Ridge Street Priority Neighborhood Taskforce Minutes Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 4-5PM Virtual Meeting (Zoom) AGENDA 1. Introductions/Housekeeping/Minutes Meeting begins 4:03 PM NAME POSITION ATTENDANCE CHRIS MEYER Business Owner Yes KATHY JOHNSON HARRIS Property Owner Yes KETTIE HOLLAND RUPNIK Resident Absent KEM LEA SPAULDING Ridge CDBG Representative Yes PAT LLOYD Resident Yes AUDREY OLIVER Resident No TANEIA DOWELL Planning Commission Yes Erin Atak (EA) Grants Coordinator gives brief introduction of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). City of Charlottesville is an entitlement City that receives CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year (approximately $300-400 thousand dollars). A portion of the CDBG dollars gets allocated to the City Council designated priority neighborhood. Fund are proposed to help improve access to neighborhood amenities in accordance with the 2018 CDBG Consolidated Plan. 2. Taskforce Priorities and Project Ideas EA shares the Ridge Street priority chart to City staff members. The list of priorities was deliberated and brought forth over the last several months of survey collection and discussion. Chris Meyer (CM) asks the group for whether it would be possible for City staff to provide estimates on the listed projects. Staff Contact: Erin Atak, Grants Coordinator (atake@charlottesville.gov), (434) 970-3093 EA responds that often in the past Priority neighborhood taskforce projects, the selected project will use the full three years-worth of funding, and then funding remaining can be spent on a small project. Brennen Duncan (BD), Traffic Engineer, states that speed limit signs will be low-cost items for the Taskforce. Sidewalks and transit stops would be the higher costing construction items. BD estimates signage around $2,000. BD states that the “children at play” are not recommended for residential streets but are reserved for areas around playgrounds. Kathy Johnson Harris (KJH) asks whether it is possible to increase the route of the busses, and whether it is possible for busses to reach the end of Brookwood Dr as that portion of Ridge is very wide with no parking that could benefit the residents of the apartment complex at the end of the street. Juwhan Lee (JL) with Charlottesville Transit, states that the bus would not be able to physical turn around at the end of Ridge Street. CM asks about the cost estimate for bus shelters. JL states that the shelter costs are estimated at a few thousand dollars and installation is estimated at another few thousand dollars. Shelters are placed in stops with high demand and transit will look at ridership data to determine locations that warrant shelters and/or other amenities. ADA compliance is also warranted with shelters, meaning sidewalk length needs to comply, along with curb cuts, ramps, and getting right of way. ADA compliance is the more costly component of the bus shelter project. Kem Lea Spaulding (KLS) states that there was an existing bench on the corner of Brookwood and Ridge St, but was taken out. KLS states the sidewalk has curb cuts and ramps and that the sidewalk is wide. Stephen McNally (SM), Senior Transit Project Manager with Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT), states that a site inspection is warranted. Staff will check to see whether the site meets ADA compliance standards and is accessible. CM asks whether it is possible to extend the sidewalk into the street rather than pushing into the right of way. JL states that transit does not extend sidewalks onto the streets. Staff Contact: Erin Atak, Grants Coordinator (atake@charlottesville.gov), (434) 970-3093 KJH states that she would like to see the City staff review the site then report back to the Taskforce on their findings as the ridership is in high demand. SM states that shelters are estimated at $7,500. Lighting is also a consideration which would be an added cost, along with the cost of the bench inside. Shelters are 4ft by 13ft behind the sidewalk. Pat Lloyd (PL) agrees that it would be helpful to start having staff give estimates on the priorities. EA asks JL about the CAT’s long-term vision for Ridge Street. JL states that long term transit recognizes that Ridge Street riders have been reliant on the transit services. Long term vision includes improving services within the area by serving South First Street. There are some physical barriers for transit on Ridge Street like the narrow roads and sidewalks, and when transit moves forward with making improvements to amenities, those need to include current ADA standards. SM asks about the CDBG timeline moving forward. EA states the projected timeline would be to have a project to present to Council in the Spring. PL turns the conversation over to the culverts on Raymond Rd. BD states that the ditches in the culvert serves a purpose for stormwater. This project would require curb, gutter, and drainage structures along the whole length of the street to fill in the ditch. PL states that Raymond Rd is historically underrepresented and encourages staff to prioritize this project. KLS asks about the sidewalk costs being $200 per foot. BD says this is about correct. BD states that he and EA could get sidewalk costs before the next meeting. JL states that transit staff can get a cost breakdown of the shelters listed on the priorities list. KJH asks about police parking enforcement for Brookwood and Raymond Rd. BD states that he will be speaking with Council about the crosswalk on Ridge and 5th Street to enhance the safety. SN asks about any restrictions for CDBG funds EA states the proposed projects in the Ridge Priority Neighborhood list all qualify. Staff Contact: Erin Atak, Grants Coordinator (atake@charlottesville.gov), (434) 970-3093 Amanda Poncy (AP) mentions 6th Street SE Sidewalk infill as a potential project for the Taskforce to consider. PL states that the Taskforce has not heard from Ridge Street residents from the 6th Street SE area. KJH asks about whether the project can be placed out for contract. BD states the contracts must be bid out and with CDBG a certain percentage must be minority owned. EA states that all CDBG contracts to get placed on the HUD Section 3 database to provide Minority business enterprises and Section 3 employees the opportunity to bid on the contract. In the past no businesses have bid on the CDBG contracts. 3. Other Business None 4. Public Comment One public comment is received by Mr. Brandon Collins, Staff member of Public Housing Association of Residents. The importance for transit services for South First Street was brought up, as well as the Crescent Halls redevelopment project. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the public meeting may call the ADA Coordinator (434)-970-3182 or submit a request via email to ada@charlottesville.gov. The City of Charlottesville requests that you provide a 48-hour notice so that proper arrangements can be made. Staff Contact: Erin Atak, Grants Coordinator (atake@charlottesville.gov), (434) 970-3093