MINUTES
7:00 pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Matt
Kuepers, Charles Karow, Mark Schuster, and Ald. Gary Kriescher
MEMBERS ABSENT: Brad Hopp (not excused) and
Cmdr. Lisa Sterr (excused)
OTHERS
PRESENT: Ald. Theisen, Lt. Brad
Florence (in place of Cmdr. Sterr), and Recording Secretary and Traffic
Engineer Dave Hansen
1.
Approval of the minutes from the October 22, 2007 Traffic Commission meeting.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to
approve the minutes from the October 22, 2007 Traffic Commission meeting.
The remaining items were discussed in this
order: 3, 4, 5, 2, 6-27
2. Request by the Traffic Engineer to establish
a STOP condition on Satellite Lane at Spartan Road.
Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, explained that
Satellite La was recently extended through to Spartan Rd, which functions
similar to a collector street. Satellite
La functions as a residential street and should stop for Spartan Rd. D. Hansen recommends that a 1-WAY STOP
condition be established on Satellite La at Spartan Rd.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a 1-WAY
STOP condition on Satellite Lane at Spartan Road be established and adopted by
ordinance.
3.
Request by Ald. Theisen for crosswalk signs and striping of Mason Street
crosswalks at Jackson and VanBuren Streets.
D.
Hansen explained that the proposed subject locations for crosswalks are
midblock, meaning they are not proposed at an intersection where crosswalks are
normally placed. It is not standard to
place crosswalk markings in midblock locations unless there is justification
for a crosswalk such as heavy pedestrian traffic combined with additional
warning treatments. D. Hansen explained
that the proposed crosswalk locations would cross Mason Street, the busiest
street in the City carrying 28,900 vehicles per day, and are just west of the
Mason St and Webster Av intersection, a signalized intersection with pedestrian
signals and also one of the busiest intersections in the City. During peak hours of traffic, there would be
little gaps in Mason St traffic for pedestrians to cross. D. Hansen showed photos of this
condition. Per State statute and City
ordinance, all motorist traffic would have to yield the right-of-way to any
pedestrian within that crosswalk. That
said, he stated it would not be a safe condition to stop Mason St traffic
midblock to cross a few pedestrians. D.
Hansen reviewed crash history at these locations and found none. By adding the crosswalks, D. Hansen
forecasts that rear-end crashes would begin to occur. If pedestrians want to safely cross Mason St, they should walk to
the Webster Av intersection and use the pedestrian signals.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to
suspend the rules to allow interested parties to speak.
Ben
Giese (536 S Jackson St) spoke in favor of installing crosswalks and signs and
for improving the speed limit signing near the existing pedestrian
crossing. He stated some disabled
pedestrians in wheelchairs have been seen crossing both locations.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to
return to the regular order of business.
A
lengthy discussion took place with Ald. Theisen regarding the former NO
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING signs and the new curb ramps that were placed at the crossings,
installing advance warning signs SPEED LIMIT 30 MPH in the eastbound direction,
adjusting the existing SPEED LIMIT 30 MPH signs in the westbound direction,
driver disrespect for pedestrians within crosswalks, appropriately signing and
marking midblock crossings, and a former legal opinion on the crossings.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried:
A. To
seek the legal opinion of the City Attorney regarding the removal of the
existing curb ramps at Mason and Jackson Streets and Mason at VanBuren Streets.
B. To
seek the legal opinion of the City Attorney regarding the installation of
crosswalk signs and striping at Mason and Jackson Streets and Mason at VanBuren
Streets.
C. To
direct the Department of Public Works to evaluate and adjust speed limit
signing on Mason Street between Madison Street and Webster Avenue.
4.
Request by Ald. Theisen that NO LITTERING and NO LOITERING signs be
considered at the cul-de-sacs in the 800 blocks of Cass and Lawe Streets.
D. Hansen
stated that he would recommend sign installation if the signs were enforced and
if the hospitals would convey the message to employees and others that
littering and loitering is prohibited in the areas of concern. He also questioned if installing such signs
would push the problem to another area.
