MINUTES
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
September 22, 2008
City
Hall, Room 207
5:30
pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Vice Chairperson Brad Hopp (arrived at 5:45
pm), Charles Karow, Mark Schuster, Matt Kuepers, and Lieutenant Brad Florence
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Alderman Andy Nicholson (excused)
1. Approval of the minutes from the August 25, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow and carried to approve the
minutes from the August 25, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
The remaining
items were taken in this order: 9, 18,
5, 13, 2, 15-16, 3-4, 17, 6-8, 10-12, 14, 19-21.
INITIAL REQUESTS
2. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf
of neighbors, to immediately rectify the problem of speeding cars at the
intersection of Peterson Road and Kathy Drive.
D.
Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, summarized that residents’ concerns have been
expressed over speeding along Kathy Dr and about an intersection crash
problem. He summarized the intersection
crash history. There were 2 crashes
since 2005. Both were run-off-road type
crashes into the northwest corner of the intersection. One crash involved a southbound motorist who
attempted to pick up his dropped cell phone and struck a utility pole. The other crash involved a northbound
motorist who attempted to turn onto Peterson Rd and crashed into a tree, then a
mailbox, then another tree. The motorist
was arrested for OWI. The speed study
concluded that Peterson Rd had an 85th percentile speed of 26.5
mph. Kathy Dr had an 85th
percentile speed of 28.2 mph, likely higher than Peterson Rd because of the
downgrade approaching the intersection.
He summarized previous Traffic Commission discussions including the
intersection not being a good location for a 4-WAY STOP. He stated that the intersection doesn’t meet multiway stop warrants and that Peterson Rd and Kathy Dr do
not line up, producing 2 offset intersections.
He summarized that past geometric upgrades were made in 2002 by
tightening up the northwest corner with a 20-ft radius. A roundabout is not practical at the
intersection because of the north approach steep grade and the proximity to a
detention pond in the southeast corner of the intersection.
Chris
Pirlot, Director of Traffic, Parking, and Operations, spoke about the
intersection. He lives near the
intersection and travels the intersection at least twice a day. He was City Traffic Engineer when past issues
were brought forward. He isn’t surprised
of the near speed limit speeds that were documented in the study, as his
observations are that motorists seem to be aware of the presence of children
and slow down. Traffic patterns within
the neighborhood are overall organized and respectful. The engineering data presented supported his
observations.
Ald.
Wiezbiskie stated there is a speeding and crash problem at the
intersection. One resident has his
mailbox temporarily mounted because it gets hit often. Ald. Wiezbiskie’s
request was prompted by the OWI crash and constituent complaints after that
crash. He thought that additional
geometric improvements would be done at the intersection based on previous
Commission and staff discussions.
Taxpayers and voters cannot be ignored by staff responding with data and
facts.
D.
Hansen stated he’s discussed this issue with DPW staff and that the best way to
correct issues at offset intersections is to realign them. Doing so in this case would require the
acquisition of 1 duplex. Another option
would be to install advance offset intersection signs on Kathy Dr, which also
doubles as a hidden intersection sign, appropriate for the southbound movement
around the curve.
A
discussion took place about squaring up the northwest corner.
Ald.
Wiezbiskie left the meeting at 6 PM.
Discussion
continued about the offset approaches of Paula St and Peterson Rd, that the
concerns are not on those streets, that geometric improvements have been done,
that crashes are more likely to occur on southbound Kathy Dr because of the
downgrade and the left-curve, that the intersection cannot be reconstructed as
a roundabout because of the grade/curve, about winter street salting
operations, about applying the City’s traffic calming policy to this location,
and the feasibility of installing beam guard on the northwest corner
(aesthetics, maintenance, sight obstruction).
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to immediately rectify the problem of speeding cars at the intersection
of Peterson Road and Kathy Drive be referred to DPW for an evaluation of
installing beam guard on the northwest corner of Peterson Road and Kathy Drive
and advance warning offset intersection signs on Kathy Drive.
3. Request by Ald. Nicholson to paint
crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Bader Street.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request
to paint crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Bader Street be postponed until the
next Traffic Commission meeting on October 27, 2008.
4. Request by Ald. Nicholson to paint
crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Winter Lane.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request
to paint crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Winter Lane be postponed until the next
Traffic Commission meeting on October 27, 2008.
