All right. So, let's call this meeting to order. Um, and so, but I need to say we are recording this meeting. Um, if anyone else is recording
it, please let us know at the time. Right. Um, so we'll do a roll call of the members. Hi, session. Do I am here? >> Jean Wall is here. >> Michael Mullen here. Jim Gisman is here.
>> John Al's here. >> Great. So, we have quum and so we can get started on the agenda items. So, um we will take public comment. Um I think we'll probably move some a couple things around the agenda so that people who are
here can speak before we get caught in some boring thing. Um, so I think we'll start with the FRTA buses entering signage, which is there someone online here for that?
>> Nope. Guess not. >> Nope. Okay, never mind. Maybe we'll start with um Homestead Avenue then. So, um, my understanding of the this is that
there there's a gate on Homestead Avenue between GCC and the neighborhood that leads out towards uh, Big White. Stop and shop always gives me Big Y and they has been closed for a
long time is now open for various reasons and this is a discussion about that. Um, is there Who should we start with here? Do you want to give a little update on what you know or should I
>> um Sure. I'm happy I'm happy >> still there. >> Um, uh, on the Homestead Avenue situation, the mayor, um, talked with police and fire, um, and has been in touch with GCC and the reason for the
gate being open is a public safety issue address having to do with school shootings. Um, that if that gate is closed, there's only one way in and out of GCC. And given the climate of school shootings that the US
seems to be in right now, it was decided that it was a safety issue and police and fire have asked that it be open. Um, just because that's the case doesn't mean we can't still talk about the issue and can't talk about ways that we can mitigate the issues that are being
raised by the gate being open. Um, but it was decided that it was a public safety concern and one that the mayor felt that city um should respect. So I just she wanted me to let you all know that um just as a frame for our
conversation. >> So maybe you want to >> I don't know if Jack has an update from the GCC. I was told that they were having a meeting today also. >> Okay. and you might have an update on if they have come to any resolutions that they're in
already. >> No. So the I propose that the the gate be opened and it would only be during school hours during school when school is in session. When school is closed in the evenings on and on Sundays and
during breaks the gate would be closed. >> And Jack, could you sit? kind of started helping. >> Could you say your name and just um who you are for the record? >> Jacqu Venos. I'm the chief of police at GCC. >> Great. Thank you. >> So, as far as the neighbors are
concerned, if it's for emergency use, we're seeing a lot of traffic come through in and out and is using it as a public food way. And I have statements here from the neighbors and I had sent a document beforehand indicating that the road itself says it's not a true way. is
supposed to be a dead end street. We're not supposed to be having public traffic at total respect for emergency use. Nobody is asking that it not be an emergency use situation. We do want it to be somehow
made emergency. Uh John, I see your hand is up. Do you want to say something here? >> Clear for getting into discussion. Um, I mean, you know, I I I hear the the need for it to be open, but perhaps there's
mitigations like um speed table snack down, you know, and maybe like a sign says emergency use only. Maybe that's a way to some something like that where it's open in in this uh need, which sounds important to me, but also would
discourage, you know, just people trying to get to Planet Fitness fast. Uh Michelle, do you want to have something to say too? >> Hi. Um I'm Michelle Alenby. I live on Carol Lane, really close to Homestead.
Um if this is strictly for um emergency use only, I totally get that. I mean, I've got kids that go to Greenville High School. I'm terrified every day of what could happen. I understand. With that being said, this is a densely populated
residential area that as it was pointed out, it's supposed to be a dead end non-th through street. If it is only going to be open as a neighborhood, I believe that there are enough people who would really like GCC to step up, post
sign saying it's for emergency use only. and um if the chief of police at GCC would make sure that that is enforced and patrolled and maybe even come up with some type of fine for people who
use it as a throughway. When that was open during the construction for the um Rotary, people were going obs like insanely fast. There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood now and I feel like
if you're just gonna keep it open and not put in speed limit signs and maybe even um speed bumps or something along that line, it's it's something's going to happen. it it's a densely resident
based area and to have people going as fast as they were during that time, it's just it's it's not going to be good. So, I would I would ask if GCC would maybe help
and come up with some compromise if that's going to be the case. >> Thank you, Michelle. uh PD lab. I don't know what your name is. You introduce yourself perhaps. >> My name is Dodie Lavali. I'm actually a
resident of Homestead A. Um and I would like to back Michelle up 100% on what she had just said. Um we see speeders as it is going down our street every day. Uh we have lots of children, lots of
people that walk dogs. We do not have sidewalks. Um, and even in the evening, it's not very well lit. Um, so I do do think that if it's going to be open for emergency purposes only, that there definitely has to be signage and I think
it also needs to be policed um because it is a problem already. Um, and it's just going to get worse. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm Baldi. I live on Mac Nav. um which
is right off of Homestead, right down that end. And that portion of Homestead Avenue is very narrow compared to the rest of Homestead Avenue. There are no sidewalks on either side of the street, but elderly people take trying to take a
lot. We've got people with dogs trying to take a lot, people with kids, and it's I mean, as it is, you have to get on the grass. The tire cars coming because it's dangerous. And I pulled out the day the first day it was open. I pulled out of my road and I immediately
had three cars on my tail. And I mean it's it's it was they were going fast. Um it's it's not safe and it's you know it's a nice quiet neighbor but you shouldn't have you know there's a way they can keep
keep the the gate closed and have like a a button that people can push to get in and out and something like that. But having it open, if I was working there and it was open, I'd be going through there, too. You know, it's a quick way to get out.
>> So, it is significantly faster to get out that way, the shelter. How difficult would it be to actually provide that technology where you could have remote access that a button could with the type of gate that could be
controlled by various emergency personnel and with remote access. >> Yeah, perhaps we should see what Jack has to say here about what what the requirements are for the egress during emergency situation. and whether
>> that would that would cost a lot of money. The gate is old as it is. Technology, it's technology is there, but there's no we'd have to run electricity out there. It would it would be very expensive.
And um so as far as other deterren, you know, if if the gate does need to be open, um perhaps we should be could be thinking about other deterrents having to name it that way. Right. Well, if if it were clearly marked that it was for emergency
use only and if there were c the flashing signs that have had great success I think on the country club road silver street intersection and people paying attention to that so that if there was something that would clearly get students attention that it's not to
be used for anything other than home emergencies at least at that end I would think it would cut if it had to be open I mean it's the only opt So is Jack is there any signage there? Is that is that would that be a problem? Is I guess the other question is is
being open when it's open is that for emergency use only or is it just that it's open now for all use? Do we have any idea? >> So So the main focus is is emergency and it's not just I know I apologize I don't remember your name. Um it's not just
active shooters. As a matter of fact, last week we had a student drive into a light pole, knocking the light pole down, and we had no other way to get people out other than Homestead. And I think that might have been when people saw a lot of cars because ever since I've opened this gate, I'd have I've had
an officer each shift for an hour, staggering the hours, counting how many cars come in and out. And I've also talked even before I did this, I talked with uh Greenfield Police Department to see if they could post someone in the
neighborhood to act, you know, to number one count the number of vehicles and number two act as a deterrent. I can tell you since I've been take out the the light post, which would have happened anyway because I would I would open the gate because we had no other way to get out. The most we've had is
two cars going through during one of the one during the one of the one-hour shifts. It's not a main throughway. It's actually more difficult and longer for students or staff to leave GCC to get to Planet Fitness or Big Y. It's not a shortcut.
