City of Denton MINUTES  City Hall 215E. McKinney Street Denton, Texas www.tiyoldenton.com  TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION  DENTON  Monday,January 7,2019  5:30 p.m.  City Council Work Session Room  After determining that a quorum ofthe Traffic Safety Commission oft the City of] Denton, Texas is] present, the Chair of the Traffic Safety Commission will thereafter convene into an open meeting on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney Street, Commissioners: Chair Patrice Lyke, Jim Owen, Daniel Krutka, Clay Thurmond, and Melissa Carr StaffMembers: Pritam Deshmukh, City Traffic Engineer; Tracy Beck, Engineer; Engineer; Becky Owens, Review Technician; Trey Lansford, Deputy City Attorney; Marc Oliphant, Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator;  Denton, Texas  REGULAR MEETING  A. TSC19-001 Consider the approval of the Traffic Safety Commission meeting minutes of  December 13,2018.  Clay Thurman made ai motion. Jim Owens seconded the motion.  The Traffic Safety Commission Recommends approval of the minutes (5-0).  B. TSC19-002 Receive a report, hold a discussion and make a recommendation to City Council to establish a speed limit along the newly constructed section of FM 2499 from IH-35 southbound Pritam presented ai mapi reference noting the previously named State School Road segment ofFM 2499 south ofI-35 E was recently widened and ai new connection made south tol FM2181 from Denton to the city limit of Corinth. Once a' TxDOT segment is widened, TxDOT conducts a speed study. A survey was conducted along this segment and the initial staff review report recommended anything south of Robinson be posted at 50 MPH. In our review several intersections had sight distance concerns. The turns and horizontal and vertical curves are SO that vehicles cannot be seen waiting at the intersection to get out onto the main lanes. Currently one lane in the south bound direction has been shut down by TxDOT because anyone coming out cannot see oncoming traffic coming southbound and there have been a few accidents. The lane has been temporarily shut down until we widen Hickory Creek and install a signal. The plan is currently in design. Based on the accident statistics and area observations we advised TxDOT the 50 MPH was not going to work and we wanted it reduced to 45 MPH. The north and south segments were already at 45 MPH. TxDOT is now recommending 45 MPH for the entire segment from I-35 to FM 2181. We are currently working on widening Hickory Creek and installing the signal. Once we get a recommendation to move forward it will be presented to council. When an ordinance is passed we can post the speed limit and enforce it. There is no currently policy to It was further noted thati ina a conversation with Officer Briggs oft the Police Department that ifaroadway does not have a speed limit posted, it is assumed to be a 301 MPH limit and they can ticket.  frontage road tol FM 2181.  support any enforcement of the reduced speed on the newi roadway.    Clay Thurman asked ifj perhaps reducing it further to 40 might help to reduce the number ofa accidents. Pritam responded that it becomes more ofaj practical enforcement issue when 85% of people are doing 45 MPH, how do you bring that number of people down to 40 MPH as opposed to being somewhere in the middle when 451 MPH has been determined tol bea a comfortable limit, allowing street access in a safe Clay Thurman made ai motion to recommend to City Council. Jim Owen seconded the motion.  manor. It becomes an enforcement burden on PD.  The Traffic Safety Commission Recommends (5-0).  C. TSC19-003 Receive: ar reportand hold a discussion and make: a recommendation to City Council regarding the proposed ordinance prohibiting electric scooters on City rights-of-way (ID19-035). Mark Oliphant gave an overview of the recent interest in electric scooters. There are both scooter services and be bought individually. They typically operate at about 15 miles per hour, are designed for adult operation and cost about $400 to $500. Scooter Share is like bike share. They are provided by private companies and operate as aj pay as you go phone app rental. There are arguments both for and against and the numbers would indicate they are more popular and often more than bike share but Recent publications highlight specific injury data point spikes from scooter injuries. There have been enough concerns nationwide that the CDCi is working with the City of Austin to specifically review this. The Denton Police department has expressed concerns about mixing young college students, alcohol scooters and really see the potential for disaster. The physical differences between a bike share and scooter share were reviewed. A different demographic groupofpeople use them versus those who might The regulatory landscape under the state code municipalities have the option to prohibit these. Other cities have allowed them but are dealing with the fallout out oft the injuries. Fort Worth is thej prominent nearby city that has banned them by ordinance. For clarification there is currently a restriction in the Denton downtown area only for bicycles and toy devices not being used on sidewalks but otherwise there is no prohibition policy in the city. The policy options allow for prohibition, limitation options or no restrictions. Because as a