Approved 2/11/09 Minutes
RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
11 FEBRUARY 2009
PAGE 1.
QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE,
HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ON FEBRUARY 11, 2009 AT 4:30 P.M.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:35 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: WILLIAM TRUMAN, NICK FITZGERALD, AND BRAD REENTS.
DEB WOOD AND PATTY SCHUMACHER WERE ABSENT.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: DENNIS RYAN, MARGARET DUERR, DAN DAVIS, AND MIKE PAYNE.
AGENDA ITEMS:
A. ROLL CALL
B. MINUTES
Meeting of November 12, 2008. Said minutes were approved.
C. STOP SIGNES/YIELD SIGNS
1. South Crosby Avenue & Schaller Street
Dennis Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request for
stop or yield signs at this intersection. Committee Member Reents asked when the counts
were taken, wondering if school was in session or on break. Mr. Ryan indicated the counts
were taken January 6-8 when Janesville schools were in session, but U-Rock was probably
still on break. Gordon Sperry (1651 S. Crosby St.) was present to speak in favor of control
at this intersection. Mr. Sperry thought only two days of counts was not long enough to get
a true picture of the volume and speed of vehicles traveling through that intersection,
especially with U-Rock not in session. He said children playing near the intersection are not
safe. He also spoke of an accident that occurred a few years ago where a nurse was hurt,
believing she is still struggling with her injuries to this day. There was a discussion
regarding accidents at controlled and uncontrolled intersections. Committee Chairman
Truman asked the Committee their thoughts about re-studying this intersection in
conjunction with another scheduled study to be completed at an intersection near Edison
School (Chatham & Conde). Committee Member Reents motioned to recount the
intersection in the spring and bring the topic back to the May meeting. Committee Member
Fitzgerald seconded and the vote was 3-0-0 in favor.
D.TRAFFIC SIGNALS
1. Centerway & North Main Street
Dennis Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to place these signals
back into normal operation and taken off the list for removal consideration. Mr. Ryan stated
the intersection meets two of the four common traffic signal warrants and staff has received
significant negative feedback on the current flash mode of operation from the traveling
public. John Brzezinski, a Janesville Transit System driver, spoke strongly in favor of
returning the signals to normal operation, citing the difficulties he has observed during the
flash time period. There was also a discussion between Transit Director Dave Mumma and
the Committee Members, all of whom indicated a desire to return the signals to operating
mode. There was a motion and a second to return the signals to a normal operating mode.
The vote was 3-0-0 in favor. One of the Transit drivers asked how soon the signals could
be back in operation. Mr. Ryan replied that he wasn’t sure, but thought it could be done
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RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
11 FEBRUARY 2009
PAGE 2.
administratively and Engineering would touch base with Jay Winzenz the following day.
[The signals were placed into operating mode the next day.]
E. OTHER TRAFFIC ISSUES
1. North & South Jackson Street & West Milwaukee Street (For Information Only)
Mr. Ryan presented a brief history of events that occurred at this intersection and indicated
the short term improvements appear to be working well. Committee Chairman Truman
wondered if the two most recent crashes that ended up with vehicles hitting the building
were just a coincidence. Mr. Ryan indicated that there was a pattern of crashes over the
last few years. The intersection will continue to be monitored, but the results so far have
been positive.
F. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Traffic Signal Removal List
Committee Chairman Truman asked when to expect an agenda topic on the list of traffic
signals for removal consideration. He wondered whether some of the signals in the
General Motors area could be removed. Mr. Ryan replied that he hasn’t heard anything
lately about the topic (except for Centerway & Main), but would check into the matter for
further direction.
2. Two-way Conversion Study
Committee Member Fitzgerald asked about the status of the (Court & Milwaukee) two-way
traffic conversion study. Mr. Ryan replied that the consultant is still doing some fine-tuning
of the modeling and once that is completed, it will move into a public information phase.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
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