>> Yes, it people aren't thinking in the reasonable like that. it is. You should be driving slower, but that doesn't mean that people are actually going to And the more that people that drive by and realize it's open, the more people that are going to use it. People haven't figured it out yet. That does not mean that they won't figure it out. One of
the construction vehicles from the college came down just yesterday. There's no reason why that truck needs to come through all these park cars on the side of the road. No sidewalk. There's not even really space to park. It just feels like it's unnecessary. you're adding an unnecessary risk when
if it's fully support emergency access there. But I would really appreciate it if it was just emergency access. I live right at the end. I have small children. My husband is on here watching and my small children are not here so they don't unplug all your computers that
everyone has and I like their safety means the world to me. >> I moved here because it's a dead end street. I have additional documents also that my neighbors are who are working and couldn't be here wanted to be half of our neighborhood that we fully
support the emergency use and we want it to remain emergency use only. >> Yeah. Jim, do you have a say? >> Uh, yeah. Sorry. Um, uh, Jack, could you tell tell
me what are how many people are going in and how many people are coming out? I'm I'm trying to figure out whether this is an in problem or an out problem. when when I've had officers posted there, the numbers what I'm getting back
are two per and I'm and that's not even true. It's I've I've actually sat there multiple days, several hours, and I only counted one car and it was actually one of our our professors who lives in that neighborhood. It's not >> you're doing it at lunchtime and at the
end of the day because that's when the day >> I'm doing three shifts. So morning, afternoon, and evening. And we're picking an hour differently in each of those shifts to make to so I have a better accounting of the number of cars coming through.
>> It it seems to me that Okay. But dealing with students using that as an exit is different than the issue of people coming in there to take a shortcut. Is that correct, >> Jim? I don't think there's any other
reason to use that other than to get to GCC. That's only it's a shortcut from GCC to in and out of GCC, right? >> If if it's a that that's why I'm I'm I'm trying to figure out what the problem is.
if it's GCC students, you know, you know, signage is probably the only thing you can do and you know, uh, and random monitoring, >> but if it's people, >> if it's people using that as a shortcut,
um, one suggestion is I put up a dead end sign. Not not a no throughway or whatever. I mean it's a dead end except when the gate is open and the gate is only open for emergency. >> Yeah. So >> if if you did that
>> then you could put the for emergency use right by the gate or nearby the gate. >> People may not know about that and the the people that don't know about it will be deterred by the dead end sign. Chances are the people that do know
about that shortcut, you know, if they see see a dead end sign, that may give them pause, but they may still go and then, you know, they see a uh emergency vehicle use only and most of the time a
gate that is shut. So, so Jack, I have a question here as far as like I'm I'm seeing the conflict here to be a conflict between, you know, the the needs of the school of the college to provide a second egress which seems important and then the the neighborhood
having it the character change of it neighborhood basically, right? Um and so I'm wondering could it be that you know I presume the gate there before was locked when it was closed? >> Yes. Yes,
>> if it was closed and unlocked, >> that would provide a clear deterrent like this is not something to be used, but in an emergency situation, an easy way for people to get through, right? Um, and so that I think that might be a
could be a good balance, right? It's not locked, it's closed, has a sign that says for emergency use only, and in any kind of situation, any reasonable person would be able to open up that gate and get out. which I don't know. So, that's one idea.
Um, and I'm not sure if that would work. >> Uh, I'm seeing I don't know, Jack, if you want to respond to that or I'm seeing other hands up there. >> If you're not going to lock it, great idea if it's if you're going to keep it closed, but eventually it's just going to someone's going to open it and it's
going to be might as well either. It's either or either lock. So I I I we have some I'm seeing some very uh strong volunteers here who would be policing and keeping it closed just
>> um so but yes I hear you Jack and this might not be a good the right solution and I think but we could also do some trials to see what could work potentially if if that satisfies the needs of the second egress
having an unlocked gate. So, I'm going to jump in here. I had my hand up. Uh I live on I live on Homestead AB. My name is Jake Brown. Uh I, you know, I think I'd like to come out in support of some of these ideas. Um especially the recent one with having the gate closed but unlocked and relying
on the neighborhood to uh you know, kind of close that if needed. Um you know, respecting uh the um you know, the school hours and the need for it to be emergency use. Uh, I think also just adding signs um for emergency use. There
also is an existing sign that I would like to reiterate, the the the not a through street sign that's already on Homestead. So, that's that's really kind of invalidating that sign um which is a city sign. So, I'm I'm not sure. Uh, I
know that the there's a relationship between GCC and the city and the gate is on the GCC side and it's their it's it it's my understanding it's their prerogative on whether or not the gates closed or open. Um, so I'm not I'm not
really sure if if this conversation that we're having is how much city has to enforce that with them. Um, so that's kind of an open question for me. Um and and another thing lastly I'll wrap up with uh we're not seeing traffic now um
or one or two cars a day. I think traffic patterns take a little while to change. Uh so I wouldn't I guess put too much stock in that just because there's not a lot of cars coming down right now. That doesn't that doesn't mean in the future there couldn't be more traffic.
And that's it for me. Thank you. >> I would agree with him. I'm I wouldn't be at all surprised if once students realize that that is an open road for them to use that traffic would be very defin. I think they're just so
accustomed to having that closed and be unavailable that it would take long to change and and students are a lot of students are pretty young and they drive faster than some others and so we experienced it
before and it was really not you know >> so you song. Jimmy, >> you want to say your name and who you are? I see your hand is up. >> I'm not hearing from Jamie. How about
Michelle? You have something to say, Michelle? >> Hi. Sorry. Michelle Alan B 14 Caroline again. Um, so when we're talking about the statistics of like one car an hour, that's irrelevant to me because if you
looked back when it was closed, when they were doing the rotary, it was many more cars than one an hour and they were going significantly faster than the speed limit. And I think that we all just need to understand that the people who are saying this are people who live
here and the people who watched cars go flying by these houses. And I really appreciate that we've brought up that there are no sidewalks on this road. And of course once people start to realize that they don't have to wait in traffic in a line, of course
they're going to start cutting through. If the mayor said that she wants this open specifically for emergencies, then GCC needs to honor that and it needs to not just be a second when whoever whenever kind of situation. It needs to
be monitored by GCC. It has we we've got to work together here cuz we're right here and there has to be some kind of signs. There needs to be some kind of way to control the speed. I think the speed is the main concern of the people in the neighboring
community here. So again, I agree with the ladies that are there when it comes to obviously I want people to be able in emergency situation to get out of that area, but I also feel like if we're talking about public safety, we need to
also talk about kids playing in the street and potentially getting hit by a car. So anyway, that's what I have to say. Um, Jim, and then I think I'm going to start to wrap up the the comment section here and we'll see if we can figure out
a way to move forward. >> Yeah. Yeah. One one thing. Okay. I I think we all understand the problem that that this is not meant to be a through fair that the gate uh if it's open at
GCC, you know, at the GCC side, people can go down, students can come out, and speed's a problem. I don't think we've talked about speed bumps much, but we could have some pretty hefty speed bumps on the road. Um, but I'd like to ask the
residents, okay, given all you've heard, what would you recommend that we do? What, you know, specifically, what should we do? I I understand your concerns and I I I really do and I understand Jack's concern about
emergency vehicle access, but I'm not sure what the residents really think a good resolution of this would be. I think having >> given all given all the the all the constraints given all the constraints
>> I mean keeping the gate there but closed but also accessible if in a e if that's what it's for for an emergency situation have it be able to be opened in an emergency situation >> like I I'm not sure who the council
member was that mentioned that was that was genius Like it's so simple. It keeps it closed from through traffic, but it needs but it can be allowed in an emergency situation because if that's what we're really just talking about, it
allows that to be an option. I think that would be a a well-rounded solution. >> Okay. And and and Jack, how hard is it to to leave the gate closed, but uh with some effort, not major effort, unlock
it? >> Are you so leaving it? Close it and then lock it. >> Leave it unlocked, right? >> So that in an emergency, it can easily be pushed aside and cars can go both
ways, right? But if it being closed, unlocked, can't imagine anybody's going to make an effort to get out and open it just to try. So I think it would be a deterrent. >> You probably hold it shut the traffic. >> Yeah.
