Date: February 12, 2016 | Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Location: Rooms 9 & 10, Government Center

Agenda

1. Approval of Minutes of the December 1, 2015, Meeting

2. Update on I-395 Express Lanes - Amanda Baxter (VDOT)

3. Dulles Metrorail Silver Line Phase 2 Status and Funding – Mark Canale (FCDOT) and Joe LaHait (DMB)

4. Food Truck Parking – Neil Freschman (FCDOT)

5. Bicycle Helmet Ordinance – Susan Cooke (County Attorney’s Office)

6. Student Fare Program Update and Discussion - Nick Perfili and Kala Quintana (FCDOT)

7. Analysis of the Life Cycle Costs of Small vs. Large Transit Buses - Kris Miller and Jose Pineda (FCDOT) -- Deferred to a future meeting

8. New Business 

Minutes

Members in Attendance:

Supervisor John Foust , Chair
Chairman Sharon Bulova
Supervisor John Cook
Supervisors Penny Gross
Supervisor Pat Herrity
Supervisor Jeff McKay
Supervisor Kathy Smith
Supervisor Linda Smyth
Supervisor Dan Storck

Members Absent: Supervisor Catherine Hudgins

County Executive: Edward L. Long Jr.

TAC Member in Attendance: Jeff Parnes, Chair.

Supervisor Foust called the meeting to order at 2:40 p.m. The minutes of the December 1, 2015, meeting were accepted without any changes.

1. Updates on I-395 Express Lanes

Susan Shaw and Amanda Baxter of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Tim Roseboom of Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) briefed the Board on the I-395 Express Lanes Extension from Edsall Road/Turkeycock Run to Eads Street in Arlington. They explained that in 2012, VDOT and 95 Express Lane, LLC (95 Express), executed a comprehensive agreement for future development of the northern portion of the high occupancy toll (HOT) Lanes along the I-395 corridor. In November 2015, VDOT and 95 Express Lanes signed a development framework agreement outlining the parties’ initial roles and responsibilities in developing the project. The improvements will be built within VDOT’s existing right-of-way. The project will provide long-term transit investments through an annual transit payment.

The 395 Express Lanes Extension Project will convert the two existing reversible high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to HOT lanes and construct an additional HOT lane for a total of three HOT lanes. The project will also install an active traffic management system, signage and toll systems, provide sound walls, improve connections between the proposed I-395 Express Lanes and Eads Street, and conduct a multimodal improvement study. VDOT’s responsibilities are planning/environmental approvals, an interchange modification report, stormwater management approvals, preliminary sound wall work, and coordination with federal, state and local agencies. 95 Express’s responsibilities are preliminary engineering and design, cost estimating, developing a finance plan, design-build procurement, and community outreach for I-395 Express Lanes. VDOT is initiating preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) for the I-395 Express Lanes Project. A public meeting is anticipated in April 2016, with the release of draft EA by summer 2016. DRPT is leading the transit/transportation demand management (TDM) study. The study area is broader than the project limits, including the entire proposed I-395 and existing 95 Express Lanes corridor. Some of the key project milestones are: ongoing public outreach; a public information meeting by April 2016; begin construction by spring 2017; and completion by summer 2019.

Supervisor McKay inquired how the study addressed traffic problems at the northern terminus at Eads Street/D.C. line and southern terminus at Turkeycock Run/Edsall Road and how VDOT will avoid creating traffic problems at both ends of the project. Ms. Shaw replied that 95 Express Lanes is looking for creative solutions like partial shoulder use and discussions with D.C. officials to look at all options. She pointed out that there are limitations to what they can do to improve the system. Supervisor McKay asked if the access point at South Van Dorn Street is part of the proposal. He stated that it is a big mistake not to have access at South Van Dorn Street and King Street or Duke Street to give travelers more choices. Ms. Baxter replied that any interchange that does not have access today will not have a new access under this proposal. Ms. Shaw stated that there is a separate design project to widen southbound I-395 between Duke Street and Edsall Road. However, it is currently not funded and was not submitted for HB 2 funding in the current solicitation. She stated that VDOT is trying to determine if they can combine the two projects.

