Traffic Commission Meeting

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, May 12, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Madigan, City Council Member, Ward 6, Chair Craig Shonkwiler, Assistant City Engineer Pat Connolly, Police Chief MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Hatch, 115 North Neil Street, Champaign The meeting began at 4:00 p.m. Additions to the agenda: There were no additions to the agenda. Approval of Minutes: Michael Madigan asked that language be included in the minutes for the April 14th meeting to reflect that Assistant Chief of Police Sylvia Morgan attended the meeting as a proxy for Police Chief Pat Connolly. Craig Shonkwiler moved to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2015 meeting as amended. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The Commission voted 3-0 to approve the minutes of the April meeting. Public Input Those wishing to provide input preferred to do so at the time the topic was discussed. New Business Item #1- Discussion of the installation of on-street accessible parking at 602 West Green Street. Craig Shonkwiler explained that in preparation for implementing the MCORE project, Public Works staff had met with Mr. Hatch and members of the First Presbyterian Church in addition to others along the Green Street corridor between Race Street and Wright Street to discuss the project’s plans for the removal of on-street parking and installation of bicycle lanes. He mentioned that during the discussions with the First Presbyterian Church members, they had requested interim on-street accessible parking until a more permanent solution could be made as part of the MCORE project. He said that the City and the church would have to work out the details, which might include a pull-off in front of the church. Mr. Shonkwiler recommended adding two on- street accessible parking spaces while construction was occurring on Green Street. He stated that at present there was a loading zone for 15 minute loading on Sundays between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Traffic Commission Minutes May 2015 Page 2 There were currently two parking stalls between the loading zone and Orchard Street and four additional spaces on the other side of the loading zone. Bill Hatch, representative of the First Presbyterian Church, requested the two accessible parking spaces to the east of the loading zone for the church for the next three years while the MCORE project was underway. Michael Madigan asked if a curb cut and a ramp would be included as part of the MCORE project. Craig Shonkwiler stated that if the spaces on the west side of the loading zone were requested to be changed to handicap stalls, a curb cut would be required resulting in a more costly solution for the temporary accessible parking. Mr. Shonkwiler stated that accessibility regulations would require the addition of a curb cut and accessible aisle. He added that a permanent solution would be included in the design for the MCORE project along the section of Green Street in front of the church. He stated that if only two accessible spaces were to be added during the construction of Green Street, those parking in the spaces would be able to use the current accessible ramp at the corner of Green Street and Orchard Street with additional signage for accessible parking. Michael Madigan stated that if two spaces could be added and access could be made using the existing ramp, along with the addition of signage, then there would be no cost to the church; but if more spaces were added, there would be additional cost for the church for the temporary accessible parking solution. Mr. Hatch stated that the church would rather not have the expense of building an accessible curb ramp until the MCORE project was completed with a permanent solution. He stated that the church would be willing to pay for the permanent parking solution. Craig Shonkwiler said that the City would work out cost details with the church at the time that the MCORE project was being designed. Pat Connolly moved to approve the installation of two accessible parking spaces at the First Presbyterian Church located at 602 West Green Street for a temporary on-street parking solution until the MCORE project was completed. Craig Shonkwiler seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0. This motion does not require Council approval. Unfinished Business Item #2- Discussion of the removal of on-street accessible parking at 1208 East Green Street. Craig Shonkwiler discussed that the resident who had requested accessible on-street parking at 1208 East Green Street (northwest corner of Green Street and Glover Avenue) no longer lived there and that the current resident did not require the accessible parking on the street. Pat Connolly moved to remove the on-street accessible parking space at 1208 East Green Street.  Traffic Commission Minutes May 2015 Page 3 Craig Shonkwiler seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0. This motion does not require Council approval. Item #3- Discussion of the removal of a Disabled Child at Play sign at 2704 Landis Farm Road. Craig Shonkwiler explained that the resident who originally had requested the signage contacted the Public Works Department asking that the warning sign be removed since the child was now an adult. He mentioned that currently the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) did not allow the warning sign, Disabled Child at Play. Craig Shonkwiler moved to remove the Disabled Child at Play sign at 2704 Landis Farm Road. Pay Connolly seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0. This item does not require Council action. Upcoming items were discussed. With no other business at hand, the meeting was adjourned at 4:18 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 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