MINUTES

TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Monday, August 23, 2010

City Hall, Room 310

5:30 pm

MEMBERS PRESENT: Lt. Brad Florence, Charles Karow, Vice Chair Matt Kuepers (Acting Chair), Bryan Lipke, and Alderman Andy Nicholson

MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairperson Brad Hopp (unexcused), Mark Schuster (excused)

OTHERS PRESENT: Alderman Shae Sortwell, Alderwoman Amy Kocha, Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen

GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Approval of the minutes from the July 26, 2010 Traffic Commission meeting.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that minutes from the July 26, 2010 Traffic Commission meeting be approved.

INITIAL REQUESTS

2. Request by Ald. Sortwell for the installation of speed bumps in the alley between Preble Avenue and Farlin Avenue, from Henry Street to Elizabeth Street.

Ald. Sortwell stated that speeding occurs in the alley. Although the Police Department has enforced speeds in the alley, the compliance is short-lived. Many close garages access the alley. Speed bumps should reduce incidents of alleyway speeding.

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

Steve Cegelski (1614 Farlin Ave) spoke in support of the request. He and his neighbors talked with police officers about this issue. It is difficult to enforce because speeding events are not predictable. Children play in the alley. Up to 8 speed violators visit or reside at one house accessing the alley. These people know he reported them to police, and now go fast and slam on brakes by his house when exiting the alley.

A motion was made by C. Karow and seconded by Ald. Nicholson to return to regular order of business.

D. Hansen showed a map of the alley. He stated he visited the alley, and followed a motorist into it, which he thought was speeding in the alley. No warning or regulatory signs exist in the alley. Statutory speed limit in alleyways is 15 mph. He stated that in 2007, Council adopted a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy (NTCP), which includes alleyways. Speeding reports like this one should be referred to DPW staff for consideration into this program. He discussed the details of the NTCP program as they pertain to alleyways and recommended Ald. Sortwell’s request be placed with staff for consideration into the program.

Ald. Sortwell responded he didn’t think SPEED LIMIT 15 signs would solve the speeding issues and would like speeds observed. D. Hansen explained how speed surveys are conducted and what speed thresholds must be exceeded for inclusion in the NTCP. Ald. Sortwell agreed with D. Hansen to consider his request in the NTCP. D. Hansen provided Ald. Sortwell with a copy of this policy, which has a request form.

A discussion took place about conducting a speed survey prior to posting SPEED LIMIT 15 signs and about the effectiveness of speed limit signs.

A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Ald. Nicholson, and carried that the request for the installation of speed bumps in the alley between Preble Avenue and Farlin Avenue, from Henry Street to Elizabeth Street be referred to the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy.

When the meeting concluded, Ald. Sortwell provided D. Hansen with a completed NTCP request form.

The remaining items were taken in the following order: 5, 3-4, 6-9.

3. Request by the DPW Parking Division to install parking meters on the east side of Washington Street from Pine Street to Admiral Flatley Court.

D. Hansen stated that this is the area where a skywalk pedestrian structure crossed over Washington St between the former Port Plaza Mall and the Younkers building. It used to be a loading zone when that structure existed. Now it has become an unrestricted parking area in the downtown after all signs were removed. Contractors working on various downtown projects have been using it to park their work vehicles. All downtown streets are parking restricted in one form or another. A 15 minute loading zone needs to be maintained on the west side of Washington St just south of the existing Flats on the Fox (FOTF) apartments due to previous arrangement with the apartment manager to provide their tenants with loading options since they have none on Admiral Flatley Ct and that most of their parking takes place in the Main St Ramp until the new parking ramp is built on the former Younkers site.

Ald. Nicholson questioned why meters aren’t needed on both sides. D. Hansen responded that the loading zone is still needed by FOTF tenants and the Watermark contractor will need that area for vehicle staging soon. Post Watermark construction, meters will need to be installed on the east side of Washington St.

A discussion took place that APAC employees may be parking in this unrestricted area, and that many of them have monthly passes to city lots/ramps. APAC has multiple shifts, allowing some employees to park for free after 6 PM weekdays.

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

A. Remove the 15-MINUTE LOADING ZONE on both sides of Washington Street from a point 110 feet north of Pine Street to a point 190 feet north of Pine Street.

B. Remove the 15-MINUTE LOADING ZONE on the east side of Washington Street from a point 25 feet south of Gregby Way to a point 70 feet south of Gregby Way.

C. Remove the parking meter zone on the west side of Washington Street from Cherry Street to a point 110 feet north of Pine Street.

D. Remove the NO PARKING zone on the west side of Washington Street from a point 150 feet south of Gregby Way to Main Street.

E. Establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Washington Street from a point 190 feet north of Pine Street to Main Street.

F. Establish a 15-MINUTE LOADING ZONE on the west side of Washington Street from a point 30 feet north of Pine Street to a point 190 feet north of Pine Street.

G. Establish a parking meter zone on the east side of Washington Street from a point 110 feet north of Pine Street to a point 25 feet south of Gregby Way.

H. Establish a parking meter zone on the west side of Washington Street from a point 60 feet north of Cherry Street to a point 50 feet south of Pine Street.

POSTPONED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

4. Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the reasons why WisDOT’s Main/Verlin construction project was started before its scheduled date, and to identify the problems that occurred due to the schedule change. (Postponed from July 26, 2010 Traffic Commission meeting)

Ald. Nicholson stated this request was addressed at the last Improvement & Service Committee meeting, that his questions were answered, and that the request can be received and placed on file.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the request to review the reasons why WisDOT’s Main/Verlin construction project was started before its scheduled date, and to identify the problems that occurred due to the schedule change be received and placed on file.

