Dover/Kent CountyMetropolitan Planning Organization
P.O. Box 383, Dover, Delaware 19903 (302) 387-6030 FAX: (302) 387-6032
DOVER/KENT COUNTY MPO PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14, 2016 AMENDED AGENDA
PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ATTENDING:
Michael Gumrot, ChairJayce Lesniewski, Vice Chair Dr. Phyllis B. Collins
Earle DempseyBruce SnowJesse Spampinato
Shane Breakie
MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING:
Karen McGloughlin (alt/Dover)Kevin Yingling (alt/KCLC)Jonathan Contant
Dr. Carlton Cannon, Jr.Dr. Carolyn CoheeChris Asay
NON-MEMBERS ATTENDING:
William Garfinkel, publicRich Vetter, MPO staffKate Layton, MPO staff
James Galvin, MPO staffCatherine Samardza, MPO staff
1.INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS & GUESTS
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Garfinkel stated that he thought electric buses were a great idea, but asked if it is overkill for Dover. He said that they are large, and 90% empty. Ms. Layton asked for clarification, did he mean the electric buses specifically, or just large buses? She noted that the electric buses would be running in the Wilmington and Claymont areas. Mr. Garfinkel felt that rather than subsidizing transit, Uber, Lyft and taxis would be more cost effective. Dr. Collins said that for low-income travelers, there is no money for point-to-point service such as Uber. There was discussion concerning the bus system, which doesn’t meet the needs of potential riders and most resources go to paratransit services. In addition, buses that go inter-county only run the route twice a day. There was also discussion concerning issues with declining pool of companies providing school bus services, that some companies are going out of business. Mr. Gumrot suggested that DART could be used for this. It was stated that the State would not pay for busing students, and Mr. Snow felt that it would cost the State more to run buses for school transportation than contractors. Mr. Garfinkel felt that student transportation would justify the use of DART buses.
3. ACTION ITEM: Approval of Agenda
MOTIONBy Dr. Collins to approve the amended agenda. Seconded by Mr. Snow. Motion carried.
4. ACTION ITEM: Approval of Minutes, Oct. 25, 2016
MOTIONBy Mr. Snow to approve the October 25, 2016 minutes. Seconded by Mr. Lesniewski.
Motion carried.
5.ACTION ITEM: Long Range Transportation Plan - Rich Vetter (enclosed or see
Dropbox invitation via e-mail)
Mr. Vetter noted that the Plan has been distributed and discussed at prior meetings. He reported that there have only been minor changes. The Plan will go to Council for adoption in January. He reviewed the highlights of the plan, pointing out the project list on pages 44-45, and informed the PAC members that DelDOT uses the Plan project list when developing the Capital Transportation Program (CTP). Mr. Vetter also said that the goals and objectives listed in the Plan are consistent with the MPO member agencies.
There was some discussion concerning major routes in the State for both north-south and east-west. Mr. Snow remarked that going west reaches another state (Maryland) and the population is not enough to justify a new road. He also asked that, given the geography (the Delmarva Peninsula is sandwiched between two bays), how many roads can we (DE) have?
Mr. Vetter said that this Plan is more concise and includes more local input and grassroots projects than previous Plans.
MOTIONBy Dr. Collins to recommend Council adopt the Plan. Seconded by Mr. Spampinato. Motion carried.
6.ACTION ITEM: FY 2017 - 2020 TIP Amendments - DelDOT Finance (enclosures)
West Dover Connector, Electric Buses, Facilities - Electric Buses
For the newer members, staff explained that TIP stands for Transportation Improvement Program, and that it contains a list of projects eligible for federal funding that must match DelDOT’s Capital Transportation Program (CTP). Two of the amendments are new projects for which additional funding was obtained, and one amendment is a project that required an amount of additional funding that requires a formal amendment.
