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MINUTES
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION
October 14, 2009
8:00 a.m.
July 09 - June 2010
Commission Members Present Attendance Record
Jeff Ahlers 2 of 3
Ernest Raub 3 of 3
Ron Fitzwater 3 of 3
Michael Hughes 3 of 3
Mikeal Louraine 3 of 3
Kevin Kelly 2 of 3
Commission Members Not Present
Rick Prather 2 of 3
Bill Washburn 2 of 3
Tony Wall 2 of 3
Commission Liaison Present
Sgt. Jeff Stiefermann, JCPD
Councilman Ron Medin
Staff Members Present
Matt Morasch, Deputy Director for Public Works
Britt Smith, Division Director for Streets/Parking
Nathan Nickolaus, City Counselor
Guests
Byron Buhr- Item #1, Aaron Singleton-Item #1, Gary Oberkrom-Item #2, Don Kopp-Item #2, Councilman Eric Struemph-
Item #2
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ahlers at 8:00 a.m. A quorum was present at this time.
1. Introductions
No formal introductions were made.
2. Acceptance of the September 16, 2009 meeting minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Fitzwater, seconded by Mr. Raub, to accept the September 16, 2009 meeting
minutes. All in favor, minutes approved.
3. New Business
1. Request to mark the roadway centerline approximately 150 feet on Sue Drive near the intersection
of Kaylyn Drive. (Requestor: Gerrit DenHartog)
Mr. Smith gave a staff report. Sue Drive is a residential collector street and is 36 feet from face to face of curb.
This is a well established neighborhood with most residences having a driveway. Letters were mailed to
residences in the area. Two emails were received and handed out to the members at the meeting and Mr.
Smith informed the commission he received phone calls from residents in the area in opposition of t he request.
Staff does not believe it would be beneficial to stripe the center line at this time and recommends against the
proposal.
Mr. Buhr spoke on his concerns of the request and said the parking is not as much of a concern as the speed
the vehicles travel through that area. Mr. Singleton also spoke in opposition of taking away the parking along
the road. He also noted the concern of speeding and safety of the children.
A lengthy group discussion occurred on the issue. Mr. Smith noted that staff will conduct a speed study on Sue
Drive and JC Police Department will be in the area for speed enforcement. Mr. Burh mentioned the speeding is
bad in the mornings and after school.
A motion was made by Mr. Fitzwater to approve the center line marking on Sue Drive, seconded by Mr. Kelly.
All opposed, request denied.
2. Request to add a left turn lane on Creek Trail Drive at the intersection of West Edgewood. (Citizen
Request through Councilman Struemph)
Mr. Smith gave a staff report. Councilman Struemph passed on a concern of a citizen of the need for the left
turn lane on Creek Trail. Concern of people turning left blocking the left and right turn lane causing frustration
for other drivers. This is considered a commercial collector street. The street is wide enough to support the turn
lane if parking is removed on both sides of the street the length of 100 feet. Low cost improvement and staff
supports this request. Letters were mailed to all property owners in the area and no responses were received.
Mr. Oberkrom spoke on the issue. He believes the removal of the parking on both sides of the street would not
have any impact. He is concerned with adding the left turn lane due to tractor trailers making a right entering
Creek Trail from W. Edgewood and having difficulty making the turn if vehicles are in the turn lane. He is also
concerned with the tractor trailers or other large vehicles blocking the view of others making a right turn pulling
out on to W. Edgewood. Mr. Kopp also spoke and he is a concerned citizen and believes the addition of the turn
lane would be helpful to people in the area.
A group discussion occurred among the members on traffic volume in the area and possible benefits of
removing parking and adding the turn lane. Mr. Smith informed the commission members that it could be spring
before the marking of the turn lane takes place due to the temperature during the winter months. The removal of
parking can take place as soon as approved.
A motion was made by Mr. Fitzwater to add a left turn lane on Creek Trail and to remove 100 feet of parking on
both sides, seconded by Mr. Hughes. All in favor, motion approved. Item will go before the City Council.
3. Proposed parking code amendments in reference to: a. Commercial vehicle exemption; b. Parking
ticket due date; c. Discount for prompt payment. (Councilman Carroll, Penfold, and Koon)
Mr. Nickolaus presented the proposed parking code amendment changes to the commission members.
a) Section 1 - Commercial Vehicle Exemption: Mr. Nickolaus noted this portion of the request came about from
a distributor who does business in the downtown area in an unmarked vehicle and wants to be exempt from
being ticketed. This section would allow commercial vehicles, marked or unmarked, exempt from almost all
parking requirements in the downtown area. There is no way of knowing if the person is actually doing
commercial business. Staff is opposed to this because it would be unenforceable.
b) Section 2 - Parking Ticket Due Date: Mr. Nickolaus presented to the commission members that it was
brought forward to have all parking tickets due on the same day of the month. He noted it is required to give
people at least 30 days before having to pay the ticket. Currently the payment due date is set 30 days out
and is printed on each ticket, which seems to be easier to follow and figure out the due date. Staff does not
recommend the change.
c) Section 3 - Discount for prompt payment: Mr. Nickolaus briefly commented the change to this would be a
$1.00 discount off the ticket amount if paym ent was made by the following day after receiving the ticket.
Staff is in neither favor of or against this request for the change.
A lengthy group discussion occurred among the members on if there are any benefits to any of the changes
being made. Mr. Smith and Mr. Morasch commented on the good job being done by the parking attendants and
staff is not recommending any of these changes.
A vote was taken on each section separately.
Section 1 – Mr. Kelly recused himself from voting on this section. A motion was made by Mr. Louraine to
approve the changes to Section 22-45, seconded by Mr. Fitzwater. All opposed, motion fails.
Section 2 – Mr. Louraine made a motion to approve the amendments proposed to section 22-34, seconded by
Mr. Raub. All opposed, motion fails.
Section 3 – Mr. Louraine made a motion to approve the amendments proposed to section 22-35, seconded by
Mr. Fitzwater. All opposed, motion fails.
4. Old Business
There was no old business.
5. Other Business
There was no other business.
6. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Fitzwater, seconded by Mr. Hughes. Meeting adjourned at 9:11 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Angie Haslag
Angie Haslag
Administrative Technician