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ITT Committee Meeting Minutes
02/05/10
Members present: Ed Shenk, Ryan Gregory, Caryl Chakerian, Judy Leeks, Michael Baldini, Mark Tomko, Barry Martin, Lou Penning, Don Wudke, Jack Hussey, Sid Chaudry, Jeff Doran
Ed opened the meeting by introducing the goals and mission of the ITT Committee with a focus on presenting ideas and resolving potential problems in infrastructure, which impacts the business community.
Mark Tomko and Barry Martin gave the Downtown Infrastructure report:
RR relocation project: tracks are due to be raised 2/15-2/18
1st Street between Soscol and McKinstry will be closed to vehicular traffic from Mid March thru the August Fair
3rd Street will be closed between Burnell and Soscol from post-Fair in August for four to six months
A permanent signal is being installed at McKinstry/Soscol allowing a left turn onto Soscol from McKinstry. Targeted completion 3/8.
7th Street and Soscol will be getting a new traffic light
There is an ambitious signage program underway to direct traffic to effected businesses.
Details can be seen at the web site set up by the contractor: www.napafloodcontrol.com , or at the city web site: www.napaflooddistrict.org.
The RR relocation project has a 2011 completion date
General discussion ensued regarding changing the language around the roads affected by this project. Media has published some alarming stories about “road closures”; it was suggested that terminology change to “partial road closure”, “detour”, or “temporary re-routing”.
ACTION: Ed will talk to Lisa Batto and Randy Martinsen about putting out a press release to that effect.
Jeff Doran addressed the issue of returning downtown to two-way streets:
Jeff has been involved in the effort to revitalize downtown for many years. He has heard firsthand from many bog name retailers that they won’t put a store in downtown Napa because the one-way system is detrimental to customer traffic flow.
The change to one-way occurred prior to the building of the southern crossing and was seen as a resolution to the issue of moving traffic quickly out to 29 from Soscol. This issue was resolved when the southern crossing went in 30 years ago.
The one-way system renders downtown inconvenient to retail shoppers, thereby negatively affecting revitalization efforts and a healthy local economy.
The City of Napa has conducted 17 separate studies of this issue over the years, but has yet to take any decisive action.
A resolution would likely involve Cal-Trans with a re-working of the 1st Street exit ramp from 29.
A ball park price tag lies around $5M to accomplish the necessary changes. Combined investment in the revitalizing of the downtown area to date totals about $500M, it seems a $5M investment to ensure foot traffic to the area is in order.
The problem seems to be a lack of political will to get the job done.
MOTION: Lou Penning moved and Michael Baldini seconded a motion to recommend to the Chamber Board that they write in support of the two-way street configuration to the City. The motion was passed unanimously with Barry and Mark abstaining.
Mark Tomko gave an update on other City of Napa projects:
Commuter Bike Path, Phase III: bids by 2/18, installation of an asphalt concrete bike/ped path along Wine Train between Main/Vallejo.
Main Street Overlay: Lincoln S. of Clinton will occur in the summer.
Redwood widening at Solano: turn pocket will be added in the summer.
Redwood Rd scour project: will start in the summer.
Trancas Crossing Park: will start in the summer.
East Ave. sidewalk/street: will start in the summer.
Boat Dock: will start in the summer.
Los Robles Phase 10: sidewalk work will start in the summer.
2010 Stimulus projects: Freeway Drive overlay, 2010 Cape Seal, lighted crosswalks, Browns Valley/Partrick roundabout.
1st St, 2nd St and Solano paving will happen in the spring. Winter weather has temporarily stopped completion.
Ed mentioned to Mark that the light at Coombsville and Terrace does not recognize bicycles readily.
Ed Shenk presented a draft letter from the Chamber to the NCTPA in support of the Vine Trail:
The letter was reviewed and amended to reflect that this is the second letter of support form the Chamber on this matter.
MOTION: Jack Hussey moved and Michael Baldini seconded the motion to submit the letter to the Chamber Board. This was unanimously passed.
County Update – Rick Marshall was absent but has submitted his report (below):
Carneros Highway: On Route 12/121 from 0.5km North of Sonoma County line to Duhig Road
Scope: Curve Improvements and Shoulder Widening
Cost Estimate: $11M Capital Cost
Current Status: Construction under way, completion in 2010.
Jameson Canyon: On Route 12 in Napa and Solano Counties, from Route 29 in Napa County to Red Top Road in Solano County
Scope: Widen 2 lane Conventional Hwy to 4 lane, with 8 foot outside shoulder for Class II bike facility, construct a concrete median.
