2014-03-04CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
-
DATE:
March 4, 2 0 1
LOCATION:
Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Benevento, Chair, Bill Bent, Vice Chair,
City Planner Aaron Clausen, Bill Fiore, Richard
Hutchinson, John Somes, Sgt. Russ Rollins
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Sean Ciancarelli, Rob Dever, Councilor David
Lang, Councilor Estelle Rand,
RECORDER:
Eileen Sacco
1, Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 3 0 a.m.
2. Recommendation to CjW Council: order #37: Request for Traffic Stud
at Hull Street and Essex Streets -- Councilor Frates
Benevento states that Councilor Frates is not present this morning and suggested
that the PTC could table this matter until the next meeting, however, the PTC has
looked at this a couple of times and explained that people drop their children off at
school and that is the busiest time.
Benevento suggested that a scope of work could be developed for the city to do a
study and whatever recommendations are made would require capital by the city.
Benevento also recalled that the PTC met with the Superintendent of Schools and
some of the school Principals or their representatives last year and had a very
positive discussion about some of the things that the schools do to try and alleviate
the traffic issues at drop off and dismissal.
Clausen asked if there is an opportunity for staff to help during drop off and
dismissal. Rollins stated that some do help already but noted that they do not have
safety vests and they should have them for their safety and to make them more
visible.
Councilor Lang stated that Councilor Frates is concerned about Essex Street at Hull
Street. Benevento stated that the geometry could be improved there and suggested
that some changes would help.
Bent stated that there is too much use of the roads these days noting that when the
schools were built kids walked and took the bus to school. He suggested that an
immediate fix it to stagger the buses etc.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes March 4, 2014 Meeting
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Benevento suggested that a sketch be done to show what changes could be made to
the geometry. Dever agreed that could be done. Bent suggested that some signs and
lines could be installed.
Benevento stated that both the walkers and the students taking the bus should be
considered.
Rollins reported that the police department has been doing some enforcement on
upper Essex Street.
Clausen will look into getting a sketch of proposed changes' to the geometry,
staggering the buses and drop off locations. He will also look into providing safety
vests for the staff at the schools to make them more visible.
Benevento requested that Councilors Lang and Rand convey to Councilor Frates the
details of this discussion.
3. Discussion with Sean Ciancarelli Re ardin R
■ Route 1A Project Status Business Community Issues Regarding Construction
and Project Timeline
Ciancarelli stated that at the last meeting there were some questions regarding the locations
of the opticom detection signals on Rantoul Street in the project. He reported that there
will be opticom detection signals at all signals on Rantoul Street.
Benevento stated that- the receivers for Bridge Street are on Livingston and asked Bent to
take a look at that.
Fiore noted that the Fire Department does not use that route much because the bridge will
not hold the weight.
Bent stated that a copy of the functional design report could shed some light on it.
Benevento stated that he would like to see fully activated signals with detection and he
would hope that it would be hard wired all the way down Rantoul Street.
Bent asked if any comments have been received on the 7S% drawings from MA DoT.
Ciancarelli stated that they have got some but not all of them. He also noted that the project
was scheduled to be advertised in April but it has been pushed to July. He also noted that
there are no 100% plans yet.
Councilor Rand stated that the crossing at the one Stop Market is not safe particularly for
elderly trying to cross there. Benevento explained that all of the crossings will be redone.
Bent also noted that they would have to be ADA compliant. Rand also suggested that bicycle
detectors should be required as well.
Benevento stated that any project that is done using state funds has to be accountable for
pedestrians, vehicles and bicycles by policy.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes March 4, 2414 Meeting
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Lang asked how soon after the project is advertised, will the construction start. Ciancarelli
stated that it will probably start in the spring of next year.
Ciancarelli explained that once the 75% design is approved the city needs to get signatures
for temporary easements as well as permanent easements for the right of entrance on
property to do the work.
Benevento suggested sending a letter to the affected property owners and have a meeting
with the forms available. He explained that some will sign right away and others may
hesitate, but it is a good place to start.
Benevento noted that there were a lot of concerns with the sidewalk and road closures that
occurred during the Enterprise project and he feels that more attention should be paid to
that. He noted that some advance notice is necessary and it should be included in the safety
plan,
Dever explained the process that they are supposed to follow but noted that sometimes they
slip up and don't notify the city.
Bent stated that a set of general policies should be given to the contractor as a matter of
practice. He noted that it is hard to get the contractors to comply with police details if there
is nothing in writing.