college town with lots of students, it is important that the city be in harmony with the universities and work together. In talking with them, neither university at this time is prepared to deal with the scooters and do not want them. UNT currently prohibits any motorized vehicles inside campus other than mobility devices and those for ADA. It would be very difficult to The Traffic Engineering perspective is that Denton is not ready to accommodate electric scooters. We would like to more research and safety information when the CDC completes their study and report. Perhaps in the future but at this time it is our recommendation to prohibit them. Perhaps in the future Clay Thurman asked if we are being pre-emptively putting an ordinance inj place toj prevent companies from coming in. Marc Oliphant responded it is close but there have been more than twoi inquiries from scooter share providers. This is running in parallel to real world actions. In many cities they will just show up overnight. Ifyou don't! have something in place you may not have ai mechanism to regulate it. Melissa Carr asked about lighting requirements on the scooters. Marc Oliphant commented hopefully the shared ones would be equipped with lights but he was unsure of the options on personal purchase  there are a lot of concerns about safety.  already know how to use a bicycle.  regulate them ifallowed in the city but not within the universities.  they could be accommodated.    scooters. Federal law does require reflectors for bicycles but this is new and he was unaware of the requirements for scooters. Melissa further questioned whether Denton allows for the scooters on the roadway or would they bel limited tos sidewalks. Marc Oliphant redirected the question to Trey Lansford. Trey Lansford noted in his understanding they would be considered a motor vehicle because it is not self-propelled and does have a motor. However, because it travels 15 mph or less, it could fall under the toy device prohibition we currently have that only covers the downtown area. They could however be questioned about the operation on a street ift they were impeding traffic or something of that nature but at this time he was unaware of a strict prohibition that would stop them from operating on a street directly. Council has looked at it and would like to go with the universities decisions for now. The prohibition being proposed is not against the companies or business but against the action ofthe scooters Daniel Krutka presented an opposing view. He personally rides scooters ini many cities when available in his personal travel and finds them to be a great mode of transportation. In his opinion he does not find them tol be particularly dangerous and finds most oft the cases tol be blown out of proportion because they are new and related to associated elements like cars and street and sidewalk elements. He is interested ini the CDC: reports. He is of the opinion that scooters are perfect for Denton to fill the gaps in core between the universities and the down town square and DCTA station. He feels that the streets are problem and they are too dangerous. The scooters operate very much like bikes and as more people start using them it will force us to: start making safe spaces for both bikes, scooters and alternative forms oft transportation. Most people avoid the rough pavement or dangerous streets instead in violation and take the sidewalks. He is against banning them and would like to see more conversations about them. Hel has used them on several college campus and believes them tol be a great way to get around and take Jim Owen supported the staff recommendation and noted it was being presented to Council soon and Pritam Deshmukh noted the Cityi is not ready to address the legal liability and issues that are concerning. We are not prepared if a company were to show up tomorrow. This is why we are taking this pre- emptive approach to get this in place. We will continue the discussion to develop a pilot program for the platform, areas for use and limitations. We are not saying the city will not look at them but the city Daniel Krutka asked what type offurherinformation would need that has already been tested out ini the hundreds of cities they have already been dropped off in already. Pritam Deshmukh responded most oft the cities are still struggling with the allowance on sidewalks. Engineering does not support the use on the sidewalks with pedestrians and the size and conditions oft the sidewalks and we do not have the street infrastructure to accommodate them. We need some additional time in our long term plans oft the street segments and determine our mobility goals and then incorporate them. It is not something we want to allow an outside entity to force on the city. The universities are big partners and we will work Marc Oliphant further noted the city is currently in the test phase for the bike share program. The current provider permitted in the city also has scooter program and are interested in educating the city and universities about it. As an advocate for non-automobile modes oftransportation, it does pain him a little bit to say no at this time but sees logical arguments by the city and is optimistic that there is a Patrice Lyke asked if there could moratorium as a softer landing versus banning and asked for clarification of the difference between the two terminologies. Pritam Deshmukh restated that we are  themselves.  