MINUTES

MORGANTOWN TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING

OCTOBER 2, 2002

Members Present:      Mark Downs, Phil Shuman, Katy Gleitzman, Buffy Vehse, Sharon Semans, Roy Nutter, Ron Bane, Jim Lattanzi, Chuck Williamson,

                                    Terry Hough, Carol Allen

Members Absent:       Gene Kiral, Ron Eck

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

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

Intersection of Stewart St./Falling Run Rd./Protzman St..: Request that a blinking light be installed to warn drivers of upcoming STOP sign at this intersection. Also, request that the Traffic Commission reconsider placing a mirror on Protzman St.

Ron Bane asked City Engineer, Terry Hough, to give the members some background information on prior requests at this intersection.

Terry Hough stated that the request for a mirror had previously been denied by the Traffic Commission for liability reasons. She stated that we could get some flexible bending posts to install which will channel drivers in the right direction and hopefully bring more attention to the STOP sign. The location of placement of these posts would need to be decided by the Engineering Department.

Jim Lattanzi expressed concern about the pattern of installing blinking lights at STOP signs. He feels that they will become ineffective if overused.

Ron Bane motioned to DENY the request, but to explore the possibility of installing the channeling devices. Jim Lattanzi SECONDED the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

McCullough Ave./Hoffman Ave./Willowdale Rd./Randolph Rd.: Request from the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association to paint a section of McCullough Ave. yellow to prohibit parking on the left side of the street. Also, request that the T.C. consider making the following changes to traffic on football Saturdays only: McCullough Ave.: one-way from Hoffman to Willowdale;

Randolph Rd.: one-way from Willowdale to Hoffman.

Mark Downs said this issue has been before the Traffic Commission before.

Ron Bane said he doesn't feel that the City has the manpower to enforce the changes that were requested on football game days.

Jim Lattanzi said that these aren't the only streets in town that are affected by traffic/cars on football game days.

Terry Hough stated that this request would eliminate all parking on McCullough. The street is 18' wide. She said that Engineering would recommend yellow on south side from Hoffman to the widened area of the street. There is currently enough room for emergency vehicles to have access with parking on one side. However, there is not room for two-way traffic. She said she felt that the loss of parking would directly affect the residents. She stated there were approximately 10 cars on the street when it was checked.

Jim Lattanzi motioned to APPROVE the request for painting one side of McCullough yellow, at City Engineer's recommendation. Ron Bane SECONDED.

Roy Nutter motioned to TABLE this issue until the residents of the area are notified by letter of what action is being considered.

Jim Lattanzi said he will agree with that, but inquired as to whether or not the situation is a matter of safety. If so, the Commission should take action now.

Chuck Williamson said that the area was monitored on three different days. The most cars they saw were 6 at one time. He said part of the problem may be tenants from the nearby apartment building parking on the street.

Ron Bane SECONDED the motion to TABLE the request and adding that the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association also be notified by letter, also.

Jim Lattanzi disagreed and said that Tanglewood is not in the City limits.

Terry Hough agreed.

Ron Bane rescinded his motion.

Roy Nutter made a motion to TABLE this issue until letters are sent to affected residents on McCullough/Hoffman. Ron Bane SECONDED. Motion carried unanimously.

Jim Lattanzi motioned to DENY the request for change of traffic pattern on football Saturdays.

Mark Downs seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Windsor Ave.: Request by resident to place STOP signs at the intersections of Windsor/Cypress & Windsor/Munsey in an attempt to slow down drivers.

Harold Moore, resident of 1201 Windsor Avenue, spoke out that there is a problem with speeding (drivers going up to 40-45 mph). He feels that it is time to install STOP signs. There are many children in the area. He feels it is a safety issue.

Terry Hough said she checked the area, and the street is not in the best of conditions. This alone should slow down drivers.

Chuck Williamson stated that radar was run three (3) times. There was one (1) citation issued. He feels more enforcement is probably the answer.

Terry Hough recommended denying the request, since the Traffic Commission takes the stance that STOP signs should not be used for speed control. She based her argument on national studies that were conducted which prove that placement of STOP signs do not solve speeding problems. Drivers will usually speed up in between signs to compensate for loss of time due to having to stop.

