HomeMy WebLinkAboutOUTBoard minutes 1116171
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Approved 2.21.18
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY OUTBOARD
NOVEMBER 16, 2017
REGULAR MEETING
MEMBERS PRESENT: Heidi Perry (Chair), At -Large Representative; David Laudicina, Cheeks Township
Representative; Alex Castro (Vice- Chair), Bingham Township Representative; Ted Triebel, Little River Township
Representative; Jenn Sykes, At- Large; Erle Smith, Chapel Hill Township Representative; Donna Musson, Eno
Township Representative; Ed Vaughn, Cedar Grove Township Representative; Brantley Wells, Hillsborough
Township Representative; Gary Saunders, At -Large Representative;
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Charles, At -Large Representative; Justin Miller, At- Large Representative; Art Menius, At-
Large Representative; Alyson West, At -Large Representative;
TRANSIT ADVISORY SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Janice Tyler, Aging Director; Lisa Berley, Transportation Specialist;
STAFF PRESENT: Abigaile Pittman, Transportation /Land Use Planner; Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Planner; Allyson
Coltrane, Transportation Demand Manager; Theo Letman, Transit Director; Meredith Kern, Administrative Assistant.
OTHERS PRESENT FOR TRANSIT ADVISORY SERVICES: Matt Day, Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO);
Cheryl Sadgrove, Minutes Preparer.
AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
Heidi Perry called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. and confirmed the presence of a quorum.
AGENDA ITEM 2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 20, 2017, MEETING
MOTION by Alex Castro to approve the September 20, 2017, OUTBoard Minutes. Seconded by Ted Triebel.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
AGENDA ITEM 3: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
There were none. Heidi Perry asked the board and staff to introduce themselves.
AGENDA ITEM 4: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
There were none.
AGENDA ITEM 5. TRANSIT SERVICES /ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (OPT)
AGENDA ITEM 5A. INTRODUCTION OF ALLYSON COLTRANE, TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGER (TDM) FOR
ORANGE COUNTY
Theo Letman introduced Allyson Coltrane, Orange County Transportation Demand Manager.
Approved 2.21.18
54 AGENDA ITEM 513. POTENTIAL INITIATIVES FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR ORANGE COUNTY
55 (ALLYSON COLTRANE)
56
57 Allyson Coltrane gave a brief overview of what she will be doing in her new position as the TDM Coordinator. She
58 said one of her tasks is to lessen congestion during peak hours, which are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. She will
59 be focused on encouraging carpools to alleviate traffic in the Hillsborough "hotspot" identified by the Triangle J
60 Council of Governments ( TJCOG), which includes the Orange County Campus of Durham Tech, UNC Hospitals at
61 the Hillsborough Campus and Orange County Schools.
62
63 Erle Smith asked what demand meant to Allyson Coltrane. Allyson Coltrane answered that it is from the perspective
64 of commuters and it is the demand for something better than bumper -to- bumper traffic.
65
66 Ted Triebel asked if there is supporting data. Allyson Coltrane answered affirmatively.
67
68 Jenn Sykes checked that Allyson Coltrane is focused on the demand in Hillsborough and not the demand
69 commuting out to the Triangle. Allyson Coltrane answered the primary focus is people commuting into Hillsborough.
70
71 Allyson Coltrane continued her presentation, reviewing the modes of commuting and the key players for transit in
72 Orange County. She reviewed that commuters can use Share the Ride NC to help find co- workers with whom they
73 can carpool. She said she can facilitate carpool parties by visiting places of work and helping people connect with
74 potential carpool matches in person.
75
76 Donna Musson asked whether someone who has a disability can use Share the Ride NC. Allyson Coltrane answered
77 affirmatively and said that a person can sign up to always be a rider and never a driver.
78
79 Allyson Coltrane continued with her presentation and explained that with Vanpool (organized by GoTriangle), a
80 person can choose to be a driver or a back -up driver. There can be up to six back -up drivers in a VanPool group.
81
82 Allyson Coltrane reviewed biking, walking and the Circulator route as alternatives to driving. She said she also plans
83 to work with the Bicycle Safety Task Force.
84
85 Allyson Coltrane also reviewed events she plans to launch including: Lighten Up (a TJCOG program that provides
86 lights for cyclists and pedestrians), New Year New Commute (which involves making a pledge to carpool a certain
87 number of times), Telework Week (to encourage a department to test telecommuting), Bike Month, and Think Transit
88 (which helps people learn to ride a bus).
