with Disabilities

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 for Thursday, November 21st, 2019. And we have determined that a quorum is present.

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 First is presentations from members of the public. Am I the only? Okay.

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 I have signed up to speak as a member of the public, not as a member of the committee.

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 I am speaking to represent my neighborhood. I live in Idiots Hill.

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 And in our neighborhood is Wilson Elementary. And the school is being rebuilt while school is in session.

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 So what was the playground is gone and is being built on and the original building is still standing.

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 And eventually the teacher's parking lot will be removed.

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 So they are putting the teacher's parking lot. We have two park systems that connect together.

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 And right where the walkway is across the street, they are going to put what they're calling a temporary parking lot.

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 Temporary is estimated to be two years. This is going to increase traffic, it's going to screw with visibility.

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 And as a disabled member of the neighborhood, it is going to make it a lot more unsafe.

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 And there's not anything keeping people from parking there at night when the teachers are gone.

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 So the visibility problem and the traffic problem is an all-day problem, not just an early morning problem.

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 The crosswalk also crosses at an angle, which decreases visibility and even works.

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 Now if this plan is in place, that means planning and zoning knows and the school department knows.

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 The parks and rec department knows. You know who didn't know about it? The disability committee.

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 And to me that's a problem because I know a lot of people in my neighborhood that are disabled.

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 And we didn't get told about this until it was already a done deal.

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 We didn't even have time to make comments to our city council member.

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 We found out through the neighborhood Facebook page that it was a done deal.

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 And that just seems like not enough notice for the neighborhood,

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 not enough time for you to give feedback to the plan,

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 and a real inconvenience for every disabled person in that neighborhood, and to me a danger.

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 So I just wanted to express the concern that things are being done that maybe neighborhoods aren't aware are being done,

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 or maybe other committees aren't aware of what is being done in the school board committee and the planning and zoning committee and other committees.

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 There needs to be some resolution for us to communicate with other committees

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 and to know about things that are going to happen in our town so that we can give input as disabled people when a plan like that happens.

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 Okay, that's my two cents for it itself.

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 It's been requested that we move item A first.

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 Consider the approval of meeting minutes.

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 I motion to, can I motion?

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 Make a motion.

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 Do you need seconds?

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 Alright, we'll accept the minute meetings.

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 And then we're...

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 I'm sorry, I may have made a mistake.

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 I think you have to take a vote.

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 We had a second.

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 All those in favor?

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 Aye.

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 Any opposed?

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 Sorry, first timer.

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 No, you're good.

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 Alright, we are going to move item F to now so that the speaker can get on the road.

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 Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the implementation of an exclusive pedestrian-based pilot program

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 at certain downtown intersections around the square.

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 And our speaker is Brian John, city traffic engineer.

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 Good evening, Brian John, city traffic engineer.

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 So, I'm here to talk to you tonight about traffic signals in cars and pedestrians

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 and how we're supposed to make a few of them a little more safe around the downtown square.

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 So, before I get into a proposal, I want to give a little bit of background on traffic signals and pedestrians

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 and how the vehicle and pedestrian mix works historically and still at many locations.

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 When the traffic signal goes green for the cars, the walk signal comes on at the same time.

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 Now, this is problematic in certain instances where you have high turning volumes

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 because as soon as that pedestrian steps off the curb, you've got a car that wants to turn right.

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 They're not always looking for the pedestrian, they're looking for cars, so there's a conflict there.

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 Similarly, as the car proceeds through the intersection and tries to turn left,

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 pedestrians may be stepping off the curb going the opposite direction, again, a conflict point.

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 So, what we have done in the last few years is introduce what we call the initial pedestrian interval,

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 five or six or seven seconds of walk time before the car gets to green.

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 This allows the pedestrian to get into the crosswalk much more visible.

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 It does not eliminate that conflict, but it helps because it, again, makes the pedestrian more visible.

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 So, as pedestrian volumes increase, or at locations where you have high pedestrian volumes

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 and high turning movements, such as the downtown square, we're trying to isolate those movements even more.

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 And what we're proposing is what we call an exclusive pedestrian phase,

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 or as our public affairs group has termed it, the all-walk crosswalks.

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 So, what happens during the all-walk crosswalks is a pedestrian will activate the button,

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 and this is a requirement, must push the button, and then when that phase comes up,

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 when that time is being served, all of the crosswalks will indicate a walk signal at the same time.

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 You can cross in any direction that you want.

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 And so, no cars are moving, no turns on red, all the signals are indicating a red for the vehicle,

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 so there's no conflict between the pedestrians and the vehicles.

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 Not a new concept, first used in the '40s, and then after World War II,

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 when people fell in love with the car and what person, what car, it kind of fell out of favor,

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 because very few people were walking anymore.

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 So now, as we've seen a resurgence in the complete streets concept, we're providing for all modes,

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 we're trying to get people out of their cars and walking,

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 we're seeing a lot more of these pedestrian-only phases introduced.

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 A lot of them are in very urbanized centers, but we think that we have a great opportunity around the square.

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 So, it increases the convenience for pedestrians that no longer have to conflict with the cars.

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 Definitely promotes and improves the safety.

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 We've eliminated the possibility of the cars and the pedestrians moving at the same time.

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 Each has their own turn, no conflicts again.

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 And the other thing it does is it really, what we're trying to do, we're really trying to promote walking,

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 trying to make it comfortable and attractive to walk around the square, park two blocks away, and walk.

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 And so, this is our pilot program, the four intersections around the square,

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 but we want to consider, if this is successful, then we want to be able to take it on the road

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 and put it elsewhere where we think it's appropriate.

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 Where do we go now?

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 Excuse me?

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 What locations?

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 What locations?

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 Where?

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 When.

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 When.

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 I'll get there in a minute.

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 We've got a couple of slides on some timeline and some implementation.

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 It's sooner than you think.

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 So again, it increases the pedestrian visibility even more than the initial pedestrian interval,

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 because all the pads are moving at the same time in the same direction.

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 Cars don't have to wonder, can I go now?

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 Is this person going to step off the curb?

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 They have a red light.

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 Conflicts are eliminated.

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 We can actually reduce the overall pedestrian crossing time and vehicular crossing time,

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 because we've taken that conflict away.

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 You don't have to wait for a pedestrian to clear the crosswalk.

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 The pedestrian doesn't have to wait for the car who doesn't want to wait and goes in front of them,

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 so we can actually shorten the time for both the crossing of pedestrians and the clearance of vehicles.

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 Yes?

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 With this plan, is there still the initial pedestrian interval?

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 No, we've eliminated the need for that.

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 It takes that away.

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 So some of that time we're getting back to the – actually it's going to go to the vehicular phase,

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 but we're trying to maintain adequate walking times.

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 I'm going to throw a twist in here at you, even though we don't – let me get to the photos here.

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 So we can increase vehicular delay.

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 There are some locations where we might need more time for the pedestrians,

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 and because of the way we're serving traffic, a little bit of increase in the delay.

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 We've looked at these four intersections.

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 We don't see – we're going to have a significant change,

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 because we're able to move the green around the intersection for the cars,

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 because we can use a shorter time.

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 We do eliminate the turns on red, left and right.

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 So around the square, we do have some one-way configurations where some –

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 right now you can make a left turn on red, you can make a right turn on red.

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 With this, that has to stop, because we don't want the conflict.

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 Again, people looking for vehicular traffic and making a right turn and turning into pedestrians.

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 So we may have – we may introduce some driving frustration.

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 Now, what we're hoping is that as this program continues,

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 people get a little bit used to it, everybody lures to take their turn,

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 and that frustration will die down.

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 I don't have my assistant – Todd Estes and I have been doing kind of a pinch hitting.

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 Todd actually drove an intersection in Vancouver this past summer.

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 He didn't know that he was going to come across this,

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 and it had only been in place for a few weeks.

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 But I'll put it in a short summary.

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 What he said – what he found is that it was the most comfortable intersection that he drove through,

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 because there was no chaos.

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 It was – there was order.

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 Everybody knew they had a turn.

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 You might have to wait your turn, but when you got your turn,

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 you wonder, am I going to be in conflict with the pedestrian?

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 Am I going to be in conflict with another car?

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 So it kind of brings some order out of the chaos of everybody getting the right-of-way at the same time.

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 So here's the intersections that we're talking about.

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 Oak and Locust, Oak and Allen, Hickory and Locust.

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 We have taken this to the Main Street Association, Traffic Safety Commission, DEDC.

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 We went to the Mobility Committee.

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 We presented to Council, and Council approved, subject to your responses.

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 So they wanted to hear from this committee and get your feedback prior to us initiating this program.

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 We were looking originally at the 21st, 22nd.

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 We've now pushed that to the 25th, Monday, implementation.

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 We want to start it on a Friday and then have some conflict with staff.

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 We want to be able to be in the field.

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 As this is kicking off, we want to have a lot of observation, a lot of hands-on,

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 be able to put people at these locations to help pedestrians and inform drivers of the proper way to run this.

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 So we're going to run this program for five to six months.

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 Again, we were originally going to run it just for the holidays, but we want to get a lot of feedback.

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 I think we're going to have an initial curve of people not really knowing.

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 How do I do this? Is this working? I don't know.

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 But we want to give it enough time to settle down and get some rhythm so that people can -- they've got an established pattern.

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 They're used to it.

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 Sometimes that takes more than two months.

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 Sometimes it takes a lot longer.

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 So we're going to run this for six months.

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 We're going to be out there collecting data.

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 The Public Affairs Group has put together a fantastic website.

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 There's a survey.

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 We're going to try and get feedback from property owners, from pedestrians, from drivers, just as much as we can.

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 We've got cameras at each of these locations.

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 We'll be watching the activities.

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 And we'll be assessing, as best we can, the success of this program through the feedback and through our observations.

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 And then we'll bring that back to counsel.

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 We'll present our information.

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 They'll deliberate and determine whether or not they want this to stay as a permanent condition or if they want to terminate the program,

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 go back to the way it's operating now with that leading pedestrian interval and sharing the same direction right away with the vehicles.

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 So with that, I'll take questions.

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 I was an embassy officer in Paris and I was also in Tokyo where they have this art.

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 They've implemented it for decades.

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 And they not only had it to where you could walk in a square, but they also had it in an X where you could go across the intersection.

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 And it was met with great success, especially if you're an elderly or handicapped person.

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 You could get across the intersection instead of having to walk around the intersection.

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 And that way you didn't have the time where the person got as far as one intersection and then had to wait for the cycle to go through.

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 And what they did, as I remember, in Tokyo, near the Tokyo Tower, they had a diagonal pedestrian light that would flash red

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 and count down and tell them, "You're not going to go diagonal here shortly. It's going to cut off."

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 So we're doing this in kind of a Texas two-step.

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 Right now the accessible ramps around the square are directional, so they go straight across.

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 The reason we're not implementing the diagonal, it's legal.

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 We're going to say you can do it. We're going to provide enough time to do it.

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 But we don't have the ramps and we're not going to paint the crosswalks until council makes this a permanent program.

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 So if council determines that they want to stay with this, then we'll go back, we'll create a plan, find somebody, fix those,

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 create the corner-loaded ramps and paint the diagonal crosswalks so that you can go anywhere you want to inside that box.

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 And so we will be providing enough time.

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 We ran a test this past week and we'll be providing enough time, and we are using the countdown timers,

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 that you will be able to make potentially two moves more diagonal.

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 Two moves for an average person, but an elderly or disabled person.

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 Right. If you're moving at a slower pace, then you may only get one.

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 But we are extending the time from what it is today. We're adding about four seconds.

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 So, and we're going to be out in the field washing and making adjustments if we see the vehicular backups.

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 Well, I think vehicular traffic also will begin to avoid the downtown square.

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 You know, because there's a lot of people that just drive through there.

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 And it's like getting on I-35, eventually people locally are avoiding it.

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 And it's a balance, it's a trade-off. It's the square, we're going to kind of try and focus on accessibility

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 and making it pad-friendly.

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 You can get there, you can still move around the square in your car.

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 It may take you ten seconds longer to make the entire block.

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 But, if you're just going through, there may be a better route.

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 And we're hoping that people, if they're not, if that's not their destination.

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 And they're just cutting through to get to Bell or to Carroll,

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 then they'll go a block south or two blocks north or whatever.

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 But we're really trying to bring that pedestrian element and focus on that around those four intersections.

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 Ali had a question.

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 My question is, as far as the no turn right or left,

221
00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:36,000
 do you have a strategy in place for the implementation of that because we're creatures of habit?

222
00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:40,000
 Right, we're going to have signage and enforcement.

223
00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:47,000
 We've talked with PD and we will have enforcement during this initial phase and periodic enforcement after that.

224
00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:52,000
 So there's a public information campaign that's going to go out and the no turn on reds in there.

225
00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:56,000
 We're going to have these little A-frame signs for the pedestrians.

226
00:17:56,000 --> 00:18:03,000
 It'll be a media blitz. There's a DTV spot. I think UNT is trying to do a spot.

227
00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:09,000
 We're going to try to get the message out as well as we can, but it is going to fall to enforcement.

228
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,000
 They're probably not going to write tickets. They're probably going to give warnings.

229
00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,000
 Because we are creatures of habit and this is something new.

230
00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:21,000
 We'll have the little flags on the signs and we'll make it obvious that something has changed.

231
00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:26,000
 But it's going to take a little nudge and a little tap on the shoulder and say, "Eh, we don't do that anymore."

232
00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:49,000
 Charlie, did you have another question? Yes. [inaudible]

233
00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:54,000
 So our plan, my plan, is to, if we're successful

234
00:18:54,000 --> 00:19:01,000
 and council decides to leave this in place, then anywhere we have the right combination

235
00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:06,000
 of pedestrian traffic and turning movements, we'll try this.

236
00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:15,000
 UNT, TWU, any of the commercial areas where we can improve pedestrian safety and vehicular safety

237
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:19,000
 because there's no conflict, we'll consider it.

238
00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:28,000
 [inaudible]

239
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:34,000
 And so there are studies that show that this is very effective even when you have very long walking distances.

240
00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:42,000
 And so because it takes a pedestrian a lot longer to get across, you have more of an impact on the vehicular load.

241
00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:49,000
 But again, it's a trade-off. We try to balance the safety versus the efficiency,

242
00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:57,000
 the movement of vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic.

243
00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,000
 Tammy, did you have a question?

244
00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:05,000
 Ally asked, well, mine relates to Ally's.

245
00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:09,000
 You're saying that you want to start this on November 25th?

246
00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:12,000
 Has anyone on the committee heard of this program before?

247
00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,000
 No.

248
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:22,000
 Okay. I'm concerned about having enough time to educate people on the fact that this is about to happen.

249
00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:29,000
 Like with the new turn-style thing on Bonny Bray, we got a lot of notice and maps and it was in the paper.

250
00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:36,000
 I haven't heard about this or seen it, so I'm a little concerned about how you're going to get it set up that quickly.

251
00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:42,000
 So one of the advantages, and I appreciate that, but one of the advantages here is that you're not going to see anything

252
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:46,000
 as a pedestrian or as a driver that you haven't seen every day.

253
00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:51,000
 You're going to get a red light, you're going to get a green light, you're going to get a walk and you're going to get a don't walk.

254
00:20:51,000 --> 00:21:02,000
 The thing that hopefully, it won't be transparent, but the changes that we're making won't change how you cross the street.

255
00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:08,000
 When we put the roundabout in Bonny Bray, that was a major change. So that's not something that a lot of people are used to.

256
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:14,000
 But the advantage of this program is you're going to walk up, you're going to push the button,

257
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:18,000
 you're going to get a walk and you're going to cross the street the same way you do it today.

258
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:22,000
 The only difference is you're not going to have a car trying to turn across your path.

259
00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:33,000
 Starting tomorrow, the media blitz will go out. We've been waiting because we wanted to bring it to this committee.

260
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:40,000
 We missed last month because of the timing. I was out of town. So council was considering that as well.

261
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,000
 They were very concerned that we hadn't had a chance to bring this to you.

262
00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:48,000
 We wanted to get to council because the next meeting is the third.

263
00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:56,000
 It's a timely thing, but we definitely are sensitive to the input and responses from this group.

264
00:21:56,000 --> 00:22:01,000
 I was just going to say, to your point, Beth, I think that because it's going to be holidays right now,

265
00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:07,000
 a lot of the school is going to be out, so we're going to get the locals started in it and maybe students can follow suit.

266
00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:15,000
 Our plan was to try and beat the holidays because we know the pedestrian volumes around the square are going to go up.

267
00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:19,000
 We're going to have events. You're going to have shoppers and people going out for dinner.

268
00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:24,000
 We wanted to have this protection in place for that pedestrian traffic.

269
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:32,000
 There's a learning curve, without a doubt. As far as I'm concerned, we can't get started soon enough.

270
00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:39,000
 I think it's actually helpful to have it implemented sooner than later because we can talk about it all the time,

271
00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:49,000
 but if it's not happening and people can't go see it, a lot of people will ignore it and say, whatever, it's not happening yet.

272
00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:56,000
 We'll have the media campaign starting tomorrow. It'll hit the websites and the newsletters.

273
00:22:56,000 --> 00:23:02,000
 There's a big package that's going out. We'll have the weekend for that to filter out.

274
00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:10,000
 Monday morning, we'll probably wait until after rush hour. We'll implement the plan and then we'll have people stationed

275
00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:17,000
 at each of those intersections to assist and help reinforce the proper behaviors.

276
00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:22,000
 I understand it's going to be a learning curve, but we wanted to roll it out before the holidays for that very reason

277
00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:27,000
 because the pedestrian traffic is going to go up in the next month.

278
00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:35,000
 Any other questions? How many of us think that this is a really good idea for pedestrians?

279
00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,000
 Definitely.

280
00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:40,000
 But that gives council some feedback.

