Legislature(2005 - 2006)Wasilla LIO
09/16/2005 12:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| Business Access During Times of Construction | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
September 16, 2005
12:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Carl Gatto, Co-Chair
Representative Mark Neuman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jim Elkins, Co-Chair
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Bill Thomas
Representative Mary Kapsner
Representative Woodie Salmon
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bill Stoltze
Senator Charlie Huggins
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
BUSINESS ACCESS DURING TIMES OF CONSTRUCTION
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
HEATHER WILKINS
Creekside Plaza
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
CRAIG THORN, Manager
First National Bank Alaska
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
JOHN WAISANEN
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions and provided
clarifications.
NONG HASTANAND
Sabai Restaurant
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
GORDON KEITH, Regional Director
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
(No address provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions.
HANK HARTMAN
Matanuska Music
Creekside Plaza
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
JEFF POTTS, Engineer
(No address provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered to answer questions.
STU GRAHAM, Employee
Alaska Club
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
DIANE KELLER, Mayor
City of Wasilla
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
PAUL GARDNER
Ivanti Inc.
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
SHARRI SMITH, Owner
Cold Stone Creamery
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concerns.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CO-CHAIR CARL GATTO called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 12:03:59 PM. Representatives
Gatto and Neuman were present at the call to order. Also in
attendance were Representative Stoltze and Senator Huggins.
^Business Access During Times Of Construction
[Audio begins shortly after the meeting actually began.]
HEATHER WILKINS, Creekside Plaza, informed the committee that
businesses have experienced losses ranging from 5-50 percent.
She related that the average loss in both of her buildings is 30
percent. Businesses can't survive that, she opined. Ms.
Wilkins highlighted that businesses in the area weren't warned
in advance of entrance closures. Furthermore, there were no
signs informing the public that other entrances were available.
Therefore, summer revenue was lost and people have to be
convinced to return to the mall to shop. In response to Co-
Chair Gatto, Ms. Wilkins opined that the perfect solution would
be to perform all the work at night. However, she acknowledged
that it's not possible. Therefore, she suggested better
communication, specifically having two weeks notice for
schedules while understanding the possibility of change. Ms.
Wilkins said that if she received such information she would be
willing to pass it out to her tenants.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if the best manner in which to address this
is for department personnel to go door-to-door to inform, by
providing a document, those businesses that will be impacted.
MS. WILKINS replied yes. She further suggested erecting signs
specifying the location of business access in a location that
allows motorists time to turn. Ms. Wilkins informed the
committee that businesses can't make their own signs because
they have to be approved by Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and located where the department
specifies. However, the department won't provide them.
12:08:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN surmised then that a reader board
specifying the entrance locations of businesses would be
helpful. Representative Neuman said he was struck by the fact
that businesses can't provide their own signs. He opined that
such should be allowed to occur in cooperation with DOT&PF.
CO-CHAIR GATTO noted that he had difficulty getting to First
National Bank for a few days.
12:10:09 PM
CRAIG THORN, Manager, First National Bank Alaska, said he knew
there would be problems during construction. However, he said
he was upset that no one took the time to inform him of his
entrance closures. He said he was sure that this has impacted
his business. Mr. Thorn then related that the double turn lane
in Wasilla has served the area well. However, now there is a
median that won't allow a left turn into and out of the bank,
which isn't adequate. After discussions with DOT&PF, he said he
would suggest eliminating 250 feet of median and returning to
the double center turn lane. In response to Chair Gatto, Mr.
Thorn said that to his knowledge there will be no service road
to access the bank. At this point, to enter and exit the bank,
it's a right turn.
JOHN WAISANEN, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities,
interjected that a U-turn at Cruising will be allowed.
MR. THORN related that the feedback he received regarding
whether there would be U-turn signage was that if it's not
forbidden, then it's permitted. However, Mr. Thorn specified
his preference for signage noting that U-turns are allowed.
12:14:24 PM
MR. WAISANEN indicated that DOT&PF would look into the issue of
the median and [placing a sign] regarding U-turns.
CO-CHAIR GATTO opined that U-turn signage would be especially
helpful at large volume traffic areas.
12:14:59 PM
NONG HASTANAND, Sabai Restaurant, expressed difficulty with
those making lefts. He informed the committee that the
restaurant is losing almost 40 percent of its revenue. He
related similar difficulties with regard to the lack of
communication as to entrance closures. In response to Co-Chair
Gatto, Mr. Hastanand said that business is down now.
GORDON KEITH, Regional Director, Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities, in response to Co-Chair Gatto, said he
expected the project to be in its final configuration in a [few
weeks].
CO-CHAIR GATTO inquired as to whether there will be barricades
for the winter.
MR. WAISANEN said he didn't see the need for barricades. In
response to a question, he confirmed under the final
configuration there is going to be a left turn for those
traveling from Wasilla to Anchorage.
12:18:09 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if the final configuration will cause
businesses to go out of business. He asked if all businesses
will have reasonable access.