89
90 Abigaile Pittman said Think Transit would be useful for clients of the human resource agencies such as the
91 Department on Aging.
92
93 Ted Triebel asked when Think Transit would take place because it sounded particularly helpful. Allyson Coltrane
94 answered next fall, and Lighten Up and New Year New Commute would happen early in 2018. Ted Triebel said he
95 thinks Think Transit should be first. Gary Saunders said Think Transit is usually in the month of September and
96 other organizations do it then as well.
97
98 Heidi Perry asked about the possibility of employers charging for parking in an effort to make public transit more
99 appealing. She also asked if Allyson Coltrane would be encouraging employers to give employees credit for choosing
100 alternative commuting methods. Allyson Coltrane answered that eventually employers will probably move toward
101 non -free parking. Allyson Coltrane said with GoPerks, commuters can earn money for free rides.
102
103 Jenn Sykes said at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, staff already has to pay to park. A lot of nursing staff live in the
104 northern part of Orange County and commute through Hillsborough to get to the hospital in Chapel Hill. She thinks
105 alternatives would be helpful. Allyson Coltrane said Chapel Hill Transit controls access to the northern Hillsborough
106 hotspot. Heidi Perry suggested focusing on vanpools. Jenn Sykes said UNC offers intranet carpool boards.
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Approved 2.21.18
107
108 AGENDA ITEM 5C. ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (OPT) QUARTERLY OPERATIONAL UPDATES (THEO LETMAN)
109
110 i. New Service Date Projections
111 Theo Letman reviewed that there will be a new midday route by the end of the month. OPT may start a route at
112 Scotswood Boulevard by the Food Lion in the Churton Grove Shopping Center.
113
114 Alex Castro asked if the stops would be the same as the GoTriangle peak hour stops. Theo Letman answered yes,
115 except the OPT stops would stay on U.S. 70 because there are apartments and a subdivision not currently being
116 served by GoTriangle.
117
118 Alex Castro suggested that GoTriangle information be added to the OPT bus service information so that potential bus
119 riders realize there are several optional times for starting and completing theirjourney by bus. Heidi Perry supported
120 this idea.
121
122 Ted Triebel asked when the new midday route will start. Theo Letman answered he is hoping at the end of
123 November. And he added that the Efland commuter loop will start in December or early January.
124
125 Theo Letman said an on -call bus or van is being considered for the GoTriangle route. Heidi Perry noted GoTriangle is
126 doing that in Research Triangle Park.
127
128 Alex Castro said some congregation parking lots could serve as a park- and -ride. Heidi Perry said we need to find out
129 from employers where that church parking lot needs to be located for the employees to use it. Alex Castro noted the
130 community center in Cedar Grove has a bus shelter. Theo Letman said the Dollar General is a central point.
131
132 Lisa Berley asked Theo Letman if he thinks people would use a park- and -ride at the Food Lion in the Churton Grove
133 Shopping Center. Theo Letman answered affirmatively and added that the park- and -ride will be moved to the new
134 State Employees Credit Union parking lot on U.S. 70 once the new bank site is open.
135
136 ii. New Positions posted for Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT)
137 Theo Letman said in terms of staffing, two positions are open. An administrative assistant has been hired and a part -
138 time bus driver has asked to become a full -time driver. Ted Triebel asked what the pay is for a bus driver. Theo
139 Letman answered he thought it was around $15 per hour.
140
141 Alex Castro asked if OCPT has minivans. Theo Letman answered there will be three on order for delivery in June
142 2018.
143
144 iii. Community presentations by GoTriangle
145 Theo Letman reported there was a community presentation in Hillsborough the previous evening. Another will be
146 held November 21 at Cedar Grove Community Center and in January in Efland. This is an opportunity to see the big
147 transit plans. Heidi Perry asked for a way to share the information about the meetings on social media.
148
149 Janice Tyler said she can share the information with her lists of congregations or share her contact lists.
150
151 Theo Letman passed out transportation surveys for OUTBoard members to fill out.
152
153
154 AGENDA ITEM 6: REGULAR OUTBOARD AGENDA (ACTION ITEMS)
155
156 6A. BICYCLE SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT (ART MENIUS, ABIGAILE PITTMAN)
157
158 Abigaile Pittman shared a written report of the subcommittee's most recent meetings. She said this subcommittee
159 has been meeting every three weeks and has narrowed the logo choices to a few finalists. An online survey will go to
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Approved 2.21.18
160 the OUTBoard, everyone on the previous bicycle safety task force, and a few other people. She said there will be a
161 video contest, partnering with the video class at Cedar Ridge High School. The contest will be for students to make
162 15- second videos. Abigaile Pittman said the intention is for the video to feature local celebs from different categories
163 (Spanish- speaking, young kids, teens, political /public figures, sports figures, people in the arts, etc.).
