1996-10-24SPIN STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
October 24, 1996
MINUTES
Representatives Present: David Baltimore, Chair; Laura Miklosko, Vice Chair; Joe Mast,
Secretary; Martin Schelling (#2), Janet Murphy (#4), Jan Francis (0), Doug Fierce (#6),
Darrell Faglie (0), Al Morin (#10), Roger Hutton (#11), Jim Goggin (#13), Doug McKelvey
(#14), Wayne & June Haney (#15), Linda Wilder (#16), Katie Holzgraefe (youth)
Representatives Absent: Cara White (#1), Pattie Minder (#8)
Guests Present: Dan Kessler, NCTCOG; Laurie Wilson, Dallas Morning News; Nina Dunn,
SPIN # 10
Staff Present: Shana.K. Yelverton, Assistant City Manager; Bob Whitehead, Director of
Public Works; Tracy Southers, Public Information Officer; Nona Whitehead, Administrative
Secretary; Greg Last, Director of Community Development; Tom Elgin, Comprehensive
Planner; Billy Campbell, Director of Public Safety
Chairman David Baltimore called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda Item No 2, Approval of 9/26/96 SPIN Standing Cornmittee Minutes - Chairman
David Baltimore provided the Standing Committee with a revised version of the minutes,
which incorporates changes he suggested for page one. Upon motion by Doug Fierce,
seconded by Laura Miklosko, the minutes were approved as revised.
Agenda Item No 3, Administrative Comments - David Baltimore made the following
announcements.
✓SPIN Retreat Evaluations - David Baltimore reminded the group to turn in their evaluations.
✓Month ,y Meeting Calendar - A meeting calendar for the month of November, 1996 was
included in the handouts at each representative's place. Mr. Baltimore noted that the
Standing Committee will not have a meeting in November. Rather, the November and
December meetings will be combined, scheduled for December S.
✓ CPIN Meeting Calendar- David Baltimore asked the group to review the proposed Standing
Committee meeting dates for 1997.
✓SPIN_Re ioM - David Baltimore thanked the Standing Committee representatives for the
excellent reports that have been provided to Council. A schedule of presentations during 1997
was provided to each member of the group.
✓Voice Mail Boxes - Chairman Baltimore stated that he knows that some representatives have
recorded messages in their voice mail boxes and some have not. He asked that each
representative make sure to leave some kind of message on the recorder, and to check
messages regularly. If representatives prefer to receive calls at home or at the office, simply
state that this is the case on the message. He admonished representatives, "Remember: if we
don't keep up with our voice mail, we could subject SPIN to criticism. "
✓SPIN Business Cards - A "proof" of business cards was placed at each representative's seat.
SPIN representatives were asked to make sure to review it carefully, and indicate any changes
on the page before returning to staff. If no changes are needed, mark it "OK" and return to
staff. Please let Shana Yelverton or Nona Whitehead know if there are any problems with the
cards.
✓October Meetings - Thanks was expressed to all who organized and participated in SPIN
meetings during the month of October. He noted that meeting reports had been provided in the
packets. It has been a busy month, with lots of meetings. Mr. Baltimore stated he appreciated
their hard work on behalf of SPIN.
✓Finally.. - The upcoming meeting with the City Council will focus primarily on
transportation issues, but some time has been allocated at the end of the meeting to update the
Council on neighborhood activities. Representatives were encouraged to be brief.
Agenda Item No 4, Committee Reports - David Baltimore noted that several committees are
working on issues, and time was set aside for oral reports.
Laura Miklosko began the reports by noting that a draft of the self -evaluation report has been
completed. It covers the goals that were set and how the Standing Committee met each
objective. She believes that the year was successful, and the self -evaluation reflects this. She
hopes everyone will review the document and she thanked those that contributed to the effort.
Mr. Baltimore stated that he thought Laura had done an excellent job with this report and
thanked her for her work.
There was no report on training. Doug Fierce stated that he would provide a report at the next
meeting. Al Morin and Pattie Minder have examined the procedure for finding new SPIN
representatives. A "draft" procedure was provided in the packets. Mr. Morin reviewed the
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procedure with the group. David Baltimore asked if there were any comments on the draft.
