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11/10/10 Approved Meeting Minutes RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 10 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 1. QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE, HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ON NOVEMBER 10, 2010 AT 4:30 P.M. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN FITZGERALD AT 4:30 P.M. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: ALLEN FUGATE, NICK FITZGERALD, AND BRAD REENTS. DEB WOOD AND RUSS STEEBER WERE ABSENT. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: DENNIS RYAN, MARGARET DUERR, KARISSA CHAPMAN AND DEPUTY CHIEF OLSEN. AGENDA ITEMS: A. ROLL CALL B. MINUTES Meeting of August 11, 2010. Said minutes were approved. C. STOP SIGNS/YIELD SIGNS 1. Cornelia Street & Walker Street Mr. Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request for stop or yield signs. No citizens appeared to speak. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald asked if there were any similarities in the accidents that have occurred at this intersection. Mr. Ryan responded that there was no pattern to the accidents, and that they were typical accidents that signage doesn’t always prevent. There was a discussion about traffic control at adjacent intersections on Walker St. being required due to retaining walls and/or high banks. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald commented that grades might be causing acceleration through the intersections. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald motioned to deny the request and Committee Member Fugate seconded. The vote was 3-0-0 in favor of denying the request. 2. Jefferson Avenue & East Van Buren Street Mr. Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request for stop or yield signs and indicated the intersection was last reviewed by the Transportation Committee in 2007. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald asked Mr. Ryan to read the minutes from that meeting. Yuri Rashkin of 526 Logan Street (appearing as a concerned citizen rather than a Councilmember) was present to speak in favor of control for this intersection. He indicated vehicles use the intersection as a short cut, travel too fast, and don’t use common sense. There was a discussion on the use of traffic control (stop or yield) for speed control. Mr. Rashkin thanked the Committee and staff for their work and stated he drives through this intersection several times a day and considers it nerve-wracking. He observes drivers that are unpredictable and feels two schools nearby add to the legitimacy of traffic control needs at this location. Mr. J:\Development\Engineering\Traffic & Parking\Transportation Committee\Minutes\2010\TRANS_MIN_Nov_2010.doc RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 10 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 2. Rashkin also urged the Committee “to use common sense, and to err on the side of safety.” Mark Cullen of 220 Jefferson also spoke in favor of control at the intersection, citing speeds increasing, more kids, and a lack of knowledge of rules of the road by the general traveling public when they meet other drivers at the intersection. There was a discussion about safety at uncontrolled versus controlled intersections and Mr. Cullen indicated he understood staff’s precedence concern of placing control at intersections that do not meet the criteria. Deputy Chief Olson indicated the speed trailer could be used as a tool to evaluate the speeding concerns. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald asked staff if this location should be signed as a designated school crossing given its proximity to St. Paul Lutheran Grade School and Roosevelt Elementary. Mr. Ryan indicated there is criteria in the Adult Crossing Guard Policy to determine whether or not a location should be marked. Mr. Rashkin asked what the Committee would need to justify stop or yield signage, since the intersection does not appear to meet the established criteria. Mr. Cullen asked about installing “Children at Play” signage and Mr. Ryan explained why the City and Federal authorities do not support these signs. There was more informal discussion regarding crosswalks, added police presence, and the desire by staff to not use stop or yield signs for speed control. Committee Member Fugate indicated that all drivers should be aware there are uncontrolled intersections all over town and they should be adjusting their driving behaviors accordingly. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald motioned to deny the request for stop or yield signs, and directed staff to follow up with a crossing guard study. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Fugate, and the vote was 3-0-0 in favor. D. ADULT CROSSING GUARDS 1. Bond Place & North Osborne Avenue Mr. Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request for an adult crossing guard at this location. Doug Coulter of 247 Winesap Ct. (and a PTA representative) was present to speak in favor of added control at the intersection. Mr. Coulter stated that his first choice was for traffic control, and his preference would be for stop signs on Bond at Osborne. Mr. Coulter voiced many different concerns regarding this area including signage, traffic cones, and a desire to clearly state that this is a school zone. He also indicated the handicap ramp/entrance appears to be a driveway and people have been known to drive up to the school via this path. Mr. Ryan said that a ‘No Motorized Vehicle’ sign could be added (or replaced if faded) to the end of the path, and that the area is already marked as a school zone. The adult crossing guard stationed at Grant and Ravine also spoke in favor of a crossing guard at this location. Committee Member Fugate stated that the issues seem to stem from parents behavior. There was a discussion about temporary traffic cone and in-street signage usage. Committee Member Reents and Committee Chairman Fitzgerald suggested contacting the school and/or PTA for additional or updated temporary signage or the ‘little green person’ stand-up warning signs. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald motioned to approve the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request for an adult crossing guard. Committee Member Reents seconded and the vote was 3-0-0 in favor. Engineering will follow up on the permanent signing questions. J:\Development\Engineering\Traffic & Parking\Transportation Committee\Minutes\2010\TRANS_MIN_Nov_2010.doc RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 10 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 3. E.OTHER TRAFFIC ISSUES 1. North Grant Avenue & Ravine Street Mr. Ryan presented the numerous issues and history with this intersection. Doug Coulter and his wife (247 Winesap Ct.) were present to speak, indicating they have abundant safety concerns about the area in and around the intersection. The Adult Crossing Guard assigned to the intersection was also present to express her safety concerns. Mr. Coulter was hoping for extra cones, signage enhancements and/or improvements, and added enforcement in this area. He produced photos to share with the Committee to show them his safety concerns and ideas of how other schools handle similar situations. Committee Member Fugate asked if the City could vacate the west leg of the road and have it revert to the School District. Mr. Ryan explained that a street vacation would revert back to the two abutting residential properties by State Statute and could not be transferred to the District. Mrs. Coulter stated that she would like to see that portion of the street closed down to vehicles altogether. Mr. Ryan indicated it is a segment of public street that needs to remain open to the traveling public and the “Do Not Enter” signs should probably be removed or moved west to the School Property line. Mr. Ryan indicated that most, if not all, of the issues were “Administrative” decisions and could be handled outside of the Committee. He also stated that this is an existing all-way stop with a crossing guard. Committee Chairman Fitzgerald motioned to approve the Engineering Division’s recommendations and suggested the School be consulted for their input on the suggested changes. Committee Member Reents seconded and the vote was 3-0-0 in favor. 2. Improving Neighborhood Traffic Safety (Public Service Announcement) The Committee was provided with the original version of ‘Improving Neighborhood Traffic Safety’ PSA and the newly revamped ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ version. Committee Member Wood, who was not present at the meeting, indicated via e-mail she was pleased with the document and her comments were shared with the Committee. There was discussion about how to get the information out to the public. Mr. Ryan stated that the information could be provided to the Gazette, but it was ultimately their choice to run it or not. The Committee agreed that the PSA should be posted on the City’s website and it should be a downloadable pdf. F. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA There were none. The meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 Wednesday, February 9, 2011. J:\Development\Engineering\Traffic & Parking\Transportation Committee\Minutes\2010\TRANS_MIN_Nov_2010.doc