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Home My WebLink AboutAPRIL 19, 2005 MINUTES BRT PUBH CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH "COMMUNITY FOR A LIFETIME" ITY COUNCIL MAYOR MEYERA E, OBERNDORF, At-Large VICE MAYOR LOUIS R. JONES, Bayside - District 4 HARRY E. DIEZEL, Kempsville - District 2 MARGARET L. EURE. Centerville - District I REBA S. McCLANAN, Rose Hall - District 3 RICHARD A. MADDOX, Beach - District 6 JIM REEVE, Princess Anne - District 7 PETER W. SCHMIDT, At-Large RON A. VILLANUEVA. At-Large ROSEMARY WILSON, At-Large JAMESL. WOOD, Lynnhaven -District 5 SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION CITY HALL BUILDING I 2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23456-8005 PHONE: (757) 427-4303 FAX(757) 426-5669 EMAIL:Ctycncl@vbgov.com JAMES K. SPORE, City Manager LESUE L. ULLEY, City Attorney RUTH HODGES SMI11I, MMC, City Clerk 19 April 2005 I. BUDGET WORKSHOP - Conference Room - 3:00 P.M. II. SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION - Council Chamber - 6:00 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Meyera E. Obemdorf 1. READING OF THE MAYOR'S CALL FOR FORMAL SESSION m. ROLL CALL. OF CITY COUNCIL IV. PUBLIC HEARING A. BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) V. ADJOURNMENT MINUTES VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia 19 April 2005 Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf called to order the SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION for a PUBLIC HEARING concerning the proposed deployment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at 6:00 P.M Council Members Present: Harry E. Diezel, Robert M Dyer, Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones, Reba S. McClanan, Richard A. Maddox, Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, Jim Reeve, Peter W. Schmidt, Ron A. Villanueva, Rosemary Wilson and James L. Wood Council Members Absent: None - 2 - MAYOR'S CALL TO SPECIAL SESSION: ITEM # 53821 The Mayor read the CALL TO SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION: "THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at 6:00 P,M. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall Building, 2401 Courthouse Drive. The purpose of the SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION: PUBLIC HEARING concerning the proposed deployment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System Prior to the Special Formal Session, the FY Biennial 2005- 2006/FY 2006-07 Operating Budget and FY 2005-2006/2010-2011 Capital Improvement Program Workshop re Quality Education and Lifelong Learning will commence at 3:00 PM, in the City Council Conference Room. Sincerely, s/Meyera E. Oberndorf Mayor" April 19, 2005 MEYERA E. OBERNDORF MAYOR City c:>f Virgir1ia Beach April 12, 2005 MUNICIPAL CENTER BUILDING 1 2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23456-9000 (757) 427-4581 FAX (757) 426-5699 MOBERNDO@VBGOV.COM THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall Building, 2401 Courthouse Drive. The purposiHJf the SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION: PUBLIC HEARING concerning the proposed deployment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Prior to the Special Formal Session, the FY Biennial 2005-2006/FY 2006-07 Operating Budget and FY 2005-2006/2010-'1.011 Capital Improvement Program Workshop re Quality Education and Lifelong Learning will commence at 3:00 P.M. in the City Council Conference Room. VirIlinia Beach Otv Council Councilman Harry E. Diezel Councilman Robert M. Dyer Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones Councilwoman Reba S. McClanan Councilman Richard A. Maddox Councilman Jim Reeve Councilman Peter W. Schmidt Councilman Ron A. Villanueva Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson Councilman James 1. Wood Sincerely, ~ Meyera E. Oberndorf Mayor ifl.ived Notice Jg- ~ tn. E ~ - 3 - BUS RAPID TRANSIT ITEM # 53822 6:03 P.M. The City Manager advised prior to the Public Hearing, an Informational Presentation relative the Bus Rapid Transit shall be provided. Michael Townes, President and Chief Executive Officer - Hampton Roads Transit, introduced his staff and colleagues in attendance: Jayne Whitney - Chief Development Officer - HRT., Chad Edison from AECOM, William Cashman - Principal Transportation Planner - and Ray Amaruso - Chief Project Engineer, URS, Inc.; and, William Haskins, Jr. (Vice Mayor - Newport News), Chair - HRT. Ray Amaruso - Chief Project Engineer, URS, Inc., defined the key physical characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the preferred route, the components, the overview of capital costs and operations planned, related operations and maintenance costs, projected ridership, revenue forecast, trolley and BRT comparisons and necessary steps by City Council will be reviewed. The BRT Project Study Area encompasses the North/South alternatives (Atlantic & Pacific Avenues - Rudee Inlet to 40th Street) and East/West alternative (connection to Convention Center) 19th Street, 'Year round service to The Aquarium is also being included. Extensions