MINUTES
7:00 pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Vice Chairperson
Brad Hopp, Matt Kuepers, Charles Karow, and Ald. Gary Kriescher
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Schuster (excused) and
Cmdr. Lisa Sterr (excused)
OTHERS
PRESENT: Ald. DeWane, Ald.
Wery, Lt. Brad Florence (in place of Cmdr. Sterr), and Recording Secretary and
Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen
1.
Approval of the minutes from the August 27, 2007 Traffic Commission
meeting.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried to approve the
minutes from the September 24, 2007 Traffic Commission meeting.
The remaining items were
discussed in this order: 4, 10, 8, 7,
9, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
INITIAL REQUESTS
2.
Review of the 2007 third quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the
City of Green Bay.
Lt.
Florence summarized the report to the Traffic Commission. There were 9 serious injury/fatal crashes
including 7 fatalities:
(1) Fatal, July 7,
11:53 PM, Main St Bridge, female motorcycle operator, 34, alcohol-related
(2) Fatal and Serious
Injury, July 8, 11:57 PM, 1000 block of Elizabeth St, male pedestrian (fatal),
50, female pedestrian (injury), 41, alcohol-related
(3) Fatal, July 13,
8:36 AM, 920 Coppens Rd, female on private property, 1
(4) Serious Injury,
July 18, 11:24 PM, 900 Aphrodite Rd, male motorcycle operator, 16, female
motorcycle passenger, 18, alcohol-related
(5) Fatal, July 30,
1:59 AM, 1700 block of Western Av, male operator, 26, front passenger, 24, rear
passenger, 26, alcohol-related
(6) Serious Injury,
August 12, 2:43 PM, E Shore Dr at Irwin Av, male moped operator, 45, road rage
(7) Serious Injury,
September 7, 12:01 PM, 2845 Greenbriar Rd (Aurora Baycare Hospital), male, 71
(8) Fatal, September
8, 1:35 PM, Broadway at Prairie Av, male motorcycle operator, 50, no helmet
(9) Serious Injury,
September 12, 1:59 AM, University Av at Humboldt Rd, male bicyclist, 22, no
helmet, bicyclist failure to yield at traffic signal
A
brief discussion took place about DWI enforcement.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
2007 third quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay
be received and placed on file.
3. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
remove the STOP condition on Hubble Drive at Walker Drive.
Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, stated that Hubble Drive has
recently been vacated. The STOP sign
will remain in place but no longer needs to be in the city ordinance book.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher,
seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the 1-WAY STOP condition on Hubble
Drive at Walker Drive be removed.
4.
Request by Ald. DeWane to extend the NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on
the north side of Newberry Avenue just west of Bader Street.
Ald.
DeWane stated that the existing zone is too short, that it’s dangerous to have
to pull out into the intersection to see around parked vehicles just to make a
safe maneuver through the intersection, and that he had a near crash at the
intersection.
D.
Hansen clarified that the request was for just west of Danz Av, not Bader
St. He explained that the current NO
PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone was substandard per intersection sight distance
criteria. To meet this criteria, the
zone should begin 150 feet west of the intersection. He stated that the current NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone abuts a
PERMIT ONLY PARKING 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone just west of it. He spoke with Renee Every, Associate
Principal, who stated that school staff parks in those spots, and that the
school would be able to find other spots for those staff members to park if the
permit only zone were shortened.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to:
A. Remove the PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS
zone on the north side of Newberry Avenue from a point 200 feet east of Bader
Street to a point 30 feet west of Danz Avenue.
B. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the north side of
Newberry Avenue from a point 30 feet west of Danz Avenue to Danz Avenue.
C. Establish a PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS
zone on the north side of Newberry Avenue from a point 200 feet east of Bader
Street to a point 150 feet west of Danz Avenue.
D. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of
Newberry Avenue from a point 150 feet west of Danz Avenue to Danz Avenue.
5.
Request by Ald. Theisen to remove the parking restrictions on Grignon
and Emilie Streets east of Monroe Avenue.
D.
Hansen stated that both Grignon and Emilie Sts to the west of Monroe Av are
cul-de-sacs, and that the west approach of each intersection was recently
changed from a standard intersection to a driveway access entrance. Since Grignon and Emilie Sts now function as
private driveways to a few homes, the on-street parking restrictions should be
removed.
Ald.
Kriescher corrected the request should be to remove the parking restrictions
west, not east, of Monroe Av.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that, on
a 90-day trial, to:
A. Remove the 2-HOUR Parking zone on both sides of Emilie
Street from the Fox River to Monroe Avenue.
