HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-2012 TRAFFIC COMMISSIONCaldwell Traffic Commission (TC) Minutes
Sept 4, 2012 10:15 a.m.
Present: Brent Orton, Brian Billingsley, Chief Wendelsdorf, Gordon Reed, Robb MacDonald,
Chief Allgood Secretary Tamera Frans
Old Business
NONE
New Business
Request a Cross Walk — Vallivue to Vallivue Heights sub — Sarah Biggers
As her Senior Project, Sarah Biggers is requesting a cross walk be placed mid -block on
Homedale Road in front of Vallivue High School connecting to the subdivision Vallivue
Heights across the street. Per Sarah's email, there is a cross walk at the corner, but kids
don't want to walk to the corner when they can short cut across Homedale Road.
Traffic Commissions concern is that the installation of cross -walks at uncontrolled
intersections can create unrealistic presumptions of safety in the minds of children.
Though not comfortable with the idea, Engineering will perform a "Wheeled &
Pedestrian" study of the area
Action: Robb MacDonald will ask Engineering to perform a Traffic Warrant Study at
that location. Correspondence will be sent to Sarah explaining the out comen of the TC.
2. Request Stop Signs at Noah Way & Abraham, Faith Landing — Multiple Tenants
TC received the above request from, originally Megan Wheeler, Property Manager at
Faith Landing Apartments followed by multiple letters of support from tenants. Tenants
would like to see 1 or more Stop signs at the intersection at Abraham Way and Noah
Ct. /Dr. or at least a crosswalk where cars are required to stop if someone is in the cross
walk. Children are dropped off from school at Abraham Way and many have to cross the
street at Noah.
Chief Allgood had Officer Jake Simon # 186 visit and speak with Pam Conant. Officer
Simon's Recommendation:
Yield Sian Although State Law has a provision for uncontrolled "T" intersections, I
believe Pam is correct in that drivers may get confused and think there is a 4 -way
intersection due to the location of the parking lot on the north side of Noah/Abraham. A
yield sign on northbound Abraham at Noah should alleviate any confusion. I don't
believe there is enough traffic at the intersection to warrant the use of a stop sign at the
location. See map attached.
Crosswalks The intersection of Noah/Abraham is a main hub for pedestrian traffic for
the apartment complex due to the mailboxes being located on the SW corner, the main
complex office on the SE corner, as well as the playground, pool, and basketball court on
the SE corner. Currently there are two unmarked crosswalks running north/south on
either side of Abraham allowing pedestrians to cross Noah. Marked crosswalks at the
intersection of Noah/Abraham should alleviate the problem and help with an
investigation/prosecution in the event a vehicle vs. pedestrian 10 -50 should occur. A
marked crosswalk allowing pedestrians to cross Abraham at Noah (or just south of at the
mailboxes and general office) may be a good addition, however, I am not sure of the
difficulty to change the sidewalk curbs to allow for the addition of a marked crosswalk at
the location.
Speeding Vehicles Use the radar trailer to increase driver awareness of the limit of 20
mph. Then use focused enforcement for drivers who still violate the 20 mph speed limit.
Included was a map with the proposed marked crosswalks on Noah as well as the
location of the proposed yield sign.
Action: Revisit the request at the October meeting. Correspondence will be sent to Ms.
Megan Wheeler, Property Manager at Faith Landing Apartments.
Request attention to issues at Montana & Ustick Rd. (Kelly Hoffman)
Kelly Hoffman writes "In the afternoon hours from about 3:30 to about 4:00pm there is
traffic backed from Ustick to almost Vallivue High School. This is when speeding, not
stopping for school buses, and a traffic jam happens because of all the buses leaving the
high school and the kids are getting out of school. I'm requesting that the mayor try to
navigate this road and intersection during the afternoon listed hours during school. Not
when there is no school."
The above intersection has been researched and there has been an Engineering study and
a Speed Study performed. Results indicate there is congestion at that intersection at
certain times of the day/ year. To provide improvement options at that intersection the
City needs 45' to 50' of ROW from the centerline on Montana Ave. Anne Marie Skinner
will be asked to contact the property owners and see if they are willing to provide the
ROW needed to make the improvements on Montana Ave. to the City.
Action: Anne Marie wil contact the Piolot's. Correspondence will be sent to Ms.
Hoffman informing her of the results from the meeting.
4. Request attention to Speeders on Polk Street. ( Karrie McCutchen)
Karrie writes " I am very concerned about the speed of which traffic travels down Polk at
any given time, day or night traveling in excess of 35 to 40 mph. I am writing to you
today to find out what I need to do to either have a "slow children at play" sign put up or
better yet a speed limit enforcement officer to monitor the traffic on Polk. My ultimate
request would be a speed dip put in the road.
The City received and reviewed Karrie's request for `Children at Play' signs on Polk
Avenue. The City sign policy is if she would like to purchase the signs the City will
provide the labor to install them. The applicant is responsible for payment prior to signs
being ordered and is also responsible for obtaining and providing written permission from
each property owner of all locations sign/s are designated to be placed. Signs are
approximately $80.00 each. Speed bumps/ dips not allowed within the City limits
because they interfere with responding emergency vehicles i.e. fire, ambulance, etc.
Increased patrols have been requested for the area.
Action: Correspondence will be sent to Ms. McCutchen informing her of the
determinations of the Traffic Commission.
Resource/ Weather Pending Business
Heritage Charter School "School Zone" and restriping of road for left turn ian.e.
Currently on hold in order to complete other pressing projects
1. New HAWK crosswalk on 10 Ave at Elgin. Removal of existing crosswalks in front of
Paul's Market and at Freeport Street.
Brent will review plans and schedule construction time
2. Homedale and Indiana Avenue intersection — Roundabout/ re- design.
Reflective material was installed on signage by Street Dept. Robb looked into the cost of
flashing lights with solar and the cost is approximately $9K for 4 lights. Robb will have staff
research power availability at the location and the cost of non -solar lights.
3. Marble Front/ Illinois crosswalk relocation
Manpower issue to begin project