pages: TransportationCommission/2021-03-24.pdf, 8
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TransportationCommission | 2021-03-24 | 8 | She wondered if the scoring was discerning enough and suggested having a 1-5 scoring instead. She thought the table was very clear but wanted more clarity for scoring and the recommendations. Staff Member Vance said that version was included in the staff report. Chair Soules suggested having a few slides where it clearly shows what the process will look like since it will morph over time, which would help the city understand it more. Commissioner Rentschler acknowledged the great work by Public Works and how they were constantly being asked to do more with money they don't have, there would always be tradeoffs. He saw policies like safety and complete streets with the same projects. He discussed all the benefits of roundabouts and how that can be beneficial for different policies. He encouraged how good design was important and didn't want to see the same cookie-cutter mistakes made. Chair Soules said that the staff had come a long way in developing these tools and they were not perfect or easy and continual feedback was expected. Commissioner Kohlstrand gave a thought on the tradeoff of roundabouts and traffic signals. She clarified that the staff was not recommending putting anything about roundabouts in the capital budget, it got a no recommendation, and traffic signal systems got a yes. She wondered if there was any room for modification so that in the traffic system they could find the ability to introduce roundabouts. She wanted to see a study to learn where the roundabouts would be most appropriate. Staff Member Vance said roundabouts were being considered within funded capital projects so they don't have to wait for everything else. He said the roundabout study was continuing and as that developed it was something that could be funded later under future capital budgets. For traffic signals there were two categories, one was rehabilitation and maintenance and the other is for traffic signal modifications/modernization. Roundabouts would be more equivalent to modernization and part of the study is to help coordinate those future investments. Commissioner Rentschler said solving a problem with a problem is the problem, the traffic signals were the problem. He discussed how traffic signals have always caused these issues and how the rest of the state and the country were moving towards roundabouts. He urged creative thinking on the part of Public Works to stop chasing high maintenance, high-cost signals. He pointed out that Caltrans's website had a page dedicated to education about the benefits of roundabouts. Chair Soules checked if there were any other public comments and asked if anyone was ready to make a motion. Approved Minutes - Transportation Commission March 24, 2021 8 | TransportationCommission/2021-03-24.pdf |