MINUTES OF THE

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, April 23, 2007

City Hall, Room 310

7:00 pm

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:            Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Brad Hopp, Ald. Gary Kriescher, Matt Kuepers, Charles Karow, Mark Schuster, and Lt. Brad Florence

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:        Cmdr. Lisa Sterr

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

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

1.        Approval of the minutes from the March 26, 2007 Traffic Commission meeting.

            A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to approve the minutes from the March 26, 2007 Traffic Commission meeting.

2.        Review of 2006 fourth quarter and 2007 first quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay.

Lt. Florence summarized both reports.  During the 2006 fourth quarter, 1 serious crash involving failure to stop for a STOP sign, and 1 fatal crash occurred killing a pedestrian who ran into traffic.  During the first quarter of 2007, no serious injury or fatal crashes occurred.

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the review of the 2006 fourth quarter and 2007 first quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay be received and placed on file.

INITIAL REQUESTS

 

3.        Request by Ald. DeWane to allow parking by Blessed Sacrament Church on Webster Avenue and Day Street on Fridays through Sundays for church mass and events.

            Ald. DeWane stated that the church has elderly members and would like closer on-street parking available on Webster Avenue on Fridays and Saturdays when other events take place at the church.

D. Hansen displayed an aerial map of the area showing that the church has no available onsite parking.  He also pointed out that the residential streets surrounding the church do not have parking restrictions and have sidewalks available that access the church, and that a NO PARKING EXCEPT SUNDAYS zone is posted on the west side of Webster Avenue from Harvey Street to Day Street.  The rest of Webster Avenue in proximity of the church and beyond is restricted NO PARKING ANY TIME.  D. Hansen summarized 2004 Traffic Commission minutes that led up to the currently posted zone.  D. Hansen recommended that any principal arterial that is marked for 4 lanes of moving traffic should restrict on-street parking at all times.

A lengthy discussion took place about special needs on-street parking, the high volume of traffic on Webster Avenue, that Webster Avenue is painted for 4 lanes of traffic, and that the City may be put at legal risk if parking was allowed in a live lane of traffic on few but busy days of the week, and why the church hasn’t acquired adjacent available properties in order to build a parking lot.

            A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the request to allow parking by Blessed Sacrament Church on Webster Avenue and Day Street on Fridays through Sundays for church mass and events be received and placed on file.

4.        Request by Ald. DeWane to establish a 2-HOUR PARKING zone on both side of Apple Tree Court from Deckner Avenue to its northerly terminus.

Ald. DeWane asked if the request could be amended to also include Vagabond Street.

D. Hansen explained that this request stemmed from a complaint of Preble High School students parking all day in front of the residences.

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

A.                Establish a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on both sides of Apple Tree Court from Deckner Avenue to its northerly terminus

B.                Establish a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on both sides of Vagabond Street from Apple Tree Court to a point 60 feet north of Deckner Avenue

5.        Request by Ald. Theisen to paint the curbs in the 500 block of South Clay Street for the NO PARKING zones.

            D. Hansen confirmed from a field inspection that the curb was painted previously and is heavily worn off.  The request is plausible because driveways near schools do get blocked during drop off and pick up situations.  

 

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the Department of Public Works be instructed to paint the curb yellow on 4 feet each side of each driveway on the east side of the 500 block of South Clay Street.

6.        Request by Ald. Kriescher to change the parking on the 100 block North VanBuren Street to 2-HOUR PARKING on the west side of the street.

            D. Hansen stated that currently the 100 block (Walnut Street to Cherry Street) of North Van Buren Street is posted 2-HOUR PARKING on the east side, and is posted NO PARKING 7-6 EXCEPT SAT AND SUN on the west side.  Although parking is allowed on the west side on Saturdays and Sundays, D. Hansen stated concern of parked vehicles blocking the view of the southbound STOP sign for motorists approaching Walnut Street, especially with the flaring out of the street at the intersection.  A NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone could correct the problem.

Ald. Kriescher explained that a newer business within that block has customers that are now parking more frequently in the available on-street parking stalls, and residents have no place else to park but their driveways.

