MINUTES

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, August 24, 2009

City Hall, Room 310

5:30 pm

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vice Chairperson Matt Kuepers, Alderman Andy Nicholson, Mark Schuster, Charles Karow, Bryan Lipke, and Lieutenant Brad Florence

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:     Chairperson Brad Hopp (excused)

 

OTHERS PRESENT:      Alderwoman Celestine Jeffreys, Jami Harrington (Economic Development), and Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

In the absence of excused Chairperson Brad Hopp, Vice Chairperson Matt Kuepers chaired the meeting.

 

1.         Approval of the minutes from the July 27, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried to approve the minutes from the July 27th, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

2.         Appointment of Bryan Lipke to the Traffic Commission.

 

            Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, stated that the appointment of Bryan Lipke by Mayor Schmitt was approved by Council on Mon Aug 17, 2009.

 

            A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the appointment of Bryan Lipke to the Traffic Commission be received and placed on file.

 

INITIAL REQUESTS

 

3.         Request by Ald. Wery to consider closing Broadway for the Wednesday Farmer’s Markets and to consider using the City’s Celebration Account for the expense.

 

            D. Hansen stated that majority of business owners on Broadway between Walnut and Dousman Sts are in support of closing Broadway for the summer weekly Farmers Market per information received at a meeting with On Broadway Inc representatives as well as Ald. Jeffreys and other city staff.  The business owners believe there is a safety concern with pedestrians crossing Broadway and with crowded sidewalks.  D. Hansen stated that Broadway is a busy street and is also a heavy truck route.  It would be safer for both pedestrians and motorists to close Broadway for the event than to keep it open during the event.  He recommended a two-part motion:  (1) close Broadway as required for the weekly Farmers Market, and (2) that the funding request for City services accrued for the closure of Broadway for the event be forwarded to the Improvement & Service Committee.

 

            A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster, that the request to consider closing Broadway for the Wednesday Farmer’s Markets be approved.

 

            A second motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by M. Schuster, that the request to consider using the City’s Celebration Account for the expense to close Broadway for the Wednesday Farmers Market be forwarded to the Improvement & Service Committee.

 

            A discussion took place that Broadway is an official truck route, that traffic would be detoured to Walnut St and Ashland Ave, and that the proper street closure signs and marked detours are required.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, and seconded by C. Karow to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.

 

            Alex Galt (1426 S Jackson St) owns Kavarna Coffeehouse and spoke in favor of the road closure.  He stated that closing Broadway will strengthen the Farmer’s Market and help Broadway business owners.  It is difficult to walk on the crowded sidewalks during the event, especially with children. 

 

            Jessica Maass (568 S Huron Rd), representing OBI, spoke in favor of closure.  She has safety concerns with the overcrowding of pedestrians.  Street closure during the event will help downtown businesses.

 

            Ald. Jeffreys stated she supports closing Broadway for the Wednesday Farmers Market.

 

            A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, and seconded by M. Schuster to return to regular order of business.

 

            D. Hansen summarized the staff recommendations.  Ald. Nicholson stated there were motions on the floor.  No further discussion took place.  Both motions carried.      

 

4.         Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the speed limit on East Mason Street from Edgewood Drive to I-43.

           

            D. Hansen showed a map of the area which highlighted the established posted speed limits along E Mason St.  He stated that the request came through Ald. Nicholson on behalf of a police officer to lower the speed limit from 40 to 30 or 35 mph.  He stated that sign, crosswalk, sidewalk, and traffic signal improvements will be in place by the first day of school at Mason/Alpine and at I-43/Mason to mitigate the removal of the E Mason St crossing hazard bus route by the school district.  He stated that local authorities are required by State Statutes to conduct an engineering study to reduce speed limits. The City would not need to contact Brown County to reduce the speed limit since they maintain the road and control devices.  For example, the City didn’t need County authorization to reduce the speed limit on E Mason St when that street was extended east of I-43.  When asked if he recommended a speed limit review, he responded that since we don’t know how many pedestrians will actually cross E Mason St that it is premature to recommend a speed study.  He noted that Green Bay Metro is making a bus available to replace the former contracted bus that used to bus students across E Mason St.  He expressed concern over a condition called “speed differential”, which is when the speeds of vehicles vary greatly along a corridor.  This condition typically increases crashes.  Speed differential occurs when speed limits are set too low.  The majority of motorists drive roads at a speed they feel comfortable and safe driving.  Since E Mason St is built like a highway, if the speed limit is set too low, speed differential is likely to occur.  E Mason St speeds would need to be regularly enforced in order to keep speeds low.  He recommended the request to be tabled until after the crossing guard study is completed.