The electric buses and electric bus facilities are new projects. Some of the funding is from a federal grant, and DelDOT Finance has indicated that most of the cost is covered by the grant and other federal funding, leaving the State to cover the difference. There was discussion concerning the funding with PAC members and staff looking at how much would be covered by the State. It was determined that the State share would be about $1.1M out of a total $5M. These projects were not viable until the grant money was obtained, which is why an amendment is necessary. There was also general discussion concerning alternative fuel vehicles, both electric and natural gas.
The other project is for additional work on the West Dover Connector. There was considerable discussion concerning the additional work being added to the project at the intersection of North Street and Saulsbury Road. Based on information given to the TAC committee, utility issues and traffic signal and road re-alignments were required. Committee members were concerned because there was no breakdown in the materials as to where and how the money would be used. It was the feeling of PAC members that they expected DelDOT to do a better job of estimating project costs in general, and that the problems with the intersection should have been discovered earlier in the process.
MOTIONBy Mr. Snow to recommend Council approve and adopt the TIP amendment related to electric buses.
Seconded by Mr. Spampinato. Motion carried.
MOTIONBy Mr. Spampinato to recommend Council approve and adopt the TIP amendment related to facilities
for the electric buses. Seconded by Mr. Snow. Motion carried.
MOTIONBy Mr. Lesniewski to recommend Council approve and adopt the TIP amendment related to additional
funds for the West Dover Connector. Seconded by Dr. Colllins. The motion failed with two members
in favor of the motion and five members against.
PAC members asked staff to be sure to inform Council of the comments concerning the West Dover Connector amendment. Mr. Spampinato particularly noted the lack of details in the request for such a large sum of money.
7.PRESENTATION: Downtown Dover Parking Study - Rich Vetter
Mr. Vetter updated the PAC members on the Downtown Dover Parking Study. He presented a map illustrating the area of the study. The four issues being considered are:
1)Is there enough parking to serve residents, employers and retail stores;
2)Is there enough signage directing visitors to parking;
3)Is the cost of parking consistent and adequate;
4)Is a parking garage warranted?
Public outreach includes a Steering Committee, three public workshops, meetings with business owners, and the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) Parking Committee.
There are concerns that with the new and re-development there will be a more demand but fewer parking spaces. Mr. Vetter cited the proposed plan for the LoockermanPlaza location, where there will be a loss of parking.
Alternatives being considered are smart meters, shared parking in private lots, a change in regulations and policies, reconfiguring of parking lots, zoning changes, and possible new lots or a parking garage. The study is expected to be finished in summer 2017.
There was some discussion concerning existing parking lots. Mr. Lesniewski asked why there were so many permit spots, when so many are empty. Mr. Vetter reported that there was some discussion of eliminating permit parking on a trial basis, but the DDP did not favor the experiment.
8.*** MEMBER REPORTS ***
Dr. Collins reported that the Town of Wyoming has concerns regarding the Camden Bypass. It is believed that the bypass will cause issues at Wyoming Mill Road. Mayor Rife will contact DelDOT.
9.Staff Reports –
9.1 Progress & Financial Reports – Rich Vetter
9.2Other Project Updates/Activities – MPO Staff
9.3Correspondence, Publications/Reports/Outreach – K. Layton
Mr. Vetter gave updates on the Senator Bikeway Phase 2, Dover High School to Mifflin Road. The consultant has met with residents in the area. The Regional Bicycle Plan Working Group is prioritizing projects for the Plan. The list of projects will also go to DelDOT.
Ms. Layton reported that the public comment periods for the TIP amendments and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Long Range Transportation Plan) will be over the first week of January and the end of December, respectively. She also reported that Jonathan Street has resigned from the PAC. He was appointed by the Governor’s Office, and she is working with the Office to find a new PAC member. Mr. Street and his wife recently welcomed twins to the family, and the MPO sent a card to the family. The Restoring Central Dover Committee received a grant for construction of a bicycle rack. The rack was the winning design in a competition, and the winner was from Dover High School. The rack spells out “Dover” and has a canopy.
10. ADJOURN
MOTIONBy Mr. Snow to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Dr. Collins. Motion carried.
Next Meeting, Feb. 21, 2017
(NOTE: This meeting was cancelled in January due to lack of agenda items.)