Benevento stated that a signal is needed at Bridge and River Street. Ciancarelli stated ,that
right now it is in 'the project as level of service but they have said that if there is money
available they will include a light.
Councilor Lang stated that he would like to find out if they are going to include it.
Benevento stated that the City may want to include the State Representative and the State
Senator in the conversation.
■ Discussion Reeardine Downtown Parking Lots and off street Parklna Issues
Ciancarelli reported that he and Dever and Clausen have met to review the status of the
downtown parking lots and off street parking.
Dever reported that they talked about changing the time on the kiosks and reviewed a map
with the locations of the kiosks. He noted that kiosk #5 has been removed and will be
relocated behind the Dollar Store.
Clausen stated that it is a challenge for users looking for long term parking and it would
simplify it if people could pay for how long they plan to use the space. Dever agreed noting
that every spot should be uniform in the off street lots.
Clausen stated that on street parking is for convenience and should remain short term
parking.
Dever explained that it is hard for the meter people to keep track noting that the Chapman
Street lot has three kiosks and the meter people have to collect three reports to determine
which machine people paid.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes March 4, 2014 Meeting
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Dever also noted that the parking fees do not raise money for the city. He explained that the
system was not designed to be revenue producing, but rather to move people in and out. He
also suggested that we need to look towards the future noting that people will be paying for
parking with phone apps.
The Commission reviewed the Parking Revenue Summary and the Parking Kiosk Revenue
report.
Benevento suggested that the Engineering Department review the parking fees and come up
with a proposal to the PTC for a recommendation. He noted that if the system is not making
money it should at least support itself and the cost of the equipment. Dever stated that it
should fund the maintenance of the equipment, the plowing of the lots and the salary of the
meter personnel.
Benevento stated that at a minimum the rates should be raised near the train station on
street parking to encourage people to use the new parking garage.
Rollins agreed noting that the neighbors complain about commuters parking all day in the
neighborhoods. He also noted that if the police enforce it they have to enforce it for
everyone and the neighbors get mad because they have to comply as well.
Somes asked if there is a reason why there is a $60,000 difference in revenue since 2009.
Benevento stated that the Registry of Motor Vehicles went away and that was a big hit. He
suggested that there should be an ongoing discussion about the parking rates. It was
suggested that resident sticker parking should be looked into.
Lang suggested that a study,be done on what other communities charge for parking.
Benevento stated that there was some work done on it last year and he would like to see a
balance that is equitable for residents and staff etc. with a baseline of revenue to support it.
Councilor Rand asked when the parking garage will be completed. Clausen stated that they
expect it to be done in June. He also noted that he has reached out to the project manager
and he will be discussing the use of the parking garage during snow emergencies with them.
Benevento stated that the City should encourage the use of the garage and remove the 12
hour meters from the street and change them to 2 hour meters.
4. Discussion: Traffic Light at Starbucks on Route 62
Councilor Lang noted that the traffic backs up at that light. during peak times at Starbucks.
Benevento explained that the detectors are on the Starbuck property for some reason. He
also noted that the timing is based on the old traffic counts and it might make sense to
adjust that. - Lang suggested a flashing yellow light.
Rollins stated that there is still a light at McKay and Elliot Street near the Cummings Center
and traffic backs up there as well. He stated that he did not think that the businesses would
be in favor of the change.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes March 4, 2014 Meeting
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Rollins noted that Green Street used to be two- way traffic and perhaps that could be
changed back with restricted parking on one side of the street. He also noted that it would
held with the traffic on woodlawn.
50 Request for Sto12 Sign at Laurel and Oakmont and Alban circle
Rollins reported that a stop sign is needed at Laurel and Oakmont Street and Albany
Circle. He noted that Laurel is one way from Oakmont. Benevento requested that
the request be reviewed to be sure it is in accordance with MUTCD regulations and
whether an analysis needs to be done.
Benevento suggested that the PTC schedule a morning site visit to Oakmont
regarding the request for a stop sign before the April 1, 2014 meeting. The PTC
scheduled a site visit for March 27, 2014 at 7:45 a.m.
6. Apv roval of Minutes
The minutes of the PTC meeting held on January 7, 2014 and February 4, 2014 were
presented for approval.
Bent: motion to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2014 and February 4, 2014
Parking and Traffic Commission meetings as amended. Somes seconded the motion.
The motion carried (7 -0).
7. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.
8. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to' conduct.
There is none.
Fiore: motion to adjourn, seconded by Hutchinson. All members in favor,
motion carries 6-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes March 4, 2014 Meeting
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