MINUTES OF THE

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, May 8, 2006

City Hall, Room 310

7:00 pm

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Vice-Chairperson Carol Macaux, Cmdr. Jim Arts, Brad Hopp, Ald. Gary Kriescher, and Matt Kuepers,

MEMBERS ABSENT: One (1) vacant position

OTHERS PRESENT: Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen;
AAld. VanderLeest; Ald. DeWane

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the minutes from the April 10, 2006 Traffic Commission meeting.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried to approve the minutes fo of the April 10, 2006 TrafficeTraffic Commission meeting.

INITIAL REQUESTS

2. Request by the Traffic Engineer to modify the regularly scheduled meeting date and time of the Traffic Commission.

Mr. Hansen stated the regularly scheduled meeting is held on the second and the fourth Monday of each month but stated he recommendss that Traffic Commission meet once a month on either the 2^nd second or the 4^th fourth Monday of each month. Reasons include historic lack of agenda items (10 or less) has been occurring more often, and historic summer month’s meeting cancellation. typically the frequency is reduced to one per month, and it would allow more time to perform traffic studies in order to bring back “referred to study” results to subsequent the next meetings.

Ms. Kuiper and Ms. Macaux agreed to reschedulingreschedule the Traffic Commission meeting to once a month on the fourth 4^th Monday.

Ald. Kriescher stated meetings maymight last longer if held once a month because agendas would be longer..

A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried thate request by the Traffic Engineer to modify the regulahold the regularly scheduled TraTraffic Commission meetings ton the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00PM unless cancelled by the Traffic Engineer.

3. Request by Ald. Wery, on behalf of Katrin Slaght, 408 Oak Street, to install a 3-WAYway STOP condition at the intersection of Oak Street and Western Avenue.

Mr. Hansen stated some of the resident concerns could be stemmed from the additional traffic generated from the reconstruction of Oneida Street between Mason and Badger Streets. Map shown. A fField review supports this conclusion. In addition, a mid-block railroad crossing and STOP condition is present about 150 feet north of this intersection. Stopping traffic this frequently on Oak Streetany street is not typical.

Ms. Kuiper, Cmdr. Arts, and Ms. Macaux agreed that the proposed stop location iss are too close to the railroad crossing stop signs.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that theo deny the request by Ald. Wery to installation of a 3-WAYway STOP condition at the intersection of Oak Street and Western Avenue be denied.

4. Request by Ald. Wery, on behalf of Katrin Slaght, 408 Oak Street, to install pedestrian crosswalk pavement markings on Western Avenue at Oak Street.

Mr. Hansen stated that crosswalk pavement markings are typically reserved for locations with heavy pedestrian movements AND and heavy conflicting motoring traffic such as Downtown Business Districts, Schools, and Shopping Centers. This intersection is not unique with regard to pedestrian movement than almost any locationmost nearby neighborhood intersections in the City of Green Bay.

Ms. Kuiper stated the relatively heavier traffic is most likely due to Oneida Street reconstruction.

A motion was made by Ms. Macaux, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that the request by Ald. Wery to installation of pedestrian crosswalk pavement markings on Western Avenue and Oak Street be received and placed on file.

5. Request by Ald. Wery, on behalf of Katrin Slaght, 408 Oak Street, to install a pedestrian crossing sign on Western Avenue at Oak Street.

Mr. Hansen stated that all traffic – whether motorized, bicycle, or pedestrian – is already required to STOP on Western Avenue at Oak Street. The increase of construction traffic that is not used to additional stops along their commute has probably created a roll thruough STOP condition.

A motion was made by Ms. Macaux, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers thatKuepers that the request by Ald. Wery installto installation of a pedestrian crossing sign on Western Avenue at Oak Street be received and placed on the file.

6. Request by Ald. DeWane to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Finger Road from Edgewood Drive to Menlo Park Road.

Ald. DeWane presented a petition in favor of the request. The parking issue was brought to his attention multiple times during his recent campaign. PetitionersResidents are concerned that the traffic and parking conditions during auctions at Massart Auctions, 2545 Finger Road, on Thursdays aremake it dangerous for motorists and emergency vehicles.

Mr. Hansen stated Finger Road has 36 feet of clear width,width;, adequate to have parking on both sides and two lanes for through traffic as it currently exists.

Motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers toKuepers to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speakrules.

Damien Massart, 2545 Finger Road, opposes the reqstrictionuest. The Massart family beenfamily has had their auction a business at this address since 1974. They and holds auctions from 4pm to -7pm on Thursday’s. The road was widened in 19891989 that allows parking on both sides of the street. Damien asked why is the parking restriction zone is not proposed further south.?

Jerry McNamara, 551 Aurora Drive, provided a petition in favor of the request. He stated snow banks are a problem for people exiting their parked cars curbside on Finger Road. He suggests there is plenty of off-street parking available with if the proposed NO PARKING zone is posted. Auction parking is high turnover and creates, thus creating a safety hazard by introducing open car doors into narrow travel lanes.

Motion was made by Ald Kriescher, and seconded by Ms. Macoux toMacaux to return to regular order of business.

Ms. Kuiper reviewed the petition and stated there are 20 petitioners that signed it.

and the business has been there for many years. Ms. Macaux has concerns that many of the petitioners don’t live within near the proposed parking zone.

Mr. Hopp would like to postpone a motionny decisions until after he gets a chance to see witness the parking situation duringon a Thursday night during an auction.

Cmdr. Arts concerned that the business has been there forever and doesn’t want to set a precedent. Mr. Kuepers questioneds if there are any zoning ordinances that would impact the parking zone. Ald. DeWane stated residents have a petition, this was a campaign issue. Residents are concerned auctions on Thursday make it dangerous for fire and police.

A motion was made by Mr. Hopp, and seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that to postpone the request to establishment of a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Finger Road from Edgewood Drive to Menlo Park Road until the next Traffic Commission meeting on Monday, May 22, 2006.

7. Request by Ald. Zima, on behalf of area residents, to remove the NO PARKING ON SUNDAY MORNING zone on the east side of South Chestnut Avenue between School Place and Arndt Street.

Mr. Hansen stated that he has no concerns of this request.

Ms. Kuiper suggesteds Ald. Zima talk to the representatives of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church to determine if they are opposed to the request.

A motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, and seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that theis item request by Ald. Zima to remove the NO PARKING ON SUNDAY MORNING zone on the east side of South Chestnut Avenue between School Place and Arndt Street be referred to Ald. Zima to determine if the request is the removal of the NO PARKING ON SUNDAY MORNING zone on the east side of South Chestnut Avenue between School Place and Arndt Street is parking zone modifications acceptable to representatives of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran the Church.

8. Request by Ald. Zima, on behalf of neighborhood residents, to move the NO PARKING zone from the south side to the north side of Fourth Street between South Chestnut and South Maple Avenues.

Mr. Hansen stated that it is typical to place parking restrictions consistent to one side of the road, i.e., not switch sides from block to block. Modifying this zone would make this block not typical to the parking zone between Broadway Street and S. Chestnut Avenue.

A motion was made by Ms. Macaux, and seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that this item the request by Ald. Zima, on behalf of neighborhood residents, to move the NO PARKING zone from the south side to the north side of Fourth Street between South Chestnut and South Maple Avenues be referred to Ald. Zima to obtain more information from neighborhood residents on both sides of Fourth Street about the request. to move the NO PARKING zone from the south side to the north side of Fourth Street between South Chestnut and South Maple Avenues.

9. Request by the DPW and Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit to temporarily close the Mason Street median through the Superior Road intersection, and to evaluate its traffic impact on the area.

Mr. Hansen stated that there have been many measures made to improve the safety of the Superior Road and Mason Street intersection. hHe supports this closure, as the intersection is very close to the Interstate 43 (I-43) northbound off ramp, which over time has produced an undesirable and unsafe “weave” movement for eastbound left-turning motorists at the Superior Road Intersection (a similar situation exists on West Mason Street NB off ramp and Taylor Street). Also the right turn bay on East Mason Street for the I-43 northbound on-ramp extends east through the Superior Road intersection, confusing motorists on Superior Road because they are not sure if a motorist is indicating right turn signal for Superior Road or for the I-43 NB on-ramp.

Mr. Hopp is concerned with a speedsing problem on Finger Road. ; suchThe proposed modification median closure will would add traffic to the Challenger and Mason Street intersection, which already has traffic problems. Mr. Hopp and Cmdr. Arts and Mr. Hopp hasve concerns that nearby residents will not approve of the median closureit.

