MINUTES

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, April 28, 2008

City Hall, Room 310

5:30 pm

MEMBERS PRESENT: Brad Hopp (Vice Chair), Matt Kuepers, Charles Karow, Mark Schuster, Lieutenant Brad Florence (ex-officio), and Alderman Andy Nicholson

MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper (Excused)

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

GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to approve the minutes from the March 24, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.

2. Review of the 2008 first quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay.

Lt. Florence handed out the report and summarized it to the Traffic Commission. 1 fatal crash, Jan 13, 2008, 2:45 PM, Dousman St at Gray St, male operator, age 42, BAC=0.27%, female victim in struck vehicle, age 52.

A motion was made by Ald Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the report on the 2008 first quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay be received and placed on file.

3. Request by the Traffic Commission to consider changing the meeting time of the Traffic Commission.

A brief discussion took place about changing the meeting time to 5:30 PM. B. Hopp stated that absent Chairperson Judy Kuiper was also in favor of the proposed time change.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the regular meeting time of the Traffic Commission changes from 7 PM to 5:30 PM.

INITIAL REQUESTS

4. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie for crosswalk painting and identification on Troon and Baywatch Drives when sidewalks on Troon Drive are completed.

D. Hansen stated he met with public schools staff, parks staff, and Ald. Wiezbiskie to discuss proposed Red Smith Park and School pedestrian paths. At that meeting, all parties supported future installation of sidewalks on Troon Dr and on park/school property to extend the street sidewalk towards an entry point on the north side of Red Smith Elementary. In order to eliminate the mix of pedestrians and motorists in the north school parking lot, D. Hansen recommended painting crosswalks crossing the north and east approaches of the intersection only after sidewalks are extended this summer to the intersection and after intersection curb ramps are installed.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the request for crosswalk painting and identification on Troon and Baywatch Drives when sidewalks on Troon Drive are completed be approved at the north and east approaches of the Baywatch/Troon intersection.

5. Request by Ald. DeWane for a study on the 4-WAY STOP on Bader Street and Hillside Lane.

Ald. DeWane stated that he and D. Hansen discussed this before the meeting and asked the request be received and placed on file.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request for a study on the 4-WAY STOP on Bader Street and Hillside Lane be received and placed on file.

6. Request by Ald. DeWane, on behalf of a resident at 2340 Hillside Lane, to extend the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Hillside Lane near Wesley Avenue further to the west.

D. Hansen presented a map showing the existing and proposed NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zones. Ald. DeWane stated the resident complained of Preble Park motorists parking too close to her driveway and wanted the NO PARKING zone extended past her driveway.

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

A. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Hillside Lane from a point 90 feet west of Wesley Avenue (South) to Wesley Avenue (South).

B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Hillside Lane from a point 70 feet west of Wesley Avenue (North) to Wesley Avenue (North).

7. Request by Ald. DeWane to install STOP signs on Berwyn Street at its intersection with Deer Trail.

Ald. DeWane spoke about cut-through and speeding traffic in the neighborhood. Motorists bypass the Danz/Deckner intersection by traveling Brook St, Berwyn Av, Deer Tr and Winchester Wy.

D. Hansen presented a map of the neighborhood, and noted that the intersection of Berwyn and Deer Tr does not have YIELD or STOP signs nor do nearby sidestreets with Deer Tr. A YIELD sign could minimize the confusion at the intersection. A STOP sign may be too restrictive.

A discussion took place about the differences between YIELD and STOP signs, existing neighborhood traffic volumes, an interest by residents in the City’s neighborhood traffic calming program, and that YIELD or STOP sign installation may skew study results.

A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried, that the request to install STOP signs on Berwyn Street at its intersection with Deer Trail be postponed until after a Neighborhood Traffic Calming study is complete.

8. Request by Ald. Nicholson to install crosswalks at Manitowoc Road and Bader Street and Manitowoc Road and Winter Lane.