A short discussion took place about the flared out areas at both the north and south limits of the block. 

 

A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to:

A.                Remove the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM EXCEPT SAT AND SUN zone on the west side of Van Buren Street from Walnut Street to Cherry Street.

B.                Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY PARKING zone on the west side of Van Buren Street from Cherry Street to Pine Street.

C.                Establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Van Buren Street from Walnut Street to a point 90 feet north of Walnut Street.

D.                Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY PARKING zone on the west side of Van Buren Street from a point 90 feet north of Walnut Street to Pine Street.

7.        Request by Ald. Jeffreys to remove the parking meter on Cherry Street nearest the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Cherry Street from roughly 100 feet west of Jefferson Street to Jefferson Street.

            D. Hansen stated that he met with the maintenance staff from the Sophie Beaumont building and they described the issue to him that delivery trucks are having a difficult time maneuvering into the loading docks at the building when vehicles are parked in that metered stall.  Truck deliveries are one per week typical, and are sometimes unannounced.  D. Hansen read an e-mail from Christopher Pirlot, DPW Director of Traffic, Parking, and Operations, which summarized that DPW has given up 2 metered stalls in the past at no cost to the County for this same reason, has provided a meter hood to them to place on the subject parking meter in advance of truck deliveries, and made a proposal to them that offers the metered parking stall at a reduced cost to the County.

            A lengthy discussion took place about tire marks on the curb near the driveway, poor backing up skills by some delivery truck drivers, other downtown businesses that are able to get semi tractor trailer deliveries without problems, frequency of deliveries to the Sophie Beaumont building, and whether it is common practice for the City to charge for on-street metered stalls.

 

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher to remove the meter and authorize DPW to enter into the payment agreement offered by C. Pirlot, pending full written agreement to this proposal from the County.  Ald. Kriescher added that if the County doesn’t agree with the proposal that DPW be authorized to charge also for the other two stalls that were offered at no charge.  Motion failed.

 

            Lt. Florence recommended that C. Pirlot approach the County with the proposal and have the County come back with a response.  Then the County can place another request to the Commission with the agreed-upon proposal. 

 

            A brief discussion took place.

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request to remove the parking meter on Cherry Street nearest the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Cherry Street from roughly 100 feet west of Jefferson Street to Jefferson Street be received and placed on file.

8.        Request by Ald. Jeffreys to establish a 1-WAY STOP condition at the alley behind the Riverfront Lofts and Cherry Street.

            D. Hansen explained that the STOP sign is already installed at this location.

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request to establish a 1-WAY STOP condition at the alley behind the Riverfront Lofts and Cherry Street be received and placed on file.

9.        Request by Sharon Payne (1616 Spence Street) to paint the curb yellow on the west side of Spence Street between the driveways of 1616 Spence Street and 1236 Liberty Street (on Spence Street).

            D. Hansen stated that Sharon Payne called him requesting the curb be painted.  He explained to her that a City Ordinance exists where no vehicle shall park on-street within 4 feet of a driveway apron.  Also, he explained to her that DPW policy is not to paint these curbs unless directed to do so.  He stated that S. Payne stated that during Packer games, late arriving fans park just south of and block her driveway because no other nearby parking spots are available.  D. Hansen showed photos and maps of this location, and of similar locations on a nearby block where curbs were painted yellow for similar reasons.

A lengthy discussion took place about resolving parking problems primarily during Packer games, and included suggesting the resident place a traffic cone in that area during Packer games so nobody can park there, or parking their own vehicle in that spot.  Some curbs on nearby streets are similarly painted, or have been painted in the past.

            A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that the Department of Public Works be instructed to paint the curb yellow on the west side of Spence Street between the driveways of 1616 Spence Street and 1236 Liberty Street (on Spence Street).

10.      Request by Ald. Deneys for a safety study of the area around the West Mason Street, Fire Station 6, and Bentwood Drive intersection.

