MINUTES OF
THE
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
July 24, 2006
City Hall,
Room 310
7:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Vice-Chairperson Carol Macaux,
Brad Hopp, Cmdr. Lt. Florence (in place of Cmdr. Arts), Ald. Gary Kriescher,
and Matt Kuepers
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cmdr. Arts (excused)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ald.
Nicholson; Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer
Dave Hansen
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the June 28, 2006 Traffic Commission minutes.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried to approve
the minutes of the June 28, 2006 Traffic Commission meeting.
2. Request
by Ald. Nicholson to review the NO PARKING zone on Edgewood and Hemlock Drives
during soccer games at Wilder Park.
3. Request
by Ald. Nicholson to review the parking conditions on Hemlock Drive adjacent to
Wilder Park.
Mr.
Hansen stated that Items 2 and 3 were related and should be presented as one
item. He presented a map showing the
existing NO PARKING zone on Edgewood Drive near Wilder Park. This zone exists on the outside of the curve
before southbound Edgewood Drive turns into Hemlock Drive.
Ald.
Nicholson stated that motorists are parking in the NO PARKING zone, that the
sign spacing should be improved, and that the curb should be painted yellow in
the NO PARKING zone.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that the
Department of Public Works be directed to:
A. Install additional NO PARKING signs within the
existing NO PARKING zone on Edgewood Drive at Hemlock Drive.
B. Paint the curb within the existing NO PARKING zone on
Edgewood Drive at Hemlock Drive.
4. Request
by Ald. VanderLeest to change the YIELD signs at Shirley and Locust Streets to
STOP signs.
Mr.
Hansen presented an aerial map, a diagram showing nearby STOP and YIELD locations,
and photos of the intersection.
Currently, Locust Street traffic yields to Shirley Street traffic. Vision triangle is adequate for northbound
and southbound drivers as they approach the YIELD signs. Two reportable crashes occurred at the
intersection within the past three years.
One of the federal STOP sign warrants recommends STOP sign installation
if five or more crashes occur within a 12-month period.
A
motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that the
request by Ald. VanderLeest to change the YIELD signs at Shirley and Locust Streets
to STOP signs be denied.
5. Request
by Ald. Deneys to establish a NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the east side
of Steven Street from Dousman Street to a point 60 feet north of Dousman
Street.
Mr.
Hansen presented an aerial map and stated that a NO PARKING zone exists on the
west side of Steven Street from Dousman Street to a point 95 feet north of
Dousman Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that on a
90-day trial period, to establish a NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the east
side of Steven Street from Dousman Street to a point 60 feet north of Dousman
Street.
6. Request
by Ald. Deneys to move the NO PARKING zone on Dousman Street between Boland
Road and Murphy Drive from the south side of the street to the north side.
Mr.
Hansen stated that in January 2003, there was a request to restrict parking on
the north side of Dousman Street in this segment. But during the 90-day trial, the residents along the north side
objected to the new zone and requested it be rescinded. Traffic Commission rescinded the 90-day
trial on February 10, 2003.
A
motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by Ms. Macaux and carried that the
request by Ald. Deneys to move the NO PARKING zone on Dousman Street between
Boland Road and Murphy Drive from the south side of the street to the north
side be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting on August 28, 2006.
7. Request
by Ald. Fradette, on behalf of Byia Martin (1021 Day Street), to establish a NO
PARKING zone in front of her property, allowing only para transit vehicles for
disabled patrons.
Mr.
Hansen presented an aerial map and photos showing the house at 1021 Day Street
and the surrounding street network including the alley behind the house and the
on-site sidewalk that connects the garage (which connects to the alley) to the
front of the house and the local sidewalk system.
Ms.
Kuiper questioned if such special restricted zones were posted in the City.
Mr.
Hansen replied that the City has no such restricted parking zones.
Mr.
Hopp asked if the resident’s driveway was too steep for para transit pick-up
and drop-off.
Ald.
Kriescher questioned if para transit could pick up the resident from the alley.
A
motion was made by Ms. Macaux, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the
request by Ald. Fradette, on behalf of Byia Martin (1021 Day Street), to
establish a NO PARKING zone in front of her property, allowing only para
transit vehicles for disabled patrons be postponed until the next Traffic
Commission meeting, August 28, 2006.
8. Request
by Ald. Weber for a speed inhibition sign of some nature at the curve where
Summer Place turns into Mojave Trail.
Mr.
Hansen showed an aerial map of the roadway network and photos of the westbound
approach to the curve. Mr. Hansen
stated that this curve shares the same roadway and roadside characteristics of many
of the nearby curves. During his field
inspection, he did not see any evidence of vehicles running off the roadway.
Mr.
Hopp thought there might have been a crash on Mojave Trail recently.
Lt.
Florence did not recall of such a crash on Mojave Trail.
A
motion was made by Ms. Macaux, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the
request by Ald. Weber for a speed inhibition sign of some nature at the curve
where Summer Place turns into Mojave Trail be postponed until the next Traffic
Commission meeting, August 28, 2006.
9. Request
by Ald. Theisen to establish a FOUR-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of
Crooks and S. Roosevelt Streets.
Mr. Hansen presented an aerial map, a diagram showing
nearby STOP and YIELD control intersection locations, and photos of the
intersection. Currently, the
intersection operates under TWO-WAY STOP control: Crooks Street traffic stops for Roosevelt Street traffic. CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP supplementary
signs are posted below both STOP signs.
