MINUTES

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, November 23, 2009

City Hall, Room 310

5:30 pm

MEMBERS PRESENT: Lieutenant Brad Florence, Chairperson Brad Hopp, Charles Karow, and Bryan Lipke

MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chairperson Matt Kuepers, Alderman Andy Nicholson, and Mark Schuster (excused)

OTHERS PRESENT: Alderwoman Kocha, Alderwoman Jeffreys, and Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen

GENERAL BUSINESS

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

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried to approve the minutes from the October 27, 2009 Traffic Commission meeting.

The remaining items were taken in the following order: 11-15, 2-10, and 16-25.

INITIAL REQUESTS

2. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of Proctor & Gamble mill workers, to change the traffic signals from normal operations to nighttime flash between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM at Hwy 54 & University Way.

Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, stated that the traffic signal is programmed to be in nighttime flash mode from 11 PM to 6 AM every night. The traffic signal already flashes between 4:30 AM and 5 AM.

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to change the traffic signals from normal operations to nighttime flash between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM at Hwy 54 & University Way be received and placed on file.

3. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of Proctor & Gamble mill workers, to change the traffic signals from normal operations to nighttime flash between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM at University Avenue & North Quincy Street.

D. Hansen stated that the traffic signal never goes into nighttime flash mode because of intersection sight distance issues for northbound Quincy St drivers looking west (photos shown). He added that this traffic signal will be upgraded by the end of the year with vehicle detectors, meaning that the signal will respond to traffic demands vs. the existing pre-timed signal operation.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that the request to change the traffic signals from normal operations to nighttime flash between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM at University Avenue & North Quincy Street be received and placed on file.

4. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of the McAuliffe Park Neighborhood Association, to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Ontario Road and Windland Drive.

D. Hansen stated that he observed and inspected the intersection. Based on his experience, inspection, and crash history at that location, he highly doubts that it will meet warrants for an ALL-WAY STOP condition. He questioned why the neighborhood association requested it. If they want it for speed control reasons, he recommended they submit an application as found in the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Plan. He recommended that the request be received and placed on file.

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Ontario Road and Windland Drive be received and placed on file.

5. Request by the Traffic Engineer to remove the 2-WAY STOP condition on Ontario Road at East Mason Street.

D. Hansen stated that Items 5 and 6 are related. The request is simply a formality in making the transition from STOP control to signalization.

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried to remove the 2-WAY STOP condition on Ontario Road at East Mason Street.

6. Request by the Traffic Engineer to establish traffic signal control at the intersection of Ontario Road and East Mason Street.

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried to establish traffic signal control at the intersection of Ontario Road and East Mason Street.

7. Request by Central Assembly of God (830 Schoen Street) to remove the BUSES ONLY parking restriction on the east side of Schoen Street from a point 150 feet north of Jean Street to a point 320 feet north of Jean Street.

D. Hansen stated that the church requested this in early November. Since the parking zone was used only by the church, DPW crews removed the signs that week.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to remove the BUSES ONLY parking restriction on the east side of Schoen Street from a point 150 feet north of Jean Street to a point 320 feet north of Jean Street.

8. Request by Ald. Nicholson to remove the NO PARKING zone on Schoen Street between East Mason Street and Lilac Lane and replace with a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone.

D. Hansen showed a map of the area noting the existing parking zones on Schoen St near Eisenhower Elementary. He stated that the west side of Schoen St, which is next to the school, is currently a NO PARKING 2 PM TO 8 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone and the east side is a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone. If the request is granted, then parents cannot pick up their children anywhere on Schoen St and would be forced to park on other streets such as Jean St, Amy St, and Loretta Ln. He stated that the zone would have to be monitored and enforced frequently for compliance. He does not support the request.

A discussion took place that the recent changes on Amy St have made significant improvements to school pick up and drop off, as most of the parents now park on Schoen St. The new zones are working, so modifying Schoen St parking restrictions could create more parking issues.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the request to remove the NO PARKING zone on Schoen Street between East Mason Street and Lilac Lane and replace with a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone be denied.

9. Request by Ald. Theisen to remove the 2-HOUR PARKING zone on the 400 block of South Quincy Street.

D. Hansen stated that he had no issues with the request.

A motion was made by B. Lipke, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the east side of South Quincy Street from Chicago Street to Crooks Street.

10. Request by Ald. Theisen to change the 2-HOUR PARKING zones in the 1200 blocks of Cass Street, Porlier Street, and Eliza Street to 4-HOUR PARKING zones.

D. Hansen stated Ald. Theisen is making the request in order to make the parking zones consistent in this block of consecutive streets, recalling that Lawe St, which is between Cass St and Porlier St, was changed from 2-HOUR to 4-HOUR with success. D. Hansen stated he had no issues with the request.

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

A. Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on south side of Cass Street from Roosevelt Street to a point 60 feet west of Irwin Avenue.

B. Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the south side of Porlier Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue.

C. Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on both sides of Eliza Street from Clay Street to Irwin Avenue.

D. Establish a 4-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on south side of Cass Street from Roosevelt Street to a point 60 feet west of Irwin Avenue.