>> I mean, when we we talk about closed, but you know, uh there there are locks and there are locks. If you put a chain around there with a combination lock, that's a heck of a lot different than one of these locks that uh you see on uh
you know in farmyards where you you got to go over and you lift the thing or or you do something like that. I mean what what we're talking about something that is inconvenient >> to unlock it, but it is easily unlocked if you really need to.
>> So great. Thanks. Thanks, Jim. Um, okay. So, I think we've heard we appreciate you coming and thank you. Thank you so much. >> Um, I appreciate that, Jack. Thank you so much for um being here and and u all
this stuff. Uh, I appreciate it. So, I think what we'll do now is, you know, we here are an advisory committee for the mayor. So, all we can do is say, okay, here's our recommendation to the mayor. um what we'd like the mayor to do and as
we know the mayor doesn't necessarily have any sway over Jack in in GCC. So, but we're all here to hear everybody and figure out what could be done and then figure out what uh else can happen. U you have do you have anything you wanted
to say or >> um I had one suggestion about mitigating it is can you send a do you have a newsletter? I'm sure everybody has email. Send a email to all students and staff saying don't use the gate even
if it's open. >> Then they're all going to know about it. >> Oh, that's true. I didn't think that. >> Yeah. But you know, just get it out there. Say, "Hey, don't use it." >> So, yeah.
as a does anybody have a proposal that we submit to the mayor around what we feel like should happen here? Members members of the commission. John? >> Yeah. Hi. I I'll I'll start. Uh so I I
would propose that um our recommendation to the mayor would be to uh coordinate with GCC to have that gate be closed and unlocked during um class hours uh to request GCC
if they've got like hourly checks or whatever that could be part of their hourly checks. I know I did when I was a cop in the Navy. Um, similarly, I'm sure the neighbors will close it if they see it open. Um, I think that it needs to be communicated with the students, right?
Because they're going to need, especially if it's closed and unlocked, they will need to know that that is an option in an emergency as a as an egress. Um, and we just have to expect and enforce that the students will have good behavior and they should. It's in
their interest, right? Um, you know, of course there will be acceptance. Uh, so I'm digressing. Um, yeah, so the recommendation is closed and unlocked during um hours. You know, coordinate with GCC. Uh, ask them to check on it.
Um, check on the signage and um maybe request they put in like a speed bump uh by the gate. Over. >> That all sounds pretty good to me. Um except maybe the speed bump. I think if the gate if there is a gate I don't know
if the speed bump is necessary. >> I think even having like an emergency exit only >> if you don't want to put emergency access only so that people know that they can't exit if they were a true emergency like that's totally
reasonable. And I mean the college put up other signs recently that that can cost a lot of money. picture it would be would be hugely expensive to put up like one sign on that side and if the city wanted to put up another sign on the other side that's like the city's side.
>> Great. Amy, can you add something about a emergency exit only sign? >> Yes. >> I second that idea. >> I totally agree that that is the cheapest most logical way to handle this
whole thing. And uh so Jack, from your perspective, just to come back around to this, um I know um I understand you're you're feeling like, oh, that's not going to really stop anybody. I appreciate that. That does that's that's probably true.
But from a fulfilling the needs of a second egress, would that uh work? >> I got to think about it. Let me talk with >> Great. That sounds great. Appreciate that.
>> Okay. So, >> I would also suggest that there be two highspeed bumps, one at the beginning and one at the end. And how practical that is from a DPW standpoint, >> but if if there's a gate there, a gate's
going to slow anyone down more than a speed bump. So I think um in an emergency situation I don't think you need that and I think it's it's extra expense for my my that's my opinion >> agree I I don't
>> do we have semblance of a >> I just I'm I'm just addressing the issue of speed >> and and don't forget speed works both ways both going in >> residence and coming out residents. >> Yeah. Yeah. So friendly a you know uh
well I guess we're not really too emotion or anything but um I mean we can always iterate on this. I think you know we start with the gate. If it's a problem it getting open and left open all the time we can always I'm sure the these residents will bring it back to our attention
and we can we can address that at that point. >> And if that gate is closed I would imagine and only open for emergencies that's going to cut the use down to practically nothing. So at the expense of the speed
kind of embraced it. >> Would you like me to read to you what I believe we have? >> Okay. Great. >> Okay. >> Here is the recommendation that I believe that we have to coordinate to to ask the mayor to coordinate with GCC to have the gate closed but unlocked during
class hours. I don't know if we want the during class hours in there, but >> we can just say closed and unlocked for emergency purposes >> and just closed but unlocked. I mean, they're not going to go out there and lock or unlock it. >> So, to coordinate to ask the mayor to
coordinate with GCC to have the gate be closed but unlocked. Um, ask GCC police to keep an eye on the gate. Communicate to students, faculty, and staff that the gate is unlocked for emergency access but not regular usage.
and an emergency exit sign on the GCC side as you're exiting. Do I have that? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Or ask GCC to look at signage, whatever. >> I think both sides of the gate.
>> Yeah. >> I I I would I would also I would put a dead end sign instead of the no through traffic. dead end is a lot more uh believable than no through traffic. I mean >> so
>> I think it is but that's my opinion and I I'll go with whatever. >> Well, I think it's just for students. I mean >> Yeah. >> And they know that the gates open. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Amy, I like what you put forward. I did not you >> I like what you read out. >> What you read out? I like what you read out. >> Uh Jean, do you have anything to say about it, Mike?
>> I think if GCC's and if if there's difficulty in them, then we can come back and revisit all the mitigation things and all of that. But if >> if this works, then we can go from there. Um,
and Jim, we heard from you, John, and if you have anything to say, uh, Jim or John, >> would you just recap what the recommendation is? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> One more time. >> You got it. Um, give me 30 seconds here.
>> Okay. Ask the mayor to coordinate with GCC to have the gate closed but unlocked. Ask GCC police to keep an eye on the gate. Communicate to students, faculty, and staff that the gate is unlocked for
emergency access, but not regular usage. And emergency exit only signs on both sides of the gate. >> Not not sure you need it on both sides, but certainly the GCC side. >> I'm good with that, >> John.
