MATS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY

MACON-BIBB COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

682 CHERRY ST., SUITE 1000

MACON, GEORGIA 31201

 

Meeting Description  MATS Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

Date      12-10-03     Time 5:00pm    Location  Planning & Zoning, 10th Floor Conference Room

Scheduled Time

Actual Time
Start

Stop

Total Hours

Start

Stop

Total Hours

5:00pm

6:00pm

1.0

5:00pm

7:00pm

2.0
ATTENDANCE LIST
NAME
REPRESENTING

Gregory L. Brown

Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning

Jim Thomas

Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning

Ken North

Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning

Cam Oetter

CAC/Bike/Pedestrian

Susan Hanberry

CAC /Environmental Rep

Helen Sippel

CAC/Vineville Neighborhood Association

Tim Thornton

CAC/Bibb County District 3

Stella Tsai

CAC/Bibb County District 2

Kris Gorur

CAC

Mary Anne Richardson

CAC/Disabled Population

Tony Cunningham

CAC/Ward 2

Judy Rando

CAC/Ward 3

Michael Ryan

CAUTION Macon

AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED

1

Call to Order

2

Approval of minutes from 09-10-03 & 10-08-03 meeting

3

Unified Planning Work Program – Draft Document

4

Bibb Jones Cross County Needs Analysis Study

5

Old Business

§        Comprehensive study of Central South/Downtown Project ($50,000 fund)

§        Noise study along I-75 (South of I-16/I-75 split)

§        Sidewalk standards from the Department of Defense

§        CAC Membership

6

New Business

7

Next Meeting Dates

8

Adjourn

MINUTES

 

On Wednesday, December 10, 2003 a meeting of the MATS Citizens Advisory Committee was held in the 10th floor conference room of the Planning & Zoning Commission at approximately 5:00pm and called to order by Chairman Oetter.  The first item of business discussed was the approval of the previous minutes from the September 10, 2003 and October 8, 2003 meetings.  A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the minutes as submitted.  The motion passed.  Mr. Oetter also presented information concerning the CAC members and the new County Commission districts they serve according to the Bibb County Board of Elections.  Doug Hayes represents the new County Commission District 1; Kris Gorur represents the new County Commission District 3; Tim Thornton represents the new County Commission District 3 & Anthony Cunningham represents the new County Commission District 4.

The next item of business discussed was the Unified Planning Work Program-draft document.  The draft document was approved by the TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee) at their November 19, 2003 meeting.  Mr. Thomas presented the draft UPWP, which includes the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) work program for FY 2005 that begins in July 1, 2004.  The final draft of the UPWP is not due until May 15, 2004.  The purpose of the UPWP is to provide the GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) planning committee an idea on the work scope of the MPO over the next fiscal years from a budget perspective.  Mr. Thomas explained each task in the work program in detail. After a detailed explanation of each task and discussions by CAC members, a motion was made and properly seconded to recommend the draft document of the UPWP for approval to the Policy Committee.  However, the CAC approved the draft UPWP with several conditions to carry to the Policy Committee.  Motion Passed.  (Please see the attached letter to the Policy Committee concerning the draft-UPWP).

The next item of business discussed was the Bibb Jones Cross County Needs Analysis Study.  Several CAC members attended the public meeting in Gray, Georgia and Mr. Oetter was very impressed that GDOT officials solicited public input before the development of the Needs and Purpose statement.  CAC members voiced their opinions about the meeting.  No action by the CAC was taken on this item.

The next item of business discussed under old business was the Comprehensive Study of the South Downtown Connector Project ($50,000 fund).  Mr. Oetter mentioned that the Road Improvement Program raised $50,000 in tax dollars to do a study, but no study has been done.  Mr. Thomas stated that a study was prepared by EDAW/Trinity Brookwood Consultant group.  In that study, the consultants suggested that the project shouldn’t be constructed.  Mr. Thomas also mentioned that there were discussions for Planning and Zoning to prepare a corridor study that will examine the immediate impact of the South Downtown Connector Project.  Planning & Zoning was also asked by the Mayor to do a concept of the alignment of the project that will end at Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.  Only minor work has been performed on that concept alignment.  (Please see attached letter to Policy Committee concerning this issue).

The next item of business discussed under old business was the Noise Study along I-75.  Mr. Oetter mentioned that the MATS discussed noise barriers along I-75 some years ago.  Recently, Mr. Oetter heard someone mention that they were in favor of noise barriers 5 years ago in a Policy Committee meeting, but the project has disappeared.  Mr. Thomas mentioned that in order for noise barriers to be considered, it has to be part of a road project, as he understands it.  That’s why noise barriers were constructed along I-475.  According to GDOT and FHWA, you can’t go back and retrofit an old project on an existing street.  (Please see attached letter to Policy Committee concerning this issue).

The next item of business discussed under old business was the sidewalk standards from the Department of Defense.  Mr. Thomas referenced a study found on the internet that was done for a military base concerning sidewalk standards.  That particular study is included in the Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan.  Mr. Oetter mentioned that he wants to institutionalize some sort of separation between sidewalks and motor vehicles.  (Please see attached letter to Policy Committee concerning this issue).

The next item of business discussed under old business was CAC membership.  Mr. Oetter mentioned that the 12-10-03 meeting is his final meeting in serving on the CAC committee.  Mr. Oetter recommended Mr. Chris Wells to represent Bicycle/Pedestrian position on the CAC.   A motion was made and seconded by the CAC to recommend Chris Wells to serve as Bicycle/Pedestrian representative to the Policy Committee.  Motion Passed.  (Please see attached letter to Policy Committee concerning this issue). 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the next meeting date was tentatively scheduled for February 25, 2004. 

 

Being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.

 

*Please Note:  A recorded tape is available in the planning office for detailed minutes from the December 10, 2003 meeting. 

 

 


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To:     MATS Citizens Advisory Committee Members

From: Gregory L. Brown, Planner/CAC Coordinator

Date: 2/18/2004

Re:     CAC Agenda:  March 10, 2004

Hello Members,

 

At the conclusion of the December 10, 2003 meeting, the next meeting date for the CAC was tentatively scheduled for February 25, 2004.  Please be advised that the February 25, 2004 meeting has been rescheduled for March 10, 2004 at the request of Ken North, Planner who will be presenting the Draft TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) document, with the approval of Ms. Richardson, Vice-Chairman.  Please find enclosed a draft CAC agenda for the March 10, 2004 meeting.  This agenda is presented in draft form.  If any changes occur to the agenda, I will have the final copy available at the meeting.  Also, please review and bring the summary minutes from the December 10, 2003 meeting with you for approval purposes.   

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

Gregory L. Brown, Planner/CAC Coordinator