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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesBICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 7, 2014 PRESENT: Caroline Panske, Adam Bellcorelli, James Michelson, Vicky Redlin and Ben Rennert Jim Collins: Director of Transportation STAFF: Benjamin Krumenauer, Assistant Planner CALL TO ORDER Chairman Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Panske moved to accept the minutes of the May 15th, 2014 meeting. Mr. Rennert seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. Murdock Avenue Improvement Discussion a. Road Diet: Algoma Boulevard to Wisconsin Street Mr. Collins (Director of Transportation) discussed the history of the road diet option on W Murdock Avenue. The road diet as explained would commence at Wisconsin Street and continue to Algoma Boulevard. Mr. Collins stated that the road diet concept was initiated by former Director Strong. Mr. Strong felt that the road diet option would best help the safety in the area. The road diet could help to mitigate traffic crash concerns in the Elmwood/Vinland/Murdock intersection. Mr. Collins continued to explain the goals of the road diet and explained the parties involved. Mr. Collins did have an opportunity to discuss the concept with the state of Wisconsin and received positive review. Mr. Collins then stated a timeline for the project and that he would be working with the community, City, Committees and Commissions, and all interested parties. He also said that with a road diet, there is the potential to install bike lanes and felt that the Advisory Committee should discuss the idea of bike lanes and whether the lanes would be accepted or beneficial. Mr. Collins went on to state that Sawyer Street would be a good pilot project to gauge the popularity and feasibility of the road diet option. Ms. Redlin agreed that something needs to be done on Murdock Avenue to help the Elmwood/Vinland/Murdock intersection. She said that the intersection has been a problem area within Oshkosh for several years and the problem will continue to worsen as growth increases on the north side. Mr. Michelson stated that he has been on the committee and focus group for the Bike/Ped plan and has no recollection of the road diet option and bike lanes on all of Murdock Avenue. He felt that the rail road crossing is a priority and the road diet on West Murdock Avenue should be discussed but with E Murdock Avenue from the tracks to Bowen Street being reconstructed in 2016 (proposed) should be a higher priority to the committee. b. Traffic Congestion and Relationship to Pedestrians Near Railroad Crossing Mr. Michelson asked if there was a way to get traffic volume counts and traffic patterns with respects to the tracks. He felt that the Committee should be proactive and make recommendations prior to construction as much as possible. With Murdock Avenue being reconstructed in 2016 (proposed), Mr. Michelson felt it was imperative to establish thoughts prior to construction. Mr. Collins said that he has the tools to get traffic counts and he would also look into the traffic patterns analysis and see if his equipment could track the waiting pattern. Mr. Krumenauer recommended that we place traffic counters at Harrison Street, the railroad tracks and a third study at Bowen Street. He also went on to state that with only a 60’ r.o.w. and only 42’ of new pavement proposed, any on street facilities will be very tight and the option of purchasing additional r.o.w. would not be discredited. Mr. Collins said that he will start the process to get the counts and look into the camera system that they have. 2. Jackson Street Sidewalk Discussion Mr. Krumenauer discussed the hopes to put sidewalk on Jackson Street. He stated the Committees goals to install sidewalks from Bacon Avenue to as far north as possible. The goal would be to go all the way north to Snell. Mr. Michelson said that the whole purpose of the sidewalks is to facilitate the pedestrian flow from Logan Drive and other developments in the area. Mr. Michelson felt that the Logan Drive area should not have been approved without some sort of sidewalk facility to it. Mr. Krumenauer said that with all new multi-family residential developments, the City requires pedestrian walkways to be installed to the property line. Though beneficial, Jackson Street does not have the facilities and any private walkways brought to the r.o.w. would have no connection to the rest of the City. Ms. Redlin said that the new developments north of Snell Road are likely to connect to the existing trail system in the county park. She said that is a start but it still does not make a seamless route straight to downtown. Mr. Krumenauer said that the area is difficult because of the City/Town borders. The area skips from township to city several times and isn’t sure what the town’s willingness would be for sidewalk. Ms. Redlin asked about the industrial park area and is there a way to skip Jackson Street and the town parcels and work on N Main Street instead? Mr. Krumenauer said that N Main Street is a viable option for future pathways but Jackson Street is the option that will be used for pedestrians and N Main Street is too far away from the developments to be a useful walking route. Mr. Krumenauer also said that all the major north/south routes have the same problems. Ms. Panske/Mr. Rennert asked what the Townships thoughts are about future sidewalks Mr. Krumenauer said that he will be contacting the township to gauge their opinion and whether they would be willing to look into safer routes for the town and city residents. Ms. Redlin asked about the states involvement because of the state highway 76 designation. Mr. Krumenauer said that if Jackson St/HWY 76 gets a full reconstruction, sidewalks and pathways would be addressed but because the highway was only resurfaced, the scope of work did not include sidewalks. Mr. Krumenauer continued to discuss the timeline and the importance to talk with the Township, interested parties and the residents. He also recommended that representatives from Logan Drive and future developers should also be considered. Ms. Redlin recommended the discussions also include the sheriff’s department and even county representatives. Mr. Krumenauer discussed the installation options and how the town will have to figure out new agreements for maintenance and installation. Mr. Krumenauer felt that at some point the Town of Oshkosh will have to address the situation and felt that today is as good as any day to install the sidewalk. Mr. Michelson felt that any sidewalk is safer than no sidewalk. He brought up W 9th Avenue and the blocks that do not have sidewalk should also have sidewalk and felt that it is only a matter of time before it is installed. Mr. Michelson asked if we have made a determination on what the Committee should recommend. Mr. Krumenauer felt that any recommendations should be made after we gauge the interest in the residents, town and city. He felt that the initial conversation should be kept to concepts. Mr. Krumenauer explained the options for location and what the feasibility of each. Mr. Bellcorelli arrived Mr. Michelson agreed with contacting the town and residents. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if David Buck contacted the town. Mr. Krumenauer said that the office has not made the initial contact. 3. Point of Contact for 2014 Committee Goals Mr. Krumenauer explained the goals to the committee again and asked if any members would be willing to be the committee contact for each goal. Mr. Krumenauer gauged interest for each goal and volunteers were made: Goal A: Adam Bellcorelli, Vicky Redlin Goal B: Vicky Redlin, Jim Michelson Goal C: Caroline Panske Goal D: Ben Rennert, Caroline Panske, Adam Bellcorelli Mr. Krumenauer reminded everybody about a “walking quorum” and the importance of limiting discussions outside of the group meetings. He recommended that most information be submitted through him and he will compile and distribute the information to the group in an appropriate way. STAFF STATEMENTS 4. Sawyer Street Bike Lanes Mr. Krumenauer gave an update on Sawyer Street. Traffic Review Board made a favorable recommendation and the final hearing will be tonight for the council. Once the council approves, implementation will be started with the goal to have the lanes installed before the school year begins. Mr. Collins provided information about bids being collected for the restriping and implementation process. FUTURE ITEMS July Meeting: Workshop style discussion on existing pedestrian recommendations. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and upon being moved and seconded (Rennert, Bellcorelli), the meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.