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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES July 13, 2010 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Steve Herman, James Kaprelian, Stan Kline, Gary Ross, Dennis Rumlow, Don Seybold and Timothy Schuster 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 May 11, 2010 minutes. Mr. Rumlow seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF BABBITZ AVENUE FROM LANE STREET TO SHORELANE STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING.) Mr. Wilbur Scoville, 324 Shorelane Street, stressed that Babbitz Avenue is only 18 feet wide. If vehicles are parked on both sides of the street, there is only room for a bike to get through. He pointed out that there are sidewalks only on the north side of the street and agreed with the removal of parking from the south side of the street. He felt this was a safe way to improve the street. Because of the narrow width of the street, Mr. Kaprelian felt this street may have started out as a fancy alley years ago. Mr. Seybold pointed out there are fewer areas to park on the north side of the street and the sidewalk plays a factor into the decision. He agreed with removal of parking on the south side of the street. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-1 Seybold). 2. A REQUEST TO CHANGE THE FLASHING SIGNAL INDICATIONS AT THE FOLLOWING INTERSECTIONS: A) MAIN STREET AND MURDOCK AVENUE (FROM RED/AMBER TO RED/RED) B) OREGON STREET AND SOUTH PARK AVENUE (FROM AMBER/RED TO RED/RED) 2 TRA MINUTES Page July 13, 2010 Mr. Herman suggested having all the flashing signals the same. He feels it is confusing to out-of-town visitors. He questioned how many other signals are currently red/red. Mr. Strong replied two. Mr. Kline felt the purpose of flashing signals is to help traffic flow. If all signals were red/red, it would impede the traffic flow. He did agree red/red would help these two intersections. Mr. Schuster pointed out that at the intersection of Main Street & Murdock Avenue, the motorist has to stick the front end of their vehicle out into traffic to see oncoming traffic. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 3. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF WISCONSIN STREET FROM NEW YORK AVENUE TO 50 FEET SOUTH OF NEW YORK AVENUE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.M. AND 6:00 P.M., MONDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING.) Mr. Kaprelian questioned if 50 feet was enough space. Mr. Strong noted that on-street parking is heavily utilized in this area and 50 feet would involve the loss of two parking spaces. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 4. A REQUEST FOR A BUS LOADING ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MELVIN AVENUE FROM 127 FEET WEST OF HAZEL STREET TO 20 FEET EAST OF OAK STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING). Mr. Schuster was concerned on election days. He felt the removal of parking would be an inconvenience to the voters, who park there. Mr. Ross said this is an issue for parents when picking up elementary students. Mr. Strong noted the school had initiated this request due to the congestion issues in front of the school. Mr. Kaprelian asked how these parking restrictions are enforced. Lt. Weyers, Oshkosh Police Department (OPD), replied that the parking restrictions are enforced when requested by school officials. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 5. REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MELVIN AVENUE FROM 20 FEET WEST OF OAK STREET TO 20 FEET EAST OF OAK STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING.) Mr. Kaprelian questioned where the voters would park. Mr. Schuster suggested informing the Clerk’s office of the parking changes because there is a lot of vehicular traffic on election days. 3 TRA MINUTES Page July 13, 2010 Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 6. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MELVIN AVENUE FROM 20 FEET EAST OF OAK STREET TO OAK STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING.) Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). DISCUSSION ITEM 7. A DISCUSSION OF CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Mr. Strong said he did a traffic analysis on a suggested lane configuration for southbound th traffic turning right off Koeller Street onto 9 Avenue, in which the existing shared through- right lane would be converted to a right turn only lane. The analysis suggested that the change would increase delay for the through traffic, so no change was being made at this time. Mr. Strong noted that he had received several complaints about how it takes several cycles th to get onto US Highway 41 from 9 Avenue. He said that this is due to the signal timing, th which is intended to keep traffic flowing on 9 Avenue. Changing the timing to reduce delays th for turning traffic would make queuing on 9 Avenue even worse. He noted that once Witzel Avenue re-opens this should improve. STAFF STATEMENTS 8. PROPOSED SIGNAL AT STH 44 AND UNIVERSAL DRIVE Mr. Strong said the Wisconsin Department of Transportation analyzed the warrants at this intersection, and found that a signal is not warranted. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING th Mr. Schuster noted that when you approach the intersection of W. 15 Avenue at South Main Street from the west, the stop sign is obstructed by a tree on the terrace. He questioned if another stop sign could be added on the other side of the street. th Mr. Ross noted that the intersection of Oregon Street and W. 20 Avenue is congested with vehicles entering and exiting from Kwik Trip prior to 6 AM when the traffic signals go off the flashing cycle. He suggested having the flashing cycle end at 5 AM, which should help alleviate the problem. There being no other business to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Kline, Schuster), meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.