2017-09-19 Mobility Committee Minutes MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MOBILITY COMMITTEE
September 19, 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,
September 19, 2017 at 9:32 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room 215 E. McKinney, Denton,
Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Keely Briggs and Council
Member
Also Present: Mario Canizares, ACM; Mark Nelson, Director of Transportation; Todd Estes,
City Engineer; Pritam Deshmukh, Traffic Engineer; Julie Anderson, Bike
Coordinator Pedestrian Coordinator; John Polster, ITS; and Annie Bunger,
Administrative Assistant IV
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. MC17-033 - Consider approval of the Mobility Committee meeting minutes of June 13, 2017.
Approved as circulated
B. MC17-034 -Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the federal Safe Routes to
School Program (SRTS) and the City of Denton SRTS Plan.
Julie Anderson presented a slide show about the SRTS. The definition is dedicated federal
funding for projects that increase bike/walk ability to schools. Anderson explained the funding
that is available.
Gregory asked if there is a formula used on how much money is received, Anderson agreed it is a
formula based on population. Gregory then asked what agency administers the money. Anderson
answered it is overseen by the Federal Highway Administration, locally by the NCTCOG.
Briggs asked how many Counties are in competition,Nelson replied 16.
Anderson stated that of the grants requested, Denton's ranked one and two on the list. Denton has
a Safe Routes to School Plan that was worked on in 2010. The plan was not adopted and there
was no funding. Gregory said that at one point something was brought to the City about this and
it was never approved or bought back to the table, why? Pritam Deshmukh responded that is
correct however when it was taken to DISD they sat on it and it was never given back to the City
to review. Staff will revisit this with DISD. Briggs suggested at the yearly meeting with DISD to
bring it up. Gregory wants the Safe Routes to School Plan brought back as an item at a future
meeting. Deshmukh stated there are many changes in the plan that need to be updated.
Bagheri asked when the 2010 plan was established were there any plans for funds. Anderson
stated there are no numbers associated with the plan. Bagheri asked how we were able to
leverage funds and whether there are City funds set aside for sidewalks. Anderson answered you
have to have money set aside for the complete project, this money was from the 2014 bond fund.
Bagheri would like to see more money set aside just for sidewalks,Nelson replied there is some
money in Streets budget for sidewalks.
Gregory asked if citizens in their neighborhood believe they need sidewalks to get children and
parents to and from school,how is that considered as we move forward? Anderson answered they
can email her the information. There is a list that is being developed on for ranking order
regarding sidewalks.
Gregory asked if we need funds to update the SRTS Plan. Anderson doesn't believe it will cost
that much to update, it will be adding sidewalks that have been installed since then.
Gregory asked Anderson to come back with the plan as an item.
Briggs asked if a request for dedicated funds would come from this Committee. Gregory stated
this Committee would be glad to endorse the request.
Briggs asked about the two projects that were recently approved to be brought back with updates.
Anderson agreed that will be in the February 2018 timeframe.
C. MC17-035 -Receive a report, hold a discussion and provide direction regarding the Texas
Department of Transportation 35Express Project and the establishment of noise walls as part
of the project.
Mark Nelson talked about this item stating there has been request regarding noise walls. The
project had financial constraints and the right of way that needed to be purchased for the walls
was so expensive that TxDOT chose not to acquire it (in Phase I).
Gregory stated that citizens conveyed to him that the previous City Engineer made promises of
sound walls for those effected by the I-35 construction on the south side by Kendolph. Are those
the walls that have no funding. Nelson replied yes walls are planned near the Denia
neighborhood, and south of McCormick Street. Nelson has no record of the promise to date, and
we (City)have no authority because it is a TxDOT project. Polster added that there are emails to
individuals that let them know there would not be any sound walls in Phase I. However there
are rules set by TxDOT that they must follow before walls are put up. First the right of way was
not acquired. The walls do not have to go up until the mobility year which the noise study is
based on. Walls are to be between the frontage roads and the main lanes. The determination was
that the walls were not warranted at this time (Phase I).
Briggs asked for clarification, if the Denia neighborhood has right of way. Polster answered
there is some, not all. The walls are in the plan and have been cleared to be built when
necessary.
Briggs asked if the state does not add walls can the city, Polster replied no the city cannot.
Bagheri asked if Phase II is environmentally cleared. Polster replied yes.
There was further discussion.
D. MC17-036 -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 went through the updates on projects that effect the city. Gregory asked if all the
projects are TxDOT, Polster said yes but they work with the City and County to make sure we all
work together. This is discussed in the Task Force meetings. Pritam reported that the signal at
FM2499 and Robertson Road has been agreed to be funded by the State as long as the City
designs it. Money has been set aside for this design.
E. MC17-037 - Staff Update:
1. RTC Update
2. DCTA Pedestrian Bridge
3. TxDOT Notice - Public Meeting FM 1830
4. 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.
Briggs—Interim pedestrian cross walk at McKinney and Mayhill.
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:32 a.m.
Approved on 10/10/17