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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140312minutesAPPROVED March 12, 2014 MINUTES Transportation and Traffic Commission Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 Commission Members (present) Jeff Ahlers Timothy Diemler Mark Kross Jeremy Murray Roger Schwartze Commission Members (absent) Donna Deetz Ron Fitzwater Michael Hughes Ryan Towner Staff Liaisons (present) Councilman Carlos Graham Sgt. Doug Ruediger Staff (present) Britt Smith Matt Morasch Todd Logan Guest(s): Madeleine Leroux (News Tribune), Randall Feuer, Matt Brake, Lisa Meally, Scott Bishop, Rick Franklin, John Smallwood 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 January 8, 2014 meeting minutes Mr. Schwartze motioned to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Mr. Murray. All in favor, motion carried. 3. New Business a) Request for no parking zone at Williams Street entrance of 2023 St. Mary’s Blvd. (Requestor: Matt Brake) Britt Smith present the staff report and noted to the commission members that this area has been visited numerous times due to parking issues. He mentioned a new parking lot area has been established for employee parking, but they are still using on street parking in the area. Staff is not recommending in favor of the request to remove one space on APPROVED March 12, 2014 either side of the driveway entrance, but staff is not opposed to the removal of all parking. Mr. Brake, the requestor, spoke on his request and noted he made it only to improve site distance when pulling out of the parking lot and avoid near accidents he has witnessed. Discussion among commission members ensued on the parking options for the area. It was noted that not much correspondence was received from residents on neighboring streets. After lengthy discussion a motion was made by Mr. Diemler to table the request until more study can be done in the area and to entertain removal of all on-street parking and to allow for time to notify all neighboring streets and residents, seconded by Mr. Murray. All in favor of motion to table request, motion carries. b) Request to extend the no parking area on Cedar Ridge Road near Southwest Blvd. (Requestor: Vicki Boehm) Britt Smith gave the staff report. He mentioned to commission members this location is now an accounting firm. The street is 27’ wide face to face and is too narrow for a lane striping alternative. He noted there was no response received from business or neighbors in the area. Group discussion among members took place. Commission members questioned the accessibility from the back parking lot to the entrance of the business for patrons. Meeting guest, Mr. Smallwood spoke and said from March 1st to April 15th this is the worst place for traffic. He has a business across the street and uses large vans which have difficulty getting out. A motion was made by Mr. Schwartze to table the request to allow the business owner time to come and speak on his behalf of the request, seconded by Mr. Murray. All in favor to table request, motion carries. c) Request to remove parking around the island of West McCarty Street near Havana Street. (Requestor: Scott Bishop) Britt Smith gave the staff report. He informed the members this area is a mixed use of single family homes and apartments. Currently the width of the street does not support parking on both sides. With neighborhood support, staff would recommend approval of this request. Mr. Bishop spoke to the members on his request. He noted when residents living in the apartments are parking along the street, when the lot behind the apartment building is not full, and sometimes parking in the wrong direction. Parking along the street is making it difficult to back out due to poor visibility. After a lengthy discussion among commission members and those present concerning the request a motion was made by Mr. Kross to accept the request as proposed to remove APPROVED March 12, 2014 parking on the West side of the island, seconded by Mr. Schwartze. All in favor, motion carries. This item will now be moved forward for Council approval. 4. Old Business a) St. Mary’s Blvd - Commercial vehicle use discussion from previous meeting. Britt Smith gave a brief staff report and informed commission members that a letter was mailed out to the businesses in the area on commercial vehicle use. Staff is currently discussing doing a TEAP traffic study in the area. He noted that contact and correspondence received from the businesses prompted the concern and need for a study. b) Discussion on limiting the use of “Jake-Brakes” within the city. (Requestor: Thomas Minihan) Britt Smith gave a staff report and informed the commission members that staff contacted the State of Missouri and asked for information about Jake-Brakes and they noted they are used as a safety device, but when used properly they are not so noisy. Discussion among members took place and the current noise ordinance for the City was discussed. It was suggested to place signs in the City stating “Noise Ordinance Enforced”. Staff is not opposed and would try to place in appropriate locations if commission so chooses. Mr. Minihan spoke of his request and thanked the City for writing letters to the businesses on St. Mary’s Blvd and for considering his request on the Jake-Brakes. After discussion on placement and cost of placing signs; and a lack of motion being made, this request died. 5. Other Business Britt Smith informed the commission members present that Glenna Vernon has accepted a new position within the City and will no longer be the Administrative Technician for this commission. He also mentioned that Beth Sweeten was hired to take her place. Sgt. Ruediger asked staff if they were aware of the compliance issues for large trucks on South Country Club. Mr. Smith informed that they were aware and the item will be taken up before the Public Works & Planning committee to discuss options. 6. Adjourn A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Schwartze , seconded by Mr. Murray. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Respectfully Submitted Angie Haslag Administrative Asst., Public Works