5. Request by Ald. Kocha
to investigate the need of constructing a left-turn lane within the existing
median at the Family Video and Pioneer Credit Union driveways on the east
approach of Deckner Avenue at Main Street to address the ingress left-turn
crash history.
D.
Hansen displayed a map of the request location and explained the existing
intersection layout and driveway configurations. He noted that the existing median is not wide
enough to store vehicles turning into Family Video and Pioneer Credit
Union. Crash history has been collected
but not evaluated.
Ald.
Kocha expressed her driveway and median
concerns. She recommended that her
request be referred to staff for study.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request to investigate the need of constructing a left-turn lane within the
existing median at the Family Video and Pioneer Credit Union driveways on the
east approach of Deckner Avenue at Main Street to address the ingress left-turn
crash history be referred to DPW for study.
6. Request by the Mayor’s Office and DPW
Parking Division to establish on-street disabled parking on the north side of
Pine Street from a point 35 feet west of Washington Street to a point 120 feet
west of Washington Street.
D.
Hansen stated that the Mayor’s Office, DPW Parking Division, and APAC
representatives are all in favor of the request.
A
brief discussion took place about establishing a disabled parking zone close to
the future City Deck.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to establish on-street disabled parking on the north side of Pine
Street from a point 35 feet west of Washington Street to a point 120 feet west
of Washington Street.
7. Request by Ald. Wery on behalf of Jamie
Cornwall to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Camm Place from a point 165 east of Allard Avenue to its
easterly terminus.
D.
Hansen stated that the resident at 891 Camm Pl has
problems backing out of their driveway when motorists are parked in front of
886-888 Camm Pl, which has available off-street
parking. Camm
Pl is a narrow street.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to:
A. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side
of Camm Place from a point 120 feet east of Allard
Avenue to its easterly terminus
B. Remove the 2-HOUR 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ON
SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Camm Place from
Allard Avenue to its eastern terminus
C. Establish a 2-HOUR 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ON
SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Camm Place from
Allard Avenue to a point 120 feet east of Allard Avenue
8. Request by Ald. Wery to shorten the NO
PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the south side of Oregon Street at Gray Street.
D.
Hansen stated that it is practical to shorten this restricted zone as the
intent of the request for this original zone was to keep vehicles out of the intersection
and improve pedestrian safety at the Gray/Oregon intersection when the Resch
Aquatic Center is busy.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to:
A. Remove the NO PARKING zone on both sides of
Oregon Street from a point 115 feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street.
B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of
Oregon Street from a point 65 feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street.
9. Request by Ald. Deneys to have the
left-turn arrow on the corner of Fisk and W. Mason Streets turned back on.
D.
Hansen stated that the work order to add the W Mason St left-turn arrow was
issued prior to this meeting.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to have the left-turn arrow on the corner of Fisk and W. Mason Streets
turned back on be received and placed on file because a work order to do so has
already been issued.
10. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to clarify
the NO PARKING rules on Ridge Road before Green Bay Packers games.
D.
Hansen stated that this issue has been resolved through a letter sent by DPW to
affected residents clarifying that the NO PARKING DAY OF PACKERS GAME parking
zones will be enforced 6 hours prior to the start of each Packers home game.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request
to clarify the NO PARKING rules on Ridge Road before Green Bay Packers games be
received and placed on file because letters have already been sent out to
affected property owners clarifying the NO PARKING DAY OF PACKERS GAME parking
zones.
11. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to create a
NO PARKING zone west of 1332 Ninth Street.
A
brief discussion took place about potential parking issues. Ald. VanderLeest was not present. Traffic Commission members requested more
information on the request.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request to create a NO PARKING zone west of 1332 Ninth Street be postponed
until the next Traffic Commission meeting on October 27, 2008.
12. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to create a
NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING zone along Ninth Street next to Jackson
School.
A
brief discussion took place about potential parking issues. Ald. VanderLeest was not present. Traffic Commission members requested more
information on the request.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request
to create a NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING zone along Ninth Street next to
Jackson School be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting on
October 27, 2008.
POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
13. 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 provided Commission members an inter-office memo from Assistant City
Engineer Steven Grenier. The memo
contained pavement evaluation comments about Cedar and Forest Sts if TNT Crust
trucks were allowed to use them as truck routes. He summarized that Cedar St may experience
premature failure and that Forest St likely will not experience premature
failure with an additional 6 to 7 trucks per day. D. Hansen added that if Forest St is added to
the official truck route map that the street will be available to all trucks
not just TNT Crust trucks. However,
Forest St does not appear to be a desirable truck route.
Ald.
Kocha spoke in favor of adding Forest St (Cedar St –
University Av) to the city truck route system.
She added that Forest St dead-ends at Main St and that access to Main St
via Forest-Morrow consists of sharp turns, making it undesirable for other
truck traffic.
D.
Hansen stated that if Forest St were added to the truck route that existing
route-related signs and NO TRUCKS signs need to be adjusted by DPW staff as
necessary.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that, on a
90-day trial, Forest Street between Cedar Street and University Avenue be added
to the official city truck route map.
Ald.
Kocha left the meeting after Item 13.
REFERRED
BACK FROM STUDY
14. Request by the DPW and Police Department
Traffic Enforcement Unit to temporarily close the Mason Street median through
the Superior Road intersection, and to evaluate its traffic impact on the area.
D.
Hansen summarized the main points of the traffic study including
recommendations.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that:
A. The
request to temporarily close the Mason Street median through the Superior Road intersection, and to evaluate its traffic impact on the area
be received and placed on file.
B. To
refer to the Improvement & Services Committee that the median on East Mason
Street at Superior Road be permanently closed.
C. That
traffic signals at East Mason Street and Ontario Road be installed with a cost
estimate to be provided to Finance Committee to secure appropriate funding.
D. That
DPW request WisDOT to allow coordination between City-owned and WisDOT-owned
traffic signals along East Mason Street between I-43 and Ontario Road.
E. That
DPW optimize the Mason/I-43, Mason/Challenger, and Mason/Ontario traffic signal
timings to improve corridor progression and movement delay if WisDOT allows
coordination with Mason/I-43 traffic signals.
15. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie to establish a
4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Peterson Road and Kathy Drive.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Peterson
Road and Kathy Drive be received and placed on file.
16. Request by Ald. Wiezbieskie,
on behalf of Jerry Renier (3288 Peterson Road), to
establish a 4-WAY STOP condition or a roundabout at the intersection of
Peterson Road and Kathy Drive.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition or a roundabout at the intersection
of Peterson Road and Kathy Drive be received and placed on file.
17. Request by Ald. Nicholson for a traffic
study at Lime Kiln Road and August Street.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request
for a traffic study at Lime Kiln Road and August Street be postponed until the
next Traffic Commission meeting on October 27, 2008.
18. Request by Ald. Deneys for a 4-WAY STOP
at the corner of Steven Street and Nancy Avenue and to conduct a traffic study
of vehicles and the speed of vehicles traveling on Steven Street.
D.
Hansen summarized that 4-WAY STOP warrants were not met at the existing 2-WAY
STOP controlled intersection of Nancy Av at Steven St. The speed study indicated that the 85th
percentile speed on Steven St was 27.3 mph (Steven St has a regulatory speed
limit of 25 mph). Given that a primary
concern was expressed for pedestrian safety at the intersection and that Nancy
Av is midpoint along an S-curve on Steven St, motorists may have difficulty
seeing pending pedestrian conflicts.
This is compounded with the issue of no sidewalks at or leading up to the
intersection. He suggested the placement
of pedestrian advance warning signs along Steven St.
Ald
Deneys spoke in favor of installing pedestrian advance warning signs and
requested that the Police Department place radar speed boards along Nancy Av.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that:
A. The request for a 4-WAY STOP at the corner of
Steven Street and Nancy Avenue and to conduct a traffic study of vehicles and
the speed of vehicles traveling on Steven Street be received and placed on
file.
B. That DPW install pedestrian advance warning
signs on Steven Street in advance of Nancy Street.
Ald.
Deneys left the meeting after Item 18.
TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS
19. 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.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Bader Street from Mason Street to a point 200-feet north of Mason Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
20. 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.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the north side of the West Mason North Frontage Road from Packerland Drive to Isbell Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
21. 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.
Item
21 is identical to Item 20. No action
was taken on Item 21.
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 6:45 PM. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2008, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.