MINUTES
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
July 28, 2008
City
Hall, Room 207
5:30
pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Vice Chairperson Brad Hopp, Alderman Andy
Nicholson, Matt Kuepers, Charles Karow, Mark Schuster, and Lt. Brad Florence
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
1. Approval of the minutes from the June 23, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to approve the
minutes from the June 23, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
2. Request by Ald. DeWane to retime the traffic signals at Mason/Alpine and Mason/Edgewood to reduce sidestreet wait times and to lower speeds on Mason Street.
Ald. DeWane stated that the wait times and queues of cars on Edgewood Dr and at Alpine Dr are too long.
Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, summarized the citywide traffic signal retiming project currently underway in cooperation with a program to improve traffic flow on major corridors from the Mayor’s office. Both intersections are part of that project. He explained how those signals operated before and after the timing changes. Signal timings have been modified to reduce the number of stops on E Mason St. Before the new timings were installed, both intersections were not “in system”, meaning they were not timed with the other traffic signals along Mason St and responded to the immediate traffic demands regardless of which street had the demand. It was not uncommon for Mason St traffic to arrive at one of the intersections as it just turned red because the sidestreet sensor detected one vehicle on Edgewood or Alpine, stopping entire groups of Mason St motorists. After the retiming and during the higher travel periods, Mason St traffic now can progress through multiple intersections without stopping. In order to achieve this type of traffic flow, sidestreet motorists will have a longer but reasonable wait time. D. Hansen recommended that if wait times and car queues are too long, then the timing plan should be adjusted to reduce those items while still maintaining coordination along Mason St. He added that the signals currently come out of “system timing” after peak hours and on weekends, the same as before the timing plan change.
Ald. DeWane stated that speeding has increased along Mason St because of the wait times at Edgewood Dr.
J. Kuiper stated that she waited 3 minutes at the Alpine/Mason signal. Ald. DeWane concurred. D. Hansen replied that he has received similar reports and in response has sent out electrical staff to investigate if there is a malfunction. All reports came back indicating that the equipment is working properly.
Ald. Nicholson arrived at the meeting at approximately 5:45 PM. He asked why the traffic signals cannot be restored back to their old programming since he never received complaints about them before the change. D. Hansen replied that the signals need to operate “in system” in order to meet a primary objective of the retiming project which is to improve major corridor travel times and to reduce the number of stops. Another benefit to the system timings is the reduction of rear-end crashes since motorists now see less red on Mason St.
Ald. Nicholson asked if there was a study done before implementing the timings and why he wasn’t notified of the signal timing changes before they were implemented. D. Hansen stated the timings were studied and developed through a traffic optimization computer model. Given the 100 plus signals the City maintains, timing adjustments are made to signals frequently. The project has a tight timeline to finish all systems by the end of the year. Ald. Nicholson stated that if the Mayor’s office gave the directive to change the signal timings that he wants notification of the changes. Ald. Nicholson wants the signal timings changed back to how they used to be.
A discussion took place about modifying the in-place timing plan but to give more green time to the sidestreets.
A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson to restore the Edgewood/Mason and Alpine/Mason traffic signal timings back to their former timings, then refer a traffic study to DPW. Nobody responded by seconding the motion.
A discussion took place that DPW has been put in a difficult position in that they received directive from the Mayor’s office to improve flow on major corridors but are also being asked to change the signal timings by two alderman.
D. Hansen explained that Mason St is the highest traveled local corridor in the City. Motorists from this City and other cities and states travel Mason St. It is designed to move traffic in the least-obstructed manner. By retiming traffic signals along those corridors to operate together, that objective is realized.
Ald. Nicholson spoke against action through directive and spoke in favor of action by committee. Further discussion took place about directive vs. committee.
Ald. Nicholson reiterated his initial motion. B. Hopp seconded the motion. M. Kuepers, C. Karow, M. Schuster, and B. Florence opposed. Motion failed.
Ald. Theisen stated that he had to leave the meeting and requested the Commission consider D. Hansen’s recommendations for Item 4. Ald. Theisen left the meeting at approximately 5:50 PM.
The discussion went back to modifying the in-place timing plan but to give more green time to the sidestreets and to let staff evaluate the timing modifications then bring it back to the Commission. The discussion continued about Mason St being a priority street, where is Mason St traffic going, that the Mason St system timings produce speeds closer to the speed limit, and computer modeling.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to retime the traffic signals at Mason/Alpine and Mason/Edgewood to reduce sidestreet wait times and to lower speeds on Mason Street be referred to staff to adjust the in-place timing plan schedule and to refer the results to the Mayor’s office for concurrence.
3. Request by Ald. Nicholson for a traffic and parking study on Manitowoc Road near Greenbrier Road.
Ald. Nicholson stated that the neighbors south of Wertels Tap want a NO PARKING zone on Manitowoc Rd south of Greenbrier Rd because of difficulty exiting their driveways during peak restaurant times. D. Hansen stated that the north side of Manitowoc Rd south of Greenbrier Rd lies within the Village of Bellevue.
