Monday, November 4, 2024 at 6 PM

Agenda 10 items

1. 1.
   24-1382 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting of September 16, 2024.

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Naima SaitAye
   • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
   • Jake WilsonAye

   • 📎 Minutes - T&P - 9-16-24 Full
2. 2.
   24-1416 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility work with the Ward 5 Councilor on installing bike parking next to Neighborhood Produce after the Broadway at Boston Avenue intersection work is completed.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson was present to answer any questions on the additional bike parking added. Councilor Wilson confirmed the bike parking was installed into concrete not asphalt, to which Director Rawson confirmed.\par \pard\f1\par }

3. 3.
   24-1400 Resolution Kept in committee

   That the Administration facilitate bike parking for large licensed public events in the city.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson will relay this request to the Events Team and confirmed the intent is for temporary one-day event-based parking. Councilor Wilson confirmed the intent is on how to handle the volume of residents who would like to bike to the various events held within the city and how to keep the streets clear with the option of bike valet.\par \pard\f1\par }

4. 4.
   24-1399 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility update this Council on the current timeline for the Highland Avenue Redesign Project.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson said there is not a specific timeline on the new version of the Capitol Investment plan but looking to the past plan it states that fiscal 2026 is allotted for redesign on the Highland Avenue project.\par \pard\f1\par }

5. 5.
   24-1394 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility install speed limit signage, and update the signage to NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES and include scooters and mopeds, along the Community Path and at all its various entrances.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Sait provided background on the order, explaining that some participants who were using scooters and mopeds did not interpret the "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES" sign as applying to those modes of transportation. Director Rawson mentioned that the Mobility team is working on the most effective ways to communicate with users of community paths, including exploring speed control measures and adding additional signage.\par Councilor Sait asked when the updated signage could be expected. Director Rawson explained that the sign changes could occur between now and September 2025, with the final decision on the updates coming from Director Rinfret and parking.\par Councilor Wilson raised the concern of how to address the issue without limiting mobility devices. They suggested including graphics on the signs to clarify which modes of transportation are allowed. Director Rawson responded that they are currently discussing both plain language and graphic designs, with the goal of making it clear which vehicles and behaviors are being regulated.\par \pard\f1\par }

6. 6.
   24-1392 Order Kept in committee

   That the Chief of Police resume the practice of issuing tickets rather than warnings for serious moving violations that endanger public safety, including speeding and running red lights.

7. 7.
   24-1294 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility place speed bumps and other traffic calming measures along Bonair Street by the Edgerly School.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson stated that this location has been added to the city's traffic calming list, and data collection is ongoing, with the expectation that the measures will be implemented in 2025.\par \pard\f1\par }

8. 8.
   24-1274 Resolution Kept in committee

   That the Administration update this Council on the status of implementing the recommendations of the Parking & Curb Use Study, and respond to the July 2024 recommendations of the Somerville Alliance of Safe Streets (SASS).

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Pineda Neufeld shared at the end of 2022 a request for a full council report out on the Study did not happen but would like for one to still occur. Director Rawson said he can relay those points to the Intergovernmental Affair teams (IGA) to include in the discussion. Chair Sait recommended this item be kept in committee to wait for Director Rinfret to have a full discussion.\par \pard\f1\par }

   • 📎 Letter from SASS
9. 9.
   24-1266 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility install a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Boston and Kidder Avenues.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson asked for clarification on the exact issue and reason for request. Further stating staff will review the location with all other traffic calming request to look for any opportunities to improve safety. Chair Sait stated cars are not stopping at the stop signs and will follow up with the email request that include all the specific concerns. \par \pard\f1\par }

10. 10.
    24-1265 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

    That the Director of Mobility and the Director of Engineering explore how to make the raised sidewalk located at the intersection of Broadway and Boston Avenue safer.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Sait spoke on this item and the request for this to be addressed before any snow in the season. Director Rawson said the ramps are an engineering technique and highlighted it is on the list to be reviewed along with engineering and mobility department ahead of wintertime.\par \pard\f1\par }