            D. Hansen showed a map and photos of the intersection, and described the many issues that exist such as:

A.                 The existing West Mason Street curvature, both horizontal and vertical, lends to poor intersection sight distance, and difficulty exiting Bentwood Drive.

 

B.                 Motorists are using the westbound left turn lane as a U-Turn and sometimes cannot negotiate the U-Turn, therefore they enter the 1-WAY out driveway the wrong way, and/or use it to make a Y-Turn.
           

D. Hansen recommended relocating the FIRE STATION AHEAD warning signs on West Mason closer to Fire Station 6, and also placing supplemental signs underneath them providing a distance to the intersection.  Also, he recommended that the westbound left-turn lane be removed.  If that was not an option, a NO U-TURN sign with an AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY sign could be installed.

A lengthy discussion took place about possible solutions to closing the left turn lane with barricading or stripes or permanent curb or median options, and installing NO U-TURN AND LEFT TURN signs.  Several other suggestions were discussed including closing off Bentwood Drive at West Mason Street, and installing blinking warning signs that are interconnected with the emergency emitters on the fire trucks.

A motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried to:

 

A.                Establish a NO U-TURN AND LEFT TURN restriction at westbound West Mason Street at Bentwood Drive / Fire Station 6

 

B.                Paint the westbound left-turn lane on West Mason Street at Bentwood Drive / Fire Station 6 with lane closed style markings

 

C.                Move the ADVANCE FIRE STATION warning signs on West Mason Street near Fire Station 6 closer to its exit driveway

 

D.                Add supplemental sign to each ADVANCE FIRE STATION warning sign on West Mason Street near Fire Station 6 showing the distance to the fire station driveway

11.      Request by Ald. VanderLeest to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of St. Agnes Drive from a point 35 feet east of Fisk Street to Fisk Street.

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by C. Karow and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of St. Agnes Drive from a point 35 feet west of Fisk Street to Fisk Street.

POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

 

12.      Election of Officers to the Traffic Commission.

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to re-appoint Judy Kuiper as Chairman of the Traffic Commission.

            A second motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to appoint Bradley Hopp as Vice-Chairman of the Traffic Commission.

REFERRED BACK FROM STUDY

 

13.      Request by Ald. Wery to review the parking restrictions on S. Oneida Street between Badger Street and Shawano Avenue.

            D. Hansen met with several people including multiple DPW administrative and engineering staff persons, and also with Ald. Wery and impacted residents.  He stated that all parties have come to a mutually agreeable solution, which he continued to explain.  D. Hansen displayed a map showing the areas for proposed on-street parking.

            A lengthy discussion took place about the proposed parking layout, sight distance criteria, why this issue wasn’t addressed during project design, and because of that, now new pavement markings and signs are going to be removed and redone.

 

A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Kriescher, that on a 90-day trial, to:

A.     Remove the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from a point 250 feet south of Badger Street to a point 200 feet south of Badger Street.

 

B.     Remove the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from a point 110 feet north of Western Avenue to Tilkens Street.

 

C.    Remove the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from Badger Street to a point 110 feet north of Western Avenue (7:00 AM to 6:00 PM except Saturday and Sunday).

 

D.    Remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida Street from Badger Street to Tilkens Street.

 

E.     Establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from Tilkens Street to a point 50 feet north of Badger Street.

 

F.     Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida Street from Tilkens Street to a point 105 feet north of Badger Street.

 

            C. Karow opposed the motion.  Motion carried.

 

14.      Request by Ald. Wery to review pedestrian safety measures at the Ninth Street and Gross Avenue intersection for intersection sight distance.

            D. Hansen presented the results of the intersection sight distance study.  The intersection exceeds the minimum and desirable conditions for intersection sight distance.  He stated that he confirms his initial recommendation from the recent previous study of the intersection to keep the existing 2-WAY STOP control in place, and that pedestrian-actuated blinker warning signs be installed for both eastbound and westbound Ninth Street approaches at the west approach crosswalk.  He reminded that grant monies have been awarded for this installation, that Council approved the 10% matching funds for said installation, and that the blinker signs are scheduled for installation this year.  He stated that he met onsite with Ald. Wery to review the sight distance issue.

