MINUTES
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
July 23, 2007
7:00 pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Matt
Kuepers, Charles Karow,
Brad Hopp, Ald. Gary Kriescher, Mark
Schuster
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cmdr. Lisa Sterr (excused)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ald.
DeWane, Lt. Brad Florence (in place of Cmdr. Sterr), and Recording Secretary
and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen
1.
Approval of the minutes from the June 25, 2007 Traffic Commission
meeting, and as amended:
A.
Item 5 (4) “…on a trial basis, establish a NO PARKING LOADING
ONLY zone on the north side of Reed Street from a point 70 feet east of Gray
Street to a point 70 290 feet east of Gray Street.”
B. Item
6 – “…on a 90-day trial, to establish a 1-WAY YIELD condition on O’Brien
Street Oxford Avenue at Reed Street.”
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to
approve the amended minutes from the June 25, 2007 Traffic Commission
meeting.
2. Review
of the 2007 second quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of
Green Bay.
Lt.
Florence summarized the report to the Traffic Commission. There were three serious injury
crashes: (1) April 3rd - Broadway at
Hubbard Street; (2) April 24th – South Ashland Avenue at Liberty Street; and
(3) May 25th – 1700 block of East Mason Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
review of the 2007 second quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City
of Green Bay be received and placed on file.
3.
Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of neighborhood residents to
establish a YIELD condition on Ontario Road at Beth Drive.
Dave
Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, explained that Ontario Rd is a collector street
that “T” intersects with Beth Dr, a lower volume residential street. Currently the intersection does not have
posted intersection control, meaning that the standard rules of the road apply
to all motorists approaching and traveling through the intersection. Ontario Rd intersects with East Mason St
roughly 1/3 mile south of the Beth Dr intersection. The intersection of Ontario Rd and East Mason St is scheduled to
have traffic signals installed because it recently met warrants to install
them. Ontario Rd is also anticipated to
be extended north to Sitka St in the future.
Because of these facts, it is recommended to keep Ontario Rd as the major
street to Beth Dr. No crashes have
occurred at the intersection within the past 3 years. Intersection sight distance is adequate. Therefore, D. Hansen recommended maintaining
the existing intersection traffic control and considered re-evaluation of
intersection control after Ontario Rd is extended through to Sitka St.
A discussion took place about needing to reverse
newly-established YIELD signs once Ontario Rd is extended through to Sitka St,
placing YIELD signs on Beth Dr rather than Ontario Rd, cut-through traffic
using Beth Dr due to the median closure on E Mason St at Superior Rd, past
reports of neighborhood speeding, and the timeline and likelihood of Ontario Rd
extending to Sitka St.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to establish a YIELD condition on Ontario Road at Beth Drive be
received and placed on file.
4.
Request by Ald. DeWane to construct a roundabout at the intersection of
Bader Street and Newberry Avenue.
Ald.
DeWane stated that he wanted to rescind his request based on his
misinterpretation of the motion made at the last Traffic Commission meeting,
and that he was in agreement with the past motion.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the
request to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Bader Street and Newberry
Avenue be received and placed on file.
5.
Request by Ald. DeWane to establish a NO LEFT TURN condition from
westbound University Avenue onto Fred Street.
Ald.
DeWane explained that westbound Hwy 54/57 (Sturgeon Bay Rd) motorists use Fred
St as a cut through to Danz Avenue in order to avoid the University/Danz
intersection. He stated that he polled
residents on Fred St between University Av and Basten St, and that they were in
favor of the NO LEFT TURN condition.
D.
Hansen agreed with the NO LEFT TURN proposed condition. He stated that it could be temporarily
accomplished with signs and pavement marking.
Enforcement of the NO LEFT-TURN condition would be critical to its
success. But eventually, the pork chop
island just west of the intersection should be extended east in order to
physically block off the westbound left-turn from Hwy 54/57. He showed a drawing of both the temporary
and permanent proposals. He also stated
that nearby business owners should be polled of their opinion of this
proposal. The last proposal to close
access of Fred St at Hwy 54/57 concerned those business owners.
A
discussion took place about the full closure of Fred St at Hwy 54/57, other
access to the businesses given a full or partial closure, and adding tourist
origin-destination signs on westbound Hwy 54/57 before the traffic signal.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to establish a NO LEFT-TURN condition from westbound Hwy 54/57
onto Fred Street.
6.
Request by Ald. Theisen to install BLIND CHILD AREA signs near 1664
Mason Way.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kreischer, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the
request to install BLIND CHILD AREA signs near 1664 Mason Way be approved.
7. Request by Ald. Theisen to lengthen the
NO PARKING zones at Porlier Street and South Adams Street.
Ald. Theisen called D. Hansen today and recommended
to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Adams St, and that one end
of it starts across from the driveway at 825 South Adams Street and extend
south to Porlier Street. Ald. Theisen
wants to make the free flow elbow curve at the intersection of Adams and
Porlier Streets safer to negotiate by removing vehicles parked along the curve.
