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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTAB_01.22.2009Minutes of the Meeting of Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board and the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, January 22, 2009 The Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , January 22, 2009 presiding. Board Members Present: Keith Brainard - Chair, John Aldridge - Vice Chair, Gabe Sansing (left meeting at 1:30 p.m.), Lynn Williams, Tina Geiselbrecht Board Members Absent: Ricki Salazar, Harry Gibbs Staff Present: Paul Brandenburg, Jana Kern, Tom Benz, Micki Rundell, Joel Weaver , Bill Dryden, Peggy Leatherman, Ed Polasek, Lori Lankford Others Present: Bruce Barton - Omni Projects, Inc, Perry Steger P.E. - Steger & Bizzell, Dennis Busch - Citizen, Danny Thompson - A Greater Austin Development, Chad Thomas - Williamson County Sun Minutes Regular Meeting Mr. Keith Brainard called to order the GTAB Board meeting held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive Session at the request of the Chair, a Board Member, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Council Member, or legal counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551, and are subject to action in the Regular Session that follows. A. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from regular GTAB Board meeting held on October 13, 2008. -- Jana Kern Discussion: Kern stated that the posting of the minutes is incorrect. Should have been November 10, 2008 not October 13, 2008. Will bring the November minutes to the next Board meeting. B. Discussion and possible action regarding the Project Progress Report and time lines. -- Joel Weaver, Tom Benz GTAB Projects: 2008 Street Rehab: Concrete work completed on Ash, Mimosa and 8th Street. Utility work on Main scheduled for completion end of January. Paving began on Mimosa. Rock Street Extension: ROW still ongoing. City has asked the engineer to look at including Austin Ave with this project. College Street Bridge: Bids were received on January 13, 2009. Waiting to receive information from TxDOT. Williams Drive Widening: Construction has begun on Phase 1 with utility relocations currently underway in the segment from DB Wood to FM 3405. Road construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2009. Bids were received in December with JC Evans being the apparent low bidder. The City has agreed to the inter local agreement and the County plans to award the project January of 09. GTEC Projects: Lakeway Drive Overpass: No Change Southeast Arterial 1: No Change Southwest Inner Loop: A task order will be presented at the February board meeting Southwest Bypass: Projects is proceeding with ROW & design Northwest Blvd. Overpass: No change C. Discussion on a Resolution to ensure that transportation funding is going towards transportation projects and not diverted elsewhere. -- Keith Brainard Discussion: Brainard stated that in 2008 a letter was received from the Mayor of Melissa, Texas, and I believe that all Council members received one. This Mayors cause appears to be trying to change the legislatures habits of diverting rather large portions fuel tax dollars to non road projects. It is Brainard's understanding that there is a significant amount of fuel tax dollars sent to Education, it also funds DPS, Historical Commission and a range of court projects coming out of Austin. It is also Brainard's understanding that a large number of resolutions from City Councils and other entities from around the state, where delivered to the Legislature late in 2008. This issue does have the attention of the Governor, TxDOT, and Legislative leaders and we will wait to see what, if anything, happens with this issue. Brainard asked staff look into this further and brief this Board at a future meeting as to how much of the fuel tax, in this state, is being diverted and for what general purposes. Moved to Item "E" D. Board update, discussion and possible action on Pedestrian Crosswalk safety throughout Georgetown. -- Mark Miller Discussion: Miller updated the Board on the increasing number of pedestrians and pedestrian crossings. With the recent fatality that occurred at SH 29 (University Ave.) and Vine Street it has prompted discussions between TxDOT, Southwestern University and the City. The intent of these discussions is to try and limit future accidents by identifying the best management practices for pedestrian crossings. Miller will be coming back within the next few months with updates on the issue. Action: None Moved to Item "F" E. Consideration and possible recommendation to award a construction contract for the construction of the Bridge Project – Oak Tree Drive. -- Bill Dryden Discussion: Dryden stated the bid was opened on January 20, 2009. There were twelve contractors who submitted bids with the apparent low bidder being A Greater Austin Development for the base bid and for each of the four alternate bids. If we decided to go with Option "A" - Bridge with CW2 railing, stone columns, cast-in-place walls plus testing the bid is about $57,000.00 over budget. With Option "C" - Bridge with C203 railing, cast-in-place walls plus testing we will be within budget. Brainard recapped for the Board - This is at a location where a raging flood in Berry Creek took the life of someone who lives in the County. This project was on a long term transportation project and City Council voted to move this project up on the list. There was a long discussion on railing types, designs and construction of bridge. At the end of the discussion Brainard asked what staff would be recommending. Dryden stated that due to budgetary constraints we are recommending bridge with Option "C". Rund ell also informed the Board that this project will be using Bond dollars. Action: No Motion was made to award a construction contract. Discussion: There was a long discussion on the aesthetics of the Bridge. Action: Motion by Sansing seconded by Aldridge to recommend Option "A" - Bridge with CW2 railing, stone columns, and cast-in-place walls. Approved 5-0-2 (Salazar & Gibbs absent) Moved back to Item "D" F. Consideration and possible action on Georgetown Transportation Bond TIP Process. -- Edward G. Polasek, Micki Rundell Discussion: Polasek stated that at the November GTAB Board meeting, staff was requested to prepare a program by which the Transportation Bond revenue would be spent. Using the input from the Board and staff, we developed a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and a Bond Authorization - Funding Timeline. Polasek then explained the projects that are listed on the TIP that was approved in the November election of the 2008 Bonds. Rundell explained the 2008 Bond Authorization - Funding Timeline. Action: Staff was requested to bring this item back to the February Board Meeting. Sansing left meeting at 1:30 P.M. G. Consideration and possible action on the 2009/10 TIP Process. -- Edward G. Polasek, Micki Rundell Discussion: Polasek stated for the 09/10 TIP, staff is not recommending additional new projects through the annual TIP process. The GTAB Board will be working on an update of the OTP, which may affect future project selection, priority and the TIP process itself. As this work continues staff is recommending that the GTEC Board use the 08/09 TIP projects as the basis for it 09/10 TIP. Action: Motion by Aldridge, seconded by Geiselbrecht to accept the TIP list as presented. Approved 4-0-3 (Salazar, Sansing & Gibbs absent) H. Consideration and possible action on Overall Transportation Plan Amendment to adopt Williamson County SH 29 West typical section and grade separation and ramp layout -- Edward G. Polasek Discussion: Brainard requested that this item be brought back to the regular February meeting. Motion by Aldridge, seconded by Geiselbrecht to adjourn. Approved 4-0-3 (Salazar, Sansing & Gibbs absent) Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 02:00 PM. Approved : Attest: _______________________ ________________________ Keith Brainard - Chair Riki Salazar - Secretary