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