MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Brad Hopp, Mark Schuster, Charles
Karow, Bryan Lipke, and Lieutenant Brad Florence
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chairperson Matt Kuepers (excused), Alderman
Andy Nicholson (excused)
OTHERS PRESENT: Alderman Theisen and
Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen
1. Approval of the minutes from the August
24, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by M. Schuster, and carried to approve the minutes from the August 24,
2009 Traffic Commission meeting.
The remaining agenda items were taken in the
following order: 6, 9, 12-13, 2-5, 7-8,
10-11, and 14-19.
2. Request by Ald. DeWane, on behalf of
neighborhood resident, to consider changing the 1-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM parking
zone on Berwyn Avenue to a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 3 PM parking zone.
Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer,
stated that per a phone conversation with Ald. DeWane that the alderman was not
in favor of the request. D. Hansen
stated that changing the end time limit creates enforcement issues due to
inconsistencies with other nearby timed parking zones.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that the request to consider changing the
1-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM parking zone on Berwyn Avenue to a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 3 PM
parking zone be received and placed on file.
3. Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the
intersection of Main Street and Manitowoc Road with possible green arrows.
B. Hopp stated he spoke with Ald.
Nicholson, who asked this item be postponed to the next meeting.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence,
seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that the request to review the intersection
of Main Street and Manitowoc Road with possible green arrows be postponed until
the next Traffic Commission meeting on Monday, October 26, 2009.
4. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
remove the NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition on Webster
Avenue at Cass Street.
D. Hansen confirmed the summary of
B. Hopp that the school crossing guard has been removed from this location, and
that students don’t cross Webster Ave at this location anymore. The turn restriction is no longer needed.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by B. Lipke, and carried to remove
the NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition on:
A.
Eastbound Cass Street at Webster Avenue
B.
Northbound Webster Avenue at Cass Street
C.
Westbound Cass Street at Webster Avenue
D.
Southbound Webster Avenue at Cass Street
5. Request by the Traffic Engineer and
Police Department to remove the YIELD condition for the southbound right-turn
on Quincy Street at University Avenue.
D. Hansen showed a map of the
intersection, noting that the southbound right-turn movement turns into its own
lane onto University Ave. DPW recently
added an ADDED LANE advance warning sign for westbound University Ave traffic
before entering the signalized intersection at Quincy St. A YIELD condition is not needed.
A brief discussion took place about
adding another ADDED LANE sign for the northbound left-turn movement and about
the existing ADDED LANE sign already in place for the westbound movement.
A motion was made by B. Lipke,
seconded by M. Schuster, and carried, on a 90-day trial, to remove the YIELD
condition for the southbound right-turn on Quincy Street at University Avenue.
6. Request by Ald. Wery on behalf of Paula
Scharenbroch to remove the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL
DAYS zone on both sides of Tilkens Street between Meacham Street and Colonial
Avenue.
D. Hansen showed a map of the
vicinity and highlighted the existing restricted parking zones. He stated that Tilkens St is close to
Franklin Middle School and Notre Dame Academy.
The 2-HOUR parking zone was established to keep students and/or parents
from parking on Tilkens St.
A motion was made by C. Karow, and
seconded by M. Schuster to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to
speak.
Paula Scharenbroch
(1203 Tilkens St) spoke in favor of the request. She stated that demand for school-related
parking went down on Tilkens St after the parking restrictions on Maryhill Dr near Franklin Middle and Notre Dame were
lifted. She provided a petition from nearby
residents supporting the request.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence,
and seconded by C. Karow to return to regular order of business.
A brief discussion took place about
the reason for the request and about the location of residents that signed the
petition.
A motion was made by M. Schuster,
seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to remove the 2-HOUR
7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS parking zone on both sides of Tilkens
Street from Tommark Street to Oneida Street.
7. Request by Ald. Zima, on behalf of
neighborhood residents, to consider removal of the 2-HOUR parking restrictions,
on a trial basis, on the following streets:
1) Howard Street from Yale Street to Oak Street, and, 2) Thirteenth Avenue
from Howard Street to the railway crossing.
