Traffic Commission

The City of Morgantown 389 Spruce Street Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 (304) 284-7412 Fax: (304) 284-7409 www.morgantownwv.gov Traffic Commission August 5, 2020 Traffic Commission Minutes Matt Cross – Introduction Role Call – Matt Cross Frances Brownfield, First Ward Samuel Zizzi, Second Ward Saba Ashfaq, Fourth Ward Danielle Trumble, Fifth Ward Martin Dombrowski, Seventh Ward William Blosser, Planning Commission Chip Wamsley, Bicycle Board Drew Gatlin, City Staff Engineer Public Comment – Amy Hessel, 997 Grand Street, spoke about traffic calming options on Grand Street and through upper South Park. She described the problems the neighborhood faces with traffic on an almost daily basis and the lack of proper signage. Discussion ensued. Further discussion to take place during agenda item number one under unfinished business. Tiff, 330 Ross Street, new to the area she spoke about speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic issues the neighborhood faces. Discussion ensued. Further discussion to take place during agenda item number one under unfinished business. Matt Cross moved on to the approval of the July meeting minutes. Chip Walmsley moved to approve the minutes. Martin Dombrowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Bike Board – Chip Wamsley The board discussed the bicycle parking down in the newly open amphitheater area, specifically at the bathrooms. It's kind of tight down there with trying to get the bicycle parking where doesn't impede with things. A lot of different ideas were batted around, Drew G. was doing some survey of some of the sites trying to figure out if any of these were actually going to be workable. Th Board also talked about doing some art, bicycle racks and maybe doing a competition among local artists. The Board actually found out that one of the sculpture professors at WVU is wanting to work with doing bicycle racks that are art as one of the projects for some of his students. The Board is hoping to get in touch with him and come up with some standards, so they know what really makes a good bicycle rack. Pedestrian Board – Matt Cross Pedestrian Board Members did voice support for the theme crosswalk that was passed by the Traffic Commission. The Board did talk more about the enabled activity loops that'll be ongoing. The Board will have a report from Drew coming up in the agenda. Unfinished business Ross/Grand Traffic Calming Study - Drew Gatlin – The City initiated the first traffic study in July of 2019. Drew reviewed what the Engineering Department had learned and expressed the importance of reported any and all crashes that occurred in an area, stating that all of the reports go into the data that helps us make decisions on Traffic Calming decisions. The suggestion for the area that the Engineering Department came up with is to narrow the lanes. Drew stated that narrowing the lanes physically or perceptually will cause drivers to slow down and drive with greater caution. The plan for narrowing the lanes is to create a parking lane and travel lanes by painting stripes on the roadway. Another part of the plan is to install curb extensions. Discussion ensued. Matt Cross requested Sam and Amy to reach out about a gateway sign and also stated that Drew G. would do what he could to initiate some of the physical features to deter speeding. Reginal bike/ped plan – next steps Drew Gatlin reviewed the email that separated the City controlled part of the plan from the State controlled parts. He stated that the Engineering Department is trying to prioritize the City controlled recommendations and will be installing the crosswalks with some of our other projects. Discussion ensued. Morgantown Healthy Streets - Drew G. reviewed what information the City had on surveys and interviews concerning the Healthy Street Initiative. He stated that the only negative feedback he had received on Wagner Road was that people questioned the City’s choice of street. Citizens suggested that perhaps the City should focus its efforts for this project on streets that have less formal pedestrian infrastructure in place. Discussion ensued. Drew elaborated on his roll out plan for the Healthy Streets. The Commissioners agreed with his plan. Discussion ensued. New Business None Citizen Requests None Commissioner Comments Frances Brownfield moved to adjourn. Sam Zizzi Seconded. Motion passed.