6-4-12 Meeting Notes
Sidewalk Task Force Committee Meeting Notes
June 4, 2012
Approved June 11, 2012
PRESENT:
Committee Members - Scott Bever, Dave Hyde, Sam Liebert, Ed Madere, Tom
McDonald, Russ Steeber, Carol Tidwell, Dan Warden, and Bob Yeomans;
Staff - Eric Levitt and Carl Weber
Visitors – Jim Fowler, Marcia Nelesen, Ken Osborn, Linda Osborn, Jim Westrick,
ABSENT: Committee Member Chuck Behm
Committee approved meeting notes of May 31, 2012.
Discussion began regarding bus service available to students. Janesville does not have
a school bus system. The Janesville Transit System provides a school ridership service
commonly referred to as a transit tripper route. Eric distributed to committee members
a map distinguishing the transit tripper routes. He confirmed there are areas in the city
where kids walk to school where there are no sidewalks.
At the end of the May 31, 2012 meeting, Dan Warden asked committee members to
consider going out as a group to view areas that are scheduled for sidewalk. Several
committee members encouraged others to view the affected areas individually rather
than as a group. Eric Levitt suggested the committee may wish to work on criteria first
and then view the affected areas as a group later. The committee agreed.
Scott Bever distributed a more-detailed worksheet listing on suggested Sidewalk
Criteria, Process for Determining Location and Installation, Process for Implementing
Plan, and Additional Topics. Additional distribution materials included a copy of a
September 3, 1957 quit claim deed stating, “There shall be no public sidewalks” as a
restrictive covenant; and a partial copy of a 1952 plat of Sinnissippi Hills noting, “no
street sidewalk shall be constructed in this addition and ……” He read each item out
loud before committee discussion.
Dave Hyde recommended the committee look at transit routes instead of designated
bus stops because buses can stop anywhere.
Discussion continued on whether to include secondary schools in the criteria for
schools. Eric Levitt suggested the committee consider whether UW-Rock County
should be included in the definition of schools because they have indicated support on
sidewalks in the past and the committee may wish to receive their feedback. Carol
Tidwell asked if they have ample parking available on campus. Russ Steeber confirmed
there is. Russ Steeber recommended the Wisconsin School for the Visually
Handicapped be included as well. Ed Madere suggested deleting the section
referencing, “does not include secondary education schools such as U-Rock”.
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Tom McDonald recommended items #6 (connections to future development) and #7
(accident data) be deleted from the sidewalk criteria. He suggested the city may not be
aware of future development and is unsure if accident data can be obtained.
Ed Madere asked if there is restrictive parking on streets without a sidewalk. Carl
Weber explained that when the committee establishes their criteria, the criteria may
solve of their concerns.
Chair Carol Tidwell indicated the goal for the committee is to make the criteria
identifiable for the Engineering staff to implement. The committee will proceed through
their criteria and rank each item.
Carl Weber recommended the committee work with the City traffic map because it is
derived from city ordinances (Council action). Eric Levitt recommended the committee
work with the State traffic map because it is more specific and would widen their
perspective.
The following list was composed during the meeting:
#1 Traffic
- State map
- Street classification as per 4-19-12 – 4 types
- Points TBD
- Posted speed - = more points
- Volume (included in type)
#2 Schools/Transit Routes/Connectivity
- Distance from schools (footnote: consider 1/8 mile from school with fewer points
¼ - ½ mile)
Sam Liebert asked if schools keep data on students who walk to school. Eric Levitt
indicated the City does have Safe Route to Schools data and recently conducted an
onboard transit ridership survey. He will contact schools for their safe walk routes and
ask for their data and school walk plans.
The committee confirmed their purpose is to trash, confirm or make changes to the
sidewalk plan.
#3 Paved/ADA Trail connectivity
- To trails via sidewalk
- Trails as alternative to sidewalks
? – maintained in winter ?
Eric Levitt indicated he reviewed the last two hours of the Council meeting of April 30,
2012 where Council discussed the creation of the Sidewalk Task Force Committee.
There was no Council directive at that meeting for public input.
th
Committee agreed that beginning with their June 11 meeting, they will allow public
input at the end of their meeting for a maximum of 10 minutes with each person allowed
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2 minutes maximum to speak. Speakers could only speak on items that were discussed
at that current meeting.
Eric Levitt informed the committee that a Sidewalk Task Force Committee webpage is
available to the public. Viewers are able to send an e-mail directly to the committee.
Senders will receive confirmation that their message was received and forwarded to the
committee.
The next two meetings are scheduled for June 11 and June 13 from 2:30-4:30PM in
Training Room #416 (fourth floor).
Submitted by Suzanne Wellnitz
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