164
165 Heidi Perry said the subcommittee viewed example videos made in Australia that humanize the people on the
166 bicycles. The plan is to share the videos through social media. Abigaile Pittman said the winning video will be used in
167 the launch in May.
168
169 Ted Triebel suggested filming Bob Strayhorn, Bob Nutter or Andy Gates because they are known in rural Orange
170 County.
171
172 Jenn Sykes suggested using Duke and UNC celebrities.
173
174 Abigaile Pittman reviewed the list of collaboration and community relation opportunities for promoting the bicycle
175 safety campaign. Upon the suggestions of this board, she added WHOP -FM radio and the Department on Aging
176 congregation lists.
177
178
179 6B. DURHAM - CHAPEL HILL - CARRBORO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 2045 METROPOLITAN
180 TRANSPORTATION PLAN PREFERRED OPTION - PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (NISHITH TRIVEDI)
181
182 Nishith Trivedi reviewed the purpose of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, goals and objectives of the plan, and
183 the draft plan. He mentioned the plan includes the Hillsborough commuter station going to Durham, light rail from
184 Chapel Hill to Carrboro, and bus transit from the Eubanks Park -n -Ride to the Southern Village Park -n -Ride.
185
186 Alex Castro said one concern he has is that the Hillsborough station will be online in several years and Amtrak
187 service only runs two or three times a day. He asked why the plan does not extend the commuter rail from Durham to
188 Hillsborough.
189
190 Nishith Trivedi shared the bike /pedestrian portion of the plan.
191
192 Heidi Perry asked about why there is less funding toward the final years of the plan. Matt Day answered that the
193 transit costs are front - loaded in the plan.
194
195 Nishith Trivedi shared the financial plan. He reviewed that the plan is scheduled for adoption at the next DCHC MPO
196 Board meeting.
197
198 Ted Triebel noted funding for bike /pedestrian options is not increasing.
199
200 Nishith Trivedi asked for comments to forward to the Orange County Board of Commissioners and Metropolitan
201 Planning Organization.
202
203 Ed Vaughn said he would like to see a bike /pedestrian pathway between Hillsborough and Carrboro for safety. He
204 noted Durham is working on the Ellerbe Creek Trail. David Laudicina suggested exploring using the right of way that
205 allows for a water line from Hillsborough to Orange Water and Sewer Authority for a greenway that would connect to
206 Carrboro. Heidi Perry noted there is a bike path by Morris Grove Elementary School and a 600 -foot gap to the Lake
207 Hogan Farms neighborhood. Once that gap is connected, then that greenway could be part of a plan. She also
208 suggested for requesting an easement for a greenway from the Settlers Point developers. Ed Vaughn said there will
209 be a desire for people from Carrboro to have a greenway to get to Mountains -to -Sea Trail in Hillsborough.
210
211 Nishith Trivedi noted two changes to the map: a road improvement to N.C. 86 North and an improvement to the
212 intersection with that road and U.S. 70.
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Approved 2.21.18
213
214 Heidi Perry said one can never get ahead of congestion by accommodating more cars.
215
216 Jenn Sykes said that is where the affordable housing is located. Heidi Perry said we need to get them on transit. Alex
217 Castro said he likes David Laudicina's point of using an existing right of way.
218
219 Nishith Trivedi noted that for the N.C. 54 corridor, the plan calls for a modernization and not a widening.
220
221 Nishith Trivedi concluded his presentation.
222
223 6c. ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN (ABIGAILE PITTMAN)
224
225 Abigaile Pittman reviewed the activities she anticipated this board would be working on in 2018, located on Page 115
226 in the agenda packet.
227
228 Heidi Perry asked for the timeframe for the N.C. 54 plan. Matt Day answered the work is scheduled to take place in
229 the spring.
230
231 Alex Castro thanked the staff for putting together this document.
232
233 Heidi Perry expressed concern over not having a sidewalk along Orange Grove Road to Cedar Ridge High School
234 because students walk along the road. Abigaile Pittman said there is a need to determine whether there is sufficient
235 right -of -way. Also, funding has to be identified and it has to be determined which government entity would maintain
236 the sidewalk. The Town of Hillsborough is not enthusiastic about taking over maintenance when the town does not
237 have jurisdiction or extraterritorial jurisdiction in this area, she said. When asked by a board member, Abigaile
238 Pittman said the desired sidewalk in this area would be around 3/4 mile, including along the frontage of New Grady
239 Brown Road but not including the bridge over Interstate 40. She noted that on Page 116 of the agenda packet there
240 is language in the annual work plan to indicate this board cares about Safe Routes to School.
