Transportation & Safety Committee

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Monday, April 13, 2015 7:00 PM Village Hall - Village Manager's Conference Rm Transportation & Safety Committee Transportation & Safety Committee Minutes April 13, 2015 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Foltyniewicz at 7:00 p.m. 2.0 Roll Call Present 7 - Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz, John Larkin Jr., John Schwarz, Bob Corbino, Jerry Shaefer, Jennifer Perkins, and John Mullins Absent 2 - Michael Corso, and Gary Cation Staff Present: Matthew Lew, Civil Engineer, Public Works Department Deputy Chief Tom Wirsing, Police Department 3.0 Public Participation Mike Goba, 280 E. Edward Street Mr. Goba explained that he attended a committee meeting two years ago and presented evidence that Pedestrian Crossing signs did not need to be there. He would like the Village to explain why they are still there. From traffic reports, accident reports and traffic analyzer information, the signs are not warranted and are more of nuisance. He further explained that he has had people slam on their brakes because they think its a stop and people come out from Edgewood when it's not their turn because they think its a 3-way stop. Tom Kelly, 131 West Road Mr. Kelly stated that he lives one block west of Grove and every couple years there's a problem at intersection of Grove and Park because of the condos on park doing work. He said he understands that a 4-way stop could not be put in because it's a temporary situation, however, it has happened 8 times in 16 years, so that doesn't seem very temporary. He further stated that all of the neighbors say its a problem. He asked Foltyniewicz for clarification of the comment that was made to him that the Village would assume liability if a 4-way stop was installed. Foltyniewicz explained warrants for stop signs. Mr. Kelly also said that the electric no left turn sign for eastbound Parkside at Grace is barely visible and some people are turning left. Foltyniewicz said the Village will check it. Wirsing added that the Police Department could do some enforcement action as well . Foltyniewicz added that staff can look up the frequency of the parking at Grove and Park and suggested to Mr. Kelly that he have residents Village of Lombard Page 1 Transportation & Safety Committee Minutes April 13, 2015 in the neighborhood sign a petition. Mike Goba added to see the May 2012 minutes to see everything he said at that time. 4.0 Approval of Minutes A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Jerry Schaefer, that the minutes of the January 12, 2015 meeting be approved. The motion carried unanimously. 5.0 Unfinished Business 6.0 New Business 150166 Intersection of Wilson & Edgewood, Pedestrian Crossing Sign A resident request to remove the sign. (DISTRICT #6) Foltyniewicz suggested that Mr. Goba bring a petition to the next meeting. Mr. Goba responded that he does not know how he would do that and he thought the numbers would speak for themselves. Schaefer asked what numbers he was referring to. Mr. Goba explained that when he had attended previously another resident was there because he wanted a 4-way stop installed at Cherry and Wilson, somehow that evolved into this pedestrian sign. There has been only one pedestrian vs. car accident there, and it was because the kid ran into the car. For five years prior to that there have been no incidences. Schaefer explained that there is a high volume of people during a seasonal time frame. The Committee asked the Park District to remind parents to use the parking lots, but if they park on Edgewood we have to get them across safely. There are so many young kids. The signs are just there to do what they say, stop when pedestrians are present. Mr. Goba said that they are there well before its needed and well after. If you're going to keep them up then narrow down the time frame. Schaefer responded that they have done that. Schwarz added that many people do not know the rules of the road, the sign is there as a reminder. However, the pedestrians have a responsibility as well. Foltyniewicz asked for clarification of what Mr. Goba wants, the signs gone or the time frame narrowed. Mr. Goba answered that he wants them gone. Foltyniewicz asked him to explain in three bullet points why he thinks they should be removed. Mr. Goba responded with 1 - there was never time when motorists were allowed to crash into people, 2 - having watched the traffic from being on that field, he has seen how people take that intersection, 3 - regarding head weight of traffic analyzer study, 11 seconds was the shortest amount at peak time. He has seen families go across in 7 seconds. There is enough time for people to cross. Schwarz commented that Village of Lombard Page 2 Transportation & Safety Committee Minutes April 13, 2015 motorists don't stop for stop signs all the time. There are people that are not from this area that come there to play ball. Foltyniewicz explained that if there were crashes, that would be a valid reason to remove them. Lombard has grown, there was not as much traffic before. Staff will do the study and the committee will discuss it more. Mr. Goba asked if the Village could at least move to a regular sign on the side of street. Foltyniewicz asked Mr. Goba to look at it from the committee's perspective, if the sign is removed and then we have a crash or neighbors saying they don't feel safe. 150167 Eastview Terrace, One-Way Traffic Request A resident request to convert Eastview Terrace Circle into a one-way street. (DISTRICT #5) Lew explained that the Village received a request from a resident to make the street one way because of how narrow the street is. The street is a semi-circle that leads into Eastview Terrace, that because of the street width there are some perceived issues that you can't get two cars on it, especially if a vehicle is parked on the street. Wirsing added that the little bit of push back was to poll residents that live there. perkins commented that it seems logical for that to be one way. 150168 Willow Street, Illinois Prairie Path Parking Restriction A resident request to enact parking restrictions. (DISTRICT #1) Lew reviewed the item. The Village Manager received a complaint that commuters are parking in the Prairie Path parking on Willow between Brewster and Edson. People are allegedly parking there at 6 or 7 a.m. and walking to the train station. Foltyniewicz suggested that they could be using the path. Schaefer asked Wirsing if the CSO's ever chalk tires. Wirsing said they typically do not. 7.0 Other Business Foltyniewicz asked the status of the RRFDs. Lew answered that staff is still looking at various grant opportunities. Schaefer asked if the Village could put an emphasis to post items about pedestrian safety on the Village's Facebook page. Lew told the committee that Village has also hired a consultant to prepare a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle master plan to look at better ways to make the Village more bike and pedestrian friendly. Schaefer asked about two trees on Main Street that need to be removed and/or trimmed. Foltyniewicz added that the two trees are just south of the Illinois Prairie Path on either side of Main. One is by Bill's Auto and the other is in front of the salon. The one by the salon is overhanging the street and the one by Bill's is growing into the power lines, but staff told him since the trunk is on private property it is Village of Lombard Page 3 Transportation & Safety Committee Minutes April 13, 2015 a private tree. Perkins commented that she was driving by Eastview Terrace to check the area and stopped to talk to a resident. The resident told her that it's very dark by the circle and maybe needs additional lighting. Schwarz asked if there has been any move to convert any of the incandescent traffic signals. The light at 22nd and Grace Streets is particularly bad. The reds are almost black. Lew answered that it is being discussed. Several were replaced on Westmore last year. Schwarz suggested that it needs at least a couple new lenses for time being. Schaefer asked about the status of the timing of the signals on Roosevelt Road at Main Street and Fairfield Avenue. Schwarz explained that the cycling is the same. It's just that there's not as much traffic the north/south legs so the remaining green goes to the east/west traffic. Foltyniewicz added that he thought because of high crash volume the Village was going to ask IDOT to look at the timing. Lew will contact IDOT. 8.0 Information Only 9.0 Adjournment A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Bob Corbino, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Village of Lombard Page 4