HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-13-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
Meeting Date: November 13, 2006
Attendees: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Hank Manz, Francine Stieglitz, Bill Levison,
Gail Wagner
West Lexington Greenway Corridor Proposal
Representatives of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Keith Ohmart and Paul Knight, presented a
proposal to fund planning of a Greenway Trail connecting all of Lexington's conservation lands west of
I-95 (Rte 128). The proposal is to be submitted to CPC (Community Preservation Committee) for
funding consideration by late January. It is being proposed as a combined effort of the Lexington
Conservation Stewards and Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee. The trail would be unpaved surface
similar to the Battle Road Trail to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. TAC members raised
questions regarding parking, input of neighborhoods adjacent to the trail, and safety issues. By a
majority vote, with one abstention, it was established that TAC will submit a letter of support for the
planning phase of the West Lexington Greenway Corridor proposal. Sara is to develop a draft.
Town Manager- TDM Accounts
Carl Valente explained two options for creating a TDM interest bearing account for Lexpress. In both
cases, State law must be followed and it is a cumbersome process.
The first option is a Stabilization Fund requiring two separate motions voted on at Town Meeting: one
establishes a fund and the other appropriates money for the Fund. Annual withdrawals applied to the
Lexpress budget must be defined, specifically interest only or a combination of interest and principal.
Budgeted Stabilization Fund money would revert to the General Fund if not used by the end of each
fiscal year.
The second option is an Enterprise Fund currently used by both the Lexington Recreation and
Water/Sewer Departments. According to Carl, Enterprise Funds require no additional management by
staff. Enterprise Funds are established for periods of three years after which they can be dissolved. In
contrast to the Stabilization Fund, unused budgeted Enterprise Funds remain in the Enterprise Fund.
Karen Simmons of the Recreation Department and Michael Young of the Finance Departments were
noted as sources of additional information. Both Funds require formulating a Warrant submitted by the
end of January for Town Meeting. Carl is to provide background information on both types of funds
that will be shared with TAC.
Carl recommended that the Lexpress budget remain as is for FY08 and that the introduction of either a
Stabilization or Enterprise Fund, if approved at Town Meeting, be implemented in FY09. Starwood's
$200,000 Lexpress payment is based on certificate of occupancy and the earliest date of receipt is FY09.
Carl recommended creating one account that would combine the existing Gifts account with the new
TDM account.
Traffic Mitigation Group (TMG)
Restructuring of the TDM Article, a Planning Board Document, is the current focus of TMG. TMG is
working on guidelines to reduce SOVs and promote multimodal transportation, including Lexpress. The
Planning Board is currently evaluating TDM as a Special Zoning requirement. Formulas to standardize
payments by developers with a TDM zoning obligation are being considered. Gail commented that a
standardized formula is likely to decrease future TDM payments to Lexpress.
Lexpress RFP
RFP deadline is November 22. An award decision is scheduled for December 6. The proposal
evaluation team consists of Bill Levison, Jim McLaughlin, Chief Procurement Officer, Gail Wagner,
and Kelly Zeoli, DPW Budget Analyst. Gail thanked Bill for all his efforts in creating the RFP
document.
Prepared by Gail Wagner