2016-02-09 Mobility Committee Minutes MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MOBILITY COMMITTEE
February 9, 2016
After determining that a quorum of the Mobility Committee of the Denton City Council was
present, the Mobility Committee thereafter convened into an Open Meeting on Tuesday,
February 9, 2016 at 11:32 p.m. in the City Council Work Session Room 215 E. McKinney,
Denton, Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Kevin Roden and Council
Member Greg Johnson
Also Present: Howard Martin, ACM; Jon Fortune, ACM; John Cabrales, ACM; Mark Nelson,
Director of Transportation; John Davis, Director of Engineering Services; Frank
Payne, City Engineer; Ron Menguita, Long Range Planning Admin; John Polster,
ITS; Jim Cline, President of DCTA; Kristina Brevard,Vice President DCTA;
Nicole Recker, Vice President DCTA and Kim Mankin, Administrative
Supervisor
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. MC 16-005
Consider approval of the Mobility Committee meeting minutes of January 12, 2016.
Approved as circulated.
B. MC16-010
Receive a report from Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) staff to include
State of the Agency, passenger enhancements,bus operations and DCTA capital projects.
Jim Cline gave the presentation starting with the State of the Agency. This update included the
FY2016 budget and financial reserves. There was an audit that had clean results. Ridership
continues to increase (A-train 1.8 percent and connect bus 3.31 percent). Positive Train Control
was discussed as well as the Frisco Service, Hike and Bike Trail and Mobility 2040. Mobility
2040 would include ridership from Denton to Fort Worth.
Roden asked when the Hike and Bike Trail would be complete, end of 2017 was answered by
Cline.
Gregory asked what kind of fuel the vehicles use and prices. Cline answered diesel is used in the
buses and trains at about$1.30 per gallon.
Kristina Brevard then talked about the bus service and Comprehensive Operational Analysis.
Brevard added that Denton does a great job at showing up at the public outreach gatherings.
The COA preliminary recommendation key points include: Denton airport area service, 30
minute peak frequency on all routes, 15 minute frequency in key corridors,potential seasonal
service (Denton Water Park) and coordinate with the UNT master plan.
Passenger amenities that have been completed was reported with pictures shown. A map of
future bus shelters was also shared.
Cline stated that City staff made the difference with projects; made them smoother and
expedited.
Gregory appreciated DCTA for their report and things that have been accomplished.
Johnson added compliments to DCTA and staff of accomplishments.
Roden asked how do we target the rider that does not need to ride but could. Soon there will be
a launch City partnered co-working space called the Stoke located at 608 E. Hickory. Can there
be a marketing push to give reduced fares to this type of audience. Nicole Recker stated they are
in the process of repackaging and revamping the corporate pass program. This will have a new
look and feel with a variety of options.
Roden then stated that he encourages people to just try the A-Train and the bus service.
Roden added that there are also more and more interest in high density apartments in a
downtown setting. Some ask for reduced parking requirements but believe it should be coupled
with other initiatives that are encouraging and giving people incentives to either not have a car
or not use it. We need to think about how to engage those sorts of developments. Recker
answered that they have a staff member that will be researching where the high density areas are
and developing those relationships currently.
Johnson asked how and at what point is DCTA aware of this type of development that is
happening in Denton. Nelson stated he has tasked Julie Anderson with looking at bike
opportunities. She will alert Nelson and DCTA with her findings. Johnson asked about an
automation through "Project Dox"where it might notify staff. Nelson added he will work with
Ron Menguita and other planning staff to see what can be accomplished.
C. MC16-011
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the implementation of the Wayfinding
Signage Project.
Ron Menguita presented examples of the `Wayfinding Signs". The top of the courthouse logo
would go on the signs in the downtown area, and the City Logo will go in other areas of the City.
Staff has been working on `Parking' signs that would comply with standards. Staff met with
TxDOT to get their inputs for signage including the "Blue P" for parking, and they accepted the
design. Menguita showed wayfinding signs from Garland that are similar.
The next steps would be to conduct field surveys to identify locations. After that a bid package
will be assembled and a contractor will be hired.
Johnson asked a timeline. Menguita answered it will depend on the bid process but hopes by end
of summer. There will be a community meeting at the Civic Center to introduce the signs.
The Mobility Committee would like to move forward with this project.
D. MC16-012—
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding Texas Department of Transportation On-
System projects in the Denton area to include the 35Express Project.
Mark Nelson stated that at the last meeting there was a request for this report to be on the City of
Denton website, this has been accomplished.
John Polster talked about this agenda item.
FM 2181 East-West—paving will be accomplished starting 7:00pm to 6:00am and will be down
to one lane of traffic until Friday, February 12. April completion date.
FM 2181 North-South Section—95 percent plans will be submitted on February 12.
FM 2499, Section 5—several of the utilities are all clear, working with DME on the second
phase. March 2015 complete phase I and April 2016 completion of phase II. Project completion
date March 2017.
US 377/Fort Worth Drive—Plans received February 8, the review process has begun. Some
utilities are complete others are still in process.
US 380 Urban (I-35 to FM15)6 -paving west bound side currently. Completion September
2016.
US 380 in-town -paving from Hinkle to Bonnie Brae, one lane in each direction. Culvert work
is taking longer than anticipated. There may be an impact to the December 2016 completion
date, will know for sure at a later date.
FM426 - City submitted letter to TxDOT to take the project off system, it will take a few months.
The progress will be tracked.
Roden stated regarding FM426 there have been conversations with DISD that some temporary
options be pursued. Part of the reasoning to take this off system was to get in and put some
temporary sidewalk options into play. What has been done to look at those options. John Davis
This was looked at and there was not a conceptual design, an estimation from Loop 288 to Ryan
High School will cost $200,000. DISD showed that it should be extended west which would
then raise the estimation to $300,000. The design and construction east of Loop 288 could be
completed in nine months. The schedule of widening FM426 that would replace the temporary
side walk in place for about 18 months.
I-35 E—Denton area on February 10 at 6:00am the north bound lanes will be moved back to the
Dallas Drive bridge. The detour will then be changed and the south bound lanes will be where
the north bound temporary lanes were by month end. This will allow for the tie in of the
southbound Loop 288 exit that was moved 1,000 feet north, that ramp will open in the March
timeframe. Dallas Drive underpass to reopen by end of April.
Mr. Polster referenced a recent TxDOT press release stating there is about$5 million worth of
road maintenance/safety repair by TxDOT for Denton County. Most of this work is in the
southern part of the County near Roanoke.
Denton Task Force Schedule was reported on. The area is I-35E from Mayhill to Loop 288.
Complete plan submittal is June 2016. The let date is September 2017.
US377—Right of way and design complete by March 2018. This is outside of the schedule,which
means the project may have problems.
FM2181 —Language has been submitted, City is in review. August 2016 let date.
E. MC16-009
Staff Reports:
1. Sidewalk Priority List—discussed by Frank Payne
2. Matrix
CONCLUDING ITEMS
A. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the
Committee on the Environment or the public with specific factual information or recitation of
policy, or accept a proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an upcoming meeting AND
Under Section 551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide reports about items of
community interest regarding which no action will be taken, to include: expressions of thanks,
congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an honorary or salutary
recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a reminder about an upcoming
event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information regarding a social, ceremonial,
or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the governing body that was
attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the governing body or an official or
employee of the municipality; or an announcement involving an imminent threat to the public
health and safety of people in the municipality that has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 1:11 p.m.