MINUTES

TOWN OF COPPER CANYON

Monday, January 11, 2010

WORKSHOP SESSION

I.  CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Sue Tejml called the Workshop Session to order at 6:08 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2010, in the Council Chambers at Copper Canyon Town Hall, 400 Woodland Drive, Copper Canyon, Texas.

Council present:

Sue Tejml - Mayor

Jeff Mangum - Mayor Pro Tem

Steve Hill - Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

Dan Christy - Council Member

John Brothers - Council Member

Long Range Planning Task Force Members present:

Dale Andrews George Bleuher Roy Bradford Jim Coleman

Ron Gerard Nita Humphreys Anthony Lauchner Mark Pape

David Paris Valerie Pearson Tom Reed Patty Rossmann

Dan Ruehs Bob Stegmaier Dave Svatik Joe Tinker

Marjory Vickery Travis Watson Ira Witkin

Professional Staff present:

Donna Welsh - Town Administrator

Liz Penny - Town Secretary

Brian Haynes - Town Engineer

II.  WORKSHOP ITEMS

Introduction of new members of the Long Range Planning Task Force

Mayor Tejml reported that because of busy work schedules, several members of the Planning Task Force have been unable to attend the Workshops. To ensure that all areas of the Town are represented the Town Council recently appointed six new members to the Planning Task Force.

Mayor Tejml introduced new members Nita Humphreys – Rolling Acres Drive, Patty Rossman – Mayberry Court, Ron Gerard – Waite Drive, George Bleuher – Hillside Drive and Ira Witkin – Crepe Myrtle Lane. New member Vickie Marriott, who lives on East Jernigan Road, was absent due to illness.

Darryl Snedeker of Oakridge Trail had been asked to consider serving on the Planning Task Force. Darryl has firsthand experience with drainage issues. The front of Darryl’s property has been flooded by Poindexter Creek.

Core Analysis Report presented by Town Engineer Brian Haynes

Town Engineer Brian Haynes reported that CMJ Engineering conducted borings on 35 streets in Copper Canyon. Inclement weather had slowed down this project; however, the borings had been taken and a preliminary report had been prepared on the results of the borings. A spreadsheet was prepared that lists the streets, classification of the streets, the depth of the existing pavement and a estimate of the usable life of the road. Also included was a column for roads that should be totally rebuilt, as well as a column for roads that could just have surface overlays and possibly additional crack seals to extend their useful life

Town Engineer Brian Haynes reported that he was pleased with the results of the core analysis, which reflected that not all streets would need total rehabilitation. Eighteen (18) streets could be improved with crack seal application, seven (7) streets should be overlayed and eleven (11) streets should receive total rehabilitation. Based on this information, the cost estimates on the 5-10-20 Year Roadway Improvement Plans could be adjusted downward.

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hill suggested that the spreadsheet be revised to reflect a break down if a particular street has multiple recommendations for repair or replacement. For example, part of a street might need only resurfacing due to prior repairs of that section of the street and part of a street might need totally rebuilt.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes explained that the pavement option that is highlighted in yellow was the preferred option.

Planning Task Force Members questioned the unit costs of the three processes being considered.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes stated that crack seal is .50 cents per square yard, overlay is $30.00 per square yard, and full depth is over $60.00 per square yard. These are turnkey estimates. The top surface of “wear course” asphalt is more expensive; while the “base course“ layer of asphalt beneath it is less expensive. With sub base you also have the additional cost of placing cement into the existing sub base material.

Planning Task Force Members questioned why numbers were different on full depth replacement.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes explained that consideration was given on the amount of traffic, the types of traffic and the number of houses fronting the roads. In particular Woodland Drive, Jernigan Road and East Jernigan Road were analyzed. Woodland Drive had the highest traffic count. Also considered were the types of vehicles traveling the roads. East Jernigan Road traffic counts reflected large vehicles using this road. Rolling Acres Drive has a large volume of cut through traffic.

Mayor Tejml reported that consideration was also given to the impact that future development will have on the Town roadways. An example of this is future development of subdivisions on the western side of Jernigan Road and the installation of a traffic light at Jernigan and FM 407. Both developments would increase the traffic that Jernigan Road would handle in the future.