Cost Estimate: $139.5M
Current Status: Design is 100% complete. Right-of-way acquisition under way. Construction is due to begin in summer 2010 for 3 years.
Calistoga Roundabout: On Route 29 at Silverado Trail
Scope: Modify intersection with Roundabout design
Cost Estimate: $3.6M Capital Cost
Current Status: conceptual approval September 14, 2009; schedule to be determined.
Rutherford Roundabout: On Route 29 at Rutherford Road (Route 128)
Scope: Modify intersection with Roundabout design
Cost Estimate: $2M Capital Cost
Schedule: Conceptual Approval Report revealed significant operational concerns; project unlikely to move forward. Alternatives being explored with Caltrans.
Soscol Flyover: On route 12/29 at Soscol (Route 221)
Scope: Construct flyover structure for south-to-south left turns
Cost Estimate: $35M Capital Cost
Schedule: Draft Environmental Document by May 2010; finalize design and environmental evaluation by Dec. 2010.
St. Helena Channelization: On Route 29 south of St. Helena
Scope: Left-turn channelization and pavement rehabilitation, Mee Lane to Charter Oak Lane
Cost Estimate: $24M Capital Cost
Status: PAED completed in 2007. Design in progress, complete by 2010.
Trancas interchange landscaping: On Route 29 at Trancas St.
Scope: Replacement highway planting
Cost Estimate: $618K Capital Cost
Status: In 3-year plant establishment period (planting was completed April 2008)
Sarco Creek bridge: On Route 121 (Silverado Trail) between Hagen Rd and Trancas St.
Scope: bridge replacement
Cost estimate: $8M Capital Cost
Schedule: Design and environmental review in progress, complete by 2010.
Tulocay Creek bridge: On Route 121 (Soscol Ave) between Kansas Ave and Silverado Trail.
Scope: bridge replacement
Cost estimate: $6M Capital Cost
Schedule: Design in progress, complete by 2011.
Capell Creek bridge: On Route 121 (Monticello Road) between Circle Oaks and Moskowite Corners.
Scope: bridge replacement
Cost estimate: $5M Capital Cost
Schedule: Design and environmental review in progress, complete by 2010.
“The Crusher”: ADA upgrade at Vista Point on Route 29
Scope: upgrade Vista Point to meet latest Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Cost estimate: $700,000 Capital Cost
Schedule: Construct in summer 2010.
Projects on County Roads
Hardman/Atlas Peak overlay: Silverado Trail to Monticello Rd (Route 121)
Funding from Federal Stimulus; complete.
Silverado Trail overlay: Larkmead to Howell Mountain
Funding from Federal Stimulus; first phase complete – next phase to construction in early summer 2010. Possible additional funding from “Jobs for Main Street Act.”
Duhig Road bike lanes: Las Amigas to Huichica Creek
Funding from Clean Air funds and Proposition 1B; first phase complete – rest to be constructed this summer.
Michael Baldini gave the Railroad update:
Stimulus funds for high speed rail to California will likely be used up by consultants preparing the project. Most improvements will go to the Capitol Corridor and the San Joaquin Corridor to So. Cal.
Bicycle storage racks have been approved for all cab cars, which will help connectivity.
There is a new station approved for Benicia.
Ed Shenk gave the airport update:
The hill blocking glide scope installation has been removed and the dirt utilized for a bridge on Devlin Road.
The airport manager is in talks with the FAA to install the glide scope this year. (This has been a twenty year project).
Studies are still ongoing to keep Angwin airport open and to have the County purchase it. Price tag is $23-34M
The CAF museum is going before the Supervisors this month
Flood Project:
Discussion ensued about the spate of bad national press regarding the RR relocation/Flood project. (The $54M boondoggle!). The recent SF Chronicle article was highly inflammatory and poorly researched. Senator Boxer’s office got involved and with the City was able to modify the article somewhat before publication, but nevertheless bad press ensued. Barry represented the project well in response on CNN.
MOTION: Ryan Gregory moved and Don Wudtke seconded a motion to recommend the Chamber write a letter to Senator Boxer and the appropriate White House contact to refute the politically motivated (yellow journalism) mis-information about the project. Barry will provide the names and will assist Ed in writing the letter in support of the many benefits of the flood project.
Barry Martin reported on Flood Project goals:
With continued funding level expectations the project should be complete in 5 years.
After the RR re-lo, the next big step is the Oxbow bypass, creek work and attending flood walls.
Next meeting will be on April 2, 2010, 9:00 am.