Present: Aldermen Baldi, Nash & Hall, Captain Harold Domer, Andrew McGilvray, Gary Hessong, Shawn Martyak, Earl Reed, Chuck Boyd, Fred Eisenhart, Blaine Young, Jeff Holtzinger, and Saundra Nickols. Also present: Donald Albaugh, Mary Louise Albaugh, Carrie Mehl, Terry Noonan, Kirk Smedley, Bob Manthey, Trish Brooks, Dale Dowling, David Weigelt, Edmond Gregory.

Alderman Baldi explained that this committee is a recommending body to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and called the meeting to order. The minutes from the October 16, 2001 and November 20, 2001 meetings were reviewed and approved.

ITEM 1: Consideration of a request by Residents of West Second Street and supported by Calvary United Methodist Church for a pedestrian traffic signal at the intersection of West Second Street and Bentz Street. Rev. Bob Manthey spoke with members from the church administrative board and they supported the residents’ request to have a pedestrian crosswalk signal installed to help make the intersection safer. Captain Domer added that installing a pedestrian traffic signal would clearly help identify when pedestrians should and shouldn’t cross the street. He also explained that when drivers’ are making a right turn on red from West Second onto Bentz Street, they are looking north to check traffic and they are not thinking about pedestrians crossing the street and suddenly they hit the brakes. Since crosswalks are already established at this intersection, the city traffic engineer agreed that a pedestrian traffic signal is necessary. He offered to make some arrangements and send Mr. Eisenhart an e-mail to coordinate the effort.

ITEM 2: Consideration of a request by Residents of 14^th Street to restrict parking to one side of the street, and/or expand yellow lines at driveway openings. Ms. Mehl, a resident of 14^th Street, explained that she and other residents are very concerned about the current parking situation. Due to the current construction phase at Governor Thomas Johnson High School, the number of parking spaces available for students has decreased. Therefore, students’ are parking on 14^th Street causing traffic to be reduced to one lane in many places and residents are experiencing difficulty entering and exiting their driveways. Ms. Mehl and Ms. Noonan contacted the police department, then followed up with a residential survey to 14^th Street residents, and met with the police again to discuss the results of the survey and available options. Once construction has been completed by Governor Thomas Johnson High School, 100 additional parking spaces will be available to the students. Until such time, residents are requesting that yellow lines be painted consistently 10’ on either side of each driveway or restrict parking to one side of the street during school hours, during school days. Further discussion was held regarding possible solutions to the parking problem (i.e. temporary signage, etc.). Alderman Baldi suggested having the Department of Public Works look into how 10’ yellow curbing could help the residents with the parking situation and bring this item back next month for additional discussion. Alderman Baldi motioned for Earl Reed and Andy MacGilvray to work together and bring back a recommendation to this committee next month. Seconded by Alderman Hall. Ms. Mehl and Ms. Noonan invited several city officials to meet tomorrow morning to actually observe the parking situation.

ITEM 3: Consideration of a request by Edmond B (Ted) & Helen Gregory for permission to encroach into the city right of way to build an 18-24” stacked stone retaining wall along the south side of their property extending from the corner of Second Street and West College Terrace to the edge of their driveway (approximately 112’). Mr. Gregory would like to build a stone retaining wall on his property, which would encroach into the city right of way. His proposal would place the retaining wall up against the sidewalk. Mr. MacGilvray explained that the city will be scheduling replacement of streetlights in this area within the next five years and they would need at least 1’ behind the sidewalk to install conduit. Therefore, staff recommended the following: 1) move the retaining wall 1’ from the sidewalk with the understanding it doesn’t affect sight distance; and 2) install the conduit (provided by the city) now to prevent possible damage to the wall in the future. Mr. Holtzinger explained that the city would have to have a standard easement agreement and a hold harmless indemnification agreement. Alderman Nash motioned to support Mr. Gregory’s request to encroach into the city right of way with the understanding that there be a 1’ setback and conduit to be laid by the property owner at the time of construction. Seconded by Alderman Hall.

ITEM 4: Consideration of a request by Kirk & Kristin Smedley for permission to encroach into the city right of way to build a fence at 317 West College Terrace. Mr. Smedley recently purchased the property at 317 West College Terrace and has observed that the pedestrian pathway beside his home is overgrown and hardly ever used. Mr. Smedley has small children and would like to build a fence that would link to his neighbor’s fence. If there were a desire to abandon this right of way, it would have to go through the process of going to the planning commission and the city engineer would do an analysis and make a final recommendation to the Mayor & Board of Aldermen before any fencing could be allowed. Alderman Nash explained if the City and the next administration and neighbors would want to keep it, the City would be responsible for improving it. Mr. Hessong suggested that the city surveyor determine whether or not the path is a dedicated right of way. Mr. Eisenhart gave an estimate of approximately $2,000.00 to install asphalt 4-5’ in width and approximately $2,000.00 to install lights for a total of $4,000.00. Mr. Hessong and Mr. Smedley agreed to talk to the city engineer and city surveyor after this meeting. If the pathway is dedicated right of way, Mr. Smedley would still like permission to encroach to build a fence, but he doesn’t want to go to great lengths to have this accomplished. Mr. Hessong will inform Alderman Baldi of his findings on this matter.

ITEM 5: Consideration of a request by Saundra Nickols, Assistant City Attorney, to provide Board/Commission members with free parking while participating in Board/Commission business. Ms. Nickols explained that Commission/Board members are here on a voluntary basis and occasionally meetings run more than two hours, which cause members to receive parking tickets. Several ideas were discussed such as validation of tickets, issue a numbered placard to members to place on their dash board identifying that they are here on official business, or let them park in one of the parking decks. Alderman Baldi suggested informing the Commission/Board members that if they are here for a specific meeting that runs over two hours and receive a parking citation, give it to the city official managing the meeting, who will then in turn send the ticket to the Director of Public Works for validation.

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Item 6: Discussion of the Shared Use Path Plan. Mr. Adkins explained that this item has been before the committee earlier this year. The planning, engineering, and recreation departments, along with the department of public works have continued to work on this project together for the past nine months. The one sticking point that has been resolved is the section by the airport. There is concern regarding the section that goes from Gas House Pike to I-70, as it is in the airport runway protection zone, so they came up with four options: 1) build it on the east side of the river, 2) build it on the west side of the river, 3) build it along Monocacy Boulevard and eventually connect it down to I-70 again, or 4) not build it at all. It is recommended that the best route for this proposed path be along the Monocacy River to avoid potential conflicts between pedestrians and motorized vehicles and maintain the most scenic route possible that would enhance the overall enjoyment of the trail system. At the time of final design, the city will work to resolve the final issues with the airport. Alderman Nash expressed support of this item and recommended this be taken to the Mayor & Board of Aldermen Workshop. Seconded by Alderman Baldi.

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judi Arnold

Secretary

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