Ald. Theisen spoke in favor of installing NO
LITTERING and NO LOITERING signs. He
stated that the hospital prohibits employees from smoking on hospital property;
therefore smoking employees are doing so on public property.
A
discussion took place about nearby residents’ privacy, the cigarette littering
problem, that the hospital supports enforcement of the littering ordinance, and
the legality of no littering signs.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried that NO
LITTERING NO LOITERING FINES UP TO $500 signs be installed at the cul-de-sacs
in the 800 blocks of Cass and Lawe Streets.
5.
Request by the Traffic Engineer to modify the parking restrictions on
Roosevelt Street between East Mason Street and Cass Street.
D.
Hansen stated that Roosevelt St was recently reconstructed, and due to the
widening of the street upon the northbound approach to Mason St, that parking
is no longer recommended from the hospital parking lot north to Mason
Street. D. Hansen showed a map of the
proposed NO PARKING and 2- HR PARKING zones.
A
brief discussion took place about the parking zones.
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 zone on the east side of Roosevelt Street from a point 135 feet
north of Mason Street to a point 90 feet south of Mason Street.
B. Remove
the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Roosevelt Street from a point 195 feet
north of Cass Street to Grignon Street.
C. Establish
a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Roosevelt Street from a point 135 feet
north of Mason Street to Grignon Street.
D. Establish
a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Roosevelt Street from a point 155 feet
north of Mason Street to a point 220 feet south of Mason Street.
E. Remove
the 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the east side of
Roosevelt Street from a point 100 feet south of Mason Street to a point 230
feet south of Mason Street.
F. Remove
the 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the west side of
Roosevelt Street from Mason Street to Grignon Street.
G. Establish
a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the west side of
Roosevelt Street from a point 220 feet south of Mason Street to Grignon Street.
6.
Request by Ald. Kriescher to establish a loading zone on Morrow Street
at 1658 Morrow Street.
D.
Hansen showed on a map where a NO PARKING BETWEEN SIGNS zone exists near 1658 Morrow
St. He stated that the business at that
address is a TV repair shop. He spoke
with the business owners’ onsite who stated their only customer drop off
location is in front of their store curbside but often times non-store vehicles
are parked in front of their store for long periods of time. They would like to have a 15-minute loading
zone in front of their store on Morrow St.
D. Hansen stated he also spoke with the manager of 1654 Morrow St
(Lincoln Contractors Supply) who supports extending the zone in front of his
store. D. Hansen recommended a
15-minute loading zone be established in front of both businesses.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that, on
a 90-day trial, to establish a 15-MINUTE LOADING ZONE on the south side of
Morrow Street from a point 400 feet east of Elizabeth Street to a point 814
feet west of Henry Street.
7.
Request by Ald. Fradette to review the parking zones in the 1100 block
of Bay Beach Road.
D.
Hansen stated that Ald. Fradette forwarded a request from a resident who noted
the north side of Bay Beach Rd from Sauk Av to Outagamie St is packed with
parked vehicles for soccer games that are played at the fields just north of
this segment, and that the road segment is posted NO PARKING THIS SIDE OF
STREET. D. Hansen stated that the
parking regulation book states the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Bay
Beach Rd extends from the Fox River to Sauk Av, but it is signed NO PARKING
from the Fox River to the Bay Beach Park Entrance. His recommendation was to remove the NO PARKING signs on the
north side of Bay Beach Rd from Sauk Av to Outagamie St and to establish a NO
PARKING zone from Outagamie St to the Bay Beach Park entrance (Irwin Av).
A
brief discussion took place about other parking restrictions along Bay Beach Rd
and other complaints from users of the metro boat launch claiming there is not
enough parking lot parking during special events.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried to:
A. Remove
the NO PARKING signs on the north side of Bay Beach Road from Sauk Avenue to
Outagamie Street.
B. On
a 90-day trial (starting May 1, 2008), establish a NO PARKING zone on the north
side of Bay Beach Road from Outagamie Street to Irwin Avenue.
8.
Request by the Traffic Engineer to modify the traffic and parking
regulations on Farlin, Day and Harvey Streets due to street modifications
following reconstruction.