12:18:39 PM
HANK HARTMAN, Matanuska Music, Creekside Plaza, informed
everyone that under final configuration the highway returns to a
five-lane road in front of Creekside Plaza, which allows access
to a mall that isn't built yet. Mr. Hartman, in an attempt to
get the City of Wasilla interested in completing these projects
in a timely manner, suggested that the businesses in a
construction zone should be tax-free. The aforementioned, he
said, would result in the City of Wasilla having a vested
interest in completing these projects. Mr. Hartman expressed
concern with regard to the safety aspect during construction
because all three major intersections were closed, and therefore
an accident would've been extremely difficult to access.
12:20:57 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO related that Pat, [the owner] of the Cheesecake
Factory, testified at a prior meeting on this matter. During
that meeting she related that had she had notice of the entrance
closures, she would've let her patrons know. Co-Chair Gatto
related that business for the Cheesecake Factory was down 75
percent, which is devastating.
12:22:49 PM
MR. THORN, in response to Representative Neuman, said that he
was unaware of anyone [besides Mr. Hartman] borrowing funds or
requesting modifications due to the impact the construction has
had. He acknowledged that such is a possibility for the future.
MS. WILKINS inquired as to who is liable for traffic routed
through a mall parking lot during construction. She expressed
concern with the routed traffic speeding through the mall
parking lot.
12:24:15 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if the [owner of the] mall can put up a
sign designating the speed limit within the mall parking lot.
MR. KEITH said that [DOT&PF] needs to look at the appropriate
signage for the new road.
MS. WILKINS pointed out that part of the frontage road now goes
through a school zone.
12:25:33 PM
SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS, Alaska State Legislature, asked if
there is a streamlined system [that could be implemented] for
business owners wanting to put up new signage for the new
routing.
MR. KEITH said that it could be made a priority. He reminded
the committee that last session the law relative to signs was
changed.
SENATOR HUGGINS highlighted that there will be more construction
in the Mat-Su Valley, and therefore he expressed the need to be
more proactive.
MS. WILKINS asked what businesses will be impacted by
construction next year. She opined that if that knowledge is
provided now, many of the problems could be addressed prior to
construction such as making signs before construction.
MR. KEITH addressed the current project for which the work next
year will only be to lay another layer of asphalt, which he
indicated is a slow process. Therefore, he opined that there
will be minimal impacts on any geographical location. He agreed
that communication is key in order to establish detours and
such. Next year's project, repaving and one signal at Lucille,
is an easier project that will have much less impact.
MR. WAISANEN indicated that perhaps some of the work for next
year's project could be done at night.
MR. KEITH agreed.
MR. THORN noted that he has an ownership interest in a building
that could be impacted by next year's construction. He
requested being on a list to review the plans, specifically in
regard to median locations.
MR. WAISANEN indicated that there will be some medians, but he
opined that there won't be any major median work. He suggested
that prior to construction, there should be an open house to
inform everyone of the plans.
MR. KEITH, in response to Co-Chair Gatto, specified that an open
house would be advertised on the radio and in the newspaper. He
recalled that there was a public hearing on the design, which
specified the medians, for the current project.
MR. THORN noted that if there is a platting action in the
borough, landowners within a certain distance receive written
notification. He indicated that such notification would be
[helpful] with these road projects.
MR. KEITH highlighted the difficulty in getting folks interested
in the design of a project four to five years prior to its
construction. However, once a contractor is on board and the
construction is about to occur, people come out.
12:35:04 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested that the Chamber meetings draw a lot of
business owners and would be a great way to inform the business
community of construction in the immediate future.
MR. KEITH indicated that there will be meetings with the Chamber
of Commerce regarding the project next year.
MR. THORN pointed out the need for flexibility to adjust when
there are things, such as the median, that don't work.
MR. KEITH related that the theory is that there are cars queuing
up for the left turn at intersections. Therefore, it's a
reasonable expectation that someone won't pull out into the lane
of a left-turn pocket. He wasn't sure how much the median could
be shortened, but he offered to review it.
12:37:05 PM
MR. KEITH noted that the local government schedules weekly
meetings at the project site. Those are good avenues from which
to gain an understanding of what's being done, he noted.
12:38:40 PM
JEFF POTTS, Engineer, informed the committee that he will be
involved with the next phase of construction. He offered to
answer any questions.
12:38:59 PM
STU GRAHAM, Employee, Alaska Club, opined that the primary
concern for businesses is what is happening today and this week.
The department, legislature, and mayor should be very interested
in communicating what's going on from week to week, he further
opined. He expressed interest in what section of road will be
under construction and the timeline for that construction.
Therefore, he recommended placing construction schedule notices
in the newspaper.
12:42:26 PM
MS. WILKINS related that she had set up a carnival to attract
people to the mall, but unknown to her the access to the mall
was closed and thus the carnival was a loss. She expressed hope
that businesses in the future won't suffer as they have during
this construction project.
12:44:09 PM
DIANE KELLER, Mayor, City of Wasilla, opined that part of the
problem is that DOT&PF has to plan so far ahead, but the needs
of the community change. Therefore, DOT&PF, she opined, could
focus on having more flexibility to address the change in the
community occurring between the initial plan and construction.
