HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Mintues 3.10.26 (pending approval.final)Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2026
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.oshkoshwi.gov
Present:
✓ Al Hartman ✓ Deb Martin ✓ Jim Collins
✓ Evelyn Meuret ✓ Kris Larson Steve Tomasik
✓ Jeff Armstrong DJ Nichols
✓ Sean Lynch ✓ OPD Representative
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hartman who gave a quick overview for the public comment
protocol. Since there were no citizens present for comment, he requested roll call and approval of minutes from
the last Transportation Committee meeting.
Sean Lynch made a motion to approve minutes from the February meeting, seconded by Jeff Armstrong. Motion
carried after roll-call vote.
Old Business: Director Collins said the alley that was discussed at the last meeting is on this week’s Council
Agenda. Al Hartman added that he will attend that meeting to give comment if needed since the approval was a
close vote. It was his understanding that a main reason two of the committee members voted against approval
was the history of this alley always being designated as two-way, and the concerns presented by the business
owner at the meeting. Sean Lynch also added he felt there wasn’t enough information presented and felt the
developer was still in the planning stages of the project mentioned, therefore the vote was premature.
Agenda Item 1
Request to convert 4-parking stalls on the 600 block of N. Main Street from 2-hour to 15-minute parking (this
is a request from the developers of the future day care at this location). Director Collins said the request came
from a day care that will be located on the first floor of a new apartment complex that plans to offer 2nd shift
hours. It would be beneficial to have a designated drop-off area for their business. They originally requested a
loading zone, however the planned usage is not active enough to justify a loading zone therefore a 15-minute
designation should meet their needs. Jim said he has monitored the area and it appears there isn’t a high demand
for street parking therefore he is recommending approval of this request.
Evelyn Meuret made a motion to approve, seconded by Kris Larson. Motion carried after roll call vote.
Agenda Item 2
Review of 2025 crash data. Included in the packet were print-outs Director Collins compiled to summarize the
crash history within the City limits throughout 2025. He worked with East Wisconsin Central Regional Planning
Commission to pull the data. Jim stated overall, crashes were down, however injuries were up. Al Hartman
noticed there was a 40% increase in minor injuries which is only as accurate as how it gets reported at the time.
Jim said it was no surprise that the round-about locations were in the Top 10 list as they do have the highest
traffic volume. This is added justification for the decision to add RRFB’s (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) at
Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2026
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.oshkoshwi.gov
those locations. Most of the crashes at the on/off ramps were rear end crashes however this area falls under
WisDOT jurisdiction. Deb Martin said her theory on these types of crashes is purely driver error and the inability
to merge into traffic properly which Jim agreed. Wisconsin and Algoma was another identified area but four of
the reported accidents were due to drivers running a red light. Deb Martin said she travels that area quite often
and it is nearly impossible to make the 2nd green light which might entice drivers to drive a bit more aggressively
and speed through a red light due to lack of patience.
Jeff Armstrong said he notices several near misses by Algoma Blvd. and Oshkosh Avenue as well. Jim said the
plan is to have a traffic study done in that area as he does get other complaint calls so it would be interesting to
see if the vendor identifies any possible changes to improve the layout. Deb said Oshkosh Avenue and High
Avenue is also dangerous because of the turn lane. Jeff agreed and said especially if the traffic is someone visiting
from out of town that isn’t familiar with all of the turn only lanes throughout the City. It would be difficult to be
in the correct lane as they would not know how to anticipate the changes. Al Hartman noticed that Murdock and
Jackson did not have as many accidents. Jim agreed with his observation and said that location always made the
top 10 list in past studies. He said areas after a road-diet is implemented rarely make the list which is a good
thing. One area he is watching is the New York and Jackson intersection now that Vel Phillips school is fully
operational. Jeff said he was surprised that Algoma and Wisconsin was on the Top 10 list. Kris agreed and said
the other locations made sense but this location was fascinating because he feels it isn’t as busy from a traffic
volume standpoint.
The main area of concern for Jim are crashes that involved bike and pedestrian as those accidents are up 60%.
He shared a helpful website with the Committee and gave a brief overview of how to filter the search by
accidents only parameters such as only involving deer, or motorcycles or distracted drivers in case someone
wanted to research a specific scenario. Al Hartman requested the link be shared via email for future reference.
Staff Statements
Director Collins said both the amended agreement with Oshkosh Area School District for free bus transportation
and the revised Winnebago County funding agreement for the micro transit pilot program are on this week’s
council agenda. He will give an update at the next meeting and also provide an updated ridership report.
Future Agenda Requests
Chairperson Hartman asked if there were any future agenda requests; to which there were none.
Adjournment
Evelyn Meuret made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Kris Larson. Meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m.
Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2026
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.oshkoshwi.gov