2017-04-11 Mobility Committee Minutes MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MOBILITY COMMITTEE
April 11, 2017
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, April
11, 2017 at 11:40 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room 215 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Kevin Roden and Council
Member Keely Briggs
Also Present: Jon Fortune, ACM; Mark Nelson, Director of Transportation; John Cabrales,
Director of Community Affairs; Pritam Deshmukh, Traffic Engineer; Julie
Anderson, Bike Coordinator Pedestrian Coordinator; John Polster, ITS; Kristina
Brevard; DCTA and Annie Bunger,Administrative Assistant VI
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. MC17-011 - Consider approval of the Mobility Committee meeting minutes of March 21,
2017.
Approved as circulated
B. MC17-013-Receive a report from Denton County Transportation Authority(DCTA) staff
to include State of the Agency, passenger enhancements, bus operations and DCTA capital
projects, and provide direction regarding strategic initiatives in the Denton County
Transportation Authority's service plan.
Kristina Brevard from DCTA,presented an update as to how they are doing, studies and
research to expand service in Denton County.
Briggs asked if the bus stop at Lattimore and Audra would be going away with the new
plans. Brevard responded that at this point she was not sure but would get back with her to
answer that question. Gregory asked if all the stops were ADA complaint. It was
explained that all DCTA buses have a ramp that goes from the bus to the curb that allows
people in need to go from the covered stop to the ramp and in the bus.
DCTA stated they are in discussion on other forms of travel (ie. Lyft, and Uber)to help with
the transportation to and from"kiss and park"train stops. This may help with the "park and
ride" issues we have currently at the downtown location. DCTA is currently working to
review the Medpark capacity, maybe have an agreement to allow some of the unused
parking lot be used for a"park and ride" or facilitate some additional commercial
development. DCTA reminded the Committee that DCTA had an all or nothing deal to
acquire a larger tract from the hospital when the A-train was in design/construction.
Gregory asked if DCTA would charge for this (repurposed portion of the parking lot).
Brevard answered yes, they are now in the works with MedPark to discuss the amount.
Briggs asked during the work week what the details are for parking at the downtown
lot. During the week it is full by 7:00 a.m. and empty after 7:00 p.m. Gregory asked for
more details on the expansion of the A-train to help solve the problem. Brevard stated
most of the people parking in that area are from the northeastern part of Denton County.
DCTA is working on plans to expand service out that way to attract more of the demand
from the 380 corridor in Denton County.
Briggs was concerned that if we build a parking lot that will never get used then are we
wasting space for something else to build there (Prescott). Polster stated that much of the
area that DCTA is looking at is in a flood plain and most business would not build there so
it would be an ideal place.
Gregory asked what type of marketing is being done so that people are aware of the
transportation provided by DCTA. The older generation does not use social media as
much so what is being mailed to them to help them navigate through the train ride.
Briggs said that she is not afraid to get on the train but worried about the timing
because if you are not there at the right time you will miss it and might get stuck.
Weekend service is limited and that is when she and maybe others would be more
interested in going on the train. What are the plans for weekend services? DCTA
responded that as of now, Saturday service is more likely to be expanded than adding
Sunday service.
The Prescott Property is near the campus of TWU but as of now there is not good clear path
from there to the campus. They are hoping to have shuttle service for those that do park
there and get them safely to campus. DCTA has visited with TWU leadership on adding a
rail station near campus. The location TWU would like is the Service Center site and that is
not likely to happen. They are working together to try to identify other options and the
Prescott could be a solution.
Gregory has requested that there be a closed meeting of PUB to discuss the Mingo A-
train expansion. John Cabrales stated that getting items to be in closed session is now
becoming harder but he would do his best to do so before this goes to City Council.
C. MC17-014 - Receive a report, hold a discussion and provide direction regarding Texas
Department of Transportation On-System projects in the Denton area to include the 35Express
Project.
John Polster gave updates to on TxDOT projects.
FM 2181 North-South - Roadway acquisitions are complete. Design complete, let date
August 2017. Briggs asked if this would provide a sidewalk for those attending Guyer.
Polster assured her that this will allow for a sidewalk and a safer route to school.
FM 2499 Section 5—Construction complete November 2017.
US 377—Awaiting TxDOT comments and approval. Utility relocation complete June 2017.
US 380—Urban—Complete April 2017, ribbon cutting ceremony May 2017.
US 380—In Town—Construction Complete June 2017.
FM 426—Funds sent by TxDOT and received by the City of Denton April 6, 2017. The city
has received two responses to the RFQ for design consulting services on March 30, 2017.
Evaluation process and selection should be completed by early May 2017. Briggs asked why
it takes so long if we have only two bids. Polster explained that there is more to evaluate once
we get the bids in. Briggs asked why work can not start until 2019. Fortune responded that
he would get more information as to why so long and report back to her. Polster also stated
that because the project belongs to the City that it is easier to have control of everything that
goes into it.
Loop 288 West—Let date June 2024. Meeting on February 16,2017,with ITS,TxDOT, City
of Denton, HNTB, and HDR to discuss overall ultimate design and responsibility for each
project at each intersection with Loop 288. CP&Y obtained latest files from HNTB and HDR
to begin conceptual options and design. Meeting on February 28,2017,with ITS and TxDOT
Dallas to present initial scope outline for additional work. TxDOT to review possibility of
providing aerial flight and additional SUE (subsurface utility engineering) for IH 35W.
IH I35 North - Received comments from design division and addressing comments from
Dallas District. Awaiting FHWA comments. Anticipate public meeting to present initial plan
view in May 2017.
Nelson reported that they will be having a meeting at Pecan Creek Elementary on April 27,
with AGL to discuss the I-35 project and how it will affect them.
US 77 -Northbound on-ramp will be closed temporally starting the week of April 17, 2017.
FM 1515-RFQ for advertising for the design services for the project was approved on March
21, 2017. Responses are due on April 17, 2017.
IH 35E/Loop288/Brinker/Mayhill - Utility Relocations complete May 2017. Construction
began on March 6, 2017. Time has been suspended until April 10, 2017, due to coordination
efforts with AGL and race weekend.
D. MC17-012 - Staff Reports:
1. Matrix
Staff Reports: Briggs asked about the UNT parking and if we have a consultant to help with
this issue. Pritam Deshmukh responded that we should have one by the end of May.
Briggs received some emails from business along Oak Street that stated that there was an
agreement between the City of Denton and themselves that there would be no bike routes
along Oak Street. Fortune responded that there were talks but never did the City of Denton
get into a formal agreement with anyone regarding this issue. Gregory has spoken to some of
the business on Oak Street that are not happy about giving up parking spots for the bike lane.
Julie Anderson said that she received those emails as well and plans to respond to them the
week of April 17, 2017.
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.
-Gregory requested an update on the Cooper Creek Trail
-Briggs requested that it be looked at if there should be timed parking at the downtown train
station.
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 1:29 p.m.
Approved on 5/9/17