MINUTES

TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING

Wednesday, November, 13, 2002

6:30 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Terry Hough, Ron Eck, Chuck Williamson, Phillip Shuman,

                                                Roy Nutter, Buffy Vehse, Sharon Semans

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Ron Bane, Mark Downs, James Lattanzi, Katy Gleitzman, Gene

                                                Kiral

At the start of the meeting, there was not a quorum. It began with the intention of hearing from the public audience regarding their concerns. Phillip Shuman arrived at approximately 6:45 p.m., so the meeting proceeded as normal.

OLD BUSINESS:

McCullough Avenue: Request to remove parking on left side of street. (This issue was TABLED last month until property owners on McCullough Avenue were notified in writing of this request.)

Amy & John Kline, residents of 275 McCullough Avenue, spoke against removing parking. They feel that removing parking will only contribute to the speeding problem, which is already a major concern. They also expressed concern that removal of on-street parking may decrease the value of their home.

Roy Nutter gave a brief history of this request, stating that it originally came from the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association. The Tanglewood development is out of City limits.. He agreed that removing parking from the street may make the speeding problem worse.

Ron Eck stated that cars parked on the street is an acceptable method of slowing traffic.

Roy Nutter made a motion to DENY request. Sharon Semans SECONDED. Motion passed unanimously.

Grove Street: Request by residents and school bus driver to paint one side of Grove Street yellow to allow easy access for larger vehicles (buses, emergency vehicles, etc.) (This request was TABLED last month until a contact was made with the Mon Co. Schools bus garage to inquire about problems and possible solutions.)

Ludwig Sovastion, 512 Grove Street, spoke in favor of painting one side of the street yellow.

He stated that buses have had a difficult time getting through and have had to back up into busy intersections and turn around because they couldn't go through. He also stated that he is planning to create off-street parking on his property and wants to be able to back out with plenty of room

from this parking area. He expressed concern about which side of the street would be painted.

Michelle Marshall, 740 Kingwood Pike, Mon. Co. school bus driver, stated that she is one of the drivers on this bus route. She said it is impossible to get through Grove Street if cars are parked on both sides. She said the main problem is from Virginia Ave. to North St.

Discussion continued regarding exact bus routes, number of buses who travel this route, etc.

Terry Hough said that she contacted someone at the bus garage, and they said this is a permanent bus route.

Phil Shuman asked Ms. Marshall how long this problem has existed.

Ms. Marshall said it has been a problem for a long time, but it definitely seems to be worse this year.

Terry Hough stated that the Public Works Department will determine which side of the street should be painted yellow.

Mr. Sovastion said he felt the needs of the older residents on the street should be taken into consideration.

Phil Shuman said that the major concern before the Commission is the fact that emergency vehicles and school buses have easy access.

Mr. Sovastion agreed, but stated that the concern about his proposed off-street parking and being able to get in and out easily is also a major concern to him.

Phil Shuman motion to APPROVE the request to paint one side of Grove Street yellow (Public Works Dept. will decide which side). Roy Nutter seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

MATTERS OF BUSINESS: Minutes from the October, 2002 meeting were approved with one correction to be made.

NEW BUSINESS:

Dorsey Avenue @. South High Street: Request for a "No Right Turn" sign for trucks attempting to turn onto South High Street from Dorsey Avenue.

Roy Nutter asked about the possibility of the property owners placing concrete posts on their property to keep trucks from coming into their yard.

Terry Hough said there was a post already in place. She stated that the complaint is mainly about fire and garbage trucks.

Phil Shuman asked if the City could install a steel beam.

Terry Hough answered that the City would not do that. The property owners can put one up, but the City will not. She also said that the sidewalk is on the list to be replaced.

Phil Shuman suggested that the City write a letter to BFI asking them to be more careful when making this turn.

Phil Shuman motioned to DENY this request. Sharon Semans seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Monongalia Avenue/Richwood Avenue: Request from Police Department for a STOP sign at this intersection.

Chuck Williamson said he was the one who requested this. There have been several close calls at this intersection. He said there is a "blind area" as you approach the intersection, and it would make sense to have a STOP sign in place.

Roy Nutter motioned to APPROVE this request. Buffy Vehse seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Weaver Street: Request from resident at 736 Weaver Street that the City paint a yellow line across the entrance of "driveway". This request was checked by the Engineering Department and referred to T.C. because, although there is a curb cut for a driveway, the driveway is not recognized as such because it is so small. (No garage door.)

Terry Hough explained that the request is unusual in that this driveway is so small, it is not easily recognized. She said that our policy is not to paint in front of driveways.

Chuck Williamson said he drove by the property and said with all the parking problems there on a daily basis, he doesn't feel painting a yellow line in front of this driveway will solve anything.

Roy Nutter also drove by and said that the street is very narrow - 12' - 14' at the most in width. He said that cars are half parked on the sidewalk, and it is difficult to get through.

Phil Shuman motioned to DENY request. Buffy Vehse seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMISSION COMMENTS:

Buffy Vehse said that she was asked by a resident in her area to check on whether or not it would be possible to move the crosswalk that was recently installed on Willey Street, near the Dairy Mart. The basis for this request is that when drivers are coming out of Richwood Ave., it is difficult to see if there is anyone in the crosswalk until you are right up on it, which poses a hazard to pedestrians.

Terry Hough reminded the Commission members that this is the crosswalk that was approved by them several months back. It was placed where it is for specific reasons. Moving it would cause other problems.

No action will be taken.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

John Duarte, 460 Grove Street, spoke in support of painting one side of Grove Street yellow. He explained in greater detail the bus routes and the problems the drivers have encountered trying to get through. He stated that the problem is not just from Virginia Ave. to North Street, but it extends all the way to the intersection of Jones Avenue. He does not feel that painting only one block of Grove Street will solve the problem.

Chris Willis, 216 Belmar Street, asked the Commission to consider making the Belmar Ave./Waverly Street loop area one-way. He said these streets are not wide enough for two cars to pass each other. There are no speed limit signs or stop signs. He said the widest part of the street is approximately 17' . He said that cars are being side-swiped, mirrors are being damaged, and there is constantly the threat of two-way collisions. He handed out pictures to the Commission members. He said the road has fluctuating elevations, which makes it difficult to see oncoming cars. He feels that designating Belmar and Waverly as one-way (entering on Belmar, exiting on Waverly) will solve the problem.

Ron Eck explained that requesting a one-way street is a multi-step process. He said the Traffic Commission could place the request on the agenda for the next meeting and then make a decision as to whether or not to recommend it to City Council for approval.

Terry Hough suggested that the motion for the painting on Grove Street be modified to include both blocks (Jones to North).

Discussion ensued as to the origin of the request and the fact that the bus drivers did not say that the lower block was a problem.

No action was taken on the motion.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.