D. Hansen stated this request is
basically the same as Item 6 but on different streets and near a different
school. He showed a map of the vicinity
with nearby parking zones. He restated
his position on that item.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence,
seconded by C. Karow, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to:
A. Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM parking zone on the
north side of Howard Street from Oak Street to 12th Avenue.
B. Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM parking zone on the
north side of Howard Street from Yale Street to 12th Avenue.
C. Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM parking zone on the
south side of Howard Street from a point 100 feet west of Yale Street to a
point 40 feet west of 13th Avenue.
D. Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM parking zone on the
south side of Howard Street from Yale Street to a point 40 feet west of 13th
Avenue.
POSTPONED FROM
PREVIOUS MEETING
8. Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the
speed limit on East Mason Street from Edgewood Drive to I-43.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the request to review the speed limit
on East Mason Street from Edgewood Drive to I-43 be postponed until the next
Traffic Commission meeting on Monday, October 26, 2009.
9. 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 there have
been 3 westbound left-turn crashes from E Mason St onto Cass St within the past
4 years. One was a hit-and-run crash on
a Saturday evening just before midnight.
The other 2 involved wet pavement during the winter. The low crash numbers and incident details do
not indicate a crash problem. By not
allowing lefts at this location, those motorists would be forced to make the
westbound left-turn further west at Heyrman St. Given the S-curve, westbound motorists would
arrive at a waiting left-turner near the end of the S-curve. Today, a westbound left-turn at Cass St can
be seen from a far distance east of it.
Ald. Theisen did not speak in favor
of the request. He was contacted by
Steve Seymour who lives in Ald. Nicholson’s district requesting the item be
placed on the agenda. He asked if anyone
in the gallery wants the turn restriction.
There were some “no” responses.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence,
seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to consider a NO LEFT TURN
sign for westbound traffic on East Mason Street at Cass Street be denied.
A male owner from Timsan's Japanese Steak House asked if this request comes
up again, will business owners be contacted? A brief discussion took place on how requests
are placed onto city meeting agendas.
The male stated he was concerned with cut-through traffic through his
parking lot if the NO LEFT TURN condition was established. B. Hopp responded that all regulatory
conditions such as turn restrictions are installed on 90-day trials before
permanent modification is considered.
10. 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.
Items 10 and 11 were considered at
the same time.
D. Hansen recapped the discussion
from the last meeting, and that the two Badger St requests had competing
objectives (one item asks for speed limit signs and the other item for taking
parking off the street. Speed limit
signs are intended to lower speeds. Less vehicles parked on the street produces wider roads and faster
speeds) which resulted in the items being tabled until tonight. He stated he spoke to Ald. Deneys about Items
10 and 11 today and received more information.
The NO PARKING sign request is being made because there are many park
attendees that cross the street to go to nearby apartments. With vehicles parked next to the park, the
pedestrians become hidden between parked vehicles, and safety is
compromised. D. Hansen reported that no
vehicle or pedestrian crashes have occurred on Badger St near Badger Park.
When asked his recommendation, D.
Hansen stated that the parking zone request would be implemented as a 90-day
trial so if issues arise, the signs can be removed easily. Regarding the speed limit signs, Badger St
currently has no speed limit signs and functions as a neighborhood collector
street, so installing 2 signs is suitable.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by B. Lipke, and carried, on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING
zone on the north side of Badger Street from Regan Street to a point 370 feet
west of Siegler Street.
11. 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 B. Lipke,
seconded by M. Schuster, and carried to install two SPEED LIMIT 25 MPH signs on
Badger Street with one near Perkins Avenue and the other near Regan Street.
12. Request by the Green Bay Police Department
to move the crossing guard assignment from Eliza/Webster to Porlier/Webster.
D. Hansen summarized the discussion
that took place at the Jul 2009 meeting.
Ald. Theisen stated a child was hit
at Webster/Eliza, and then a second crossing guard was added. He understands the child was at fault in that
crash. He hopes that if the guard is
moved 1 block north to Webster/Porlier that we have the success realized when
moving a guard from Ashland/3rd to Ashland/5th a couple of years ago. Parents of students at Aldo Leopold should be
contacted if a move occurs. He
questioned why there are 2 guards assigned to Webster/Porlier since Council
didn’t approve any guard relocation yet from Webster/Eliza.
