Traffic Commission

Minutes Traffic Commission Meeting Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Voting Members Present: Paul Steel, Chris Gluck, Martin Dombrowski, Matthew Cross, Chip Wamsley, Erica Hetzel, Kyle Haugh, Frances Brownfield Non-Voting Members Present: Capt. Matt McCabe, Damien Davis Members Absent: Ryan Wallace, William Blosser, Andrea Dekeseredy MATTER OF BUSINESS: Chris Gluck called the Traffic Commission Meeting to Order 6:30pm and held roll call. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Tom Chandler, 599 Sunny Brook Rd, requested the traffic commission to reestablish the parking on 8th Street. As the property owner of 605 8th Street it would be beneficial to have additional parking on 8th Street for the tenants of that property. Although there are three off street parking spaces available for the tenants to use, the building is rented to six tenants and the off-street parking is insufficient. Mr. Chandler has looked into expanding the off-street parking but has found that it is not possible due to the boundaries and geography of the property. Discussion ensued. MEETING MINUTES: None BICYCLE BOARD: Chip Wamsley reviewed the Bicycle Boards report. Mr. Wamsley proposed a new member for the Bicycle Board; Ryan Leery, 7th Ward. Traffic Commission voted to approve this member. This was not specifically on the agenda and should not have been voted on. The approval will be on the next Traffic Commission Agenda for a formal vote. Mr. Wamsley reported on the future plans for the Bicycle Board; Safety Fair, Annual Bicycle Rodeo, and continuing educations. There are weekly rides available to the community, Bike Month is May, there will be a couple of “Bike to Work” Days during that month as well. Discussion ensued. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY BOARD: Matt Cross reported on the history of the intersection where a pedestrian was hit recently and reinforced any safety measures pedestrians can take to prevent pedestrian vehicle accidents. Matt Cross also reinforced education on signalized crosswalks for both pedestrians and motorists to learn how the different signals work. The crossings are Concurrent Crossing and Exclusive Crossing, on Channel 15 there is a segment that runs explaining how the different crossings work and also on YouTube you can search City of Morgantown Pedestrian Board for a video. Mr. Cross reviewed the TAP Grant application possibilities, the Pedestrian Safety Plan, and traffic studies. Discussion ensued. Mr. Cross also proposed two new members to the Pedestrian Safety Board; Penny Kostka (4th Ward) and Janet Fraser (At-Large). Chris Gluck moved to approve the appointment of Penny Kostka (4th Ward) and Janet Fraser (At-Large). Paul Steel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Matt Cross presented the Traffic Commission with a change to the Procedural Guidelines; “all ex-officio representatives will be considered non-voting members”. Martin Dombrowski moved to approve Procedural Guideline change; “all ex-officio representatives will be considered non-voting members”. Kyle Haugh seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion ensued. TRAFFIC CALMING REPORT: None MONTHLY UPDATES: 1. Deckers Creek Pedestrian Bridge – has begun, Cleared out area and drilled holes. 2. Paving Project to come out soon, Dynatest did assessment. There will be some tweaking to combine all sections of one road instead of sectioning it out over several years. 3. MPO/City Sidewalk data collection – there is a meeting to discuss the information we are going to collect, how are we going to do it. Two or three two man teams to walk the sidewalks and make assessments. We are also looking at funding options. 4. WVDOH Downtown signals – currently done preliminary work on 5 intersections. Currently at Pleasant and High. Once preliminary work is completed the next phase will begin. Discussion ensued. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Procedures for Traffic Commission – Chris Gluck to set up meeting to try to implement these procedures. 2. Baldwin Street – Damien Davis stated that once the weather breaks we will schedule this traffic study. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request to reestablish parking along 8th Street – Damien Davis gave background on 8th Street Parking. City removed parking for University Beverly and Third Intersection project. It was never re-installed because individuals preferred the no parking on 8th street. Permit parking was installed on 8th Street above Grant Avenue. Discussion ensued. Traffic Commission members requested City Engineer Damien Davis design a plan that includes parking lines, center lines and curb lines to bring in front of the Traffic Commission at the March 7, 2018 meeting for a final decision. 2. Request from G&G Rentals for 2 on-street parking spaces and a loading zone related to proposed neighborhood grocery store located at 356 Kingwood Street. – Damien Davis read a letter from G&G Rentals requesting designated parking for the store. (attached) Damien Davis also read letters from residents regarding the parking request. (attached) Damien spoke about the parking on Green Street, Green Arch Market, there are three spaces that are designated as 2 hour business parking from 8:00am to 7:00am. Alpha Engineering loading zone 6:00am to 2:00pm on Prairie Avenue, is actually for the Board of Education. Gene Beer Garden has a loading zone from 9:00am to 11:00am. After preforming some research on the parking spaces on Green Street and finding no process  telling us how those parking spaces were established Damien Davis Spoke with former Assistant Public Works Director Bill Rumble. Mr. Rumble indicated that the parking spaces on Green Street were brought before the Traffic Commission in the early 90’s under Stryker’s Upholstery request. Damien Davis only received the parking information about Prairie Avenue and Gene’s Beer Garden until earlier today and could not research those parking spaces. Green Arch Market does not have any Off-Street Parking available to it, Alpha Associates, Board of Education and Gene’s Beer Distributing have off Street parking available. Damien Davis reviewed the drawing given to the Traffic Commission to show existing and requested conditions. (attached). Damien Stated that the most appropriate area for the loading zone would be Location # 2 on the Map (between two driveways) and to limit the time that loading/unloading is allowed. The permit parking that is in the Greenmont/Southpark Neighborhood is on Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 7:00pm so after 7:00pm it is all Public Parking (open to anyone to park), on Fridays restrictions end at 6:00pm. Discussion ensued. Erica Hetzel moved to grant the loading zone on Kingwood Street pending the applicant define what times applicant wants for the loading zone and no on street parking spaces. Matt Cross asked if the Traffic Commission needs to come up with any limitation on the duration. Erica Hetzel suggested three hours. Paul Steel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Discussion on Draft Traffic Calming Manual – Damien Davis reviewed the Draft Traffic Calming Manual (attached). Discussion ensued. Traffic Commission requested Damien Davis make some changes based on the discussion and bring the Draft Traffic Calming Manual with changes before the Traffic Commission at next meeting. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Traffic Commission members discussed requesting a WVDOH representative attend the Traffic Commission meetings periodically. Damien Davis reviewed several of the WVDOH projects that will be started in and around the City in the near future. Traffic Commission members discussed Pedestrian Safety in and around the City and at major intersections. ADJOURNMENT: Paul Steel moved to adjourn meeting. Matt Cross seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 p.m.