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2008-06-25 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES DATE: BOARD: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT: June 25,2008 Parking and Traffic Commission Beverly City Hall Joseph Shairs, Susan Mueller, Richard Benevento, Bill Bent, Tina Cassidy Richard Hutchinson, Wayne Francis, Councillor Wesley Slate, Councillor Kevin Hobin Eileen Sacco MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Benevento called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on May 14, 2008 were presented for approval. Bent moved to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2008 meeting as amended. Cassidy seconds the motion. The motion carries. The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on June 11, 2008 were presented for approval. Bent moved to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2008 meeting as amended. Cassidy seconds the motion. The motion carries. Comprehensive Traffic Studv of Winter/EssexlKnowlton/Dane Streets - Council Order #126 Benevento questions what is happening with the project regarding the process and the timing of construction. Brian Bicknell address the Commission and explains that Wind over is managing the construction and they are using Winter Street for travel of deliveries of the modular units. He explained that they will be assembled offsite and will be delivered and reassembled onsite. Bicknell explains that there will be four units with a common connector which will be built onsite. He noted that there will be 13 pieces arriving by tractor trailer. Shairs states that they will be using a crane as well and notes that they will need to find a staging site if there is more than one truck. Bicknell explained that they will have at least a weeks notice with every delivery and the delivery time will be off peak. He explained that they are likely to start at the end of the summer and plan for a September 2009 occupancy. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes June 25,2008 Page 1 of 4 Bicknell explained the parking for the campus and notes that they have space for 20 cars at the Dane Street Church. He also notes that they have a new policy that freshman cannot have cars. He noted that 30% of students living on campus have cars and explains that spaces are issued on a first come, first serve basis. He explained that street parking is now on Essex Street (near Hardy) and Essex (past the lights) at Butman. He also noted that the new student handbook will inform students that if they park in the Beverly Library parking lot they will be towed. He also noted that there is the potential to lease more spots from the church if needed as well as 12 from Archer if needed. Councillor Slate noted that he has hear complaints about the parking in the library and construction issues from the neighborhood residents. He asked if the spaces they are leasing would be used this fall. Mr. Bicknell stated yes. Councillor Slate also expressed concern about contractor vehicles during construction and suggested that workers carpool as much as possible. Shairs stated that Winter would be partially blocked off for 2 ways during construction. Councillor Slate asks who the contact person would be during construction for complaints. Bicknell stated that he would be the contact person. Shairs requested a list of permit numbers be given to the police department in case of Issues. Councillor Slate asked if parking and traffic would be one or two way on Knowlton. After discussion it was decided to table that issue for now and study the matter over the summer. Benevento suggested a site visit to Knowlton/Dane Street before the Commission develops recommendations. Benevento asked how long the trucks would be on Winter Street when the pieces arrive. Bicknell stated that he will bring copies of the construction plan to the next Parking and Traffic Commission meeting. Bent moved to table the matter until a site visit is held this summer, and the Commission will make a recommendation to the Council in September. Cassidy seconds the motion. The motion carries. Discussion/Recommendation on Council Order #151 - ReQuest for Commission to Undertake Comprehensive Evaluation ofParkin2: and Traffic Concerns Around Hurd Stadium The Commission held a discussion about the issues at Cedar Street. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes June 25,2008 Page 2 of 4 Benevento asked if the DPW could consolidate the storage area to maximize parking. He also asked how many spaces could be created. Shairs estimated that about 50 spaces could be there. Councillor Hobin stated that it is a safety concern, noting that an ambulance could not get down there. Benevento asked if there are parking violations down there. Shairs reported that there are parking violations down there and expressed concern that the people who are in violation are the coaches and volunteers who run the programs and should know better. He suggested that signage be posted informing people to park in the Cedar Street lot. Cassidy suggested that a notice be sent to Pop Warner notifying them that there is no parking 15 feet to the corner. Shairs noted that the Recreation Department issues the permits for the fields and perhaps they should issue a letter that would be given to all coaches and parents of groups using the fields outlining the parking issues so that they can address them. Cassidy suggested that the letter should be signed by Benevento as Chair of the Parking and Traffic Commission and Shairs as the Traffic Safety Officer. Benevento suggested that the Commission make sure that the Cedar Street lot is available. Councillor Hobin suggested that he could talk with the Mayor and see if something can be done. He explained that he talked with the DPW and got the impression that they view that area as their storage area and did not seem too receptive to giving it up. New / Other Business A discussion was held about the implementation of recommendations of the Parking and Traffic Commission. Slate explained that he thinks that there was a miscommunication on the Shingleville issues and suggest that once an order is passed the Clerk notifies the department the next day. He stated that he would like to see things done in a more timely manner by the departments. Councillor Slate stated that he heard that Bell's Market is trying to open by July 1 st. He noted that the ADA Compliance work has been completed on that street and the paving and lining of the street should be done soon. Cassidy reported that there is a pending application with the Planning Board that will need a recommendation from the PTC before July 8th. She suggested that another meeting be held. The next meeting of the PTC will be held on Wednesday, July 2,2008 at 9:30 a.m. Benevento requested that copies of the application be given to the PTC members prior to the meeting. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes June 25,2008 Page 3 of 4 Benevento suggested that the Commission schedule a site visit to review the crosswalks on Cabot Street. Cassidy will contract Mike Collins and try to schedule that for July 2, 2008 following the PTC meeting. Mary Roderick stated that she is concerned about eliminating any crosswalks because of the number of pedestrians, stating that she thinks that there should be more. Shairs explained the area from St. Mary's Church and the locations of the crosswalks and Mike Collin's recommendations, noting that they are too close together and there is no need for four of them. There being no further business to come before the Parking and Traffic Commission at this time, Hutchinson moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Shairs. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes June 25,2008 Page 4 of 4