M I N U T E S

TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2003

6:30 p.m.

Voting Members Present: Graham Kenneweg, Sharon Semans, Don Spencer, Roy Nutter, Ken Martis

Non-Voting Members Present: Ron Eck, Terry Hough, Jeff Thorne

Members Absent: Buffy Vehse, Mark Downs, Phillip Shuman

MATTERS OF BUSINESS: Minutes from the August 6th meeting were approved, with one

correction.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Mission Statement: Request from City Manager, Dan Boroff, that the Traffic Commission develop a Mission Statement.

Don Spencer stated that he devised a Mission Statement, starting with the statement that was presented at last month's meeting. He presented a revised Mission Statement which is divided into three categories: Duties, Mission, and Goals.

Ken Martis said he is pleased to see such words as "planning and greenspace included. He recommended a few additions be made to the Mission statement and the Goals statement.

Don Spencer stated that he felt the need to emphasize "mobility" in a general sense rather than just referring to a "vehicle".

Ron Eck questioned a couple of sentences in the "Duties" section. He said he is concerned that it may imply more than the Traffic Commission can deliver.

Discussion ensued about the Mission Statement that was proposed, additions and changes to be made to it, and whether or not the entire document should be presented to Council as the Mission Statement.

Don Spencer said he feels that the entire document should be submitted to Council.

Ken Martis made a motion to approve the Mission Statement, with requested changes, and that it be re-typed and submitted to the City Manager by the deadline of October 1, 2003. A copy of the revised document will also be included in the October meeting packet. Don Spencer seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

OTHER UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Maple Avenue: Request for part of Maple Avenue to be designated as one-way.

Terry Hough stated that this request was on the August agenda, but was denied due to lack of information. An e-mail was received from Councilor Byrne too late for this to be officially placed back on the agenda for the September meeting, but he is requesting that the Traffic Commission re-evaluate this request.

Don Spencer said he had also corresponded with Councilor Byrne via e-mail and also spoke with a resident. The resident indicated he would be making a more specific request to the Traffic Commission, and he recommended that we wait until we get this request before placing it back on the agenda for consideration. The Commission members agreed. No action taken.

Intersection of Eureka Dr. & Morgan St.: Request from Councilman Frank Scafella that a STOP sign be installed at this intersection.

Terry Hough said her understanding is that the STOP sign is being requested to be placed on the side of Eureka coming from Center St. toward Morgan St.

Roy Nutter said he visited the area and noticed a site problem due to a bush growing at the edge of the road which makes it necessary to pull almost all the way into the intersection to see. He asked about the street right-of-way and whether or not the bush could be removed.

Don Spencer said he spoke with the property owner of house with the bush. He recommended that the word "STOP" and a stop bar be painted on the street as an alternative to a STOP sign.

Ron Eck said that is not allowed. Stop bars are painted only where signs are placed, as an added

warning measure. They are never used alone due to lack of visibility during snow, etc.

Terry Hough asked Jeff Thorne if he had any accident data available for this intersection.

He answered that he did not, but he could collect it, if necessary.

Roy Nutter said he would like to see what could be done about removing or trimming back the bush first.

Graham Kenneweg commented that traffic is light in this area.

Don Spencer said he spoke with Frank Scafella and he said that the problem isn't the amount of traffic so much as the speed at which they travel. It is used as a shortcut to/from Willowdale Rd.

Ken Martis suggested tabling this issue until we can get more information and talk more in-depth with Councilor Scafella.

Jeff Thorne said he could get accident data for the next meeting and have the area monitored more closely in the near future.

Ken Martis made a motion to TABLE this request. Graham Kenneweg seconded. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Roy Nutter also asked the City Engineer to check the right-of-way in regards to the bush.

Terry said she would check it and get Code Enforcement involved, if necessary.

Wilson Circle/Southview St.: Request from Councilman Don Spencer that a STOP sign be installed at this intersection.

Don Spencer stated that Southview is used as a shortcut and traffic moves quickly. A resident he spoke with said that in the winter people have run into her hedge because they are going too fast around the turn. From the feedback he received, it seems like most residents are in favor of the STOP sign request.

Ron Eck said he lives in the area and agreed that it is used as a shortcut.

Roy Nutter said he observed the area on a Sunday afternnon and said that he noticed drivers were ignoring the STOP sign at Wilson Circle and Aspen Street.

Terry commented that a "T" intersection requires the driver to stop whether there is a sign or not.

She agreed that drivers don't pay attention to STOP sign and feels that installing too many signs builds up a disregard for STOP signs altogether. She reminded the Commission that STOP signs are not intended for speed control.

Ken Martis said he feels the request is justified. He made a motion to APPROVE the request. Roy Nutter seconded. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Willey St. @ Price St.: Request from Councilman Don Spencer that the left turn onto Price St. from Willey be prohibited.

Don Spencer said that the real problem here is the backup that occurs on Spruce Street. He feels that much of the reason that a traffic backup occurs on Spruce and Willey is that people are waiting to make the left turn onto Price.

Graham Kenneweg agreed that this is a problem.

Roy Nutter asked if Willey Street is wide enough to install a turning lane.

Terry Hough said since Willey is a state route, we could ask for their recommendation and added that Price Street is a main access to University High School.

Roy Nutter asked about the possibility of making Price St. a one-way street. He doesn't feel it serves any purpose being two-way.

Ron Eck said the state will perform traffic counts, too.

Don Spencer said it sometimes takes a long time to get the results from traffic counts. He feels something needs to be done soon. He made a motion to ask City staff to work with the State to explore the feasibility of implementing a left turn system in the vicinity of Prospect Street. Ken Martis seconded. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

COMMISSION COMMENTS:

Graham Kenneweg asked about the status of the parking situation on McCullough Avenue.

Terry said that Council passed the first reading for the permit parking. An ordinance needs to be written and it will go before Council for second reading.

Roy Nutter asked for an update on Willowdale Road.

Terry explained that preliminary designs have been done consisting of two (2) options:

1. The installation of traffic islands/bulb-outs at sides of roadway that will reduce the traffic lane to approximately 9' in width. The idea behind this is that it forces traffic to meander, causing them to slow down.

2. The installation of traffic islands in the center of the roadway reducing the traffic lane to approximately 9' in width.

Between the islands on both options, the center line will be wider than the 6" standard.

She said these options will be presented to the City Manager and Council for consideration at a Committe of the Whole meeting in September.

Don Spencer said that he feels there should be some sort of neighborhood meeting in order to get residents input before making a decision.

Graham Kenneweg commented that his brother resides in Fredericksburg, VA, and upon a recent visit, he discovered that they are using traffic islands as a means to slow traffic, and it seems to be working. He also said he feels that the residents of Willowdale will be receptive to trying almost anything at this point.

Terry Hough said that a study of Beechurst Avenue had been done and presented to the M.P.O.

Don Spencer said he attended the recent M.P.O. meeting and said the study covers a basic plan with several options. The M.P.O will make a decision on which options seem best and will need to get public input. The next M.P.O. meeting is scheduled for the 18th of September.

Don Spencer asked if a traffic study or anymore investigation had been done on Riverview Dr.

Terry answered that a study hadn't been done yet, but it will be eventually, depending upon time and priorities.

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.