TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MEETING ON

October 30^th, 2007

Commission members & staff present:

Kie Cottam, Beau Horn,

Shawn Irvine, Carl Nightengale,

Vern Wells

Absent: Terry Allen, Tim Hinds, Lonnie Sanner

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Approved as written.

VISITOR BUSINESS:

Robert Dorothy, of Corvallis couldn’t attend. See new business #4 for the subject.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. The speed reduction study for N. Main Street was completed by ODOT, and they concluded that a speed change isn’t necessary until the North Main Phase II project is complete, or the soccer fields are installed. We should ask for a new study after any major change.

No further action.

2. Intersection visibility problem at G and 7^th Streets. See new business #1.

3. The ACTS Traffic Safety mini-grant was approved for 2008. The grant will be used for seat belt, bicycle helmet, and other enforcement needs, and for a Safe Routes to Schools director. We were awarded nearly $5,000.

4. The no parking signs for Monmouth Street between 3^rd and 8^th are on the way. ODOT requires proof of liability insurance before installing them.

5. Stryker Road and N. Main/Rte 51 intersection needs widening, which will be done by adding additional culvert piping in the ditch and covering with fill, which will widen the gravel shoulder and widen the turning area for large trucks. (Two truck trailers have dropped into the ditch since the new road surfacing has been completed).

6. There is a complaint of large trucks using Gun Club Road which is currently signed “No Trucks”.

Discussion: If Gun Club isn’t available for trucks, they have to use Main Street or 16^th Street. Neither sounds like a good option.

The No Truck signs on Gun Club Road are there from the old bridge that had a weight limit – the new bridge can accommodate trucks.

The bridge at one point was narrow and pedestrians used to have to share the lane but now they are protected by a barrier.

Decision: There was a unanimous decision to recommend removing the No Trucks signs on Gun Club Rd. and its approaches.

7. Talmadge Road striping south of Monmouth Street is now complete.

No further action.

8. Barriers have been requested by the property owners on Main Street in front of the Dusty Spur.

A plan agreeable to the building owners, the lessee of the store, and the City Community Development Director has been developed.

This plan is now on the City Manager’s desk awaiting a decision on how much, if any, the City will fund.

9. Visibility problems have been reported at the intersection of Polk Street and Main in both directions. The view obstruction occurs when looking south, if a vehicle is parked there, and looking North because of an advertisement sign at Kwik Stop Market.

Decision: Yellow curb striping will be done on Main Street in front of Lee Gardens to prevent vehicles from parking there.

The Community Service Officer has checked the cigarette sign placement at the store and advises that it meets all legal requirements. No further action at this time.

10. There is a continuing complaint from the same person about the vehicles that park in front of the service station on Monmouth Street and 2^nd. The concern is a view obstruction looking east from 2^nd Street.

Decision: There is only one person that complains.

Reducing or eliminating parking spaces in the downtown core is a poor option.

No further action.

11. Adding members to this committee is still awaiting work by Vern Wells to propose new wording for City Council review on the ordinance establishing our commission.

Tabled pending further action.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. There is a request for the intersection at S. 7^th and G Streets go from a two to 4 way stop.

Discussion: All agree that the area would feel better with a four way stop.

Signs were approved for recommendation.

2. Resident request for CHILDREN AT PLAY signs at both ends of Hemlock Loop.

Discussion: Our commission has historically not approved these requests due to the overwhelming number of requests we receive. The city couldn’t justify adding this type of sign for everyone requesting them, because they would be everywhere and would thus lose any effectiveness that they may have.

3. Resident complaint of speeders coming to and from the movie theater.

Additional enforcement will be requested. The Police Chief will handle this action.

4. Resident request for NO ENGINE BRAKING signs on Stryker Rd. and also requested that the signs on Rte 51 indicating detour via Stryker be removed.

The signs indicating the detour are gone.

Carl will find out how often "jake-braking" happens on this street and at which end it is occurring.

We may need to study all large truck routes for Independence, including 16^th Street, Gun Club Road, Stryker Road, Main St., and Monmouth St., and the routes to businesses in the city.

5. City parking violation fine amounts appear to be very low. Carl will review what fines other cities charge and we’ll review at the next meeting.

6. Complaints of vehicles turning east from 2^nd Street onto the one-way portion of C Street.

Discussion: There are enough signs and arrows indicating no turn there.

No further action.

7. On Main Street, vehicles traveling south bound sometimes miss the Salem bridge turn, which cause them to make U-turns after they miss the bridge. The City Public Works will put up signs that show SALEM, with a directional arrow, on Main St. preceding the bridge.

8. A crosswalk has been added in front of Colonia Amistad, the new farm worker housing apartment complex on Gun Club Road. This crosswalk is in mid block so will be more difficult for drivers. Signs have been erected near the crosswalk warning of its presence. Kie will try to figure out a way to put flashing lights on the signs that do not disturb local residents.

Discussion: Should this be a School Zone? It does not meet the state requirements of abutting a school ground, so it can not be designated a School Zone. It could be designated School Crossing but there is little added benefit to that over what is already being planned.

NEXT MEETING:

<< JANUARY 9^th, 2008