HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTEC_03.17.2003Minutes of the Meeting of
Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Monday, March 17, 2003
The Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on
Monday, March 17, 2003.
Board Members Present:
Ken Evans (arrived at 2:22 p.m.), Sam Pfiester, Henry Carr, Jack Noble, Mary Louise Poquette, Bill
Masterson
Board Members Absent:
Doug Smith
Staff Present:
Paul Brandenburg, Jim Briggs, Micki Rundell, Laurie Brewer, Ed Polasek, Amelia Sondgeroth, Laura
Wilkins, Joel Weaver, Mark Miller, Terri Calhoun
Others Present: Kate Alexander – Austin American Statesman, Sonny Kretzschmar – HDR Engineering
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Meeting called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Sam Pfiester
REGULAR SESSION:
Mr. Pfiester introduced new board member, Henry Carr.
A.Update on the Comprehensive Transportation Planning Process. - Ed Polasek
DISCUSSION: Polasek introduced Tom Williams, the representative from Wilbur Smith &
Associates. Mr. Williams covered the timeline of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
Overall Master Transportation plan for the City. Transportation improvement team selection
process for the City. Determine “hot spot” areas. Overall plan to go to Council later this year
October/November time frame. Need to get ideas from the public through workshops, work
with staff, and stakeholder focus groups. Info to be put out on the web-site also. Question
from Poquette asking who is responsible for the traffic counting devices out in the
community. Answered by Polasek that the County is doing these but that we will have some
out in the near future and will also make use of the info the County is collecting – 35 sites
identified for counting. Summary of the first focus group meeting to be distributed soon.
The summary will list the goals and objectives from the focus group meeting. Question from
Pfiester if the school district is included in the stakeholder group. Answered by Polasek that
yes the school district has been involved. Poquette asked if we could have a list of who
actually attended? Answered by Polasek this is included in the info Polasek distributed.
Masterson asked for a count of how many people attended from the east side and how many
from the west side. Masterson would like to see the east side of town better represented.
Sondgeroth stated that all neighborhoods that had registered with the City as a neighborhood
association were notified. Masterson asked if we could notify the various districts – Pfiester
agreed with would be a good idea. Masterson said that growth does not seem to be paying
for itself. Brandenburg stated that the new annexation policy/plan will address this issue.
Question from Carr about who will maintain the model in the future once it is complete.
Answered by Polasek that we (city staff) will be receiving training and will be able to
maintain the model upon completion as a part of the current contract. Evans asked if it was
possible to get a glossary of terms.
ACTION: NONE
B.Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the Regular Board Meeting,
held February 4, 2003 - Paul Brandenburg
DISCUSSION: 1 Masterson’s comment that frontage roads (suck “economic” life out of
communities.) 2 Rivery detour - running the traffic through the Rivery (#2 option) rather
than temporary frontage road is the safest and most cost effective. 3 Motion to adjourn 3-1
with Masterson opposed.
ACTION: Motion by Carr, second by Evans to approve the minutes as amended. Approved
6-0 (Smith absent)
C.Presentation of the February 28, 2003 Georgetown Transportation Enhancement
Corporation (GTEC) monthly financial report. - Micki Rundell
DISCUSSION: Rundell gave overview of the financial report for February. Masterson asked
if we could break out sales taxes from utilities. Rundell stated that she can – but that it will
include amounts collected form all utilities (PEC and TXU included). Masterson would like
to see this regardless next time. Question from Pfiester of who is Mr. Otis Persons.
Answered by Briggs that he is the contract inspector for the Rivery Bridge project.
ACTION: NONE
D.Discussion and possible action related to the acquisition of right-of-way for the Southern
By Pass project. - Sam Pfiester
DISCUSSION: Pfiester would like to see maps of topography and ownership on a scale to
see problems and point them out for correction. Aldridge stated we could have them
available at the next meeting – but if we overlay them, it will be very busy and hard to see.
We will try to come up with something for the next meeting.
Aldridge gave info related to the proposed acquisitions needed to complete the bypass
project. General discussion followed. Pfiester believes that is we secure the right-of-way,
the road will eventually follow. Briggs gave info from his trip to Washington.
ACTION: Motion by Evans, second by Noble that the board authorize staff to create a
budget amendment for board consideration/approval and to further authorize staff to prepare
a proposal for right-of-way alignment, potential acquisition, and environmental clearance for
the Southwest Bypass/Inner Loop project, from SH 29 to IH 35. Approved 6-0 (Smith
absent)
Minutes to be copied to Edward’s office, Carter’s, and Ogden’s offices so that they are
aware what actions Georgetown is taking.
E.Discussion and possible action to consider and prioritize issues for Infrastructure
Solutions, Inc. (ISI), related to the Southern By Pass Project. - Sam Pfiester
DISCUSSION: General discussion. Pfiester says that lobbyists serve certain purposes.
Questions are: do we want to hire a lobbyist, how much will it cost, will the costs justify the
result? What do we do.
ACTION: Motion by Evans, second by Noble to authorize staff to come back with sample
contract, including costs estimates, to hire the firm of ISI to specifically assist with the
Southern Bypass project. Approved 6-0 (Smith absent)
The board would like for ISI to be present at the next board meeting to present
proposal/contract, answer questions, etc.
F.Project review and updates: including but not limited to, items listed. - Joel Weaver
and John Aldridge
DISCUSSION: Project review and status of projects in progress - presented by Joel Weaver.
General discussion regarding the Rivery related to timing and traffic stacking. Miller gave
status on sidewalks. Delay due to needing a variance from the TDLR for ADA. The board is
upset that they are delaying this project and we should get in touch with them and do
whatever is necessary to move through the process with a letter (copies to legislators). Carr
would like a copy of the sidewalk plan.
ACTION: NONE
Motion to adjourn: Motion by Evans, second by Masterson to adjourn the meeting. Meeting
adjourned at 4:23 p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.
Approved :Attest:
_______________________________________________
Board Member Name Sandra Lee