E. Establish a 4-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the south side of Porlier Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue.

F. Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on both sides of Eliza Street from Clay Street to Roosevelt Street.

G. Establish a 4-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on both sides of Eliza Street from Roosevelt Street to Irwin Avenue.

11. Request by Ald. Kocha, on behalf of a constituent, to consider extending the 2-HOUR PARKING zone on both sides of Cedar Street immediately west of Baird Street.

D. Hansen showed a map of the area and related existing parking zones. There are 2 NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zones on both sides of Cedar St just west of Baird St. The remaining north side is signed 2-HOUR 7-7 MON-FRI from that zone to Irwin St. The remaining south side does not have parking restrictions from that zone to Irwin St. The 2-HOUR 7-7 MON-FRI zone only exists on the north side of Cedar St from Irwin Ave to a point 70-ft west of Baird St. He showed a photo of the proximity of the building on the northwest corner of Cedar/Baird. The 2-HOUR zone could be extended further east to within 15 feet of the west crosswalk of Cedar/Baird.

A discussion took place about the various on-street parking options, the width of Cedar St, and maintaining a safe turning movement from northbound Baird St to westbound Cedar St.

Ald. Kocha spoke in favor of the request. She wants to provide as much on-street parking for the businesses on the northeast corner of Cedar/Baird while maintaining safe traffic flow at the intersection.

A discussion took place about the restricted parking zone on the south side of Cedar St. It was modified within the past couple years due to Jimmy John’s request for more on-street parking to free up parking spaces onsite for customers (removal of 2-HOUR zone on south side). Discussion continued about potential conflicts with parked vehicles and eastbound right-turning vehicles. Allowing 1 car to park on-street east of the Jimmy John’s driveway should avoid that conflict. The concrete pad just east of the driveway is not used as a bus stop.

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

A. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Cedar Street from a point 70 feet west of Baird Street to Baird Street.

B. Remove the 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the north side of Cedar Street from Irwin Avenue to a point 70 feet west of Baird Street.

C. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cedar Street from a point 100 feet west of Baird Street to Baird Street.

D. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Cedar Street from a point 30 feet west of Baird Street to Baird Street.

E. Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the north side of Cedar Street from Irwin Avenue to a point 30 feet west of Baird Street.

F. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Cedar Street from a point 75 feet west of Baird Street to Baird Street.

12. Request by Ald. Kocha, on behalf of an East High School student’s parent, to review the number of crashes at the signalized intersection of Baird Street and East Walnut Street to determine if a westbound-to-southbound left-turn arrow is needed.

D. Hansen stated that he reviewed the 3-year crash history, and found 1 minor non-reportable crash that involved a westbound left-turning vehicle. He didn’t see the need for a left-turn arrow based on this information.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that the request to review the number of crashes at the signalized intersection of Baird Street and East Walnut Street to determine if a westbound-to-southbound left-turn arrow is needed be received and placed on file.

13. Request by Olde Main Street Incorporated and local businesses to modify the DISABLED PARKING ONLY 4 PM TO 10 PM zone on the west side of Saint George Street south of Main Street by removing the time restriction.

D. Hansen stated that the existing parking zone was established on Feb 17, 2003 on the west side of St George St from a point 30 feet south of Main Street to a point 55 feet south of Main Street (4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.). He stated that there is someone that regularly parks in that spot without a disabled hangtag into the restricted time period. Removing the time restriction would make that spot available for the disabled.

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

A. Remove the DISABLED PARKING ONLY 4 PM TO 10 PM zone on the west side of Saint George Street from a point 30 feet south of Main Street to a point 55 feet south of Main Street.

B. Establish a DISABLED PARKING ONLY zone on the west side of Saint George Street from a point 30 feet south of Main Street to a point 55 feet south of Main Street.

14. Request by Ald. Jeffreys to install a 1-HOUR or 2-HOUR LOADING ZONE on the north side of Cherry Street just east of the alley between the CityDeck and Washington Street.

D. Hansen showed a map of the area and photos. The entire block is signed NO STOPPING OR STANDING. A request was made at an earlier meeting for a loading zone but it was denied due to the narrow width of Cherry St in this block and proximity to an emergency exit from Nicolet Bank building. He still is concerned that if any parking was allowed in this block that 2 lanes of traffic would not be maintained. Traffic volumes, however, are very low since the only traffic that uses this street is primarily Riverfront Loft residents and southbound traffic exiting the alley. Other offsite loading zones have been considered but were not feasible.

A discussion took place about where service vehicles currently park (Washington St, Cherry St Ramp, Adams St Lot); that the underground parking at Riverfront Lofts has low clearance; dumpsters in the alley; if parking could be considered between their driveway and the alley; and if parking could be considered between the sidewalk and their building just west of their driveway.

Ald. Jeffreys stated that the metered stalls on Washington St are usually full when service vehicles visit the Riverfront Lofts. Service personnel shouldn’t have to walk so far.