D.
Hansen stated that the streets were recently reconstructed, and that traffic
patterns have changed considerably due to the closure of Day St at the
intersection of University Av and Elizabeth St. He showed a map of the recent changes and of the proposed
recommendations.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to:
A.
Remove the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Day Street
from Elizabeth Street to a point 58 feet west of Elizabeth Street.
B.
Remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Day Street
from Elizabeth Street to a point 178 feet west of Elizabeth Street.
C.
Establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of Farlin Avenue
from Day Street to a point 260 feet east of Day Street.
D.
Establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of Farlin Avenue
from a point 625 feet west of Elizabeth Street to a point 870 west of Elizabeth
Street.
E.
Establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Day Street
from Harvey Street to a point 65 feet west of Harvey Street.
F.
Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Harvey Street
from Day Street to a point 105 feet west of Day Street.
G.
Remove the 1-WAY STOP condition on Harvey Street at Day
Street.
H.
Remove the southbound and westbound NO TURN ON RED condition
at the intersection of University Avenue at Elizabeth Street.
I.
Establish a 1-WAY street on northbound Farlin Avenue from Day
Street to a point 100 feet north of Day Street.
J.
Establish a 1-WAY street on westbound Farlin Avenue from Day
Street to a point 270 feet east of Day Street.
9.
Request by the Mayor’s Office for two (2) 15 MINUTE PARKING stalls on
the west side of Washington Street adjacent to the Bellin Building to
facilitate pick-ups for THE DAILY BUZZ coffee and sandwich shop.
D.
Hansen spoke on behalf of the request.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that,
on a 90-day trial, to:
A.
Remove the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Washington
Street from a point 60 feet north of Cherry Street to a point 90 feet south of
Walnut Street.
B.
Establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Washington
Street from a point 60 feet north of Cherry Street to a point 50 feet south of
Walnut Street.
C.
Establish a 15-MINUTE LOADING ZONE on the west side of
Washington Street from a point 50 feet south of Walnut Street to a point 90
feet south of Walnut Street.
10.
Request by Ald. Deneys to establish a STOP condition at Christiana and
Blithe Streets.
D.
Hansen stated that items 10 and 11 are related and should be discussed at the
same time. He stated he spoke with Ald.
Deneys who told him residents complain of motorists speeding on these streets
like it’s a raceway. D. Hansen showed a
map of the streets, noting that the intersections are “elbow” intersections,
meaning no other streets intersect with them, except where Christiana St
extends east of Regan St to service 1 apartment complex. YIELD signs currently exist on Christiana St
at Regan St. He stated he watched the 2
intersections for about a half hour during an evening rush hour before
Thanksgiving Day and did not witness any dangerous driving activity. He recommended that if this request is for
speed control that residents request that the street be referred to the
Department of Public Works for consideration in the Neighborhood Traffic
Calming Program (NTCP). D. Hansen provided
NTCP application forms to Ald. Deneys in past weeks.
A
discussion took place that the City should not install STOP signs for speed
control, and that motorists use Regan/Christiana/Blithe to access Shawano Av
and Taylor St, sometimes as a bypass to avoid the traffic signals at
Shawano/Siegler and Shawano/Taylor.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to establish a STOP condition at Christiana and Blithe Streets be
denied.
11.
Request by Ald. Deneys to establish a STOP condition at Christiana and
Regan Streets.
See
item 10 for discussion.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to establish a STOP condition at Christiana and Regan Streets be
denied.
12.
Request by Ald. VanderLeest to review timing of traffic lights for
non-peak periods at all major City intersections.
D.
Hansen stated that he is currently working on a signal retiming project along
the City’s major corridors, and that during this project, he is evaluating
whether it is feasible to establish a flash time at these intersections. He stated he can empathize with some
motorists because the City operates many of these traffic signals “pre-timed”,
meaning there is no intelligence in the computer controlling the intersection
to shorten green times or skip certain greens when little to no vehicles are
present. DPW is upgrading signal
equipment from “pre-timed” operations as the budget allows, and is proactively
planning for major future upgrades to improve signal controller logic.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
request to review timing of traffic lights for non-peak periods at all major
City intersections be received and placed on file.