Lt. Florence stated he was unaware
until tonight that Council rejected Traffic Commission’s approval to relocate
the guard. Lt. Florence clarified that 1
guard works Webster/Porlier and the other works Webster/Eliza, with the latter
guard instructing students that the new location to cross Webster Ave is at
Porlier St. There have been crossing
activities at Webster/Emilie but that parents are assisting with those
crossings. Since the guard relocation,
reports back from the field have been positive.
Ald. Theisen stated that crossing
guards were instructed in the past to use traffic cones in the intersection to
improve crossing safety. It troubles him
that over time, some citywide procedures such as guard cone installation are
approved by Council and then are discontinued.
He questioned Lt Florence why it is better to cross students at
Webster/Porlier rather than at Webster/Eliza.
Lt Florence responded that
Webster/Porlier is signal controlled (Webster/Eliza is a 2-WAY STOP where
Webster Ave is free-flow) and is flatter than Webster/Eliza. Cones were used at Webster/Eliza but were
discontinued because vehicles kept hitting them and the guard had to regularly
chase down cones.
Ald. Theisen spoke in favor of using
STATE LAW YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS signs which are installed in the middle of the
street. Other cities use them more than
Green Bay. He questioned Lt Florence
about their final intention of number of guards. He responded that 1 guard would be placed at
Webster/Porlier.
B. Hopp clarified that the initial
request involved 3 intersections with Webster Ave: Cass St, Porlier St, and
Eliza St. The Cass St guard was removed,
the Eliza St guard was removed, and the middle intersection, Porlier St, was to
have 1 guard.
Ald. Theisen reiterated his point
that the 2nd guard at Webster/Eliza was added as somewhat of a
knee-jerk reaction and wasn’t warranted.
He was okay with 1 guard at Webster/Eliza.
D. Hansen stated that a crossing
guard study was likely done when justifying the Webster/Eliza guard, and that activity hasn’t significantly increased to
his knowledge to warrant a second guard.
He stated that if the guard is relocated to Webster/Porlier, students
must be trained to not cross at Eliza St.
If this is done, crossing students at Webster/Porlier - a signalized
intersection with pedestrian signals where crossing activity only occurs when
Webster Ave traffic is stopped -is a much safer location for students to cross.
A motion was made by C. Karow, and
seconded by Lt. Florence to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to
speak.
Mike Donart (Green Bay Area Public
Schools) stated that both Howe Elementary and Aldo Leopold students are
crossing at Webster/Eliza. The final
guard location should take into consideration the number of students from each
school, as their paths may indicate the best guard location.
A motion was made by C. Karow, and
seconded by Lt. Florence to return to regular order of business.
Ald. Theisen questioned guard
locations and success of the new program.
Lt. Florence replied that 1 guard is at Webster/Eliza and one is at
Webster/Porlier and that students are crossing at Porlier St except the ones
that are crossing with parents at Eliza St.
Ald. Theisen would like to get the
Parent-Teacher Association involved in the decision. His concern is that we move the guard and
then parents react after the move. D.
Hansen stated he spoke with a mother who has a child that crosses Webster Ave
at Eliza St and that stated they have a petition going around to keep the guard
at Webster/Eliza but it has been some time since they spoke and no petition has
been received.
B. Hopp recommended posting this
request for another month so that the PTA or neighborhood association can
comment on the proposed guard move. He
supports the guard move because the crossing would take place at a safer
intersection.
Ald. Theisen was concerned of
crossing at traffic signals, especially with right-turns on red. D. Hansen responded that this issue can be
resolved by establishing a NO RIGHT ON RED condition if needed.
Ald. Theisen questioned why the
guard move request was made. Lt.
Florence responded that the crossing guard was having a difficult time at Eliza
St with stopping Webster Ave traffic.
Weekly complaints from the guard were made prior to the pedestrian
crash. D. Hansen stated that safety is
compromised if the Webster/Eliza guard can’t do his job.
B. Hopp stated that this item should
be tabled so that the concerned parents can have a month to think about it and
return next month and attend the meeting if they are still concerned.
