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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES April 13, 2010 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: James Kaprelian, Gene Kubasta, Bob Poeschl, Dennis Rumlow, and Timothy Schuster ABSENT: Stan Kline 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. Schuster moved to accept the March 9, 2010 minutes. Mr. Rumlow seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). Mr. Poeschl arrived at 4:04 p.m. NEW BUSINESS TH 1. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON 9 AVENUE FROM OAKWOOD RD TO FOX FIRE DRIVE. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING). Mr. Kaprelian said he didn’t realize how narrow the parking area was. Mr. Schuster said it made logical sense to prohibit on-street parking. Mr. Kubasta and Mr. Kaprelian agreed with him. Mr. Kaprelian moved to accept the request. Mr. Rumlow seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 2. A REQUEST TO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT ON OREGON STREET TO 25 MPH TH BETWEEN WAUKAU AVENUE AND 24 AVENUE. (CURRENT CONDITION: 35 MPH THTHTH FROM 28 AVENUE TO WAUKAU AVENUE; 30 MPH FROM 24 AVENUE TO 28 AVENUE). th Ms. Mona Eaton, 182 W. 25 Avenue, said she was concerned about vehicle speeds on Oregon Street. She pointed out that this is a residential area with children and she is concerned about their safety. With this being a four-lane roadway, there isn’t much room for children to play. With the development of the South Industrial Park, she has observed an increase of motorists speeding around shift changes. She presented the Board members with a list of her observations in this area. 2 TRA MINUTES Page April 13, 2010 Mr. Kaprelian questioned if this was a speed issue or an enforcement issue. Sgt. Dave Gomoll, Oshkosh Police Department, said they recognize there is a problem in this area and they are trying to address it. Mr. Strong noted that drivers on this segment typically drive above the posted speed limit. However, he noted the crash rate collected was below the average for similar segments. This shows that drivers are comfortable driving above the posted speed limit. If the speed limit was lowered, motorists likely won’t respond unless there is additional ongoing enforcement. Therefore, he thought that it was more of an enforcement issue. Mr. Schuster felt with Oshkosh Corporation moving to the South Industrial Park, this will increase the amount of traffic on Oregon Street. He could see lowering the speed limit ththth between 28 Avenue and Waukau Avenue but not between 24 Avenue and 28 Avenue. th th He didn’t feel a change between 24Avenue & 28Avenuewould change motorist’s habits. He pointed out that it’s a certain group who are the same violators. Mr. Kaprelian questioned the cost of doing some type of road alterations. Mr. Strong replied he would not have specific costs unless we knew of the specific project. Mr. Poeschl suggested posting another speed limit sign in this area. He asked Ms. Eaton if they had a speed watch program in the area. He suggested she talk with her neighbors. thth Mr. Poeschl was in favor of lowering the speed limit between 24 Avenue and 28 Avenue th and leaving the speed limit at 35 mph between 28 Avenue and Waukau Avenue. Mr. Kaprelian favored Mr. Schuster’s suggestion. th Sgt. Gomoll felt having the speed limit at 30 mph from 24 Avenue to Waukau Avenue would help with enforcement. Mr. Schuster felt the installation of traffic signals at Oregon Street and Waukau Avenue should help matters especially at peak times. He felt the biggest issue is at shift change. Mr. Poeschl would like someone to look at the possibility of making some type of physical th modification for a traffic calming measure in the vicinity of the intersection of 24 Avenue and Oregon Street. Mr. Schuster questioned if this fell under the jurisdiction of the County. Mr. Strong said he would contact County officials. Mr. Schuster moved to amend the request to “30 mph” and look into a possible traffic calming measure. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). Motion to accept amended request carried (5-0). DISCUSSION ITEMS: TH 3. INTERSECTION OF KOELLER AND 9 AVENUE. Mr. Strong gave an explanation of proposed lane configuration changes that could alleviate th some the traffic backups at this intersection. He noted the 20 Avenue overpass re-opens in th two months and traffic volumes on 9 Avenue are expected to decrease. 3 TRA MINUTES Page April 13, 2010 Mr. Kubasta felt overall it was working fairly well. Mr. Schuster said the problem at this intersection is the stacking up of vehicles. He feels everyone has been educated. Because it’s only for a few more months, he suggested no change at this time. Mr. Kaprelian asked if the timing of the lights could be changed. Mr. Schuster replied if you change one thing, it makes it more difficult for the other traffic. It’s a tough balance. Sgt. Gomoll said most problems involve the left turn movements and cars blocking the intersection. Mr. Schuster asked if we could use auxiliary police officers. Sgt. Gomoll replied they have used them to conduct observations in the area but they have tried to avoid having them manually run the signals, so motorists don’t come to depend on this help. It was the general consensus of the Board to make no changes at this time. 4. A DISCUSSION OF RESIDENTIAL DISABLED PARKING PERMITS. Mr. Strong summarized several other communities’ policies. If we went to a more formal application, the questions we need to answer are what are the benefits we hope to achieve and what would be the drawbacks. Mr. Schuster felt we should keep our current process. Due to the fact we only receive approximately one request per year, he felt we should deal with them on a case per case basis. Mr. Kaprelian said the way he read the other communities’ policies, they primarily dealt with residential requests. He noted that since 1988 we have had only three residential requests. Other requests were nine in front of businesses, six in front of churches and three in front of schools. Mr. Poeschl felt having policies is a good practice because it is a transparent form on the services the City offers. He was in favor of putting this aside until the new ADA guidelines are approved. Mr. Kaprelian agreed with Mr. Poeschl. It was the general consensus of the Board to revisit this issue after the new ADA guidelines were approved. STAFF STATEMENTS 5. A REVIEW OF THE INTERSECTION OF MAIN STREET AND OTTER AVENUE/PEARL AVENUE. Mr. Strong explained how some motorists turning left from Otter Avenue fail to consider the need to yield to right-turning vehicles from eastbound Pearl Avenue. One suggestion was to prohibit the right turn movement from Pearl Avenue onto southbound Main Street. Mr. Kaprelian was opposed to prohibiting the right turn movement. Mr. Poeschl said a solution would be to close the block to traffic. 4 TRA MINUTES Page April 13, 2010 Due to the fact that no accidents were the result of this turning movement, Mr. Schuster suggested waiting until after the Main Street reconstruction project was completed and than maybe some creative signage could be erected. 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 (Poeschl, Rumlow), the meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.