5. Request by Ald. Kocha on behalf of neighborhood residents to review the parking restrictions on Franz Avenue, with possible action. (Postponed from July 26, 2010 Traffic Commission meeting)

Ald. Kocha spoke with Sullivan Elementary staff (none present) and with Franz Ave residents (multiple present) about the ongoing Franz Ave parking issues. She is requesting 2-HOUR 7 AM – 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS parking on Franz Ave under a 90-day trial, while keeping the existing NO PARKING zones on both ends of the street. The 90-day trial should provide enough time for school staff to respond to this change. She stated that Franz Ave used to have 2-HOUR parking prior to the construction of the current Sullivan Elementary parking lot.

D. Hansen explained that the NO PARKING zone on the west end of Franz Ave has changed from a 7 AM – 11 AM zone to a 7 AM – 4 PM zone because school staff would park there after lunch, and that the zone was originally established to accommodate the turnaround of garbage trucks.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson and seconded by Lt. Florence to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.

John Umentum (1620 Franz Ave) stated that the snow plows had problems last year backing out of Franz Ave due to the vehicles parked onstreet. He prefers NO PARKING on the entire street but is okay with 2-HOUR parking.

Dale Kroll (1621 Franz Ave) stated that after a recent sewer break and repair project, crews had problems cleaning the street due to the vehicles parked onstreet. Those parked vehicles also make it difficult to see out of his driveway.

Heidi Conklin (1613 Franz Ave) stated that student pedestrian sidewalk traffic has increased from Deckner Ave. With vehicles parked onstreet, it’s difficult to see the students on the sidewalk when entering and exiting a driveway.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson and seconded by B. Lipke to return to regular order of business.

A discussion took place about the school staff’s opinion of a parking zone change and about the existing onsite and other future potential parking locations such as the area across the East River where drivers’ education training has taken place.

Ald. Kocha stated she has contacted school district staff about a Franz Ave parking zone change. She stated that residents report that the Sullivan Elementary lot is not always full, meaning that teachers do have onsite parking available. The timing of her request is good because school starts next week.

D. Hansen explained that it is difficult during the winter to maintain 2-way traffic when vehicles are parked on both sides of Franz Ave. He showed photos documenting this condition. Lt Florence stated that a 2-HOUR zone will not prevent that issue. D. Hansen responded that a 2-HOUR zone should minimize parking maneuvers significantly. Lt. Florence stated that a NO PARKING zone on one side of the street could eliminate the problem. Ald. Kocha surveyed those residents in attendance about a NO PARKING on one side vs. 2-HOUR on both sides. They preferred the 2-HOUR parking option.

A discussion took place about expanding the onsite parking lot at Sullivan Elementary. Ald. Kocha responded that this was already proposed to the Board of Appeals, but was turned down and the original parking lot footprint was repaved.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS parking zone on both sides of Franz Avenue from a point 990 feet west of Main Street to a point 40 feet west of Main Street.

Ald. Kocha requested the signs be installed prior to the first day of school. D. Hansen responded that he will make all attempts to do so.

6. Request by Ald. Deneys, on behalf of the neighbors of Nancy Avenue and Steven Street, to change the 2-WAY STOP condition at Steven Street and Nancy Avenue to a 4-WAY STOP condition. (Postponed from July 26, 2010 Traffic Commission meeting)

D. Hansen stated that he gave the staff recommendation at the last meeting.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the request to change the 2-WAY STOP condition at Steven Street and Nancy Avenue to a 4-WAY STOP condition be received and placed on file.

REFERRED BACK FROM STUDY

7. Request by Ald. Theisen for STATE LAW YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS WITHIN CROSSWALK signs at Webster/Grignon, Webster/Emilie, and Webster/Eliza. (Motioned to refer to staff for study)

D. Hansen stated he emailed copies of his report to Commission members and Ald. Theisen. He stated that since the alderman is not present that discussion should wait until he shows up. He explained that DPW Traffic has a policy on use of the STATE LAW sign. That is, none are to be permanently mounted, and use of them is limited to temporary traffic conditions such as an expected high volume of pedestrians like at a special event (4^th of July downtown on open streets, for example). Permanent mounting is not recommended due to the high exposure to traffic in the middle of the street leading to high sign maintenance and frequent replacement.

C. Karow asked D. Hansen if he needs the Commission to act on his recommendations. D. Hansen replied no. He will implement the recommendations, which should improve pedestrian safety, and are low-cost solutions.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by B. Lipke, and carried to:

A. Postpone the request for STATE LAW YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS WITHIN CROSSWALK signs at Webster/Grignon, Webster/Emilie, and Webster/Eliza until the Monday, September 27, 2010 meeting.

B. Adjust the KEEP RIGHT signs in the median of Webster Avenue at Grignon Street to improve pedestrian and motorist visibility of pedestrians crossing Webster Avenue.

C. Move the northbound pedestrian warning and down arrow sign assembly on the southeast corner to the existing flashing beacon assembly on the northeast corner.

TERMINATION OF TRIAL PERIODS

8. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on both sides of Mech Street from a point 60 feet north of Basten Street to Van Deuren Street.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on both sides of Mech Street from a point 60 feet north of Basten Street to Van Deuren Street be established and adopted by ordinance.

9. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the 2-HOUR parking zone on the west side of Thirteenth Avenue between West Mason Street and Third Street.

A motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow, and carried that the 2-HOUR parking zone on the west side of Thirteenth Avenue between West Mason Street and Third Street be removed and adopted by ordinance.

There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Ald. Nicholson, seconded by C. Karow, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 6:10 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 27, 2010, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.