 

            A discussion took place that if a speed study is ordered would the results need to be reported back at the next meeting, and about pedestrian traffic signal timings.

 

            A motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to review the speed limit on East Mason Street from Edgewood Drive to I-43 be postponed to a future meeting.

 

            Ald. Nicholson left meeting at 5:55 PM.

 

5.         Request by Ald. Theisen to consider a NO LEFT TURN sign for westbound traffic on East Mason Street at Cass Street.

 

            D. Hansen stated that Ald. Theisen called him asking that this item be postponed since the requesting resident could not make the meeting.

 

            A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the request to consider a NO LEFT TURN sign for westbound traffic on East Mason Street at Cass Street be postponed until the Monday, September 28th Traffic Commission meeting.

 

6.         Request by the Traffic Engineer to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cherry Street from the alley between Jefferson and Madison Streets west to the nearest parking meter. 

 

            D. Hansen stated that sight distance is limited if a vehicle exits the alley northbound when another vehicle is parked on the south side of Cherry St just west of the alley exit.

 

            A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cherry Street from a point 150 feet west of Jefferson Street to a point 180 feet west of Jefferson Street.

           

7.         Request by Ald. Deneys, on behalf of the neighbors on Badger Street, for a NO PARKING sign on the north side of Badger Street from 1768 Badger Street to Regan Street, in front of Badger Park. 

 

            D. Hansen stated that Items 7 and 8 are related, as one item asks for speed limit signs and the other item for taking parking off the street.  If both motions are approved, they have competing objectives.  Speed limit signs are intended to lower speeds.  Less vehicles parked onstreet produces wider roads and faster speeds.

 

            A discussion took place that Ald. Deneys should be involved in the final decision, that there are concerns with pedestrians crossing the street when removing parking next to a park.  There’s not enough information to act on this issue at this time. 

           

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request for a NO PARKING sign on the north side of Badger Street from 1768 Badger Street to Regan Street, in front of Badger Park be postponed until the Monday, September 28th, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

Items 7 and 8 were acted on together.

 

8.         Request by Ald. Deneys, on behalf of the neighbors on Badger Street, for speed limit signs on the east end of Badger Street by Perkins Avenue and on the west side by Regan Street.  

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to install speed limit signs on the east end of Badger Street by Perkins Avenue and on the west side by Regan Street be postponed until the Monday, September 28th, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

 

9.         Request by Ald. Deneys for speed limit signs on Steven Street by Dousman Street and Bond Street. 

 

            D. Hansen stated that SPEED LIMIT 25 signs were recently installed at this location after he discussed this request with Ald. Deneys.

 

            A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the request for speed limit signs on Steven Street by Dousman Street and Bond Street be received and placed on file.

 

10.       Request by Ald. Vander Leest to review the parking restrictions on Ninth Street near Jackson School. 

 

            D. Hansen showed a map of the Jackson Elementary vicinity.  He stated that tenants at 1331/1333 Ninth St have problems with being blocked in their driveways when parents pick up their children from Jackson Elementary.  One crash occurred when a former tenant exited his driveway and a vehicle struck his vehicle.  He has received multiple phone calls from renters and the duplex owner in support of further restricting the parking zone in front of 1331/1333 Ninth St.  He spoke in support of establishing a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone in front of that duplex property.  Doing so pushes the pick-up and drop-off locations further west, but there is sidewalk available for students on the south side of Ninth St to the school doors.  From a phone conversation with the duplex owner, he and current tenants are in support of the NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone.

 

            A discussion took place about Jackson Elementary school bus loading zones, that a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone is much more restrictive than a NO PARKING zone, that a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone could not be used at the intersection of Ninth/Fisk, and about the other issues that arise if establishing one long restricted zone.

           

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

 

A.    Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the south side of Ninth Street from a point 785 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 200 feet west of Ridge Road.

 

B.    Establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the south side of Ninth Street from a point 340 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 200 feet west of Ridge Road.

 

C.   Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the south side of Ninth Street from a point 785 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 340 feet west of Ridge Road.

 

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

 

11.       That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the 2-HOUR 7-4 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 Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Lipke and carried that the removal of the 2-HOUR 7-4 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 adopted by ordinance.

 

12.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Wesley from Wildwood Drive to a point 180 feet south of Newberry Avenue.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Lipke and carried that a NO PARKING 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Wesley from Wildwood Drive to a point 180 feet south of Newberry Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

13.       That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue from a point 178 feet south of Donarski Court to Wildwood Drive.

 

            A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Lipke and carried that a 2-HOUR 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue from a point 178 feet south of Donarski Court to Wildwood Drive be established and adopted by ordinance.

 

There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business.  The meeting ended at 6:15 P.M.  The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2009, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.