MINUTES
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
June 23, 2008
City
Hall, Room 207
5:30
pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Judy Kuiper (Chair), Brad Hopp (Vice Chair), Mark Schuster, and Alderman
Andy Nicholson
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Charles Karow (excused), Matt Kuepers (excused), Cmdr. Lisa Sterr
1. Approval of the minutes from the May 19, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried to approve the
minutes from the May 19, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
2. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie for a painted strip on the street for stop sign warning at Bay Highland Drive and Huron Road.
Dave
Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, recommended that DPW repaint the stop bar.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the request for a painted strip on the street for stop sign warning at Bay Highland Drive and Huron Road be referred to DPW to paint stop bars on Bay Highlands Drive at Huron Road.
3. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie to repaint the “no passing” lines on Nicolet Drive from UWGB to City limits.
D. Hansen stated that this segment of Nicolet Dr is a county highway and is painted by the Brown County Highway Department (BCHD). He recommended that this request be referred to BCHD.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Nicholson and carried that request to repaint the “no passing” lines on Nicolet Drive from UWGB to City limits be referred to the Brown County Highway Department.
4. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie to install crosswalks and identification at Voyager and Challenger Drives, and Challenger Drive at Mason Street.
D. Hansen read an e-mail from a citizen residing in the alderman’s district which stated that the request was both bike and pedestrian-related. DPW counted the intersection of Mason/Challenger on June 19th as part of its summer intersection traffic counting program. Daily pedestrian volumes were very low: from the north, 3; from the south, 7. Most of the pedestrian traffic occurred between 8 AM and 1 PM. No curb ramps or sidewalks exist at both intersections, nor are there sidewalks on any of the streets leading up to the intersections. No pedestrian crashes have occurred at the intersections per a search of PD records. He recommended that the request be received and placed on file.
A
discussion took place that the City doesn’t paint crosswalks unless there are
sidewalk facilities leading up to them.
A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request to install crosswalks and identification at Voyager and Challenger Drives, and Challenger Drive at Mason Street be received and placed on file.
5. Request by Ald. Nicholson for NO PARKING THIS SIDE OF STREET-RESIDENTS ONLY from 1739 to 1759 Loretta Lane.
D. Hansen showed a map and summarized that the location is a cul-de-sac. Claims are that Eisenhower Elementary staff park up the street during the school year, taking away on-street parking from the residents and narrowing the street for city crews. Similar to other school areas with this problem, he recommended a 1 or 2 HOUR 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS parking zone along both sides of the street. An alternative would be that the school and the nearby church work out an agreement to allow school staff to park in the church lot.
Ald. Wiezbiskie stated that both sides of the street get parked up regularly during school hours, forcing garbage trucks to back into the street because they cannot turn around (the 1700 block of Loretta La is a dead-end street). During leaf collection, city crews could not pick up the curbside brush and leave piles. A fire hydrant within the block is often blocked.
A discussion took place about other staff parking issues on nearby Amy St and about other types of parking zones that could solve the parking problems such as NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS and 1-2 HOUR 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zones.
Ald. Nicholson stated he wanted to ask residents within that block if they would like a 1-HOUR 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS parking zone.
Ald. Wiezbiskie stated that parents also pick up their children on this block.
D. Hansen recommended 3 items which could benefit residents, parents, and school staff: (1) Establish a 1-HOUR zone on one side of the street, (2) Leave the other side of the street unrestricted for the parents, and (3) Encourage the school and church to work out a school staff parking arrangement at the church parking lot.
Ald. Nicholson asked Ald. Wiezbiskie if they could work together with the school, church, and residents to determine if any of the parking ideas are acceptable to them.
A motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request for NO PARKING THIS SIDE OF STREET-RESIDENTS ONLY from 1739 to 1759 Loretta Lane be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting.
6. Request by DPW to establish a NO
PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the west side of Bader Street from Mason Street
to a point 250-feet north of Mason Street.
D.
Hansen stated that based on crash history and discussions with DPW staff and
Alds. Nicholson and De Wane that the City is going to eliminate, on a trial
basis, the southbound left-turn lane on Bader St at E Mason St. This results in only 1 southbound right-turn
lane. Because of this, parking must be
restricted to safely move traffic. He is
requesting to shorten up the zone from the original proposal to 200-feet in
order to minimize impacts to residents.
Only 1 resident is impacted who will still have available onstreet
parking.
A
discussion took place about how DPW plans to temporarily close off the
southbound left-turn lane.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Nicholson and carried, that, on a
90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Bader Street
from Mason Street to a point 200-feet north of Mason Street.
