Traffic Commission Meeting

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, August 13, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Smith, Senior Civil Engineer Pat Connolly, Police Chief MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Madigan, City Council Member, Ward 6, Chair OTHERS PRESENT: Gerald Barrett, 1608 Adams Street Craig Shonkwiler, Senior Civil Engineer John Collins, Operations Manager Tonja Henze, 406 East High Street Beth Beaty, Finance Supervisor The meeting began at 4:05 p.m. Pat Connolly chaired the meeting in Mr. Madigan’s absence. Additions to the agenda: There were no additions to the agenda. Approval of Minutes: Joe Smith moved to approve the minutes as read. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The Commission voted 2-0 to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2013 meeting. Public Input Gerald Barrett discussed concerns about an increase in pedestrian traffic since the completion of the multi-purpose pathway. He added that many cars use Fairlawn Drive as a cut-through to go between James Cherry Drive and Philo Road. He requested the installation of stop signs to control traffic at the intersection of Fairlawn Drive and Adams Street. Unfinished Business Item #1- Discussion of parking restrictions on High Street between Urbana Avenue and Maple Street. Barb Stiehl discussed that the Traffic Commission had approved a temporary removal of parking restrictions on High Street between Urbana Avenue and Maple Street. She added that the restrictions were originally added when the US Post Office and other businesses were located nearby and the street was congested with employees parking there. Ms. Stiehl mentioned that the temporary restrictions were for a 90-day period, which had expired. Joe Smith moved to remove the parking restrictions on High Street between Urbana Avenue and Maple Street.  Traffic Commission Minutes August 2013 Page 2 Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0. This item will go to City Council for consideration. Tonja Henze arrived after the item was approved, but she wanted to let the Traffic Commission know that she was in favor of the removal of the parking restrictions. New Business Item #2- Discussion of pedestrian crossing on Fairlawn Drive at the intersection with the Lanore-Adams multi-purpose pathway. Joe Smith said that he would set the traffic counters in the area and conduct a speed study with possibly camera to record video of traffic. Pat Connolly explained that stop signs could not be installed without meeting the warrants established by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). He said that the Police Department would monitor speeding in the area. Chief Connolly recommended that this item be discussed again in October. Joe Smith said that he would set up the counters for three days and compare the results with those from 2003. John Collins said that the Operations Division would update the pedestrian warning signs in that area. Joe Smith mentioned that crosswalks could not be installed since there were no sidewalks to connect at that location. Item #3- Discussion of parking restrictions in the 200 block of North Mathews Avenue in the University High School (1212 West Springfield Avenue). Beth Beaty stated that parking violations were handled on a complaint basis. She mentioned that she had discussed this with representatives from the school and that they were not in favor of installing signage or calling to report violators. The Traffic Commission asked that no action be taken on this item.  Traffic Commission Minutes August 2013 Page 3 The Traffic Commission voted to move the meeting date for the September meeting from September 3rd to September 10th. The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. The next meeting will be held on September 10, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Urbana City Building, 400 South Vine Street, second floor conference room. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Stiehl Recording Secretary