Joe Mast stated that it appears that this process results in the selection of one person. He
would suggest finding two or three who could share the responsibility. He hopes that the
process will not become too political, with people "running" for the position. Laura Miklosko
stated that she had attended the last two meetings to replace representatives and did not find it
to be this way. Laura Miklosko moved to approve the procedure, second by Jim Goggin, and
the motion was unanimously approved.
Doug Fierce stated that John Wilder had identified some pre -fabricated buildings that could be
used as a booth. He will send this information to Doug McKelvey. Linda Wilder passed out a
list,compiled by her husband John, of meeting rooms that were available throughout the city.
Joe Mast has been placed in charge of developing a goal -setting session. He plans to get in
touch with each representative to find out his or her preferences for this process.
Laura Miklosko provided a handout of the proposed development on the corner of Continental
and White Chapel, which a developer is looking at for offices. The meeting to discuss this has
been scheduled for November 21, 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Elementary. She also reported about
the potential development of offices on Byron Nelson Parkway. David Baltimore reported that
there are several upcoming meetings, including a Community Planning meeting for DPS on
October 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the park, and a meeting planned for the Master Thoroughfare Plan
on the 29th at City Hall.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST:
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Shana K. Yelverton, ssistant City Manager
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Joe Niast, Secretary
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SPIN STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
October 24, 1996
MINUTES
City Council Members Present: Mayor Rick Stacy, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Pamela Muller,
Wayne Moffat, David Harris, Scott Martin, Gary Fawks,
City Council Members Absent: Mayor Pro Tern Ralph Evans
SPIN Representatives Present: David Baltimore, Chair; Laura Miklosko, Vice Chair; Joe
Mast, Secretary; Martin Schelling (#2), Janet Murphy (#4), Jan Francis (0), Doug Fierce
(#6), Darrell Faglie (#7), Al Morin (#10), Roger Hutton (#11), Jim Goggin (#13), Doug
McKelvey (#14), Wayne & June Haney (#15), Linda Wilder (#16), Katie Holzgraefe (youth)
SPIN Representatives Absent: Cara White (#1), Pattie Minder (#8)
Guests Present: Dan Kessler, NCTCOG; Laurie Wilson, Dallas Morning News; Nina Dunn,
SPIN #10, Bob O'Neal, SPIN #10
Staff Present: Curtis E. Hawk, City Manager; Shana K. Yelverton, Assistant City Manager;
Bob Whitehead, Director of Public Works; Tracy Southers, Public Information Officer; Nona
Whitehead, Administrative Secretary; Greg Last, Director of Community Development; Tom
Elgin, Comprehensive Planner; Billy Campbell, Director of Public Safety
Mayor Rick Stacy called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m., and led the group in making
introductions.
Agenda Item No 3, Presentation on Mobility 2020 - SPIN Chairman David Baltimore
introduced the evening's topic, "Mobility 2020," a regional transportation plan for North
Central Texas. He introduced the speaker Dan Kessler who is the Assistant Director of
Transportation with the North Central Texas Council Of Governments (NCTCOG). 'Mr.
Kessler provided an explanation of NCTCOG's role in transportation, noting that NCTCOG is
the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region. He believes that transportation
is one of the biggest challenges for the region, particularly since it is critical for economic
vitality and quality of life.
Mr. Kessler pointed out that NCTCOG is an organization that is in place to assist local
governments with the development of plans and the provision of information.
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Mobility 2020 is a plan that is developed using a fairly traditional planning model, forecasting
future activity, quantifying travel demand, establishing goals, quantifying deficiencies,
identifying and evaluating strategies, selecting strategies, and finally working through the plan.
This plan is required to be in place in order to access state and federal funding. Currently,
about $1 billion is spent on surface transportation facility construction per year in the region.
Metropolitan Planning Organizations are now required to look at quality of life goals in
addition to quantitative transportation goals. Staff spends considerable time working to educate
the public and get them involved in the process. They have established a homepage on the
Mobility 2020 plan, which allows more people to get involved in the process and find out
about the plan.
Mr. Kessler noted that northeast Tarrant County has been an area of growth for quite some
time, thus has had to deal with congestion on an ongoing basis. S.H. 114 and F.M. 1709 is an
area where there is considerable congestion. NCTCOG planners are able to recognize the
congestion level, using forecasting models. The NCTCOG estimates that the annual cost of
congestion for delays is $3.1 billion. This region registers 105 million vehicle miles of travel
(VMT) per day -- note that it is only 95 million miles to the sun! Year 2020 forecasts show
approximately 160 million VMT per day with delay costs of $9.3 billion dollars per year.
Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville demographics show an 89 % increase in population and
70% increase in employment during the planning period, according to NCTCOG statistics.
What does this translate into in terms of travel? NCTCOG measures weekday roadway
capacity and they factor in a 39 % increase in capacity, but expect a 97 % increase in weekday
vehicle miles of travel. It is very difficult to keep up with capacity with the kind of growth
experienced in northeast Tarrant County. Traffic impacts are expected to result in an increase
of 266 % of weekday hours of delay, with a 53 % increase in lane miles congested. Basically,
the statistics tell NCTCOG that we are looking at significant growth in population,
employment, travel and congestion.
NCTCOG is also able to project traffic volumes on specific roads, predicting the level of
service for the a.m. peak hour. The forecasting model assumes specific improvements to
major thoroughfares (such as S.H. 114), and still indicates that other mitigation efforts are
needed because congestion and travel problems will only continue. Right-of-way is limited as
well, which will cause additional problems when attempting to construct new facilities. Mr.
Kessler also pointed out voids in the transportation system, areas where they were unable to
get local governments to agree to specific roadways. This barrier to construction will also
impact the region's ability to manage the transportation challenge.
Mr. Kessler made the point that it will be impossible to build a way out of the problem. Thus,
the Metropolitan Planning Organization also tries to look at other congestion mitigation
5
strategies to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles and overall number of vehicles on
the roadways. Currently, this region averages 1.09 persons per vehicle, one of the lowest
averages in the nation. Other mitigation strategies include technology improvements such as
signalization, and initiatives to handle accidents which cause major traffic delays. Special
events management is also critical, particularly in areas such as northeast Tarrant County
which will experience the effects of a major speedway and its related events.
Alternatives to deal with the problem of increasing traffic include regional rail alternatives.
This area had rail in the 1930s, but much of it has been abandoned. NCTCOG is looking at
this as a reasonable alternative. The DFW Airport causes major surface transportation
challenges, so rail is a viable alternative for getting travelers to the airport.
He also summarized freeway and tollway alternatives. Most of these facilities have been
planned for twenty years, and Right Of Way has been preserved. High occupancy vehicle
(HOV) lanes are another alternative being considered, which provide travel time incentives to
those willing to participate. There are currently two HOV facilities: R.L. Thorton Freeway
(reversible inbound and outbound), and the north Stemmons corridor north of LBJ Freeway.
East/west regional arterials were looked at as an alternative to another east/west major
freeways. Mr. Kessler also discussed bicycle transportation initiatives. On a localized scale,
this kind of initiative may help and NCTCOG is encouraged by local government interest in
some of these programs.
He completed his presentation by discussing the schedule for completing the Mobility 2020
plan. This is a huge challenge, and groups like SPIN can help work through the issues.
Councilmember David Harris asked Mr. Kessler to place the SPIN representatives on the
mailing list via David Baltimore. Roger Hutton asked about the possibility of building a major
east regional arterial north of Grapevine Lane. Mr. Kessler noted that the City of Grapevine
has asked about this, but aerial photographs show that this would be difficult. Mayor Stacy
echoed the problems that occur when you try to plan for freeway facilities.
Mr. Kessler pointed out that the Regional Transportation Council, made up of local officials,
continually faces problems of financing facilities. Texas has one of the lowest vehicle
registration fees in the nation, which results in lower income for use for these facilities.
Constitutionally in Texas, 25 % of the gas tax goes to education.
Wayne Moffat observed that constructing more facilities as toll roads would help. Mr. Kessler
agreed, since toll roads are fairly easy to get built, and are easier to pay for.
Agenda Item No 4, SH 114 Plans (Bob Whitehead) - Mr. Whitehead stated that he was
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invited to the meeting to bring the group up-to-date on the latest information on the S.H. 114
project. Maps were provided showing the plans for the project.
The state highway commission funded various portions of the project, to the surprise of the
Fort Worth District of TxDOT. Priority I funding is for FY1999. The Dove Road
interchange construction contract will be let in the first quarter of FY 1999. This is the first
project because the structure and most of the highway is already designed. Right Of Way is
almost entirely acquired. The highway will go over Dove. The project includes the frontage
roads, highway driving lanes, interchange, and ramps. Construction should begin in early
1999. The project will take approximately 18 months to two years to complete. There will be
staged construction, which will help move traffic to the greatest extent possible.