7. Request by Ald. Theisen to consider
parking on only one side of the 1100 block of Eliza Street and to consider NO
PARKING HERE TO CORNER.
D.
Hansen spoke with Ald. Theisen earlier, who recommended this request be
received and placed on file.
A
motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that request
to consider parking on only one side of the 1100 block of Eliza Street and to
consider NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER be received and placed on file.
8. Request by Ald. Theisen, on behalf of
neighborhood residents, to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection
of Emilie and Suydam Streets.
D.
Hansen spoke with Ald. Theisen earlier, who recommended this item be referred
to DPW for study.
B.
Hopp stated that he provided D. Hansen with a petition from neighborhood residents
requesting a 4-WAY STOP. B. Hopp
explained that during games at East River Optimist Park that the intersection
is busy with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and that there is confusion
because Suydam St, which is the major street, stops for Emilie St. More activities take place at the park each year,
which increases the traffic issues. A
4-WAY STOP condition would make it safer for pedestrians crossing the
intersection during game time. He wants
a 90-day trial of a 4-WAY STOP condition.
D.
Hansen stated that he and M. Schuster drove through the intersection on Friday. Both agreed that the 2-WAY STOP condition is
unexpected and awkward, as the intersection is just south of a right-hand curve
when traveling from Porlier St. In
addition, Emilie St is a dead-end street just east of the intersection. Reversing the 2-WAY STOP condition could
eliminate the confusion.
B.
Hopp stated that the residents don’t want to reverse the STOP signs because it
won’t solve the pedestrian problems. He
explained that games occur Monday through Thursday, and sometimes on Saturdays,
April through October. He doubts the
intersection will meet 4-WAY STOP warrants.
He stated that a 4-WAY STOP isn’t the perfect solution but it’s what the
residents want.
D.
Hansen stated that it is likely the intersection will be less safe over time if
an unwarranted 4-WAY STOP condition were established based on the multiple
studies conducted over many years proving this.
He also stated that no crashes, pedestrian or vehicle, were found in his
search of PD crash reports. He stated that
another solution to the unexpected STOP condition on Suydam St would be to
supplement the STOP signs with CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP signs. This should take care of the motorist
confusion. Secondly, to address the
pedestrian safety concerns, PEDESTRIAN warning signs could be installed at or
near the intersection. He reminded
members that Ald. Theisen recommended that this item be referred to staff.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by Ald. Nicholson and carried that the
request
to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Emilie and Suydam
Streets be:
A.
Postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting
B. That DPW be instructed to install CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP signs
under the STOP signs on Suydam Street at Emilie Street
C.
That DPW be instructed to install pedestrian warning signs at or near
the intersection of Suydam Street and Emilie Street
9. Request by Ald. Kocha for traffic
reinforcement on Crooks Street, between Baird and Roosevelt Streets.
D.
Hansen stated that the request also pertains to claims that motorists are
ignoring the flashing yellow condition at the intersection of Crooks St and
Irwin Av, where Irwin Av stops for Crooks St.
He recommended this request be referred to GBPD for speed enforcement.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Nicholson
and carried that the request for traffic reinforcement on Crooks Street between
Baird and Roosevelt Streets be referred to the Police Department for speed
enforcement.
10. Request by Ald. Deneys to consider
installing a traffic light at the corner of Bentwood Drive and W Mason Street
or some other solution to the traffic problems at this corner.
D.
Hansen stated that the City established westbound NO LEFTS OR U-TURNS at the
intersection last year. He doubts that traffic signal warrants would
be met at the intersection. 2 crashes
have occurred in the past 3 years. Both
were run-of-the-road on Mason St. One
was alcohol-related. The other involved
slippery wintery conditions. Intersection
sight distance is adequate from Bentwood Dr.
He recommended the request be received and placed on file.
A
discussion took place that recent improvements were made at the intersection to
improve safety, that motorists sometimes wait a long time on Bentwood Dr for
adequate gaps on W Mason St, and that there are multiple streets out of the
fully-developed neighborhood north of the intersection.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
request to consider installing a traffic light at the corner of Bentwood Drive
and W Mason Street or some other solution to the traffic problems at this
corner be received and placed on file.
11. Request by Ald. Deneys for a left turn
arrow at the intersection of Military Avenue and Bond Street.