Lt. Florence stated he received 2
phone calls from concerned parents but have not heard back from them since.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by M. Schuster, and carried that the request by the Green Bay Police
Department to move the crossing guard assignment from Eliza/Webster to
Porlier/Webster be postponed until the next Traffic Commission meeting on
Monday, October 26, 2009.
13. Request by the Green Bay Area Public
Schools for crossing guard studies at the intersections of Mason/Alpine (Edison
Middle), I-43/Mason Southbound Ramp (Edison Middle), and Mason/Country Club
(Lombardi Middle and Southwest High).
D. Hansen summarized the results of
the school crossing guard studies. The
I-43/Mason Southbound Ramp (Edison Middle), and
Mason/Country Club (Lombardi Middle and Southwest High) locations did not meet
warrants for a school crossing guard.
The Mason/Alpine (Edison Middle) location did meet warrants. He reminded the Traffic Commission that
crossing guards are normally placed at locations where elementary students
cross, not middle or high school students.
From field reports, the crossing guard was having a difficult time
crossing students at Mason/Alpine. This
could be in part that the guard was a relief guard and new. He showed photos of students crossing at all
study locations, but focused on the southbound students crossing the west
approach of Mason/Alpine walking in a travel lane. This is due to lack of sidewalks on the west
side of Alpine Dr between E Mason St and Wild Flower Row. The issue observed was southbound through
vehicles bypassing left-turners and coming up the backside of pedestrians in
the southbound travel lane of Alpine Dr.
A discussion took place that the
Police Department staffs the crossing guards but only for elementary students,
not middle and high. A discussion took
place about traffic signal phasing and intersection geometry. D. Hansen responded that a signal phasing
study has not been done, but even if better signal phasing is available during
school release that this event is relatively short in duration. The traffic signal operates as expected under
normal traffic conditions.
C. Karow stated that since crossing guards
for middle schools are not established that other options should be looked
at. There have been other locations
other than elementary students where crossing guards were placed but those
guards were temporary and that the school district paid for them.
A motion was made by M. Schuster,
and seconded by Lt. Florence to suspend the rules and allow interested parties
to speak.
Mike Donart (Green Bay Area Public
Schools) spoke about the temporary guard that was at Mason/Edgewood. He stated that there have been newsletter announcements
encouraging students to rather cross at Mason/Alpine. Pedestrian volume at Mason/Alpine could
increase because Mason/Edgewood students will be using the Alpine Dr crossing. M. Donart
confirmed that District staff has also observed students walking in the
southbound travel lanes of Alpine Dr just south of the intersection. Because of this condition, the District is
willing to pay for sidewalks on the west side of Alpine Dr from E Mason St to
Wild Flower Row. He stated that WisDOT
is planning to upgrade the I-43/Mason interchange which will include pedestrian
enhancements. He stated that there is an
inter-agency agreement between the City of Green Bay and the Green Bay Area
Public School District that assigns school liaison officers to the school
payroll and crossing guards to the city payroll. He said the agreement is silent on the grade
of students but rather that if a warrant is met that the city funds the
guard. If the Traffic Commission does
not approve crossing guards at I-43/Mason and Mason/Country Club, the District
is prepared to handle any improvement costs at those locations, but if they
approve a crossing guard at Mason/Alpine, they would expect the city pay for
the guard. If we don’t fund for middle
schools, why was study done?
Lt. Florence asked for a copy of the
agreement. M. Donart said he could
provide a copy.
B. Hopp stated he is concerned about
setting a precedent for the city to fund crossing guards at middle school
crossings, but that there has been a demonstrated need to place a guard at
Mason/Alpine. This is a special
situation that needs attention until at least more sidewalk is
constructed. A discussion took place
that the school district is funding the existing guard through October. A permanent guard would be a contracted
employee.
D. Hansen stated that the school
crossing guard warrant is intended for elementary school crossings, not middle
or high. In other words, this middle
school crossing met elementary school warrants.
B. Hopp stated this is a unique
situation that was initiated after the bus routes were eliminated. Because of the unique situation, an exception
needs to be made.
