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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Safety Commission 07-16-08 f NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION July 16, 2008, 10: 00 A.M. Training Room — St. Croix County Sheriff's Office CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING DATE OF NEXT MEETING — Oct 15, 2008 OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. 11- minute video about roundabouts. 2. Hwy 35 / Cty E parking concerns ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) ** Additions /Changes /Corrections St. Croix County Traffic Safety Commission Minutes St. Croix County Traffic Safety Commission meeting was held on July 16, 2008, in Sheriff's Office training room of the Government Center in Hudson starting at 10:10 A.M. Present were: Cpt. Scott Knudson, Dennis Johnson, Sgt. Brian Erickson, Chuck Mehls, Miles Wittig, Tim Ramberg, Greg Helgeson, Jeff Kern and Marion Standaert. Meeting was called to order by chairman Knudson. Chairman Knudson asked everyone to take a look at the minutes and then asked if there were any corrections to be made. No corrections were brought up. Motion was made to adopt the April 16th minutes, seconded and approved. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Helgeson stated that he submitted the proposals to Madison for the five projects which include the intersections of Hwy 65 and Cty TT, the 2 on Hwy 12, Hwy 65 and Cty G, and Hwy 35 and Cty V. If these proposals are approved they would not be built for at least two years. He also let us know that the Village of Roberts is helping to fund the intersection on Cty TT. Mr. Ramberg informed us that the County is partnering up with the State to get the projects within the corridor done. Mr. Wittig reminded us that they are still pushing for mile marker signs from New Richmond to Somerset. He stated that the fire chief also wants these signs. Mr. Ramberg brought up the idea that putting up "This road is " signs on the overpasses instead of mile markers to help people that do not know where they are. Mr. Helgeson stated that Chairman Knudson just gave him a letter from the Sheriff stating that he would also like the mile marker signs put up. Sgt. Erickson inquired as to where the signs would start and Mr. Helgeson said they would start west of the 4 -lane and go to the first intersection of New Richmond. The signs would not travel through the city of New Richmond. NEW BUSINESS Under new business Mr. Helgeson reminded us that they are planning a rounda- bout at 4 corners (Hwy 63/64/46) which is scheduled for 2011 barring any delays. They are also planning to have round -a -bouts at the new interchange just north of River Falls at Radio Road. Mr. Helgeson explained there is always some initial resistance, but usually because people are not properly informed on round - a- bouts. 1 Mr. Helgeson stated that he sent the Village of Roberts board an Internet link to his round -a -bout video and one member stated that after watching the video he now supports round -a- bouts. Roberts will support the round -a -bouts with a vote of 4 -3. Mr. Helgeson then passed out a new brochure on round -a -bouts and we then watched his round -a -bout video. Mr. Helgeson informed us that the Hanley round -a -bout was built before the start of current signing, which he believes is some of the problem with the Hanley round -a -bout. He stated that the other problem with Hanley is that the truck apron is too abrupt. Another design problem that the State has corrected. People must also realize that they are not to pass or ride along side of a semi. Round -a -bouts are designed for the semi to take up both lanes when traveling them. Mr. Wittig stated that he thought a large concern with the round -a -bouts would be to make sure that they have arrows on the ground that you can see at all times. He then stated that he is still worried about the public buying land that should be used for the future Roberts bypass. Mr. Helgeson stated that the land is "mapped" and is not sold to the public. Mr. Kern stated that the Village is in charge of the "mapping" and they have been working with them through the entire process. Mr. Helgeson informed us that St. Joseph Township wants to have signage on Hwy 35 and Cty E prohibiting parking and wanted to know if there are any issues there. Sgt. Erickson stated that he researched this and there was ever only one complaint in that area on a foggy night. Mr. Helgeson then stated that it would be their position that they would not issue signs for that area. Mr. Ramberg will be sending a note to St. Joseph Township informing them of the decision. Chairman Knutson informed the committee of the traffic fatality that occurred on May 28. The driver who died was not wearing his seatbelt and his passenger who survived was. He stated that St. Croix County has been lucky so far and we only have 3 traffic fatalities so far. Unknown if this is due to the increased patrol from incoming grant monies. Mr. Johnson stated that Wisconsin in general has 88 fewer traffic fatalities so far this year compared to 2007. So far in 2008 Wisconsin is at 285 traffic fatalities. The five year average for this time of year is 393. The final report on traffic fatalities for 2007 is 737 fatalities from 655 crashes. Mr. Johnson advised the committee that Act 68 was signed, which adds the "Move Over Law" to driver's ed classes has been passed. The cell phone bill and the seatbelt bill both fell through. The law of the month for May was drivers must yield to pedestrians. It should also be known that you are not allowed to pass or overtake a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian. 2 The law of the month for June is to save money by slowing down. It is estimated that for every 5 mph over 60 mph adds an extra $0.20 per gallon. Most big rigs have slowed down to 60 mph. The July law of the month is that traffic fines double in work zones whether there are workers out or not. Mr. Johnson then handed us a flyer "Kids, Cars & Heat" reminding people not to leave kids or animals in cars for even the shortest period of time. Mr. Johnson then informed the group that the Governors Conference will be held August 20- 21 at the Ho -Chunk Casino and he can get anyone registration information if they are interested. Mr. Ramberg stated that the County has been working with the City on the school project that they have out on Cty F and Coulee Trail. They wanted and paid for a tunnel so the school kids are not crossing the road, so the County built them one. Now they want to lower the speed in front of the school from 45 mph to 35 mph. The concession that was made is that they are paying for the flashing lights on a sign stating "35 mph when lights flashing" and will turn them on twice a day during school. The City of Hudson has the jurisdiction to enforce that area so the Sheriff's Office can ignore the issue or enforce it, which ever they choose. Mr. Ramberg also wanted us to know that there has been an issue regarding hybrid vehicles and first responders getting electric shocks from them. Apparently every hybrid has a certain process to shut them down so that they won't take off on you and you won't get a shock. You can even tell that the vehicle is a hybrid from a distance due to the vents in the back for the batteries. Mr. Ramberg had a speaker on the issue and will bring the packet to the next meeting. Mr. Mehls has an issue with the bicycle path on Cty K going east out of New Richmond and east of 1 St Street. Not everyone is using the bike path and he would like to see signs stating "Bike & pedestrian traffic must use bike path." Mr. Ramberg told him he would need to start with the City and they would ask for the signage. Mr. Mehls also had an issue with the visibility at the intersection of 140 and 168 Street. There is a slight hill and people have to move forward too much in order to check for traffic. Mr. Ramberg referred him to start at the Township level. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Marion Standaert 3