Traffic Commission Meeting

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, October 14, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Madigan, City Council Member, Ward 6, Chair Craig Shonkwiler, Assistant City Engineer Sylvia Morgan, Deputy Police Chief for Chief Pat Connolly MEMBERS ABSENT: Pat Connolly, Chief of Police OTHERS PRESENT: Spencer Landsman, 312 West Oregon Street John Collins, Operations Manager The meeting began at 4:04 p.m. Additions to the agenda: There were no additions to the agenda. Approval of Minutes: Craig Shonkwiler moved to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2014 meeting. Sylvia Morgan seconded the motion. The Commission voted 3-0 to approve the minutes of the meeting. Public Input Those present wished to speak to the Commission at the time the item was discussed. Unfinished Business Item #1- Discussion of one-way parking at Leal Elementary School. Spencer Landsman discussed the current traffic plan where traffic travelled westbound on Oregon Street between Cedar Street and Birch Street during the time when children arrive for school and when children are dismissed from school.  Traffic Commission Minutes October 2014 Page 2 Craig Shonkwiler mentioned that the plan was approved on a 90-day trial basis in 1997, but an ordinance was never passed to formalize temporary one-way traffic on Oregon Street between Cedar Street and Birch Street. He said that the trial was working and that an ordinance should be passed similar to the one recently approved on Anderson Street for Wiley Elementary School. Spencer Landsman said that he used cones to block the other end of Oregon Street. He mentioned that he was the person who set up the traffic control. John Collins stated that the one-way traffic would be westbound. Craig Shonkwiler said that a temporary barricade was needed at Cedar Street and Oregon Street so traffic was aware of the one-way flow of traffic. Mr. Shonkwiler noted that the time originally approved for one-way traffic varied from the times approved for Wiley Elementary School. He recommended changing the times for one-way traffic at Leal Elementary School so the hours were the same as those for Wiley Elementary School (7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.) As for the location of the signs, he suggested that the Operations Division look at the location and recommend where signage should be located. Michael Madigan agreed that it would be best to have consistent restrictions for both locations. Spencer Landsman asked if a blinking light could be placed at the school to bring attention to the signage. Craig Shonkwiler explained that lights were located at Race Street and Oregon Street and other locations where there were high volumes of traffic. He added that the overuse of flashing lights and other signage could desensitize drivers so traffic control devices were placed at select locations to maximize their effectiveness. Spencer Landsman noted that many of those who have gone against the signage were parents of Leal Elementary School students. Craig Shonkwiler moved to designate Oregon Street between Cedar Street and Birch Street as a temporary one-way westbound street from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday while school was in session. Sylvia Morgan seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0. This item will go to Council for consideration. New Business Item #2- Discussion of by-laws and meeting rules for the Urbana Traffic Commission. Craig Shonkwiler stated that the by-laws were in draft form. He asked that the Commission review them and discuss them at the next meeting.  Traffic Commission Minutes October 2014 Page 3 Sylvia Morgan said that she would like the Police Chief to review the by-laws before approving them. Barb Stiehl explained that the Legal Division recommended that each commission and committee within the City of Urbana adopt by-laws and meeting rules. Ms. Stiehl stated that when the Urbana Traffic Commission was created in 1974, the commission did not have any by- laws. She mentioned that the draft by-laws were revised from those of another community’s traffic commission and that the draft had been reviewed by the Legal Division. Craig Shonkwiler moved to defer these to the next meeting so the members would have an opportunity to review and comment on them. Sylvia Morgan seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0. This item will be on the agenda for the next Traffic Commission meeting. Item #3- Discussion of upcoming meeting dates. Barb Stiehl presented a calendar with the meeting dates for the Urbana Traffic Commission through 2015. She mentioned that the next meeting would fall on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, which would be a City holiday. Discussion followed regarding upcoming topics for the Commission. Craig Shonkwiler moved to cancel the November 11, 2014 meeting since there were no pressing issues to be reviewed. Sylvia Morgan seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0. Notice of the cancellation will be posted. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the Urbana Public Works Department, 706 South Glover Avenue, second floor conference room. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Stiehl Recording Secretary