281
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:47,000
 I've been in countries all over the world where this is being done and it's great.

282
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,000
 I've seen it used as well and I think it's very good.

283
00:23:50,000 --> 00:24:01,000
 Yeah, there's been a couple of times where we almost got hit.

284
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:06,000
 Yep. I think this is a great idea. It looks like we're all okay with it.

285
00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:07,000
 Thank you very much.

286
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:10,000
 Thank you for coming.

287
00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:19,000
 All right. Item B, receive a report and hold a discussion about the Park and Recreation Department's adaptive recreation program.

288
00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:26,000
 Carolyn Seward and Melissa Jimenez-Bowlin.

289
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:27,000
 Hi.

290
00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,000
 I hope I didn't mind you tonight.

291
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:34,000
 No, you're fine. My name's Caroline Seward. I'm the program area manager at Parks and Recreation.

292
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:39,000
 So I oversee our leisure services at the rec center's program summer camps and items.

293
00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:43,000
 And we're here today to talk to you about our adaptive recreation programs.

294
00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,000
 And to do that, I want to introduce Melissa Jimenez-Bowlin.

295
00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,000
 She is our adaptive recreation coordinator.

296
00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:57,000
 Hello. If you would please bear with me, I do not like a boat speaking at all.

297
00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:04,000
 So yes, we have our adaptive recreation programs. I teach art therapy twice a week.

298
00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:12,000
 We have a monthly dance. We had about 60 plus people come to our last one.

299
00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:24,000
 We do adaptive yoga once a week. We do adaptive hikes and kayaking, archery, social connections.

300
00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:33,000
 We go bowling, picnics in the park, movies. We have lots of different programs in the past.

301
00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:36,000
 Do you all have any questions on our current program offerings?

302
00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:38,000
 Yes.

303
00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:46,000
 I'd like to know if you have any programs specifically geared towards older disabled people?

304
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:51,000
 Not at the moment. I'm definitely open to talk to anyone.

305
00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:54,000
 I've been trying to grow the program the last year and a half.

306
00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,000
 So we definitely have a lot more than what we started with.

307
00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:01,000
 I know when I first started, I think the first dance that I went to, there was two people.

308
00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:06,000
 So it's slowly getting bigger, but I love the input.

309
00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:09,000
 Can you tell me about adaptive yoga?

310
00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:12,000
 I don't know much about it. I don't teach it.

311
00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:18,000
 But I do have someone that I can definitely give you the contact so that you can talk to her.

312
00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:19,000
 Okay.

313
00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:21,000
 And she's fantastic.

314
00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,000
 Okay. Ally had a question.

315
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,000
 Yeah. Hi.

316
00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:33,000
 We had a meeting. Y'all had a meeting last month about adaptive recreation at adaptive recreation programs.

317
00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:39,000
 Did a little community outreach. I wanted to know what suggestions you guys have taken from that meeting

318
00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,000
 and what you're thinking about implementing.

319
00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:47,000
 So the purpose of that meeting was to kind of gather information for our master plan,

320
00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,000
 which we're in the process of redoing.

321
00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,000
 It's been about 10 years since our last master plan.

322
00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:55,000
 And then to get ideas for future programming.

323
00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:59,000
 So the topics that we covered, the first one was an inclusive playground.

324
00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:02,000
 We don't have a 100% inclusive playground. It didn't.

325
00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:06,000
 So we spent a lot of time talking about the safety features that would need to be in place

326
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:10,000
 or features that people wanted to see in an inclusive playground,

327
00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:14,000
 as well as a location that might be best for a playground.

328
00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:18,000
 A lot of ideas were thrown out as far as like colors of the playground equipment,

329
00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:25,000
 the type of features that would be available, the type of surfacing that would be on the ground,

330
00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:32,000
 the location considerations were not close to railroad tracks or bodies of water,

331
00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:36,000
 making sure that it's away from a major intersection or street.

332
00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:39,000
 But a lot of that information was shared.

333
00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:42,000
 And then the discussion kind of switched into programming.

334
00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:46,000
 What kind of programs would you like to see us expand on?

335
00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:52,000
 A lot of them were sports oriented, team sports, athletic programs.

336
00:27:52,000 --> 00:28:04,000
 We had some requests for quiet spaces for people to have a place to go hang out.

337
00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:07,000
 More adaptive programs for all ages.

338
00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:10,000
 Right now we currently focus mainly at 16 and up.

339
00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:14,000
 So it is more adult adapted recreation versus for the children.

340
00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:18,000
 So there was that family friendly events.

341
00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:21,000
 So the whole family would be included in those recreational opportunities.

342
00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:22,000
 Cool.

343
00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:30,000
 Adapted rock climbing, adapted workout equipment in the actual facilities.

344
00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:32,000
 Tell us more.

345
00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:36,000
 We did have, and I do not remember who the suggestion came from,

346
00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:40,000
 but it was a professor at one of our local universities who offered to help partner,

347
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,000
 to help show us what equipment would be best.

348
00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:44,000
 A recumbent bike.

349
00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:45,000
 A recumbent bike.

350
00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:46,000
 Yeah.

351
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:50,000
 A recumbent bike is the best thing you can do for the disabled people of our community.

352
00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,000
 A recumbent exercise bike.

353
00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:53,000
 Okay.

354
00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,000
 So yes, looking at how we can.

355
00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,000
 I know it does not work for everybody.

356
00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:58,000
 Rex.

357
00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:05,000
 Adaptive yoga, the VA offers it for, like myself, combat wounded.

358
00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:11,000
 They do it based on your disability.

359
00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:21,000
 It is still yoga, but people who have lost limbs or unable to stand like myself and others,

360
00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:27,000
 they do it, I do not know if this is the same as it may or may not be,

361
00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:31,000
 but the VA has that, unfortunately.

362
00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:34,000
 It is a long trip to Dallas.

363
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:35,000
 Yes.

364
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:42,000
 And when I worked in rehabilitation, we had a program that was, it was not called yoga,

365
00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:45,000
 it was called chair level exercise.

366
00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:54,000
 And that is a really great way to help serve the older disabled population especially,

367
00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:59,000
 is to have a chair level exercise class where all the exercises are able to be done,

368
00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:05,000
 sitting down in a wheelchair, but it is, you know, good exercise.

369
00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:09,000
 And everyone just, you know, adapts to what they can do.

370
00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:12,000
 Melissa is writing down suggestions right now as we go through it.

371
00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:14,000
 Joe.

372
00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:22,000
 Have you ever been to Scottish Rite after one year?

373
00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,000
 Scottish Rite, have you been?

374
00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:25,000
 I have not been.

375
00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:29,000
 You don't have to go there.

376
00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:32,000
 I know a lot about social work.

377
00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:34,000
 Okay.

378
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:37,000
 Do you like to go to Scottish Rite?

379
00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:40,000
 We'll have to schedule a tour so we can check it out.

380
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:44,000
 I have a tour every semester.

381
00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:46,000
 He has a tour every semester.

382
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:47,000
 Who goes with his class?

383
00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:48,000
 Me.

384
00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:50,000
 Tamer.

385
00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:54,000
 Sound like you are doing my teaching, you are doing my teaching me today.

386
00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:57,000
 We are trying to, you know, we have the senior center,

387
00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,000
 and they do have some of the chair yoga classes there,

388
00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:04,000
 but anything else we can do to make them more accessible.

389
00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:06,000
 What about pool?

390
00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:09,000
 Pool, that was brought up that we need more pool space.

391
00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:14,000
 Currently we have an auditorium, but there is always a demand for multiple users,

392
00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:18,000
 so that did come up also, additional pool space and time.

393
00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:22,000
 TWU actually has the best handicap accessible pool in town.

394
00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:30,000
 That's where I did a lot of my aquatic therapy after my accident.

395
00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:32,000
 It's a really great facility.

396
00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:37,000
 So some of the other things that were brought up were a lot of just training for staff.

397
00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:40,000
 How can we better train, so we are using the proper terminology,

398
00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:44,000
 and you know, with children with cognitive disabilities.

399
00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:47,000
 So we spent a lot of time at the end of the meeting just talking about

400
00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:51,000
 different training opportunities for staff to be, to better help.

401
00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:57,000
 An excellent training opportunity would be to meet with

402
00:31:57,000 --> 00:32:00,000
 the therapeutic recreation staff at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation.

403
00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:04,000
 They are outstanding.

404
00:32:04,000 --> 00:32:06,000
 Tamara?

405
00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:10,000
 How do we get involved?

406
00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:12,000
 How do you get involved?

407
00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:15,000
 Well we are always, we are still in the process of updating our master plan,

408
00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:18,000
 so any feedback you would like to give us as far as suggestions

409
00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:21,000
 for future programs or facilities,

410
00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:25,000
 we are gathering that information right now to update our master plan.

411
00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:29,000
 But some of these items we know we can put into place sooner rather than later.

412
00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:33,000
 As we look to switch out fitness, switch out this fitness equipment,

413
00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:38,000
 what can we do right now to make those more accessible?

414
00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:41,000
 Joe?

415
00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:43,000
 Scroll down.

416
00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:53,000
 Scroll down?

417
00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:58,000
 I think that covers it.

418
00:32:58,000 --> 00:33:03,000
 Social connections are opportunities to get together and do different activities,

419
00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:06,000
 and then the monthly dances are at the North Lakes Recreation Center.

420
00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:14,000
 Actually those are changing to the Civic Center because we can outgrow our space.

421
00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:19,000
 The monthly dances that are moving to the Civic Center building,

422
00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:22,000
 because we got around the space at North Lakes, they've continued to grow.

423
00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:25,000
 But they will continue as monthly dances just now at the Civic Center.

424
00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:28,000
 As of what date will the December 13th be at the Civic Center?

425
00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:31,000
 Yes, that's the first one in the morning.

426
00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:35,000
 You mentioned the Senior Center, and I know it's a great facility,

427
00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:41,000
 but there's kind of a gap of people that are disabled and aren't old enough for the Senior Center.

428
00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:44,000
 Right.

429
00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:50,000
 So that's where I'd like you all to try to get some programming.

430
00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:52,000
 Yes, exactly.

431
00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:55,000
 So Dewey and Tamara and I can go.

432
00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:58,000
 People that aren't old enough to go to the Senior Center,

433
00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:01,000
 but want to be involved in some activities,

434
00:34:01,000 --> 00:34:05,000
 that's the age group of disabled people that I think gets overlooked.

435
00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:08,000
 That was my point, not to get me held.

436
00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:11,000
 Is there something in specific that you're looking for?

437
00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:17,000
 Because I feel like a lot of these programs, I feel like I am offering this.

438
00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:24,000
 I think the chair level exercise program and having us come and see the yoga would be great.

439
00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:34,000
 And then I can help you with ideas for the chair level exercise class.

440
00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:35,000
 Allie?

441
00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:38,000
 I just wanted to, these programs that they've got,

442
00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:42,000
 they did say that they're going to start working on our younger,

443
00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:45,000
 like our under the age of 16 community,

444
00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:51,000
 but also these programs are geared towards 16 to senior age.

445
00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:54,000
 So I think that that's kind of like a really good thing,

446
00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:59,000
 is that we're not marginalizing that little window between like child and senior,

447
00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:01,000
 which is actually a really huge window.

448
00:35:01,000 --> 00:35:03,000
 So thanks for that.

449
00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:09,000
 Melissa's contact information is down on the bottom of this flyer in your agenda.

450
00:35:09,000 --> 00:35:14,000
 And she is always looking for suggestions and ideas for programming.

451
00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:17,000
 So if you hear of anything or think of anything yourselves,

452
00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:19,000
 please feel free to reach out to her.

453
00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:22,000
 We're always looking to add new and exciting things to our offerings.

454
00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:23,000
 Rex?

455
00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:33,000
 I can go to the Cinemark for a senior ticket for $6 for a movie and have a recliner.

456
00:35:33,000 --> 00:35:35,000
 You want $15?

457
00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:39,000
 Well, and that's something too, you know, that I think needs to be discussed.

458
00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:42,000
 You know, all that information, that would be food as well.

459
00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:44,000
 That's almost three times as much.

460
00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:48,000
 Do you all have scholarships for people that cannot afford those prices?

461
00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:49,000
 So we do.

462
00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:51,000
 We offer Parks and Rec scholarships.

463
00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:56,000
 Our current policy is you are eligible based on income,

464
00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:59,000
 and you can apply at any of our recreation centers.

465
00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:04,000
 It's a $150 scholarship to be applied towards any Parks and Rec program,

466
00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:07,000
 and the scholarship covers half the cost of the program,

467
00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:15,000
 and then the participant covers the other half of the cost of the program.

468
00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:17,000
 Any other questions?

469
00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,000
 Yes.

470
00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:20,000
 Mark.

471
00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:21,000
 Mark Ollison.

472
00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:23,000
 I'm the staff liaison.

473
00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:25,000
 Just a couple questions.

474
00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:31,000
 Do you think it might be appropriate for us to, maybe every six months or something,

475
00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:33,000
 this committee check in with you all?

476
00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:38,000
 Because it doesn't seem what you're doing is absolutely in line with what the committee does.

477
00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:41,000
 Do you schedule these?

478
00:36:41,000 --> 00:36:44,000
 Is it like winter, spring, or what's your...?

479
00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:48,000
 So our registration programs are January 1st through the end of July,

480
00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:51,000
 and then August 1st through the end of December,

481
00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:55,000
 but currently Melissa's planning for the spring as we get ready,

482
00:36:55,000 --> 00:37:01,000
 so I think it'd be great to get together every few months and look and see what you all have.

483
00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:02,000
 Allie.

484
00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:06,000
 I just wanted to add to that because Mark brought it up and I just thought of something else.

485
00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:10,000
 If you are going to be working on like registration and things like that,

486
00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:14,000
 I would be interested if you are coming back to see some data on like

487
00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:18,000
 how many members of the community that are disabled have taken advantage of these programs

488
00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:21,000
 and if it's increased or decreased depending upon what you do.

489
00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:24,000
 Okay.

490
00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:25,000
 Mark.

491
00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:31,000
 Are there any partnerships with the school district at all?

492
00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:32,000
 Good question.

493
00:37:32,000 --> 00:37:41,000
 So I have spoken with a few people, you know, we've gotten together and met, and yes, I have reached out.

494
00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:45,000
 It's been kind of one of those things where it just hasn't happened.

495
00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:51,000
 So, I mean, I will reach out to anyone that wants to talk to me, so it just...

496
00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:55,000
 I know when we had our focus group meeting a few weeks ago,

497
00:37:55,000 --> 00:37:59,000
 the school district felt like they were really covering, you know, the school time activities

498
00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:03,000
 and one of the areas they thought we could focus on are after school and weekends

499
00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:07,000
 for programming specifically for school aged kids

500
00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:10,000
 because that's not a market we're currently hitting.

501
00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:14,000
 And during the summer, speaking about children also, during summer break,

502
00:38:14,000 --> 00:38:18,000
 I know there are summer camps out of the Civic Center.

503
00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:24,000
 Is the adaptive recreation portion integrated with the larger summer camps

504
00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:27,000
 or are there any particular programs in the summer?

505
00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:28,000
 Good question.

506
00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:30,000
 There's not a specific program in the summer.

507
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:34,000
 We do try to accommodate as best we can in our camps.

508
00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:38,000
 With some limitations, we aren't able to provide one-on-one care

509
00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:41,000
 just because of the amount of kids we have in our summer camps.

510
00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:48,000
 But Melissa and one of our other camp counselors are looking at specialty camps for that population.

511
00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:49,000
 Correct.

512
00:38:49,000 --> 00:38:54,000
 We have a large number of veterans returning to the community,

513
00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:57,000
 and some of them are disabled, others are not.

514
00:38:57,000 --> 00:39:04,000
 Have you contacted the community-based outreach clinic to see what you can do to coordinate with them

515
00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:12,000
 to get them involved in reaching out to those veterans and bringing them into the community?

516
00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:15,000
 A lot of them feel left out completely.

517
00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:23,000
 That's one of the things I work with quite regularly is trying to re-assimilate them into the community.

518
00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:29,000
 A lot of them feel totally left out and they just kind of lock themselves in their rooms and don't come out.

519
00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:33,000
 I think this would be a good way to re-assimilate them into the community.

520
00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:35,000
 That's a great idea. No, we have not reached out to them.

521
00:39:35,000 --> 00:39:44,000
 It would be cool to see a veterans group, where it was just a veteran hangout day.

522
00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:48,000
 Some of these people are emotionally or physically wounded,

523
00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:53,000
 and they just don't feel like they belong anywhere anymore.

524
00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:56,000
 I know I did when I came back from Vietnam.

525
00:39:56,000 --> 00:40:03,000
 I just did not feel like I belonged anywhere, and I kind of closed myself off.

526
00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:10,000
 If something like this were available back then, it would have been of immense help.

527
00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:15,000
 I could see this in your monthly dances, your movies, your lunch with friends.

528
00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:19,000
 All these sorts of things would be of great help.

529
00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:28,000
 The manager of the community-based outreach clinic, her name is Ashley French,

530
00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:33,000
 and I can give you her number if you'd like.

531
00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:36,000
 Not that I did not want to do that.

532
00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:39,000
 We can get it from you.

533
00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:47,000
 Do you have another question?

534
00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:50,000
 What kind of classes do you offer?

535
00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:53,000
 Art.

536
00:40:53,000 --> 00:40:59,000
 Our art therapy is every Monday and Thursday from 10.15 to 11.15,

537
00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:04,000
 and I teach those classes, and it's one of my favorite parts of my job.

538
00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:07,000
 I'd love to see you in there.

539
00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:09,000
 We do all kinds of different things.

540
00:41:09,000 --> 00:41:11,000
 We use paint, crayons, anything.

541
00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:13,000
 We can get our hands on what we're doing in there.

