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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2013 Traffic Safety Minutes MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY October 16, 2013 10:00 AM Sheriff Office Training Room 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Highway Commissioner Excused Brian Hurtgen St. Croix County County Board Supervisor Excused William Peavey St. Croix County County Board Supervisor Present Eric Johnson St. Croix County Law, District Attorney Excused Jeff Klatt St. Croix County Chair Present Brian Erickson St. Croix County Sergeant Excused Dennis Johnson St. Croix County Regional Program Manager Present Greg Helgeson St. Croix County Traffic Safety Engineer Present Matt Melby St. Croix County Medical Services Present Kristen Sailer St. Croix County Emergency Mangement Coordinator Present Jeff Frenette St. Croix County Captain Excused Jason Sell St. Croix Education Present County Others present: Jeff Durkee (on behalf of Tim Ramberg), Trooper Rob Unruh (on behalf of Sergeant Brian Erickson), and County Board Chair Daryl Standafer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. July 17, 2013 10:00 AM MOTION was made by William Peavey to appro ve the minutes; seconded by Greg Helgeson. Motion carried. No negative note. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT* None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Status Update on active STH Construction Projects USH 63 Project (north of Baldwin to the Polk County line). Greg advis ed that they are still working on the roundabout at the 4 corners, and he anticipates that this project will be completed within the next couple of weeks. I-94 @ STH 64 (Roberts) - Most of the work on I-94 is complete; there is still some work left on the bridge area, and he anticipates that this project will also be completed within the next couple of weeks. STH 35/Radio Road - Work on the 2 multi-lane roundabouts is still taking place, they have made good progress on this project. He anticipates that t his project will be completed by the Summer of 2014. 2. Discussion of Operation @ USH 12/STH 65 Roundabouts built in 2012 USH 12 & STH 65 - Greg advised that it was brought to his attention that there have been complaints received regarding this intersection; however, he did not have any specific details. He asked the committee if anyone had received any complaints. Committee members advised that they had not. Greg will report back and advise that no complaints have been received by our committee. 3. Additional Meeting Documents Dennis Johnson handed out an invitation to the Marshfield Clinic ~ Parents & Community Presentation on Synthetic Drugs and Other Emerging Drugs of Abuse, as well as the 2014 Traffic Safety Commission Meetings calendar. 4. RR Crossing Malfunctions - USH 12 & CTH U RR Crossing Malfunctions - USH 12 & CTH U - Jeff advised that he received a phone call from Heather Gray, from the Office of the Commissioner of Rail Road, asking if SCC had had any other incidents of the crossing arms sticking. Jeff informed her that we had another incident just two days prior to receiving her phone call. Heather informed Jeff that she will follow-up with Union Pacific. 5. STH 35/64 @ Main Street - Houlton STH 35/64 @ Main Street - Houlton - Kelli Calleja advised that she had received an e- mail from a concerned citizen, regarding the number of accidents / near miss accidents that take place on the stretch of highway on STH 35/64 from CTH E to Triangle Drive. Kelli reported to the committee that since February 2012 through September 2013, there have been 15 accidents; 9 property damage crashes; 5 personal injury crashes; & 1 fatality. A discussion amongst committee members ensued. It was discussed that the new freeway will bypass Houlton; therefore, when the new bridge is complete, the volume of traffic going through the Houlton area will significantly decrease. Greg advised that when he returns to his office, he will run some statistical reports for the past 3 to 5 years, and determine the number of acc idents, etc. to see if there is a need for changes. 6. Traffic Concerns at the Intersection of 143rd Avenue & CTH I Traffic Concerns at the Intersection of 143rd Avenue & CTH I - Jeff addressed an e-mail that was received from a concerned citizen, regarding the passing zone at this intersection. Jeff Klatt & Jeff Durkee informed the committee that this problem was addressed immediately by the sheriff’s office and the highway department, and the no passing zone was extended. The citizen has been advised of the changes that were made and he is satisfied with those changes. 7. River Bridge Funding There was a very brief discussion on this item. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE FATALITY REPORT Captain Klatt informed the committee that St. Croix County has had 2 fatalities since our last meeting, bringing our total to 8 thus far in 2013. Dennis Johnson advised there have been 426 fatalities in the state of Wisconsin as of October 16, 2013. The Year to Date at this same time for 2012 was 504. The 5 -Year Average is 455 as of Sunday, October 13, 2013. Dennis informed the committee that there is an upcoming Parents & Community Presentation that is being put on by the Marshfield Clinic. It is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at t he Menomonie Middle School, 920 21st Street SE, in Menomonie. They will be discussing synthetic drugs and other emerging drugs of abuse. This will be presented by Bryan Kastelic, Special Agent, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. Dennis advised that there is discussion taking place about possibly raising the speed limit up to 70 MPH on the interstate. There was a brief discussion and it was noted that surrounding states already have the 70 MPH speed limit in place. Dennis informed the committee that he will have more information at our next meeting regarding discussions that are taking place on toughening up on the OWI laws and about kids misrepresenting their age (showing fake ID's) in bars. There is a possibility tha t bars may be able to sue the kids and possibly their parents for misrepresentation, which could result in up to a $1000 fine. William Peavey asked about the status of the Husbandry Law, "Implements of Husbandry". Dennis advised that there are pending re visions of our agriculture laws, and there are public hearings being held around the state on this issue. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.