HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140409minutesAPPROVED April 9, 2014
MINUTES
Transportation and Traffic Commission
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Commission Members (present)
Jeff Ahlers
Timothy Diemler
Mark Kross
Jeremy Murray
Roger Schwartze
Donna Deetz
Ryan Towner
Commission Members (absent)
Ron Fitzwater
Michael Hughes
Staff Liaisons (present)
Councilman Carlos Graham
Sgt. Doug Ruediger
Staff (present)
Britt Smith
Matt Morasch
Guest(s):
Madeleine Leroux (News Tribune), Harley Thompson, Matt Brake, Gertrude Davis, Lisa Loesch,
Sharry Russell, and Mildred Archer.
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 and requested attendees to sign in. Britt Smith introduced
Beth Sweeten as the new commission secretary.
2. Acceptance of the March 12, 2014 meeting minutes
Mr. Kross noticed an error in the minutes under new business C. Mr. Schwartze motioned
to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Mr. Kross. All were in favor, motion
carried.
3. New Business
a) Request to remove parking on Garfield Street.
(Requestor: Louis Vetter)
Mr. Smith presented the staff report and noted to the commission members that this area
was constructed on a platted alley right-of-way, having a width of only 20ft. Given the
APPROVED April 9, 2014
narrow width of the street and support from the neighborhood, staff supports removal of
street parking.
Gertrude Davis and Lisa Loesch were present and spoke on their behalf of why they need
parking available. Ms. Loesch stated that the vehicles parking there are on her driveway
and not the street. Mr. Smith noted that the area is the city right of way. Ms. Loesch said
that the vehicles she has parking there are for medical staff that are tending to her.
Mr. Smith described to the commission members where the city right of way ends and
Ms. Loesch’s driveway begins.
After lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Ahlers to remove parking on
Garfield Street as requested. There was no second, and the motion fails. Mr. Smith told
Ms. Loesch that the vehicle she has parked on the street with the expired plates is against
city ordinance. She assured the commission that the vehicle will be taken care of.
b) Request to remove parking on the east side of the 900 block of Montana St.
(Requestor: Harley Thompson, Sr.)
Mr. Smith gave the staff report. He mentioned to commission members that Montana
Street was constructed with and 18 to 19 foot width and open ditches for drainage. Staff
would support the parking removal if the neighborhood supports the change.
Harley Thompson Sr. was present and stated the reasoning for his request. He said he has
had an issue with water drainage as a result of vehicles parking off of the road and in the
ditch. He had some pictures of the vehicle parked and the water in his yard. Sharry
Russell was present and said that the vehicle he is referring to is parked on her property.
Her step son parks with part of his vehicle in the yard and part on the street to allow
enough room for other cars to get through. Mr. Smith stated that the vehicle is actually
parked on the city right of way. He stated that parking off the pavement is against city
ordinance. Sgt. Ruediger stated that, yes it against city ordinance to park where there is
no pavement. Mr. Smith asked if there was parking available behind the house. Ms.
Russell said there is a drive entrance but not an approved driveway.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Schwartze to approve the request as
submitted to remove parking on the east side of Montana Street. There was no second
and motion failed. Mr. Thompson asked what he should do when they park in the ditch.
Sgt. Ruediger said that he can call the police department and they will come out and
assess the case.
c) Traffic ordinance update for the north Jefferson City area.
(Requestor: Staff)
Mr. Smith gave the staff report. He said it was found that numerous stop and yield signs
did not have an ordinance supporting their placement. Staff recommends that we
eliminate six stop signs that are currently installed and cauterize and code the remaining
yield and stop signs. Cedar City drive is currently coded for 40 mph speed limit. We
would ask to pass an ordinance to enforce that speed limit.
APPROVED April 9, 2014
Mr. Schwartze suggests leaving the two stop signs at 4th Street and Sandstone Drive. He
said it provides access to the Lions Club and the Parks and Recreation community
building. Mr. Smith said that staff would be okay with that.
After a brief discussion among commission members a motion was made by Mr. Schwartz
to accept staff recommendations with the addition of adding stop signs at 4th and
Sandstone. Mr. Kross seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion carries. This item
will now be moved forward for Council approval.
4. Old Business
a) Request for no parking zone at Williams Street entrance of 2023 St. Mary’s Blvd.
(Requestor Matt Brake)
Mr. Smith gave a brief staff report and reminded the commission that they looked at this
issue last month. It was deemed that it may be better to remove parking completely at
this area and the commission tabled the discussion until we could notify the effected
property owners. Staff recommends removing the parking in that area.
Matt Brake was present and told the commission that he is in favor of removing the
parking. He said that when cars are parked there, it makes it difficult to see when you are
pulling out of the business driveway. Mr. Brake said that there has been a new lot added
for parking and it is being underutilized. Mr. Smith said that he received a letter from the
apartment building owner and he is also in favor of removing the parking.
After a short discussion Mr. Towner made a motion to approve no parking on the east
side of Williams Street. Ms. Deetz seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion carries.
This item will now be moved forward for Council approval.
b) Request to extend the no parking area on Cedar Ridge Rd. near Southwest Blvd.
(Requestor: Vicki Boehm)
Britt Smith stated that this item was left over from last month and gave a staff report. He
informed the commission members he received two letters from neighbors who support
the request. Mr. Frala who owns the CPA firm has requested that the commission modify
the request to only make the no parking to his sidewalk. He is really concerned for his
elderly customers that will have a hard time accessing his building. He understands the
concerns from the residents. He did ask that since it is the middle of tax season and he is
not able to appear in person, that if the commission is leaning toward removing all the
parking, that they table it until next month when he is able to attend in person. Staff
believes that a good compromise would be to remove parking to the sidewalk and see if
it is still an issue.
Discussion among members took place. Mr. Ahlers asked if there seemed to be a certain
time of day that there seems to be an issue. Mr. Smith said that no, not in particular, just
during the tax season.
APPROVED April 9, 2014
Roger Schwartze made a motion to extend the no parking from Mr. Frala’s sidewalk to
the end of Southwest Blvd. Mr. Diemler seconded the motion. All were in favor and
motion is carried. This item will now be moved forward for Council approval.
5. Other Business
There was no other business to discuss.
6. Adjourn
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Towner, and seconded by Mr.
Murray. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Beth Sweeten
Administrative Technician, Public Works