Mayor Keller then pointed out that these businesses provide
opportunities in the community beyond just the ability to
purchase items. The impact of this construction not only
impacts the bottom line of businesses but it also hampers their
ability to give back to the community in the manner in which
they are accustomed. She echoed earlier testimony regarding the
issue of communication.
MAYOR KELLER expressed concern that the Wasilla business
community is now looking impacted these businesses. In fact,
much of the city's budget is based on the sales along the Parks
Highway. Mayor Keller suggested that perhaps DOT&PF should help
by having a business impact loan in order to ensure the minimum
impact on the business community and to force DOT&PF to be more
accountable. Mayor Keller also expressed concern with regard to
the negative impacts on the neighborhoods, specifically
regarding high traffic zones. Since the city partners with the
state for enforcement in construction zones, Mayor Keller
expressed the desire for enforcement to be beyond the
construction zone because the overflow [of traffic] impacts
other areas. Perhaps, the city could be allowed overtime to
patrol in the nearby neighborhoods.
MAYOR KELLER returned to earlier testimony regarding who is
liable for accidents in parking lots [through which traffic is
routed]. Although she has been told that flaggers don't
instruct motorists to go across private property, she recalled
be instructed to do just that. Mayor Keller echoed earlier
sentiments regarding the need for [road projects] to be done at
night.
MAYOR KELLER highlighted that the main issue is that the Parks
Highway has conflicting uses. There are pass through drivers
and residents who want to shop. She opined that the
aforementioned highlights the need for the alternative
transportation corridor and the need to expedite it. She
suggested that perhaps DOT&PF could review the possibility of
having acceleration lanes to allow drivers to safely enter the
flow of traffic from the local businesses. She then expressed
concern with regard to the amount of mileage that detours cause,
especially in the face of rising gas prices. Furthermore,
detours can take precious time of emergency responders. Mayor
Keller returned to her suggestion that DOT&PF should take
responsibility for impacts to local businesses. She informed
the committee that after DOT&PF makes capital improvements, it's
left to the city to maintain the roads. However, the city can't
continue to agree to maintain these roads when its revenue is
based on the sales tax.
12:53:50 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if DOT&PF takes into consideration the type
of road to which it diverts traffic, such as when traffic was
diverted to the curvy Trunk Road.
MR. KEITH replied yes.
CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested the possibility of a caution sign. He
then thanked DOT&PF for the early striping it did on Trunk Road.
MR. KEITH pointed out that in situations [when traffic is
diverted] striping is a priority, such that the major roads are
striped first.
12:56:43 PM
PAUL GARDNER, Ivanti Inc., commented that when he has talked
with DOT&PF about design, it has been receptive to addressing
concerns. Therefore, he suggested determining how to proceed
such that individuals designing the project work on that same
project. Furthermore, he suggested allowing the city to have
more of a voice in the project. Mr. Gardner related that he
spoke with DOT&PF regarding trying to slow traffic, although he
has been told several times that much of the design and planning
of the Parks Highway is an effort to move traffic as fast as
possible. This corridor should be viewed as a business zone, he
opined. Mr. Gardner addressed the suggestion of newspaper
notices with regard to construction, and opined that it isn't
adequate. He suggested sending notices to those impacted.
1:00:58 PM
MR. KEITH, in response to comments and questions, explained that
the location of signal lights are based on an equation that
takes into consideration the volume of traffic in an area and
the number of accidents.
1:02:15 PM
SHARRI SMITH, Owner, Cold Stone Creamery, recalled a DOT&PF
project on the Old Seward Highway about six years ago, during
which a very similar forum as today was utilized. Ms. Smith
said that she has no confidence that DOT&PF will fix the problem
of communication/notice because it has existed for over six
years. Therefore, she said that she is looking to the
legislature to address this situation such that DOT&PF is
required to provide notice and reimburse businesses for losses.
MAYOR KELLER interjected that she would like the speed limit
within the city limits of the City of Wasilla reduced to 35
miles per hour.
1:05:04 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO inquired as to how the speed limits are
determined.
1:05:09 PM
MR. KEITH agreed that the community of Wasilla needs an
alternate access. He also agreed that there are competing uses
of the Parks Highway that don't match, which is why there is the
need for a bypass. With regard to traffic signals and reducing
the speed limit, he said those are counterproductive to
relieving traffic congestion and moving more traffic through an
area. He noted that the alternative to a bypass route is an
eight-lane road through Wasilla, which he characterized as
"scary."
MAYOR KELLER opined that the City of Wasilla wants a corridor
around the city and the speed limit reduced within the city.
MR. KEITH said with that scenario, the traffic has been
separated by use. However, first an alternate route has to be
constructed.
MAYOR KELLER disagreed, and reiterated the need to reduce the
speed limit. She emphasized that public safety should be the
highest priority.
1:09:31 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO noted that the discussion had strayed from the
original agenda of the meeting. Drawing it back to the
specified topic, he determined that no one else wished to
testify.
1:10:06 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:10
p.m.
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