MINUTES

 

TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING

WEDNESDAY, April 7, 2010

 

Voting Members Present: Chris Gluck, Graham Kenneweg, Ken Martis, Betty McClain, Andrea Soccorsi, Don Spencer, Paul Steel

 

Non-Voting Members Present: Roy Nutter, Lt. Mike Lantz, Damien Davis, Frank Gmeindl, Christiaan Abildso

 

Members Absent: Tony Barill, Peter Schuster

 

MATTER OF BUSINESS:

Mr. Roy Nutter called meeting to order 6:40 pm.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

 

MEETING MINUTES

Commission reviewed minutes from the March meeting.  Ken Martis moved for March minutes to be approved. Graham Kenneweg seconded motion. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

BICYCLE BOARD:

Mr. Frank Gmeindl presented a report for Bicycle Board. (See Attachment 1)

 

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY BOARD:

Mr. Christiaan Abildso presented a report for the Pedestrian Safety Board. (See Attachment 2)

 

      a.   The Pedestrian Safety Board recommended the Traffic Commission appoint the following persons as members of the Pedestrian Safety Board.

     

      1.   Jon Bond as WVU SGA representative

      2.   Regina Mayolo as co-representatives of residents with disabilities

      3.   Jan Derry as co-representatives of residents with disabilities

      4.   Maria Smith as ex-officio representative

 

Paul Steel moved to appoint the above mentioned to the Bicycle Board.  Andrea Soccorsi seconded motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

     

      b.   Mr. Abildso reviewed a letter addressed to the Traffic Commission which offers the Pedestrian Safety Board’s recommendations for the use of the $200,000 the City budgeted for pedestrian infrastructure improvements.  (See Attachment 3)

(see attachment 2)

 

 

 

 

Paul Steel moved to amend the Pedestrian Safety Board’s recommendation letter to say in recommendations 1, 2 and 3 “on one or both sides” instead of “on both sides”. Andrea Soccorsi seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

 

      Betty McClain moved to forward the amended Pedestrian Safety Board’s recommendation letter to the City Manager. Graham Kenneweg seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. (See Attachment 4)

 

 

TRAFFIC CALMING SUB-COMMITTEE:

Mr. Damien Davis reported on the status of ongoing traffic studies.  Mr. Davis stated that all traffic studies should be complete by the end of next week. Discussion about notifying affected neighborhoods of the proposed traffic calming ensued. Mr. Davis stated he would attend the next meeting of the Neighborhood Coordinating Council and discuss proposed traffic calming measures.

 

 

MONTHLY UPDATES:

Mr. Damien Davis presented the monthly update report for the Traffic Commission detailing various projects statuses.  Discussion about the Campus Connector followed.  Mr. Kenneweg, Mr. Spencer and Mr. Nutter expressed there belief that this is an important project that would have a transformative effect on the City. Mr. Abildso stated his willingness to act as a liaison for the City with the affected property owners. Mr. Abildso and Mr. Kenneweg plan to write a letter to the City Manager stating the importance of this project and their wish for the City to pursue it further. The letter will be submitted within the next two weeks. (See Attachment 35)

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

None.Mr. Christiaan Abildso stated that he would present the Pedestrian Plan at the June Traffic Commission meeting.

 

COMMISSION COMMENTS:

Mr. Martis – stated that he will not be present for the May Traffic Commission meeting.

 

Mr. Abildso – also stated he will not be present for the May Traffic Commission meeting and mentioned the pedestrian signal located at the intersection of Patteson Dr. and Mon. Blvd. was still not working.

 

Mr. Kenneweg – was concerned with ambulance use of siren and was also concerned with people squealing their tires on Grove St.

 

Mr. Steel Spencer - commented on increase in traffic on Civitian and Kawanis Ave. due to the installation of speed humps on Junior Ave. Mr. Steel also stated he would like the limited visibility problem

 

 

at the intersection of Foundry and S. High St. be put on next months agenda for discussion. Furthermore Mr. Steel went on to talk about problems at the intersection of Willey and High St. City Council has approved the TIF Bond for Grant Ave. streetscape project. WV DOH will hold a public meeting on April 20th, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm to discuss two options for the improvement to the Mileground. WV DOH is going to be making improvements to S.  

 

 

University Ave b/w Beechurst and Foundry St. this summer. The need for a pedestrian footbridge connecting the Railtrail and Greenmount Neighborhood. Concurs with Mr. Kenneweg about the over use of sirens.

 

Mrs. Soccorsi – spoke about problems with large trucks in the City. Mrs. Soccorsi would like to discuss this at the next Traffic Commission Meeting.

 

Mrs. McClain – expressed her dislike for speed humps. feeling that the Traffic Commission was doing and good job.

 

Mr. Gmeindl Steel – commented on the difficulties of cyclist at the intersection of Foundry and S. High St. funding for the pedestrian crossing at the WVU Coliseum is gone. 

 

Mr. Nutter – reported on the actions of the MPO’s Citizen Advisory Committee.

 

Mr. Kenneweg – commented on the increase in traffic on Civitian Ave. Mr. Kenneweg also discussed the difficulties of driving in the new post office parking lot located on S. High St. Furthermore Mr. Kenneweg spoke about problems with cyclist using the sidewalks along Willowdale Rd.

 

Mr. Gluck - welcomed Mr. Gmeindl to the Traffic Commission. Mr. Gluck also addressed the issue of increased traffic on streets adjoining Junior Ave. Mr. Gluck discussed the problem with parking in the Suncrest Neighborhood during WVU football and basketball games. Mr. Gluck also pointed out the installation of stop bars and double yellow lines at the intersection of Killarney and Collins Ferry Rd.

 

Mr. Martis – discussed changing the name of the Traffic Commission to the Transportation Committee.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

Mr. Kenneweg moved to adjourn. Mrs. Soccorsi seconded motion.  Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm