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5-11-2011 Approved Meeting Minutes RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 11 MAY 2011 PAGE 1. QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE, HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ON MAY 11, 2011 AT 4:30 P.M. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY COMMITTEE MEMBER STEEBER AT 4:30 P.M. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: ALLEN FUGATE, RUSS STEEBER, BRAD REENTS (After Items A – D and F were dealt with), JASON STOUT AND EDWIN JAMES. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: DENNIS RYAN, MARGARET DUERR, KARISSA CHAPMAN, AND SERGEANT PEARSON. AGENDA ITEMS: A. ROLL CALL B. CHAIRPERSON SELECTION Committee Member Fugate motioned to nominate Brad Reents as the new Chairperson. Committee Member Steeber seconded. The vote was 4-0-0 in favor. C. MINUTES Meeting of February 23, 2011. Said minutes were approved. D. ORIENTATION PACKET Mr. Ryan presented the intent of the orientation packet and asked if there were any questions. Committee Member Steeber thanked staff for the comprehensive information within the packet and there was no further discussion. Note: Item F1 was dealt with prior to Item E1 to accommodate Committee Member Reents late arrival. E. ALL-WAY STOP 1. North Franklin Street & Mineral Point Avenue Mr. Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request for all-way stop signs at this intersection. Kathy Messier (1321 Mole Avenue) was present to speak in favor of installing an all-way stop. Ms. Messier stated that the Assisted Living Center has been moved out of the facility and several other Mercy Clinics have taken over the building, greatly increasing the volume of traffic through the intersection. There was also a discussion about traffic volumes in general once Dean Riverview moves to their new facility. Ms. Messier recapped the events of her daughter’s March 2011 traffic accident, adding that during the investigation of the accident scene, the officer directing traffic was almost struck twice by speeding vehicles. Ms. Messier reported that her daughter’s vehicle was ‘totaled’ and the body shop informed her that the extent of damage to the car proved that the oncoming vehicle was travelling at least 35 mph. Ms. Messier also stated that although the Transportation Committee’s report shows 4 accidents at this intersection in 4 years, in reality it is 3 accidents in 17 months following Franklin Street’s two-way conversion. Ms. Messier went on to say that parking along the west side of Franklin north of the intersection by Mercy employees prohibits vision to and from the intersection. She stated that people used to \\Petey\COJHome\Development\Engineering\Traffic & Parking\Transportation Committee\Minutes\2011\TRANS_MIN_MAY_2011.doc RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 11 MAY 2011 PAGE 2. refer to Franklin as “the drag-way” to avoid the numerous stops on the west side of the hospital & clinic. Mr. Ryan updated the Committee on the history of parking along the west side of Franklin and indicated the parking is greater than 300’ away. Committee Member Steeber pointed out that this is a private driveway which wouldn’t be treated the same as a leg of a public intersection. There was discussion between the Committee and staff regarding Mercy’s responsibility with their driveway and whether there were any options Mercy may have to alleviate the problem. Committee Member James asked for the Police Department’s opinion on the effect of an all-way stop. Sergeant Pearson was of the opinion it would back up traffic and could result in collisions. Committee Member James asked if Mercy could give the Committee an idea about their long-term plans. Mr. Ryan replied that Mercy was in favor of all-way stop signs in August of 2009 when this was last brought before the Committee. He also indicated Mercy had removed two crabapple trees that obstructed vision for northbound motorists after the last meeting. Committee Chairman Reents informed Ms. Messier that stop signs don’t always reduce speed and sometimes have a greater negative impact on traffic. There was also a discussion on whether the speed limit north of Mineral Point should be lowered. Committee Member Stout wondered whether the parking restriction north of the intersection should be extended to increase field of view. Committee Member Steeber motioned to approve the Engineering Division’s recommendation, with the intention of considering a parking change recommendation separately. The vote was 5-0-0 in favor of denying the request for the all-way stop. Regarding the parking situation, Mr. Ryan informed the Committee of the Administrative process that would consider a Committee recommendation and indicated there is currently proper stopping sight distance for a southbound vehicle operating at a design speed of 35 MPH. The issue was dropped when there was no second to Committee Member Stout’s parking change review recommendation. F.ADULT CROSSING GUARDS 1. Jefferson Avenue & East Van Buren Street Mr. Ryan presented the Engineering Division’s recommendation to deny the request. No citizens appeared to speak. Mr. Ryan mentioned that Mr. Harker had contacted him indicating he was well aware that the intersection would fall far short of the criteria. Committee Member James motioned to approve the recommendation to deny the request. Committee Member Fugate seconded and the vote was 4-0-0 in favor. G. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA 1. Committee Member James stated that the information on school crossing guards in the orientation packet was dated 1984, and he wondered if there were any plans for a comprehensive City-wide review. Mr. James is employed as a crossing guard and it’s his opinion that several existing crossings would probably not meet the criteria now that less children walk to school. Mr. Ryan indicated crossing guard locations are very sensitive topics, but a few have been studied and removed during his tenure. He also explained that because of budget issues, the City would probably be looking into whether a cost–share with the school district was feasible. Committee Member James stated that a comprehensive review is worthy of consideration. Mr. Ryan indicated he’d make sure the minutes reflect Committee Member James’ comments and the Administration would be informed of the discussion. \\Petey\COJHome\Development\Engineering\Traffic & Parking\Transportation Committee\Minutes\2011\TRANS_MIN_MAY_2011.doc RECORD OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 11 MAY 2011 PAGE 3. 2. There was discussion between the Committee and staff as to how individuals preferred to be contacted for meeting reminders. It was stated that the Engineering Division secretary would accommodate personal preference. The meeting was adjourned at 5:14 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 Wednesday, August 10, 2011. \\Petey\COJHome\Development\Engineering\Traffic & Parking\Transportation Committee\Minutes\2011\TRANS_MIN_MAY_2011.doc