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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Committee Staff Report 10.13.25 (nn) Old Business 1) A request for a recommendation of UTV/ATV use on city streets. (Current Condition – prohibited on city streets) Winnebago County recently passed an ordinance to allow UTV/ATVs on county roads. The City Council is interested in allowing these on city roads. They have referred this issue to the Transportation Committee for a recommendation. The Committee requested a survey/poll be conducted to get public input. A poll was conducted. Poll results were collected for 3 weeks. The results of the poll will be shared prior to the meeting. Please see the attached supplemental sheets for points of discussion. These were also distributed prior to the September meeting. The Council is looking for recommendations from the committee to consider. At least one Council member would like a recommendation as soon as possible so Council can take up the issue. The first point of discussion is if ATV/UTVs should be allowed on city streets. If they are allowed, then where, when, how etc. I have included a list of considerations to help discussion. I have included a copy of information from WisDOT as well as background. New Business 2) A request to regulate e-bikes This is a Council Member request. There is growing concern from Council and Community regarding e-bikes and where they are allowed. E-bikes have become increasingly popular and can go relatively fast, conversely, E-bikes may be used responsibly and safely and can be a good option for persons who might otherwise struggle with bicycling to stay active. E-bikes generally have all rights and responsibilities granted by statute to traditional bikes. This means they are allowed on roads (whether there is a bike lane or not), on sidewalks, and anywhere else bikes are allowed. I attached a document to show where different types of devices are currently allowed in Oshkosh. This can be used for reference. Transportation Committee Staff Report October 13, 2025 There are several options to consider when considering a regulation of bikes and E-bikes: 1. Status quo – bikes and E-bikes are allowed on sidewalks. 2. Ban all bikes from sidewalks (bikes must be on the road in the bike lane or in the travel lane) 3. Bikes and E-bikes are allowed on sidewalks with E-bikes operated only in pedal mode (without the power unit engaged); when operated on power E-bikes must be in the roadway or bike lane 4. Restrict bikes and E-bikes on sidewalks where a building abuts the sidewalk. Bicycle riding on sidewalks is permitted, except as prohibited in this subsection or otherwise regulated by the municipal code. 5. Designate areas where biking is not permitted on the sidewalk. For example, downtown on Main Street, Oregon Street etc. Create a map in the ordinance and install signage. 6. Restrict bikes and E-bikes on sidewalks where a business’s ingress and egress abut the sidewalk. Bicycle riding on sidewalks is permitted, except as prohibited in this subsection or otherwise regulated by the municipal code. Staff recommends taking a measured approach that can be revisited if new issues arise. At this time, staff recommends continuing to allow bikes on sidewalks but restricting bikes on sidewalks where a business’s ingress and egress abuts the sidewalk. This approach would allow the use of E- Bikes in power mode in areas with challenging grades, and areas near Hwy. 41 for example, however the approach would restrict the use of bikes and E-Bikes on sidewalks in areas that have the most potential for bicycle and pedestrian conflicts. It should be noted that in areas where bikes and E-bikes would remain permitted to use sidewalk and park trails, there are restrictions in place requiring that bikes and E-bikes yield to pedestrians and travel safely. As noted above, it should also be noted that if issues continue, additional ordinances could be considered including the addition of designated areas, the prohibition of E-bikes operating in power mode, or the prohibition of all bikes on sidewalks in the future. 3) A request to update GO Transit’s Monthly Fare Cap from $40 to $50, our 3-month advanced purchase bundle to $135 ($15 discount), and the paratransit agency fare to $23 for non- rural applicants, and $31 for qualified rural applicants. The new electronic fare system (WisGO) is working great; however, revenue has decreased with the system. One of the reasons is fares are now capped which means there is a set maximum the rider will pay. This is great for equity, however; our monthly fare cap is low when compared to peers. Our public base fare would remain unchanged. This new change would become effective January 1, 2026. We are also proposing raising our agency paratransit fare to $23 for City of Oshkosh applicants, and $31 for qualified rural applicants. An agency fare is a non-public fare. Agency fares are allowed and defined by FTA. Agencies purchase tickets for their clients. Agency fares are allowed to be higher than public fares as agencies also receive government funding and the desire is to prevent one subsidized entity from unfairly impacting the other. GO Transit’s agency fares are low compared to our peers. This would also be effective January 1, 2026. I have attached sheets showing comparable caps and agency fares from our peers. You can see that after these proposed changes, our fares would remain in the low to middle range compared to our peers. I recommend approval. 4) A request to expand restricted parking on the east side of Grand Street from Merritt Avenue to 315 feet north (this is a citizen request). Current Condition – No Parking, West side, from Merritt Avenue to Hudson Avenue. No parking, east side, from Merritt Avenue to 20 feet north. No parking, east side of Merritt Avenue from 60 feet to 156 feet north. A resident called and reported he is having difficulty with ingress and egress to his driveway caused by parked cars and the narrow street. There is also a group home located at 524 Grand Street. It is reported that this house receives frequent emergency vehicle calls. Parked cars make it difficult for these vehicles to maneuver. I have spoken with the Oshkosh Fire Marshall who said parked cars make it difficult, but they can handle this area either way. The Fire Department is supportive of the proposal to solve the resident’s concern but also not negatively impact other neighbors. We did receive a call from a resident at 548 Grand Street stating he only has a very small driveway which allows for parking of one vehicle due to the narrow lot. He relies on on- street parking for himself and visitors. He said restricting on-street parking would create a hardship for him. Parking is already restricted on the west side of the street and a portion of the east side. Grand Street is a one-way street and is 18 feet wide which only leaves about 9 feet or less for vehicle travel. A travel lane is generally 10-12 feet wide. The houses on Pleasant Street’s garages and driveways are fronted on Grand Street. I recommend approval. 5) A request to convert stall numbers 16, 17, and 18 from 2-hour to permit parking in the 300 West Lot. There is increased demand for permit stalls in this lot. There are still plenty of 2-hour parking stalls available in the lot. I have been monitoring the lot and this should help improve - the usage of the stalls in the lot. Please see attached map. I recommend approval. 6) A request to convert permit parking areas on High Avenue from permit parking to paid parking through the city’s application-based parking management system from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Current Condition – Permit parking, southwesterly side, from 1,035 feet west of Osceola Street to 765 feet west of Osceola Street, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily except on Sundays and holidays. Permit parking, southwesterly side, from 545 west of Osceola Street to 330 feet west of Osceola Street, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., daily except on Sundays and holidays. Permit parking, southwesterly side, from 250 feet west of Osceola Street to 30 feet west of Osceola Street, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., daily except on Sundays and holidays. Permit parking, southwesterly side, from 30 feet east of Osceola Street to 330 feet east of Osceola Street, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., daily except on Sundays and holiday. There in very little usage of this permitted on-street parking area near UWO. There are currently only 3 permit holders. Now that the city has an APP for timed parking, it seems that would be more convenient and a better way to manage this parking area. This would become effective if/after passed by council and the appropriate signs are ordered and installed. Current permit holders, would be notified and allowed to park until their purchased permit runs out. I recommend approval. Staff Statements ❖ Future Agenda Requests • Adjournment