A motion was made by Mr. Hopp, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that theis item request by the DPW and Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit to temporarily close the Mason Street median through the Superior Road intersection, and to evaluate its traffic impact on the area, bebe referred to DPW for studya traffic count of the Superior Road and Mason Street intersection, and be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting on Monday, May 22, 2006.

10. Request by the Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit to install a YIELD sign on Hidden Way at Swiss Meadow Lane.

Mr. Hansen stated that he was unsure why the request was made. Aa field recon visit of the intersection did not reveal any substandard intersection issues to indicate a need to install a YIELD sign. No traffic counts are available for this intersection. However, thisThe intersection is the mainprovides a primary access into for the subdivision and provides quick access to nearby collector streets such asto Deckner Avenue.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that, on a 90-day trial basis, a YIELD sign be installed on Hidden Way at Swiss Meadow Lane be installed.

11. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a WRONG WAY sign on northbound Military Avenue facing north near Highland Crest Baptist Church.

Mr. Hansen stated that this request does not comply withis not typical of our the DPW-Traffic Division current sign installation policy, although. Even with that said, WRONG WAYsuch signsing does exists at the north end of the slip ramp to discourage SB southbound Military Avenue traffic from entering. We Also installed are two have ONE-WAY signs opposite eachboth church and office driveways that are also not required. Placement of the existing signs, however, could be improved. The ONE-WAY signs by the church driveway could be post-mounted in a better location of a motorist’s view. Private driveways entering a ONE-WAY system are required by the City to install their own signs warning entering vehicles not to travel the wrong way. Several examples installations where we apply this rule include downtown Jefferson and Madison Streets, and also on Shawano Avenue at the Perkins restaurant’s west driveway right in right outwere cited. The office complex and the church have done soplaced such signs, but have not locatedplaced these signsthem in effectively locations. The Highland Baptist Church should move their STOP sign closer to the roadMilitary Avenue and replace the substandard. The one-way sign could be post-mounted more in line with a driver’s line of sight. The NO RIGHT TURN sign is substandard and should be replaced with a standard-sized sign installed at this driveway.

A motion was made by Ms. Macaux, and seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that Ald. VanderLeest contact representatives of the Highland Baptist Church to recommend they :

(A1) mMovinge their driveway STOP sign closer to Military Avenue, and. Ald. VanderLeest will also recommend they
(B2) iInstalling a standard NO RIGHT TURN sign.

12. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a YIELD sign at the intersection of Langlade Avenue and Katers Drive.

Mr. Hansen stated that this intersection has poor geometry and also includes a pedestrian walk entering on the west leg. Installing athe YIELD conditionsign on the Langlade Avenue approach cwould improve be a possible benefit to intersection safety.

A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that, on a 90-day trial, a YIELD sign at the intersection of Langlade Avenue and Katers Drive be installed.

13. Request by Ald. VanderLeest for an ordinance that prohibits on-street parking in front of mailboxes.

Mr. Hansen stated that adopting such an ordinance would reinforce the current rule established by the US United States Postal Service. The An ordinance would also allow City of Green Bay parking enforcement attendants the authority to ticket violating vehicles. versus residents not receiving mail from their postal carrier because their mailbox was obstructed by parked vehicle. Such an ordinance would be similar to a “blanket” parking restriction similar to the parking restriction near fire hydrants.

Cmdr. Arts stateds it would be difficult to enforce such an ordinance would be an enforcement problem due to it’sits large nature.

A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that the request by Ald. VanderLeest for an ordinance that prohibits on-street parking in front of mailboxes be denied.

REFERRED BACK FROM COUNCIL

14. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a YIELD sign on Janice Avenue at Florence Avenue.

Ms. Kuiper stated that a YIELD conditionsign in the presence of two approaching vehicles is the same as a STOP condition. If the problem is related to the presence of pedestrian and wheelchair traffic, suggests if not YIELD TOto PEDESTRIAN signs or, install WHEELCHAIR aAdvance warning signs could be considered.

Ald. VanderLeest stateds that residents have seen witnessed near misses crashes and requested that YIELD signs be installed on both Florence Avenue and Janice Avenues.