542
00:41:13,000 --> 00:41:14,000
 I'm sorry.

543
00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:15,000
 Granite.

544
00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:17,000
 But not quite.

545
00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:19,000
 What about wood burning?

546
00:41:19,000 --> 00:41:20,000
 Wood burning?

547
00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:21,000
 Wood burning?

548
00:41:21,000 --> 00:41:23,000
 No, but that would be fun.

549
00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:24,000
 It's really fun.

550
00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:27,000
 I'd love to see you work.

551
00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:29,000
 Tamara.

552
00:41:29,000 --> 00:41:39,000
 I'm aware of a campsite in Brenham.

553
00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:41,000
 Do you have anything right there?

554
00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:43,000
 We currently don't.

555
00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:46,000
 But we can look at that camp and check it out.

556
00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:48,000
 It's in Brenham, Texas.

557
00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:50,000
 It's huge.

558
00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:52,000
 Everything's for the disability.

559
00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:54,000
 They can do anything.

560
00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:56,000
 Yeah, we'll definitely check it out.

561
00:41:56,000 --> 00:41:59,000
 Tamara, we could not hear you.

562
00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:01,000
 Do you mind repeating?

563
00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:02,000
 The camp.

564
00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:05,000
 There's a camp in Brenham, Texas for the disability,

565
00:42:05,000 --> 00:42:07,000
 and you can go down there during the summertime,

566
00:42:07,000 --> 00:42:10,000
 and it's rooms for you.

567
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:14,000
 They cook for you, and then they have everything that you want to do.

568
00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:16,000
 It's all disability.

569
00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:18,000
 Y'all can do anything.

570
00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:19,000
 You can get in canoes.

571
00:42:19,000 --> 00:42:21,000
 The canoes are set up.

572
00:42:21,000 --> 00:42:24,000
 They can go in safely, and out of it, it's awesome.

573
00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:25,000
 It's really good.

574
00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:30,000
 I know a group that uses that facility for their annual camp.

575
00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:32,000
 It's a really neat place.

576
00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,000
 Did you have another question?

577
00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:37,000
 I just wanted to bring up just a point in the thought to keep in mind,

578
00:42:37,000 --> 00:42:42,000
 is that for all these activities and these things that you're doing that are so helpful,

579
00:42:42,000 --> 00:42:45,000
 I just think it is important to remember that more than anything,

580
00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:49,000
 it's important to adapt and include, as opposed to secluding.

581
00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:51,000
 So just keep that in mind.

582
00:42:51,000 --> 00:42:57,000
 I'm originally from Wichita Falls, and we have a similar program up there,

583
00:42:57,000 --> 00:43:01,000
 and one thing I didn't see on there was cooking classes,

584
00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:05,000
 and that was probably the most popular thing,

585
00:43:05,000 --> 00:43:12,000
 because a lot of people are older or younger people.

586
00:43:12,000 --> 00:43:16,000
 We no longer have home economics classes in schools,

587
00:43:16,000 --> 00:43:18,000
 so they don't even know how to cook,

588
00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:22,000
 and this is an opportunity for them to learn to cook,

589
00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:27,000
 and that was the most popular thing we had up there,

590
00:43:27,000 --> 00:43:29,000
 and a lot of local restaurants got involved,

591
00:43:29,000 --> 00:43:36,000
 sending their head chefs over and teaching people their signature dishes.

592
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:40,000
 So actually, I do have something like that set up in the spring already,

593
00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:43,000
 and so I love hearing that feedback,

594
00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:48,000
 because that means that that's something that hopefully will work out well and that we can start doing.

595
00:43:48,000 --> 00:43:51,000
 Call me, because I have a master's degree in hotel restaurant management

596
00:43:51,000 --> 00:43:54,000
 with a minor in dietetics and a minor in culinary arts in Cornell.

597
00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:56,000
 Oh, absolutely.

598
00:43:56,000 --> 00:43:58,000
 And I did work in rehabilitation.

599
00:43:58,000 --> 00:44:00,000
 I'm a speech language pathologist,

600
00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:03,000
 and I was the rehabilitation director for several facilities,

601
00:44:03,000 --> 00:44:05,000
 so I can help you as well.

602
00:44:05,000 --> 00:44:10,000
 But I really like Mark's idea of this committee working directly with you

603
00:44:10,000 --> 00:44:14,000
 as you plan your activities.

604
00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:16,000
 Is that something y'all are receptive to?

605
00:44:16,000 --> 00:44:18,000
 Yes, for sure. I love that.

606
00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:21,000
 Mark, can we do like, it doesn't have to be for Mark,

607
00:44:21,000 --> 00:44:24,000
 can we do like a work session with them?

608
00:44:24,000 --> 00:44:27,000
 A brainstorming work session with them.

609
00:44:27,000 --> 00:44:29,000
 That works so well for me.

610
00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:31,000
 All right.

611
00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:34,000
 And how do we schedule that?

612
00:44:34,000 --> 00:44:36,000
 They'll get a talk with us.

613
00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:38,000
 You'll get with them.

614
00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:41,000
 I really do like the idea of this group working with your group.

615
00:44:41,000 --> 00:44:43,000
 I think that can go places.

616
00:44:43,000 --> 00:44:45,000
 Thank you so much for having us.

617
00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:47,000
 Thank you so much for coming.

618
00:44:47,000 --> 00:44:48,000
 Oh, Mark has one more.

619
00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:50,000
 One more question.

620
00:44:50,000 --> 00:44:55,000
 Our committee has discussed several times volunteer opportunities in the city,

621
00:44:55,000 --> 00:44:58,000
 and we have talked to some departments.

622
00:44:58,000 --> 00:45:03,000
 So does the Parks and Rec Department use volunteers?

623
00:45:03,000 --> 00:45:09,000
 If so, how does that happen and perhaps are there opportunities

624
00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:11,000
 for persons with disabilities to do so?

625
00:45:11,000 --> 00:45:13,000
 We thrive off of volunteers.

626
00:45:13,000 --> 00:45:15,000
 That's what makes a lot of our programs happen.

627
00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:19,000
 So we have a lot of our special events, we use volunteers.

628
00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:25,000
 So we do our Halloween Harvest, Halloween Carnival, our Fourth of July Jubilee.

629
00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:32,000
 We have MLK Day, a Black History Month program that we utilize with a lot of volunteers

630
00:45:32,000 --> 00:45:35,000
 to help pass out information and direct traffic.

631
00:45:35,000 --> 00:45:40,000
 So we would love for you all to come out and help volunteer for some of our events.

632
00:45:40,000 --> 00:45:41,000
 Can I ask one more question?

633
00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:43,000
 Yes, you can ask one more question.

634
00:45:43,000 --> 00:45:45,000
 One more question on that.

635
00:45:45,000 --> 00:45:52,000
 Is there any sort of maybe, as far as that goes, volunteer age restrictions?

636
00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:57,000
 If so, is there somewhere online or in the media that we can find certain age restrictions

637
00:45:57,000 --> 00:46:01,000
 for volunteer opportunities, for example, like if you've got a 10-year-old kid

638
00:46:01,000 --> 00:46:05,000
 that has a disability, do they have the opportunity to volunteer at something like this

639
00:46:05,000 --> 00:46:09,000
 or is it just for adults, just kind of like a different idea of what volunteers you're looking for?

640
00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:14,000
 So currently our volunteers do have to be adults, but that is definitely something we can look at.

641
00:46:14,000 --> 00:46:19,000
 We have a specific volunteer, sometimes we'll do large groups, we'll do a volunteer project for us

642
00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:24,000
 and then it will be ages, you know, kids and adults, park clean up, you know,

643
00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:29,000
 something along those lines where it is up at all ages, but these special events I was speaking of

644
00:46:29,000 --> 00:46:31,000
 tend to be more adult volunteers.

645
00:46:31,000 --> 00:46:36,000
 Thank you so much for having us.

646
00:46:36,000 --> 00:46:39,000
 And I'm sorry I didn't make the meeting last month.

647
00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:40,000
 Sorry.

648
00:46:40,000 --> 00:46:41,000
 Oh, it's okay.

649
00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:42,000
 I advertised it for you.

650
00:46:42,000 --> 00:46:43,000
 Thank you so much.

651
00:46:43,000 --> 00:46:44,000
 I appreciate it.

652
00:46:44,000 --> 00:46:45,000
 That's beautiful.

653
00:46:45,000 --> 00:46:46,000
 All right.

654
00:46:46,000 --> 00:46:48,000
 Moving on.

655
00:46:48,000 --> 00:46:52,000
 Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff input about current and future projects

656
00:46:52,000 --> 00:46:58,000
 of the city's capital projects department and how they can be inclusive for persons of all abilities

657
00:46:58,000 --> 00:47:03,000
 and our speaker is Preetam Deshmukh.

658
00:47:03,000 --> 00:47:04,000
 Welcome.

659
00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:05,000
 Good evening.

660
00:47:05,000 --> 00:47:07,000
 Thank you, Chair, members of the committee.

661
00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:14,000
 My name is Preetam Deshmukh, Deputy City Engineer, and I will be talking on the next two items,

662
00:47:14,000 --> 00:47:16,000
 starting with the first one.

663
00:47:16,000 --> 00:47:18,000
 Let me open up my presentation.

664
00:47:18,000 --> 00:47:26,000
 That looks like every streetman dancing.

665
00:47:26,000 --> 00:47:27,000
 That's why it's up here.

666
00:47:27,000 --> 00:47:30,000
 There are no construction.

667
00:47:30,000 --> 00:47:33,000
 So this is an update on all the capital projects.

668
00:47:33,000 --> 00:47:38,000
 It's not at full inclusive list, but I will highlight the important ones.

669
00:47:38,000 --> 00:47:45,000
 A few of them are textile projects, but the smaller ones are also included that are city projects.

670
00:47:45,000 --> 00:47:48,000
 Start with one of our large projects.

671
00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:49,000
 This is a city project.

672
00:47:49,000 --> 00:47:51,000
 It has seven phases.

673
00:47:51,000 --> 00:47:57,000
 It was not -- it didn't start as a seven-phase project, but as it has evolved,

674
00:47:57,000 --> 00:48:02,000
 it is the segment of Bonnie Bray that starts all the way south at Finch,

675
00:48:02,000 --> 00:48:08,000
 and it goes all the way through the city, north-south, and then connects to Loop 288.

676
00:48:08,000 --> 00:48:17,000
 So the ultimate connection will be an interchange over-crossing with fronted roads at Loop 288.

677
00:48:17,000 --> 00:48:18,000
 I'll start with phase one.

678
00:48:18,000 --> 00:48:20,000
 Phase one is already constructed.

679
00:48:20,000 --> 00:48:24,000
 You can see some of the pictures here when it was under construction.

680
00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:29,000
 There are two bridges over the creek and the flip planes.

681
00:48:29,000 --> 00:48:31,000
 So phase one is almost complete.

682
00:48:31,000 --> 00:48:37,000
 We're going through a punch list item, which is like the last step of the project,

683
00:48:37,000 --> 00:48:40,000
 before we take over the project and open the roads.

684
00:48:40,000 --> 00:48:42,000
 Phase two has already been let out.

685
00:48:42,000 --> 00:48:47,000
 The council awarded a contract this past Tuesday.

686
00:48:47,000 --> 00:48:51,000
 It will be soon under construction, I think, right after the holiday season,

687
00:48:51,000 --> 00:48:55,000
 starting first month of the year.

688
00:48:55,000 --> 00:48:57,000
 Next year, it will begin construction.

689
00:48:57,000 --> 00:49:02,000
 That phase includes Vintage Road between 35W and 377.

690
00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:06,000
 So this will be completely widened to a four-lane divided.

691
00:49:06,000 --> 00:49:11,000
 Phase three, as you can see, some portion of it is under construction.

692
00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:17,000
 It is a phase between the Rose Lawn and 35E.

693
00:49:17,000 --> 00:49:19,000
 A portion of it, utilities are currently under construction.

694
00:49:19,000 --> 00:49:21,000
 There's a lot of utility work going on.

695
00:49:21,000 --> 00:49:26,000
 Once the utilities are done, it will follow by the roadway widening project.

696
00:49:26,000 --> 00:49:32,000
 Phase four, we split phase four into two projects.

697
00:49:32,000 --> 00:49:36,000
 You've seen already that the roundabout is almost done.

698
00:49:36,000 --> 00:49:40,000
 That was the roundabout at Scripture and Bonnie Gray.

699
00:49:40,000 --> 00:49:42,000
 That was pulled out of phase four.

700
00:49:42,000 --> 00:49:49,000
 So the remaining phase four is between Scripture south of the roundabout to 35E.

701
00:49:49,000 --> 00:49:54,000
 Phase five is from Scripture to University Drive.

702
00:49:54,000 --> 00:49:55,000
 So that's the phase five.

703
00:49:55,000 --> 00:50:00,000
 And these are all the timelines that we want to hit.

704
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:06,000
 And then phase six is between University and US 77.

705
00:50:06,000 --> 00:50:11,000
 And then from US 77 to Luke 288 is phase seven.

706
00:50:11,000 --> 00:50:13,000
 Phase seven is currently taken over by TechStop.

707
00:50:13,000 --> 00:50:16,000
 They will be designing it.

708
00:50:16,000 --> 00:50:19,000
 They will be constructing it as part of their project.

709
00:50:19,000 --> 00:50:23,000
 They've picked up the project and they said, "We'll help you do it."

710
00:50:23,000 --> 00:50:26,000
 Phase sixes are currently our priority.

711
00:50:26,000 --> 00:50:30,000
 And then in my next presentation, I'll talk about bond projects.

712
00:50:30,000 --> 00:50:35,000
 But phase six is currently our priority because Denton High School is moving in this area.

713
00:50:35,000 --> 00:50:38,000
 Their timeline is 2022.

714
00:50:38,000 --> 00:50:40,000
 It's somewhere here.

715
00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:45,000
 And the classes will begin in 2022, which means we have to be done.

716
00:50:45,000 --> 00:50:47,000
 And our timeline is around this.

717
00:50:47,000 --> 00:50:51,000
 We should be wrapping things up as they move in.

718
00:50:51,000 --> 00:50:54,000
 So it's currently under design.

719
00:50:54,000 --> 00:51:02,000
 And with the bond passing, we receive some money to get this thing going in the construction phase as well.

720
00:51:02,000 --> 00:51:08,000
 So the total cost of the project, approximately $120 million from phase one all the way to phase seven.

721
00:51:08,000 --> 00:51:13,000
 And then all phases we're anticipating being completed by 2024.

722
00:51:13,000 --> 00:51:20,000
 This, as TechStop has taken phase seven over, we don't really control that timeline anymore.

723
00:51:20,000 --> 00:51:24,000
 So it may go into beyond 2024.

724
00:51:24,000 --> 00:51:27,000
 Next project is Teasley.

725
00:51:27,000 --> 00:51:37,000
 And I have received many calls on this as the project started and stopped and started and stopped and finally.

726
00:51:37,000 --> 00:51:40,000
 So it said schedule to be determined.

727
00:51:40,000 --> 00:51:45,000
 It originally had a two-year schedule, 500 plus days.

728
00:51:45,000 --> 00:51:52,000
 And when the contractor first started, they did part of the utilities.

729
00:51:52,000 --> 00:51:57,000
 Then the contractor went bankrupt. They pretty much lost everything.

730
00:51:57,000 --> 00:51:59,000
 They're out. The bond company jumped in.

731
00:51:59,000 --> 00:52:02,000
 Now they have a new contractor on board.

732
00:52:02,000 --> 00:52:06,000
 But the new contractor still has two years to complete this project.

733
00:52:06,000 --> 00:52:11,000
 So the negotiations were it was negotiated that they get the whole time back.

734
00:52:11,000 --> 00:52:18,000
 They don't. So at least the contractors on board and they will be starting construction.

735
00:52:18,000 --> 00:52:23,000
 I think this week or next week, pretty much they were required when they signed the agreement,

736
00:52:23,000 --> 00:52:25,000
 they were required to start within a month.

737
00:52:25,000 --> 00:52:29,000
 And I think it's about 27 or 26 is when it comes up.

738
00:52:29,000 --> 00:52:34,000
 November is when the contractor should be starting back.

739
00:52:34,000 --> 00:52:36,000
 So that will be under construction soon.

740
00:52:36,000 --> 00:52:37,000
 Any questions?

741
00:52:37,000 --> 00:52:40,000
 Can we go back to the last one, to Bonnie Bray?

742
00:52:40,000 --> 00:52:41,000
 Absolutely.

743
00:52:41,000 --> 00:52:47,000
 Kind of in relation to what Joe said earlier, this is going to cross some pretty major intersections.

744
00:52:47,000 --> 00:52:55,000
 How is pedestrian traffic going to be handled under the new design that we're putting in?

745
00:52:55,000 --> 00:53:00,000
 So at all intersections, pedestrians, so if it's a signalized intersection,

746
00:53:00,000 --> 00:53:03,000
 pedestrian traffic will have pedestrian phases.

747
00:53:03,000 --> 00:53:08,000
 It will be ADA compliant. It will have audibles, messages,

748
00:53:08,000 --> 00:53:14,000
 and it will have the push buttons and everything that goes to countdown heads.

749
00:53:14,000 --> 00:53:19,000
 So anything that you see on square today, the countdown heads, the push buttons, the audible sounds,

750
00:53:19,000 --> 00:53:23,000
 everything will be added to all the new signalized intersections.

751
00:53:23,000 --> 00:53:24,000
 Very good.

752
00:53:24,000 --> 00:53:27,000
 So, I mean, we are making sure.

753
00:53:27,000 --> 00:53:33,000
 And as part of this project, there is a 12-, I want to say 10-foot side path,

754
00:53:33,000 --> 00:53:41,000
 which is a trail, bike trail, on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side of this project, all the way.