traffic offofthe road.  an ordinance is expected to be forth coming.  needs to be prepared legally and with ouri infrastructure.  with them as they get ready.  way in can be incorporated into the city.    not banning the companies from coming in but banning the use of the scooters as an action and we are open to further discussions with any company about future service options and making sure we are working with the universities. Trey Lansford addedi iti is more: int the way that thisi iss set up: as aj proposed ordinance prohibiting the riding oft the scooters on the sidewalks or public right ofway. Itis something you can receive a ticket or fine for. Once the plan is in developed and put into place the ordinance would be changed and it is not lifting a ban. Daniel Krutka further noted his understanding the companies can also restrict or red zone where they can be operated which might allow students to ride them to the up to the campus and drop them at the edge of campus. Hel has seen that iti is chaos whenever they are just dropped off but they seem to settle in either being accepted or banned. In his experience ofriding them itl has made al lot of places more accessible and they are always banned from sidewalks. He was unclear on how much: more research is needed to allow them. They are available on the streets and should be available in the core. Pritam Deshmukh responded that we: need to work with UNT and TWU as the main users. The City as such only has one or two locations they would work in. Since the universities are: not on board yet, we will wait and work through them for aj pilot program similar to the bike share program. Once that happens we will bring another ordinance in agreement with the universities to council. Christopher Phelps at TWU and Doctor Clark at UNT were identified as the Melissa Carr furthered the conversation as an option for high school students. Marc Oliphant commented for liability issues most company shares typically limited to users ages 18 and over. Individual purchase usage would be at aj parent's discretion or decision but still banned from the public Jim Owens commented that we have already seen the bike dump and this is council'so opportunity to try and get ahead ofthe scooter dump. Pritam Deshmukh stated that we have been: receiving inquiries from companies about Denton's policies and how they can operate here. In the last council work session it was clearly stated they do not want to follow previous bike share events and it is their desire to be pre- Daniel Krutka referenced in Stillwater at Oklahoma State University had al ban but later opened then on campus with a specific provider. There are a lot of precedence for cities to work through it and come up with solutions. Marc Oliphant remarked hel had heard it was a selling point for some universities to be: ablei to announcei they have thej program on campus. Daniel Krutkaa also arguedit willl be an economic boom to get people traveling locally versus getting in the car and traveling elsewhere. Jim Owen made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to ban the scooters to allow council to  contacts to pilot this program.  rights of way under the proposed ordinance at this time.  emptive and have aj plan in place and move slowly before they arrive.  look at the program further. Clay Thurman seconded the motion. The Traffic Safety Commission Recommends by vote (4-1).  D. TSC19-004 Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the US 380 street lighting Pritam Deshmukh This item was previously presented to council. He further noted 380 was widened west ofI-35 all the way through town to Locust and Elm tol be a 6 lane facility. TxDOT does not focus on street lighting. They do not design or pay for street lighting and it becomes the cities responsibility toi fund, design andi install. Many ofthe recent projects have this same situation or need. Going forward this may change and we may see changes from TxDOT. Once this roadway was opened up, a number of citizen concerns were received about how dark it is considering the visibility with the large number of driveways between intersections. Council asked stafft to look at this 5.4 mile segment from I-35 to Mayhill Rd. A consultant was hired to look at the current lighting, requirements and the cost estimate  feasibility and photometric study.    fori improvements. We focused on two smaller segments with different characteristics. These were a commercial area between Bonnie Brae and I-35 and the residential segment between Carroll and Bell. Existing conditions were studied and reported. The report was compared to the TxDOT standards and it was clear that there are significant deficiencies with continuous light. Design recommendations were reviewed with a visual presentation with cost and schedule. Council has directed us to move forward with design and funding for construction. Design options will be completed and presented for Council to select which options to proceed with forj phased construction based on: funding. Current city project willi include street lights. Other TxDOT project will need tol be funded separately. A little bit oflighting add a great deal of safety. Our goal going forward is to incorporate lighting as part ofa all city