MINUTES OF THE

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, May 22, 2006

City Hall, Room 310

7:00 pm

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper, One (1) vacant position

OTHERS PRESENT: Ald. DeWane, Ald. Theisen, Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen

GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Approval of the minutes from the May 8, 2006 Traffic Commission meeting.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2006 Traffic Commission meeting.

INITIAL REQUESTS

2. Request by Ald. Theisen to install a YIELD condition on Louise Street at Heyrman Street.

Mr. Hansen presented a map and detail drawing showing the most similar nearby intersections that have a YIELD condition. The resident on the southwest corner has complained of near miss crashes. The east approach of the intersection is a dead end. All but the southwest corner have adequate sight or vision triangle. The southwest corner has bushes that obstruct an eastbound motorist looking southbound, making them creep into the crosswalk. Zoning ordinance was cited about minimum requirements for sight vision clearance. YIELD condition would also improve the safety of the intersection.

Ms. Macaux stated this intersection is similar to other uncontrolled intersections within the City except for the obstructing bushes.

Cmdr. Arts is very familiar with this intersection, and hasn’t witnessed any safety problems.

Ald. Theisen stated the resident in the southwest corner made the request and has seen near miss crashes at the intersection. Ald. Theisen requested the Traffic Engineer to send a letter to the property owner to instruct the owner to trim back or remove the bushes that interfere with sight vision clearance.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that a YIELD condition on Louise Street at Heyrman Street be denied.

3. Request by Ald. Theisen to establish a NO PARKING zone on the southwest side of Eliza and Suydam Streets from 1504 Eliza Street to 1014 Suydam Street.

Mr. Hansen state that most likely vehicles park on the curve during events at a nearby park on Emilie Street.

Ald. Theisen stated that soccer games would be played at the park for at least the next three years. Motorist sight around the corner is difficult. The no parking zone would improve this condition.

Mr. Hopp stated that more recreational events occur at the nearby park.

A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that on a 90-day trial basis:

A. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Eliza Street from Suydam Street to a point 280 feet west of Suydam Street.

B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Suydam Street from Eliza Street to a point 255 feet south of Eliza Street.

4. Request by Ald. Theisen to establish a NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the east side of John Street at Amy, Edison, Louise, and Cass Streets.

Mr. Hansen stated that NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zones would be roughly 50 feet from each intersection. A map was shown of these proposed locations. Temporary marks were made on the curb of John Street of the proposed parking zone so Ald. Theisen could view and request comments of nearby residents.

Cmdr. Arts stated that the nearby park has many recreational activities occurring regularly including softball and Little League baseball.

Ald. Theisen stated that speeding occurs during events, and children have walked out from between parked vehicles into on-street traffic. Clearing the corners of parked vehicles would make the area safer.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that on a 90-day trial:

A. Establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of John Street from a point 55 feet south of Cass Street to a point 50 feet north of Cass Street.

B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of John Street from a point 50 feet south of Louise Street to a point 35 feet north of Louise Street.

C. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of John Street from a point 50 feet south of Edison Street to a point 55 feet north of Edison Street.

D. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of John Street from Amy Street to a point 60 feet north of Amy Street.

5. Request by Ald. Kriescher to establish a 2 HOUR PARKING 7AM TO 4PM ON SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Huth Street between Melon Street and Newberry Avenue.

Mr. Hansen stated that Preble High School students park in the vicinity. Nearby and newly placed restricted parking zones may be changing the parking routine of students. A map showing nearby restricted parking zones was presented.

Cmdr. Arts stated that plenty of onsite parking is available for Preble High School students.

A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that, on a 90-day trial, establish a 2 HOUR PARKING 7AM TO 4PM ON SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Huth Street between Melon Street and Newberry Avenue.

6. Request by Brown County to revise the parking zone on the west side of Jefferson Street between Cherry and East Walnut Streets from a metered zone to a 15 MINUTE LOADING ZONE.

Mr. Hansen stated that the Sophie Beaumont Building might not have enough on-site parking available. It is presumed the request was to allow people to pick up or drop off passengers at this location. Pick up and drop off could occur in the building parking lot accessing Cherry Street.

Ms. Macaux stated that Job Services relocated some or all of its entire staff from the Main Street location.

Cmdr. Arts stated that counseling services are provided in the Sophie Beaumont Building.

Mr. Kuepers stated that removing the metered parking zone would reduce parking revenue.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that the request to revise the parking zone on the west side of Jefferson Street between Cherry and East Walnut Streets from a metered zone to a 15 MINUTE LOADING ZONE be denied.

POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

7. 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 stated that the nearby residents and the auction business have resolved their differences and that the request is being withdrawn.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that the request to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Finger Road From Edgewood Drive to Menlo Park Road be received and placed on file.

8. Request by the Traffic Commission that the Traffic Engineer determines if speed bumps/tables are feasible on Wiesner Street between Ninth and Biemeret Streets.

Mr. Hansen provided a memorandum that summarized the feasibility of speed humps at the proposed location. Preliminary design showed that two locations were possible, which included signing and pavement marking additions. Recommendation was that a speed study should be undertaken in order to document if speeding is over the justification speed. DPW is considering developing a speed hump installation policy for all future applications.

Ms. Macaux stated that the City of Milwaukee has friendly “Thank You For Not Speeding” type signs placed along some neighborhood streets.

Cmdr. Arts is concerned that motorists may attempt to “jump” over speed humps, creating speeding and safety concerns. He was also concerned that drivers would start disregarding signs if too many were placed.

Ald. Kriescher recommended that speed data be collected. He also had concerns of motorists damaging their vehicles while driving over a speed hump.

A motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that the request for the Traffic Engineer to determine if speed bumps/tables are feasible on Wiesner Street between Ninth and Biemeret Streets be received and placed on file and that the installation of speed bumps/tables on Wiesner Street between Ninth and Biemeret Streets be denied.

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

9. That, on a 90-day trial basis, remove the 2-HOUR PARKING 7AM TO 7PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY zone on the east side of Chestnut Avenue from a point 110 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street.

A motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that the removal of the 2-HOUR PARKING 7AM TO 7PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY zone on the east side of Chestnut Avenue from a point 110 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street be adopted by ordinance.

10. That, on a 90-day trial basis, establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Chestnut Avenue from Dousman Street to a point 140 feet north of Dousman Street.

A motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Chestnut Avenue from Dousman Street to a point 140 feet north of Dousman Street be adopted by ordinance.

11. That, on a 90-day trial basis, establish a NO U-TURN restriction for eastbound traffic

on East Mason Street east of Bader Street.

A motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, seconded by Cmdr. Arts that a NO U-TURN restriction for eastbound traffic on East Mason Street east of Bader Street be adopted by ordinance.

There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by

Mr. Kuepers and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended

at 7:42 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 26, 2006.