serving the Town Center and Lynnhaven Mall are being discussed. Key Physical Characteristics of BRT Dedicated lanes Unique vehicle with increased capacities Distinctive station identity and canopies Expedited bus boarding Off-vehicle fare collection (proof of payment) Real time passenger information Key Operational Characteristics of BRT Year-round service (Currently seasonal service) Improved headway management Traffic signal queuejumps Flexible service plans responding to seasonal demands Preferred BRT Route - Atlantic Avenue BRTvehicles in dedicated lanes from Rudee Inlet to 25th Street 25th to 40th Street: southbound BRT shares lane with traffic Retains two-way auto traffic on Atlantic Avenue Continuous service to Aquarium No BRT lanes on Pacific Avenue BRT connection to Convention Center via 1 gth Street April 19, 2005 -4- BUS RAPID TRANSIT ITEM # 53822 (Continued) Vehicle Analysis Cost Passengers Per Passenger Cost Standard HRT Bus $ 350,000,00 45 $ 7,777. 78 Trolley $ 350,000.00 28 12,500.00 BRT Vehicle $ 700,000.00 105 6,666.67 Mr, Amaruso advised there will be thirty (30) total stations (16 pylon and 14 shelters - includes one stop at Town Center, one at Lynnhaven Mall and three stops at the Aquarium and campgrounds. The stations will be designed to fit into existing streetscape fabric. All stations will have ticket vending machines. Shelter Stations will include passenger information displays. Shelter stations will have a 8' x 24' canopy. Striping/Signs/Signals components Striping: pavement markings for Atlantic and 19'h, 112-inch bus lane marker (two per block) Signs: "BRT" Only" ground mounted signs Signals: New signal heads. BRT transmitter/emitters (2 per BRT vehicle). Opticom priority controls installed on all signals on Atlantic Avenue. Fare Collection Components Ticket vending machines (TVM) One at every station No TVM's on BRTvehicles Power feeds and wire connections included TVM's weather protected TVM's will be able to accept credit/debit cards, issue change and time stamps "Proof of payment" system All BRT vehicles will have a GPS transponder, All stations with a shelter have 'real-time' passenger information signs. All stations with shelters have audible announcements for ADA compliance, Radios on all vehicles with a connection to the Hampton Roads Transit Dispatch. There is anticipated a total fleet of eighteen (18) BRT Vehicles for 2007. The Budgeted cost of$700, 000 per vehicle includes exterior color and graphics. The Bus dimensions are 60' long by 102" wide. Other components would entail the following stations located at Town Center and Lynnhaven Mall April 19, 2005 - 5 - BUS RAPID TRANSIT ITEM # 53822 (Continued) BRT Capital Cost Estimate Stations (Pylons/Shelters/Pads) Roadway (Signs/Striping/Signals) Fare Collection (TVM's/Site prep) ITS and Communications Vehicles Total Capital Cost Estimate = Funding Sources: City Share State earmark for BRT $21.4-MILLION* $ll.4-MILLION $10 -MILLION *Maintenancefacility costs will befunded by HRT and include Federalfunds BRT Projected Ridership - 2007 Ridership Market Projected BRT Ridership Total Non-Convention Ridership 591,700 Total Convention Center Ridership * 215,600 Total Annual Ridership Projection 807,340 *Convention Center Ridership based on 151 Event days Revenue Projection Methodology Revenueforecasts based on $1,50 fare (current HRT bus fare) A registration fee of $5, OO/attendee/day is proposed for all non-local convention events. Unlimited BRT use during event, Revenue projections include state andfederal support for 26,5% of Operating and Maintenance, Capital Cost Comparison: Trolley and BRT Existing trolley service vehicles need to be replaced - 23 trolleys have reached their useful life, The replacement cost = $8.050-MILLION To provide equivalent level of BRT service using trolley vehicles in the year 2007: 38 trolley vehicles would be required = $13.3-MILLION Total cost of BRT system Earmark State aid Net capital cost to City = $21.4-MILLION = $10.0-MILLION = $ll.4-MILLION Cost of BRT system to City Cost of replacing existing trolleys Net capital cost of BRT service to the City = $1l.4-MILLION = $ 8.050-MILLION = $ 3,35-MILLION April 19, 2005 - 6- BUS RAPID TRANSIT ITEM # 53822 (Continued) Operating Cost Comparison: Trolley and BRT 2007 Dollars Current service Annual Trolley net cost to City $217,400 BRT Service: Annual BRT net cost to City = $457,500 Net annual investment of $240,100 buys year-round, high-quality BRT service What is the total BRT Investment? Total Cost to City for BRT System Net Cost to City (Trolley replacement) Net Annualized Capital Cost to City Net Operating Cost to City $ll.4-MILLION $ 3,35-MILLION $345,000 $240,100 TOTAL NET ANNUAL COST TO CITY $585,100 Mr. Townes advised a hybrid bus, such as the type located in Seattle, is under consideration. The buses depicted are for illustrative purposes only. A competitive bid process, based on a fairly detailed and open specification, provides all the manufactures have the privilege of response. The issues of styling, fuel type, ability of the vehicle to playa role in clean air, will