HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Safety Commission 10-21-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
ST. CROIX COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
October 21, 2009, 10:00 A.M.
Training Room — St. Croix County Sheriffs Office
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. Hwy 64, new 55 MPH transition speed limit, New Richmond
2. Hwy 64, Dynamic Speed Display sign, New Richmond
3. Hwy 65 roundabouts - project update
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 October 21, 2009, in
Sheriff's Office training room of the Government Center in Hudson starting at 10:02
A.M.
Present were: Cpt. Scott Knudson, Inspector Josh Maurer, Doris Peterson, Miles Wittig,
Trooper Robert Unruh, Greg Helgeson, Dennis Johnson, Tim Ramberg, and Marion
Standaert.
Meeting was called to order by chairman Knudson. Tim Ramberg had previously
contacted Marion Standaert and had made corrections to page 2. New minutes had
been passed out. Motion was made by Tim Ramberg to adopt the revised July 15
minutes, seconded by Greg Helgeson. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Greg Helgeson gave us an update on the new 55 mph transition speed limit on Hwy 64
in New Richmond which has been implemented. The transition happens west of Cty K,
not east of it like what had previously been discussed. Mr. Helgeson also discussed
that WI DOT has granted approval for New Richmond to put in a dynamic speed sign on
Hwy 64 which will be located half way between Cty K and Cty CC. It will state "45 mph
speed limit" on the top and have "Your speed is " on the bottom.
Mr. Helgeson gave us an update on the round -a -bouts that are planned for Hwy 65 for
2012. He has met with local officials and received positive feedback. Mr. Helgeson
stated they are looking at reconstructing the 1 -94 / Hwy 64 interchange by putting in a
round -a -bout. There will be a public meeting in late November, early December on the
matter.
Tim Ramberg stated he had some questions from people wondering how large semis
will get onto Hwy 65 once the traffic signals are gone. They are worried that the round -
a -bout will not slow down traffic enough to let them have enough time to get out onto the
road. Mr. Helgeson stated they would probably keep a bypass lane for southbound
Hwy 65 traffic going right onto westbound 1 -94 so the semis don't get stuck in the round -
a -bout. Inspector Josh Maurer stated that the weight limit has been lowered on the St.
Croix Bridge for westbound traffic, so the semis have had to go eastbound and then
take Hwy 8 to get into Minnesota.
Dennis Johnson informed us that the daily fatality rate is at 429 which is down 11 % from
last years 443. Unfortunately St. Croix County is at 12 and our average is only 13. Mr.
Johnson then told us of a bill that will start next June requiring mandatory car insurance.
There will be up to a $500 fine for not having insurance, $10 fine for not having proof of
insurance on you, and up to a $5,000 fine for fraudulent insurance documents.
Mr. Johnson stated the Laws of the Month for August was the "Wear your safety belt or
risk being stopped," as primary safety belt enforcement is now the law. September's
law was "Vehicles must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights." There was
discussion that you must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its lights flashing and
stop arm out unless you are on the opposite side of a divided highway. October's Law
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of the Month is "Slower traffic keep right: Drivers must allow faster traffic to pass in the
left lane on divided highways." Mr. Johnson also wanted to remind us that October and
November are high risk months for car /deer crashes.
Mr. Johnson stated that the County has received a grant for 2010 for $25,000 for
alcohol enforcement. Roberts has won a non - funded equipment grant for $4,000. St.
Croix County is eligible for the 1 -94 corridor grant for $20,000 and the Underage
Drinking Coalition grant has been applied for. Mr. Johnson also passed out information
on County Traffic Safety Commissions and told of their site at www.wihsca.org Mr.
Johnson then passed out the schedule for 2010.
Cpt. Knudson informed the committee of the 2 fatalities the County has had since our
last meeting in July:
-100 Avenue east of Hwy 128, 34 yr old male passenger in a vehicle that rolled
was ejected. Seatbelt was not worn and it is unknown if alcohol was involved.
-220 Street and 170 Avenue, 65 yr old male failed to stop at the stop sign and
struck a westbound vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting, and was seconded. Motion carried. The
meeting was adjourned at 10:51 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Marion Standaert
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