A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request for a traffic and parking study on Manitowoc Road near Greenbrier Road be referred to the Village of Bellevue for a NO PARKING zone on Manitowoc Road south of Greenbrier Road.
The remaining items were taken in this order: 5, 6, 4, 7-19.
4. Request by Ald. Theisen for a pavement marking study at the intersection of Monroe Avenue and Porlier Street to determine the feasibility of moving back the STOP bar locations and adding an eastbound right-turn lane.
[Ald. Theisen requested during Item 2 discussion prior to leaving the meeting that the Commission consider D. Hansen’s recommendations].
D. Hansen recommended the request be referred to staff for study.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request for a pavement marking study at the intersection of Monroe Avenue and Porlier Street to determine the feasibility of moving back the STOP bar locations and adding an eastbound right-turn lane be referred to DPW for study.
5. Request by Ald. Kocha to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Morrow Street from Elizabeth Street east past the TNT Crust parking lot.
D. Hansen stated that he spoke with Ald. Kocha about this request which was made because TNT Crust employees are having difficulty seeing around parked trucks as they exit the TNT Crust employee parking lot onto Morrow St. He recommended that the NO PARKING zone be established.
A motion was made by M. Kuepers, and seconded by Lt. Florence to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Tim Harrow (W383 Hwy 160, Pulaski, WI 54162) spoke in favor of the request. He is the TNT Crust (Cedar St) Plant Manager. He provided a written description of the traffic issues and summarized that outside truck carriers are parking in the noted locations.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, and seconded by C. Karow to return to regular order of business.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried, on a 90-day trial, that a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Morrow Street from Elizabeth Street to a point 385 feet east of Elizabeth Street be established.
6. Request by Ald. Kocha to establish a new truck route for trucks leaving TNT Crust on Cedar Street that travel east from that location.
D. Hansen stated that Ald. Kocha requested this item be postponed to the next meeting so she can discuss the proposal of adding Cedar and Forest Sts with residents along those streets.
Motion was made by M. Kuepers, and seconded by B. Hopp to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Tim Harrow (W383 Hwy 160, Pulaski, WI 54162) spoke in favor of the request. He is the TNT Crust (Cedar St) Plant Manager. He provided a written description of the traffic issues and summarized that their trucks have difficulty complying with the official truck routes because they have problems turning off of Grove St onto Main St. Their trucks are destined to I-43 so the easiest route for them would be Cedar-Forest-University.
D. Hansen stated that he has received multiple complaints of truck traffic throughout the neighborhood. In response, DPW installed signs for trucks near TNT Crust guiding them to the official truck route. He questioned if Cedar and Forest Sts were structurally capable of handling the additional truck loadings, and whether the residents would be concerned with truck traffic on their neighborhood streets.
A discussion took place on the process of adding and deleting streets from the official truck route map, truck driver difficulty using the existing route, past resident complaints, enforcement efforts, and past staff communications with TNT Crust.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, and seconded by C. Karow to return to regular order of business.
A motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request to establish a new truck route for trucks leaving TNT Crust on Cedar Street that travel east from that location be:
A. Postponed to the next Traffic Commission meeting, and
B. Referred to DPW Engineering for study to determine if Cedar Street (Grove Street to Forest Street) and Forest Street (Cedar Street to University Avenue) can handle the additional truck traffic.
7. Request by Ald. Piton to replace the NO
PARKING zone with a NO PARKING 9-5 MONDAY-FRIDAY zone on the south side of Bay
Beach Road near Angie Avenue and the soccer fields.
D.
Hansen stated the road should be wide enough to accommodate parking on both
sides while maintaining traffic but questioned whether the truck transport
facility on the south side of Bay Beach Rd has entering/exiting trucks outside
of the Monday through Friday 9-5 timeframe during soccer games.
A
brief discussion took place on the existing north side parking zone and how it
related to the limits of the proposed south side parking zone.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to replace the NO PARKING zone with a NO PARKING 9-5
MONDAY-FRIDAY zone on the south side of Bay Beach Road near Angie Avenue and
the soccer fields.
8. Request by Ald. Piton to paint
crosswalks crossing University Avenue at St. George Street and install
pedestrian warning signs.
D.
Hansen showed a map of the proposal vicinity, noting the network of existing
median curb cuts, ramps, and sidewalks and their proximity to Nicolet
Elementary. No pedestrian counts are on
file. He expressed concern that making
the proposed crosswalk more prominent may encourage additional children to
cross at this location rather than at the preferred safer location, Irwin/University,
which has a crossing guard.
A
discussion took place about why this location needs crosswalks, as there are no
apparent parks, stores, or attractions nearby.
