1. Review March 2007 Meeting Minutes and April 2007 Meeting Notes a. The March meeting minutes and April meeting Notes were approved with minor changes.
2. Report on Bike Stations Presentation at Planning Commission (Resnick) a. Commissioner Resnick reported on Jim Sebastian’s (DDOT Bicycle Manager) presentation at the Planning Commission and showed images of the Union Station Bike Station design. b. Commissioners agreed that they would like to preview/review designs for similar stations if they are approved for any of the three Metro stations in Rockville.
3. Staff Report and Updates (Weekly) a. Commissioner Thomas inquired how sidewalks on Bradley Avenue between Dean Dr. and Fletcher Place and on Fletcher Place between Bradley Avenue and Broadwood Drive ranked in the Sidewalk Prioritization Project. He noted that this is an essential link to the new Calvin Lane sidewalk. b. Commissioner Crane inquired why the left turn restriction from Argyle to Maryland Ave. is applicable on weekends. Staff relayed that weekend traffic counts were very high prior to the restriction and recent traffic counts showed that this is still the trend.
4. Town Center Traffic Calming (update on approved priority projects) a. Ms. Kelly gave a brief update on the status of the top ten priority projects from the Town Center Traffic Calming Process. She relayed that the feasibility study for a crossover over MD355 to connect East Rockville to Town Center was in question by the Mayor and Council due to cost. - Commissioners stated that they are not sure they want this item to be removed from the list or that they approve removing the funds for the study.
- Commissioner Klein said that a study was done in the late 1980s or early 1990s to review a location for a crossover. Staff said they were not aware of such a study but would look through old files.
- Commissioner Klein recommended that, if cost is a factor, reduce the amount allocated for this study and commit funds incrementally over years to conduct the study. A motion was made to take a vote to support this recommendation. The motion failed, with Commissioner Klein in favor and all other Commissioners not in favor.
- A motion was made to recommend that Mayor and Council retain the funds for this project in the CIP and that a feasibility study be conducted. The motion passed, with Commissioners Resnick, Crane, Filemyr, Klein, and Levine voting in favor of retaining the funds and conducting a feasibility study. Commissioner Thomas voted not in favor and Commissioner Rosselle abstained.
b. Commission Resnick noted that item #2 has changed-- rather than installing a flashing beacon in the vicinity of Beall Elementary School, a speed camera is scheduled for this location. He inquired if a speed camera serves the same purpose as a flashing beacon, noting that a speed camera will catch violators after they have been speeding and the concept of a flashing beacon is to proactively prevent speeding. Staff relayed that the change from a flashing beacon to a speed camera was requested by the West End Citizen’s Association.
5. Additional Items for Discussion a. Commissioner Thomas stated that metal planks on the Edmonston Dr. bridge between MD355 and Lewis Ave. are loose and need repair. Note: Contracts Management staff confirmed after this meeting that they are lining up a contractor to do the repairs under a state contract. b. Commissioner Thomas expressed concern about how medians on Beall Avenue between Maryland Ave. and N. Washington St. may affect emergency response vehicles. Mr. Elshafei stated that emergency vehicles would be able to navigate down the street and that the situation would be monitored. If necessary, the medians could be reconstructed in the future to further accommodate emergency vehicles. c. There was discussion about Commissioner attendance requirements and possible vacancies on the Commission. d. There was discussion that the Commissioners do not want revenue from speed camera enforcement to supplant existing pedestrian safety CIP funding.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
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