Okay. All right. I'm I'm good with that, too. Do we have a motion? >> Sure. I'll make the motion that we accept it. Uh accept the recommendation as uh Amy read or will
>> Great. We have a second. Any discussion? >> We do. >> All right. Um all in favor? >> Yeah. Jim, say your name and what you what your vote is.
You're muted. >> I vote in in favor of the motion. >> Dawn in favor. >> Mike. >> Mike Mullen. Vote in favor. >> Jean M in favor. >> Good one. In favor. >> Thank you so much for coming. I hope
>> you can say >> thank you Jack really appreciate it and everyone else up there. >> No, >> thank you. >> Hi, Mom. >> It's like what is that? >> I'm sorry.
>> What do you say that wasn't good? >> We want to see if anyone's here for public comment on another issue. >> Yeah, we'll see. Give it a second. I I'm set up. >> Okay. Yeah. Anyone else here for public
comment on the Zoom? Okay. Let's move on. Okay. Review question FRTA for buses entering signage coming off of Bank Row. So this is so coming off of Bank Row. This
is turning onto Hopes to Olive Street. >> Yes. it. Yeah. Uh I was not 100% sure what the signs were supposed to be, but it sound like signs on put the signs on Bank Row. >> Okay. >> For the buses that enter Olive Street at
the Correct Center. >> And and what's the reason for this? Um, so someone from the FRTA reached out to the city and I don't know if they're having trouble with pedestrians, but when bus there's no signage to let you know that that turn off of Bankro coming
in both directions that that's where the buses are going to the transfer station. I don't know if there have been particular incidents or not. Um, but I went and looked and she's right. There are no >> there are no >> buses turning signs there at all. So,
>> we have any objections to adding signs? >> I mean, someone have to decide where to put them. I my I'm a little partial like if the bus kind of speaks for itself. So, like I I like that's just like a if someone's like, "Here's where the sign
should go. Here's the sign. Put the sign here." And we could do it very inexpensively and very easily. But the if you don't see the bus, then you're not going to see the sign. >> Yeah. I don't I don't understand this purpose. Like I don't understand what the signs are supposed to do.
>> I don't either. Thank you. >> Um I mean is is it I mean are are people is it the crosswalk and people are running out in front while the bus is trying to turn?
Um I I don't get it. Um one and two um you know sides aren't that cheap. they're, you know, by the time you do burden labor putting them in, it's a couple hundred per sign. So, first, I mean, I think we need to figure out what the purpose is because I don't get it.
And second, if we agree on it, I think, you know, maybe we can have let FRTA put up some signs. Um, those are my thoughts. >> Amy, do you think we could get or maybe we can get one of someone to come in and
>> Sure. They um they were hoping to come tonight. So, um, if they pop on later, maybe we can circle back to them. Otherwise, I can absolutely get more information. >> It's their parking lot. So, shouldn't they do the sign? >> I mean, I' I've been told we can't park
there to go to meetings there because >> Yeah, I don't know. To be honest with you, I don't know when it's an FRTA sign, but the city's putting it up on a city street. I presume that FRTA would I I don't know. Yeah. I mean, I I just think it makes their parking lot would
be >> Yep. >> And you can't And you can't park there. >> Yeah. The sign would be on Bank Row, so it's not a sign in their parking lot. It's a sign on the city street just that there are buses that turn there. >> Um, but I think your point is still well
taken. >> I I I think John put his finger on it. What problem are we trying to solve here? FRTA hasn't told us what the what the problem is. >> Yeah. >> Are there lots of breaks >> where buses run out of people? >> I will find out if they don't join us
before the end of the meeting. >> Just think anyone's been whenever. >> Um, okay. So, I propose that we table this so we can hear from them. >> Yeah. open to them clarifying what the
problem statement is more than the getting to the solution. >> Okay, sounds good. Um, great. Uh, review of requested parking guard signage locations for Olive Street garage.
Um, >> John has >> Yeah. Yeah. I I was watching the city council uh when that came up. Um and I've been looking and I I don't see any parking signs that direct towards towards the garage. Um you know, off
Bank Row um or it seems like we probably would want like I mean a couple, but I think the most important one would be from like the Court Square intersection, right? The the main and federal and then one at Bank Row kind of funneling the main flow of traffic to the garage. Um,
the other part of it that came up in the council was they were talking about like the the lighted ones they have in Northampton. This is how many spaces are available and I I did like some quick Googling and that sounds um prohibitively expensive. Um, but the
parking I don't see the parking signs. I I I looked out a little bit. Um, looks like the ones that exist towards the smaller lots maybe predate the garage and that was a overlook. >> Yeah. Okay, >> I'm definitely not opposed.
>> What's up, John? You're going to run this committee. >> Sorry. >> I get excited. >> I'm definitely not opposed to that. I think >> it's logical that you have signs that tell strangers where to park.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. And we It It's seems to be a bit of the We're trying to get more garage usage. >> Yes. Um, >> and the number of people, the number of spaces don't matter because they're
>> Yeah, we're just Yeah, right now I think that's I be if we wanted to be really sort of analytical about it, we could try to look at some of our parking numbers in the garage based on when it's counted. Try to get some signs up and see just to measure the effect because that if we get a couple signs and we
maybe see a signal, maybe we get a couple more before signing up the entire town for the garage. But I think that it's probably worth further pursuing. Um, how hard is it to get something like data on monthly usage of based on paid
things from kiosks? >> Um, so challenging in the garage right now because the kiosk does not work. >> There's nothing right now. >> Passport. >> Yeah. So like so we can use Exactly. Yeah. When I said kiosk, I meant whatever interface people are using. >> I think so. The best way of getting um
counts right now is probably a human going over at various points. >> Okay. >> Um in terms of accuracy. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So my department has gone over there when people um >> I don't mind doing those things too. I have weird activities like going like
pick some times go in do some counts try to get estimates. >> Yeah. I think um I think your point is taken to start with a couple or a few. And I think the mayor's thought um she had proposed three locations, but we could even start with two. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. And especially if we
have proposals, the more we could get here's what we're looking at, the more we get details, but I think every right now is everyone good to >> say, let's see that Gene had suggested of the sort of somewhere up at the main street intersection and it may be a couple coming from each, you know,
direction or something like something like that. Yeah. >> Um and then one down coming up. As you're coming up bank row, there's nothing to suggest that you should turn right. >> Yeah. >> You by the time you see it, you're past it. >> So, John, I think you raised your hand
first. >> Oh, I I just heard a statement. Um I I don't think that the garage usage is a problem. I mean, garage comes up a lot. It's a hot topic. Um, and so I feel like we're constantly in um,
I don't know, clarification mode on that. Um, but but this was brought up and it's just a valid point that there there is not signage towards the garage. So, it's just rectifying a lack of signage would be my just correction there.
