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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 14 20 TPAB Mtg Minutes TRAFFIC & PARKING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES July 15, 2020 Attendees: Daniel Becker, Chairman Dan Sciezinski, Board Jim Collins, Transportation Director Jim Stapel, Board Jake Krause, Council Rep. Jane Boucher, Secretary Ross Wandschneider, Board Absent: William Christianson Sara Eliasen Chairman Becker called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm and requested roll. PUBLIC COMMENT: After Chairman Becker explained protocol for public comment, he instructed members of the public to approach podium for comment when that agenda item was up for discussion. MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Jim Stapel, seconded by Dan Sciezinski to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on June 9, 2020. Motion Carried. AGENDA ITEM: 1. S. Main Street Reconfiguration Jim Collins said this project is part of the Sawdust District Plan in which one of the main concerns was lack of parking. The project would bring the configuration from 4 lanes to 2 lanes between 8th Ave and South Park creating approximately 97 parking spaces. The traffic count on this stretch ranges between 12,000 (S. Main) and 9,000 (W. 12th & South Park) very similar to south Murdock. This area is a connecting highway but the state had no major concerns with the proposed changes. It would result in two 11’ travel lanes and an 8’ parking lane on each side. Jim said Alan Davis the Department Head for the Planning Department, Mark Lyons (City Planner) and James Rabe are in attendance for additional insight and to answer any questions the Board would like answered. Dan Sciezinski asked if another alternative 2 | P a g e is a turn-lane; however Jim stated it is not wide enough for a shared center turn lane. Dan Becker asked if there are available parking lots nearby; Jim stated none on South Main and the ones available or Oregon Street have low utilization and are in poor condition. Mark Lyons said there have been multiple meetings with Developers and the entire neighborhood and parking was definitely the main concern. Another concern discovered during the study is people felt unsafe on S. Main because the flow of traffic is too close to the sidewalks. He said the restriping is the short-term solution, but the long-term solution would include widening the right of way to 80 ft, wider terraces, 2 lanes of traffic and parking on each side. Jim Stapel agreed the lack of parking certainly would not attract any new retail or restaurants. He also said the old bank building on Main & Washington remains empty due to lack of parking as well. Ross Wandschneider asked what businesses are concerned with parking as he didn’t think taverns, garages and dog groomers would require very many spots. Mark said the old Miles Kimball building, 5th Ward Brewing, Tasty Thai and the Arena would all benefit from the additional 60-90 parking spaces on S. Main. He said in conversations they have had with developers, it is very difficult to attract businesses that require parking for their clients. Dan Becker said his initial concern is the traffic jam that will be created on S. Main after a Wisconsin Herd game or event. North of the Arena may need help to control traffic and have an officer present. Jim said it currently flows well when officers assist with traffic control. Dan said a parked car on the street will basically be trapped due to the increased traffic. Mark also added parking behind businesses would be part of the long-term plan but that may be years away and the restriping is a relatively inexpensive short-term option. Chairman Becker asked what Mr. Collins is looking for from the board and if the intention is to be completed yet this year. Jim stated he is looking for Board support in favor of restriping and he is hopeful to get the project completed by September. Since this is a larger job, he would probably contract out water blasting which is a new technique. Dan Sciezinski asked if it could be done in-house; Jim stated it could but with the size of our machine, it would take too much long and not be as efficient compared to an outside vendor. If approved, Jim stated he will need to change the parking ordinances for that area at a future meeting. Dan Sciezinski made a motion to approve as presented, seconded by Jim Stapel. After roll call vote: [Carried 4-1] 2. Review of 2019 Bike Crashes Jim Collins said when Bob Poeschel was still on the Board, he requested that Jim do a bike crash study which was included in this month’s meeting packet. He stated that there was a total of 16 crashes involving bikes and ¼ of the time, the bicyclist was at 3 | P a g e fault. Only one incident was related to a bike lane. Other reasons involving drivers was inattentive driving and faulty breaks. After analysis, Jim could not identify a trend to determine if bike lanes had a direct correlation to more or less crashes. TABLED BUSINESS There was no tabled business at this time. STAFF STATEMENTS 3. W. 9th Ave Street Reconstruction Update Jim Collins said as requested at the last meeting, the City Engineer and himself presented all four options to Council regarding this project. They received a lot of public input and feedback via email and has forwarded those to Council. Tonight at Council, it will be up for direction. Jim also said the 10th & Oregon parking lot project is scheduled for September. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Jim Stapel to Adjourn, seconded by Dan Scieszinski. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:37 pm.