755
00:53:41,000 --> 00:53:47,000
 So starting all the way to the south here, it will extend through this area.

756
00:53:47,000 --> 00:53:52,000
 And then the other connection is between UNT campus and their north campus.

757
00:53:52,000 --> 00:53:56,000
 We want to see that bicycle traffic moving up and down.

758
00:53:56,000 --> 00:53:57,000
 Sonia?

759
00:53:57,000 --> 00:54:02,000
 So will the sidewalk just be on one side?

760
00:54:02,000 --> 00:54:04,000
 So there will be sidewalks on both sides.

761
00:54:04,000 --> 00:54:08,000
 One will be 5 feet wide. The other will be 10 plus.

762
00:54:08,000 --> 00:54:13,000
 And I think where it goes through McKenna Park and the Bonnie Ray Scripture area,

763
00:54:13,000 --> 00:54:17,000
 it will wide into the park and get through the park.

764
00:54:17,000 --> 00:54:23,000
 There will be some type of shading and landscaping around it to make it feel more like a trail.

765
00:54:23,000 --> 00:54:27,000
 Similar scenario with when it passes through this North Lakes area.

766
00:54:27,000 --> 00:54:32,000
 We'll pull it in a little bit and make sure that, you know, they can get into the park area.

767
00:54:32,000 --> 00:54:36,000
 So that's our plan that's under design.

768
00:54:36,000 --> 00:54:38,000
 Yes?

769
00:54:38,000 --> 00:54:50,000
 So how will that affect his property?

770
00:54:50,000 --> 00:54:53,000
 So we are currently reviewing that. That's under phase 5.

771
00:54:53,000 --> 00:54:57,000
 I think I've been to a place. Yeah, it's in phase 5.

772
00:54:57,000 --> 00:55:02,000
 And currently we're trying to stay within our existing footprint, not take more right-of-way.

773
00:55:02,000 --> 00:55:05,000
 So you currently have an existing sidewalk in front of your house.

774
00:55:05,000 --> 00:55:12,000
 We're trying to put this up. We have up-wired right-of-way on the other side, on the razor-edge side.

775
00:55:12,000 --> 00:55:16,000
 So most likely then that would be the side that would impact more in the future.

776
00:55:16,000 --> 00:55:23,000
 We're currently under design. I don't know exactly how much impact your house will have.

777
00:55:23,000 --> 00:55:26,000
 We'll reach out to you once we get to that stage.

778
00:55:26,000 --> 00:55:30,000
 Thanks for backtracking for us.

779
00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:47,000
 What are you going to put in the middle of the razor-edge?

780
00:55:47,000 --> 00:55:49,000
 In the middle of the four lanes?

781
00:55:49,000 --> 00:55:50,000
 The roundabout.

782
00:55:50,000 --> 00:55:52,000
 The roundabout. Are you all going to do it?

783
00:55:52,000 --> 00:55:54,000
 In the middle of the roundabout?

784
00:55:54,000 --> 00:55:56,000
 Where Bonnie braids?

785
00:55:56,000 --> 00:56:01,000
 Right, so roundabout is currently, they're designing the inside.

786
00:56:01,000 --> 00:56:07,000
 A portion of it will be stamped concrete, but they're adding bushes and trees and features.

787
00:56:07,000 --> 00:56:10,000
 We're working with our parts department.

788
00:56:10,000 --> 00:56:21,000
 We've ordered, there will be some plants and some trees and shrubberies within the roundabout itself.

789
00:56:21,000 --> 00:56:33,000
 So this is 377. The limits of this project, 35, from 35 all the way to just south of 1830.

790
00:56:33,000 --> 00:56:40,000
 And it also includes the small segment of 1830 and Hobson intersection widening.

791
00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:43,000
 So there are some improvements at this intersection. It's pretty congested.

792
00:56:43,000 --> 00:56:45,000
 We all know that. We're trying to fix it.

793
00:56:45,000 --> 00:56:50,000
 And it will be fixed as part of the 377 project.

794
00:56:50,000 --> 00:56:55,000
 There will be turn lanes added onto that segment on 1830 between Hobson.

795
00:56:55,000 --> 00:56:59,000
 There's lanes added on Hobson for left turn and right turn.

796
00:56:59,000 --> 00:57:03,000
 So there's considerable improvement at these intersections.

797
00:57:03,000 --> 00:57:08,000
 One will be signalized and you can see, I don't know if you can see it here,

798
00:57:08,000 --> 00:57:15,000
 but James Street in that area will be realigned as the fourth leg on the north side.

799
00:57:15,000 --> 00:57:21,000
 So there will be a fourth leg at the intersection of 1830 and 377.

800
00:57:21,000 --> 00:57:27,000
 It's currently under construction. I think there are 85% done with the utilities.

801
00:57:27,000 --> 00:57:30,000
 Once the utilities are done, I think the city park will be out.

802
00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:35,000
 Most of the remaining portion will be textile roadway traffic.

803
00:57:35,000 --> 00:57:39,000
 Their schedule is November of next year, so one more year of construction.

804
00:57:39,000 --> 00:57:42,000
 And they're moving pretty at a pretty good pace.

805
00:57:42,000 --> 00:57:47,000
 I think they demolished the bridge, the old bridge.

806
00:57:47,000 --> 00:57:51,000
 They've created a shoe fly. It's called a bypass.

807
00:57:51,000 --> 00:57:55,000
 It's called shoe fly, but it's a bypass for the trains.

808
00:57:55,000 --> 00:57:58,000
 So they've created a separate bridge. They demolished the older one.

809
00:57:58,000 --> 00:58:03,000
 They'll now start constructing the old bridge.

810
00:58:03,000 --> 00:58:06,000
 All right. I-35 improvements.

811
00:58:06,000 --> 00:58:10,000
 It feels like we've been under construction for years on I-35.

812
00:58:10,000 --> 00:58:17,000
 I started driving it in 1958.

813
00:58:17,000 --> 00:58:24,000
 So currently we have one project that has three interchanges.

814
00:58:24,000 --> 00:58:27,000
 One is the Loop 288.

815
00:58:27,000 --> 00:58:30,000
 There is a new interchange on Brinker. You can see that.

816
00:58:30,000 --> 00:58:33,000
 And then Mayhill. Mayhill was a really small upgrade.

817
00:58:33,000 --> 00:58:37,000
 It was a Texas U-turn that they recently installed.

818
00:58:37,000 --> 00:58:43,000
 Brinker is a full interchange with Signals. They're currently working on it.

819
00:58:43,000 --> 00:58:50,000
 Based on their schedule, I think this project should be completed end of the year,

820
00:58:50,000 --> 00:58:52,000
 before the end of the year.

821
00:58:52,000 --> 00:58:54,000
 I will agree.

822
00:58:54,000 --> 00:58:56,000
 [laughter]

823
00:58:56,000 --> 00:59:04,000
 But there is a brand new project coming in on Mayhill Road.

824
00:59:04,000 --> 00:59:07,000
 So this is the second Mayhill job that's coming in.

825
00:59:07,000 --> 00:59:12,000
 So you can imagine Loop is going to be 10 lanes under the bridge right now.

826
00:59:12,000 --> 00:59:14,000
 You can see how wide and tall the bridge is.

827
00:59:14,000 --> 00:59:19,000
 Then after the Mayhill interchange is built, it's going to be 12 lanes under the bridge.

828
00:59:19,000 --> 00:59:23,000
 So it's going to be bigger than the Loop interchange.

829
00:59:23,000 --> 00:59:26,000
 Because 2499 comes in and joins in.

830
00:59:26,000 --> 00:59:31,000
 And then Mayhill, we have another project, the DCT railroad bridge.

831
00:59:31,000 --> 00:59:34,000
 So we have widened Mayhill. There is a bridge coming in.

832
00:59:34,000 --> 00:59:37,000
 And this becomes a large interchange for us.

833
00:59:37,000 --> 00:59:40,000
 So this interchange is under design.

834
00:59:40,000 --> 00:59:42,000
 Go ahead.

835
00:59:42,000 --> 00:59:45,000
 You had a question? No? Okay.

836
00:59:45,000 --> 00:59:48,000
 So this interchange is under design.

837
00:59:48,000 --> 00:59:54,000
 And it will, I want to say it will start construction next year.

838
00:59:54,000 --> 00:59:56,000
 Because they're coming back.

839
00:59:56,000 --> 01:00:00,000
 So it will feel that you're still back to back under construction.

840
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:05,000
 I live there.

841
01:00:05,000 --> 01:00:08,000
 Yes. And as part of this interchange project,

842
01:00:08,000 --> 01:00:17,000
 they are going to redo the frontage road on this side between the Loop and Mayhill.

843
01:00:17,000 --> 01:00:20,000
 So it will still feel that it's under construction.

844
01:00:20,000 --> 01:00:30,000
 When are we going to quit narrowing down the lanes of 35 when we go into,

845
01:00:30,000 --> 01:00:35,000
 when you get up there to the Loop, you know, narrow to two lanes.

846
01:00:35,000 --> 01:00:38,000
 Both north and south, they narrow to two lanes.

847
01:00:38,000 --> 01:00:41,000
 We have all these accidents every day there.

848
01:00:41,000 --> 01:00:45,000
 They'll be completely open end of the year.

849
01:00:45,000 --> 01:00:49,000
 When this project is done, when these three interchange projects are done.

850
01:00:49,000 --> 01:00:51,000
 I think they're getting ready.

851
01:00:51,000 --> 01:00:55,000
 Their deadline was sometime end of November.

852
01:00:55,000 --> 01:00:57,000
 But you know the way that goes.

853
01:00:57,000 --> 01:01:00,000
 That's why we're still holding them on to end of December.

854
01:01:00,000 --> 01:01:04,000
 What year?

855
01:01:04,000 --> 01:01:06,000
 Just a thought.

856
01:01:06,000 --> 01:01:11,000
 Typically when we get answers from TxDOT, they say it's going to be spring.

857
01:01:11,000 --> 01:01:13,000
 I'm like, spring of what year?

858
01:01:13,000 --> 01:01:14,000
 Yeah.

859
01:01:14,000 --> 01:01:16,000
 That's the question we always have.

860
01:01:16,000 --> 01:01:19,000
 So the lanes will be open.

861
01:01:19,000 --> 01:01:24,000
 And also the Dallas Drive underpass that is currently closed,

862
01:01:24,000 --> 01:01:28,000
 that will be open as well to get on southbound ramp.

863
01:01:28,000 --> 01:01:29,000
 This year?

864
01:01:29,000 --> 01:01:31,000
 This year.

865
01:01:31,000 --> 01:01:32,000
 It's happening this year.

866
01:01:32,000 --> 01:01:34,000
 We hold you to that.

867
01:01:34,000 --> 01:01:35,000
 They're wrapping up.

868
01:01:35,000 --> 01:01:37,000
 I think they're very close.

869
01:01:37,000 --> 01:01:41,000
 The middle guardrail was the only thing, or the concrete barrier was the only thing.

870
01:01:41,000 --> 01:01:44,000
 I see a new sign that says Bucky Drive.

871
01:01:44,000 --> 01:01:49,000
 No, but let's not go there.

872
01:01:49,000 --> 01:01:51,000
 Continue.

873
01:01:51,000 --> 01:01:55,000
 I don't think you were going to explain that to me.

874
01:01:55,000 --> 01:01:59,000
 So there are two projects here.

875
01:01:59,000 --> 01:02:04,000
 One project is just this merge area of 35W and 35E.

876
01:02:04,000 --> 01:02:06,000
 It's going to be upgraded.

877
01:02:06,000 --> 01:02:10,000
 And then there's 35 all the way to 77.

878
01:02:10,000 --> 01:02:12,000
 That's the second project.

879
01:02:12,000 --> 01:02:14,000
 This is fully funded.

880
01:02:14,000 --> 01:02:17,000
 It's currently going through the environmental clearance

881
01:02:17,000 --> 01:02:20,000
 as well as going through the design phase and acquisition,

882
01:02:20,000 --> 01:02:22,000
 right-of-way acquisition.

883
01:02:22,000 --> 01:02:28,000
 All of that said, it should start to begin construction in 2023.

884
01:02:28,000 --> 01:02:30,000
 So the construction is not going to go away.

885
01:02:30,000 --> 01:02:32,000
 It's going to continue.

886
01:02:32,000 --> 01:02:36,000
 As we further go north, there's another project that's not listed,

887
01:02:36,000 --> 01:02:39,000
 but north of here up to the state line,

888
01:02:39,000 --> 01:02:42,000
 there's another project that has received funding.

889
01:02:42,000 --> 01:02:46,000
 So the total funding on this piece of 35

890
01:02:46,000 --> 01:02:48,000
 is close to $800 million.

891
01:02:48,000 --> 01:02:51,000
 And it will continue this way.

892
01:02:51,000 --> 01:02:54,000
 And that project has expedited deadline.

893
01:02:54,000 --> 01:02:56,000
 I think that project begins in 2022.

894
01:02:56,000 --> 01:03:00,000
 So we need Bonnie Bray as a bypass,

895
01:03:00,000 --> 01:03:03,000
 because a lot of people are going to get on Bonnie Bray.

896
01:03:03,000 --> 01:03:06,000
 And if it's still a two-lane, we're in trouble.

897
01:03:06,000 --> 01:03:11,000
 So we want to make sure that Bonnie Bray is completely widened.

898
01:03:11,000 --> 01:03:16,000
 And then we have alternative routes to go through this area.

899
01:03:16,000 --> 01:03:19,000
 This is a city project, Mayhill, as I mentioned.

900
01:03:19,000 --> 01:03:20,000
 We're wrapping it up.

901
01:03:20,000 --> 01:03:23,000
 That project should be wrapped up early next year.

902
01:03:23,000 --> 01:03:28,000
 I want to say February should -- we would have everything open up and normal.

903
01:03:28,000 --> 01:03:35,000
 If you see the blue line is what phase one is, it's a long project.

904
01:03:35,000 --> 01:03:38,000
 And there is a second phase to it.

905
01:03:38,000 --> 01:03:41,000
 That's the DCTA bridge I was talking about.

906
01:03:41,000 --> 01:03:44,000
 This project was supposed to wrap up December,

907
01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:46,000
 but there has been many weather delays

908
01:03:46,000 --> 01:03:48,000
 and other delays that happened with this project.

909
01:03:48,000 --> 01:03:51,000
 So we should -- I think the timeline has pushed a couple months,

910
01:03:51,000 --> 01:03:55,000
 but we should be able to wrap it up early next year.

911
01:03:55,000 --> 01:03:58,000
 On the DCTA bridge, that will follow immediately.

912
01:03:58,000 --> 01:04:00,000
 Next year, we should begin construction,

913
01:04:00,000 --> 01:04:03,000
 and that's two-year construction for the bridge.

914
01:04:03,000 --> 01:04:11,000
 So that way, this whole piece will be four-lane divided all the way to I-35E.

915
01:04:11,000 --> 01:04:15,000
 There is a lot of traffic that currently uses the loop,

916
01:04:15,000 --> 01:04:23,000
 and that will be lessened, and most of the traffic will move to Mayhill.

917
01:04:23,000 --> 01:04:24,000
 Total market.

918
01:04:24,000 --> 01:04:25,000
 Yes.

919
01:04:25,000 --> 01:04:28,000
 Just a quick -- can you tell us about the sidewalks next to Mayhill?

920
01:04:28,000 --> 01:04:29,000
 Yes, it's the same thing.

921
01:04:29,000 --> 01:04:31,000
 If you can -- if I can zoom in.

922
01:04:31,000 --> 01:04:37,000
 If you see, this is a larger or wider sidewalk, trail/trail.

923
01:04:37,000 --> 01:04:40,000
 So one side, it's 10-plus feet.

924
01:04:40,000 --> 01:04:42,000
 Sometimes it's 10 or 12 feet.

925
01:04:42,000 --> 01:04:44,000
 And then the other side is a regular sidewalk.

926
01:04:44,000 --> 01:04:49,000
 So all our corridor projects for the city, like Mayhill and Bonnie Bray,

927
01:04:49,000 --> 01:04:52,000
 have that included as a feature.

928
01:04:52,000 --> 01:04:55,000
 The other feature that we also include is streetlights.

929
01:04:55,000 --> 01:05:02,000
 That way, all the corridors are lit and are safe to walk and drive.

930
01:05:02,000 --> 01:05:04,000
 So that's the second portion.

931
01:05:04,000 --> 01:05:06,000
 And the third one is landscaping.

932
01:05:06,000 --> 01:05:12,000
 So we're also including landscaping and all our corridor projects moving forward.

933
01:05:12,000 --> 01:05:14,000
 Rex.

934
01:05:14,000 --> 01:05:20,000
 I was at a tech stop briefing, and they had their own plans.

935
01:05:20,000 --> 01:05:26,000
 They said that Mayhill was eventually going to go up to Sanger.

936
01:05:26,000 --> 01:05:33,000
 You know, go beyond, you know, 380 and curve over to Sanger.

937
01:05:33,000 --> 01:05:41,000
 Yes, so -- it's not going to be Mayhill, but yeah, Mayhill will join into --

938
01:05:41,000 --> 01:05:43,000
 if you look at this area.

939
01:05:43,000 --> 01:05:45,000
 So Mayhill comes in here.

940
01:05:45,000 --> 01:05:50,000
 What's going to happen is 380 is going to loop around here and directly connect there.

941
01:05:50,000 --> 01:05:55,000
 So they're going to create a bypass, limited access facility.

942
01:05:55,000 --> 01:05:57,000
 So it will be 380.

943
01:05:57,000 --> 01:06:00,000
 And then Mayhill will come in and connect to this.

944
01:06:00,000 --> 01:06:01,000
 And that's their plan.

945
01:06:01,000 --> 01:06:02,000
 You're right.

