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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRA BOARD MINUTES 9 9 2014 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRAFFIC REVIEW ADISORY BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Dan Becker, Steve Haas, Steven Herman, Gary Ross, Timothy Schuster and Dan Scieszinski ABSENT: STAFF: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Marlene Binder, Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Timothy Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Becker moved to accept the August 12, 2014 minutes. Mr. Ross seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). TABLED BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST TO HAVE THE CITY PAINT OR ALLOW THEM TO PAINT STALLS FOR PARALLEL PARKING IN FRONT OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 913 NEBRASKA STREET (CURRENT CONDITION: NOT PAINTED) Mr. Collins said he spoke with the attorney and the municipal code prohibits someone from painting the road themselves. He looked at the area and there is space for twelve parking stalls which could be marked with corner markings. He went on to say if this was done now it would be done as a one-time event and not be placed on the maintenance schedule to be repainted in the future. Mr. Becker inquired about the life expectancy of these lines. Mr. Collins replied the amount of time road markings last vary greatly. He explained that lane lines are painted annually but he would estimate these parking markings to last somewhere between two and five years. Mr. Herman moved to accept this request. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). NEW BUSINESS 2. A REQUEST TO PAINT OR ALLOW CITIZENS TO PAINT THEIR CURBS YELLOW TO DESIGNATE NO PARKING WITHIN 4 FEET OF THEIR DRIVEWAY APRONS ON LOMARD AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: NOT PAINTED) Mr. Collins voiced concern about painting the curb for private citizen’s driveways because any citizen in the city could make this request. Ken Fisher, of 1721 Lombard Street, thanked Mr. Collins for bringing this forward. He explained it is only the first three or four houses by the corner that have the most problems with vehicles parking too close to their driveways. He thanked Mr. Collins for having the corners at Westfield Street and Lombard TRA MINUTES 2 September 9, 2014 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. Street painted. He mentioned the events are becoming more frequent with spectators from the home and visiting teams seeking parking places. He asked the Board to please consider his request. Mr. Collins said the prohibition is four or more feet from a driveway or alley, fifteen feet from a crosswalk, and ten feet from a fire hydrant. Mr. Becker suggested that perhaps police could be notified when events are held to expedite the process. Mr. Fisher replied he has seen officers drive past turning a blind eye to parking violations including vehicles parked in front of the fire hydrant. Mr. Herman stated citizens cannot paint curbs because that would violate the municipal code. He said to move forward and mark aprons in this area it would be unfair to other areas with the same issues. He said he agrees with Mr. Becker and would encourage police to step up enforcement of parking restrictions. Mr. Collins said he would speak to the Police Department. Mr. Fisher explained that this is an ongoing problem. He stated that many of the people parking in the area are from out of town, the visiting team, and may not be back until next year. Mr. Becker moved to accept item 2. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). 3. A REQUEST FOR A FLASHING STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAWYER STREET AND 5TH AVENUE. THE SIGN WOULD BE FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON SAWYER STREET (CURRENT CONDITION: REGULAR STOP SIGN) Mr. Collins said he received this request from the Police Department. He went on to say stop signs were installed on both sides of the intersection and then flags were placed on the signs in response to complaints that vehicles were not stopping here. Despite these efforts there are still complaints that motorists are not stopping for the stop signs at this intersection. He continued to say that this intersection has no accident history. He stated there is a flashing stop sign on Prospect Avenue at Wisconsin Street and there has been no accidents since its installation. He explained these signs cost $1100.00 each and there is one in stock in the department. He said if this passes he would ask police to monitor its effectiveness. Mr. Herman wondered if motorists were coming to a rolling stop or breezing through at 20 mph. He guessed it probably was people that live in the surrounding area. Mr. Schuster added it was an open intersection, with nothing obstructing view of traffic from other directions. Mr. Herman suggested police step up enforcement. He said he didn’t want to use the flashing sign at an intersection with no accident history because it may be needed in the future at an intersection with a high crash history or as a replacement for the one on Prospect if this sign were to fail. Mr. Herman moved to accept this item. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). 4. A REQUEST TO ALLOW PARKING ON SAWYER STREET, EAST SIDE, FROM BUCHANAN AVENUE TO FILLMORE AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING) Mr. Collins said the layout with the bike lanes now support parking on this stretch of Sawyer Street. He went on to say he received an email from a citizen saying they supported this. Mr. Herman moved to combined items 4, 5 and 6 as they are all related. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). TRA MINUTES 3 September 9, 2014 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. 5. A REQUEST TO ALLOW PARKING ON SAWYER STREET, EAST SIDE, FROM 220 FEET NORTH OF WITZEL AVENUE TO 4TH AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING) 6. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON SAWYER STREET, WEST SIDE, FROM 225 FEET SOUTH OF WITZEL AVENUE TO 111 FEET NORTH OF PORTER AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING, WEST SIDE, FROM WITZEL AVENUE AND NO PARKING, WEST SIDE, FROM WITZEL AVENUE TO 199 FEET NORTH OF SOUTHLAND AVENUE) Mr. Collins said these parking changes will line up with the newly installed bike lanes and will have no impact on the businesses in the area. Mr. Scieszinski added the larger businesses have parking lots. Mr. Schuster moved to accept the combined items. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). STAFF STATEMENTS 7. Mr. Collins reported he spoke with the university’s maintenance supervisor regarding moving the hybrid pedestrian beacon on High Avenue. Due to the cost of the project, the university needs to hire an engineering firm to manage the project and therefore are delaying the project until next year. 8. Mr. Collins said the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board supports the road diet concept on Murdock Avenue. He mentioned the bike lane would end at Wisconsin Street. He met with the Planning Department and they are drawing up the layout. He mentioned that at some point a public hearing will he held. He said the state DOT would like to view the plan to see how it flows into the Jackson Street roundabout. 9. Mr. Collins stated the bike lanes on Sawyer Street are now completed and we have received feedback both positive and negative. There are some Facebook pages with some input, one of which is “You know you are from Oshkosh when…..” The Police Department webpage has posted an explanation of the new layout on Sawyer Street. He commented someone posted a video about talks about the bike lanes in the U.S. versus Europe on this site. Mr. Collins said that the old pavement markings were scarified. He explained scarifying is a process where the top layer of pavement is removed. He continued to explain this process leaves scars which will fade over time. Mr. Scieszinski inquired if 9th Avenue from Knapp Street to Koeller Street would have bike lanes installed. Mr. Collins replied that the plan was to install bike lanes on 5th Avenue because there is a lot less traffic here. Mr. Scieszinski asked if there could be 30 minute parking on Campus Place for the customers of the restaurants there. Mr. Collins said he would put this on the agenda. Mr. Herman moved to adjourn at 4:47 p.m. Mr. Haas seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0).