Citizens Traffic Committee

Engineering Division 203 S. Troy Street Royal Oak, MI 48067 Citizens Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes September 29, 2020 A regular meeting of the Royal Oak Citizens Traffic Committee was held remotely on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, broadcasted from city hall, 203 S. Troy Street, Royal Oak. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Godek at 7:01 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present Also Present Dan Godek, Chairperson Holly Donoghue, P.E., City Engineer Amanda Morris-Smith Stephen Pernal, P.E., Civil Engineer III Mark Steiner Jennifer Caudill, Municipal Clerk III Thomas Allen Andrew Kowalkowski Absent Blaine Tillander (alternate) Richard Karlowski Belem Morales 3. Approval of Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes of May 26, 2020 Moved by: Thomas Allen Supported by: Amanda Morris-Smith Motion adopted unanimously 4. Public Comment Zoom moderator, Carol Schwanger, played five comments that were received for the committee. Each commenter spoke regarding Agenda Item 6J. Four persons were opposed to the staff recommendation, and one person was for the recommendation. 5. Rescheduled Items/Old Business None 6. Business Items Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8 6.A. Request to install ‘No Trucks’ and ‘No Thru Traffic’ signs on Oakmount Street between Hawthorn Avenue and Forest Avenue A request was received from Dawn Hart, who resides on Forest Avenue, to install ‘No Trucks’ and ‘No Thru traffic’ signs on Oakmount Street between Hawthorn Avenue and Forest Avenue. She states cars, and especially delivery trucks, are using this road as a cut-thru causing it to deteriorate prematurely and be filled with potholes. This makes it difficult to navigate the road to her garage, with the road being in terrible condition. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue.  Sergio Bartakian spoke regarding the condition of the road and the continual dust that is create due to cut-thru traffic. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends denying the request for ‘No Thru Traffic’ and ‘No Trucks’ signs. Moved by: Amanda Morris-Smith Supported by: Andrew Kowalkowski Motion adopted YAYS – Amanda Morris-Smith, Andrew Kowalkowski, Blaine Tillander, Mark Steiner NAYS – Thomas Allen 6.B. Request to remove ‘Stop’ signs on Leafdale Boulevard at Parmenter Boulevard A request was received by Gilles Teste of International Manufacturing and Assembly (IMA) on Torquay Avenue to remove the ‘Stop’ signs on Leafdale Boulevard at Parmenter Boulevard. He states the intersection is currently a 4-way stop, which seems unnecessary due to the dead end of Parmenter Boulevard shortly to the east of the intersection and the minimal traffic on Parmenter Boulevard. He states the existing ‘Stop’ signs on Parmenter Boulevard should provide sufficient traffic control and the 4-way stop is unwarranted. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue. No one came forward. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends denying the request and maintaining the existing stop signs at the intersection of Leafdale Boulevard and Parmenter Boulevard. Moved by: Andrew Kowalkowski Supported by: Amanda Morris-Smith Motion adopted unanimously Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8 6.C. Request to install “Stop” signs on Chambers Street at Curry Avenue A request was received from Joseph Labataille, who resides on Frederick Street, to install ‘Stop’ signs on Chambers Street at Curry Avenue, making it a 4-way stop. He states the lack of ‘Stop’ sign on the less-trafficked cross street, Chambers Street, is not intuitive and leads to many “near-miss” accidents. He also states the intersection is setup to favor walking children, but Whittier Elementary no longer exists in this neighborhood. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue.  Joseph Labataille spoke regarding the site distance issues when approaching the intersection on Curry Avenue.  Member Amanda Morris-Smith also spoke regarding the site distance issues at this intersection. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends approving the request to install stop signs on Chambers Street at Curry Avenue, creating a 4-way stop. Moved by: Amanda Morris-Smith Supported by: Andrew Kowalkowski Motion adopted YAYS – Amanda Morris-Smith, Andrew Kowalkowski, Blaine Tillander, Mark Steiner NAYS – Thomas Allen 6.D. Request to establish Permit Parking Zone on the south side of Nakota Road between Woodward Avenue and Cooper Avenue A request was received from Mary Beth Harrison, who resides on Cooper Avenue, to establish a Permit Parking Zone on the south side of Nakota Road between Woodward Avenue and Cooper Avenue. She is dealing with Woodward Avenue business patrons and employees as well as Dream Cruise attendees parking in her driveway and using all the on-street parking adjacent to her home. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue. No one came forward. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends approving the request to install ‘Permit Parking Only, $50 Fine, 8AM – 9PM’ signage on Nakota Road adjacent to 4261 Cooper Avenue. Moved by: Mark Steiner Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 Supported by: Amanda Morris-Smith Motion adopted unanimously 6.E. Request to install ‘No Thru Traffic’ signs and speed bumps on W. Ninth Street between Woodward Avenue and S Lafayette Avenue A request was received from Kelsey Fox, who resides on W. Ninth Street, to install ‘No Thru Traffic’ signs and speed bumps on her street between Woodward Avenue and S Lafayette Avenue. She states vehicles are speeding excessively down her street coming and going from downtown and there has also been an incident of a driver crashing into a parked car. There are 14 children on her block, and she is concerned for their safety and the other residents’. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue. No one came forward. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends denying the request to install ‘No Thru Traffic’ signs and speed bumps on W. Ninth Street. Moved by: Blaine Tillander Supported by: Andrew Kowalkowski Motion adopted unanimously 6.F. Request to install speed bumps on Royal Avenue between Main Street and Crooks Road A request was received from Elizabeth Riggan, who resides on Royal Avenue, to install speed bumps on Royal Avenue between N. Main Street and Crooks Road (four blocks). She states in the year she has lived on Royal she has seen cars, large trucks and delivery vehicles speeding down her street at an alarming rate. She states many residents have children, are walking pets or spending time outside and she is concerned for the safety of her neighbors. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue.  Elizabeth Riggan spoke regarding her concerns with speeding vehicles. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends denying the request for speed bumps on Royal Avenue. Moved by: Mark Steiner Supported by: Thomas Allen Motion adopted unanimously Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 6.G. Request to evaluate Benjamin Avenue between 13 Mile Road and Normandy Road for speeding and traffic volume issues A request was received from Aida Xhelilaj of Starr Road to review speeding concerns on Benjamin Avenue between 13 Mile Road and Normandy Road. She states increased cut thru traffic has occurred due to the Normandy Oaks development and has witnessed multiple vehicles traveling over 40 miles per hour (MPH) causing safety concerns for herself and her neighbors. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue. No one came forward. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends installing two speed limit signs on Benjamin Avenue on either side of the CN Railroad viaduct; directing DPS to trim tree branches obstructing the existing speed limit signs on Benjamin Avenue; and consider traffic calming installations for the scheduled 2024 roadwork project. Moved by: Blaine Tillander Supported by: Mark Steiner Motion adopted unanimously 6.H. Request to install speed bumps or supplemental signage on Kenwood Avenue between E. Fourth Street and E. Sixth Street A request was received from Denise Wiles, who resides on S. Kenwood Avenue, to install traffic control countermeasures on the block of S. Kenwood Avenue between E. Sixth Street and E. Fourth Street. She states that traffic volumes have increased in recent memory, and many vehicles are speeding through this roadway segment. She states several children live on this block and is concerned for their welfare from this traffic. She is requesting either installing speed limit signs, children at play signs, or a speed bump. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue.  Denise Wiles spoke regarding her concerns. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends denying the request for additional traffic control measures on S. Kenwood Avenue. Moved by: Amanda Morris-Smith Supported by: Blaine Tillander Motion adopted unanimously Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 6.I. Request to install a signal right turn arrow globe for southbound S. Campbell Road at E. Fourth Street. A request was received from John Humphrey, who resides on Cherokee Avenue, to make traffic light modifications on S. Campbell Road at E. Fourth Street. With the road diet south of E. Fourth Street, the requestor observed drivers ignore the existing merge signing and striping and continue straight through the intersection, causing a potential for accidents. He is pursuing the possibility of changing the traffic signal from a solid green to a green right arrow, and/or adding flashing beacons to the lane drop signage to better alert drivers in merging. The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue.  John Humphrey submitted a comment via email which was read aloud to the committee by Jennifer Caudill. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends installing an additional R3-8TR sign and skipped pavement markings for southbound S. Campbell Road, north of E. Fourth Street between the thru lane and turn lane as shown on the provided Exhibit A. Exhibit A – Proposed additional traffic controls on S. Campbell Road, north of E. Fourth Street Moved by: Andrew Kowalkowski Supported by: Thomas Allen Motion adopted unanimously 6.J Request to remove No Parking signs on the north side of Merrill Avenue between Coolidge Highway and Woodward Avenue A request was received from Joe Carter of Merrill Avenue regarding speeding and parking concerns on Merrill Avenue. After notifying him that “no turn” signs during certain hours and/or speed bumps would require petition circulation, he modified his request to eliminate the “no parking” signs on the north side of Merrill Avenue from Woodward Avenue to Coolidge. He states that parking on both sides of Merrill will help slow down traffic and also provide a place for apartment residents to park during snow plowing of their parking lots and for apartment visitors. Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 The findings of the Staff Traffic Committee were presented by Holly J. Donoghue, P.E. Mr. Godek opened the floor to those interested in speaking on this issue.  Six comments were received via email and read aloud by Jennifer Caudill, the emails are included in the attached packet. All commenters were opposed to the removal of the ‘No Parking’ signs due to site distance concerns when exiting their driveways  As noted under Item 4, the city received public comment via voicemail for five persons. Four persons were opposed to the removal of the ‘No Parking’ signs and one person was in support. Mr. Kowalkowski noted that the most commenters were concerned about the volume and speed of traffic on Merrill in combination with removal of the signs. He noted that the intent of allowing parking on the street will help to slow traffic and potentially discourage cut-through traffic. The Citizens Traffic Committee recommends removing the existing ‘No Parking’ signs on the north side of Merrill Avenue between Woodward Avenue and Coolidge Highway, to install ‘No Parking’ signs on the north side of Merrill Avenue from Coolidge Highway to 100 feet east and from Woodward Avenue to 100 feet west, and to install additional signage as needed to ensure appropriate site distance for exiting the driveways on the north side of Merrill Avenue. Moved by: Andrew Kowalkowski Supported by: Blaine Tillander Motion adopted YAYS – Andrew Kowalkowski, Blaine Tillander, Mark Steiner, Thomas Allen NAYS – Amanda Morris-Smith 7. Information Only Items Chairperson Godek informed viewers the traffic committee recommendations would go before the city commission at the October 12, 2020 meeting and encouraged residents to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting regarding their concerns. 8. Adjourn Upon the motion of Thomas Allen, seconded by Amanda Morris-Smith, and adopted unanimously, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Cc: Traffic Committee Members, Inc. Ex-Officio Members: Citizens Traffic Committee September 30, 2020 September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8 Shelly Kamp, Chamber of Commerce Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Royal Oak School Superintendent Candi Drouillard, PTA Council President Corrigan O’Donoghue, Police Chief Lieutenant Chris Annetta Dave Cummins, Fire Chief Tim Thwing, Director of Community Development Greg Rassel, Director of Recreation and Public Services 6A. Dawn Hart 6B. Gilles Teste 6C. Joseph Labataille 6D. Mary Beth Harrison 6E. Kelsey Fox 6F. Elizabeth Riggan 6G. Aida Xhelilaj 6H. Denise Wiles 6I. John Humphrey 6J. Joe Carter