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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRAB Minutes 12 12 17Committee Name: Traffic Review Advisory Board Date: 12/12/17 Location: City Hall 1 Attendees: Absent: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Director William Christianson, Board Marlene Binder, Secretary Jake Krause, Council Member Daniel Becker, Chairman Dan Scieszinski, Board Steve Haas, Vice-Chairman Ross Wandschneider, Board Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Call to order Meeting Minutes Daniel Becker Daniel Becker called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The minutes from the 11/14/2017 TRAB meeting were accepted. 1st: Dan Sceiszinski 2nd: Steve Haas Agenda Items A request for no parking on 9th Avenue, both sides, from Reichow to Knapp in conjunction with reconfiguration of the road to 3 lanes, one 11’ lane in each direction along with a center two way left turn lane and a 3’ striped shoulder on each side Jim Collins Jim Collins explained that this item was discussed at the last meeting, but residents on 9th Avenue from Sawyer Street to Knapp Street were not noticed. He told that this proposed reconfiguration could potentially help with three types of crashes. The rear end crashes may be reduced because vehicles turning left will be out of the moving lane of traffic and in a designated left turn lane. Sideswipe accidents could possibly be reduced with only one clearly marked lane in each direction. Broadside crashes, which are the most frequent and most severe, could be possibly greatly reduced by the two way left turn lane which provides better visibility of oncoming vehicles. He said this type of road configuration calms traffic, reduces speeds, decreases noise, increases bike and pedestrian traffic, and resident satisfaction. He said the traffic volume in the four lanes leavi ng the roundabout was 20,000 vehicles daily and that this volume dropped to 12,200 vehicles daily from where 9th Avenue intersects with Reichow Street and decreases to about 11,000 vehicles at Knapp Street. He explained 9th Avenue widens from 42’ to 48’ at Knapp Street and that is also where heavier on street parking is found. Committee Name: Traffic Review Advisory Board Date: 12/12/17 Location: City Hall 2 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions (Current Condition: No parking, south side, from Reichow Street to 240 feet west of Sawyer Street from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except holidays; No parking, south side, from Sawyer Street to 250 feet west of Knapp Street from 5:00 a.m. to 6:000 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except holidays; No parking, north side, from Reichow Street to 250 feet west of Knapp street from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except holidays; No parking, both sides, from 250 feet west of Knapp Street to 250 feet east of Knapp Street; No parking, south side from Sawyer Street to 240 feet west) Robert Quant Sarah Mahrle- Thomas Jake Krause Jim Collins Dan Becker Robert Quant, of 1016 Winsor Street, stated his two concerns were safety and maintaining traffic flow. He said this area is the main Hwy. 41 corridor into Oshkosh and this traffic volume is not going to change. He explained that all of the Armory Plat neighborhood has three streets (Westfield, Reichow and Armory) that exit onto 9th Avenue. He said that funneling all traffic into one lane will make it more difficult for them to exit their neighborhood. He suggested reducing the speed limit to 25 miles per hour here and increasing enforcement which he noticed has declined in recent years. Sarah Mahrle-Thomas, of 1115 W. 9th Avenue, said she walks her children to Franklin Elementary School. She told the road is not properly marked. She said she has witnessed cars speeding past, countless accidents, and many near misses. She also said she has seen where one vehicle will stop for a pedestrian and another vehicle will veer around this stopped vehicle to find the pedestrian in the crosswalk. She stated she is in favor of the proposed change. Jake Krause stated this residential area is not a good location for a corridor and inquired about the effect of reducing the speed limit here. Jim Collins replied speed limits are set by the speeds that 85% of motorist travel the area and that lowering the speed limit would make it less safe and harder to enforce. Dan Becker suggested installing rumble strips at the edges of the driving lanes when the street is redone . 1st: Dan Becker 2nd: Dan Scieszinski Carried: 6 – 0 Committee Name: Traffic Review Advisory Board Date: 12/12/17 Location: City Hall 3 Topic Facilitator Discussion Action Staff Statements Left turn arrow for northbound traffic on Sawyer Street at Witzel Avenue Jim Collins Dan Sceiszinski Jim Collins said the intersection of Sawyer Street and Witzel Avenue is very busy during arrival and dismissal school times. He explained if a left turn arrow were to be installed on Sawyer Street for northbound traffic to head west, southbound traffic would be delayed and cause traffic to back up after school. Dan Sceiszinski stated he has seen the southbound lane of Sawyer Street back up all the way to the Southland intersection. Main Street at 11th and South Park Avenue Traffic Signals Jim Collins Jim Collins said the traffic signals on Main Street at 11th and South Park Avenue are installed. He explained normally traffic signals are put in flash mode for 5 days to get people familiar before activation. He told that these signals are equipped with a fish eye camera so the light turns red only when a vehicle is present on the cross street. He explained a representative from the manufacture is coming to program these tomorrow and then the signals will go from flash to activation. Murdock Avenue and Bowen Street is now open Jim Collins Jim Collins said the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Bowen Street is now open and the traffic signal is working. He said because the construction was completed so late in the season, the roadway was painted when the temperatures were below 60 d egrees, therefore the paint did not adhere well. He stated the Sign Department will repaint this area in Spring. Committee Name: Traffic Review Advisory Board Date: 12/12/17 Location: City Hall 4 1. Topic Facilitator 2. Discussion Actions 1/30/2018 Joint Workshop Jim Collins Jim Collins said a joint workshop of the TRAB, Plan Commission and City Council will be held January 30, 2018. The consultant will present their preliminary traffic impact analysis of the Oshkosh Avenue corridor from Hwy. 41 to the river. He told Westfield and Koeller Streets may be extended north. Jim also said the consultant will take feedback from this meeting and develop their recommendations. Future Agenda Items South Park special event parking Dan Sceiszinski Dan Sceiszinski suggests special event parking restrictions on Osborn Avenue and Georgia Street be revisited and perhaps be made permanent. Adjournment Dan Becker Meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m. Next meeting: January 9, 2018 at City Hall 1st: Dan Sceiszinski 2nd: Jake Krause