HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140108minutesAPPROVED January 8, 2014
MINUTES
Transportation and Traffic Commission
Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
Commission Members (present)
Jeff Ahlers
Ron Fitzwater
Roger Schwartze
Mark Kross
Ryan Towner
Timothy Diemler
Jeremy Murray
Commission Members (absent)
Michael Hughes
Donna Deetz
Staff Liaisons (present)
Councilman Carlos Graham
Sgt. Doug Ruediger
Staff
Britt Smith
Todd Logan
Guest(s):
Michelle Brooks (News Tribune), Tommy Lee Northway, and Thomas Minihan.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ahlers at 8:15 a.m., and a quorum was present at
that time.
1. Introduction
Chairman Ahlers welcomed all, requested attendees to sign in.
2. Acceptance of the August 14, 2013, meeting minutes
Mr. Kross motioned to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Mr. Towner. All in
favor, motion carried.
3. New Business
a) Request to limit traffic on St. Mary’s Blvd. between Beck and Delaware Street to
passenger vehicles only. (Requestor: Thomas Minihan)
Britt Smith – Staff report:
City code governs the vehicle use on certain streets in two ways. The first is thru the use
of weight limits of vehicles traveling the street; the second is by the “use” of the vehicle
regardless of its size. These two methods are addressed in Section 19-122 Weight Limits of
the city code. Paragraph A. lists several streets in town where the weight limits of vehicles
APPROVED January 8, 2014
is limited to less than 18,000. Paragraph B lists a street where it is “unlawful to drive or
operate a motor vehicle other than a passenger vehicle…” In both cases exception are
made for vehicles making deliveries along the street.
The requestor states his desire to limit the use of the St. Marys’ Blvd. by delivery trucks
which he believes are using the street as a bypass to Missouri Blvd. if the request were to
be granted the most appropriate way to grant the request is by limiting the use of the
vehicle and would result in signing the street with “No Commercial Vehicles” sign.
Mr. Minahan, requestor was in attendance and given the opportunity to speak to staff
and the commission. Minahan expressed the concern of the high volume of commercial
vehicles, traveling at an excessive speed through residential area on St. Mary’s Blvd. He
expressed, this is not a new problem, it was an agenda item approximately two years ago
with the Transportation and Traffic Commission (prior agenda and minutes-attached).
Minahan asked commission to consider his request.
After a lengthy discussion between requestor, staff, and commission members with the
review of code / ordinances, route options, rate of speed of vehicles, speed bumps,
consideration of letter being sent to neighboring businesses utilizing the street for short
cuts then Schwartze added, a school, daycare and taxi company are located on St. Mary’s
Boulevard, which commercial vehicles are utilized. Sgt. Rueidger indicated this area is of
same concern to residences of 179/Country Club. He added, we enforce but again it falls
back to manpower. Please note: Current traffic counts are not available. Staff suggested a
letter be drafted with a friendly request.
Mr. Fitzwater made a motion, for city staff to prepare a neighboring/friendly letter
indicating the discussion (T&T), and request to reduce/limit thru traffic on St. Mary’s
Boulevard and mail to businesses involved, seconded by Mr. Towner.
Aye: All
Nay: None
Abstained: None
b) Request to remove the 2 hour parking time limit on west-side of Broadway Street
between Schroeder Way and Miller Street and on the south-side of Miller Street
between Broadway and Mulberry Street. (Requestor: Jeff Buker)
Britt Smith - Staff report:
A new home-health business has been housed at the corner of Broadway and Miller
Street.
Mr. Jeff Buker the requestor, has asked to remove the two-hour parking time limit. Smith
gave a short over view of the area and history especially with state employees utilizing
the parking for the entire day. Businesses have been notified of agenda item. The
requestor is not present; however, we have received one response (via email) which has
been given to commission members. The one response was from an individual whom in
the past requested to institute the two-hour parking. Staff recommendation (if changed)
to change on Miller Street and leave Broadway Street as is. Tom Northway, owner of
APPROVED January 8, 2014
Yellow Moon was given the opportunity to speak, and indicated he sold the property to
the requestor. He opposed to the proposed change especially on the Miller Street side.
He felt there are hazardous issues with parking and traffic flow at that intersection,
maneuvering with on-coming traffic with parked vehicles is a challenge especially if
vehicles are commercial or over-sized (RVs).
After discussion, Mr. Schwartze, made a motion to not change the existing parking in this
area being discussed, and seconded by Mr. Murray.
Aye: All
Nay: None
Abstained: None
4. Old Business
None
5. Other Business
Guest, Mr. Minihan discussed with commission members his concern with “jake-breaking”
with semi-tractor trailers on Highway 50. He felt an ordinance needs to be in place.
Mr. Schwartze felt this needed to be discussed in an up-coming meeting after a study
could be performed by the appropriate individuals within the City/State capacity and
more information could be gathered.
6. Adjourn
Mr. Towner requested to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Schwartze. Meeting adjourned at
9:10 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Glen Vernon