D. Hansen stated that left-turn lanes exist on Military Av at the intersection. He evaluated a left-turn arrow warrant. Given the existing timing plan, the northbound movement warranted an arrow during the weekday evening peak hour. However, by allocating more green time to Military Av, the left-turners are able to find more gaps and make the turn on the green ball. He recommended that DPW add more green time to Military Av.
A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request for a left turn arrow at the intersection of Military Avenue and Bond Street be referred to DPW to increase the traffic signal green ball time on Military Avenue to improve left-turn operations.
12. Request by DPW to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of the West Mason North Frontage Road from Packerland Drive to Isbell Street.
D. Hansen stated that the Parking Division notified him that some non-city-standard NO PARKING signs were installed at this location in front of the Oneida Bingo and Casino Smoke Shop. He stated that although the signs were illegally placed, the location for a NO PARKING zone is a good one. He recommended that DPW replace those signs with city standard signs, resulting in the entire block be posted NO PARKING.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Nicholson and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of the West Mason North Frontage Road from Packerland Drive to Isbell Street.
13. Request by Ald. VanderLeest for a traffic
study at the Packerland and W Mason Street frontage road area.
D.
Hansen stated that AAA has studied the intersection and has made draft
recommendations. However, he would like
DPW to finalize their comments on the report before acting on the report
recommendations. Also, since Mason St is
State Highway 54 (connecting highway) in this location that WisDOT would need
to be involved in any modifications of the corridor.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Nicholson and carried that request
for a traffic study at the Packerland and W Mason Street frontage road area be:
A. Referred to DPW staff for draft report review
B.
That DPW coordinate with WisDOT to implement the final report recommendations
14. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to follow up
on the recommendation of the Traffic Division for Packerland Drive near
Southwest High School, and to have the changes completed prior to the opening
of school this fall.
D.
Hansen provided the summary results of a speed study completed in late April
2008, which indicated that motorists are slowing down during school start,
lunchtime, and release times at Southwest High School (SWHS). He attributes this to the excellent speed
enforcement efforts of the GBPD Traffic Enforcement Unit. He stated that GBPD has requested a SCHOOL
SPEED LIMIT 15 MPH WHEN FLASHING condition.
He responded that the State of Wisconsin prohibits that condition per
the WisMUTCD. He responded that the
County is responsible per State Statute to establish reduced school speed zones
on county highways, not the City. The
County has e-mailed a response that they will not implement a SCHOOL SPEED
LIMIT 15 MPH WHEN FLASHING condition on Packerland Dr at SWHS. Because motorists are complying with the
SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 15 MPH WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition and that the City
is not the authority to modify speed limits on Packerland Dr, he recommended
the request be received and placed on file.
A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Hopp
and carried that the request to follow up on the recommendation of the Traffic
Department for Packerland Drive near Southwest High School, and to have the
changes completed prior to the opening of school this fall be received and placed
on file.
15. Request by DPW Parking Division to modify
Ordinance 29.203, Heavy Traffic Routes, to exempt vehicles owned by School
Districts when engaged in official functions.
D.
Hansen explained that the request was made to correct the ordinance to reflect
a recently passed motion to allow school buses to park on-street on non-truck
routes.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald. Nicholson and carried that
Ordinance 29.203 (3) be modified by removing the words “actually” and “governmental”
and adding the words “School Districts”
and “official”, resulting in “This section shall not apply to vehicles
owned by Federal or State governments, School
Districts or political subdivisions thereof, when actually engaged in governmental
official functions.”
REFERRED
BACK FROM STUDY
16. Request by Ald. Zima, on behalf of
neighborhood residents, to change the 2-WAY STOP condition of Eleventh Avenue
at Seventh Street to a 4-WAY STOP condition (Previous motion: Referred to DPW for speed study).
D.
Hansen summarized the speed study results.
For all 7 days of the study conducted in November 2007, the 85th
percentile speed was less than the posted speed limit of 25 mph. He recommended that the request be received
and placed on file.
A
motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
request to change the 2-WAY STOP condition of Eleventh Avenue at Seventh Street
to a 4-WAY STOP condition be received and placed on file.
TERMINATION
OF TRIAL PERIODS
17. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO STOPPING OR STANDING 3-4 PM zone on the north side of Painted Trail Court
from Dancing Dunes Drive to a point 80 feet east of Dancing Dunes Drive.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a NO
STOPPING OR STANDING 3-4 PM zone on the north side of Painted Trail Court from
Dancing Dunes Drive to a point 80 feet east of Dancing Dunes Drive be
established and adopted by ordinance.
There being
no other items of discussion, a motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Ald.
Nicholson, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 6:24 PM. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2008, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.