all be considered. Most BRT's are manufactured at both 102 "and 96" wide versions. These sizes will be investigated as well, Catheryn Whitesell, Director - Management Services, advised there is a project in the proposed Capital Improvement Program in the amount of$21.4-MILLION ($lO-MILLION from the State and $ll.4-MILLION from the City), The 11.4-MILLION is debtfinanced by Public Facility Revenue Bonds. Thefirst debt service payment is assumed to be in FY 2007 (interest only payment of approximately ($350,000). The second year will be thefirstfull payment inFY 2008, a $l-MILLIONpayment, a level debt payment, a 5.5% interest rate has been assumed. The debt service will be paid from the cigarette tax revenue stream, which the City Council approved afew years ago. This previously had been going to a project which was never used and has been reallocated to this BRT project, Real Estate Tax revenue is not being assumed to be of any support of the BRT April 19, 2005 - 7 - Item IV. ITEM # 53823 Mayor Oberndorf DECLARED A PUBLIC HEARING: BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) Thefollowing registered in SUPPORT of the BRT: Tom Prevette, Chair- Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Division, 222 Central Park Avenue Steve McNulty, Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs - Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Division, 222 Central Park Avenue. Transportation is the number one issue among members of the Chamber Henry Ryto, 408 Jasper Court, Phone: 687-8585 John Westbook, General Manager - Lynnhaven Mall, 701 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 1068, Phone: 340-5636 Michael Standing, President - Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, advised support and the first step toward a broader vision of an expandable transportation system for Hampton Roads. Nancy Perry, Executive Director - Virginia Beach Hotel/Motel Association, representing approximately 100 hotel/motel properties throughout the City. The Virginia Beach Hotel/Motel Association supports a regional transportation system, as well as a connection from the new Virginia Beach Convention Center to the Oceanfront, The Board wished to make suggestions concerning the routing of the BRT to the Virginia Aquarium, Lynnhaven Mall and Town Center. Sandy Jackson, 430 22nd Street, Phone: 425-0375, Vice President - Resort Civic League, representing the area between 17'h and 22nd Street Billy Almond, Chair - Resort Advisory Commission, 209 70th Street, Phone: 431-1041, extension 16 Maryanne Nixon, President - Resort Beach Civic League, 607 l&h Street, Phone: 428-4277 Susan Thompson, 536 General Booth Boulevard, Phone: 425-8576 William Haskins, Chair - Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) - Vice Mayor - Newport News, Phone: 596-3965 Tom Bond, represented the Retail Alliance, Phone: 455-9305 Daniel Baxter, President - Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, 66% of members voted in support of the BRr, Phone: 495-7274 R. Preston Midgett, Member - Resort Advisory Commission and Transportation Subcommittee, 1804 Seddon Circle, Phone: 412-2826, Boe James, represented Public Transportation Alliance of Hampton Roads, 795 West 53rd, Norfolk, Virginia 23508, Phone; 440-5953 Linwood Branch, President - Virginia Beach Hotel/Motel Association, advised support of a Regional Transportation System, but expressed concerns re loading and unloading buses in the trolley lanes. Said correspondence is hereby made a part of the record. April 19, 2005 -8- Item IV ITEM # 53823 (Continued) Brian Kirwin, 304 Cripple Creek Court, Phone: 463-0399, expressed concerns re required additional information and costs of different routes (Shore Drive, Kempsville). BRT is not "rapid", The Norfolk- Southern right-of-way is necessary The following registered in OPPOSITION: Dorothy Patterson, 1166 Woodcock, Phone: 422-3337 Richard Kowalewitch, 1166 Woodcock, Phone: 422-3337 S. A. Karageorge, 1145 York Lane, Phone: 422-9800, 45-year beach businessman Relative suggestion of the Virginia Beach Hotel-Motel Association concerning operation of the BRTvehicles in the Resort area this Summer season, Mr. Townes advised these vehicles are built for a customer and the customer is paying $500,000 to $700,000 for them to go into service immediately, The Manufacturers work with the customers to allow them to stop a few places for exhibit purposes on delivery, To place these BRT vehicles in revenue service for a trial period of time is unusual. Councilman Maddox advised the City Manager and staff are co-ordinatingwith the Hotel-Motel Association re their operational issue concerns and will attempt to have a BRT vehicle at the Resort Area for a day or two (June or July). There being no further speakers, Mayor Oberndorf CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING. April 19, 2005 -9- Item V. ADJOURNMENT ITEM # 53824 Mayor Meyera E, Oberndoif DECLARED the Special Formal City Council Session ADJOURNED at 7:24 P.M. ~~~~~~-~~~ Chief Deputy City Clerk C1::~~f City Clerk Meyera E. Oberndorf Mayor City of Virginia Beach Virginia April 19, 2005