A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers, and carried that the request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a YIELD sign on Janice Avenue at Florence Avenue be denied, and that on a 90-day trial YIELD TO PEDESTRIAN or WHEELCHAIR advanced warning signs on Florence and Janice Avenues be installed just prior to the intersection.

15. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a pedestrian walk sign and speed limit sign in the parking lot that accesses Florence Avenue at Janice Avenue.

Mr. Hansen stated that this item was referred back from Council.

Mr. Hansen stated that it is against City policy to install regulatory and warning signs onto private property. A nonstandard 5 MPH sign exists for NB northbound traffic entering the driveway. This sign is not enforceable by the City. No sidewalks, no crosswalk markings, and no pedestrian crossing signs exist. A new extra reflective ADVANCE TURN sign was recently installed for NB northbound Florence Avenue traffic.

A motion was made by Ms. Macaux, and seconded by Cmdr. Arts that a pedestrian walk sign and speed limit sign in the parking lot that accesses Florence Avenue at Janice Avenue be received and placed on file, (and that Ald. VanderLeest recommends to the will follow-up withproperty owner that accesses that provides the accessintersection to install the proper access signs for exiting vehicless).

16. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Wiesner and Biemeret Streets.

Mr. Hansen stated that this item was referred back from Council.

MrMr. Hansen stated that the intersection currently has a TWO-WAY STOP condition, stopping Biemeret traffic. According to Ald. VanderLeest, constituents have complained of speeding along Wiesner Street. A 4ALL-WAY STOP condition is requested for speed control. STOP signs should not be installed for the sole purpose of controlling the speeds of motorists.

No Warrant study has been performed as of yet. However, based on DPW-Traffic Division knowledge of the intersection is that iIt is doubtful that the intersection would meet multi-way stop control warrants warrants (min. 300 major road, any 8 hours: min. 200 veh. Minor road, any 8 hours). One crash was reportedable crash between 2002 and 2004. Sight distance from all approaches is adequate. The nearest intersections with multi-way stop4-WAY STOP control are Ninth and /Taylor Streets, and Hazelwood and /Wood Lanes, all with much more traffic volume and crash history. Wiesner Street from Biemeret to Ninth Street is currently being resurfaced.

Ms. Kuiper statestateds unnecessary four-way4-WAY STOP conditions can lead to a false sense of security.

Ald. Kriescher stateds people motorists learn towill disobeyrespect improperly placed 4-WAY STOP signs, and cited local examples, such as the one at. Huth Street and /Newberry Avenueis an example.

Mr. Kuepers frequents John Muir Park and hasn’t seen all thisthe heavy traffic that is was cited by Ald. VanderLeest. Ald. VanderLeest stateds residents are requesting the STOP signs and because of the high speeds and have seen near misses crashes with the John Muir Park pedestrians (sporting events such as tennis, soccer games). People are not following speed limit signs

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that the request by Ald. VanderLeest to install a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Wiesner and Biemeret Streets be denied and that the Traffic Engineer to determine s if feasibility of speed bumps tables on Wiesner Street between Ninth and Biemeret Streets are feasible.

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

17. That on a 90-day trail basis, the NO PARKING 6:00 PM TO 6:00 AM daily restriction on both sides of Schoen Street from Mason Street to Lost Lane be removed.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Ms. Macaux andMacaux and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING 6:00 PM TO 6:00 AM daily restriction on both sides of Schoen Street from Mason Street to Lost Lane be adopted by ordinance.

18. That on a 90-day trail basis, the NO STOPPING OR STANDING November 1 through March 31 restriction on both sides of Loch Drive from Ninth Street to a point 475 feet north of Ninth Street be removed.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Ms. Macaux andMacaux and carried that the removal of the NO STOPPING OR STANDING November 1 through March 31 restriction on both sides of Loch Drive from Ninth Street to a point 475 feet north of Ninth Street be adopted by ordinance.

19. That on a 90-day trail basis, a NO PARKING zone be created on both sides of Seventh Street from Taylor Street to a point 80 feet east of Taylor Street.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Ms. Macaux andMacaux and carried that a NO PARKING zone be created on both sides of Seventh Street from Taylor Street to a point 80 feet east of Taylor Street be adopted by ordinance.

There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Macaux, seconded, and seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 8:33 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2006.