13.
Request by Ald. VanderLeest to review the W Mason Street/Taylor Street
intersection turn lanes.
D.
Hansen stated that he presumes the request is based on an earlier request from
a motorist who wants the NO TURN DURING GREEN ARROW condition on the southbound
approach enforced. He also stated that
the near right westbound signal would be upgraded this year from a post-mounted
signal to a mast-arm type pole, improving its visibility to motorists.
A
discussion took place about the 2011 widening of US 41 that includes
reconstructing the Mason/Taylor intersection as a roundabout.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
request to review the W Mason Street/Taylor Street intersection turn lanes be
received and placed on file.
14. Report
by the Traffic Engineer and the Green Bay Police Department of the 2006-2007
and 2007-2008 school year School Crossing Guard locations.
A
brief discussion took place on the added, deleted, and moved crossing guard
locations.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
report by the Traffic Engineer and the Green Bay Police Department of the
2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school year School Crossing Guard locations be received
and placed on file.
15. That,
on a 90-day trial, remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cherry
Street from a point 193 feet west of Monroe Avenue to Baird Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
removal of the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cherry Street from a point
193 feet west of Monroe Avenue to Baird Street be adopted by ordinance.
16. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cherry
Street from a point 193 feet west of Monroe Avenue to Irwin Avenue.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the south side of Cherry Street from a point 193 feet west of
Monroe Avenue to Irwin Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.
17. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the south
side of Cherry Street from Irwin Avenue to Baird Street.
A motion
was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the south side of Cherry Street from Irwin Avenue
to Baird Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
18. That,
on a 90-day trial, remove the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on the west
side of Pinehurst Avenue from Finger Road to Sunrise Court during school hours.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
removal of the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on the west side of
Pinehurst Avenue from Finger Road to Sunrise Court during school hours be
adopted by ordinance.
19. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS BUS
LOADING ZONE on the west side of Pinehurst Avenue from a point 250 feet south
of Sunrise Court to Sunrise Court.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS BUS LOADING ZONE on the west side of Pinehurst
Avenue from a point 250 feet south of Sunrise Court to Sunrise Court be
established and adopted by ordinance.
20. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL
DAYS zone on the west side of Pinehurst Avenue from a point 355 feet north of
Finger Road to a point 250 feet south of Sunrise Court.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
STOPPING OR STANDING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the west side of
Pinehurst Avenue from a point 355 feet north of Finger Road to a point 250 feet
south of Sunrise Court be established and adopted by ordinance.
21. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS BUS
LOADING ZONE on the west side of Pinehurst Avenue from a point 140 feet north
of Finger Road to a point 355 feet north of Finger Road.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS BUS LOADING ZONE on the west side of Pinehurst
Avenue from a point 140 feet north of Finger Road to a point 355 feet north of
Finger Road established and adopted by ordinance.
22. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on
the west side of Pinehurst Avenue from Finger Road to a point 140 feet north of
Finger Road.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the west side of Pinehurst Avenue from
Finger Road to a point 140 feet north of Finger Road be established and adopted
by ordinance.
23. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Crest
Lane from Pinehurst Avenue to a point 75 feet east of Pinehurst Avenue.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the north side of Crest Lane from Pinehurst Avenue to a point
75 feet east of Pinehurst Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.
24. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
parking zone on both sides of Crooks Street from the Fox River to Washington
Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a
2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY parking zone on both sides of Crooks
Street from the Fox River to Washington Street be established and adopted by
ordinance.
25. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone at the westerly terminus of
Crooks Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone at the westerly terminus of Crooks Street be established and
adopted by ordinance.
26. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Oregon
Street from a point 115 feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the north side of Oregon Street from a point 115 feet west of
Gray Street to Gray Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
27. That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Adams
Street from a point 130 feet north of Porlier Street to Porlier Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the west side of Adams Street from a point 130 feet north of
Porlier Street to Porlier Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 8:35 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 14, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.