241
242 Alex Castro said the Master Aging Plan was presented to the Town of Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro.
243 Walkability and transportation are two areas in the plan. He said maybe we can get some representation from this
244 board. Abigaile Pittman said she serves on two committees for implementation of the Master Aging Plan. Alex Castro
245 said it is another avenue for coordinating with other jurisdictions.
246
247 Heidi Perry asked about Number 2 on Page 115, specifically how the Burlington- Graham MPO Bicycle and
248 Pedestrian Master Plan connects to Orange County. Matt Day said Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization
249 ( TARPO) assumes the MPO work would coordinate with them and match up to their Bicycle Master Plan. Abigaile
250 Pittman said she does not have all the details on the MPO project yet but will keep the OUTBoard informed. Heidi
251 Perry said it would be good to see the TARPO plan and how they connect.
252
253 Abigaile Pittman asked if there is anything else to add, especially under emerging issues.
254
255 Jenn Sykes suggested adding working with employers on alternatives to commuting. The board worked on the
256 wording for the document and decided to add: "Promote alternative transportation modes during peak hours via
257 public - private partnerships through collaboration with the OC TDM Coordinator."
258
259 MOTION by Alex Castro to approve the Annual Report and Work Plan with addition. Seconded by Ed Vaughn.
260 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
261
262 AGENDA ITEM 7: Informational Items
263 None.
264
265 AGENDA ITEM 8: STAFF UPDATES (ABIGAILE PITTMAN)
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Approved 2.21.18
266 8 a. Orange County staff letter to Burlington- Graham MPO Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) and
267 Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding process for submitting projects to NCDOT for review and
268 scoring.
269
270 Abigaile Pittman reported that a letter was signed by Orange County Planning Director Craig Benedict expressing the
271 concerns of Orange County staff and commissioners on the process for the project evaluation and scoring in the
272 Burlington- Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization. There are concerns about the criteria and the process.
273 Orange County staff attended the last Burlington- Graham MPO Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) meeting
274 and expressed these concerns, and requested a subcommittee be formed to review for the next cycle. The TCC
275 voted to accept that subcommittee. Several other jurisdictions wanted to participate as well. Then Orange County
276 staff went to the Burlington- Graham MPO's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), which is the voting group, and
277 the TAC authorized the subcommittee to move forward. So, the TCC staff representatives on the subcommittee have
278 scoped out what it wants to review and are reviewing other criteria in search of good examples, one of which is
279 TARPO's criteria.
280
281 8b. NCDOT project updates
282 Abigaile Pittman noted the project updates are in the agenda packet for the board members to review.
283
284 Nishith Trivedi said the intersection of Buckhorn Road and West Ten Road will get a four -way stop.
285
286 Abigaile Pittman reported the fencing for the bridge over Interstate 40 on Orange Grove Road went out to bid and the
287 bids were over budget so NCDOT has put it out to bid again. Heidi Perry asked how much over it was. Abigaile
288 Pittman said she did not know. Brantley Wells said that is public information and probably on the NCDOT website.
289 Heidi Perry said it is very frustrating to see kids cross the unsafe bridge.
290
291
292 AGENDA ITEM 9: ADMINISTRATIVE
293
294 9A. ELECTION OF NEW CHAIRNICE- CHAIR: THE TERMS FOR THE CURRENT CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR ARE CONCLUDING; NEW
295 APPOINTMENTS ARE NEEDED.
296 Heidi Perry proposed putting off elections until the next meeting. Abigaile Pittman said the elections have to be done
297 before the end of the year, and that she would like to include the election results in her report to the Orange County
298 Board of Commissioners.
299
300 MOTION by Alex Castro to reappoint Heidi Perry to Chair of the OUTBoard. Seconded by Brantley Wells.
301 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
302
303 MOTION by Erle Smith to reappoint Alex Castro to Vice -Chair of the OUTBoard. Seconded by Heidi Perry.
304 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
305
306 913. 2018 REGULAR MEETING CALENDAR
307 Abigaile Pittman noted the 2018 meeting calendar had been created.
308
309 AGENDA ITEM 10: BOARD COMMENTS
310 Heidi Perry mentioned she attended the state bike convention and AARP representatives spoke and shared a list of
311 grant sources.
312
313 AGENDA ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT
314 Alex Castro made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Erle Smith seconded the motion. The
315 OUTBoard meeting was adjourned by consensus.
316
317
Approved 2.21.18
Heidi Perry, Chair