HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Committee Staff Report 12.10.24
Old Business
New Business
1. A request for a recommendation on sidewalk installation on newly constructed sections
of Bay Shore Drive and Bay Street. (This item is related to whether sidewalk should be
recommended and not related to any assessment amounts or policies)
Two of the streets that are being reconstructed in 2025 are Bay Shore Drive and Bay Street.
There is currently sidewalk on the north side of Bay Shore Drive and no sidewalk on Bay
Street.
State of Wisconsin Statutes §66.0907 (1) states that “Streets shall provide a right-of-way for
vehicular traffic and, where the council requires, a sidewalk on either or both sides of the
street. The sidewalk shall be for the use of persons on foot …” State of Wisconsin Statutes
§66.0907 (3) (a) states “The council may by ordinance or resolution determine where
sidewalks shall be constructed …”
The City of Oshkosh 2023-2024 Strategic Plan, Improve and Maintain our Infrastructure
Strategic Goal, Objective A, Strategy / Tactic 5 instructs staff to “Incorporate “Complete
Streets” principles when and where it is feasible”. “Complete Streets” are defined as “streets
that are designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users.” The
construction of sidewalks is a core principle in order to make streets accessible and support
mobility for all users. The installation of the sidewalk on these streets directly supports this
Strategic Plan directive.
In order to construct a complete street and connect other segments of these streets,
sidewalk should be added. Staff is recommending sidewalks be installed along Bay Shore
Drive (south side) from Mill Street to Broad Street and Bay Street (both side) from Bay
Shore Drive to the River.
2. A request for a recommendation on city street parking regulations. As you may recall, staff
presented a study on city parking policies at the August meeting; see attached copy.
This study was a result of a request by the City Council to explore the possibility of free
overnight parking. Currently, the city ordinance is no overnight parking
Transportation Committee
Staff Report
December 10, 2024
from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. city wide without a permit or special temporary permission. The
committee recommended that staff get public input via Polco, the city’s surveying
mechanism on this issue. The survey was conducted and the results are attached. There is
an abbreviated version with just the results and another one with everything included.
The survey results are interesting and reflect the wide array and diversity of opinions
regarding on-street parking.
Some interesting observations:
94% of the respondents are aware of the overnight parking regulations.
88% of the respondents are aware of the ability to get temporary permission to park
overnight from the police department and
70% are aware that permits can be purchased for overnight parking.
About half the respondents have received a ticket for overnight parking and most received
only one.
65% of respondents have experienced no to minor inconvenience based on the restriction.
The comments received express a wide array of opinions.
There are a lot of issues to consider. Some of the most important are:
▪ Ease of regulation understanding for citizens and enforcement personnel
▪ Consistency throughout city
▪ Unintended consequences – junk vehicles, camping for example
▪ Revenue impact
▪ Need for a 24-hour or 48-hour limit
▪ Storm water regulations
▪ Need for snow emergencies (Many narrow streets due to the age of the city)
Options –
Status Quo – No overnight parking from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. unless a parking permit or permission
is obtained
Sample Comments supporting:
“Parked cars, overhead utilities and lack of trees are all known to have negative impacts on
property values. Re parked cars, it seems that removing the permit process would allow anyone to
park on most streets 24/7. If true, this is an eyesore in the making, especially in older
neighborhoods where on-street parking seems more likely due to narrow driveways, one car
garages etc. Parked cars are also a concern in terms of children, crime, and one’s general
enjoyment of their surroundings. Issues have been raised such as an occasional newcomer, a night
out on the town, inconveniences in obtaining permits etc. are minor ones that can be solved
without throwing aside a long-time parking requirement that benefits most Oshkosh residents and
city workers”
“We moved here from a city that didn’t have such restrictions and sleeping in vehicles and trash in
the streets was a constant problem. This is a good policy, don’t change it”
“I have been to towns with junk cars parked on the streets…. please regulate how long cars can be
parked! I like what you have been doing!”
“Don’t change something that doesn’t need to be changed”
“When people park in front of my house overnight (never getting tickets) it impacts my garbage
days. As a result, I sometimes need to place my garbage/recycling cans in the neighbor’s front
yard. It is annoying when people are constantly parked in front of my house at all hours of the
day or park in front of the garbage/recycling cans that I have out and then they are not picked up
on garbage day”
No overnight parking restrictions unless a snow emergency is declared, maximum of 24 or 48
hours
Sample Comments supporting:
“Allow overnight parking at all times unless necessary for snow removal”
“Restrictions in extreme examples like snow emergencies”
On-street parking allowed, alternate side parking required, year-round from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.,
maximum of 24 or 48 hours.
Sample Comments supporting:
“Alternate side street parking - like Milwaukee”
“Enforce on alternate sides of the street”
On-street parking allowed, alternate side parking required from November 1 to March 31st
from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., maximum of 24 or 48 hours.
Sample Comments supporting:
“Allow street parking with exceptions”
“Alternate side parking seasonally”
No on-street parking allowed from November 1 to March 31st (2 a.m. to 5 a.m.), alternate side
parking required from April 1 – October 31st, maximum of 24 or 48 hours.
Sample comments supporting:
“seasonal”
“Winter parking restrictions for plowing. Otherwise, odd/even days alternating sides of the
street”
I recommend on-street parking regulations remain status quo as most citizens seem to understand
the regulations and options for permitting, and the benefits seem to outweigh the consequences.
There doesn’t seem to be a compelling reason to change. The city is investing in a new software
program in the near future which will make purchasing permits as well as enforcement more
efficient.
Staff Statements
❖ Ridership Update
Future Agenda Items
Adjournment