MINUTES

 

TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING

WEDNESDAY, January 9, 2008

 

Voting Members Present: Peter Schuster, Buffy Vehse, Ken Martis, Paul Steel, Dennis Bidwell, Chris Gluck, Don Spencer, Roy Nutter

 

Non-Voting Members Present: Terry Hough, Dave Purkey, Lt. Mike Lantz

 

Members Absent: Graham Kenneweg

 

 

MATTER OF BUSINESS:

 

Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Nutter.  Minutes from October 3, 2007 Traffic Commission Meeting were approved as distributed.  

 

Vice Chairman Nutter moved New Business to beginning of Agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Protzman Street Parking:

Jim Craig of 14th Fairway Ct. requested that the Traffic Commission withdraw the request to remove parking from Protzman Street.  Mr. Craig stated that there is no off street parking available for residents on Protzman Street.  Mr. Craig also said that the parking creates a traffic calming effect. Mr. Craig said that the parking on Protzman Street is also used for guest parking, if we took the on-street parking away there would be nowhere for guests to park.  Mr. Craig suggested making the area Permit Parking only.

 

George Rawlins of 652 Protzman Street agreed with Mr. Craig.  Mr. Rawlins stated that there is no off street parking available and there is no hope in creating any. Mr. Rawlins also said that to remove the parking on Protzman Street would also devalue the property.  Mr. Rawlins also suggested making Protzman Street Permit Parking only.

 

Dennis Bidwell asked what percentage of people were residents and what percentage were students parking there. 

 

Ken asked what the width of the street was.

 

Paul suggested that we remove the top two parking spaces from Protzman Street. 

 

Terry Hough stated that there was 650 feet of parking on Protzman Street. We could remove a couple of spaces for cars to move into to let other traffic through. 

Discussion ensued.

 

Chris Gluck made a motion to send back to engineering to decide on adding parking below and remove parking in the middle. 

Dennis seconds motion.

Motion Carried.

 

Hoffman Ave:

Charlie Byrer spoke of the school buses, EMS vehicles, and Fire Trucks that could not get through on Hoffman Ave. 

Roy Nutter read the letter from Karen Mercer.

 

Discussion Ensued.

 

Paul Steel made motion to paint a yellow line on the curbs on Hoffman Ave, alternating blocks.

 

Dennis seconds motion.

 

Discussion Ensued.

 

Paul Steel withdrew motion.

 

Dennis Bidwell moved to table Hoffman Ave. until February 6th meeting. 

 

Peter Schuster seconded the motion.

 

Motion carried.

 

Announcement:

Terry Hough announced Chairman Ron Eck’s resignation. Terry Hough requested that the Traffic Commission nominate and vote on a new Chairman and Vice Chairman.

 

Chris Gluck nominated Roy Nutter as Chairman of the Traffic Commission.  Roy Nutter was elected Chairman of Traffic Commission.

 

Don Spencer nominated Chris Gluck as Vice Chairman of the Traffic Commission.  Chris Gluck was elected Vice Chairman of Traffic Commission. 

 

BICYCLE BOARD:

Frank Gmeindl, Bicycle Board Chairman, gave status report on the Bicycle Board activities. 

 

Don Spencer moved to appoint Hugh Keirit to Bicycle Board. Ken Martis seconded the motion. Motion passed

 

Greg Good, Bicycle Board member, gave hand out to Traffic Commission members showing plans for a connector between Evansdale Campus and the Downtown Campus. 

 

Pedestrian Safety Board:

Greg Good, Pedestrian Safety Board Member, gave report on Pedestrian Safety Board activities, including on deciding the goals. 

Don Spencer states that Tom Bias was elected Chairman of the Pedestrian Safety Board and should be notified of the Traffic Commission Meetings. 

 

Traffic Calming Sub-Committee:

Roy Nutter gave presentation regarding options for traffic calming. Chris Gluck gave handouts to Traffic Commission members. 

 

Traffic Commission members to take information and review for further use.

 

Monthly Updates:

Terry Hough reviewed Monthly Update spreadsheet.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Mulberry Street:

Terry Hough reviewed Mulberry Street study. 

Discussion ensued.

Chris Gluck moved to carry out the painting of the curb on Mulberry Street as described and outlined by the Engineering Department.

Paul Steel seconded motion.

Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED:

Waitman Street:

Don moved to place stop sign as requested by Linda Durfee of 141 Waitman Street.

Ken seconded motion. 

Discussion ensued.

Motion did not carry. Don Spencer and Ken Martis voted yes. Chris Gluck, Paul Steel, Dennis Bidwell, and Peter Schuster voted No.

 

Jackson Avenue:

Terry explained the drawings and describes the problem area.

Ken Martis is excused from voting due to conflict of interest. 

Paul Steel moved to paint curb yellow on the left side from Washington to where current yellow line exists.  Dennis seconded motion. Motion carried.

 

Resolution on “Complete the Streets”

Don Spencer moved to bring the “Resolution on use of complete the streets policy in planning road improvements in the City of Morgantown and adjacent areas” off the table.  Chris Gluck seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Don Spencer reviewed the “Resolution on use of complete the streets policy in planning road improvements in the City of Morgantown and adjacent areas”.

Don Spencer moved to support the “Resolution on use of complete the streets policy in planning road improvements in the City of Morgantown and adjacent areas”.

Ken Martis seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

COMMISSION COMMENTS:

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

Wayne Jimmie of 833 Willowdale Road, asked if the Traffic Commission revisit the Willowdale Road Traffic Calming.  Mr. Jimmie stated that the Traffic Calming that has been placed on Willowdale Road is a safety hazard.

Willowdale Road Traffic Calming is to be discussed at the February 6th Traffic Commission meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: 

Dennis Bidwell moved to adjourn Traffic Commission meeting.

Pete Schuster seconded motion.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm