MINUTES

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, January 19, 2009

City Hall, Room 310

5:30 pm

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Charles Karow, Matt Kuepers, Mark Schuster, and Lieutenant Brad Florence for Commander Sterr

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:     Alderman Andy Nicholson (excused), Vice Chairperson Brad Hopp (unexcused)

 

OTHERS PRESENT:      Alderman Tom DeWane (Present only prior to meeting), and Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

1.         Approval of the minutes from the December 8, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

2.         Report on the amended items at the Tuesday, December 16, 2008 City Council meeting of the Traffic Commission Report.

 

            A.  Item 4 - That the installation of STOP signs on Peterson Road and Kathy Drive be received and placed on file be held over until the February 3, 2009 City Council meeting.

 

            B.  Item 5 - That the Traffic Engineer will discuss with Ald. Wiezbiskie the DPW signing and marking recommendations to reduce or eliminate crashes near the Kathy Drive and Peterson Road intersection and be held over until the February 3, 2009 City Council meeting.

 

            C.  Item 9 - That the request to study if traffic signs should be installed at Locust and Shirley Streets be received and placed on file referred to staff.

 

            Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, stated that Items 2A and 2B will actually be held over until the February 17, 2009 City Council meeting per request of Ald. Wiezbiskie.

 

            A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the report of the amended items at the Tuesday, December 16, 2008 City Council meeting of the Traffic Commission Report be received and placed on file.


 

 

INITIAL REQUESTS

 

3.         Request by Ald. DeWane to allow residents 1 parking pass per household at an annual cost of $10 on streets with 1 and 2-HOUR parking zones along Berwyn Avenue, Deer Trail, Apple Tree Court, and Vagabond Street.

 

            Prior to the meeting, Ald. DeWane stated he didn’t support the request because it would be a hardship on the residents and on City staff.  D. Hansen did not support the request.

 

            A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the request by Ald. DeWane to allow residents 1 parking pass per household at an annual cost of $10 on streets with 1 and 2-HOUR parking zones along Berwyn Avenue, Deer Trail, Apple Tree Court, and Vagabond Street be received and placed on file.

 

4.         Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the history of traffic signal timing modifications at East Mason Street and Edgewood Drive.

 

            D. Hansen recommended at the request of Ald. Nicholson that Items 4 and 5 be held over to the next Traffic Commission meeting.

 

            A motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to review the history of traffic signal timing modifications at East Mason Street and Edgewood Drive be postponed until the February 23, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

5.         Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the history of traffic signal timing modifications at Main Street and Manitowoc Road.

 

            A motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to review the history of traffic signal timing modifications at Main Street and Manitowoc Road be postponed until the February 23, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

6.         Request by DPW to replace the existing NO PARKING ZONE on the east side of Broadway from Dousman Street to a point 180 feet north of Dousman Street with a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone.

 

D. Hansen stated that the parking zone needs to be stricter, as he’s received reports of a delivery truck parked in the existing NO PARKING zone (90-day trial to expire per Item 20).  Any vehicle parked in this area restricts the northbound movement of traffic north of the Broadway/Dousman intersection.  An enforced NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone should solve the traffic issue.

 

            A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried:

 

A.    To adopt agenda Item 19 by ordinance.

 

B.    To rescind agenda Item 20.

 

C.   On a 90-day trial, to establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the east side of Broadway from Dousman Street to a point 180 feet north of Dousman Street.

 

7.         Request by the Republic Chophouse to extend the NO PARKING HERE

TO CORNER zone on the east side of Adams Street just south of Pine Street.

 

D. Hansen explained that an extended NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone would function as a valet parking drop off and pick up area during evening hours of operation at the Republic Chophouse.  He stated that such a zone would improve intersection sight distance on Pine St looking south on Adams St.  Given that most downtown businesses are not in operation during proposed drop-off, pick-up activity, he had no concerns with the request.

 

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

 

A.    Remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Adams Street from a point 60 feet south of Pine Street to Pine Street.

 

B.    Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Adams Street from a point 100 feet south of Pine Street to Pine Street.

 

8.         Request by Ald. Deneys to develop a plan to install vehicle detection at traffic signals throughout the City and to investigate the feasibility of solar-powered traffic signals.