B. Remove the 2-HOUR Parking zone on both sides of
Grignon Street from the Fox River to Jackson Street.
C. Establish a 2-HOUR Parking zone on both sides of
Grignon Street from Monroe Avenue to Jackson Street.
6.
Request by Ald. Fradette on behalf of neighborhood residents to install
SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY signs in the 1200 block of Perrot Street.
D.
Hansen paraphrased an e-mail from Ald. Fradette that the requestors of the SLOW
CHILDREN AT PLAY signs claim several children in the area ride bikes in the
street. D. Hansen stated that he
replied to the e-mail explaining that DPW does not install these signs because
the CHILDREN AT PLAY sign is not recognized by the Federal Highway
Administration as a legitimate traffic control sign, roadways are not intended
for use as playgrounds, it doesn't tell the motorist what to do in the event
they encounter a child at play in his/her front yard, if a child is legally
playing in their yard, a motorist doesn't necessarily need to change his/her
driving habits, children can be seen on most every residential street, these
types of signs have not proven to change driver habits, and if the signs would
be installed, they could breed a false sense of security for children and/or
their parents. He continued by stating
that 10 to 15 years ago, DPW removed all (20 or so) CHILDREN AT PLAY signs
throughout the City. Since that time,
DPW has continued its professional recommendation against installation of
CHILDREN AT PLAY signs.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request to install SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY signs in the 1200 block of Perrot
Street be denied.
7.
Request by Ald. Wery to review the curb painting procedure as it applies
to the neighborhood surrounding the Resch Aquatic Center.
Ald.
Wery clarified that only Oregon St (Gray to Oneida Sts) residents requested the
curb painting because they have no signed on-street parking restrictions, which
results in parking issues when the center is open. D. Hansen asked if a petition or list of residents requesting
driveway curb painting was collected.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by J. Kuiper and carried that DPW
be instructed to paint driveway curb ends on Oregon Street between Gray Street
and Oneida Street at the locations/addresses to be provided by Ald. Wery.
8.
Request by Ald. Wery on behalf of neighborhood residents to paint curbs
near Marquette Park in areas of restricted on-street parking.
Ald.
Wery submitted a petition from 23 residents requesting the City to paint the
end of their driveway curb. The
residents have problems of people parking too close to their driveways during
game events at Marquette Park, making it difficult to enter and exit and
resulting in verbal disagreements.
D.
Hansen stated that 32 driveways perimeter the parks, thereby confirming a
majority of these residents are in favor driveway curb painting. That said, he recommends painting those 23
driveways while maintaining the paint on a 2-year schedule, similar to DPW
policy near Lambeau Field (area bounded by Lombardi-Ridge-Liberty-Gross). But in addition to the Lambeau Field area
policy, if a petitioner does NOT want to be painted every second year, they
would need to contact us to remove them from the list.
A
brief discussion took place about residents painting their own curbs, game day
parking issues around Lambeau Field, and that some residents don’t like the
look of their driveway curb being painted.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried that DPW be
instructed to paint each driveway curb end at the 23 locations as noted on the
Marquette Park Parking Petition and to re-paint them every 2 years.
9.
Request by Ald. Wery to review and possibly alter the parking
restrictions on Reed Street.
Ald.
Wery stated that the residents on Reed St from Gray St to O’Brien St are very
happy with the RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ONLY zone established this summer. However, the residents on Reed St from
Oneida St to Gray St, who also have a RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ONLY zone, request it
be modified to only be in effect during the months when the Resch Aquatic
Center is open.
D.
Hansen stated he discussed this request with the Parking Division. They are okay with the request on Reed St
(Gray to Oneida Sts) only if (1) the existing RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ONLY signs
would remain in place all year long, (2) A supplemental sign would be installed
below each existing RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ONLY sign stating ENFORCED JUNE TO
AUGUST or similar, and (3) The Parking Division would NOT send seasonal notices
to inform anybody when enforcement starts and ends, as we expect motorists to
read and obey the sign messages.
A
brief discussion took place about the pros and cons of establishing temporary
permit only parking zones, the popularity of the new aquatic center and its
impact on parking, providing exact dates on signs, and that parking zones can
be modified as conditions change.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Lt. Florence that, on a 90-day trial,
to:
A. Remove the RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ONLY zone on both sides
of Reed Street from Oneida Street to Gray Street.
B. Establish a RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ONLY JUNE 1 TO AUGUST
31 zone on both sides of Reed Street from Oneida Street to Gray Street.