On Roosevelt Street, a traffic signal exists two blocks south and a STOP
condition exists three blocks north. No
reportable crashes were found over the past 12 months (multi-way STOP control
warrants require a minimum of five reportable crashes over a 12 month period
that could have been prevented under STOP control). A multi-way STOP control would unnecessarily delay Roosevelt
Street traffic.
Ms.
Macaux asked if the Department of Public Works had speed information on
Roosevelt Street.
Mr.
Hansen stated that speed data was not available.
Lt.
Florence stated that the Police Department could place speed boards on
Roosevelt Street near the Crooks Street intersection.
Ald.
Kriescher stated he would be interested in the results of a speed study.
A
motion was made by Ms. Kuiper, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that the
request by Ald. Theisen to establish a FOUR-WAY STOP condition at the
intersection of Crooks and S. Roosevelt Streets be referred to the Department
of Public Works for study.
10. Request
by the Traffic Engineer to remove the parking restrictions adjacent to St.
Joseph's School located on the corner of Ninth Street and Twelfth Avenue due to
school closure.
A. TWELFTH AVENUE, west side, from Ninth Street to a
point 445 feet north of Ninth Street during school hours.
B. NINTH STREET, north side, from Twelfth Avenue to
Thirteenth Avenue during school hours.
Mr.
Hansen stated that Items 10, 11, and 12 are related. The restricted parking zones are no longer needed due to
permanent school closure.
A
motion was made by Ald, Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that the
Department of Public Works be directed to:
A. Remove
the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on TWELFTH AVENUE, west side, from
Ninth Street to a point 445 feet north of Ninth Street.
B. Remove
the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on NINTH STREET, north side, from
Twelfth Avenue to Thirteenth Avenue.
and be adopted by
ordinance.
11. Request
by the Traffic Engineer to remove the NO RIGHT ON RED when children are present
restriction at the signalized intersection of Ninth Street and Twelfth Avenue
due to St. Joseph's School closing.
Mr.
Hansen stated that the NO RIGHT ON RED when children are present restriction is
no longer needed due to permanent school closure.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that the
request by the Traffic Engineer to remove the NO RIGHT ON RED when children are
present restriction at the signalized intersection of Ninth Street and Twelfth
Avenue due to St. Joseph's School closing and be adopted by ordinance.
12. Request
by the Traffic Engineer to discuss removal or relocation of the crossing guard
assigned to Ninth Street at Twelfth Avenue intersection with regards to St. Joseph's
School Closing.
Mr.
Hansen stated that the school crossing guard is no longer needed at this
intersection due to permanent school closure.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that the
Traffic Commission recommend removal of the adult crossing guard at the
intersection of Ninth Street at Twelfth Avenue with regards to St. Joseph’s
School closing.
13. Request
by the Traffic Engineer to remove the parking restrictions adjacent to St.
Phillip's School at the corner of Main Street and Victoria Street due to
permanent school closure.
A. AMY STREET, south side, from Schoen Street to a point
500 feet west during school hours.
B. VICTORIA STREET, west side, from Crooks Street to a
point 284 feet north of Crooks Street during school hours.
Mr.
Hansen stated that Item 13A was to read “CROOKS STREET, north side, from Irene
Street to Victoria Street during school hours“ instead of the zone as described
on Amy Street. The restricted parking
zones are no longer needed due to permanent school closure.
A
motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by Ms. Macaux, and carried that:
A. Remove
the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on CROOKS STREET, north side, from
Irene Street to Victoria Street
B. Remove
the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on VICTORIA STREET, west side, from
Crooks Street to a point 284 feet north of Crooks Street.
And
be adopted by ordinance.
14. Request
by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of Don Baenen (990 Mt. Hood Court), for a NO
COMPRESSION BRAKING sign on northbound Interstate 43, Exit #185 (University
Avenue and Hwy. 54/57).
Mr.
Hansen stated that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has established a
policy on installing such signs on highways under their jurisdiction, such as
Interstate 43. This policy was
paraphrased to the Traffic Commission.
The policy only allows for the installation of such signs at or near the
corporate limits, and specifically states that these signs shall not be used at
site-specific locations such as at interchange ramps. I-43 crosses the city limits at the Military Avenue overpass and
just north of the Manitowoc Road interchange.
A
motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that the
request by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of Don Baenen (990 Mt. Hood Court), for a
NO COMPRESSION BRAKING sign on northbound Interstate 43, Exit #185 (University
Avenue and Hwy. 54/57) be denied because the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation policy will not allow NO COMPRESSION BRAKING signs to be
installed at interchange ramps.
15. Request
by Ald. VanderLeest to install NO COMPRESSION BRAKING signs along Hwy. 41 in
both northbound and southbound directions.
Mr.
Hansen referred back to the WisDOT policy discussed in Item 14. The policy only allows for the installation
of such signs at or near the corporate limits. The southern limit is at the Lombardi Avenue interchange. The northern limit is between the Mason
Street and Shawano Avenue interchanges.
Hwy. 41 exists within the City limits for roughly 1.5 miles.
Ald.
Kriescher stated that the City has many of these signs installed at our City
limits.
A
motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the
request by Ald. VanderLeest to install NO COMPRESSION BRAKING signs along Hwy.
41 in both northbound and southbound directions be referred to the Department
of Public Works for study to determine if the City has NO COMPRESSION BRAKING
signs on Hwy 41 at our City limits.
16. That,
on a 90-day trial basis, a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Michigan
Avenue, from East Shore Drive north to and including the cul-de-sac be
established.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that
the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Michigan Avenue, from East Shore
Drive north to and including the cul-de-sac be adopted by ordinance.
There
being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by
Ms. Kuiper and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 7:37PM. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, August 28, 2006.