04/04/2022 - Minutes SALT LAKE CITY
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes of the April 4, 2022 Meeting
Electronically present from the Transportation Advisory Board were Courtney Reeser,
Daniel Mendoza, Dave Alderman, David Parrott, Ellen Reddick, Jenn Diederich, Jim
Espeland, Jon Larsen, Kerry Doane, Reid Ewing, and Suzanne Stensaas.
Absent from the Transportation Advisory Board were Paul Schulte, Greg Sanchez, and
Myron Willson.
Also present were Christian Lenhart, Dan Adams,Ashley Lichtle, Tiffany Pocock,
Cameron Blakely,Assignment Desk, Julianne Sabula, Dave Iltis,Amy Lyons, Lara
Handwerker, and Becka Roolf.
The meeting was held electronically and was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Courtney
Reeser.
Welcome and Introduction of Guests — Courtney read the anchor statement and
welcomed everyone.
Public Comment — Dave Iltis said disabling of the chat feature is anti-democratic and
disruptive to the public. He finds it's an overreach and he's sure this is something to
avoid public input and public participation. He would like that to be reversed and feels
it is being done so the administration avoids any criticism and TAB stays less informed
than it otherwise would be. He also said he found the comments Tyler made last month
regarding the repaving projects and then SLC's response to an e-mail he sent them
regarding those repaving projects to be an incredible step backwards for SLC Safe
Streets. There are ample opportunities and space to put bike lanes. Tyler's comments
that he must take marching orders from the legislature are nonsense. There is no
reason bike lanes couldn't be put in on 300 West, Columbus, and State Street. The fact
that SLC is willing to sit there and do nothing to push UDOT is a sad state of affairs for
making a safer city, making better streets, and reducing deaths. There is little
infrastructure other than for cars and trucks and we can't continue like this. He said
SLC needs to stand up to UDOT and work with them to make safer, more complete
streets on all the streets within the city and he hopes to hear better news from
Transportation because they need to do better.
Motion: Kerry Doane moved to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2022 meeting
with her suggested amendments. Ellen Reddick seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
Motion: Suzanne Stensaas moved to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2022
meeting with her suggested amendments. David Parrott seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
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I-15 Environmental Impact Statement Study: Farmington to Salt Lake City
Dan Adams&Tiffany Pocock, Horrocks Engineers
Dan and Tiffany introduced themselves and went over the purpose of the study,what
they have gathered to date as far as data, stakeholder engagement and their public
involvement phase where there are opportunities to give them feedback. UDOT would
like to improve quality of life through transportation. Their quality of life framework
has four outcomes which are better mobility, good health, connected communities, and
a strong economy. UDOT wants to deliver on that mission through this environmental
impact statement. They went over some details of the study process and the different
phases. It is anticipated that this study will be completed in the beginning of 2024.
They really want to get feedback on how people experience the corridor and thoughts
and ideas on how it could be improved. The formal comment period is from April iith to
May 13th and comments can be submitted online at www.ii5eis.udot.utah.gov or by
email at il5eis@utah.gov and anyone needing special accommodations to make a
comment can call 385-220-5797. Although there is a formal comment period, Dan said
they would like to hear feedback anytime regardless of whether it is within that formal
comment period, and he encouraged the members to share this information with
anyone they feel would be interested. The Board members were very interested in this
project and had many questions and comments; however, due to time, these presenters
will be scheduled again for the May TAB meeting so further discussion can be had.
The Rio Grande Plan
Cameron Blakely&Christian Lenhart
Christian said he and Cameron have been working on a proposal to restore real service
to the Rio Grande Depot and make improvements to the community for about two years
now. Feedback he has received regarding the Salt Lake Central Station is that there's
not much of a station there, it's far away from where it needs to be, and that there are no
amenities. They looked at examples of many different types of train stations throughout
the United States and came up with a draft plan. He explained the history of the Depot
and the benefits of using it rather than the current SL Central Station. This plan
includes some underground tracks or train boxes,with travel lanes above. Cameron
showed some renderings of their plan and some of the amenities that could be put in.
He said this would create a development opportunity for downtown as well as surface
connectivity and many other benefits including a huge impact to walkability and green
space opportunities. Courtney said this is an ambitious plan and asked where the
funding would come from. Christian said they are exploring several different options
and feel this plan would save money compared to other options. Courtney also asked
what their timeframe is, and Cameron said they would like to see it soon,but Christian
said it depends on if an environmental impact study is needed. David Parrott said this is
exactly what Salt Lake needs and it brings a lot of questions up about whether more
money should be spent on freeways and he's happy to see they are including parking.
He loves the plan and thinks more transit and less roads are exactly what the city should
be doing. Jim thinks it look amazing and that it would solve many problems within the
city. Kerry said this is not a done deal, there is a regional planning process and it's a
great idea that should go through the rigor of that process because it is a major change
to the whole transportation system. She would like them to check their design criteria
for trains because she said 12 feet is too narrow. Suzanne asked how they are going to
incorporate trans continental travel within this. Christian said Amtrack currently goes
to the SL Central Station,but it would be able to stop on Union Pacific tracks at the Rio
Grande Depot. Dave Alderman asked who else has worked on this plan and what kind
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of resources they have working on this. Cameron said it is currently only him and
Christian but recently his employer decided to take this on and is in the process of
getting a full design office rallied around this. They have also given several
presentations to the SL City Council and there have been many news articles raising
awareness about the project. Reid said the funding is all important and he can't imagine
there won't be an environmental impact study required. Becka thanked Christian and
Cameron for their spectacular vision and hopes there is a possibility that this can
become a reality although it is a considerable undertaking.
TAB letter of support for RAISE grants
Becka Roolf, SLC Transportation
Becka explained what the two federal RAISE Grants applications are for and asked if
TAB would write a letter of support for both. She shared a map and details for each with
the first being titled East/West Connection which is specific to SLC, the other is a UTA
grant titled Westside Express which is for enhanced bus service on 560o West.
Motion: Suzanne Stensaas moved to write two letters of support for the RAISE grants
with Courtney preparing the letters, feedback on the letters due from the Board by
Wednesday at noon and a lack of response equates to agreement with those letters .
Kerry Doane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Courtney Reeser motioned to adjourn the meeting; David Parrott seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
and the next meeting of the Board was scheduled for May 2, 2022.
Approved by TAB 05-02-22
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