HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Committee Minutes 4.9.2024 (approved)
Attendees:
Al Hartman Lynnsey Erickson, Council Jim Collins, Transportation Director
Evelyn Meuret Deb Martin Jane Weber, Secretary
Jeff Armstrong
Also Present: OPD Representative – Lt. Kraemer Excused: Jim Stapel, Sean Lynch
The meeting was called to order by Al Hartman who then explained protocol for public comment.
Public Comment - N/A
Roll Call & Approval of Minutes
Chairperson Hartman requested roll call, and later Deb Martin made a motion to approve the minutes
from the March meeting, seconded by Evelyn Meuret. Motion carried after roll-call vote. Chairperson
Hartman thanked Lynnsey Erickson for her years of service on the board as this is her last meeting.
Old Business - N/A
New Business
1) 2023 Crash Report
Jim Collins reviewed the 2023 Crash Study that was included in the meeting materials this month.
Some highlights were as follows:
▪ Only 1 fatality which was down from previous years
▪ Roundabouts are doing what they were designed to do
▪ Accidents involving pedestrians was up
▪ Several city-wide improvements to report (LED Cross-Walks, Speed Boards, RRFB’s, flags at
several Roundabouts, more visible and effective crosswalk paintings)
He said they are in the early planning phase of a possible pedestrian bridge over Hwy 41. Deb
Martin asked if they knew where that would be because near 9th & Witzel has very busy Bike & Ped
traffic; Jim said possibly near Taft or down by Hwy 44. Jeff mentioned that the west frontage road is
not very bike & pedestrian friendly.
Jim then reviewed a few high crash intersections that he will continue to monitor:
▪ Jackson & New York Avenue
▪ Algoma & Murdock Avenue
Transportation Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2024
2 | Page
He said the majority at Jackson and New York had to do with distracted driving resulting in rear-end
collisions. The majority of crashes at Algoma and Murdock were related to left turns. He did extend the left
turn arrow time to hopefully improve the intersection’s safety performance. All things considered, 2023 was
a pretty normal year. Jim said one Citizen request that he received was on County Highway A south of
Sunnyview as there is no room for Bikes & Pedestrians. Jim said he contacted the County Highway
Commissioner who mentioned they are considering a road diet.
Staff Statements
❖ Ridership Update – Jim said year-to-date ridership is up 17%, student ridership is about the same
and paratransit has been declining slightly. The ideal situation is that people that who can do so,
choose fixed routes vs. paratransit rides. Lynnsey asked about the Go Connect same day ride
option. Jim said that option was just announced April 1st so it is too early to report results. Deb
thought a press release would be helpful to promote and get the word out. Al Hartman asked how
the morning tripper bus has been going; Jim said that it seems to be going well and has solved the
overcrowded AM bus issue.
❖ TDP Plan – Jim said the vendor will be doing a short presentation at the April Council Meeting and
the recommendations will be presented to Council for approval. This included both the route and
fare changes that were recommended in the study. The discounted pass bundle was added as part of
the fare change in response to public feedback that was received. Also, Jim said they are actively
pursuing a new fare system. Al asked when all the changes will be implemented; Jim said the goal
is August 1st before the new school year starts and after EAA.
❖ Update on 2-hour and leased Parking – Jim said the new program started April 1st and so far, longer
term designated parking spots have been leased by two businesses.
Future Agenda Requests
N/A
Adjournment
Lynnsey Erickson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jeff Armstrong. Meeting adjourned at 4:32 pm
after a roll-call vote.