D. Hansen presented a map of the area near the proposed crosswalks. Crosswalks were not recommended at Manitowoc/Winter since no curb ramps exist on the south side of Manitowoc Rd.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request to install crosswalks at Manitowoc Road and Bader Street and Manitowoc Road and Winter Lane be:

A. Approved at the east and west approaches of the Manitowoc/Bader intersection.

B. Denied at the Manitowoc/Winter intersection since no curb ramps exist on the north side of the intersection.

9. Request by DPW to extend west the NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the south side of Cass Street at Baird Street.

D. Hansen clarified that the intersection in question was the Cass/Bellevue intersection, not the Cass/Baird intersection. He stated that the location of the current NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER sign is frequently knocked down by patrons backing out of the “The Doghouse” parking lot that abuts the south side of Cass St at the southwest corner of Cass/Bellevue. He recommended extending west the NO PARKING zone to in front of the house at 1586 Cass St. He stated that Ald. Theisen was in support of this recommendation.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to:

A. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cass Street from a point 120 feet west of Bellevue Street to Bellevue Street.

B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cass Street from a point 155 feet west of Bellevue Street to Bellevue Street.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Kuepers, and carried to consider next, Item 13.

10. Request by Ald. Deneys, on behalf of the neighbors on Capital Drive, to install speed limit signs on Capital Drive and look at other ways to slow traffic on the street.

D. Hansen presented a map noting that the one block street consists of multi-unit dwellings except for one single-family house at the corner of Fisk St. No speed limit signs exist on Capitol Dr. He recommended 1 SPEED LIMIT 25 sign be installed at each end of Capitol Dr.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request to install speed limit signs on Capitol Drive and look at other ways to slow traffic on the street be referred to DPW to install 2 SPEED LIMIT 25 signs on Capitol Drive.

11. Request by Ald. Deneys, on behalf of the neighbors on Bond Street, to look into ways to stop trucks from traveling on a NO TRUCK ROUTE on Bond Street from Taylor Street to Morley Road.

D. Hansen showed an area map noting the official truck routes and the locations where NO TRUCK signs are doubled-up on Bond St just west of Military Av and just west of Morley Rd. He recommended installing an “ALL TRUCKS ß” sign at the head of the T-intersection for northbound traffic.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request to look into ways to stop trucks from traveling on a NO TRUCK ROUTE on Bond Street from Taylor Street to Morley Road be referred to DPW to install an ALL TRUCKS (LEFT ARROW) sign at the head of the “T” on Morley Road at Bond Street.

12. Request by Ald. Deneys, on behalf of the neighbors on Taylor Street and Burns Avenue, to review the parking situation on the east side of Taylor Street between Larsen Road and Mason Street.

D. Hansen showed a map of existing NO PARKING zones on Taylor Street. Although Taylor St is not painted as a 4-lane road north of Mason St, it functions and operates as a 4-lane facility during some peak hours.

A brief discussion took place about striping Taylor St as a 4-lane road and sight distance issues when vehicles are parked close to the Taylor/Burns intersection.

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

A. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Taylor Street from a point 195 feet north of Dousman Street to Larsen Road.

B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Taylor Street from a point 195 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 320 feet south of Burns Avenue.

After the motion, Ald. Nicholson requested to leave the meeting and left at 6:35 PM.

POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

13. Request by Ald. VanderLeest for an update on the Mason Street frontage traffic study and for consideration to add a northbound right-turn lane at the Hinkle and Mason Street intersection.

D. Hansen summarized the draft recommendations from the consultant-prepared road safety audit of the Mason St (Hinkle-Packerland) corridor. Addition of a northbound right-turn lane at Mason/Hinkle was not recommended by both the consultant and D. Hansen, as adding a short right-turn lane would not address the intersection blockage and long queuing issues at the intersection. He added that it may actual make conditions worse because an extra “weave” movement and conflict points would be introduced.

A discussion took place about building right-in right-out access points to Mason St from both the South and North Mason St Frontage Roads between Country Club Road and the Highway 41 / Mason Street interchange, and the access rights that WisDOT controls near the 41/Mason interchange.