Planning Task Force Members and the Town Council asked if any other information would be provided to help the Planning Task Force make a recommendation on a Roadway Capital Improvement Plan. Suggested were a prioritization of roads to be resurfaced or rebuilt, time lines for resurfacing and rebuilding of the roads, and indications of life span on the roads as they are as well as life span after resurfacing or rebuilding.

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Mangum commented that the core analysis report information could be combined with information already submitted (engineering reports and road survey information) that will give the Planning Task Force and the Town Council the information they need to make recommendations on a future Capital Improvement Plan.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Mangum’s comments and stated that he would provide the Town with updated reports that will include information obtained through the core analysis project.

Mayor Tejml asked Town Engineer Brian Haynes to revise the report with more detailed information that would include the number of houses per street, cost of each option with totals, a priority of roads based on condition of roads, as well as applicable timelines. The information should be provided to the Town before the next Planning Task Force meeting.

Traffic Count Report

Town Engineer Brian Haynes presented information on a recent traffic count conducted to ascertain traffic patterns, number of vehicles, and types of vehicles traveling five of the roadways in Copper Canyon. The five streets were Jernigan Road, Rolling Acres Drive, East Jernigan Road, Woodland Drive and Estates Drive.

The counts spanned 24 hours at each location and each direction of travel was counted. The counts were conducted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

Vehicle classification studies were conducted at each location. Vehicle classification studies identify the type of vehicle traveling on a road and group the vehicle into 13 categories defined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). A copy of the FHWA vehicle classification definitions and figures were included in the report.

Jernigan Road

The recorded traffic volume on Jernigan Road (just north of FM 407) totaled 530 vehicles (293 northbound, 237 southbound). The peak hours of travel were 7:30-8:30 a.m. with 49 vehicles on the road, and 3:45-4:45 p.m., with 48 vehicles on the road.

Motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and vans accounted for approximately 87% of the daily traffic on the road. The largest vehicle identified was classified as a single trailer truck with 6 or more axles.

Rolling Acres Drive

Halff counted Rolling Acres Drive. The recorded traffic volume on the road totaled 586 vehicles (314 eastbound, 272 westbound). The peak hours of travel were 7:15-8:15 a.m. with 52 vehicles on the road, and 5:00-6:00 p.m. with 62 vehicles on the road. 91% of daily traffic on the road were motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and vans. The largest vehicle identified was classified in Class 8, a single-trailer truck.

East Jernigan Road

The recorded traffic volume on East Jernigan Road totaled 174 vehicles (84 eastbound, 90 westbound). The peak hours of travel were 7:30-8:30 a.m. with 15 vehicles on the road and 5:00-6:00 p.m., with 25 vehicles on the road.

Motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and vans accounted for approximately 78% of the daily traffic on the road. The largest vehicle identified was classified as a single-trailer truck.

Woodland Drive

The recorded traffic volume on Woodland Drive totaled 873 vehicles (448 eastbound, 425 westbound). The peak hours of travel were 7:30-8:30 a.m. with 68 vehicles on the road, and 6:15-7:15 p.m., with 77 vehicles on the road.

Motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks and vans account for approximately 84% of the daily traffic on the road. The largest vehicle identified was classified as a single-trailer truck.

Estates Drive

The recorded traffic volume on Estates Drive totaled 233 vehicles (117 eastbound, 116 westbound). The peak hours of travel were 10:30-11:30 a.m. with 23 vehicles on the road, and 4:00-5:00 p.m., with 26 vehicles on the road.

Motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and vans accounted for 81% of the daily traffic on the road. The largest vehicle identified was classified as a single-trailer truck.

Summary

The traffic counts show relatively low volumes on the study roads, which is typical of low-density residential activity. The highest volume recorded at any of the five locations was on Woodland Drive, where 873 vehicles were counted during the 24-hour period. Peak hour traffic volumes on the study roads were also low, with Woodland Drive recording the highest one-hour volume of any location, with 77 vehicles between 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

93% of the vehicles on the road fell into one of the FHWA Vehicle Classes 1–5, which include motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, vans, buses, and single-unit trucks. The largest vehicle identified at any location was a single-trailer truck on Jernigan Road just north of FM 407. At the other four locations, the largest vehicle identified was a single-trailer truck.