946
01:06:02,000 --> 01:06:03,000
 You're correct.

947
01:06:03,000 --> 01:06:06,000
 That this becomes a bypass, and then it connects all the way back here.

948
01:06:06,000 --> 01:06:10,000
 There's another project they're working on loop on the west side.

949
01:06:10,000 --> 01:06:11,000
 Right.

950
01:06:11,000 --> 01:06:17,000
 I was at that meeting with the tech stop, and they're going to make a loop all the way around the other -- completely around the city.

951
01:06:17,000 --> 01:06:21,000
 Completely around and then connect to 2449 down here.

952
01:06:21,000 --> 01:06:24,000
 I've been hearing about that since 1988.

953
01:06:24,000 --> 01:06:29,000
 Yeah, I was listening to it in 1958.

954
01:06:29,000 --> 01:06:32,000
 I'm old.

955
01:06:32,000 --> 01:06:35,000
 I was born before here.

956
01:06:35,000 --> 01:06:37,000
 I do have a question.

957
01:06:37,000 --> 01:06:54,000
 If they're redoing Mayhill, what's going to happen to the part closer to town where it gets really scary and hairy between 380 and the Civic Center?

958
01:06:54,000 --> 01:06:56,000
 That's McKinney.

959
01:06:56,000 --> 01:06:58,000
 Oh, no.

960
01:06:58,000 --> 01:07:00,000
 There's a section of Mayhill there.

961
01:07:00,000 --> 01:07:16,000
 That goes from suburban propane running on the railroad tracks along TWEU.

962
01:07:16,000 --> 01:07:18,000
 Different road.

963
01:07:18,000 --> 01:07:19,000
 Different road.

964
01:07:19,000 --> 01:07:20,000
 That's Mingo.

965
01:07:20,000 --> 01:07:21,000
 Mingo.

966
01:07:21,000 --> 01:07:22,000
 Oh, Mingo.

967
01:07:22,000 --> 01:07:23,000
 Thank you.

968
01:07:23,000 --> 01:07:24,000
 I'm sorry.

969
01:07:24,000 --> 01:07:25,000
 Brain fog is bad tonight.

970
01:07:25,000 --> 01:07:27,000
 This is the road you're talking about.

971
01:07:27,000 --> 01:07:28,000
 That's Mingo.

972
01:07:28,000 --> 01:07:31,000
 I don't guess that one's getting fixed, is it?

973
01:07:31,000 --> 01:07:33,000
 No, that does not.

974
01:07:33,000 --> 01:07:36,000
 Why bother?

975
01:07:36,000 --> 01:07:37,000
 Shh.

976
01:07:37,000 --> 01:07:40,000
 So I can update you on that one.

977
01:07:40,000 --> 01:07:47,000
 We are currently conducting a study in conjunction with TWEU to look at the whole area.

978
01:07:47,000 --> 01:07:52,000
 They have their expansion plans for the previous gold course.

979
01:07:52,000 --> 01:08:01,000
 So we're working with them on what capacity do we need and how much we need to ride.

980
01:08:01,000 --> 01:08:04,000
 Joe, did you have a question?

981
01:08:04,000 --> 01:08:05,000
 Yes.

982
01:08:05,000 --> 01:08:31,000
 Are the roads from Bonnie Rae to all the way over there going to connect to the movie theater?

983
01:08:31,000 --> 01:08:35,000
 Like Alamo?

984
01:08:35,000 --> 01:08:36,000
 Right.

985
01:08:36,000 --> 01:08:37,000
 Alamo.

986
01:08:37,000 --> 01:08:38,000
 Yes.

987
01:08:38,000 --> 01:08:39,000
 So within the Razor Ranch development.

988
01:08:39,000 --> 01:08:40,000
 Yes.

989
01:08:40,000 --> 01:08:45,000
 So within the Razor Ranch development, Panhandle is going to punch through all the way.

990
01:08:45,000 --> 01:08:51,000
 Then Linden is going to go half ways and it dead ends within the development.

991
01:08:51,000 --> 01:08:54,000
 And then there is another street north of Linden that continues.

992
01:08:54,000 --> 01:09:08,000
 So there are going to be three intersections.

993
01:09:08,000 --> 01:09:10,000
 McKinney Street, we have a lot of construction going on.

994
01:09:10,000 --> 01:09:16,000
 This is, we just, we have a two, it's a two phased project.

995
01:09:16,000 --> 01:09:19,000
 Red phase is currently under construction.

996
01:09:19,000 --> 01:09:28,000
 We just let it on Tuesday, we awarded a contract to widen McKinney from Loop 288 all the way

997
01:09:28,000 --> 01:09:30,000
 down here to Fork Drive.

998
01:09:30,000 --> 01:09:33,000
 I think we've already worked on the piece from Fork to Grissom.

999
01:09:33,000 --> 01:09:36,000
 So this will be completely widened.

1000
01:09:36,000 --> 01:09:42,000
 Most of it will be a four lane with a turn lane in the middle.

1001
01:09:42,000 --> 01:09:46,000
 So two-way left turn lane in the middle and a four lane widened project.

1002
01:09:46,000 --> 01:09:50,000
 The reason this piece was chosen first is because of the high school.

1003
01:09:50,000 --> 01:09:56,000
 The high school here, part of this project also includes a 12 foot trail on the north

1004
01:09:56,000 --> 01:09:59,000
 side of McKinney that is next to the high school.

1005
01:09:59,000 --> 01:10:03,000
 On the south side there will be a five foot sidewalk as part of this project.

1006
01:10:03,000 --> 01:10:11,000
 So from the Loop all the way to the high school it will have trail and sidewalk as part of

1007
01:10:11,000 --> 01:10:13,000
 this project.

1008
01:10:13,000 --> 01:10:18,000
 The blue segment, we don't have funding for that and that will follow.

1009
01:10:18,000 --> 01:10:22,000
 But yeah, we understand that portion of it also requires widening.

1010
01:10:22,000 --> 01:10:27,000
 There's a lot of development happening around, closer to Loop 288.

1011
01:10:27,000 --> 01:10:31,000
 So we understand that this project needs funding.

1012
01:10:31,000 --> 01:10:36,000
 The sidewalks for Ryan High School, that was huge in my neighborhood.

1013
01:10:36,000 --> 01:10:41,000
 All our kids went to Ryan and we were so proud that the city put those sidewalks in.

1014
01:10:41,000 --> 01:10:45,000
 Thank you.

1015
01:10:45,000 --> 01:10:48,000
 This is still the FM428.

1016
01:10:48,000 --> 01:10:56,000
 This is our next area that's going to expand and explode, meaning in terms of the amount

1017
01:10:56,000 --> 01:11:00,000
 of interest that we're seeing in this particular area.

1018
01:11:00,000 --> 01:11:06,000
 Several branches have come forward with plans for changing them to residential subdivisions

1019
01:11:06,000 --> 01:11:08,000
 and commercial and stuff like that.

1020
01:11:08,000 --> 01:11:16,000
 So given that there's a lot of interest and there's a lot of new development coming to

1021
01:11:16,000 --> 01:11:23,000
 town, we approached Tech Start and Tech Start currently owns, all the way from here in this

1022
01:11:23,000 --> 01:11:27,000
 point, where it bends, to Loop 288.

1023
01:11:27,000 --> 01:11:29,000
 They currently own that piece.

1024
01:11:29,000 --> 01:11:37,000
 One of the things that we found in our future forecast that this was projected to have incredibly

1025
01:11:37,000 --> 01:11:42,000
 high volumes, the reason being there's a future loop, outer loop that travels here.

1026
01:11:42,000 --> 01:11:48,000
 There's a freeway in the future that has been planned and is on the books.

1027
01:11:48,000 --> 01:11:52,000
 So from that outer loop to inner loop, there are not that many connections.

1028
01:11:52,000 --> 01:11:53,000
 35 is here.

1029
01:11:53,000 --> 01:12:02,000
 But given that this area is completely expanding and adding more people as they move through

1030
01:12:02,000 --> 01:12:03,000
 the city, we wanted to make it easy.

1031
01:12:03,000 --> 01:12:09,000
 So Tech Start has taken this over and they're thinking or planning or looking at the feasibility

1032
01:12:09,000 --> 01:12:15,000
 of converting this as a spur, meaning that would be a limited access freeway facility

1033
01:12:15,000 --> 01:12:19,000
 from the outer loop to Loop 288.

1034
01:12:19,000 --> 01:12:24,000
 So Tech Start is currently working on the feasibility study, but that's how much traffic

1035
01:12:24,000 --> 01:12:26,000
 is getting attracted.

1036
01:12:26,000 --> 01:12:32,000
 As Denton grows, we're the employment center for a lot of other people that are on the

1037
01:12:32,000 --> 01:12:37,000
 outside, so there's a lot of traffic coming in.

1038
01:12:37,000 --> 01:12:42,000
 Small transportation projects, you must have seen smaller intersections closed down.

1039
01:12:42,000 --> 01:12:45,000
 I believe this intersection was Dallas and Teasley.

1040
01:12:45,000 --> 01:12:52,000
 It was shut down for a while to get a facelift, add some turn lanes, and redo the signal.

1041
01:12:52,000 --> 01:12:58,000
 So we have identified 13 intersection projects that would fix congestion, at least get some

1042
01:12:58,000 --> 01:13:01,000
 relief while you were going through Denton.

1043
01:13:01,000 --> 01:13:07,000
 And we've completed, I want to say six or seven of these we've already completed.

1044
01:13:07,000 --> 01:13:13,000
 I'm sorry, this is not completed yet, but we're working on the remaining.

1045
01:13:13,000 --> 01:13:17,000
 They're either in design or right of way phase.

1046
01:13:17,000 --> 01:13:25,000
 A lot of the intersections you can see, Loop 288, anything Old North and universities and

1047
01:13:25,000 --> 01:13:30,000
 other intersections, these were Tech Start facilities, so it takes a while to get them

1048
01:13:30,000 --> 01:13:33,000
 permitted through Tech Start, so we're moving through that.

1049
01:13:33,000 --> 01:13:41,000
 And most of these projects should be completed in the next 12 months' time frame.

1050
01:13:41,000 --> 01:13:43,000
 Any questions?

1051
01:13:43,000 --> 01:13:45,000
 There are a lot more projects, but I can.

1052
01:13:45,000 --> 01:13:46,000
 Tamra?

1053
01:13:46,000 --> 01:13:57,000
 I don't mean it doesn't exist, but how many women did I have on that committee for the

1054
01:13:57,000 --> 01:14:00,000
 roads?

1055
01:14:00,000 --> 01:14:01,000
 Committee for the roads?

1056
01:14:01,000 --> 01:14:08,000
 And position for the roads, and how many women?

1057
01:14:08,000 --> 01:14:10,000
 Project managers?

1058
01:14:10,000 --> 01:14:12,000
 Oh, project managers we have.

1059
01:14:12,000 --> 01:14:15,000
 I think we have half and half.

1060
01:14:15,000 --> 01:14:22,000
 I think we have three project managers that are managing a lot of these projects.

1061
01:14:22,000 --> 01:14:28,000
 So yes, we have one, our program manager is, one of the program managers is a woman.

1062
01:14:28,000 --> 01:14:30,000
 Now, okay.

1063
01:14:30,000 --> 01:14:31,000
 Yes.

1064
01:14:31,000 --> 01:14:37,000
 Tamra, did you think the women might have designed some of it different?

1065
01:14:37,000 --> 01:14:39,000
 We do get input from everyone.

1066
01:14:39,000 --> 01:14:43,000
 So basically what you're telling us, you have two types of roads here.

1067
01:14:43,000 --> 01:14:49,000
 Those that are under construction, the rest are obsolete.

1068
01:14:49,000 --> 01:14:53,000
 No, those that are under construction and those that will be under construction in the

1069
01:14:53,000 --> 01:14:55,000
 next few years.

1070
01:14:55,000 --> 01:14:57,000
 I have a question.

1071
01:14:57,000 --> 01:15:03,000
 There has been a ton of utility replacement in my neighborhood, water lines, gas lines,

1072
01:15:03,000 --> 01:15:05,000
 atmosphere going through, water lines going through.

1073
01:15:05,000 --> 01:15:10,000
 And so the roads are just, in my neighborhood, are just destroyed.

1074
01:15:10,000 --> 01:15:16,000
 Is there a plan when the utility construction happens to put the roads back?

1075
01:15:16,000 --> 01:15:20,000
 Because we have not seen any roads get redone after the utility.

1076
01:15:20,000 --> 01:15:24,000
 If you can send me the roads, I can find out typically what happens is if the utilities,

1077
01:15:24,000 --> 01:15:29,000
 Atmos, and water and wastewater are coming in and doing their job, which means it is

1078
01:15:29,000 --> 01:15:33,000
 definitely followed by a street project coming right after them.

1079
01:15:33,000 --> 01:15:39,000
 So unless they clear a certain segment, streets cannot get in and out of that segment.

1080
01:15:39,000 --> 01:15:41,000
 So I think it should be on the list.

1081
01:15:41,000 --> 01:15:45,000
 If you can send me the list, there are a lot of neighborhoods that are getting built and

1082
01:15:45,000 --> 01:15:49,000
 that was part of the 2012-2014 contract.

1083
01:15:49,000 --> 01:15:58,000
 This is an old neighborhood that is having utilities replaced that are real old lines.

1084
01:15:58,000 --> 01:16:03,000
 Some of them might be capital projects for utilities, but if Atmos is moving them,

1085
01:16:03,000 --> 01:16:07,000
 which means that we are following it by the street.

1086
01:16:07,000 --> 01:16:11,000
 Because what typically happens is if we are doing a street project, we don't want to go

1087
01:16:11,000 --> 01:16:17,000
 back for another 20-25 years, so we ask all the utilities to be looked at and replaced

1088
01:16:17,000 --> 01:16:20,000
 if there is new connections, if there is older utilities.

1089
01:16:20,000 --> 01:16:28,000
 So they go in and do that, and then we just follow it by the street department redoing the street.

1090
01:16:28,000 --> 01:16:35,000
 So if you send me the list of the streets that you are talking about, I can get you

1091
01:16:35,000 --> 01:16:41,000
 which ones, and a schedule for them as far as when the streets department will show up

1092
01:16:41,000 --> 01:16:42,000
 and start working on that.

1093
01:16:42,000 --> 01:16:49,000
 I'd love to know about Misty Wood and the area around Nutty Schultz Park.

1094
01:16:49,000 --> 01:16:50,000
 Alright, Mark has a question.

1095
01:16:50,000 --> 01:16:54,000
 I just want to quickly say something.

1096
01:16:54,000 --> 01:16:58,000
 So as a committee, we can give feedback to Pre-Tim.

1097
01:16:58,000 --> 01:17:04,000
 So he is in charge of a whole team of project managers who are executing these projects

1098
01:17:04,000 --> 01:17:11,000
 and so it's great to have him here, but what does he need to hear from our committee?

1099
01:17:11,000 --> 01:17:19,000
 And one thing I might suggest is so each time that they close a roadway and also close sidewalks,

1100
01:17:19,000 --> 01:17:31,000
 they need to have a detour plan for both vehicles and pedestrians.

1101
01:17:31,000 --> 01:17:37,000
 And I know they work very hard, but if we've encountered anything that maybe you want to give them feedback about,

1102
01:17:37,000 --> 01:17:39,000
 this is an opportunity.

1103
01:17:39,000 --> 01:17:44,000
 That's exactly what I was going to ask on any of these projects.

1104
01:17:44,000 --> 01:17:49,000
 The addition of sidewalks, because I know a lot of areas didn't have that, so that was good to see.

1105
01:17:49,000 --> 01:17:56,000
 But the plans for detours or rideways, those types of things.

1106
01:17:56,000 --> 01:18:01,000
 I live in Robinson Oaks and on Robinson when you come out,

1107
01:18:01,000 --> 01:18:11,000
 it was supposed to be a four-lane road that never was built and there's no sidewalks.

1108
01:18:11,000 --> 01:18:16,000
 You're talking about the segment close to 2181 Robinson?

1109
01:18:16,000 --> 01:18:17,000
 What?

1110
01:18:17,000 --> 01:18:21,000
 You're talking about the piece of Robinson that's next to 2181?

1111
01:18:21,000 --> 01:18:27,000
 2499 and then goes over to Teasley 2181.

1112
01:18:27,000 --> 01:18:29,000
 Next to Teasley it's two lanes.

1113
01:18:29,000 --> 01:18:38,000
 Yeah, and there's nothing but a bar ditch and a mobile home park and no sidewalks.

1114
01:18:38,000 --> 01:18:43,000
 As part of our discussion for projects for the bond when we vetted through the committee,

1115
01:18:43,000 --> 01:18:50,000
 one of the projects was Robinson and yeah, it didn't rise high up because there's a really small section.

1116
01:18:50,000 --> 01:18:54,000
 So we're looking for other opportunities for funding.

1117
01:18:54,000 --> 01:18:59,000
 There's also impact fees collected in that particular zone.

1118
01:18:59,000 --> 01:19:01,000
 So we're looking for options.

1119
01:19:01,000 --> 01:19:02,000
 We understand.

1120
01:19:02,000 --> 01:19:04,000
 I think we heard that from...

1121
01:19:04,000 --> 01:19:06,000
 I'm kind of trapped in there, you know.

1122
01:19:06,000 --> 01:19:10,000
 Especially once the school starts and then there's turning movement.

1123
01:19:10,000 --> 01:19:16,000
 Yeah, we know it's on our list and radar to find funding and get that thing done.

1124
01:19:16,000 --> 01:19:18,000
 That's what they said ten years ago.

1125
01:19:18,000 --> 01:19:21,000
 We can keep repeating that all day.

1126
01:19:21,000 --> 01:19:22,000
 Joe?