Jim Lattanzi reiterated that the Traffic Commission does not use STOP signs for speed control.

He also mentioned that the City does not allow installation of speed bumps.

Ron Bane inquired about the parking situation on Windsor.

Mr. Moore stated that it is painted yellow for no parking in certain areas.

Ron Bane asked what times of day are the worst.

Mr. Moore answered that the worst times are 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Ron Bane suggested trying stricter enforcement first, then if that does not resolve the problem, the issue could be discussed again at a later date.

Chuck Williamson agreed.

Mark Downs motioned to DENY request and recommend stricter enforcement to see if that resolves problem. Jim Lattanzi SECONDED. Motion passed unanimously.

Grove St: Request by residents and school bus driver to paint one side of Grove St. yellow to allow easy access for larger vehicles (buses, emergency vehicles, etc.)

Ludwig Sovastion, resident of 512 Grove St., spoke out that the most important consideration in this issue should be easy access for school buses and emergency vehicles. He explained how the neighborhood has changed during the past few years in that the student population has increased due to several homes being sold and converted into rental units. He said it appears that some of these homes have as many of 6 or 7 people living in them. This has increased the need for on-street parking, and there are many more cars on the street than there used to be.

Jim Lattanzi stated that there could be a code violation if there are that many people living in these houses, but he realizes this is a separate issue.

Mr. Sovastion reiterated the need for safety for school buses and children.

Terry Hough said the street is 20', 6" wide - same as majority of residential streets. With two cars parked across from each other, it would be difficult to get an emergency vehicle through.

She warned that, if the Commission approves this request, it will probably prompt a string of requests to remove parking on many other streets.

Roy Nutter said he is concerned about the bus situation. He feels a solution needs to be found to accommodate easy access for buses, whether it be taking away parking or helping the bus garage find another bus route.

Phil Shuman asked how many driveways there are and said that these usually allow room for pull-offs

Terry Hough said there are driveways, but there is a problem with lack of respect and consideration. She suggested contact the school board/bus garage and find out if this is a permanent bus route. If so, then painting may be justified.

Buffy Vehse asked why residents aren't parking in their driveways, which would remove some of the cars from the street. She also inquired about the responsibility of landlords to provide off-street parking for their tenants.

Terry Hough said many of the homes are older homes that don't have off-street parking.

Jim Lattanzi recommended that this issue be tabled until the school board is contacted.

He motioned to TABLE this request. Motion was seconded by Roy Nutter.

Mr. Sovastion said he does not feel Grove St. is like every other street in Morgantown. He believes there is a unique situation there.

A vote was taken on the motion and it passed unanimously.

Fayette St.: Request by citizen that the lower portion of Fayette St. (between Mountaineer Court and Mode Roman) be designated one-way.

Terry Hough said that residents of Mountaineer Court use this constantly for access. The street is 15', 8" in width, which is sufficient to handle two-way traffic.

Ron Bane made a motion to DENY this request. Motion was seconded by Sharon Semans, and passed unanimously.

North St.: Request that one side of street be painted yellow to prohibit parking. Also, request that "No Parking" signs be posted on the other side of the street where there is no curb.

Katy Gleitzman stated she can understand that something needs to be done on North St.

Terry Hough said she was out there and measured - the section from Short St. to Grove St. is 17', 4"; the section from Jones Ave. to University Ave. is 16'. Some of the residents there were questioned, and they stated that nobody parks there normally - only on football game days.

Jim Lattanzi made a motion to DENY request.

Katy Gleitzman stated that the street is very narrow and the request for no parking is justified.

She feels that if it were painted yellow, that would eliminate parking on football Saturdays.

Terry Hough said there have not been any complaints about North Street until our crews went up and painted the intersections, bringing them into compliance with State code. The person making the request was concerned that since this was done, people would think it is now okay to park there.

John Duarte, resident of 460 Grove St. stated that he is confused about the curb painting policies. He said there is too much inconsistency. He referred to the painting on Virginia Ave. as an example. He said that North street is a connecting street between Willowdale Rd. and University Ave.

