Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 4 December 19, 2022 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY DECEMBER 19, 2022 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:05 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Commissioner Stephen Hennessey Lieutenant John Shanahan MEMBERS ABSENT: Fire Chief Joseph Fahd City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary Councilperson Bill McCarthy Denise Rosetti Sherry Manafo Debra Lackmann Steve Lackmann NEW BUSINESS CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 21, 2022 MEETING Chairman Johnston asked if there were any comments, questions or concerns regarding the minutes as published. As there were no questions, concerns or comments, Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF ALL WAY SIGNS AT THE PARK AVENUE AND BRIDGE AVENUE INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this intersection is a three-way, all way stop intersection. MUTCD details that All Way signs are required at intersections that are controlled by Stop signs in every direction. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install the All Way signs in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request to install All Way signs at the Bridge & Park Avenues intersection in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A STOP SIGN ON MAIDEN LANE AT THE ORCHARD STREET INTERSECTION  Page 2 of 4 December 19, 2022 This request was submitted by Councilperson Bill Smith on behalf of resident Sean Van Sleet. Mr. Van Sleet is concerned that vehicles are not stopping or yielding at this intersection. Chairman Johnston stated that the MUTCD states that at an intersection, a Stop sign should be placed on the lesser important road, with a main road, where application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law. In this case, the Stop sign, if approved, should be placed on Maiden Lane at the Orchard Street intersection. The normal right-of-way rule at intersections, that have no regulatory control signs, is such that the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle already in the intersection. However, MUTCD also states that at intersections where a full stop is not necessary at all times, consideration should first be given to using less restrictive measures such as a Yield sign. Though not meeting the minimum sight distance required by MUTCD, the sight distance is unimpeded to the northern intersection of Church Street. There was discussion amongst the Members on which traffic device, if any, was appropriate since there are minimal houses and traffic on and exiting Maiden Lane. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request for a Yield sign on Maiden Lane at the Orchard Street intersection in accordance with Attachment “B.1” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE REMOVAL OF A HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT 93 HUDSON AVENUE This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this sign was originally approved for Irene Giammatei and it has been confirmed that Mrs. Giammatei is now deceased. His recommendation was to remove the sign in accordance with Attachment “C” to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request to remove the Residential Handicap Parking sign from 93 Hudson Avenue. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS REVIEW OF DECISION TO MAKE IMPERIAL AVENUE ONE-WAY BETWEEN COLUMBIA STREET AND YOUNGLOVE AVENUE  Page 3 of 4 December 19, 2022 This request was submitted by Lieutenant John Shanahan and Keith Lettrick. They are requesting that Imperial Avenue be made one-way between Columbia Street and Younglove Avenue. This request was originally on the November 21st agenda and was ultimately approved by the Commission to make Imperial Avenue one-way southbound. Mayor Keeler has requested that we review our decision and to allow additional public input. Chairman Johnston opened the floor to public comment at 3:10 PM. Denise Rosetti was concerned about the lack of snow and ice control on Imperial Avenue and was adamant that Imperial Avenue is currently neglected during the winter months and it should be the first, priority one, street addressed because of its steepness. Commissioner Hennessey stated that there is a truck dedicated to the “hill” streets in the city and Imperial Avenue was one of the first streets plowed and salted. There was additional debate about the City’s snow and ice procedures and operations. John Shanahan explained that Imperial Avenue was made one-way because of the steepness, lack of parking, the lack of sight distance and the narrowness more so than because of snow and ice control. Ms. Rosetti stated that the situation was exacerbated this summer when traffic was diverted from Columbia Street onto Imperial Avenue because of the construction. Steve Lackmann stated that he has lived in Cohoes for years and that he thought snow and ice control on all city streets was satisfactory and had no complaints about Imperial Avenue snow and ice control. Mr. Lackmann felt that he thought part of the traffic problem was generated by the flaggers for the Columbia street construction who were directing traffic to use Imperial Avenue. He also questioned what happened to the No Parking Here To Corner signs that use to be on Columbia Street at the intersection. He felt that it was best to have Imperial Avenue traffic be two-way. Chairman Johnston stated that he had verified with the City Clerk that there were No Parking signs both on Columbia Street and Imperial Avenue and that they will be re- installed as time permits There was much discussion about the geometrics and grades of Imperial Avenue and the impact that the Columbia Street construction had on the traffic on Imperial Avenue.  Page 4 of 4 December 19, 2022 Sherry Manafo also expressed concern about the lack of snow and ice control on Imperial Avenue and the dangerous conditions that are created when the road is not maintained in the winter. Councilperson McCarthy stated that in his experience with DPW, that Imperial Avenue was always one of the first hills to be salted. However, as the weather changes, the salt washes away and the street requires re-salting. He stated that a truck cannot be on call there all the time. Commissioner Hennessey stated that he will increase the frequency of salting on the street. Chairman Johnston closed the floor to public comment at 3:25 PM. Chairman Johnston stated that they had received approximately six e-mails regarding the subject and that half were in favor of making the street one-way and half were opposed to making it one way. Based on all the aforementioned information, Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to rescind Regulation 46-2022 that approved making Imperial Avenue one-way south. Accordingly, Imperial Avenue will remain two-way. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve rescinding Regulation 46-2022 Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Since there was no further business on the agenda, Chairman Johnston stated that the next meeting of the Traffic Commission would be on January 23, 2023 at 3 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:29 PM.