projects. Jim Owen asked for pedestrian accident information. Pritam Deshmukh commented that the evening accidents are not as high in the night time in comparison to the number of collision data. Lighting makes for better intersections and the prospective for people is it is safer. We are no longer a small community but a growing urban environment. The major highways, arterials and collectors need to be looked ati tinadifferent perspective: and be lighted. Melissa Carr agreed and gavereference to an incident at McKinney and Loop 288 to reduced visibility with pedestrian crossing. Pritam Deshmukh noted the McKinney project currently in design will include widening and lighting to the east all the way to Grissom Rd. Daniel Krutka asked for clarification ofthe area included in Phase 2 being along Hickory and Bell. Pritam Deshmukh restated it is along US 380 where all oft the intersections will be upgraded. Clay Thurmond further noted the area along 380 between TWU toward Carroll as being pretty dark with a lot of student traffic. Pritam Deshmukh noted we are working with TWU on their master plan and particularly the parking area between Ruddell to Bell including the sidewalk on the south side of US 380 and the lighting at the Bell intersection. Patrice Lyke asked for additional comments on the height of the existing light standards at this intersection in comparison with the presentation numbers. Hooded lights are planned to direct the light away from residential spaces. DME is also soliciting feedback on what type or color lights are preferred. Patrice Lyke share Austin as a dark sky example  Wel have also identified intersections that need to be upgraded.  and her preference for this goal to be applied in Denton. Thisi item is for discussion only, no vote is needed.  E. TSC19-005 Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding Texas Department of Transportation On-System projects in the Denton area to include the 35Express Project. Tracy Beck spoke about the I-35E project at Brinker and Mayhill and the traffic switch schedule plans. This has been delayed but the targeted completion date is now July 2019 but due to weather conditions Pritam Deshmukh added there were three interchanges to be reviewed. The Texas U-turn under the bridge at Mayhill is complete. The Brinker interchange for Buc-cee's and the Loop 288 updating the entire interchange. The lane shifts are going into place in February and should provide some much needed congestion relief. Once these are complete the: 35 expansion would be complete. The City does Jim Owens asked about the travel to Buc-cee's. Pritam Deshmukh noted this will be the next project. A bridge is planned to go over the DCTA track and then connect more directly to the 35 intersection. TxDOT will be upgrading the Mayhill intersection to connect with the city's projects. Buc-cee's will  will probably extended into late fall.  have plans in follow up particularly at the Mayhill intersection.  be signalized when the crossover is complete. This item is for discussion only, no vote is needed.    F. TSC19-0005 Staff Reports  The Street Construction Report was explained by Pritam Deshmukh. This is a weekly report that is published weekly and attached to the council packets each Friday. This is intended to be a quick reference for the TSC Commissioners to be aware of current and upcoming projects in the city to be Patrice Lyke asked for clarification on how to interpret the report. Pritam Deshmukh explained two different elements. When a street is looked at for reconstruction or rehab it is a maintenance activity and is only for work in the actual street curb to curb. Sidewalks are typically capital projects and not  used as a communication tool.  included in the street reconstruction.  Matrix Review:  #1 - This will follow the Oak Gateway parking. Planning will be updating the downtown comprehensive plan. There are alternative solutions brought up by the Oak Gateway plan. #2- We are working with TWU and they are willing to support us help us with right of way or non- #3-Since we are working with the small area plan, when UNT decides to close down area streets when #4-Looking at the feasibility of putting ini ramps and funds are available. There are compliance issues  cash funds and with the traffic study. We can bring this back as necessary.  can revisit this.  to be revisited before construction changes can be planned.  #5- We are working to establish ROW markings and working with enforcement.  #6 - The temporary tabs have been installed. This was originally a maintenance curb to curb repair project. It has since been changed to include signage, lighting paving and drainage and is currently in  design.  #7-1 Two intersections have been identified tol have signage installation scheduled.  #8 - Plan is to bring the report information to the April meeting.  #9- - Paint has been put in.  #10- Thej project manager will be bringing an update next month.  #11 - Will be part of the PD: report.  #12-7 This is a difficult one due to visibility limitations. Jim Owen clarified that he was only asking for the one lane to have the recessed stop bar. Pritam Deshmukh confirmed that this option is viable and #13 - We are looking at protected bike lanes. Part oft the Windsor project will have protected bike lanes and also working with UNT to add a two way protected bike lane on Highland between Avenue Call  Welch is scheduled to go on the road diet ini the near: future.  