Supervisor Gross stated that the team needs to be mindful about future expansions, because any expansion will take houses and businesses. She wanted to confirm that the access point at Route 236 is still on the proposal, and also requested a detail plan of I-395 southbound between Duke Street and Edsall Road. Ms. Shaw confirmed that there is no plan to take houses or businesses. She stated that the southbound I-395 project is not funded for construction. Supervisor Herrity asked if there is any proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) or express bus for the section of I-495 between I-95 and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Mr. Biesiadny replied that the Transit Development Plan is looking at the section between the Huntington Metrorail Station and National Harbor. He stated that this could be included when the Transportation Priority Plan is updated. Chairman Bulova stated that this is good news and congratulated staff on the work on the extension.

2. Dulles Metrorail Silver Line Phase II Status and Funding

Mark Canale (FCDOT) and Joe LaHait (DMB) briefed the Board on the status of Phase II of the Dulles Rail Project. The County continues to work with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to resolve the punch list items associated with Phase I. VDOT is working with MWAA to resolve their remaining punch list items. The Art-In-Transit project is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2016. The Old Meadow Road realignment is scheduled for completion in 2017. The final budget for Phase I is $2.982 billion.

Mr. Canale reported that Phase II is at 30 percent completion. The design is 96 percent complete, and construction is 14 percent complete. A tower crane has been installed at Herndon Station and mass excavation work is ongoing on at that site. At Innovation Station, foundations, walls, columns and precast erection are underway. At Dulles Airport, work has been done on mass excavation and the aerial guideway. Construction and/or utility work is underway at all stations in Fairfax County. The Phase II budget is estimated at $2.775 billion. MWAA and Capital Rail Constructors (CRC) are negotiating a contract amendment.

The Phase II design reviews are done for the Herndon Station. There is ongoing design work at the Herndon and Innovation Center Station Garages. The public hearing for change in garage height at the Innovation Center Station Garage is scheduled for February 16, 2016. The public hearing for the land-use applications (Special Exception/2232 Public Use Determination) for Innovation North and Reston Town Center North is scheduled for February 16, 2016.

Mr. Canale presented the art renderings and pictures for the Dulles Airport Stations, and pictures of ongoing work at Reston Town Center Station, Herndon Station, Innovation Center Station and Garage, and the Herndon Station Garage. The total project cost estimate for the Herndon Station Garage is $56.7 million. Construction of the garage is expected to begin in April 2017 and finish in May 2019. The total project cost estimated for the Innovation Center Station Garage is $57 million. The timeline shows that the construction will begin in spring 2017 and completion in spring 2019.

Supervisor Smyth asked for a clarification for the timeline of Old Meadow Road realignment. Mr. Canale replied that it will be completed in 2017. Chairman Bulova asked for a clarification of the completion’s timeline of Phase II. Ed Long Jr., County Executive, stated that there will be a period of testing to work all the bugs out of the system. Mr. Canale stated that construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, and passenger service is expected to begin in 2020. He said that unlike Phase I, some of the testing will be done in Phase II, before substantial completion in 2019. Mr. Biesiadny stated that the County garages are expected to be completed by mid-2019. Supervisor Foust inquired if there is any ongoing effort to look for funding sources to reduce the impact on toll-road users. Mr. Biesiadny replied that this is part of the agreement that the Board has with VDOT, MWAA and Loudoun County, and that all parties are continuing to look for funding opportunities outside of the toll revenue. He stated that NVTA has awarded two grants with over $60 million for the Innovation Center Station. He stated that the County is continuing to look for funding opportunities. MWAA will evaluate when toll rates will need to be increased.