>> Uh, Stephanie. >> Hi, Stephanie Duclo. Thank you for letting me speak. I just wanted to let you know that there are cameras in that building. Um, we have watched actually uh police response happened when
somebody took out one of the uh height restriction bars with a vehicle they didn't realize couldn't pass under. So, data that exists and I hope that the signage that was mentioned by the city
council isn't part of a petitioning effort to change the Hope Street law into housing because I think that kind of crosses a line in this town. So, thank you. I just want to let you know there is information. You don't have to sit
there. I'm sure the police can come the camera right there. Okay. Thank you, Stephanie. Jim, >> yeah, my my only uh comment is I don't think you have to count anything other than revenue >> and you see whether the revenue takes
up. >> Right. That's true. >> All right. Um great. So, do somebody want to put forward a motion >> suggest
>> suggestion about what we're going to be >> recommending recommendation. Oh. Uh, I I'll motion for um the the mayor to consider uh standard parking signage pointing towards uh the
Olive Street garage from each avenue of approach. Great. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a second. Um, any discussion? Any additional discussion?
All right. Uh, roll call. Um, Jim, you want to start? You're muted right now. >> I'm in. Yes. I vote yes. >> Great. >> John. >> John. Yes.
>> Mike. >> Mike. Yes. genius. >> Okay, it's a bathroom. Yes. Um, all right. So, let's uh move on. Uh, Duran Drive stop sign issue. So, this is very close to Homestead
Avenue there, right? Do we know what the >> I don't know. >> It is different. >> This has to do with I believe foliage somewhat blocking. Oh, >> so it was two issues, but one um I think
the mayor's office was going to talk to DPW. So, um it's where Duran Drive comes down and meets there. Along Duran Drive, there was um there's been overgrowth that's obscuring some signage and that the mayor's office is working with BPW
and I would assume the neighborhood to try to get that trimmed back. Um, and then there was an issue where when you come down Duran and you um reach there, I'll just read what the woman said. Um, when parked at the stop sign on Duran
Drive looking to the right, it's impossible to see what traffic is coming down the road without sticking your vehicle into the lane of traffic coming from the east. Due to the bushes, I guess this is still the landscape. Do the bushes running along the road. Is there anything that can be done? So I I
believe the regulation says you have to keep a a line of sight along the corner. Um so >> so maybe we table this and let the DPW landscape or figure that out and then if there remains an issue. >> Yeah. >> We could bring it back. >> Do we still
>> the bushes are the a resident's bushes? They they have to take care of them as well, >> right? To maintain that site, right? Yeah. >> Yeah. And I think the regulations say there's a faucet that can be >> you know you can't just >> I worked at
>> I think that if the resident is either unwilling or unable to do that then there might be a grayer line. >> Don't know if that's what's being navigated or not but >> yeah I believe at some point the town can administer a fine based on the municipal code. It's like $50 a day or
something if you want to go that way. But >> yeah. >> Okay. Um, great. So, I feel like we we'll table that. It seems like a DPW has it in hand and we don't need to accept it. If it does come up again, we'll discuss it. >> Great.
Okay. Review of speed mitigation request driveways on Norwood Street. This is a straight up speed mitigation request. Um the email said that there are a bunch of new young families who've moved in on Norwood and on Birch.
>> Um and that drivers are speeding down Norwood like the runway without regard to small children or anything else. So they are asking the city for some deterrent whether it's a visible speed limit sign, a flashing sign or something else. >> Yep. And this is what this is what you came and spoke about last week. That was
different. >> A lot of people talk about >> Okay. So being a general >> ongoing issue and >> yeah and this is part of that >> same street is brought up too. >> Yeah I I totally agree and it's true um
>> well I can't remember everything but >> yeah I live by this one. I did like a um I think um I've got some photos and kind of like a document of a write up of like at least what that street looks like. we want to kind of get into the weeds. Um,
there's some I mean, I'm kind of still a little analytically focused. I already won an eBay bid on a speed gun. Um, and there's some things that you can kind of see just in the design that make you think that there might be some stuff that's
happening there. um particularly nor so right when there's Chapman and then eventually get over to Davis and you get over to Federal Norwood runs along where there's the baseball fields um from the Chapman side as you approach
Davis as you approach the baseball fields it's a very wide open street there's sidewalks on only one side um the lanes from center to to the curb are in excess of 12 ft.
There's not a lot of street trees and very few residents park on the street. If you on the same street, if you get on to Norwood at the baseball fields, we had sidewalks on both sides. Street trees get a little tighter. Everything gets visually busier and a lot of the
residents for whatever reason along that end of the street tend to park. Some residents park. So now you get this narrowing effect. I would just be curious to see if we were just counting speeds a few different times. If you just see that even on those two stretches of the identical street,
you're seeing a little bit of a slowdown >> and then maybe looking at even even things that the neighbors can do right there. It's like, hey, would everyone want to get together for a weekend and park in the street and see if this works? And if it does, can we escalate to maybe I mean bumpouts are expensive,
but you could start with like small planner boxes and things like that and move move from there. Basically escalate as the neighbors. >> Yeah. So, I I think I think we should uh I think what we should do is we should
put this on as a a traffic calming uh agenda item that we continue to talk about and come and come up with strategies and recommendations for the mayor to uh pursue, right? Because um and one of those I think uh what was
your name again? >> Pamela. >> Pamela. So suggestion is that to not do warnings to do tickets more often for police. I don't know how that works and what if there is um you might know if
there is a if police have some sort of thing that they go by about whether or not they give a ticket or or a warning. >> Oh for speeding. >> For speeding. Yeah. Yeah. So it might >> there was an article in the paper also
about I think the chief of police talked about a dummy car. You just park a car there. It slows people down. Yeah. >> And I believe what's >> if I understood the article right they don't have this extra cars just there because that definitely slows people
down. So you see somebody sitting there like uh oh you know you're more aware. >> Yeah. Um so I think uh I think there was a really good effort um by previous
people to to make the default speed change down 25 um which I think is has been good but doesn't mean people actually follow that right so >> having enforcement is always good and then also other traffic following
measures such as uh narrowing you know having cars park on the street. I I'm in favor of of uh you know uh non-permanent pumpouts such as planting boxes where you could put those in you know
neighbors neighborhoods could request them to have them in there which would you know narrow the street temporarily and they could volunteer to maintain them. Is there any recommendation about
have we done anything like that in the past officially? >> No. >> So like does um do we need to recommend that the mayor ensure that there is a pathway so that you're not just obstructing the road? >> No. >> Can we kind of be something we come up
with all the details for? >> No. No. No. But yeah. So, and I think there's we have done a complete streets plan for Greenfield TV. Is that true? Yes. Which I think probably had a lot of recommendations around these kind of
things. Look at that. John, I see your hands up there. Jim, I see your hands up there. What is John first? >> Yeah. Hi. Oh, Pamela got part of it. I was going to say something we've done in the past which is pretty easy is um either the mobile um you know radar sign
speed radar sign or the you know the semi-operating patrol car that they park around. Um so that's a you know basically free recommendation we could put up. um kind of this is related to this and more tangentially. I think in
the past when speed bumps things like that have come up um I believe uh past DPW leadership did not like them and I've noticed Northampton has speed bumps. So I mean to me it doesn't seem to be a snow plow issue which I think
what's been quoted in the past. So, I I don't know if if the new leadership, how they stand on it, um if that can be a tool we can use going forward. Go over. >> I think it's a good idea to ask the mayor to ask DPW how they feel about
speed bumps >> because they do make you slow down. For sure. >> Yeah. My issue was is I I come across um Denell Road
crossing over Silver and onto um Washurn and at that corner I have to pull my car out uh so it's it's beyond the crosswalk in order to see cars coming from uh M
from High Street. Is there an an ordinance that pertains to um line of sight and intersection? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> For for for Yes, there is an ordinance
about in the zoning laws about how far back, you know, you can put a fence up on the corner or have bushes on the corner and how high they can be for to maintain visibility. >> Okay. Um, I don't know how well enforced
it is. >> Any any say not at all. >> Yes. >> Well, that that would be my impression, too. >> I'm not sure what to do about it. >> Don't complain. Yes. >> Right. >> I'm looking for that.
