SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on March 25, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Leary, Mr. Slavin, and Mr. Lakeman. Mr. Link was absent.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Slavin moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.

Discussion - Prioritization of Transportation Projects

Each year, members of Council submit a prioritization list of transportation projects for the City of Dover to the Secretary, as well as the Governor and other distinguished delegates, for their review and consideration. To aid in this review, members were provided with the letter and list of projects submitted in 2007 (adopted by Council on April 9, 2007), as well as the Dover/Kent County MPO List of Unfunded Proposed Projects. During their meeting of February 26, 2008, members tabled the discussion for the prioritization of transportation projects due to the absence of Ms. Juanita Wieczorek, Director of the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Mr. Leary moved to remove the matter from the table, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.

Since the Governors Avenue Corridor Upgrades have begun and the Downtown Dover Signalization Upgrades is near completion, Mr. Hogan suggested that these projects be eliminated from the prioritization list. He noted that the West Dover Connector is no longer a study and suggested that this project be given a higher priority on the list. He also noted that DelDOT has created a study group that is working on the design for the Kenton Road Corridor Upgrades; therefore, he suggested that this project also be given a higher priority on the list. With regards to the College Road Corridor Upgrades, Mr. Hogan advised members that DelDOT is not currently reviewing this project. Since the new Dover High School is proposed to be located on Route 8, he suggested the addition of the Route 8 Corridor Study to the prioritization list.

Mr. Slavin referred to the recent presentation regarding Air Passenger Travel and the adoption of a Resolution by Council in support of Weekend Bus Service. It was his feeling that the City should be a participant in the grant funding for the Air Passenger Travel Study. He questioned if these types of projects should be included on this list or if the City should create a separate prioritization list of policy/program projects to be further explored.

Noting the traffic congestion problem on West Street at the intersection of North Street, Mr. Hogan suggested that West Street be made one-way westbound to alleviate the situation until the completion of the West Dover Connector. In consideration of this matter, members suggested that since the lack of the Connector is the cause of the traffic problem, “West Street Traffic Flow” should be added to the West Dover Connector priority.

At the suggestion of Mr. Hogan, members agreed with the elimination of item #1 - Governors Avenue Corridor Upgrades, and item #2 - Downtown Dover Signalization Upgrades; that item #3 - Intermodal Transportation Terminal be listed as item #1; the re-prioritization of item #6 - West Dover Connector, to be listed as item #2, and item #7 - Kenton Road Corridor Upgrades, to be listed as item #3; that the remaining items follow in their current order; and the addition of item #9 - Route 8 Corridor Study.

Referring to the Policy/Program Prioritization List, Mr. Slavin suggested that the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program also be included. He noted that although this program was initiated to enhance revenue, Chief Horvath has indicated that this program has very much served as a safety measure. Mr. Slavin also noted that Chief Horvath indicated that the City does not decide the location of the cameras; therefore, he felt that if the City indicated their support for the program and communicated their desire for the location of the devices in certain areas, DelDOT would take this into consideration.

Mr. Slavin indicated his desire to include the bike path connectivity, particularly as it relates to Eden Hill, to assure that the pedestrian and bike path is included in the recreation/open space for the development.

As an alternative to a second list, Mr. Hogan suggested the possibility of grouping the list to distinguish those projects being considered by the City for future funding.

Mr. Leary moved to recommend approval of the Transportation Project Prioritization List as developed (Attachment #1), seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.

Mr. Leary moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:24 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Kenneth L. Hogan

                                                                                    Chairman

KLH/RR/tm/jg

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20083-25-2008 SA&T.wpd

Attachment

Attachment #1 -   Transportation Project Prioritization List