Lt. Florence stated that everyone is
cutting back. The school district is
cutting back by eliminating the bus routes, but is it fair that the extra costs
(of the guard) should be absorbed by the City?
C. Karow stated that this issue may
be resolved once all road, sidewalk, and signal improvements are made. D. Hansen added that the NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN
CHILDREN ARE PRESENT could be added while the temporary guard is in place so we
can see if the sign makes an improvement.
A motion was made by M. Schuster,
and seconded by Lt. Florence to suspend the rules and allow interested parties
to speak.
M. Donart stated that the school
district intends to make a request to install sidewalks to the Improvement and
Service Committee. Sidewalks can still
be installed this year. He questioned if
we don’t fund crossing guards for middle school students, why was the study done
in the first place?
B. Hopp replied that the need for
the study was discussed during the July meeting and ultimately that motion was
made to go forward with a study. But he
reminded M. Donart that the crossing guard studies are intended for elementary
students. D. Hansen reminded that the
practice to establish crossing guards only at elementary schools is also a
nationwide practice. He continued that
C. Karow made a great suggestion that other improvements should be considered
such as the sidewalk extension and potential signal operational modifications
such as a NO RIGHT TURN ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition before
moving forward with a recommendation for a permanent crossing guard. These changes would not change the results of
the warrant study based on the data required for the study, but it could
greatly improve the operations and safety of the intersection for middle school
aged pedestrians.
A discussion took place about using
temporary guards through the end of the year.
Lt. Florence stated the Chief would have to make that decision.
B. Hopp stated that there is newness factor
to be considered. Perhaps after the improvements are made and motorists and
pedestrians are used to the new traffic and operational environment that a crossing guard may not be needed. M. Donart added that the numbers
significantly dropped at Mason/Edgewood and the guard was no longer needed.
A discussion took place that Green Bay Metro
has a bus route available for students, and that weather conditions will impact
pedestrian volumes and the sidewalk construction season.
A motion was made by M. Schuster, and
seconded by Lt. Florence to return to regular order of business.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by M. Schuster:
A.
That
a temporary crossing guard continues to be staffed at the intersection of East
Mason Street and Alpine Drive through the remainder of the school year.
B.
To
support the decision of the Green Bay Area Public Schools to fund and install
sidewalk on the west side of Alpine Drive from East Mason Street to Wild Flower
Row.
C.
That,
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT
condition for eastbound East Mason Street at Alpine Drive.
D.
That
the request for crossing guard studies at the intersections of I-43/Mason
Southbound Ramp (Edison Middle) and Mason/Country Club (Lombardi Middle and
Southwest High) be received and placed on file.
Motion carried on a 4-1 vote, with
Lt. Florence voting no.
TERMINATION
OF TRIAL PERIODS
14. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the
2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from a
point 90 feet north of Shawano Avenue to Hubbard Street.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the removal of the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4
PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from a point 90 feet
north of Shawano Avenue to Hubbard Street be adopted by ordinance.
15. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from a
point 60 feet north of Shawano Avenue to Hubbard Street.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS
zone on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from a point 60 feet north of Shawano
Avenue to Hubbard Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
16. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO
PARKING zone on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from Shawano Avenue to a point
90 feet north of Shawano Avenue.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING zone
on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from Shawano Avenue to a point 90 feet
north of Shawano Avenue be adopted by ordinance.
17. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO PARKING zone on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from Shawano Avenue to a point
60 feet north of Shawano Avenue.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that a NO PARKING zone on the east side
of Woodlawn Avenue from Shawano Avenue to a point 60 feet north of Shawano
Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.
18. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO
PARKING zone on the west side of Lime Kiln Road from Main Street to Manitowoc
Road.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the removal of the NO PARKING zone
on the west side of Lime Kiln Road from Main Street to Manitowoc Road be
adopted by ordinance.
19. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO PARKING zone on the west side of Lime Kiln Road from Main Street to a point
350 feet south of Manitowoc Road.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the west side of Lime Kiln Road from Main Street to a point 350
feet south of Manitowoc Road be established and adopted by ordinance.
There
being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by
M. Schuster, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 7 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled
for Monday, October 26, 2009, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.