Public Works, Sewer and Water

CITY OF VERONA MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER COMMITTEE MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017 1. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Touchett at 5:04pm. 2. Roll Call: Present: Evan Touchett, Mac McGilvray, Luke Diaz. Also present: Theran Jacobson, Director of Public Works; Jeff Mikorski, City Administrator; Katherine Holt, Planning Assistant; Jon Hochkammer, Mayor; Jeff Montpas, AECOM; Jess Billmeyer, AECOM; Hans Justeson, JSD; Jim Bricker, JSD; George Schultz, SRF; Roger Solberg, Cleary Building Corp.; Tim Breunig, Coating Place; Noah Roberts, VASD Board; Meredith Stier Christensen, VASD Board; Tom Duerst, VASD Board; Dean Gorrell, VASD Superintendent. 3. MOVED by McGilvray, seconded by Diaz, to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2017 meeting of the Public Works/Sewer and Water Committee. Motion carried 3-0. 4. Public Comments regarding Traffic Impact Analysis for West Side Collector Road between Paoli Street and West Verona Ave. Roger Solberg, Cleary: • The three current options are not acceptable to Cleary. • Safety concerns with high school kids driving cars that are competing with industrial trucks and semis. • Worried about theft and vandalism from increased traffic near business property. • Thinks a direct access road off of the highway is a better idea. • Would like to see more alternatives, including a Nine Mound Road access point. • Noted Cleary would like more advance notice of meetings. Tim Breunig, Coating Place: • Coating Place has grown from 30 to 220 employees and has expansion plans to add an additional 40-50 employees, which they’ve shared with the city and school district. • The 500’ access break on Paoli St is acceptable to them but anything further north would interfere in expansion plans and be objectionable. • Coating Place has approved plans for labs that need contiguous parcels, they cannot move the production facilities because of emission control systems and laws regarding them. • Wonders if the sliver of Coating Place property through Stewarts Woods could be used to create a peel-off from US 18/151. Public Comments ended at 5:15pm Mayor Hochkammer: • Heard from Cleary that they felt the notice was short, and that Cleary is opposed to anything through their property. • The City and WisDOT do not support the 500’ break in access control. Additional Discussion: Theran Jacobson presented opening statements. Mr. Billmeyer and Mr. Jacobson presented alternative options and issues with current proposed option in Traffic Impact Analysis prepared by JSD and SRF. Jess Billmeyer, AECOM interchange planner: • Long-term project, road will only be built once, the high school will be around 50+ years. • WisDOT owns any break in access control on Paoli Street and any plans including it would need to be approved by them. • West End access and West Verona access would not involve WisDOT. • Wausau High School is an example of issues/problems: o High School has very short peak times o Traffic signaling and queueing on highway difficult to get correct • Reviewed pros and cons of all three current Alternatives. Theran Jacobson, Director of Public Works: • Noted that WisDOT has ultimate control along Paoli Street within the access control limits from the southbound ramps of USH 18 / 151. Mac McGilvray: • Points out that Public Works is not driving the planning, but rather coordinating amongst the involved parties. • He would not support the 500’ break in access control on Paoli Street. • Wonders what would happen to W. Verona Ave if traffic was off-loaded. • Has concern for property owners but urges the need to look at the big picture. Hans Justeson, JSD: • Gave Jacobson packet containing examples within the state of 500’ access control breaks at end of public works meeting. • Status of high school field schematic designs. • Internal circulation plans are evolving but are dependent on Paoli construction. Evan Touchett: • Recommends businesses record specifics of concerns on letterhead. • Wants to look at N. Nine Mound option. • Wonders if US18/151 can hook to school. • Notes that it is not possible to please all parties. Luke Diaz: • Wonders if single access only would work. • Feels anything affecting business owners is a non-starter. • Will not support an option that requires eminent domain to acquire land from an active business. General discussion involved possible conflicts with Epic traffic, peak times for High School traffic, and the need for more alternatives. The School District and their consultants will setup a meeting with Staff to discuss the Traffic Impact Analysis. 5. MOVED by Touchett, seconded by Diaz, to adjourn at 6:45pm. Motion carried 3-0. Evan Touchett Chairperson