A discussion took place about why the last request was denied; if Cherry St, with parking allowed, would be wide enough for a fire truck; about parking options on Cherry St just east of Washington St and on Pine St just west of Washington St; about consolidating dumpsters in the alley; about time-restricting a parking zone; and about vehicles parking facing the wrong direction.

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to:

A. Remove the NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on both sides of Cherry Street from Washington Street west to the western terminus of Cherry Street.

B. Establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the south side of Cherry Street from Washington Street west to the western terminus of Cherry Street.

C. Establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the north side of Cherry Street from its western terminus to a point 125 feet west of Washington Street.

D. Establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING EXCEPT 1-HOUR MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 7 AM TO 3 PM zone on the north side of Cherry Street from a point 125 feet west of Washington Street to a point 100 feet west of Washington Street.

E. Establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the north side of Cherry Street from a point 100 feet west of Washington Street to Washington Street.

15. Request by DPW to review the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Military Avenue just north of Velp Avenue.

D. Hansen stated that a person complained to the City about DPW Operations trucks parking across from the convenience store on the northwest corner of Military/Velp. Truck operators that dump at the recycling center located at the north end of Military Ave sometimes stop in at the store to use the bathroom on their route. This area is signed NO PARKING. D. Hansen did not see a reason to keep a NO PARKING zone in this area since the traffic volumes are low and the street is wide. An option would be to remove the parking restriction on the east side of Military Ave between Velp Ave and Donald St and establish a NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone approximately 120 feet north of Velp Ave.

A discussion took place about the proximity of available on-street parking to the proposed roundabout at Velp/Military.

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

A. Remove the NO PARKING zone on both sides of Military Avenue from Lombardi Avenue to Hurlbut Street.

B. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Military Avenue from Lombardi Avenue to a point 150 feet north of Velp Avenue.

C. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Military Avenue from Donald Street to Hurlbut Street.

D. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Military Avenue from Lombardi Avenue to Hurlbut Street.

16. Request by Ald. Deneys to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY parking zone on both sides of Gary Lane from Fellows Drive east through the end of the cul-de-sac.

D. Hansen stated that mail delivery and leaf collection on this street have been a problem. 2-HR parking zones exist on similar parallel streets. Workers and contractors from St Mary’s Hospital are parking on-street creating these issues. They have an available parking lot near Shawano/Taylor. Currently it is temporarily posted as a NO PARKING BY ORDER OF DPW AND POLICE due to these issues. He recommended approval of the requested zone.

A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY parking zone on both sides of Gary Lane from Fellows Drive east through its easterly terminus.

17. Request by Ald. Deneys on behalf of residents to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY parking zone on the north side of Dousman Street from David Drive to Murphy Drive.

D. Hansen stated that this segment of Dousman St borders St Mary’s Hospital, and that workers/contractors are parking on-street, leaving no available on-street parking for the residents.

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

A. Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY parking zone on the north side of Dousman Street from David Drive to a point 110 feet west of Steven Street.

B. Establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY parking zone on the north side of Dousman Street from a point 95 feet east of Steven Street to Murphy Drive.

18. Request by Ald. Vander Leest to review the intersection traffic control of Eldora Drive, Delray Drive, and Sorrento Drive at Trojan Drive.

D. Hansen showed a map of the area noting that Trojan Dr is a neighborhood collector street. The roadway curves at these intersections lend to poor intersection sight distance. None of these intersections have posted intersection control. He recommended YIELD conditions on all requested streets. He spoke with Ald. Vander Leest, who supports his recommendation.

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

A. Establish a 2-WAY YIELD condition on Delray Drive at Trojan Drive.

B. Establish a 1-WAY YIELD condition on Sorrento Drive at Trojan Drive.

C. Establish a 1-WAY YIELD condition on Eldora Lane at Trojan Drive.

19. Request by Ald. Weber to determine if left-turn arrow signals are needed for Military Avenue at Bond Street.

D. Hansen stated that left-turn bays are present on Military Ave at Bond St. He found 1 crash since 2004 that involved a left-turning vehicle hitting an opposing through vehicle. DPW retimed the intersection about a year ago. When they conducted that signal timing study, they evaluated signal phasing, which did not indicate the need for a Military Ave left-turn arrow.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that the request to determine if left-turn arrow signals are needed for Military Avenue at Bond Street be received and placed on file.

POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

20. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie to consider providing bicycle/pedestrian paths throughout the I-43 Business District and providing pedestrian access crossing East Mason Street.

A motion was made by B. Lipke, seconded by B. Hopp, and carried that the request to consider providing bicycle/pedestrian paths throughout the I-43 Business District and providing pedestrian access crossing East Mason Street be received and placed on file because the study is in progress.

21. Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the intersection of Main Street and Manitowoc Road with possible green arrows.

A motion was made by C. Karow, 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 January 25, 2010 meeting.

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

22. 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.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that 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 be established and adopted by ordinance.

23. That, on a 90-day trial, to 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.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that 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 be removed.

24. That, on a 90-day trial, to 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.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that 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 be established and adopted by ordinance.

25. That, on a 90-day trial, to 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.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that 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 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 6:48 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25, 2010, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.