Motion
carried with Ald. Kriescher opposing the motion.
10.
Request by Ald. Wery on behalf of Dick Dufek (1081 Dousman) to amend the
overnight parking restriction ordinance to include more exceptions.
D.
Hansen stated that if the request is to modify the Parking Division’s
exceptions policy, then this request should be forwarded to the Improvement and
Services Committee.
Chris
Pirlot, Director of Traffic, Parking, and Operations, read the ordinance text
29.203(b), exceptions to overnight parking. He spoke in detail of the adopted
Parking Division’s Night Parking Policy, which includes permission-granting and
exceptions.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to suspend the
rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Debra
Montes (500 Edward Drive) spoke in favor of adding more exceptions to the
policy. While she understands the
reasons behind the night parking ordinance and policy, she stated that there is
not enough notification to residents of this ordinance and other city ordinances. She has lived in other communities that have
an alternate day parking policy which allows residents to park on even address
number sides of the road on even calendar days and on odd address number sides of
the road on odd calendar days. Some have
no parking just during snow events, etc.
She is primarily concerned that our ordinance forces persons and party
goers that shouldn’t be driving because they are impaired or too tired to move
their on-street vehicles. Many of these
people want to move their car to avoid a ticket therefore jump behind the wheel
regardless of their impaired condition.
She understands why we have the ordinance during winter months, but
wishes that the more exceptions were granted, especially during warmer months
when more students are home from college and more people are out and about.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried to return to
the regular order of business.
A discussion
took place about the adequate notice to motorists of this ordinance via the
nearly 50 signs at our main city entry points stating NO PARKING 3 AM TO 5 AM
ON ALL CITY STREETS, that the “party scenario” is considered an acceptable
exception under the night parking policy, that the phone book lists 2 phone
numbers to call DPW for overnight parking permission, that the night parking
ordinance is listed on the city website, and that the ordinance provides public
safety benefits such as discovering underage drinking parties and locating
abandoned and stolen vehicles.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the
request by Ald. Wery on behalf of Dick Dufek (1081 Dousman) to amend the
overnight parking restriction ordinance to include more exceptions be referred
to the Improvement and Services Committee.
11.
Request by Ald. Deneys to establish a 1-WAY YIELD or STOP condition on
Pine Terrace at Wedgewood Drive.
D.
Hansen clarified that the request is to establish the STOP or YIELD condition
on Wedgewood Dr, not Pine Terrace, as Wedgewood Dr “t’s” into Pine
Terrace. Currently, the intersection is
not signed YIELD or STOP in any direction.
He stated that no reportable crashes have occurred within the past 3
years at this intersection. The sight
distance looking north at the intersection is adequate. However, a large pine tree obstructs the
sight distance looking south. From the
available mapping, it is unclear if the tree is on private property. He recommends that the Inspections
Department be instructed to review the situation and order the tree in the
southeast corner to be trimmed by the responsible party.
A
brief discussion took place about vision triangles and that given the
surrounding street network that Wedgewood Dr likely does not carry cut-through
traffic.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by C. Karow and carried that:
A. The request to establish a 1-WAY YIELD or STOP
condition on Pine Terrace at Wedgewood Drive be denied.
B. The Inspections Department be instructed to order the
property owners of 505 Pine Terrace to trim the tree in the southeast corner
back far enough to accommodate the proper intersection sight distance.
12.
Request by the Green Bay Public School District to establish a NO U-TURN
condition on South Point Road in front of Lombardi Middle School.
D.
Hansen stated that u-turns used to be a problem on West Point Rd near the
school but a past similar request for NO U-TURNS was made and has been signed
and enforced successfully. He would
support establishing a NO U-TURN condition on South Point Rd in front of
Lombardi Middle School if the Police Department is willing to enforce it and
the school is willing to educate parents of this restriction via newsletter or
similar.
C.
Karow confirmed this problem through personal experiences of frequent u-turns
during school hours in this area, one, for instance, occurring this morning,
that nearly resulted in a crash.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a 90-day
trial, to establish a NO U-TURN condition on South Point Road from Whippoorwill
Drive to West Point Road.
13. That, on a 90-day trial, to
establish a NO LEFT-TURN condition from westbound Hwy 54/57 onto Fred Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that a
NO LEFT-TURN condition from westbound Hwy 54/57 onto Fred Street be established
and adopted by ordinance.
14. 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.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that a
NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE PRESENT condition on southbound Washington
Street at East Walnut Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
There being no other items
of discussion, a motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and
carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 8:00 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, November 26, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.