SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on May 23, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Ruane, and Mr. Link. Mr. Lakeman was absent. Members of Council present were Mr. Salters and Mr. Slavin. Mayor Speed was also present (arrived at 5:07).
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Link moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Discussion Transportation Projects (Secretary Wicks)
During their Regular Meeting of April 10, 2006, members of Council endorsed additional projects for the Transportation Project Prioritization List, to include the Water Street Railroad Crossing - Eden Hill Farm, and the Intermodal Transportation Terminal. At that time, Transportation Secretary Wicks was invited to address members regarding transportation projects.
During the committee meeting, Secretary Wicks informed members that the Governor recently formed a task force to evaluate DelDOT’s revenues and expenditures. She advised members that the task force identified significant funding issues and noted that there are a number of transportation demands and not enough revenue to meet those demands.
Secretary Wicks advised members that DelDOT has determined that the best course of action is to focus on their core business, such as Transportation Enhancement, Municipal Street Aid, Community Transportation Fund, Paving, etc.; maximize Federal money; evaluate their authorization and review, including re-prioritization and de-authorization where appropriate; evaluate the project prioritization process, including coordination with Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Federal Highways, and elected officials; focus on providing a safe travel environment, reducing congestion, multi-modal transportation expansion, etc.; management and oversight of expenditure tracking and reporting; and anticipating future revenue needs.
Responding to Mr. Hogan, Secretary Wicks stated that the design work has not been completed on the long-term plan to build a bus terminal on the George & Lynch property and that dialog between the City and DelDOT must continue in order to tie the project together. Secretary Wicks advised members that there are several projects, including the Signalization Project, Governors Avenue, and Wyoming Mill Road that will stay on DelDOT’s project list. Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Bob Taylor, Chief DelDOT Engineer and Director for Transportation Solutions, advised members that concerns regarding the current bus terminal should be directed to the Inter-State Commerce Commission, which is the entity that licenses the buses.
Mr. Ruane asked if funding for South Governors Avenue right-of-way acquisition was included in the DelDOT budget. Secretary Wicks stated that the design work has moved forward and the real estate funding is proposed for FY07. Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in FY08. Mr. Ruane recommended that, in the interim, some attention be paid to the poor condition of the roadway.
Emergency Call Box - Blue Light Program
During the Council Retreat held on January 27, 2006, members prioritized the Emergency Call Box - Blue Light Program as a project they wished to move forward with.
Mrs. Lisa Gardner, Administrative Assistant to the Public Utilities Director, advised members that two (2) emergency call box units have been purchased and will be installed in Silver Lake Park. She noted that the Electric Department will install the devices, which will then be turned over to the Parks & Recreation Department for monitoring. The call boxes will utilize a cell phone package at a cost of $25 per month, per unit and calls made from the boxes will be directed to the 911 Kent Center.
Responding to Mr. Salters, Mr. DePrima, City Manager, stated that if the pilot program is successful, it will be expanded when additional money has been allocated and approved for the purchase of additional units.
Mr. Carey moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Link and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth L. Hogan
Chairman
KLH/hf
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