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HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-18-1969 Page 136 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, DECEMBER 18, 1969 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session in the Municipal Bldg., December 18, 1969 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. Mr. Cecere presiding with Mr. Jacobs, City Engineer present. Mr. Howell, City Controller was absent. The following busi- ness was had to-wit: Mr. Jacobs moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved, seconded by Mr. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Several supporters of the petition regarding the traffic problem on Hunt Street appeared, Mr. Olaf Hansen acting as spokesman. He explained that residents of the area wanted a 4-way stop at the corner of "M" and Hunt Streets and a 20 mph speed limit posted. He said that the Police report given at the previous meeting had quoted persons who had denied having talked to the officer and some who had moved away or died. Police Chief Don Strahan said that the report had been incomplete and was not meant to be given at the time. He said that the petition did not include any addresses and that some of the signers were not from the area in question. Traffic Captain Paul Martin read the following report: December 17, 1969 Board of Public Works and Safety Andrew C. Cecere, President Gentlemen: At the regular Board meeting December llth, 1969, Mrs. Doris Svec of 1423 Hunt Street, presented to the Board, a petition with 93 signatures attached. The petition stated that there had been, within a short period of time, three automobile accidents involving Belden employees, have occurred in the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Hunt Street. The petition stated that many Belden employees grossly exceed the present speed limit of 30 mph and has never been rigidly enforced between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and from 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., the reason being that this is the time when the police officers are changing shifts. The petition further stated, that to abate this problem, we the undersigned petition the Board of Public Works and Safety to make the following changes: (a) to change the existing 30 mph speed limit to 20 mph in the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Hunt Street; (2) replace the present two- way stop at the intersection of Hunt and Northwest "M" Streets with a four- way stop intersection, and; (3) rigidly enforce the speed limit during the above hours. The requested changes was referred to the Traffic Division for study and recommendations. The Traffic Division has made a study of the requests. First of all, I would like to discuss the three accidents mentioned in the petition and their causes. To date this year, we have investigated four accidents that occurred on Hunt Street from N.W. "M" Street north to N.W. "N" Street. We have investigated none from N.W. "M" Street south to Northwest "L" Street. The first accident that occurred this year within the area was on April 26, at 2:25 p.m. at the intersection of Northwest "M" and Hunt Streets. A motorist, westbound on Northwest "M" Street drove out into the intersection a short distance and a south bound motorist thought he was not going to stop; veered to the right, lost control of the vehicle and struck a fire- plug. The second accident occurred at 6:45 a.m. June 11, at the inter- section of Hunt and Northwest "N" Street. The cause, a motorist drove off the Belden Parking lot without stopping and was sturck by an eastbound vehicle on Northwest "N" Street. The third accident occurred at 11:40 p.m. June 16, in the 1400 block of Hunt Street. The cause, according to the report, the woman driver reached down to turn on the defrosters, the vehicle veered to the right and struck a parked vehicle. The fourth and last accident occurred at 7:10 p.m. October 2, 1969 at the intersection of Hunt St. and Northwest "M" Street. The cause, a five year old boy, according to the report, ran from the rear end of a parked car max the corner, and the boy ran into the path of a southbound vehicle. The driver Board of Public Works & Safety, 12-18-69 Page 137 of the car stated she was traveling 20 mph. There were no witnesses. A study of the reports shows that excessive speed had nothingtto do with any of .the accidents. And, perhaps a four-way stop at the intersection of Northwest "M" and Hunt Street could have prevented one accident. Sdcondly, I would like to point out, that there are certain conditions that must be met before the installation of a 4-way stop intersection is warranted. The purpose of a 4-way stop intersection is to control the movement of traffic away from the four approaches. There is another warrant for the installation of a 4-way stop intersection and that is, where the visibility is nil and cannot be corrected. The Traffic Division made an 18-hour pedestrian and vehicular count at the intersection of Northwest "M" and Hunt Streets from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight to see what the volume of all traffic was from all four directions. Part of the total summary showed that there were 100 pedestrians crossed over Hunt Street east and west and that there were 382 vehicles northbound on Hunt street and 395 vehicles southbound on Hunt Street. There were 99 vehicles entered the intersection westbound on Northwest "M" Street and 98 vehicles entered the intersection eastbound on Northwest "M" Street for a total of 197 vehicles. There was a total of 777 vehicles that entered the intersection north and south on Hunt Street. These figures show that 75% of all vehicles entering the intersection is Hunt Street traffic and 25% is N.W. "N" Street traffic. Now, therefore, since ;;'_the volume of traffic is three times greater on Hunt Street than on N.W. "M" Street we feel that the installation of a four-way stop is not justified. Furthermore, a four-way stop would create a back up in traffic on Hunt Street for no reason since the volume on N.W. "M" Street is three times less than Hunt Street. To make the intersection more safer, we are recommending that painted crosswalks be painted on all four sides of the intersection and stop bars and a lane line be painted on N.W. "M" Street to both