the way to Welch. Should be scheduled in the next couple of months.  #14 - The I-35 Project update was presented.    #15 - Ongoing pending design and funding.  #16 - We have met with Val and Council Member Armintor. We have plans to adjust timing in the Daniel Krutka asked a question, as discussed with Council Member Hudspeth, the bike share with Via Ride contracted with the City it was understood they would have bikes available in the area ofDCTA. Marc Oliphant stated there is not a contract between Veoride and the city but there is aj permit. There isa contract between Veoride and DCTA and there is ai request for bikes to be available at the station int town. They are talking with DCTA and the Legal Department has been involved and have some questions. Anareal has been identified an area on the edgeo ofthel DCTA where the city owns thej property and we have reached out to Veoride to ask them to put the bikes there. Itisi not right by the train but is Clay Thurman asked for clarification of the bike lane section plans for Windsor. Pritam Deshmukh identified the area between Locust and Stewart as the area we are looking at. We don'thave the plans Daniel Krutka spoke about the areas along Carroll near Hickory in both directions from Oak to. Mulberry and similarly on Bell from Mulberry to McKinney. He has met with Council Member Briggs after the pedestrian accident on Carroll. The ideas that were presented to Council were not found to be acceptable. His major concern was the speeds at which people travel in these areas and was interested in slowing down the traffic. This is where his group and council had opposing views. He would like to entertain additional discussion or perhaps a focus group to explore the options for urban design ideas for these areas to slow traffic in these areas. Pritam Deshmukh responded ift the focus oft the concern is for the pedestrian crossings at Carroll and Bell, we have signals with pedestrian phase and lighting is missing. From aj protected pedestrian crossing view point there is not much more that we can do. If you: are talking about mid-block crossings and slowing vehicles that is a different story and perhaps you are mixing two different elements. Urban planning and the urban core is slightly different than the intersections and pedestrian crossings. Engineers are looking at it from different principals and that's where it is getting lost in translation. For the big urban planning picture, we get into planning and the uses are designed that way we get the streets to flow that way but it is a combined effort on how we plan the core. He agreed that if we plan it better for the entry into the core and the planned land uses int the area for a complete review of the elements is done. One is a long term plan and the other is the Daniel Krutka restated his goal for being on this committee is for the urban part of] Denton tol have urban principals. This is the one area that we should not have to prioritize cars but prioritize pedestrians and bikes. On this] project his short term goal is there anything we could look at for traffic calming measures to work here. Pritam Deshmukh responded there are several signals lined up on Carroll and its primary goal is to carry traffic. The goal defined in the mobility plan defines Carroll as an arterial. Now you are contradicting your plans. If we are defining the urban core we need to work on the land use component and how our transportation systems tie in. Ifyou change that, then you do not require the access and the freeways or arterials going into the areas you don't want. The best way to handle it isto look at the uses, what kind of growth is anticipated and how does our transportation fit into that. Currently that is how these two areas are designed to carry people. Ifwe were to go in and just narrow this down and tell people to slow down, we will create serious congestion in the peak periods and there would be a lot more outcry as opposed to a small group. Before we can do that we need to come up with aj plan or alternate as part of the mobility plan update. We are embarking on updating that soon. These are all good comments and we can have for consideration in that planning. Daniel Krutka understood the problem is that his desire to not move vehicles on this block section ofCarroll conflicts  next month.  inc close proximity.  yet but will share as they become available.  more: immediate concerns for the existing.    with thej primary design function ist toi move vehicles ata ai fast speed as well as in our mobility plan. Trey Lansford ended the discussion as this topic was not aj posted scheduled agenda item for discussion.  Adjournment: 7:28 p.m. CONCLUDING ITEMS  Under Section 551.042ofthe' Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the Public Utilities Board 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 oft 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; anl honorary or salutary recognition ofaj public official, public employee, or other citizen; ar reminder about an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information regarding asocial, 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  APPROVED  Val  buly Caes Becky(Owens Administrative Assistant  atric ke Chair