>> Stop. >> Jim, I think if you complain, you could probably get that changed. >> Oh, well, put me on the agenda for never. You don't have to complain to us. I think you just have to complain to DPW,
right? Yeah. Um Okay. So, um I think we have some traffic calming suggestions we could go to the mayor. I do think it would be great to have um a
more citywide thoughtout plan for traffic calming in general. um and figure out ways to do that. I mean, uh there are towns where they've I don't know if you've ever seen this where
they've like made the s them not have thorough streets, right? They put like barricades at a diagonal on the on the block corner so people have to chicane >> chicanees. Yeah. I'm not proposing that because I think that would freak people
out, but I think there are some other things that we could do and on a citywide level. You know, maybe it's more stop signs or uh speed bumps, etc. So maybe we could find a list of those things, maybe talk to the DPW about
them, look at the other plans that we already have out there. This is complete streets and see whether there are things that we could do and adopt in order to do this, which we've heard from so many people over the years about this very issue. Um Stephanie, I know you've been
said it many times about traffic and and how we can try to slow things down. and four-way stop signs in neighborhoods will stop the traffic. Yes, >> I think there's um I mean this is kind of getting into we have this topic here if these come in and we're looking at
streamlining and I think we're looking to create some type of process I think also where residents can say hey here's where I am here's the problem what can I help do today instead of necessar like so I think there might be something
there >> maybe we need to come up with a formal recommendation of here's you know here's a p packet of projects that we've seen in maybe nearby communities or in other areas. Can we get this rolling and can we get pilot programs or something like that that running that turn kind of puts
this into a bucket? Yeah. >> Great. >> With respect to speed, with respect to speed, >> the way you really slow down slow things down is you don't repair the streets.
just like in >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I want a Chapman's doing real good right now. >> Um if this because it came up I can't remember if it might have been Jim.
It's article 3 section 3857 site obstructions prohibited. if you really want to get into the hype. Um, information on line of sight. The one more time, article 3, section 3857,
visual obstructions at intersections. >> All right. So, my proposal is that we recommend to the mayor that we um you know, we review some of the initial street combing stuff and
recommended the mayor look towards doing a citywide street caling effort. Uh traffic, sorry, traffic calming effort. >> Yeah. so that we can try to address this more >> because it seems to be in all lots of
neighborhoods. So, why not have a citywide discussion about it? >> Is this on us to um and I think like we're kind of tasked with like studying traffic conditions and things like that. Should should we come start kind of making this an ongoing project to get a
little bit more of a a clean proposal to say what the what we think? >> Sure. >> Yeah. Sounds like a great idea. >> And yeah, >> and it sounds like you're good at that kind of stuff. >> I I very happy to be here.
>> We didn't want to be bored on this immediately. >> Do you want to make a recommendation specific for Dur Drive or you want it? >> So, um, so for Dur Drive, I think we we said that DPW is just going to do that. >> We don't have to deal with Dur Drive.
>> I'm sorry. Norwood. Norwood. >> Um, >> I got my speed gun coming. Who was the resident? Barbara. >> Say that again. >> The resident I think was Barbara. >> Maybe I'm wrong. >> So,
>> yeah. Do we have a specific thing? I >> I mean, I could What was the mitigation? >> I don't think we have a mitigation. Maybe his speed limit signage was something that was suggested because I don't believe there is any signage. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. I think I thought you
were talking about mine. I I mentioned the patrol car and the uh the mobile what speed limit sign, the little one on the trailer that they park around different places. We could recommend they park that there for a while. >> And who who uh determines that? Is it
the police determines where that goes? And >> Yes. So, May. So I think our I suggest our recommendation would be that Judy talks to the the police and uh determines whether you know Norwood in particular
could have more police u visibility and maybe the the speed sign. How's that sound? >> I can ask. Okay, great. That sound is something for us to say.
Okay. Okay. Review of parking. So it is 7. Does anyone have a deadline? >> Scheduled until 7:30. >> Okay, great. Perfect. >> Say we start again at 7:30 and waiting around. >> Yeah.
>> Great. uh review of parking on the north side of Church Street in St. James Church during construction. So, this is they're like redoing the roof there or something. >> They have I'm not sure what they're doing there, but when you come up Federal and you turn right onto church,
um there's scaffolding all along the church that's budding out into the street a bit. So, it's squishing all of the traffic left and there's parking on that side of the street. So, and >> today the parking spots were like you couldn't use them.
>> How did they do that? >> I think there was like I think the scaffolding I believe so was there was so much scaffolding they had like some tape and like cones like don't park here because we're working right now. >> I'm talking about the spots across the street. >> Oh, on the other side on the other side >> parking on both sides. And so when the
scaffolding takes up one side of the parking and there's cars parked in the other, everybody's >> it's people are going wide to avoid the scaffolding. >> Yeah. >> And then when you're turning onto the street and there somebody's coming,
there's nowhere for the car turning onto the street to go. So the question was during the construction if those parking spaces on the north side of the street, so across the street from the construction, maybe shouldn't be parking spaces to give traffic a wider path just
during the time that the scaffolding is up. >> And I would say this is for the coffee that people are parking there. >> I park there and run across the street. >> Yeah, >> you've got a lit side. So,
>> so, um, that seems like it'd be pretty easy to do. Are they meters there? >> Yes, >> there are meters. >> I think the meters got taken down. >> I don't think so. >> Maybe there's paint. >> I meters. So, so they would just put up
a couple saw horses saying no parking. Um, >> yeah, there's no meters. >> They taken down like on Church Street. >> Okay. On on both sides. >> On both sides of church.
>> Yes. >> On both sides of church. Are you asking about the meters being taken down or >> Yeah. I mean, there are no meters on Church Street on on that section of Church Street. Is that correct? >> That is my understanding. >> They they took them out a year or two
ago, I believe, after the parking study, if I recall correctly. >> Yeah. I don't know. I I I think there's still they still are, but it doesn't matter. If there are meters, you just bag them and and restrict parking. I mean, as as
you know, or tape or whatever is going to work. >> How do you stop people from John? Oh, I just I I didn't hear this mentioned, but if this is related to the construction right there, >> shouldn't should that be should that
cost go to the person receiving the construction? Like if we need to put things out there? I just wanted to touch on that. >> Good question that I don't know the answer to. And if there are no parking meters and they're painted stop parking
places, how would you stop people from parking there? >> I would probably talk to the DPW or the police, but my first thought is saw horses. If the police or DPW have saw, you know, the big wooden saw horses that you just stick in the parking spaces or
>> sometimes they have like a sign that says Oh, yeah. Parking. >> I would punt that question to police or DPW. Okay. I mean, DPW, we don't have any signage. We would probably just go to
DPW. >> So, I I would propose that there be no parking across from the church until the project's finished. >> Earth traffic safety issues. >> Okay. We have a proposal.