Commission members requested more information of the need for
crosswalks.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
request to paint crosswalks crossing University Avenue at St. George Street and
install pedestrian warning signs be postponed until the next Traffic Commission
meeting on August 25, 2008 so Ald. Piton can explain the need for crosswalks.
9. Request by Ald. Wery on behalf of
neighborhood residents to establish a NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the
south side of Oregon Street just west of Gray Street.
D.
Hansen stated that the proposed parking zone is across the street from another
NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER ZONE that was established to keep the intersection of
Oregon/Gray open during Resch Aquatic Center peak times, making it safer for
pedestrian crossings.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the south side
of Oregon Street from a point 115 feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street.
POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
10. Request by Ald. Nicholson for NO PARKING
THIS SIDE OF STREET-RESIDENTS ONLY from 1739 to 1759 Loretta Lane.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request
for a NO PARKING THIS SIDE OF STREET-RESIDENTS ONLY from 1739 to 1759 Loretta
Lane be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting on August 25, 2008.
11. 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 updated the Commission on the recent improvements to the intersection
since the last meeting, including the installation of CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT
STOP signs placed under existing 2-WAY STOP signs on Suydam St, pedestrian
warning signs on Emilie St at the intersection, and the upcoming STOP bars on
Emilie St at the intersection. He
field-reviewed the improvements which clearly identified vehicle assignment for
the intersection. He reiterated his
position that an unwarranted 4-WAY STOP condition, over time, is likely to produce
more negative results than positive results, such as neighborhood speeding and
motorists not stopping for the STOP signs.
B.
Hopp stated that the recent improvements were appreciated, but that the
residents still want the intersection changed to a 4-WAY STOP. He is not sure how an unwarranted 4-WAY STOP
will make the intersection less safe. Although
a 4-WAY STOP is not the perfect solution, it is the easiest and least expensive
solution to the problem.
A
discussion took place about adding painted crosswalks, giving staff time to evaluate
the new improvements’ effectiveness, moving the 2-WAY STOP onto Emilie St, adding
speed bumps on Emilie St between Suydam St and the park, how the remote
location of this intersection would not impact many motorists, the increasing
number of game events and different annual crowds at East River Optimist Park, the
cons of a 90-day trial removal of a 4-WAY STOP, and the probable increase in
midblock speeds with an unwarranted 4-WAY STOP.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the
intersection of Emilie and Suydam Streets.
Motion failed on lack of a second.
Further
discussion took place about neighborhood support for a 4-WAY STOP, that those
who create the issues with the existing 2-WAY STOP are primarily non-neighborhood
motorists, and that no crashes have occurred at the intersection.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Lt. Florence, that, on a 90-day trial,
to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Emilie and Suydam
Streets. Motion carried, with C. Karow
opposed.
REFERRED
BACK FROM STUDY
12. Request by Georgia-Pacific Corporation
for a traffic study of the Lombardi/Broadway intersection to improve traffic
flow and pedestrian safety.
D.
Hansen summarized the traffic study report.
Recommendations are to modify the signal timing to better accommodate
Georgia-Pacific shift changes, adjust the WALK, DON’T WALK, and yellow/red timings,
replace the existing WALK/DON’T WALK signals crossing the south approach with
pedestrian countdown signals, install pedestrian warning signs, and replace all
signal indications with LED bulbs. He
stated that the only out-of-pocket costs to the City for these improvements
would be the sign materials and staff labor to upgrade the signs and signals. LED bulb retrofit will be performed by a
State-hired contractor which is funded by a safety and an energy grant. All improvements are scheduled to be
completed by the end of the year.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the traffic
study of the Lombardi/Broadway intersection to improve traffic flow and
pedestrian safety be that the report recommendations be executed, which include
traffic signal and signing improvements at minimal cost to the City.
TERMINATION
OF TRIAL PERIODS
13. That, 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. (From Nov 26,, 2007 Minutes)
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Bay Beach Road from Outagamie Street to Irwin Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.
14. That, on a 90-day trial, to 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).
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the removal
of 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) be adopted by ordinance.
15. That, on a 90-day trial, to 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).
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that 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) be established and adopted by ordinance.
16. That,
on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cass
Street from a point 120 feet west of Bellevue Street to Bellevue Street.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the removal
of the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cass Street from a point 120 feet
west of Bellevue Street to Bellevue Street be adopted by ordinance.
17. That, on a 90-day trial, to 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 C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cass Street from a point 155 feet west of Bellevue Street to Bellevue Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
18.
That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side
of
Taylor Street from a point 195 feet north of Dousman Street to Larsen
Road.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Taylor Street from a point 195 feet north of Dousman Street to Larsen Road be adopted by ordinance.
19.
That, on a 90-day trial, to 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.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that 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 be established and adopted by ordinance.
There being
no other items of discussion, a motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C.
Karow, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 7:13 PM. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2008, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.