2012-09-10 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

make a clear decisive decision. She read parts of the TDD petition that informed every one of the Transportation Development District boundaries. Tom Sullivan, 751 Suracuse Mr. Sullivan urged the Councilmembers not to approve the letter of support for the Loop Trolley. He stated the Sunshine Law is being ignored because the public was not informed of details and the agenda showed nothing about the proposed letter of support for the trolley. He also noted there were no plans for security measures for riders except for volunteer efforts. Mr. Sullivan said the project deserved careful consideration. Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel Ms. Glickert asked the Council not to vote on anything that supported the Loop Trolley because there has not been a Feasibility Study and the route was not correct. She also stated there have been too many changes from the original proposal for Council to make a valid vote right now. Mr. Price asked for clarification that the vote was for the City Manager to send a letter supporting the Loop Trolley. Mayor Welsch stated that was correct. Mr. Glickert said he was surprised to see the change of adding double tracks. He asked whose decision was it to cross Kingsland for the western stop, as relating to the concerns expressed about the TDD’s boundaries. Mr. Edwards stated that double track had to cross at a traffic light and a sensible place would be Kingsland instead of putting up another traffic light. He also stated the goal was to get across Kingsland so people would have the opportunity to ride without crossing the street. Mr. Edwards stated the change that was made on the last stop was due to discovery, at the 90% design stage, that Laclede Gas has a large valve under the street by the Rain Man sculpture that serves all of U City – the tracks could not be placed on top of that valve. Other changes were made after listening to the concerns of the public. Edwards said the website would be updated with these changes. He also said there were no concerns regarding the area by the library. He said it was not feasible for the trolley not to go across Kingsland, but instead turn on to Kingsland, because of the wide turning radius that would be necessary. He said the final western stop will not interfere with the library grounds. Ms. Carr wanted to know why the Council wasn’t aware of the change from a single track to double tracks prior to seeing it in Council’s packet. Mr. Edwards stated that it used to be double tracks at the beginning of the process, but to save money, the out-of-state consultants designed it as a single track between Melville and Kingsland as an alternative. He stated the double track was chosen for safety and congestion concerns, referencing a meeting that was held with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Mayor. The single track would create a narrow parking lane and therefore could create a gridlock for emergency vehicles. 6