Planning Task Force Members and the Town Council reviewed the information provided.

Planning Task Force Members questioned if the traffic count provided information on the direction of the vehicle after it crossed the counter.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes stated that the purpose of the traffic count was to count the vehicles crossing the counters and classify those vehicles.

Planning Task Force Members discussed the fact that the traffic counts were done on Tuesday, which is garbage day in Copper Canyon. Planning Task Force Members commented that Tuesday would be worse case scenario, which would be helpful in formulating data from the traffic counts.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes explained that typically counts are done Tuesday through Thursday. Monday and Friday typically present anomalies when performing traffic counts.

Mayor Tejml stated the Town truly appreciated volunteers who were willing to help with the traffic counts. After reviewing the scope of the project, and the technology that could be provided at a very low cost, Quality Counts, Inc was contracted to make the counts and determine the classification of the vehicles.

The information obtained through the traffic counts will be included in reports that will be developed for the Planning Task Force and Town Council and will be helpful in making recommendations on a Capital Improvement Plan.

TxDoT Report on 2009 Off System Bridge Inspections

Town Engineer Brian Haynes reported on the August 2009 inspection of “off system” bridges performed by TxDOT. (In even years, TxDot inspects “in system” bridges on TxDot maintained roads. In odd years, TxDot inspects “off system” bridges maintained by counties and municipalities.) The two “off system” bridges outlined in the report received by Copper Canyon in October 2009 are located at Chinn Chapel Road (at Poindexter Branch) and Estates Drive.

TxDOT followed up with a written report to the Town and made recommendations on repairs to the two bridges.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes identified the problems associated with the two bridges and offered recommendations based on the report from TXDOT and his inspection of the bridges.

Bridge on Chinn Chapel Road at the Poindexter Creek Branch

At the southwest embankment of the bridge on Chinn Chapel Road there is significant erosion due to runoff from an intersecting minor branch of Poindexter Creek. Erosion is threatening concrete riprap at the southwest corner.

To correct the problems associated with the bridge on Chinn Chapel Road the Town should proceed with an erosion control plan that includes:

(1)  Re-install concrete riprap from bridge to cover entire ditch.

(2)  Install 24-inch rock riprap at confluence with side ditch.

(3)  Install rock riprap to protect the concrete riprap.

Preliminary costs were estimated to be approximately $75,000.

Planning Task Force Members and Town Council Members discussed the drainage issues with Chinn Chapel Road and how the drainage along this section of the road has resulted in creating erosion with the infrastructure of the bridge.

Mayor Tejml and Council Member Dan Christy recommended that options to correct the bridge could be considered in conjunction with the Chinn Chapel Road Reconstruction Project.

Bridge on Estates Drive

Town Engineer Brian Haynes presented information on the bridge at Estates Drive.

Upon review of the report from TxDoT and visual inspection of the bridge, there is significant erosion and scour underneath the southern bridge abutment. There were concerns with velocity of 13 FPS (feet per second) for storm water flowing under the bridge. Anything above 4 FPS indicates erosion.

To correct the problems associated with the bridge on Estates Drive; the Town should proceed with an erosion control plan that includes:

(1)  Removing the concrete bags located at the base of the bridge and install flowable backfill to fill the voids behind the abutment.

(2)  Install concrete riprap at 1:1 side slope from top of abutment footing to creek flow line on both sides of bridge.

(3)  Install 24-inch Rock riprap along the creek flow line and 35 feet upstream and downstream of bridge.

(4)  Grade ditches on the west side of the bridge.

Repair costs were estimated at approximately $110,000. For comparison, it would cost approximately $330,000.00 to build a brand new 40-foot long bridge and $580,000.00 for a brand new 80-foot long bridge.

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Mangum asked about load ratings on the two bridges. TxDoT had recommended that load ratings be posted at each bridge.

Town Engineer Brian Haynes stated that he had information on the load rating for the bridge on Chinn Chapel Road but would have to conduct research on the load rating for the Estates Drive Bridge.