Um, Mike, you want to second it? Sure. Yes. Second to >> um any discussion about proposal. Okay. Um all in favor Jim.
>> Jim votes in favor of it. Great. John. >> John. Yes. Mike. >> Mike. Yes. >> Jean. Yes. Sebastian. Yes. All right. Um Okay.
Discussion on procedures for traffic related concern and signage needs. Welcome parking traffic versus other entities and how that process might be streamlined. Okay. So >> big open-ended one.
>> Big open. Well, I think I can give some context if it would be helpful. Yes. Um there has been a fair amount of I think just staff turnover and shifting of roles. Yeah. And um but for Sebastian and a bit Jean and a couple years John and Jim um there's a whole lot of new
people in all of those departments and it feels like there's a lack of clarity when these um questions come in from constituents about I would like a stop sign or can you talk about speeding or um things like that. uh and it's not
totally clear which things should come to us or if there are things that should just go directly to police or DPW or whatever and it would be great um the mayor has suggested if there could be some sort of clear path or procedure
form whatever it is um so that as a resident you know how to make the ask and we as the city know how when the ask comes in how to shepherd it effectively. Like I don't expect we'll solve this tonight. >> Totally.
>> But >> yeah, like I mean I like work in manufacturing and like there's like all this stuff about like tribal knowledge and traditional knowledge and then like people retire and then you're like who does this like type of thing and there is like I call it like what's
someone might like what's the process and then I'm go so here's what they do and you're like where's that written? How do I know that? and and it's like so you have a practice kind of a process and there's something about like trying to like sort of like uncover that as you go and which slows everything down and
doesn't streamline anything but like with the hope that >> moving on now you're able to say like here's this bucket here's this bucket and now we're sorting and like whistling along >> that's that's not even an answer to the question >> and what would they like I mean what
would the police like what DPW like >> I mean why don't we start from that? >> Sounds like we need to get everybody in the room. >> Get some people in the room. Yeah. >> How about we ask police to ask DP? >> Then there's also there's also other
um other committees that have things to say about this too. Right. So >> it's like going into public safety >> and what's this? There's the the one that does like the
not the signage but the fees and stuff like that. Um >> licensing. >> Yeah. >> So I think often often things that come to us are coming to them and they actually have more authority than us.
>> We have no authority. >> We have no authority. So I think sometimes like that that that's another player. Yep. >> I think the public would like to know where to go. Yeah. >> And that we're easy if they just send something to us.
>> I mean, I'm just saying in terms of talking to the police and the DPW that we're an easy place to dump problems. >> Yeah. I think just like see click fix and maybe see fix is like sort of part of the answer but that there would be a
central place it the public shouldn't have to decide like is this TPW a place or the public should just >> dump it >> dump it and we should have a clear process for this is a thing that traffic and parking should talk about or this is a
>> this just needs DPW to trim the bush or >> whatever. >> Yeah. I think we're trying to do this. The city's still doing the sorting. We just want to know like how it's We're not asking the public to sort. >> Correct. >> Yeah. We're we're trying to Yeah. >> Y
>> um >> can I ask how's the public get to you now? Do they just email? Usually they email you. >> That's how they get to me. They typically email the mayor's office. >> Oh. um >> and she >> sometimes it goes to others and then it usually
>> so they're more kind of the sorting when they just send a lot to you that >> they are the sorting but I think the basic sorting that happens right now is either this has to do with a like a fine or or a speeding ticket or something like that that's that's money or
disciplinary for lack of a better word and that goes to either a police or treasur's office and then everything else >> signs trees squishy speeding whatever that tends to get to Christian or now me
to you. >> I can't wait. >> Um, >> and that's where that's where I I've only been doing this for two months and I've really struggled with is this an issue that needs to go to parking and traffic or can I just ask DPW if they
think there should be a sign, you know, can you put up a sign or and I feel like there must be some dividing line. been very vague over the years just and it all depends on who's running what and what they're
>> I think there'll always be a certain amount of gray but I think it would be helpful. >> Well, we've got lots of hands up. >> Oh, I I think you called me. Um I went I don't know it's been maybe two years since I've been on here. I asked this when I first came on. Um there's also
gaps I think between uh where things are. So uh one of the things I was passionate about Hi Grady um was bicycles. Um so there's no there's no bicycling either in our um
uh mandate whatever it says in the charter or in public safety. So I think you know one way to cut it is try and put transportation you know in our bucket. So similarly, pedestrians, sidewalks, that stuff's not covered. So, um, you know, we've talked about it before, and I'm sure we'll talk about it
again in the next couple years if rural funding is not just cut completely. Um, the main street project, right, where we talk about, you know, pedestri, you know, that that touches the pedestrian needs along the main street as well as parking and bicycle lanes. And I think
in the advisory capacity, I think we're very much um in the right discussing that even though bicycling and pedestrian is not part of our kind of section of the charter. Um and I would suggest then public safety would be more things like you know law enforcement,
right? Speeding tickets. Um so that's my put over. >> Yeah. I'm along along the lines of John. I mean, it just seems to me, hey, if it's a parking or a traffic problem, it comes to us. And if we get stuff that
isn't parking in traffic, then we we hand it off. I mean, I'm not sure I I understand how big a problem this is, if it's a problem at all. >> Yeah. I hear from Erin about that. >> Yeah. Erin, sounds like Erin might be
able to tell us more. Erin, would you like to tell us more? You're muted. >> Sorry. Sorry for being muted. Um I'm sure you can hear the people in the background who have a lot to say because they can see their dad and who's out of town. So
>> very exciting. Um, so, um, I I want to make it clear first off that the mayor's office is always happy to work with the parking and traffic commission as well as all the other boards and commissions to, um, delegate responsibilities, delineate things, blah blah blah blah
blah, all the other big words that um, we are supposed to use. But also like I think there actually is a really important point that we are facing right now where we are trying to revamp things to make it better for the people in Greenfield and
Brady Ezra Shalooa upstairs right now. >> Okay. But I was going to make my >> No, we're not doing this right now. Go. I apologize. And everybody's frozen. >> I still need to eat. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I had to parent for a
moment because again, dad is on Zoom because he's not here. >> Um, so the mayor's office is always And now the 17-year-old go. I am so sorry. Um,
you're usually better behaved anyway. Um, so we are always happy to help. We want to we want to figure out the best way to work with everybody to make sure that the right things are being filtered to the right places. And um I had a better point earlier, but unfortunately
I also have children who are have driven it out of my head. I might be back later. I'm so sorry. >> Okay. that you're >> got >> um that's I I mean maybe like thinking
about this problem coming into it a high level I feel like we could either look at all the stuff that comes our way and try to like as it comes tag it and then just sort of take them take a little bit at the end somewhere and sort of see
like okay how are we sort like sorting them as they come or we just sit here and we list off like what in people who have been here James Sebastian like what feels like some buckets I feel like those are the two approaches we can mix that up but like that's >> my approach would probably be that if it
has if there's any chance that that it could be important for us to talk about it it should come to us that doesn't mean it shouldn't go other places but you know as you know advisatory committee to the mayor you know we don't
it's not like uh you know All we have is is we just give our opinion on these things, right? And so I think casting a broad net is a good thing for us. It's very easy to say, "Oh, this is not appropriate for us. We're not going to
talk about that and move on." So that would be my opinion. Just like keep it very pretty broad. Um and then if I also would say that probably it's more like the mayor um or the mayor's office looking at all
the different committees and PWF police I think do that. I think there's also something that's like if it's a novel thing or it's going to have a big effect then we should definitely be talking about it. If it's just like, oh, we need
another 15 minutes thought there, we probably don't need to talk about I'm sorry, that's probably a bad example. The 15 >> No, I actually think that's a perfect example because the the things that will have a big impact or just based on my limited experience the past two months and the flurry of emails that do come
in. Um, it's very easy. What does belong here feels very easy, but then it's those could I get a 15 minute spot here? And I'm like, does that need to wait 3 weeks for the next parking and traffic commission to have a public meeting to discuss a 15-minute sign? And maybe it
absolutely does. And that's fine. And I'm just tuning you to know that. But I I thought it was at least worth the conversation of is there some sort of line where if it's just a I don't know. >> We like 15 minute signs.