1127
01:19:22,000 --> 01:19:28,000
 [INAUDIBLE]

1128
01:19:28,000 --> 01:19:29,000
 You what?

1129
01:19:29,000 --> 01:19:32,000
 [INAUDIBLE]

1130
01:19:32,000 --> 01:19:35,000
 Oh, you love your sidewalk and body break?

1131
01:19:35,000 --> 01:19:36,000
 Thank you.

1132
01:19:36,000 --> 01:19:38,000
 [INAUDIBLE]

1133
01:19:38,000 --> 01:19:40,000
 He gets a sidewalk, I don't.

1134
01:19:40,000 --> 01:19:42,000
 [LAUGHTER]

1135
01:19:42,000 --> 01:19:44,000
 That's why you brought it up.

1136
01:19:44,000 --> 01:19:46,000
 But you're holding a radar.

1137
01:19:46,000 --> 01:19:47,000
 All right, order, order, order.

1138
01:19:47,000 --> 01:19:48,000
 I have a question.

1139
01:19:48,000 --> 01:19:52,000
 The 13 small intersections to be done in the next 12 months,

1140
01:19:52,000 --> 01:19:58,000
 are they going to have the type of ADA stuff like the square has

1141
01:19:58,000 --> 01:20:01,000
 with all the bells and whistles and ramps and...

1142
01:20:01,000 --> 01:20:05,000
 So when we get at an intersection and we're doing any changes,

1143
01:20:05,000 --> 01:20:08,000
 we typically look at the ADA compliance.

1144
01:20:08,000 --> 01:20:09,000
 We put in ADA ramps.

1145
01:20:09,000 --> 01:20:13,000
 It's a minor cost when you look at the big picture.

1146
01:20:13,000 --> 01:20:17,000
 But there are some intersections like Hickory Creek at 1830.

1147
01:20:17,000 --> 01:20:20,000
 There's no way, there's nothing that we can do it.

1148
01:20:20,000 --> 01:20:22,000
 It's a stop control intersection.

1149
01:20:22,000 --> 01:20:25,000
 So in cases like those, we typically don't.

1150
01:20:25,000 --> 01:20:28,000
 But in cases where it's within the city

1151
01:20:28,000 --> 01:20:32,000
 and there is no ADA compliant ramps, we do install an ADA.

1152
01:20:32,000 --> 01:20:35,000
 If you look at even Dallas and Teasley,

1153
01:20:35,000 --> 01:20:38,000
 there is an ADA compliant ramp on one corner

1154
01:20:38,000 --> 01:20:40,000
 where there's no sidewalk on either sides,

1155
01:20:40,000 --> 01:20:41,000
 but the ramp is there.

1156
01:20:41,000 --> 01:20:44,000
 So that people can actually use that corner to circulate around

1157
01:20:44,000 --> 01:20:47,000
 if they have to.

1158
01:20:47,000 --> 01:20:50,000
 And then obviously everything, if it's in signal,

1159
01:20:50,000 --> 01:20:53,000
 we put in all the bells and whistles,

1160
01:20:53,000 --> 01:20:56,000
 put in the buttons and put in the audible signs.

1161
01:20:56,000 --> 01:21:01,000
 Did those smaller intersections have the initial pedestrian delay

1162
01:21:01,000 --> 01:21:03,000
 on the timers?

1163
01:21:03,000 --> 01:21:06,000
 I don't think, most of the signals, most of our signals don't.

1164
01:21:06,000 --> 01:21:10,000
 It's just on the square that we had installed that.

1165
01:21:10,000 --> 01:21:12,000
 But most of our signals don't have that.

1166
01:21:12,000 --> 01:21:13,000
 That's something you can discuss.

1167
01:21:13,000 --> 01:21:15,000
 I mean, our city traffic in New York City,

1168
01:21:15,000 --> 01:21:16,000
 you can discuss with them.

1169
01:21:16,000 --> 01:21:20,000
 And Brian can bring back another item that can talk about that.

1170
01:21:20,000 --> 01:21:21,000
 That's a good item.

1171
01:21:21,000 --> 01:21:22,000
 Yeah.

1172
01:21:22,000 --> 01:21:25,000
 That seems like a good plan for a lot of intersections.

1173
01:21:25,000 --> 01:21:31,000
 Other questions, y'all?

1174
01:21:31,000 --> 01:21:33,000
 All right, thank you very much.

1175
01:21:33,000 --> 01:21:35,000
 Thank you.

1176
01:21:35,000 --> 01:21:36,000
 Oh, okay.

1177
01:21:36,000 --> 01:21:38,000
 I'm still hearing it one more time.

1178
01:21:38,000 --> 01:21:41,000
 All right, receive a report, hold a discussion,

1179
01:21:41,000 --> 01:21:47,000
 and give staff input regarding the city's 2019 general obligation bond package

1180
01:21:47,000 --> 01:21:50,000
 and specifically discuss the sidewalks.

1181
01:21:50,000 --> 01:21:52,000
 So when I talked to Mark,

1182
01:21:52,000 --> 01:21:55,000
 one of the things that he had requested is talk about the bond program.

1183
01:21:55,000 --> 01:22:00,000
 But I don't have a whole list of projects that are in the bond program,

1184
01:22:00,000 --> 01:22:04,000
 but the list includes Bonnie Ray, Hickory Creek Road, and Ryan Road.

1185
01:22:04,000 --> 01:22:05,000
 Those are the corridor projects.

1186
01:22:05,000 --> 01:22:10,000
 There are several street segments that will be upgraded as part of the bond.

1187
01:22:10,000 --> 01:22:15,000
 But I think primarily the focus for this particular session and the committee was sidewalks.

1188
01:22:15,000 --> 01:22:23,000
 So I really wanted to go over what was our thinking behind selecting the sidewalks.

1189
01:22:23,000 --> 01:22:29,000
 Everything that you see in green currently -- this is a GIS database that the city currently has.

1190
01:22:29,000 --> 01:22:32,000
 Anything green are the places that we have sidewalk.

1191
01:22:32,000 --> 01:22:36,000
 And if you zoom in closely, you can see most of these are double lines.

1192
01:22:36,000 --> 01:22:39,000
 That means you have sidewalks on both sides.

1193
01:22:39,000 --> 01:22:41,000
 Some of them are single.

1194
01:22:41,000 --> 01:22:45,000
 But you can see most of the older neighborhoods don't have sidewalks.

1195
01:22:45,000 --> 01:22:51,000
 So you can identify pockets that really need work.

1196
01:22:51,000 --> 01:23:01,000
 So what we did is when we went to the bond committee for suggesting projects,

1197
01:23:01,000 --> 01:23:05,000
 we had a list of sidewalks based on concerns from citizens,

1198
01:23:05,000 --> 01:23:11,000
 based on priority, based on the usage, the sidewalk usage.

1199
01:23:11,000 --> 01:23:15,000
 That list was created as part of the previous bond package.

1200
01:23:15,000 --> 01:23:18,000
 The previous bond package had $2 million for sidewalks.

1201
01:23:18,000 --> 01:23:19,000
 The list was created.

1202
01:23:19,000 --> 01:23:22,000
 The money was not enough to complete the list.

1203
01:23:22,000 --> 01:23:27,000
 So there is a remnant sidewalk segments within the downtown area.

1204
01:23:27,000 --> 01:23:33,000
 You can see some of these are there that require a million dollars from a --

1205
01:23:33,000 --> 01:23:34,000
 there's a sidewalk funding.

1206
01:23:34,000 --> 01:23:37,000
 There's about two miles of sidewalk.

1207
01:23:37,000 --> 01:23:39,000
 This is already designed.

1208
01:23:39,000 --> 01:23:43,000
 So there's $1 million here required and another $2.2.

1209
01:23:43,000 --> 01:23:45,000
 So we've already designed the sidewalk.

1210
01:23:45,000 --> 01:23:48,000
 All we need to do is go start constructing.

1211
01:23:48,000 --> 01:23:53,000
 And what we suggested to the bond committee is starting year one,

1212
01:23:53,000 --> 01:23:59,000
 we'll go ahead and start constructing some of these already designed sidewalks.

1213
01:23:59,000 --> 01:24:02,000
 But in the following years, starting this year,

1214
01:24:02,000 --> 01:24:05,000
 we'll design next year that will be under construction.

1215
01:24:05,000 --> 01:24:09,000
 So that's the cycle that we're going to set it up.

1216
01:24:09,000 --> 01:24:15,000
 What was our -- how did we identify what segments or what sidewalks we wanted to do?

1217
01:24:15,000 --> 01:24:17,000
 It was pretty simple.

1218
01:24:17,000 --> 01:24:18,000
 Our focus was schools.

1219
01:24:18,000 --> 01:24:22,000
 A lot of the elementary schools in the older neighborhoods do not have sidewalks.

1220
01:24:22,000 --> 01:24:27,000
 We've heard one too many times from residents, from parents,

1221
01:24:27,000 --> 01:24:34,000
 from citizens about kids walking in the street or kids walking in someone's front yard.

1222
01:24:34,000 --> 01:24:39,000
 And then also parents choosing not to have their kids walk,

1223
01:24:39,000 --> 01:24:45,000
 even if it's a couple blocks, because of the sidewalks not being in place.

1224
01:24:45,000 --> 01:24:47,000
 So we heard that.

1225
01:24:47,000 --> 01:24:51,000
 What we did is we started laying out these bubbles.

1226
01:24:51,000 --> 01:24:58,000
 If you see this darker color is a quarter mile from the center of the school.

1227
01:24:58,000 --> 01:25:05,000
 Half a mile is a little bit more -- less darker segment is half a mile from the school.

1228
01:25:05,000 --> 01:25:08,000
 And then one mile from the school is all the yellow.

1229
01:25:08,000 --> 01:25:12,000
 You can see everything within one mile almost covers the city.

1230
01:25:12,000 --> 01:25:15,000
 So this was our basis.

1231
01:25:15,000 --> 01:25:22,000
 We said we're currently deficient about 28 miles of sidewalk or deficient within a quarter mile.

1232
01:25:22,000 --> 01:25:24,000
 And that's considered a walkable distance.

1233
01:25:24,000 --> 01:25:28,000
 A lot of people tend to walk more.

1234
01:25:28,000 --> 01:25:36,000
 If it's less than a quarter mile, they will walk as opposed to taking a bus or driving a car.

1235
01:25:36,000 --> 01:25:38,000
 So we targeted that.

1236
01:25:38,000 --> 01:25:43,000
 And eventually we'll go to half a mile segment and then we'll go to one mile.

1237
01:25:43,000 --> 01:25:48,000
 But for this particular bond, we said we want to target on the quarter mile.

1238
01:25:48,000 --> 01:25:55,000
 So this is a quick snapshot of how it looks close in when you close into any particular area.

1239
01:25:55,000 --> 01:25:58,000
 It's about three miles of sidewalk within this area.

1240
01:25:58,000 --> 01:26:02,000
 And there's one elementary school here and then middle school here,

1241
01:26:02,000 --> 01:26:05,000
 and approximately $2 million worth of sidewalk.

1242
01:26:05,000 --> 01:26:07,000
 And the sidewalks will be on both sides.

1243
01:26:07,000 --> 01:26:10,000
 So these red lines will be both sides of the sidewalk.

1244
01:26:10,000 --> 01:26:20,000
 So this is a quick snapshot of how each of these neighborhoods are identified

1245
01:26:20,000 --> 01:26:27,000
 and we will be, as part of the bond, coming in and doing all the sidewalks within this one quarter mile.

1246
01:26:27,000 --> 01:26:33,000
 Just to give you an idea, people think that, hey, sidewalks should be simple.

1247
01:26:33,000 --> 01:26:36,000
 It's a piece of concrete that you just plop and you're done.

1248
01:26:36,000 --> 01:26:41,000
 It is. I want to show there is a variable.

1249
01:26:41,000 --> 01:26:45,000
 Some are really simple, and this is an example of real simple.

1250
01:26:45,000 --> 01:26:48,000
 It will cost really low.

1251
01:26:48,000 --> 01:26:55,000
 This is a sidewalk that we have already constructed, but this is that bridge that goes over Loop 288.

1252
01:26:55,000 --> 01:26:58,000
 It's a DCTA bridge and a trail.

1253
01:26:58,000 --> 01:27:05,000
 And then from that bridge to this particular driveway, this is a driveway for the Chipotle Grill.

1254
01:27:05,000 --> 01:27:08,000
 This piece was missing, so there was no sidewalk.

1255
01:27:08,000 --> 01:27:11,000
 The right of way exists. It's very simple.

1256
01:27:11,000 --> 01:27:19,000
 You excavate, you add concrete, 400 feet sidewalk, 28,000, we can get it done.

1257
01:27:19,000 --> 01:27:21,000
 This is a simple sidewalk.

1258
01:27:21,000 --> 01:27:24,000
 On the other end of the spectrum, you want to see the complexity.

1259
01:27:24,000 --> 01:27:26,000
 There are some that are complex.

1260
01:27:26,000 --> 01:27:33,000
 And a clear example, this is down in the south neighborhood near Creek Elementary.

1261
01:27:33,000 --> 01:27:35,000
 The elementary school is down here, you can imagine.

1262
01:27:35,000 --> 01:27:38,000
 This is Swisher Road.

1263
01:27:38,000 --> 01:27:42,000
 And then Edwards Road is down here.

1264
01:27:42,000 --> 01:27:46,000
 No, I'm sorry.

1265
01:27:46,000 --> 01:27:51,000
 The Apocris Bridge is down here, and then Edwards is up north.

1266
01:27:51,000 --> 01:27:59,000
 So if you look at this segment of Swisher, a lot of kids actually walk from this neighborhood in subdivision north.

1267
01:27:59,000 --> 01:28:03,000
 Currently they're getting dropped by their parents because there's no sidewalk that goes down.

1268
01:28:03,000 --> 01:28:10,000
 So if a request comes in that we want a sidewalk, there are several issues.

1269
01:28:10,000 --> 01:28:14,000
 We need to design it. We need right of way.

1270
01:28:14,000 --> 01:28:18,000
 There's no right of way. I'll zoom in into a street view.

1271
01:28:18,000 --> 01:28:21,000
 We need right of way. We need construction easements.

1272
01:28:21,000 --> 01:28:23,000
 We have to acquire right of way.

1273
01:28:23,000 --> 01:28:30,000
 And then if you look at it, there's no drainage. So then we have to look at drainage improvements.

1274
01:28:30,000 --> 01:28:33,000
 Then we have to put in curb and gutter.

1275
01:28:33,000 --> 01:28:38,000
 If you can see here, there is electric utility right behind.

1276
01:28:38,000 --> 01:28:42,000
 So there might be utility relocation.

1277
01:28:42,000 --> 01:28:47,000
 It starts getting complex that someone is asking for a quick sidewalk,

1278
01:28:47,000 --> 01:28:52,000
 but I can't really lay a sidewalk in the drainage ditch or anywhere close to the street

1279
01:28:52,000 --> 01:28:57,000
 because if I want kids to be walking, it better be safe. It cannot be next to it.

1280
01:28:57,000 --> 01:29:01,000
 And then you're getting onto private property if you're on the other side of the ditch.

1281
01:29:01,000 --> 01:29:04,000
 So these are all the issues that we have to tackle.

1282
01:29:04,000 --> 01:29:08,000
 And all of a sudden this price tag keeps on going up for the same 400 feet.

1283
01:29:08,000 --> 01:29:11,000
 So there are some sidewalks that are really involved.

1284
01:29:11,000 --> 01:29:21,000
 A lot of times when sidewalks are requested, citizens forget or people forget that some of them are complicated.

1285
01:29:21,000 --> 01:29:25,000
 The other thing is not everyone wants a sidewalk in their front yard.

1286
01:29:25,000 --> 01:29:29,000
 So a group of people want sidewalks, but some of them don't.

1287
01:29:29,000 --> 01:29:32,000
 So it becomes challenging. Where do you put them?

1288
01:29:32,000 --> 01:29:36,000
 And how do you work with the community as a whole to implement them?

1289
01:29:36,000 --> 01:29:42,000
 So we're going to go through all of this challenge while we move forward on our sidewalks.

1290
01:29:42,000 --> 01:29:50,000
 So as I mentioned, we'll design and acquire right of way year one and then start constructing the following year.

1291
01:29:50,000 --> 01:29:53,000
 So that's previous year, we'll design next year.

1292
01:29:53,000 --> 01:29:59,000
 Part of our plan is also to leverage whatever the bond dollars we have with safer access to school funding.

1293
01:29:59,000 --> 01:30:02,000
 So there's a lot of federal funding.

1294
01:30:02,000 --> 01:30:10,000
 I think we have one or two projects that have received that funding and are still in the process.

1295
01:30:10,000 --> 01:30:12,000
 I think Mark can talk about that.

1296
01:30:12,000 --> 01:30:15,000
 But those projects are still moving forward.

1297
01:30:15,000 --> 01:30:20,000
 We have funding from COG to construct sidewalks.

1298
01:30:20,000 --> 01:30:25,000
 What we're going to try and do is leverage our bond dollars and attract more funding.

1299
01:30:25,000 --> 01:30:30,000
 Once we get them designed or they're ready to appoint, we'll go look for funding.

1300
01:30:30,000 --> 01:30:39,000
 As we put the application together, these are all SRTS routes where they're really close to school.

1301
01:30:39,000 --> 01:30:46,000
 So safe routes to school is primary and I don't believe there would be any issues getting the funding.

1302
01:30:46,000 --> 01:30:48,000
 That's the plan.

1303
01:30:48,000 --> 01:30:50,000
 Any questions?

1304
01:30:50,000 --> 01:30:51,000
 Mark?

1305
01:30:51,000 --> 01:30:54,000
 Well, I just want to say I think this is really exciting.