A discussion
took place about the long length of the proposed NO PARKING zone, the high
volume of pedestrians on weekends, removing on-street parking near the curve
could increase vehicle speeds, SUVs blocking west side Adams St street signs,
restricting parking on Adams St could move the problem to other nearby streets,
and the pros and cons of living near a park,
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the
request to lengthen the NO PARKING zones at Porlier Street and South Adams
Street be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting after Commission
member Bradley Hopp discusses the request with Ald. Theisen.
8.
Request by the Traffic Engineer to establish a NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN
PEDESTRIANS ARE PRESENT condition on southbound Washington Street at East
Walnut Street.
D.
Hansen stated he has heard many concerns from Bellin Building and Imaginasium
employees that feel the intersection is not safe for pedestrians, especially
given the recent pedestrian-vehicle crash a few weeks ago. One employee stated they feel safer crossing
midblock (jaywalking) rather than crossing in the intersection’s
crosswalks. D. Hansen acknowledges this
concern and expanded on the pedestrian crossing of the west leg of Walnut and
Washington Streets. He continued by
stating that some of the problem may be that southbound motorists on Washington
St taking a right turn onto westbound Walnut St are looking east to see if they
have an available gap in traffic. Given
the large parking ramp and the curve to the north of Walnut St, sometimes it is
difficult for those motorists to see around the ramp and to judge the available
gaps. Therefore, they simply neglect
looking west for pedestrian conflicts.
D. Hansen witnessed near ped-vehicle crashes at the northwest
corner. He recommended a NO RIGHT TURN
ON RED WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE PRESENT condition to be established for southbound
Washington St motorists. He stated Ald.
Jeffreys supports this proposal.
A
discussion took place about the excessive jaywalking during the day across East
Walnut St, moving the STOP bar closer to the crosswalk to help motorists see
around the Cherry St Ramp, the impacts on right-turn traffic if full time or
time-restricted NO RIGHT ON RED conditions were established, and the best
locations to place such signs.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by B. Hopp and carried:
A.
That on a 90-day trial,
to establish a NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE PRESENT condition on
southbound Washington Street at East Walnut Street.
B.
That two NO RIGHT ON
RED WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE PRESENT signs be placed at southbound Washington
Street at East Walnut Street, one on the near right traffic signal, the other
on the far right traffic signal.
C.
That the Department of
Public Works be directed to relocate the southbound STOP bar on Washington
Street at East Walnut Street to 4 feet north of the existing pedestrian
crosswalk.
9.
(From October 23, 2006 Meeting) That, on a 90-day trial beginning April
1, 2007, to establish a NO PARKING DURING ATHLETIC EVENTS zone on the east side
of South Baird Street from Porlier Street to a point 70 feet south of Lawe
Street no earlier than April 1, 2007.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
NO PARKING DURING ATHLETIC EVENTS zone on the east side of South Baird Street
from Porlier Street to a point 70 feet south of Lawe Street be established and
adopted by ordinance.
10. (From
October 23, 2006 Meeting) That, on a 90-day trial beginning April 1, 2007, to
establish a NO PARKING DURING ATHLETIC EVENTS zone on the east side of South
Baird Street from a point 100 feet north of Lawe Street to Cass Street no
earlier than April 1, 2007.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
NO PARKING DURING ATHLETIC EVENTS zone on the east side of South Baird Street
from a point 100 feet north of Lawe Street to Cass Street be established and
adopted by ordinance.
11. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that
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 be established and adopted by
ordinance.
12. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher , seconded by M. Schuster and carried that 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 be established
and adopted by ordinance.
13. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A motion
was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
removal of 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 be adopted by
ordinance.
14. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
removal of 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 be adopted by
ordinance.
15. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
NO PARKING zone on the west side of Van Buren Street from Walnut Street to a
point 90 feet north of Walnut Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
16. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that 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 be
established and adopted by ordinance.
17. 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
NO PARKING zone on the north side of St. Agnes Drive from a point 35 feet west
of Fisk Street to Fisk Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
18. That
on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
removal of 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 be
adopted by ordinance.
19.
That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING zone on the west side
of Oneida Street from a point 110 feet north of Western Avenue to Tilkens
Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
removal of the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from a point
110 feet north of Western Avenue to Tilkens Street be adopted by ordinance.
20. That,
on a 90-day trial, to 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).
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
removal of 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) be adopted by ordinance.
21. That,
on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida
Street from Badger Street to Tilkens Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kreischer, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
removal of the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida Street from Badger
Street to Tilkens Street be adopted by ordinance.
22. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida
Street from Tilkens Street to a point 50 feet north of Badger Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kreischer, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
NO PARKING zone on the west side of Oneida Street from Tilkens Street to a
point 50 feet north of Badger Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
23. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida
Street from Tilkens Street to a point 105 feet north of Badger Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kreischer, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
NO PARKING zone on the east side of Oneida Street from Tilkens Street to a point
105 feet north of Badger Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
There being no other items of discussion, a motion
was made by Ald. Kriescher,
seconded by J. Kuiper and carried to adjourn from the
regular orders of business.
The meeting ended at 7:45 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled
for Monday, August 27, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.