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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRA_Board_Minutes_07-08-08/`'~ ~~ TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES JULY 8, 2008 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Bryan Bain, AI Hartman, James Kaprelian, Stan Kline, Gene Kubasta, Timothy Schuster and Don Seybold STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kaprelian called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Kline moved to accept the June 10, 2008 minutes. Mr. Bain seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 1. ABOARD MEMBER REQUEST FOR A DEDICATED WESTBOUND RIGHT-TURN LANE AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAWYER STREET AND WITZEL AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: WESTBOUND STRAIGHT AND RIGHT-TURN LANE]. Mr. Kubasta said that after reading Mr. Strong's analysis, he agreed that this would be premature at this time. Mr. Kaprelian questioned when this item could be looked into again. Mr. Strong replied he didn't anticipate much change in traffic flow after the bridge reopens but he would like to conduct a regular traffic signal timing study to see if traffic patterns have changed and if any timing adjustments would be needed. He plans to conduct this study in 2009 or 2010. Mr. Kline noted that when the Highway 41 and Highway 21 interchange is done in approximately 2010, Witzel Avenue will become a major eastlwest arterial, which may require a change in timing at that time. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Motion seconded by Mr. Bain. Motion lost (0-7). 2. ABOARD MEMBER REQUEST FOR A DEDICATED WESTBOUND RIGHT-TURN LANE AT THE INTERSECTION OF CAMPBELL ROAD AND WITZEL AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: WESTBOUND STRAIGHT AND RIGHT-TURN LANE]. Mr. Kline felt this request made more sense than item #1 but at this time we don't know what the data will be until after the Wisconsin Street bridge reopens. Mr. Kubasta felt this was premature at this time. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Motion seconded by Mr. Bain. Motion lost (0-7). 3. A BUSINESS OWNER REQUEST FOR UNRESTRICTED PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF STATE STREET BETWEEN CEAPE AVENUE AND OTTER AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: 2-HOUR PARKING FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM]. Mr. Don Braun, representing the 100 North Main Street Apartments, said the current restriction affects them mostly in the evening after 5 p.m. They currently have 98 parking stalls and 120 vehicles. For overnight parking they take advantage of the parking lot across the street. This 2-hour restriction affects primarily their visitors and guests, who are getting ticketing. Mr. Kline noted that if people are parking there after 5 p.m., they shouldn't begetting tickets because the restriction ends at 6 p. m. TRA MINUTES Page 2 JULY 8, 2008 Mr. Charles Williams, owner of 126-130 State Street, was opposed to this request. He is concerned about uncontrolled parking. They have clients that need the 2-hour parking restriction. He believes this could also hurt future businesses if people are parked there all day. During the winter months, unlimited parking would hamper snow removal. He noted this area is in the BID district and he pays into this so the parking is beneficial to his tenants. If parking is unlimited, he sees a problem during the day but not after 6 p.m. Mr. Kline noted that over the past few years, parking has been changed in the BID district so on-street parking is 2 hours and parking in parking lots is 90 minutes. He believes we need to leave it so parking restrictions are consistent. He would not support this request. Mr. Bain asked if the current parking restriction was for seven days a week or only weekdays. Mr. Strong replied he believed it was only weekdays. Mr. Kaprelian said he was initially thinking about a 3-hour comprise but questioned if it would be confusing to visitors to the downtown area. Mr. Strong felt this would be confusing. Mr. Hartman said there is unlimited parking in the evening hours and he would not support this request Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Motion seconded by Mr. Bain. Motion lost (0-7). 4. ABOARD MEMBER REQUEST FOR ALEFT-TURN LANE ON JACKSON SSREET ONTO NEW YORK AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: STRAIGH AND LEFT-TURN LANE]. Mr. Kline said Mr. Strong's analysis showed that cleft-turn lane would degrade the overall level of service for the northbound and southbound approaches. He would not support this request. Mr. Kaprelian moved to accept the request. Motion seconded by Mr. Kline. Motion lost (0-7). AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: None. STAFF STATEMENTS 1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS REPORT FOR OSHKOSH Mr. Strong said the comments focused on signage and wayfinding. He said a new wayfinding sign had been erected on Sawyer Street south of Witzel Avenue. He is hoping to have all the new wayfinding signs erected by next summer. Mr. Kaprelian said he had received comments from a new Oshkosh resident that there are no signs pointing motorists to downtown from Highway 41. Mr. Bain said with the Highway 41 project he would like to see signs put up pointing motorists from major thoroughfares to the city's landmarks. Mr. Kline complimented Aaron Scheer and Jim Larson, who worked with Mark Huddleston, on the design of the wayfinding signs. He believes these signs will be a great asset to the city. Mr. Hartman felt there are no good entrances into the city. He believes more work needs to go into making it easierto get into and get around our city. There being no other business to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Kaprelian/Bain), the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.