1306
01:30:54,000 --> 01:30:59,000
 So this was the bond that just a few weeks ago passed here in the city.

1307
01:30:59,000 --> 01:31:05,000
 And previously we have not had annual dedicated funding for new sidewalks.

1308
01:31:05,000 --> 01:31:08,000
 We have had some for maintenance and things like that.

1309
01:31:08,000 --> 01:31:16,000
 So we are set up for many years into the future to build these improvements and to catch up.

1310
01:31:16,000 --> 01:31:21,000
 I think in the future as specific projects are identified,

1311
01:31:21,000 --> 01:31:29,000
 we can bring some of those back to the committee and just let you know about them.

1312
01:31:29,000 --> 01:31:31,000
 Rex?

1313
01:31:31,000 --> 01:31:39,000
 I know we didn't vote for the bond and I know the city is growing.

1314
01:31:39,000 --> 01:31:45,000
 How soon will we have to go back and get another bond to keep up with the growth of the city?

1315
01:31:45,000 --> 01:31:48,000
 So that's a good question.

1316
01:31:48,000 --> 01:31:51,000
 I don't have a real answer right now.

1317
01:31:51,000 --> 01:32:02,000
 But I think we are trying to catch up on 30 years of no growth or no development or not neglect,

1318
01:32:02,000 --> 01:32:07,000
 but more of very little funding allocated to maintain our streets.

1319
01:32:07,000 --> 01:32:13,000
 So the street department had for the past 30 years barely any funding to keep up with the maintenance.

1320
01:32:13,000 --> 01:32:17,000
 So we are catching up on that as well as we are looking into the future.

1321
01:32:17,000 --> 01:32:21,000
 So we are kind of playing a catch up on a lot of years worth.

1322
01:32:21,000 --> 01:32:23,000
 A couple of things.

1323
01:32:23,000 --> 01:32:30,000
 I think the reconstruction or redoing or resurfacing of the street is one aspect.

1324
01:32:30,000 --> 01:32:37,000
 And after six years if we have to, we can go back for reconstruction of streets.

1325
01:32:37,000 --> 01:32:43,000
 But as far as the larger projects, we are constantly looking for funding from COG

1326
01:32:43,000 --> 01:32:47,000
 and other agencies to fund some of our larger projects.

1327
01:32:47,000 --> 01:32:54,000
 There are corridor projects that we can go to COG and say these are regional connectivity projects.

1328
01:32:54,000 --> 01:32:58,000
 Fund us, give us funding to make these projects happen.

1329
01:32:58,000 --> 01:33:02,000
 So for the larger corridor we are trying to get funding from outside.

1330
01:33:02,000 --> 01:33:08,000
 To give you a real timeline on when we are going back, I don't have that answer right now.

1331
01:33:08,000 --> 01:33:16,000
 The growth in the city, do you anticipate tax revenues to help compensate for that?

1332
01:33:16,000 --> 01:33:17,000
 Correct.

1333
01:33:17,000 --> 01:33:22,000
 And whatever growth is coming in, the other component to that also we are collecting impact fees.

1334
01:33:22,000 --> 01:33:28,000
 So once the impact fees come in, we are trying to add more capacity to some of the roadways.

1335
01:33:28,000 --> 01:33:34,000
 So definitely we have some mechanisms in place at this point to address that.

1336
01:33:34,000 --> 01:33:38,000
 And as I mentioned, FM428 is a prime example.

1337
01:33:38,000 --> 01:33:39,000
 That area is growing.

1338
01:33:39,000 --> 01:33:42,000
 We are already seeing that people are coming in.

1339
01:33:42,000 --> 01:33:44,000
 So we are already planning for the future.

1340
01:33:44,000 --> 01:33:48,000
 We are working with TxDOT, getting that design, feasibility study and design going.

1341
01:33:48,000 --> 01:33:56,000
 And by the time actual houses and everything start building, TxDOT will be out there starting their expansion project.

1342
01:33:56,000 --> 01:34:02,000
 So we are looking in the future and anticipating some of these projects.

1343
01:34:02,000 --> 01:34:05,000
 Could you quickly explain impact fees?

1344
01:34:05,000 --> 01:34:06,000
 Yes.

1345
01:34:06,000 --> 01:34:07,000
 So roadway impact fees.

1346
01:34:07,000 --> 01:34:10,000
 Currently the city has roadway impact fees.

1347
01:34:10,000 --> 01:34:21,000
 And what that covers is back in 2015, they had identified different, they broke up the city into different zones.

1348
01:34:21,000 --> 01:34:26,000
 And within each of those zones, they identified capital projects.

1349
01:34:26,000 --> 01:34:31,000
 So say for example, Robinson Road needs widening or Ryan Road needs widening.

1350
01:34:31,000 --> 01:34:36,000
 So they identified those roads, identified the cost to fix those roads.

1351
01:34:36,000 --> 01:34:39,000
 And then they identified how much growth is coming to town.

1352
01:34:39,000 --> 01:34:48,000
 So based on the amount of growth coming to town, they did a proportionality of this much of the growth will require this much capacity additional.

1353
01:34:48,000 --> 01:34:52,000
 And based on that proportionality, they defined the roadway impact fees.

1354
01:34:52,000 --> 01:35:03,000
 These were adopted in 2015 and we currently assess roadway impact fees. I think it's about $2,000 per household.

1355
01:35:03,000 --> 01:35:15,000
 So if one single family home goes in, they have to pay $2,000 roadway impact fee to fix those roads.

1356
01:35:15,000 --> 01:35:18,000
 Any other questions?

1357
01:35:18,000 --> 01:35:20,000
 Thank you so much.

1358
01:35:20,000 --> 01:35:21,000
 Thank you.

1359
01:35:21,000 --> 01:35:24,000
 Your job sounds hard.

1360
01:35:24,000 --> 01:35:27,000
 It sounds stressful.

1361
01:35:27,000 --> 01:35:29,000
 It's stressful.

1362
01:35:29,000 --> 01:35:37,000
 Yeah, well, yeah, it's fun too.

1363
01:35:37,000 --> 01:35:39,000
 All right.

1364
01:35:39,000 --> 01:35:48,000
 We receive a report and hold a discussion regarding updates from the Denton County Transportation Authority and how it interacts with persons with disabilities.

1365
01:35:48,000 --> 01:35:50,000
 This is something we've visited before.

1366
01:35:50,000 --> 01:36:06,000
 And Michelle Bloomer is here to speak with us.

1367
01:36:06,000 --> 01:36:07,000
 Why Mark's doing that.

1368
01:36:07,000 --> 01:36:08,000
 Thank you for having us.

1369
01:36:08,000 --> 01:36:15,000
 Mark asked me to come and just give an update on the DCTA training program.

1370
01:36:15,000 --> 01:36:18,000
 I don't want to be on camera.

1371
01:36:18,000 --> 01:36:24,000
 DCTA's training program in general and specifically with individuals with disabilities.

1372
01:36:24,000 --> 01:36:29,000
 So DCTA actually operates all of its service through contractors.

1373
01:36:29,000 --> 01:36:38,000
 On our rail side, we contract with First Transit and they provide all the frontline staff, so the conductors, engineers, and the supervisors.

1374
01:36:38,000 --> 01:36:59,000
 So First Transit has their own training program of how they onboard their new conductors, engineers, and supervisors as well as annual refresher training that covers a variety of issues related specifically to operation of the vehicle customer service as well as interacting and assisting individuals with disabilities.

1375
01:36:59,000 --> 01:37:15,000
 On the bus side, we also have a contractor called the North Texas Mobility Corporation that employs all of the frontline administrative, so it's all the administrative staff, supervisors, dispatchers, mechanics, fuelers, service attendants, and the operators.

1376
01:37:15,000 --> 01:37:21,000
 With the bulk of the staff being the operators who are the individuals that are driving our vehicles every day.

1377
01:37:21,000 --> 01:37:22,000
 And same thing there.

1378
01:37:22,000 --> 01:37:26,000
 They do regular onboard or new hire training.

1379
01:37:26,000 --> 01:37:30,000
 It's generally four weeks with the first two weeks being classroom training.

1380
01:37:30,000 --> 01:37:57,000
 It goes over everything related to the service, customer service, how to operate the vehicle, how to do a proper tie-down, what to do in case of an incident or an accident.

1381
01:37:57,000 --> 01:38:20,000
 Specifically related to individuals with disabilities, they go over general guidelines of how to best interact with individuals with disabilities, customers who use a mobility device, service animals, what questions they can ask, what questions they can't ask, pre-trip vehicle accessibility.

1382
01:38:20,000 --> 01:38:32,000
 So before you leave the yard with the bus, make sure the lift works, make sure the ramp works, what are the things they should be doing to make sure that when they go out, that vehicle is ready to transport individuals.

1383
01:38:32,000 --> 01:38:36,000
 Seating priority and then calling out stops.

1384
01:38:36,000 --> 01:38:39,000
 Can we teach them or I don't teach them.

1385
01:38:39,000 --> 01:38:56,000
 I want to introduce Louise. Louise Francois is the NTMC or North Texas Mobility Corporation manager of safety, security and training. So she's responsible for getting all of our staff as they come onboard as well as annual refresher training to make sure they're up to date.

1386
01:38:56,000 --> 01:39:14,000
 We also have what I would call after the fact training. So if we have an incident where an individual forgot what the policy or procedure was, we bring them back in and Louise will retrain them to make sure that they're aware of what our policy is, what the fare structure is.

1387
01:39:14,000 --> 01:39:19,000
 And it's, as you can imagine, it's an ongoing job.

1388
01:39:19,000 --> 01:39:31,000
 But we did have an incident and Mark asked us to come back specifically. I think Val had asked DCT to come and respond to the incident. So just want to lay the background as to what the incident was.

1389
01:39:31,000 --> 01:39:40,000
 And then I'm going to ask Louise to come up and just explain to you the process we go through when we get customer complaints or issues are brought to our attention like that.

1390
01:39:40,000 --> 01:39:57,000
 So the incident was we had a passenger who is ADA certified, so they're Americans with Disabilities certified, and so they have an access card. You have an access card with a photo ID, you are able to ride DCTA services, our fixed route services free of charge.

1391
01:39:57,000 --> 01:40:06,000
 So we had a customer who was ADA certified, they took their card, they tried to board the bus, and the driver told them, no, you have to pay the fare.

1392
01:40:06,000 --> 01:40:15,000
 And so it got to the point where the driver and the passenger could not agree on what the policy was, so the driver called the supervisor.

1393
01:40:15,000 --> 01:40:23,000
 The supervisor came out and said, no, you have an ADA access card, you can ride the services for free, and the individual was able to ride.

1394
01:40:23,000 --> 01:40:36,000
 But again, that's the situation that shouldn't happen, because they're trained that when they're hired, and they're trained that on a regular basis. But like I said, there's a lot of things they have to remember, and we all forget sometimes.

1395
01:40:36,000 --> 01:40:43,000
 So when this came to our attention, come up here Louise, I know you don't like public speaking, but come on up here.

1396
01:40:43,000 --> 01:40:44,000
 She's nice.

1397
01:40:44,000 --> 01:40:47,000
 She is very nice. Just don't get on her bad side.

1398
01:40:47,000 --> 01:40:50,000
 Right.

1399
01:40:50,000 --> 01:41:01,000
 Good evening. My name is Louise, I am pretty new to Texas, so that's a good day.

1400
01:41:01,000 --> 01:41:11,000
 The process that we go through when we have a complaint come in, the complaint come in, it depends on what's the circumstances of the complaint.

1401
01:41:11,000 --> 01:41:24,000
 It calls for an investigation. It depends on the circumstances of who it goes to. If it's just something simple as an operator behavior, conduct, it'll go to an operation manager.

1402
01:41:24,000 --> 01:41:40,000
 If it's a safety issue, it'll get addressed to me. And the process is once the investigation goes on, you'll usually contact the person that's making the complaint, and then you'll speak to the operator, and then you get the two sides, and you do your investigation and find out what happened.

1403
01:41:40,000 --> 01:42:01,000
 In that time of investigating, you'll go through the policies and the procedures, and then you'll go look at their training records to see when the last time they had training, and what was they trained on, to see if it was a behavior problem, or the person just haven't been dealing with that situation in a while and might have forgot.

1404
01:42:01,000 --> 01:42:17,000
 In that incident, when we got involved in it and we spoke to the operator, it's been a while since that operator had to deal directly with somebody coming on with an ADA certification, so it was a while.

1405
01:42:17,000 --> 01:42:39,000
 So we are right now in the process of doing a whole bunch of retraining for operators that it's time for them to be retrained within a year, within two years, whatever the line of scope that need to be done. So that operator was what it taught to reprimand to the highest level that needed to be done, accountable for that situation.

1406
01:42:39,000 --> 01:42:54,000
 And also, it's going to be brought back in again because his name felt in that spot to be retrained on other topics that we do on a daily basis when we're doing a new higher-energy pressure training.

1407
01:42:54,000 --> 01:43:06,000
 So, again, I do apologize for it because that's one thing. I mean, I have the love, and I've been in the transit world since 1996. I started as an operator myself.

1408
01:43:06,000 --> 01:43:16,000
 So when it comes to disability, I'm strong on it. I think that's why Michelle had me come here because when it get there, I get really, really passionate.

1409
01:43:16,000 --> 01:43:27,000
 I mean, because like I told them, and I do it constantly, is that no matter what your disability is, everybody is human. Everybody belongs to somebody.

1410
01:43:27,000 --> 01:43:43,000
 And you could be healthy today, and you could be in that situation tomorrow. So you have to do unto others as you want them to you. And if you see the operators, they'll tell you that is one of the things that I say constantly over and over and over again.

1411
01:43:43,000 --> 01:43:53,000
 That no matter what the situation is, and when you look at reality, we all have a disability. It depends on the level of your disability, how it impact your life.

1412
01:43:53,000 --> 01:44:05,000
 So nobody should have to go and identify their disability to you. Do your job with the policies and procedures says, and treat them nice.

1413
01:44:05,000 --> 01:44:07,000
 Are there any questions? Sure.

1414
01:44:07,000 --> 01:44:16,000
 First, I would just like to say that I think all of us appreciate how well DCTA has responded when we brought concerns to y'all.

1415
01:44:16,000 --> 01:44:29,000
 Y'all have been great about taking our concerns seriously, and we all appreciate that. My second question is, if an incident like this happens, do y'all have like a monthly employee meeting?

1416
01:44:29,000 --> 01:44:41,000
 Yes. Where you could say, okay, just a reminder if somebody has this car. So if an incident comes up that y'all resolve, can you then at the monthly meeting kind of remind everyone?

1417
01:44:41,000 --> 01:44:54,000
 Yes. Louise holds monthly safety meetings for operators. One thing we also did, if we see sort of a continuing trend, we were having some issues and concerns on UNT.

1418
01:44:54,000 --> 01:45:05,000
 Because UNT is a little bit different in how the service is provided, most of our didn't connect routes. Passengers board through the front door and exit the back door at UNT.

1419
01:45:05,000 --> 01:45:15,000
 They go in and out the front and back doors simultaneously. It's not when the doors open, you let the people off first and then you let the doors open and people are going both ways.

1420
01:45:15,000 --> 01:45:25,000
 So we were having, one student was having an issue that she required, she needed to be able to sit. She wasn't able to stand while the vehicle was moving.

1421
01:45:25,000 --> 01:45:32,000
 But because she was being polite and letting people off before she got on, she was never able to get on and get a seat.

1422
01:45:32,000 --> 01:45:39,000
 And so we were having issues addressing that and the driver didn't feel comfortable asking the individuals what priorities she needed to move.

1423
01:45:39,000 --> 01:45:51,000
 So we brought that individual in to a safety meeting, to multiple safety meetings to talk to our drivers to help explain what her disability was and why it was important for her to be able to sit.

1424
01:45:51,000 --> 01:46:00,000
 And why she needed them to help her so she could sit. And I think that helped the driver sort of personalize the situation a little bit more.

1425
01:46:00,000 --> 01:46:08,000
 Yeah. But we do. Every time we start seeing continuous issues or things that keep popping up, it's like, let's put that on the safety meeting agenda.

1426
01:46:08,000 --> 01:46:18,000
 That is so cool that you brought the woman in to explain her disability and how it affected her life during the bus ride. That's cool.

1427
01:46:18,000 --> 01:46:20,000
 Rex?

1428
01:46:20,000 --> 01:46:25,000
 Hi sweet thing. Not that I don't know you or anything.

1429
01:46:25,000 --> 01:46:28,000
 Wait, what about mine?

1430
01:46:28,000 --> 01:46:34,000
 One of the things, you know that I take a lot of veterans down to the VA hospital on their first trip.

1431
01:46:34,000 --> 01:46:46,000
 And one of the things that I've done in the past, and it's been very helpful, and I haven't had an opportunity to keep with you yet, but I hope to,

1432
01:46:46,000 --> 01:47:02,000
 as I introduce these new veterans to the engineer and the conductor on the trains and the buses, and it helps them to get a personal relationship with your staff,

1433
01:47:02,000 --> 01:47:17,000
 DCTA staff, and especially the ones that have disabilities, so that your staff understands that this person has a particular disability, whether it's visible or invisible,

1434
01:47:17,000 --> 01:47:26,000
 so they know how to help that person, especially to navigate the systems. You know, you need to get off this train and get on this bus,

1435
01:47:26,000 --> 01:47:39,000
 and this bus will take you to your destination, or you need to get on the dark trains and I help them navigate the dark trains to get to the VA hospital.

1436
01:47:39,000 --> 01:47:54,000
 And I do appreciate DCTA finally honoring VA disabilities for reduced fares. It only took a couple years, but it was wild, but we got it done.

1437
01:47:54,000 --> 01:48:04,000
 But it's done, and I'm so proud. Y'all have really been so responsive, and as a committee, we really appreciate it.