3. Food Truck Parking

Neil Freschman (FCDOT), Laura S. Gori (Office of the County Attorney), Pieter Sheehan (Health Department) and Emilie Shumate (Fairfax County Park Authority) briefed the Board on the issue regarding Food Truck Parking. Fairfax County already allows mobile food vending on private parcels for food truck operators and property owners that have the required permit. This briefing reviewed the initiative to allow mobile food vending within VDOT right-of-way. All vending was prohibited on VDOT rights-of-way until the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved a resolution in July 2015, allowing mobile food vending under certain conditions. In September 2015, VDOT released the application for a land use permit and requirements for mobile food vending within VDOT rights-of-way. County staff met with the representatives from food truck vendors to discuss the issue. County staff is developing an ordinance revision to allow mobile food vending within VDOT rights-of-way. Mobile food vendors will need to obtain a land use permit from VDOT that will be valid for one year and pay a $100 fee. They will have to follow all other VDOT requirements, for example, surety in the amount of $10,000, and other rules. VDOT can suspend mobile food vending operations on state maintained right-of-way in response to public safety or operational concerns. Mobile food vending can only operate from a marked or signed parking space on a non-limited access highway with the speed limit of 35 mph or less.

The proposed County ordinance would require vending permits from VDOT. Other County requirements include the need to comply with all Health Department and Department of Cable and Consumer Services permits, licenses, and regulations. Mobile food vending would be allowed to operate a maximum of four hours on any given day at any one location from 7 am to 9 pm. They must keep the area clear of trash and debris and provide a trash receptacle. They are permitted only in areas zoned for commercial or industrial use or in any planned zoning district allowing for mixed-use, and cannot be within 500 feet of any residential zoned area. Staff is proposing food truck parking zones; however, the process for setting the zones and staffing implications have not yet been developed or determined. Next steps for this initiative include coordination with existing food truck permits and licenses, community outreach, develop ordinances and enforcement procedures, establish parking zones and appropriate signage, conduct a public hearing, and go to the Board for consideration.

Supervisor Smyth asked what happens if the public rejects the idea, and how to get the public comment process going. She suggested that food truck should not be allowed vending in front of restaurants and asked for clarification of the $10,000 surety. Mr. Biesiadny suggested setting up policies similar to the resident permit parking district (RPPD) program. He stated that the $10,000 surety is ongoing.

Chairman Bulova directed staff to solicit comments from the Chamber of Commerce and the restaurant industry. The Board suggested adding a requirement to empty and pick up the trash receptor bins, and to keep the area clear of litter. Supervisor Cook stated that the vendors need to add the County as the name on the insurance and indemnify the County from of any potential lawsuits. He suggested staff talk to the food truck industry about how vendors move around and select their spots. The Board questioned the permitted vending hours and the maximum four hour limit. Mr. Freschman stated that different zones have different time restrictions and hours of operation. Supervisor Storck asked questions about enforcement, timing, and the distance from residential neighborhoods. Supervisor McKay stated that food truck vendors cannot park at these locations all day and obstruct pedestrian traffic. Mr. Sheehan stated that food truck vendors fall under health code regulations and cannot park overnight at their vending location. He stated that they often found food truck vehicles are parking on private property, not in use, not restocked, etc. They have had to respond to many violations of this kind.

Supervisor Foust requested that staff return at the next meeting with more information and a draft proposal.

4. Bicycle Helmet Ordinance

Susan Cooke of the County Attorney’s Office briefed the Board on a proposal to amend County Code Section 82-6-38.1 to require children under the age of 14 to wear a helmet when operating a toy vehicle, an electric personal-assistive mobility device, or an electric-powered bicycle. The purpose of the discussion was how to bring the County’s ordinance into conformity with the authority granted by state law. Currently, the ordinance requires persons under the age of 15 to wear helmets and the standard specified is the American National Standards Institute or Snell Memorial Foundation. Virginia Code Ann. Section 46.2-906.1 authorizes localities to require persons under the age of 14 to wear helmets, and to require that the helmets meet safety standards promulgated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission while riding or being carried on four different types of vehicles in three locations.

