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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 2010 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Steve Herman, Jim Kaprelian, Stan Kline, Gary Ross, Dennis Rumlow, Tim 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 November 9, 2010 minutes. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST TO INSTALL STOP SIGNS FOR CENTRAL STREET AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH MELVIN AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: YIELD SIGN]. Mr. Kline did not feel it was necessary. Mr. Herman pointed out this intersection did not meet the warrants for stop signs. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-7). 2. A REQUEST TO INSTALL A STOP SIGN FOR CENTRAL STREET AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH SCOTT AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION]. Mr. Herman said this intersection did not meet the warrants. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-7). 3. A REQUEST TO ALLOW RIGHT TURNS ON RED ON NORTHBOUND MAIN STREET AT WASHINGTON AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: RIGHT TURNS ON RED ARE PROHIBITED] Mr. Schuster said the way the intersection is configured and with the bump-outs, traffic is unable to move if a turning vehicle is stopped for the red light. Mr. Herman suggested looking at other intersections on Main Street, like Merritt Avenue. 2 TRA MINUTES Page December 14, 2010 Mr. Kline said Merritt Avenue was a different situation compared to Washington Avenue. Mr. Kaprelian moved to accept the request, Mr. Kline seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 4. A REQUEST TO CONVERT ELMWOOD AVENUE BETWEEN IRVING AVENUE AND LINCOLN AVENUE TO A PEDESTRIAN MALL. [CURRENT CONDITION: COLLECTOR STREET]. Ms. JoAnn Rife, UW-O Director of Planning and Construction, explained to the Board the proposed campus master plan. She said a neighborhood meeting was held and one of the major concerns was emergency vehicles. She noted the plans allow emergency vehicles to continue to use this street if necessary. Mr. Tom Sonnleitner, UW-O Vice Chancellor for Administration, said their major concern is the safety of their students and pedestrians and providing emergency pathways for emergency vehicles. Mr. Herman asked if any residential homes are in this area. Mr. Sonnleitner replied there were none. Mr. Strong said there is no clear engineering answer to whether this request is appropriate; rather, it is based on the importance a person places on pedestrian traffic versus vehicular traffic. This street serves a multitude of users, and the request would improve pedestrian safety while making it harder for vehicles to navigate in the area. Mr. Strong said the Fire Chief and Police Chief are fine with the proposed plan, as it preserves their ability to use the street for emergency response and public safety purposes. Mr. Kaprelian felt this might cause parking issues on surrounding streets. Mr. Kline felt motorists would adjust to the change and find new travel routes. He foresees more traffic on Wisconsin Street. Mr. Herman questioned if the university would be looking for more off-street parking. Mr. Sonnleitner replied there are no plans at this point to go into the neighborhoods for additional off-street parking. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request, Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 5. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF HARRISON STREET FROM LIBBEY AVENUE TO 180 FEET NORTH OF LIBBEY AVENUE. [CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING]. Mr. Kline agreed with Mr. Strong’s analysis. Ms. Jeanie Klinker, 2407 Harrison Street, explained the reasons for this request. She noted the trucks are parking at the edge of her driveway, making it difficult for her to exit and enter her driveway. She has had several issues, which she has discussed with the Oshkosh Truck Corp., and the City and does not know what the solution is. Mr. Strong asked if she had contacted the contract carriers. Ms. Klinker replied “yes”. 3 TRA MINUTES Page December 14, 2010 Mr. Schuster felt it was a maneuvering issue. Mr. Seybold asked if parking was removed, where would the trucks park. Mr. Ross noted that Oshkosh Truck Corp. has tried to work with the carriers. He felt if a no parking restriction was put in place and the trucks needed to park for five minutes, they would still park there. Mr. Herman understands that Oshkosh Truck Corp. is trying to find places to park their vehicles. He suggested Ms. Klinker continue to work with the Oshkosh Truck Corp. on this issue. He does not want to prohibit parking simply because it is too close to a residential driveway, as this could set a bad precedent for other areas in the City. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-7). STAFF STATEMENTS None AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING None COMMENTS  Mr. Herman asked about our LED traffic signals collecting snow. Mr. Strong replied our city crews check them routinely.  Mr. Schuster noted it is hard to identify the pedestrian crossings on Main Street because the signs are so far back from the street. There being no other business to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Kaprelian, Herman), the meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.