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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTESO1HKOIH ox TxE wn~ TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES APRIL 14, 2009 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Bryan Bain, James Kaprelian, Stan Kline, Gene Kubasta, Dennis Rumlow, 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 March 10, 2009 minutes. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-O). 1. A REQUEST FOR UNRESTRICTED PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHERRY STREET FROM NEW YORK AVENUE TO 60 FEET SOUTH. (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING BETWEEN 6:00 A.M. AND 6:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY). Mr. Kubasta moved to accept the request. Mr. Rumlow seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-O). 2. A REQUEST TO DESIGNATE THE NORTH SIDE OF ALGOMA BOULEVARD, BETWEEN ELMWOOD AVENUE AND WISCONSIN STREET, AS A LOADING ZONE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:15 A.M. AND 8:15 A.M., AND BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 2:30 P.M. AND 2:50 P.M. (CURRENT CONDITION: LOADING ZONE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 2:30 P.M. AND 2:50 P.M.) Mr. Kaprelian said there has been talk about moving and aligning the start and dismissal times for all the public school and this may be something to keep in mind for the future. Mr. Bain noted Algoma Boulevard is a feeder route to the university and he felt there may be issues with people opening their doors into the lane of traffic. He acknowledged that this portion of Algoma Boulevard is already being used as a loading zone in the morning hours. Mr. Strong said that the department will monitor this to see if there are any new safety concerns. Mr. Kaprelian moved to accept the request. Mr. Kline seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-O). 3. A REQUEST TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ON STATE HIGHWAY 44 (SOUTH PARK AVENUE) BETWEEN WASHBURN STREET AND STATE HIGHWAY 91 TO 40 MPH. (CURRENT CONDITION: 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT). Mr. Kubasta was opposed to this request. Mr. Kline agreed with Mr. Kubasta. Mr. Strong said according to the Wisconsin DOT's analysis, there appears to be no need to lower the speed limit at this time, but that it could be revisited in the future. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Bain seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-7). TRA MII~IIJTES Page 2 APRIL 14, 2008 4. 2008 ACCIDENT STUDY Mr. Strong gave a synopsis on the summary review of 2008 accident data. He felt some contributing factors to the overall increase in the number of crashes in 2008 may have been the higher frequency of snowfall and detours due to the closure of the Wisconsin Street Bridge. Mr. Bain felt the number of accidents would increase over the next five years due to the scheduled major construction throughout the city. 5. FOLLOW-UP ON INTERSECTION OF MARKET STREET AND PEARL AVENUE. In follow up to last meeting's discussion, Mr. Strong presented analysis on a couple of potential improvements to the intersection of Market Street and Pearl Avenue. In regards to a traffic signal, Mr. Strong said this intersection did not come close to meeting the warrants, even for pedestrian traffic. In his observation, Mr. Strong found few pedestrians had to wait a significant time for a gap to open in traffic to cross the street. If there are adequate gaps in the traffic flow, he said it is unlikely that pedestrians would use the button to activate a flashing beacon and that a continuously flashing light would likely be ignored if pedestrian volumes appear to be relatively light. He felt the recent signage placed by the Police Department in the centerline of the roadway has helped, as well as has increased enforcement. He felt continued education and enforcement will have the biggest impact on improving pedestrian safety at this intersection. Mr. Schuster felt the signs, placed in the middle of the roadway, are the best way to get the attention of motorists. He agreed with Mr. Strong that education and simple signage will go further. Mr. Kaprelian said to make this intersection a priority when updating signage. STAFF STATEMENTS Mr. Kaprelian, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Bain for his service over the past two years. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: None There being no other business to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Bain, Kaprelian), the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.