>> So I think >> I always some stuff where I'm like then we could say every time something comes. like we don't want to talk we already talked about that we >> so I think I think there's a yes so I think that's where we could also get ahead of the game and say you know we
recommend this particular policy >> and yeah >> and then >> I think John is also putting in the chat um an example from Northampton that maybe we could look at for the next meeting >> right let's let's do that let's table this it seems like a big thing that we don't need to talk about right now let's
table this for the next meeting and um maybe look at rotated. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And I would think the mayor would want us to talk about stuff because that relieves her of let us get be the bad guys,
>> right? >> I mean, I'm I'm just saying >> absolutely. Absolutely. I guess again it just for me is is there a level of sort of dimminimous things that shouldn't have to wait until the next parking and traffic because it's very obvious that DPW should just be able to put up a
sign. >> Yeah. And then we there's an opportunity cost. What else are we going to do here? And then we are thinking about getting out the door and not focusing on maybe some important thing like I think it does. So, I definitely think there's a there's a bunch of things that are like if if it's time sensitive
um that it should probably happen and maybe it maybe it's like if we hear about it the next month when someone complains about it. >> Yeah. Like >> but I I think that major things like the street over being done over should
definitely come here for sure >> to be well the roundabout was not discussed. >> Yeah, we didn't talk about that. Yeah, I would have liked >> I mean I would have liked to have voiced my opinion on that because I have lots of those.
>> I'll just I I just wanted to add though um signs signs are not free. I my property tax bill is too high. We we have signs coming into town say 25 were not posted. And I think three or
four times in the two years I've been on here, people have said, "Well, I should have a 25 mile per hour sign on my block." >> Yeah. >> Um and it's that unless posted. And if you I mean, we should just assume that, you know, a sign is two or 30 hund bucks and you know, we already don't have
enough DPW staff or funding. So, >> yeah. Um, >> and and you know what's pretty cheap, John? Staples has you can get those political signs really cheap. >> Parking your car on the street >> and you can just like put it on there. You don't say 25. This is 25 miles an
hour. Just stick in the yard and it's true and it will work too. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The pool kits that we can offer, >> right? Um, >> your own sign. Okay. So, um >> your workshop come together.
>> So, updates on implementing changes to parking policies. >> This is a super quick one. We are um I am ready to issue the RFP. Oh, sorry. Did you ask me about the RFP for the parking kiosks? >> Yes,
I just shifted. My brain just went right to the next agenda item. >> I think that's right because that's part of updates on parking >> implementing changes to parking policies. Yes, >> edited that. Yes, update on the kiosk. Um, we are now ready to issue the RFP
for the kiosks as soon as I meet with the um finance director. I got or Christian got immediately before he left updates with some language from passport. And then I got updates um after talking with it with some language that they wanted included in there to
make sure that whatever system um people are responding to it will work with our existing IT. check off all those boxes. So, I have all of that. Now, I'm in the process of finalizing the RFP and sending it to the finance director and then he'll be ready to let it fly.
>> Wow, you've been busy. >> Just if I could shout out Christian yet again. Every day I find out more things that he was doing. Um, >> he made me a financial spreadsheet and
Google Sheets for all my budgets and everything. Oh, it's great. I could have never done packing. >> He's so cute. >> What's he doing now? >> He's working as the downtown district coordinator for the chamber seal downtowns.
>> Cool. Um Okay. Um parking benefit district. >> Um also a quick update. We created a parking benefit district which I think we came and talked to you about before. Um we have not yet had our first meeting because schedules have just been a
little bit crazy but we are hoping to meet um imminently uh to kick things off. >> And what is that? >> Um so it is a geographically delineated area which for our parking benefit district we defined as the central
commercial district which is um where basically all of our paid parking is. and it takes a portion or percentage of the um allowable parking revenue that comes in. So it's you're allowed to take kiosk meter
um and passport parking revenue. You can't take parking revenue from tickets. Yes. Um but those three things you can dedicate a portion of the revenue to go back into streetscape
um streetscape type improvements that will make it a nicer area to park or a safer area to park. So it could go for public safety things. It could go for crosswalk stuff. It could go for um public art that makes it nicer to park. Anything of that sort.
>> Where's that money going now? >> General funds, right? >> Fun. So, it's a way to encourage people that when you're parking, a portion of the dollars that you were putting into your app or your kiosk are going back um an investment into that neighborhood.
>> The way directs >> Yeah. >> I think it's to tie the fate of parking also to that neighborhood that's most affected by like >> forgoing whatever else is there because they're taking the part like >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That that reminded me um I was
going to say this earlier, I forgot completely. Um Olive Street parking garage signage like potentially that could come from parking benefit districts. Um and I think the original suggestion of council, I'm not sure if that came from like downtown business or
otherwise, but about like the the fancy digital parking space sign like they have in Northampton. When I Googled it looked like that would be something like two or $300,000 plus 10% a year in licensing for the tech. Um to to me that seems like too
too much for our city at this point. But if you know downtown business owners are interested in something like that then that could come out of their parking benefit district fund over. Great. But I hear a matter before us on those
or is that like just an update? >> Updates. Um so parking benefit district it says in the ordinance that um we'll come to this commission at least once a year to both share with you what our um priorities are in terms of projects that we hope to use those funds for and
report back on whatever it was that we did the year prior. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So we're getting >> And can we make suggestions? You >> sure can. Just just checking. >> All right. 7:29. >> Yay. >> The next meeting is scheduled for
October 28th. >> Will that is there anyone that won't work for? >> Sorry. [Music] >> Oh, yeah. Me, too. I already got >> I'm I'm gonna be out of town, but I think I can dial in.
>> Okay. Just to let you know. >> Great. Probably, but not that. >> So, we will have more without you. So, that should be fun. >> Yeah. >> The government is shutting down.
>> It is. Okay. >> Interesting times. >> Just the official. >> Yeah. We We're trying to get a report out today so that we could get we could bill for it before they shut down. Okay. Um,
good. >> Uh, we have a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Uh, second the motion action. >> All in favor? >> I in favor.
>> All right. All in favor? Good. I think we're good. Good night all. >> Thank you. [Music]