Terry Hough said that Virginia Ave. was painted yellow several years ago at the request of the Fire Department because that is a main route for them.

Mr. Duarte said that North St. is also a main route.

Jim Lattanzi stated that if the residents of the area don't have a problem, then he doesn't feel the need for the Commission to take any action.

Terry stated that the request was made by a resident of North St., who made the request after we had painted. If we had not painted, then she would not have made the request.

Katy Gleitzman said she thought the request was reasonable.

Phil Shuman said it should be painted according to administrative policy.

Chuck Williamson said he agrees that North St. is a thoroughfare, but he feels there isn't a parking problem.

Ron Bane expressed concern that we would be sending mixed messages. He feels we should paint to be consistent.

Jim Lattanzi said his street was painted last year, and he wasn't particularly happy about it, but he understood it had to be painted according to code.

Terry Hough stated that she thinks the issue here is whether or not to paint one side yellow regardless of whether or not it has been brought up to code. She said she doesn't feel there should be parking on either side of the street. There isn't a problem now because people are not parking there, but if people do begin parking there, it could become a dangerous situation.

Katy Gleitzman motioned to APPROVE request to paint North Street yellow on both sides.

John Duarte said it is not necessary to have painted lines. A sign could be erected at the beginning of the block and enforced by the Police Department.

Phil Shuman said that signs are often ignored.

Jim Lattanzi asked if there is a curb to paint.

Terry said there is a curb on the north side, but not on the south side, but a line could be painted on the street.

Jim Lattanzi SECONDED motion.

Motion passed 6-1 (Phil Shuman voted NO).

Kirk St.: Request that a crosswalk be installed on the west side of Kirk St. at High St.

Ro Brooks, Director of MAC, stated that she would like some clarification as to whether High St. is maintained by City or State. She indicated that she'd been directed to both and was confused.

She said that on any given day, she and her staff members witness 1-5 cars going the wrong way on High St. after it becomes one-way at intersection of Kirk St., and there have been several accidents. This presents a hazard to pedestrians who are trying to cross the street, thinking cars will automatically turn onto Kirk St. Many are mothers of children attending classes at the MAC. Getting across the street is complicated because the street is an incline, which causes drivers to accelerate. She would like to see a crosswalk installed across High St. from the Appalachian Gallery, and one on Foundry near Genesis Studio.

Terry Hough stated that High Street is a state route. There currently is a crosswalk across Foundry St. to Post Office. She agrees with request for crosswalk at Kirk Street.

Mark Downs made a motion to APPROVE that the City Engineer request the state to install the crosswalk on High at Kirk St.

Phil Shuman asked about the crosswalk on High St. from Foundry to the Appalachian Gallery.

Terry Hough stated that she doesn't see a problem with either of the requests. She suggested placing one on the south side across to the Post Office corner, since the traffic is two-way.

Ro Brooks expressed concern about the postal boxes and the foot traffic to those boxes.

She would be happy with either.

Phil Shuman asked for clarification of motion.

Mark Downs said motion should include crosswalk across High at Kirk St., and that the City Engineer pass on request to the State for two crosswalks on High at City Engineer's direction for specific location.

Ron Bane SECONDED motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Morgan St. at Hoffman: Request for a STOP sign, due to recent traffic accident.

Terry Hough recommended a 2-way STOP sign be installed on Morgan, both directions.

Jim Lattanzi motioned to APPROVE request. Katy Gleitzman SECONDED motion. Motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

John Duarte, 460 Grove St., stated that the Public Works Department should be using technical devices to check these requests and have some professional information to present to the Traffic Commission. He does not feel that going out and looking at the street constitutes scientific testing. He referred to Mr. Lattanzi's comment about parking on both side of the street all over the City. He referred to University Ave./Riverview Dr.. They do not have parking on both sides.

One side is consistently yellow or blue. He says there will be legal consequences if nothing is done about the situation on Grove St. because emergency vehicles cannot get through. He also stated he has not seen anything written regarding speed bumps not being allowed.

Jim Lattanzi said this is not true.

Mr. Duarte asked if there was something in an ordinance. He has not seen anything written. City needs to be consistent.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.