Joe Mast asked if the plan is "carved in stone." Bob Whitehead responded that the plans are
completed as far as the Texas Department of Transportation is concerned. If the City were to
start over, the plans would have to be re -done, along with environmental studies, etc. This
would create a whole new project, which could delay funding of the project indefinitely.
Mayor Stacy pointed out that there are tremendous grade differences between the different
sides of the road. Curtis Hawk pointed out that the state did change portions of the road to
accommodate citizen concerns -- in their minds, they have settled the design issues. Bob
Whitehead noted that a noise study was conducted as part of the environmental, but TXDOT
has agreed to look at it again.
The Kimball interchange will be the second construction project, with award of bid in the
Summer of 1999. The interchange will go over the road.
The Carroll project will pick up where the Kimball project finishes. The highway will go
under the interchange. Award of bid will be the summer of 2000.
The Priority II project will be the White Chapel interchange and associated frontage roads.
This project is slated to be handled in FY 2001.
The Priority I projects will be handled simultaneously.
Funding has been approved to acquire ROW for the projects. This cost is not included in the
estimated cost for each project.
Al Morin asked about the Kirkwood interchange's appearance. Maguire Thomas paid
additional funds to ensure that it matched their development. The new projects may have a
better appearance, due to TXDOT's increasing sophistication with concrete and construction.
There may be opportunities for input in selection of aesthetic standards.
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Wayne Haney asked about the Wall Street overpass. Curtis Hawk discussed initiatives to
address problems on Wall Street, but these will not be funded through the funds slated for
these projects. Mayor Stacy noted that the temporary solution to the problem may be in place
before the other S.H. 114 projects are completed.
Wayne Haney stated that he personally believed that nothing should be done to impede
progress on S.H. 114. Let it happen, he stated.
Dan Kessler stated that a major investment study is being prepared to handle S.H. 114/121
problems.
Mayor Stacy stated that Mr. Whitehead also needed to make an announcement regarding
water. Apparently, there are major failures on two of the monstrous lines bringing water into
Fort Worth for distribution to other cities. Repairs should be completed soon on at least one of
the lines, which would mean that no conservation or restriction measures would have to be
applied. Staff will keep SPIN representatives informed on this issue.
Doug McKelvey, SPIN # 14, reported that he is planning a meeting with the neighborhood on
November 21 to discuss the potential development of the comer of Continental and White
Chapel.
Linda Wilder, SPIN #16, reported that they are also planning a meeting to discuss various
issues with Bob Whitehead and Carrie Fullington.
Roger Hutton, SPIN #11, reported that he recently had a meeting, with six participants.
Doug Fierce, SPIN #6, reported that Bob Whitehead will be attending his next meeting to
discuss sewers.
Wayne Haney, SPIN #15, reported that the Goode Airport development (Southlake Woods) has
been the biggest topic in his neighborhood. He believes that the developer responded well to
their issues. They also have some concerns about Church of Christ development issues.
Brock Drive and the sewers are completed.
Al Morin, SPIN #10, reported that the Mayor and Bob Whitehead attended his last meeting to
discuss sewers and road projects. It was very positive. They are planning to host meetings to
discuss the new school behind Durham, are planning a meeting to discuss the Fox Glen
project, and some of his residents will be attending the meeting to discuss the office proposal
for Continental and White Chapel.
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Darrell Faglie, SPIN V, reported that he is looking at a meeting the second week of
November.
Laura Miklosko, SPIN #9, reported on the meetings she is planning with Mr. Morin and Mr.
McKelvey. The Neighborhood Council structure is working well in her SPIN neighborhood.
David Baltimore, SPIN # 12, reported that the microsurfacing on the roads went well, but
garbage trucks are already tearing them up. They are also concerned about the reflectors
indicating where fire hydrants are located. Randol Mill reconstruction will commence
Monday, according to Bob Whitehead.
Mayor Stacy made several announcements, including the opening of Kroger, the Lion's
C1ubChili Cookoff, the new postmaster in Grapevine, and the band booster auction.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
ATTEST:
Shana K. Yelve t , Assistant City Manager
W
qo.e &4t
Joe Mas , Secretary