Ald. VanderLeest spoke about his concerns of additional future traffic at the intersection due to the new Chili’s restaurant and the proposed strip mall on the Chili’s site, and the short time frame needed for intersection improvements.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request for an update on the Mason Street frontage traffic study and for consideration to add a northbound right-turn lane at the Hinkle and Mason Street intersection be referred to:

A. DPW to re-time the Mason Street traffic signals between Packerland Drive and Hinkle Street for optimal progression.

B. DPW to paint DO NOT BLOCK intersection pavement markings and install DO NOT BLOCK intersection signs at the intersection of Hinkle Street and South Mason Street Frontage.

C. The Improvement and Service Committee with the recommendation from the Traffic Commission to construct right-in right-out access points to Mason Street from both the South and North Mason Street Frontage Roads between Country Club Road and the Highway 41 / Mason Street interchange.

14. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to draft a resolution to the State legislators opposing the proposed roundabout at Hwy 41 and Lombardi Avenue.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson to approve the request to draft a resolution to the State legislators opposing the proposed roundabout at Hwy 41 and Lombardi Avenue. Motion failed by lack of a second.

D. Hansen stated that the proposed 41/Lombardi roundabouts are within the limits in the Village of Ashwaubenon, not the City of Green Bay. He recommended a motion that the request be received and placed on file.

Ald. VanderLeest spoke concerning the proposed roundabouts’ ability to handle Packers Game Day traffic.

C. Karow, WisDOT Project Manager for the Hwy 41 expansion project, stated that the proposed 41/Lombardi interchange roundabouts are expected to reduce crashes by 55%, improve traffic flow, and cost less to build than a conventional ramp interchange with traffic signals. He has discussed roundabouts with representatives from the Village of Ashwaubenon, City of Green Bay, Brown County and the Packers organization. All support the roundabout alternative. C. Karow cited a success story at a new roundabout (55/KK) near Kaukauna, built near a special event location. During an event, County police were able to reduce the number of required officers at the new roundabout from 5 to 1 for directing event traffic because the roundabout was easier to control versus a conventional intersection. All Hwy 41 interchanges being reconstructed within the Green Bay metro area are proposed as roundabouts.

Ald. VanderLeest requested that staff obtain more information about these proposed roundabouts because the residents want more information.

A discussion took place that WisDOT has hosted and will host public information meetings about the project.

Ald. VanderLeest was okay if a resolution opposing roundabouts was dropped. But he still wants more information to provide his constituents and possibly a meeting between staff and constituents.

Ald. Nicholson asked C. Karow if there is a project report available from WisDOT. C. Karow stated that WisDOT has available roundabout information on their website and can provide that information.

A second motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Kuepers that the request to draft a resolution to the State legislators opposing the proposed roundabout at Hwy 41 and Lombardi Avenue be received and place on file with the understanding that WisDOT representative Charles Karow will provide Hwy 41 roundabout information to Ald. VanderLeest. Motion carried with C. Karow abstaining from the vote.

The remaining items were taken in this order: 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

15. Request by Ald. Weber to review parking policies in the 2600 block of West Point Road.

Ald. Weber spoke earlier with D. Hansen and asked that Commission postpone this item to the next meeting.

A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request to review parking policies in the 2900 block of West Point Road be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting on Monday, May 19, 2008.

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

16. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue from a point 180 feet south of Newberry Avenue to a point 178 feet south of Donarski Court.

A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue from a point 180 feet south of Newberry Avenue to a point 178 feet south of Donarski Court be adopted by ordinance.

17. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue from a point 180 feet south of Newberry Avenue to a point 178 feet south of Donarski Court.

A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue from a point 180 feet south of Newberry Avenue to a point 178 feet south of Donarski Court be established and adopted by ordinance.

18. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on Remington Road from Savage Street to Deer Trail.

A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on Remington Road from Savage Street to Deer Trail be established and adopted by ordinance.

There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 6:40 PM. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2008, in Room 207 at 5:30 P.M.