 

            Regarding vehicle detection, D. Hansen stated that it has been a longstanding DPW-Traffic policy to consider upgrades to pre-timed signalized intersection by installing detection devices and incorporate those changes in the annual traffic signal repair program.  The high cost of the detection technology compounded with the often-times poor condition of the underground electrical system required to connect those devices increases project costs.  Therefore, the number of projects per year is typically low.  Consideration for future CIP projects is being made and are currently under evaluation.  Regarding solar-powered traffic signals, D. Hansen stated that he is not aware of such power systems being currently available.  He contacted multiple vendor sources, verifying that this technology is not on the market.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to develop a plan to install vehicle detection at traffic signals throughout the City and to investigate the feasibility of solar-powered traffic signals be received and placed on file.

           

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

 

9.         That on a 90-day trial, a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS parking zone on both sides of Donarski Court from Wesley Avenue to its east terminus be established.

 

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS parking zone on both sides of Donarski Court from Wesley Avenue to its east terminus be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

10.       That, on a 90-day trial, a 2-WAY YIELD condition on Berwyn Avenue at Deer Trail be established.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a 2-WAY YIELD condition on Berwyn Avenue at Deer Trail be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

11.       That, on a 90-day trial, a 2-WAY STOP condition on Deer Trail at Remington Road be established.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a 2-WAY STOP condition on Deer Trail at Remington Road be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

12.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Pearl Street from Dousman Street to a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Pearl Street from Dousman Street to a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

13.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Pearl Street from a point 290 feet north of Dousman Street to its north terminus.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Pearl Street from a point 290 feet north of Dousman Street to its north terminus be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

14.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Pearl Street from Dousman Street to a point 190 feet north of Dousman Street.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Pearl Street from Dousman Street to a point 190 feet north of Dousman Street be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

15.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Pearl Street from a point 310 feet north of Dousman Street to its north terminus.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Pearl Street from a point 310 feet north of Dousman Street to its north terminus be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

16.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish on the east side of Pearl Street a NO PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ONLY zone from a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 290 feet north of Dousman Street.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that on the east side of Pearl Street a NO PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ONLY zone from a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 290 feet north of Dousman Street be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

17.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the west side of Pearl Street from a point 190 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 310 feet north of Dousman Street.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the west side of Pearl Street from a point 190 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 310 feet north of Dousman Street be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

18.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of Admiral Flatley Court from Washington Street to its west terminus.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on both sides of Admiral Flatley Court from Washington Street to its west terminus be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

19.       That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Broadway from a point 118 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 295 feet south of Dousman Street.

 

            A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Broadway from a point 118 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 295 feet south of Dousman Street be adopted by ordinance.

 

20.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Broadway from a point 180 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 295 feet south of Dousman Street.

 

            A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Broadway from a point 180 feet north of Dousman Street to a point 295 feet south of Dousman Street be rescinded.

 

21.       That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition for southbound Gray Street at Shawano Avenue.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the removal of the NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition for southbound Gray Street at Shawano Avenue be adopted by ordinance.

 

22.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a RIGHT TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition for southbound Gray Street at Shawano Avenue.

 

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a RIGHT TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition for southbound Gray Street at Shawano Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

23.       That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 225 feet west of Ridge Road to Ridge Road.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 225 feet west of Ridge Road to Ridge Road be adopted by ordinance.

 

24.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 160 feet west of Ridge Road to Ridge Road.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 160 feet west of Ridge Road to Ridge Road be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

25.       That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 225 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 320 feet west of Ridge Road.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 225 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 320 feet west of Ridge Road be adopted by ordinance.

 

26.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 160 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 465 feet west of Ridge Road.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 160 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 465 feet west of Ridge Road be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

27.       That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the 2-HOUR PARKING zone on the north side of Lawe Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the removal of the 2-HOUR PARKING zone on the north side of Lawe Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue be adopted by ordinance.

 

28.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 4-HOUR PARKING zone on the north side of Lawe Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that a 4-HOUR PARKING zone on the north side of Lawe Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue 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 5:48 P.M.  The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2009, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.