MINUTES

Traffic Commission Meeting

May 1, 2002

6:30 p.m.

Voting Members Present: Ron Eck, Mark Downs, Roy Nutter, Jim Lattanzi, Phil Shuman,

                                             Ron Bane

Non-Voting Members Present: Chuck Williamson

Members Absent: Terry Hough, Sharon Semans, Katy Gleitzman, Gene Kiral

MATTERS OF BUSINESS: Minutes from the April, 2002 meeting were approved as presented.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

Item #1 (Willey St. & High St.) was ordered removed from the Agenda by the City Engineer.

Charleston Avenue/Spencer Avenue Intersection: Request by resident to place a STOP or

YIELD sign at the “Y” where these streets intersect.

P. Shuman said he could not determine the location of this request in looking at the map that was provided.

C. Williamson explained where this is located. Discussion ensued about exactly where the Yield sign would be placed, if approved. He stated that there are no traffic control signs currently at this location, and that the request, he felt, was generated by new residents with children in the area.

R. Eck said that it is not generally the Commission’s policy to place a STOP sign at a “T” intersection, but that this intersection doesn’t form a “T”. He said that it wasn’t clear from the map which was the major road and which was the minor.

C. Williamson said he felt the YIELD sign would be appropriate on Spencer.

J. Lattanzi motioned for APPROVAL of request to place a YIELD sign on Spencer; motion was seconded by R. Bane and carried unanimously.

Collins Ferry Rd./Aspen St.: Request by resident and Councilor Merow to place rumble strips and an additional STOP sign at this intersection.

R. Eck explained that brite sticks have been installed in response to another, previous request.

LaRue Wilson, 530 Junior Avenue, spoke about a 3-car accident of which she was involved in.

She stated that visibility is poor at the intersection. She stated that there have been two (2) other bad accidents since hers.

Another resident of this area (name not available) agreed with Ms. Wilson and said she felt that speeding is the main cause of the accidents. She asked for more police enforcement.

P. Shuman asked Ms. Wilson to explain what happened in the accident that she was involved in.

Mrs. Wilson stated that she was going down Aspen, stopped at the white stop bar. When the light turned, she started to go, and another driver ran the red light, hit her, and caused her to run into the car in front of her..

R. Eck stated that, according to National standards, there should be two (2) signals at this intersection.

J. Lattanzi asked what can be done to eliminate driver error.

R. Eck answered that he didn’t have an answer of how to eliminate driver error. He stated that a r.o.w acquisition would have to be obtained in order to cut into the bank to make the vision better at this intersection.

Larue Wilson stated that the brush needs to be cut back.

P. Shuman suggested that Code Enforcement send a letter to the property owners to have the brush cut back.

R. Nutter recommended first checking to see if it is something the City can cut. If not, have Code Enforcement send a letter to the appropriate person(s).

R. Bane spoke about possibly putting another sign back towards the stop bar to remind drivers

to stop. He said something needs to be done to make sure drivers stop at the line. He made a motion to ask the City Engineer to evaluate the right-of-way and see what things can be done to improve this intersection.

P. Shuman added redundancy of signs.

J. Lattanzi asked for input from the Police Dept.

C. Williamson said he would ask for more enforcement during the afternoon and night shifts.

He also suggested that political signs be removed, if they are determined to be causing a vision problem.

R. Bane seconded motion.

R. Eck clarified motion: 1) Engineering Dept. be requested to evaluate the r.o.w. issue and take whatever necessary steps they can to clear vegetation. 2) that they consider what might be done in a broader sense to make the markings on the road more visible, and 3) to report back at the next meeting..

C. Williamson said he would bring an accident report for this location with him to the next meeting.

P. Shuman asked about the possibility of installing rumble strips.

R. Eck recommended against it because they are very noisy, and he felt we would get many complaints about that.

C. Williamson said he feels that more enforcement will make a difference at this location.

(No vote was officially taken on this motion.)

East Parkway Dr.: Request by Councilor Bane to extend yellow curb from Mississippi to the Tech. Ed. Center.

R. Bane explained his request, stating that cars park all the way up to the corner of East Parkway and Mississippi.. He requested extending the yellow curb up to the gated entrance to the Tech. Ed. Center.

P. Shuman moved to APPROVE this request. Motion was seconded by R. Nutter and passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS:

R. Nutter inquired about the status of a ramp (platform) at Marilla Park.

R. Bane said that Councilor Manilla said that several residents expressed concern because the speed bumps were removed. They were concerned specifically about baseball season with many games being played there bringing lots of children and vehicles.

R. Eck stated that speed bumps are not legal in WV.

C. Williamson said that he believed an officer would be assigned in both the upper and lower park area during baseball season.

R. Eck said he will check with City Engineer, Terry Hough, on the status of the ramp.

ADJOURNMENT: 6:55 p.m.