TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

The Transportation Committee Meeting was held on September 16, 2003, at 5:00 p.m., with Chairman Ruane presiding. Members present were Mr. Pitts, Mr. Ornauer, and Mr. Asay. Mr. Ritter was absent. Others present were Mayor Hutchison, Mr. DePrima, Mr. Lee, Chief Horvath, Major Harding, Ms. Wieczoreck (MPO), Mr. Mike Svaby (Deputy Director - Division of Technology and Support Services - DelDOT), Mr. D. Michael Williams (Community Relations - DelDOT), Mr. Thomas Hannan, Jr. (Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP) Mr. Randall Grunden (Highway Safety Manager - DelDOT), Mr. Charlie Mattox (Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee), and Mrs. McDowell.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Ornauer moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Asay and unanimously carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2003

Mr. Ornauer moved for approval of the minutes of July 22, 2003, seconded by Mr. Asay and unanimously carried.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE

Mr. Lee informed members that approximately 23 revisions have been made to the July Draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update and the Planning Commission would be considering the final draft later that evening for a recommendation to City Council. Mr. Lee noted that the Transportation Committee’s Prioritization of Projects had been included.

Mr. Ornauer requested a copy of Chapter 8, Transportation, once the Plan had been completed.

The committee took no action.

PRESENTATION - RED LIGHT PHOTO ENFORCEMENT - WEBBS LANE AND ROUTE 13

During their Regular Meeting of July 22, 2003, the Transportation Committee moved to endorse the Webbs Lane and Route 13 test site for red light photo enforcement.

Mr. Svaby made a PowerPoint presentation on DelDOT’s Electronic Red Light Safety Program (Attachment #1) and provided a detailed explanation of how the program would operate . He noted that DelDOT is proposing to install the first fully digital statewide camera system in the country in an effort to minimize fatal accidents by changing driver behavior.

Mr. Svaby noted that once Nestor, the vendor, reviewed the taped violations, the City of Dover Police Department would conduct a secondary review in order to approve or disapprove the violations. The approved violations would be returned to Nestor, who would then generate and mail the citations to the offenders. Mr. Svaby noted that a portion of the fine would be paid to the vendor for maintenance and their citation processing fee, to the court system if the violation were appealed by the offender, and either to the State or local jurisdiction that owns the system.

Responding to Mr. DePrima, Mr. Svaby indicated that there was a chance that the Federal Highway Administration may subsidize all or part of the $250,000 cost of the program, which would have been divided among all owners of the program.

Chief Horvath noted that he spoke with Chief Zerba of Wilmington, who noted that their system has been effective in reducing the number of accidents. Mr. Ruane asked Chief Horvath if he was aware of the high level at the Webbs Lane and Route 13 intersection. Chief Horvath stated that when you look at the high number of violations, the number of accidents becomes a low percentage. He noted that the accidents at that location tend to be fairly serious and he agreed that the location was good for the test site.

The committee was generally impressed with the technology and thought that the implementation plan was an effective one.

EXTENSION OF CRAWFORD CARROLL AVENUE FROM WEST RUSTIC LANE TO OFFICE MAX

Mr. DePrima stated that he attended a meeting with Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, President of Delaware State University. He noted that Dr. Sessoms was supportive of the extension of Crawford Carroll Avenue, as well as the concept of an educational corridor. Mr. DePrima advised members that he had provided the Planning Staff with a recommendation for an Educational Corridor whereby Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College, and Wilmington College would create a unified “educational image”, for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan Update.

Mr. Ruane, noting that the extension of Crawford Carroll Avenue from West Rustic Lane to Office Max was not actually ranked along with the other projects, suggested that members may want to rank the project for the Comprehensive Plan Update. Mr. Ornauer expressed concern with trying to rank the project without having the prioritized list to refer to.

It was the consensus of members that all projects, including the Extension of Crawford Carroll Avenue, should be listed in the Comprehensive Plan Update without ranking them.

Mr. Ornauer moved that the Prioritization of City Projects, including the Extension of Crawford Carroll Avenue from West Rustic Lane to Office Max, be incorporated in Chapter 8 of the Comprehensive Plan Update without being ranked, and that the extension of Crawford Carroll Avenue be considered for ranking at a future meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Asay and unanimously carried.

MPO/PAC/TAC REPORT (Koenig/Ornauer/Wieczoreck)

Mr. Ornauer stated that two projects, timing on South Governors Avenue and Forest Avenue/Loockerman Street Enhancement, have been accelerated one year by DelDOT. Ms. Wieczoreck noted that the South Governors Avenue project was scheduled to begin construction during the 2005 construction season.

DELDOT’S CAPITAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (FY2004-2009) - DOVER PROJECTS

Ms. Wieczoreck stated that no new projects were added to the Capital Transportation Program (CTP); however, the initial projects have been fully funded. She noted that an additional $7 million had been allocated for the South Governors Avenue project, and an additional $25,000 for the Loockerman Street project. Ms. Wieczoreck indicated that the Loockerman Street project was scheduled for 2005. 

At the request of Mr. Ruane, Ms. Wieczoreck stated that she would provide the CTP list of projects located within Dover, including the timing of the project and amount of funding.

DOVER/KENT COUNTY MPO FY 2005 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - LIST OF PROJECTS

There was no discussion regarding this item.

UPDATES

Eden Hill Farm

Due to the absence of Mr. Laing, no update was provided on Eden Hill Farm.

Clarence Street Project

Mr. DePrima stated that staff was still working with the Federal Legislative team to secure an additional $450,000 for the Clarence Street project. He noted that they have signed agreements with DelDOT for contract management. Mr. DePrima stated that the next step of the project would be to send out Requests for Qualifications (RFQ’s) for design work, as well as surveying for potential acquisition. Ms. Wieczoreck noted that they would be meeting with the DelDOT consultant to discuss data collection for the Clarence Street modeling. She stated that, if the City could participate financially next year, the model could be expanded to include the signalization project.

Division Street Improvements

Mr. DePrima advised members that he received a memo from Mr. Koenig which stated that the milling and paving of Division Street was expected to occur in mid-October. He noted that the railroad tracks would be removed during that time-frame and Division Street would be closed one evening in order to accomplish that.

Traffic Study SR1/SR8

Mr. Ruane stated that a meeting was held between DelDOT and the Edgehill community; however, there was no discussion of traffic mitigation. It was his understanding that the working group would convene to discuss that issue.

Traffic Impact Study - East Dover Housing Development Projects

Mr. Ruane stated that the subdivision plan for one of the East Dover housing development projects was presented to the Planning Commission for review. He noted that this was the last stage of the public process and the Traffic Impact Study was still incomplete. Mr. Ruane stated that the other two (2) East Dover projects were forthcoming.

Mr. Lee stated that the Traffic Impact Study was underway and it was his understanding that the permit would not be issued for an entrance onto North Little Creek Road until the Traffic Study was complete and the recommendations implemented.

North Street and State Street Intersection Study

Mr. DePrima noted that, in a letter dated August 20, 2003, Mr. Koenig notified Mr. Randall Grunden of DelDOT that the City was interested in increasing the diameter of the traffic bulbs from 8" to 12" at the intersection of North Street and State Street in an effort to reduce accidents. He also indicated that the City would consider the installation of antique overhead mast arms, provided a style consistent with the Constitution Place theme could be selected.

Mr. Ruane expressed concern with installing new lights at the present time since changes would most likely occur as part of the signalization project. Mr. DePrima stated that he would write to Ms. Teresa Lewandowski of DelDOT regarding coordination of this project with the signalization project.

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT (TEA-21 RE-AUTHORIZATION)/METROPOLITAN CONGESTION RELIEF ACT

Mr. Ruane noted that the National League of Cities was trying to gather support from local jurisdictions regarding the Transportation Equity Act (Tea-21 Re-authorization) and the Metropolitan Congestion Relief Act.

Mr. DePrima stated that he would send a letter in support of the TEA 21 Re-authorization to the Legislators.

NEXT MEETING DATE

Mr. Ornauer requested that the Drainage and Resurfacing of Water Street be included on the next agenda, as well as the Paving of College Road from Saulsbury Road to Kenton Road.

Mr. Ornauer noted that there was a conflicting PAC meeting on October 21, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. He requested that the Transportation Committee meet at 12:00 noon instead of 5:00 p.m. in order to avoid the conflict.

Mr. Ornauer moved to reschedule the meeting of October 21, 2003 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 noon, seconded by Mr. Asay and unanimously carried.

Mr. Ornauer moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Asay and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:39 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Eugene B. Ruane

Chairman

EBR/tm

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesMisc-MinutesTRANSPORTATION20039-16-2003.min.wpd

Attachments to Original Minutes and File Copy

Attachment #1 - DelDOT’s Electronic Red Light Safety Program