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