            A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request to review pedestrian safety measures at the Ninth Street and Gross Avenue intersection for intersection sight distance be received and placed on file.

15.      Request by Ald. Theisen to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Crooks and S. Roosevelt Streets be postponed until after the Police Department contacts the resident at 345 S. Roosevelt Street about removing a site obstruction.

            D. Hansen read an e-mail from Lt. Brad Florence which stated that the resident was contacted by a fellow police officer, and that the officer felt confident that the resident understood the request from the officer not to park in his driveway between the sidewalk and road curb.

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Crooks and S. Roosevelt Streets be postponed until after the Police Department contacts the resident at 345 S. Roosevelt Street about removing a site obstruction be received and placed on file.

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

 

16.      That on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of South Platten Street from Shawano Avenue to a point 110 feet south of Shawano Avenue.

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the NO PARKING zone on both sides of South Platten Street from Shawano Avenue to a point 110 feet south of Shawano Avenue be adopted by ordinance.

17.      That on a 90-day trial, to:

A.                Remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Crooks Street from a point 50 feet west of Quincy Street to a point 134 feet east of Webster Avenue.

B.                Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Crooks Street from a point 50 feet west of Quincy Street to a point 85 feet east of Van Buren Street.

C.                Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Crooks Street from a point 110 feet west of Webster Avenue to a point 134 feet east of Webster Avenue.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that to:

A.                Remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Crooks Street from a point 50 feet west of Quincy Street to a point 134 feet east of Webster Avenue.

B.                Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Crooks Street from a point 50 feet west of Quincy Street to a point 85 feet east of Van Buren Street.

C.        Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Crooks Street from a point 110 feet west of Webster Avenue to a point 134 feet east of Webster Avenue.

be adopted by ordinance.

18.     That on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on both sides of Newberry Avenue from Reimer Street to Huth Street.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on both sides of Newberry Avenue from Reimer Street to Huth Street be adopted by ordinance.

19.      That, on a 90-day trial, to:

A.                Remove the 1-HOUR PARKING 7 TO 4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the both sides of Trojan Drive from a point 60 west of Packerland Drive to Hobart Drive.

B.                Establish a 1-HOUR PARKING 7 TO 4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the south side of Trojan Drive from a point 60 west of Packerland Drive to Hobart Drive.

C.                Establish a 1-HOUR PARKING 7 TO 4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Trojan Drive from a point 60 west of Packerland Drive to a point 130 feet east of Delray Drive.

D.                Establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side Trojan Drive from a point 110 feet west of Hobart Drive to Hobart Drive.

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that to:

A.                Remove the 1-HOUR PARKING 7 TO 4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the both sides of Trojan Drive from a point 60 west of Packerland Drive to Hobart Drive.

B.                Establish a 1-HOUR PARKING 7 TO 4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the south side of Trojan Drive from a point 60 west of Packerland Drive to Hobart Drive.

C.                Establish a 1-HOUR PARKING 7 TO 4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Trojan Drive from a point 60 west of Packerland Drive to a point 130 feet east of Delray Drive.

D.        Establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side Trojan Drive from a point 110 feet west of Hobart Drive to Hobart Drive.

be adopted by ordinance.

20.     That on an extended 90-day trial, to establish a 2-WAY YIELD condition on Edinburgh Road at Durham Road.  (Extended from Jan. 22, 2007 meeting)

A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the 2-WAY YIELD condition on Edinburgh Road at Durham Road be adopted by ordinance.

21.     That on an extended 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from 250 feet north of Badger Street to Tilkens Street.  (Extended from Jan. 22, 2007 meeting)

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from 250 feet north of Badger Street to Tilkens Street be rescinded.

22.     That on an extended 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida Street from 220 feet north of Badger Street to Tilkens Street.  (Extended from Jan. 22, 2007 meeting)

            A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida Street from 220 feet north of Badger Street to Tilkens Street be rescinded.

There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business.  The meeting ended at 8:28 P.M.  The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 21, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.