1438
01:48:04,000 --> 01:48:16,000
 Yeah, but I really appreciate that, and I appreciate you, because you've been doing a lot, a lot behind the scenes there, and I continue to support you down there for what you do.

1439
01:48:16,000 --> 01:48:26,000
 Thank you, and I do appreciate that. We do, and we really do care. I know it's hard, but our operators are human.

1440
01:48:26,000 --> 01:48:35,000
 They have good days. Some days aren't so good, but Louise will whip them into shape, but it doesn't matter what kind of day you're having.

1441
01:48:35,000 --> 01:48:41,000
 You're our face, and you're on stage when you're in that vehicle, and you're representing DCTA.

1442
01:48:41,000 --> 01:48:46,000
 Joe, did you have a question?

1443
01:48:46,000 --> 01:48:55,000
 Why did you get rid of stop number 7 on Brownie Bray?

1444
01:48:55,000 --> 01:49:01,000
 Why did you get rid of stop number 7 on Brownie Bray?

1445
01:49:01,000 --> 01:49:04,000
 Is this the one that serves MHMR?

1446
01:49:04,000 --> 01:49:08,000
 By a cabin?

1447
01:49:08,000 --> 01:49:11,000
 Is it only when it's doing a circle?

1448
01:49:11,000 --> 01:49:15,000
 No, it's not that one. Brownie Bray doesn't know.

1449
01:49:15,000 --> 01:49:17,000
 Something with it?

1450
01:49:17,000 --> 01:49:21,000
 No, I'm not sure about that one.

1451
01:49:21,000 --> 01:49:23,000
 I'm not sure about that one.

1452
01:49:23,000 --> 01:49:27,000
 The University and Brownie Bray?

1453
01:49:27,000 --> 01:49:34,000
 Which side of, we can, let me give you my card, and if you can email me the specifics, I can get back to you.

1454
01:49:34,000 --> 01:49:39,000
 It was either due to construction, or a safety issue.

1455
01:49:39,000 --> 01:49:46,000
 (inaudible)

1456
01:49:46,000 --> 01:49:51,000
 There's two of them on both sides, and both sides are gone?

1457
01:49:51,000 --> 01:49:52,000
 Yeah.

1458
01:49:52,000 --> 01:49:55,000
 Okay, we can look into that.

1459
01:49:55,000 --> 01:50:00,000
 Looking at the map, it looks like it's just south of University on Brownie Bray,

1460
01:50:00,000 --> 01:50:09,000
 where there's a stop there for number 7, and I would guess that that's construction on Brownie Bray.

1461
01:50:09,000 --> 01:50:12,000
 But we can absolutely communicate.

1462
01:50:12,000 --> 01:50:17,000
 The construction, I'm glad to see there's been a lot of construction going on, but it is wreaking havoc

1463
01:50:17,000 --> 01:50:23,000
 and making our driver's life difficult, and our ability to stay on time very, very difficult.

1464
01:50:23,000 --> 01:50:25,000
 No.

1465
01:50:25,000 --> 01:50:31,000
 So we're doing the best we can given the current situation, but as soon as the construction is complete

1466
01:50:31,000 --> 01:50:37,000
 and the City of Denton gives us the green light to start running again, because I know they had opened up portions,

1467
01:50:37,000 --> 01:50:42,000
 but they're like, because our buses are fairly heavy, we don't want to damage the road.

1468
01:50:42,000 --> 01:50:46,000
 I know they were coming back, so we're going to wait to come down Brownie Bray.

1469
01:50:46,000 --> 01:50:50,000
 We're ready, but we're waiting until we get the green light from the city,

1470
01:50:50,000 --> 01:50:54,000
 and then we can put those stops back in service.

1471
01:50:54,000 --> 01:50:57,000
 Rex.

1472
01:50:57,000 --> 01:51:04,000
 Robert Lindley, you know the deputy, don't believe what you see on Facebook.

1473
01:51:04,000 --> 01:51:10,000
 Robert knows Ronan, my little 125-pound German Shepherd.

1474
01:51:10,000 --> 01:51:16,000
 He got down on the floor with wrestling with him, and somebody took video of it and says,

1475
01:51:16,000 --> 01:51:24,000
 "My dog attacked the deputy on the train and posted it on Facebook."

1476
01:51:24,000 --> 01:51:27,000
 They were playing.

1477
01:51:27,000 --> 01:51:38,000
 Of course, those of us who know know what was going on, but he got a few thousand hits.

1478
01:51:38,000 --> 01:51:43,000
 And I was wondering when Raymond was going to call me.

1479
01:51:43,000 --> 01:51:46,000
 We didn't get any go requests or complaints.

1480
01:51:46,000 --> 01:51:47,000
 Tracy called me.

1481
01:51:47,000 --> 01:51:50,000
 We're good, okay.

1482
01:51:50,000 --> 01:51:52,000
 Thank you all so much.

1483
01:51:52,000 --> 01:51:56,000
 We really appreciate all you've been doing for us.

1484
01:51:56,000 --> 01:52:00,000
 All right, GE staff reports.

1485
01:52:00,000 --> 01:52:06,000
 Staff update regarding agenda, accommodation language, bus stops, meeting, captioning.

1486
01:52:06,000 --> 01:52:09,000
 Propose a dedicated pedestrian phase on the square and upcoming events.

1487
01:52:09,000 --> 01:52:14,000
 All right, Mark Oliphant, I am the bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for the city.

1488
01:52:14,000 --> 01:52:18,000
 I am also the staff liaison for this committee.

1489
01:52:18,000 --> 01:52:31,000
 And I'm going to try to get through this quickly so that we can finish as close to 8 p.m. as possible.

1490
01:52:31,000 --> 01:52:34,000
 Oh, yes.

1491
01:52:34,000 --> 01:52:43,000
 Allie and Jessica and I would like to bring up the remote access to meetings.

1492
01:52:43,000 --> 01:52:47,000
 I've already talked to you about it, but I want the committee to know.

1493
01:52:47,000 --> 01:52:52,000
 We had one member tonight that could have participated remotely if we knew how to do that.

1494
01:52:52,000 --> 01:52:57,000
 And we think that there is a provision that the city council has used before.

1495
01:52:57,000 --> 01:53:03,000
 Maybe the recording doesn't pick it up, but at least that person can FaceTime or whatever.

1496
01:53:03,000 --> 01:53:06,000
 And they can contribute to the conversation and whatever.

1497
01:53:06,000 --> 01:53:08,000
 So can we put that on our agenda, please?

1498
01:53:08,000 --> 01:53:09,000
 Yes.

1499
01:53:09,000 --> 01:53:10,000
 To figure out.

1500
01:53:10,000 --> 01:53:11,000
 Yes.

1501
01:53:11,000 --> 01:53:18,000
 So the two topics we're going to discuss right now are future meeting topics.

1502
01:53:18,000 --> 01:53:21,000
 So that's a possible one.

1503
01:53:21,000 --> 01:53:24,000
 We had hoped to do emergency management this month.

1504
01:53:24,000 --> 01:53:27,000
 It turns out the city emergency manager was out of town.

1505
01:53:27,000 --> 01:53:31,000
 But I already have him tentatively lined up for December.

1506
01:53:31,000 --> 01:53:41,000
 So they're going to talk about the city emergency plan and how it factors in helping persons with disabilities.

1507
01:53:41,000 --> 01:53:47,000
 Another topic would be to get parks and recreation back here to discuss projects.

1508
01:53:47,000 --> 01:53:50,000
 So we discussed some of their programs today,

1509
01:53:50,000 --> 01:53:57,000
 but upcoming projects that are in the works by the Parks Department and just get some information

1510
01:53:57,000 --> 01:54:03,000
 and give some feedback about what they're doing and any input that our committee might have.

1511
01:54:03,000 --> 01:54:07,000
 The volunteer information, that's been on there many months.

1512
01:54:07,000 --> 01:54:13,000
 But if the committee is still interested, we can try that and reach out.

1513
01:54:13,000 --> 01:54:21,000
 This will be third week of December, week before Christmas week, I think.

1514
01:54:21,000 --> 01:54:23,000
 So it may...

1515
01:54:23,000 --> 01:54:26,000
 We might want to weed that list down for December.

1516
01:54:26,000 --> 01:54:31,000
 Yeah, well, and a lot of times we decide on three or four things in here,

1517
01:54:31,000 --> 01:54:34,000
 and I only end up being able to get one on the agenda.

1518
01:54:34,000 --> 01:54:36,000
 It's going to be hard to get people to do that.

1519
01:54:36,000 --> 01:54:38,000
 Things change, yeah.

1520
01:54:38,000 --> 01:54:44,000
 Another possible topic that we're looking at maybe for January is the Census Complete Count Committee.

1521
01:54:44,000 --> 01:54:49,000
 If you remember, Ryan Adams spoke to us about that.

1522
01:54:49,000 --> 01:54:53,000
 And I know it's been about six months, they've been doing a lot of things.

1523
01:54:53,000 --> 01:54:58,000
 I could speak about the ADA Transition Plan.

1524
01:54:58,000 --> 01:55:05,000
 It's kind of on hold because we're trying to incorporate it into our Mobility Plan,

1525
01:55:05,000 --> 01:55:09,000
 which has a pedestrian component.

1526
01:55:09,000 --> 01:55:15,000
 So it's sort of for a good way that we haven't quite finished it.

1527
01:55:15,000 --> 01:55:20,000
 I know Rex has brought up the disabled veterans topic.

1528
01:55:20,000 --> 01:55:22,000
 He has put me in touch with someone.

1529
01:55:22,000 --> 01:55:27,000
 One of the issues I am running into with that though is the city,

1530
01:55:27,000 --> 01:55:31,000
 because we are a committee of the city of Denton,

1531
01:55:31,000 --> 01:55:37,000
 and we are charged with dealing with topics that the city of Denton has control over,

1532
01:55:37,000 --> 01:55:48,000
 the city of Denton does not directly right now have a disabled veteran program or something like that

1533
01:55:48,000 --> 01:55:53,000
 because it is offered by the federal government, the VA and so forth.

1534
01:55:53,000 --> 01:56:03,000
 The interface between the city and the VA, I haven't found the right question.

1535
01:56:03,000 --> 01:56:07,000
 My question was to assimilate these veterans back into the community.

1536
01:56:07,000 --> 01:56:09,000
 Into the community.

1537
01:56:09,000 --> 01:56:19,000
 We have it in other cities that I've gone to where they try to assimilate that disabled veteran back into the community

1538
01:56:19,000 --> 01:56:31,000
 to make them part of a citizen of the community rather than an isolated person.

1539
01:56:31,000 --> 01:56:37,000
 Because right now most of the disabled vets that I run into are absolutely isolated.

1540
01:56:37,000 --> 01:56:45,000
 They do not communicate with anyone else in the community outside of other veterans.

1541
01:56:45,000 --> 01:56:51,000
 How about I get in touch with you and we talk a little bit about a little more of your knowledge of what other cities have done.

1542
01:56:51,000 --> 01:56:58,000
 Because we just need to find the right topic title for that.

1543
01:56:58,000 --> 01:57:03,000
 There's other things on here.

1544
01:57:03,000 --> 01:57:05,000
 We've got lots of topics.

1545
01:57:05,000 --> 01:57:07,000
 And I've got one more for tonight.

1546
01:57:07,000 --> 01:57:08,000
 Yes please.

1547
01:57:08,000 --> 01:57:19,000
 I really think that we should write up a proposal, discuss and write up a proposal to make the initial pedestrian delay a citywide thing.

1548
01:57:19,000 --> 01:57:21,000
 Okay.

1549
01:57:21,000 --> 01:57:26,000
 Does anybody else agree that that's something that should just be citywide?

1550
01:57:26,000 --> 01:57:29,000
 Let's walk before we run though.

1551
01:57:29,000 --> 01:57:32,000
 Let's see how well it works downtown.

1552
01:57:32,000 --> 01:57:34,000
 They've already been doing that downtown.

1553
01:57:34,000 --> 01:57:36,000
 Yeah, clarification there.

1554
01:57:36,000 --> 01:57:41,000
 So the ped delay is being used currently downtown.

1555
01:57:41,000 --> 01:57:48,000
 And what that is, is when the vehicles perpendicular to you have got the red light,

1556
01:57:48,000 --> 01:57:52,000
 before you get a green for vehicles in this direction,

1557
01:57:52,000 --> 01:57:59,000
 the pedestrian, the white walking individual comes on for two seconds

1558
01:57:59,000 --> 01:58:07,000
 and it gives the pedestrians a head start in crossing the street so that they're not competing with the vehicles.

1559
01:58:07,000 --> 01:58:13,000
 So that is done currently, but what they did say is that right now it's only on the square that that's done.

1560
01:58:13,000 --> 01:58:16,000
 So yeah, we could bring that up.

1561
01:58:16,000 --> 01:58:22,000
 You know, get the city engineer back and talk about the positives and negatives of that.

1562
01:58:22,000 --> 01:58:25,000
 You know, why it's not done everywhere.

1563
01:58:25,000 --> 01:58:32,000
 I will say too, Val did reach out to me.

1564
01:58:32,000 --> 01:58:39,000
 He wasn't able to be here, but he did have two topics that he wanted to let the committee know about.

1565
01:58:39,000 --> 01:58:41,000
 One is horse-drawn carriages.

1566
01:58:41,000 --> 01:58:46,000
 Those have recently been discussed by the city council.

1567
01:58:46,000 --> 01:58:53,000
 But as far as he knows, and I know, they are not generally accessible to citizens with disabilities.

1568
01:58:53,000 --> 01:59:01,000
 So if that is something that the committee would like to take a position on, because...

1569
01:59:01,000 --> 01:59:03,000
 I got a dog drawn.

1570
01:59:03,000 --> 01:59:08,000
 I don't know what the city council ended up, what their decision was about that,

1571
01:59:08,000 --> 01:59:13,000
 but it is something that we could take a position on.

1572
01:59:13,000 --> 01:59:21,000
 And the second thing, well so, is there interest in taking a position about horse-drawn carriages from others?

1573
01:59:21,000 --> 01:59:23,000
 I'd like to discuss it.

1574
01:59:23,000 --> 01:59:26,000
 It's just not a primary thing right now.

1575
01:59:26,000 --> 01:59:29,000
 Rex, did you say you needed to go catch the bus?

1576
01:59:29,000 --> 01:59:30,000
 Pretty quickly.

1577
01:59:30,000 --> 01:59:33,000
 They send that access dentin to pick me up.

1578
01:59:33,000 --> 01:59:36,000
 All right, if I'm not there, then they leave me.

1579
01:59:36,000 --> 01:59:39,000
 It's a long way to the south end.

1580
01:59:39,000 --> 01:59:41,000
 Yeah, okay.

1581
01:59:41,000 --> 01:59:48,000
 Second thing Val brought up, so there is a neighborhood in the city known as Idiot's Hill,

1582
01:59:48,000 --> 01:59:59,000
 but the term "idiot" is deeply rooted in ableism and stigmatizes individuals living with mental illness.

1583
01:59:59,000 --> 02:00:08,000
 And that neighborhood is currently being considered for historic designation.

1584
02:00:08,000 --> 02:00:13,000
 So is this a concern that is shared by other members of the committee?

1585
02:00:13,000 --> 02:00:18,000
 I can share that I live in Idiot's Hill and a poll was posted as to whether or not

1586
02:00:18,000 --> 02:00:25,000
 we should keep the name Idiot's Hill or change to something called Nottingham Woods,

1587
02:00:25,000 --> 02:00:31,000
 which really recognizes the other side of the neighborhood, or pick a new name.

1588
02:00:31,000 --> 02:00:38,000
 And overwhelmingly, the answer on that survey was keep the name Idiot's Hill.

1589
02:00:38,000 --> 02:00:40,000
 Okay.

1590
02:00:40,000 --> 02:00:44,000
 And there were over 100 votes on the poll.

1591
02:00:44,000 --> 02:00:48,000
 Anyone else want to make?

1592
02:00:48,000 --> 02:00:53,000
 You can't fix everything, and not everything needs to be fixed.

1593
02:00:53,000 --> 02:01:04,000
 Are there other opinions about that from other members of the committee?

1594
02:01:04,000 --> 02:01:06,000
 Anyone else want to?

1595
02:01:06,000 --> 02:01:11,000
 I think Ben knows right, Ben helps me.

1596
02:01:11,000 --> 02:01:12,000
 What?

1597
02:01:12,000 --> 02:01:16,000
 I think you know best.

1598
02:01:16,000 --> 02:01:21,000
 We cannot fix everything, and we've got major things we need to be doing.

1599
02:01:21,000 --> 02:01:25,000
 We can talk about this statue or something else.

1600
02:01:25,000 --> 02:01:27,000
 Okay.

1601
02:01:27,000 --> 02:01:30,000
 And then just a couple of very quick updates.

1602
02:01:30,000 --> 02:01:35,000
 We're in the process of making that accommodation language change

1603
02:01:35,000 --> 02:01:37,000
 that we worked on.

1604
02:01:37,000 --> 02:01:42,000
 I want everyone to know that DCTA, as a result of suggestions by this committee,

1605
02:01:42,000 --> 02:01:47,000
 has poured new concrete sidewalks to access the bus stops on McKinney Street

1606
02:01:47,000 --> 02:01:51,000
 in front of the veranda and fountain apartments.

1607
02:01:51,000 --> 02:01:53,000
 Captioning will still be happening.

1608
02:01:53,000 --> 02:01:55,000
 We talked about pedestrian phasing.

1609
02:01:55,000 --> 02:01:57,000
 Our next meeting is Thursday the 19th.

1610
02:01:57,000 --> 02:02:00,000
 That is all, Madam Chair.

1611
02:02:00,000 --> 02:02:03,000
 The meeting is adjourned.