approaches to Hunt Street. We are further recommending that the present parking re- striction on all four corners of Hunt Street be extended from the present 30 feet to 60 feet to provide better visibility for "M" Street traffic. A study was made of the present 30 mph speed limit within the two blocks area. A check shows that Hunt Street is 30 feet wide with Parking per- mitted on both sides. This leaves two 8 ft. lanes for the movement of traffic. This is not enough pavement for on-coming vehicles to pass. We all know, that, when the speed limit is 30 or whatever it is, motorists will drive 5 to 8 miles over the limit. We feel that 35 to 38 mph is to great of speed for the narrow street, therefore in an effort to keep the speed of vehicles within the 25 to 30 mph range we are recommending that the speed limit between N.W. "L" Street and N.W. "N" Street on Hunt Street be reduced from the present 30 mph to 25 mph and enforced. Speed limit signs will be installed. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Pawl F. Martin Captain-Traffic Division Mr. Hansen said that the presence of the police car slowed the traffic and • that Belden employees had been warned of the traffic study in progress and were told not to use the Hunt St. exit, therefore he said the report was not valid. Mr. Cecere said that there are never perfect conditions to conduct a survey because situations change every day for various reasons. He said the Board would try to correct the situation through': measures it deems readonable and it would keep the area under surveillance and if necessary adopt other measures at a later time. Mr. Jacobs moved to approve the Traffic Divisions recommendations, seconded by Mr. Cecere and on unaimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Cecere said the Police Chief will have a report concerning the Police survey at the Boards next meeting December 24, 1969. Page 138 Board of Works & Safety 12-16-69 Street Department truck bids proof of publication was presented. Mr. Cecere moved the proof of publication be accepted and filed, seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.. The following bids were opened: Kurdy's $ 3,782.73 each, chassy only 4,735.73 each, complete Vivianh $ 8,490.80 for both, chassy only 10,727.00 for both, complete all with trade-ins Fred First $ 7,628.58 for both, chassy only 9,1134.78, for both, complete The Board took the bids under advisement. Police Chief Strahan asked the Board to approve the advancement of Pro- bationary Patroman Ronald Gene Pennington to Patrolman 1st Class, effec- tive Dec. 16, 1969, Officer Pennington having successfully completed his probation. Mr. Jacobs moved the Board approve the promotion, seconded by Mr. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Andy Marten appeared to ask permission to park a trailer to be used as a temporary office on the Ravinia Plaza Shopping Center parking lot. He said no water will be hooked up. Chief Strahan questioned whether the trailer would obstruct the view of motorists leaving the shopping center, Mr. Marten said he did not thihk it would. Mr. Cecere moved the Board give temporary approval to the request for a period of six weeks, provided that the trailer be moved from its present location if it proves to obstruct vision, seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Collections Commissioner Frank Robinson appeared with numerous complaints regarding litter around the area near the Tasty Bake Shop and Mr. Ed Brantner's shopping center. The Board decided to call the owner of Tasty Bake Shop and Mr. Brantner in to discuss the problem. Mr. Jacobs moved that a request from residents of Toschlog Road for street- lights from National Road West south to the bottom of the hill be referred to the Street Lighting Committee, seconded by Mr. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Jacobs moved the Board approve a 50-foot curb cut by Ralston Purina on No. 6th St. for a new truck dock, traffic and zoning having approved, seconded by Mr. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Jacobs moved that the Board approve the following work schedule for City employees over the holidays: The City Building to close Dec. 25 and 26, except for City Court and City Clerk's office during Court hours: The City Building to close January 1, 1970. Park, Street, Police, and Fire Departments to work regular shifts, seconded by- Mx. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Fire Chief William Berry reported that he had talked to the people in the Buchholz Addition who did not sign the petition to be annexed, and they said they would not sign. The Gas Co. said it would accept water, but did not want to be annexed. Mr. Cecere said the City should try for volun- tary annexation, if this is not possible, the problem of water and fire protection is such that the City may have to try to annex the entire area. Chief Berry reported that it looks as though the new No. 1 Fire Station will be ready for occupancy by January 20, 1970. Chief Berry submitted the following report: Board of Works & Safety, 12-18-69 Page 139 NOVEMBER MONTHLY REPORT Inspections 333 Re-inspections 41 Letters 33 Compliances 14 Verbal Orders 8 • On November 6th all of the Fire Prevention Bureau personnel visited the State Fire Marshal Office in Indianapolis. Captain William Griffin gave the following talks: 1. Richmond High School - "Rescue Annie" (Nov. 6) 31 2. Reid Hospital - "Evacuation" (Nov. 17 & 19) 99 3. Test Junior High - "Fire Safety in School and Home" ( Nove. 12) 63 4. Holy Famity School "Fire Safety in School and Home" (Nov. 21) 40 5. Trinity Lutheran Church - "Rescue Annie and Baby Sitting" (Nov. 26) 7 Total students 240 Reported by: /s/ Harlan Green, Fire Marshal Fire Prevention Bureau City of Richmond, Indiana Mr. Jacobs moved the Board approve authorizing each City department's asking for blood to be donated to Ather J. Reeg, former City Clerk, who had open heart surgery at Robert Long Hospital in Indianapolis. There are eight pints of blood to be replaced and this can be done at Reid Hospital any time. Mr. Cecere seconded the motion and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. There being no further business on motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned. /s/ Andrew C. Cecere, President 4-ktigt_ Attest: /s/ Lotte Hoskins, City Clerk