Ms. Cooke provided the definition of the four types of vehicles: bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycle, toy vehicle and electric personal-assistive mobility device. She also provided the definition for highway, sidewalk and public bicycle path. The helmet standard is out of date, and suggested to change it from “American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation” to the “Consumer Product Safety Commission.” The proposed HB 1360, regulating helmet use of persons under age 18, was tabled in the General Assembly shortly prior to this meeting.

Supervisor Foust stated that this is a technical amendment and directed staff to update the ordinance regarding the helmet safety standards, and not to expand the requirement to wear a helmet for persons under age 15 beyond riding a bicycle.

5. Student Fare Program Update and Discussion

Nick Perfili and Kala Quintana (FCDOT) updated the Board on the Student Fare Program. This program provides free trips on Fairfax Connector buses to Fairfax County high school and middle school students. The targeted five schools are Chantilly High School (Chantilly), Edison High School (Alexandria), Madison High School (Vienna), Mount Vernon High School (Alexandria) and South Lakes High School (Reston). These schools were chosen based on their geographic distribution and access to Fairfax Connector.

Fairfax County students are provided transportation options to access before-and-after school activities, employment, etc. The goals are to fill gaps for school transportation services which have been impacted by new later school hours; provide flexibility for students to travel on existing service; increase Fairfax Connector ridership; prepare future workforce of transit usage; and reduce the number of trips that parents must make to transport students. In the pilot program, students are given passes valid only on Fairfax Connector on Monday to Friday from 6 am to 8 pm. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) maintain and distribute passes and permission forms. FCPS keeps track of 6,200 passes with unique serial numbers and coordinates with FCDOT on outreach strategies and pass distribution. Fairfax Connector is responsible for conducting outreach, pass production, and operational readiness.

For the outreach effort, a video display “Elizabeth’s Journey: How to Ride”, demonstrates how to ride the bus, bike and ride training, and rules of riding. The outreach effort was done on the web and a social media campaign. Fairfax Connector student ridership data shows 52,000 student trips in 20 weeks. Student trips are peaking at 7 am and 3 pm. By 8 pm, the number of ridership drops significantly. A total of 2,343 passes were distributed to a population of 11,118 high school students, or an average of 22 percent of the students. Staff noted that a prior misconception about student “behavior” on the buses is a non-issue, and no credible reports on pass abuse. Staff asked for Board members feedback and approval of the program, expansion of pass usage time, coordination between pass and a student’s ID card, and ways to assist FCPS students served by Metrobus instead of Fairfax Connector. Next steps, staff will conduct a survey of students, parents, school officials and bus operators. Focus groups will allow students to share their ideas for shaping the program and increase ridership among peers. The outreach program will be refined and updated. Staff will come back to the next BTC meeting with draft recommendations for the 2016-2017 school year.

Supervisor Cook inquired about the number of students who are riding the buses. Mr. Biesiadny replied that a total of 2,300 passes were given to students; however, Fairfax Connector does not track who uses what pass, but the percentage of students having a pass exceeds the initial 8 percent figure. Supervisor McKay commended staff for their outstanding work. He suggested working with FCPS to standardize a school photo ID with photo for students. He stated that he would like this program to expand to other schools. Supervisor Cook supported the program, but he did not want to extend the hours in the evening or weekends for liability concerns. Supervisor Storck supported the school ID idea and asked how this program works. Mr. Freschman replied that every time a student showed their pass to the driver, the driver keyed it in the programmed farebox. Ms. Quintana commended the principal at South Lake High School for being very supportive of the idea and helped to distribute the passes out to students. Partnership with the school officials and the School Board are critical for the success of this program. Supervisor Smith noted that the School Board is very supportive of the program. She supported flexible end times, due to after school activities and the standardize school ID card for students. Supervisor Gross stated that Annandale High School students do not have Fairfax Connector service. She stated that we need to know where students live and routes that they may take.

The meeting ended at 4:30 pm. The next BTC meeting has not been scheduled.