HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTAB_04.23.2010Minutes of the Meeting of
Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Special Session
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board Special Session of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met
on Friday , April 23, 2010 presiding.
Board Members Present:
Tina Geiselbrecht - Vice Chair, Joe Graff - Secretary, Gabe Sansing, Don Padfield, Henry Boecker,
William Maples
Board Members Absent:
Keith Brainard
Staff Present:
Paul Brandenburg, Jim Briggs, Tom Benz, Ed Polasek, Jana Kern, Mark Sokolow, Laurie Brewer,
OTHERS PRESENT:
Commissioner Valerie Covey Pct 3, Charlie Crossfield - Wilco, Greg Hall - Hall Properties, Bruce Barton
- Omni Projects, Bob Daigh - Wilco, Richard Ridings - HNTB
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Ms. Tina Geiselbrecht called the Special GTAB Board meeting to order on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 10:03
AM
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.
I. STAFF BOARD COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
(This is a short informational time regarding items where specific actions are not requested or needed)
A. Recent CAMPO Actions - Polasek stated there are no new actions
B. Project Updates - Benz stated that on the DB Wood/Shell Rd project - contractor has received
the notice to proceed but has not broken ground yet.
II. LEGISLATIVE REGULAR AGENDA:
(This is for specific action items considered by the Board – greater than $50,000 in value)
C. Consideration and possible recommendation on issues related to alignment, design,
environmental, Right of Way and other issues related to the constructabil ity of the
Southwest Bypass from SH29 to IH35, West of IH35. -- Jim Briggs, Ed Polasek,
& Valerie Covey
Discussion: Briggs gave an update to the Board since the last meeting that was held
on April 09, 2010. Briggs wanted to make clear that this is not an either/or for the northern
or southern route. Both connections could serve the purpose for mobility through the
community. Both connections could be supported. Up to this point on the Overall Trans -
portation Plan (OTP) staffs focus has been on the Inner Loop connection, but that does not
mean that the southern connection to the frontage road could not also be supported. Briggs
suggested that the Board/Staff not look at these connections as an either/or but to see if the
connections are supportable for the mobility of this section of town and to see if one is more
constructability at the present time. Today we will look at that and at funding.
Polasek gave a general overview of what was being considered. The Bypass when Kennedy
opened the bids for the County as part of the corridor study, they looked at the Inner Loop
section and then looked at alternatives from the Inner Loop all the way to Westinghouse
Road. So, ultimately the Bypass, once it goes through the environmental study could be
placed anywhere from the Inner Loop to Westinghouse Road. Today we are here to discuss
two alternatives - North Alignment and South Alignment, which relate to Frost/Weir Land
Use Plan. Benz informed the Board he thought there were three options - Do Nothing, North
Alignment, and South Alignment and gave the pros and cons- See below.
SOUTHWEST BYPASS
FROM FM 2243 (LEANDER RD) TO IH 35
Alignment Analysis
DO NOTHING
County may reallocate 2008 Bonds funds to other projects.
Northbound frontage road from Inner Loop to SH 29 becomes even higher priority.
NORTH ALIGNMENT
PROS CONS
$10-15 million with at grade crossing
$20-25 million with bridge over rail
Environmental Concerns – crossing IH 35 is
determine by the NEPA (Up to 5 years to
complete). Yellow portion
Connects to the Inner Loop/ Future SE1/
SH130
Do not know where it will cross IH 35 until
environmental process is completed.
OTP designates it as a freeway Increase cost to design and construction
utilities and road over karsts features
Been through some public meetings Water Quality- Need to separate road and
quarry activities. (Up to 5 years to complete).
Should provide direct access to IH 35
Southbound ramp
Reconstruction of frontage road requires the
NEPA process
Easy access to northbound IH 35 Project may not be able to built before non-
attainment. (yellow portion)
Quarry letter supports this alignment Rail Crossing (at grade vs bridge $$)
SOUTH ALIGNMENT
PROS CONS
Environmental limited to city and county
requirements
Connects to one way frontage road
Consistent with Frost/Weir Land Use Plan. Major Collector – design speed and sight
distance may not fit volume of traffic.
Only a driveway permitted needed to tie into
the IH 35 frontage road.
The road will need to be upgraded to major
arterial.
The project can be built before non-attainment. Traffic heading north will have to do a U-turn at
Westinghouse Rd.
Should be regular installation of utilities Westinghouse and IH 35 intersection may
come congested.
Rail Crossing (at grade vs bridge $$)
Benz stated that there may be other pros and cons out there but just wanted to bring the
bigger ones forward at this time.
There was lengthy discussion between the Board, County and Citizens on the justification
on the alignments, funding, environmental, ROW, etc.
Action : Motion by Sansing, seconded by Boecker to use the Northern Alignment as the
priority for the City/County, to also move forward with the section through the
Frost/Weir Tract - the Southern alignment, referred to as Scholarship Parkway, as the
secondary alternative. To also study adding a traffic light at t he intersection of the Railroad
Track and the Inner Space Cave.
Friendly amendment by Graff to leave open the option for some of the private partnerships
on building of these roads in the future. Friendly amendment accepted by Sansing & Boecker.
Approved 6-0 (Keith Brainard absent)
D. Recommendation to authorize approving a resolution of support related to the
Pass-Thru Funding request for IH35 Frontage Roads by Williamson County. Ed Polasek
Discussion: Polasek stated that the County is completing a Pass-Through application for the
IH35 frontage roads. The proposal is from Westinghouse Road to SH29. Part of the
Pass-Through process is to have letters of support or a resolution of support. City of
Georgetown has been asked to provide a resolution of support for this application.
Action: Motion by Sansing, seconded by Graff to recommend to City Council the approval
of resolution.
Approved 6-0 (Brainard absent)
Motion by Sansing, seconded by Graff to adjourn meeting.
Approved 6-0 (Brainard absent)
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 AM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Tina Geiselbrecht - Vice Chair Joe Graff - Secretary