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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-2015 Traffic Safety Minutes MEETING MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY January 21, 2015 10:00 AM D203-EOC (Lower Level Government Center) D203-EOC (Lower Level Government Center) - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Tim Ramberg St. Croix County Highway Commissioner Absent William Peavey St. Croix County County Board Supervisor Present Eric Johnson St. Croix County Law, District Attorney Absent Jeff Klatt St. Croix County Chair Present Brian Erickson St. Croix County Sergeant Present 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 Absent Kristen Sailer St. Croix County Emergency Mangement Coordinator Present Jason Sell St. Croix County Education Absent Stephen Nielsen St. Croix County County Board Supervisor Absent Others present: Todd Rehnelt on behalf of Tim Ramberg; Wisconsin State Troopers Ashley Morales and Brent Johnson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Traffic Safety - Regular Meeting - Oct 15, 2014 10:00 AM Minutes were accepted as presented. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT* BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Traffic Concerns on CTH A Sheriff Shilts received an email from a concerned citizen regarding consistent bad driving behaviors and a request to review the current speed limit on CTH A in between New Richmond and Burkhardt. Todd Rehnelt advised that the speed limit is posted in Burkhardt and Boardman. This stretch of road was discussed at length and it was decided that it appears that "driver behavior" is more of an issue than the speed limit. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. WisDOT 2015 Construction Projects on State Highways in St. Croix County Greg Helgeson informed the committee that there are seven construction projects that will take place in St. Croix County in 2015: 1) CTH T in Hammond, west to CTH B - resurfacing project - April through July; 2) CTH DD to the STH 128 interchange - resurfacing project - July through October; 3) I-94 Deck Sealing project - This will include sealing bridge decks on the interstate; 4) CTH T in Hammond - interchange replacement/reconstruction - Starting in late October 2015 and continuing into 2016; 5) STH 64 (Stillwater Bridge) - new CTH E connection; bridge work may start in February; 6) STH 64/35 in Somerset - traffic signals will be installed and should be in place by July 1, 2015; 7) USH 12 & STH 128 to the county line - resurfacing project (this includes 3-4 miles in St. Croix County. Captain Klatt advised that he has heard some concerns regarding the intersection of CTH T and CTH G. It was noted that the highway department has been looking at this intersection since 2008, and is in the process of trying to secure funding to improve that intersection. There are some improvements that are in the works for the summer of 2015. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. WisDOT 2016-2020 Overview of Planned Construction on State Highways in St. Croix County Greg Helgeson briefly discussed numerous projects that will be taking place in the St. Croix County in the next few years. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Setting Appropriate Speed Limits on Wisconsin's State Highways Greg Helgeson presented the committee with a handout entitled, "Setting Appropriate Speed Limits on Wisconsin's State Highways". This brochure provides some basic information that primarily pertains to two lane highways. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. State Patrol Laws of the Month Dennis Johnson reviewed the State Patrol Laws of the Month that were included in the agenda packet: January 2015 - Move Over Law: Drivers must provide a safety zone for stopped law enforcement and other emergency vehicles. Captain Klatt inquired as to the possibility of more signs being posted, and Greg Helgeson advised that the addition of more signs is currently being discussed. February 2015 - Driving too fast for conditions causes many wintertime crashes. March 2015 - Motorcycle riders are required to have a motorcycle license. Dennis Johnson advised that "riders" actually mean the "drivers/operators" of motorcycles. Legislative Report: Dennis Johnson advised that as part of their biennial budget, the WI DOT is requesting an increased penalty for safety belt violations to a $25 forfeiture. 2015 Grants - Dennis Johnson informed the committee that Glenwood City received a Drunk Driving grant, and Baldwin/Hammond/Woodville all received Click it or ticket grants. Dennis briefed the committee on the State Fatality Report. As of January 21, 2015, there have been 19 fatalities; at this same time last year, there were 20 fatalities. The 5-Year Average is 21 as of Sunday January 18, 2015. He also advised that drunk driving deaths are down 47% since 2003, and injuries are down 57%. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. State Patrol Traffic Report Trooper Erickson introduced two troopers that were in attendance at our meeting, Ashley Morales and Brent Johnson. He also advised that there are three new road troopers and one trooper for the scale that are on field training. After they have completed their field training, sometime in March/April, St. Croix County will once again be fully staffed. Trooper Erickson asked about a possible regrading project in the area of CTH A/CTH E & CTH I, as the surface started breaking down at the beginning of winter and is continuing to disintegrate. Todd Rehnelt advised that the vendors have been brought in to discuss this area and they are looking for possible solutions to the problem. RESULT: DISCUSSED 7. St. Croix County Crash Report/Review Captain Klatt informed the committee that since our last meeting, there have been three fatalities in our county. RESULT: DISCUSSED ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURN - 10:43 AM DATE OF NEXT MEETING APRIL 15, 2015