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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120516minutesMinutes Transportation and Traffic Commission Wednesday, May 16, 2012 8:00 a.m. Commission Members: (present) Jeff Ahlers Ron Fitzwater Michael Hughes Mikeal Louraine Donna Deetz Ernest Raub Commission Members: (absent) Barbara Germann Kevin Kelly Bill Washburn Commission Liaisons: {present) Rick Prather Sgt. Doug Ruediger Staff Members: (present) Roger Schwartze Britt Smith Todd Logan Drew Hilpert Attendance July 2011 —June 2012 6-8 5-8 7-8 7-8 1-1 8-8 4-8 7-8 7-8 Guest(s): Madeleine Leroux (News Tribune), Stacey Kafra (KOMU), Michelle Gleba (City of Jefferson) and Michael Olive (agenda item c) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Ahlers at 8:00 a.m., and a quorum was present at that time. 1. Introductions Chairman Ahlers welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for all attendees to please sign in. 2. Acceptance of the April 11, 2012 Meeting Minutes Mr. Louraine entered a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Mr. Raub. All in favor, motion carried. 3. New Business: a) Request for traffic light or four-way stop at the intersection of Clark Street and Bald Hill Road. (Requestor: Citizen). TRANSPORATION AND TRAFFIC Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Britt Smith gave a staff report in regards to Clark Street and Bald Hill Road. Bald Hill Road intersects with Clark Ave at a skewed angle and yet stated an established printing company is at the corner of the intersection which offers one parking spot for customer parking. This area has been visited several times through the Transportation and Traffic Commission with parking issues; however, this is the first request for a traffic light or all - way stop. Prior to this meeting, an accident history of the area was reviewed and the Engineering Division has conducted a traffic study in the area. At this time, staff recommends to deny request as warrants are not met from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to change intersection. A group discussion took place between the staff and commission members. Sgt. Ruediger stated two accidents have occurred in the past three years at this intersection per JCPD records. Sgt. Ruediger indicated he will provide the accident reports to Mr. Smith for review. Mr. Smith indicated, unfortunately we are very limited with options in this area as warrants are not met for changing. After discussion between the staff and commission in regards to signage, parking, sight issues, left turning lane, and alternative route ideas, a motion was made by Mr. Louraine to approve the citizens request to improve the traffic control at Clark Street and Bald Hill Road, and seconded by Mr. Hughes. Motion failed by the following vote: Aye: None Nay: Chairman Ahlers, Ron Fitzwater, Michael Hughes, Mikeal Louraine, Donna Deetz, and Ernest Raub. b) Request to remove four-way stop sign at the intersection of Scenic Drive and Joe Lane. (Requestor: Citizen). Britt Smith gave a staff report and indicated a traffic study was conducted. Mr. Smith stated this item has been visited by the Transportation and Traffic Commission twice in prior meetings and both requests were denied for an all -way stop; however, the citizens of the area then petitioned the City Council directly and the Council enacted the all -way stop. Mr. Smith suggested that the neighborhood be notified and given the opportunity to express their concerns/opinions prior to the commission addressing this issue. -After a very brief discussion, staff recommended tabling the item until the neighborhood could be contacted. Mrs. Deetz motioned to table the agenda item until the next scheduled meeting, Mr. Louraine seconded. All in favor, motion tabled. c) Request for four-way stop on Monroe Street and Ashley Street. (Requestor: Citizen). Britt Smith gave a staff report and an overview of the area. A traffic study was conducted by our department and warrants are not met for an all -way stop. The accident history shows a rash of accidents between 2006-2007 but no recent accidents. At this time, staff recommends to deny request. TRANSPORATION AND TRAFFIC I Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Sgt. Ruediger clarified JCPD record indicates two accidents from 2009-2012. One recently in which he personally investigated, of a school age student that ran a stop sign from Ashley Street which resulted in an accident. Sgt. Ruediger added, traffic enforcement has been in place since the last accident. Mr. Olive was present at the meeting and was granted the opportunity to speak to the commission to offer his concerns and opinions on why he feels an all -way stop would be beneficial. Mr. Olive indicated a short background as a resident of the area, concerns of traffic speed, sight problems, and yet added, a detail shop recently has brought more traffic to the area due to increase of business. A group discussion took place between staff and commission, discussions of sight issues, vegetation, curb painting, and possibly installing over -sized stop -signs to eliminate traffic concerns. Mr. Hughes motioned to approve the request for an all -way stop on Monroe Street and Ashley Street, Mr. Louraine seconded. Motion failed by the following vote: Aye: None Nay: Chairman Ahlers, Ron Fitzwater, Michael Hughes, Mikeal Louraine, Donna Deetz, and Ernest Raub Mr. Raub then motioned for staff to review the area to ensure safety, traffic flow, and conduct a survey of the area and needed improvements, seconded by Mrs. Deetz. All in favor- motion carries. A friendly amendment was added to report back to the commission with findings by Mr. Hughes. 4. Old Business Mr. Schwartze updated the commission indicating the Skyview Drive agenda item recently discussed has been added to the May 24, 2012, Public Works and Commission Meeting agenda for consideration of sidewalks. 5. Election of Officers: Chairman Ahlers opens the floor, Mr. Louraine asked Chairmain Ahlers if he would consider continuing on as Chairman of the commission, in which Ahlers accepted the recommendation. Mr. Louriane nominates Jeff Ahlers, Mr. Hughes motioned to close the nomination. All in favor, Chairman Ahlers serves another term, motion carries. O TRANSPORATION AND TRAFFIC Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Position for Vice Chairman opens to the floor, Mrs. Deetz asked Mr. Hughes if he would consider continuing on as Vice -Chairman of the commission, in which Hughes accepts the recommendation. Mrs. Deetz nominates Mr. Hughes, nominations close, motion carries by the following vote: Aye: Chairman Ahlers, Ron Fitzwater, Michael Hughes, Mikeal Louraine, Donna Deetz, and Ernest Raub Nay: None Abstained: Mr. Hughes 6. Other Business: Britt Smith requests for the next two Transportation and Traffic Commission meetings be rescheduled for the following Wednesday of the regularly scheduled due to scheduling conflicts for staff. New dates would be Wednesday, June 20, 2012 and Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Mr. Louraine motioned to move the Transportation and Traffic Commission meeting dates as requested and to amend the approved calendar meeting dates to reflect the new dates, seconded by Mr. Hughes. All in favor, motion carried. 7. Adjourn Mr. Hughes motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Raub. Meeting adjourns at 8:51 a.m. Respectfully submitted Glenna Vernon