TSC minutes: May 2009
City of Lawrence
Traffic Safety Commission
May 4, 2009 Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Heckler, Chair; Jim Woods, Vice-Chair; Scott Criqui; Robert Hagen; Dan Harden; Ken Miller; Jason Novotny; Robin Smith; and John Ziegelmeyer, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Hagen; Ken Miller; and Jason Novotny
STAFF PRESENT: David Woosley, Public Works Department
Chair Richard Heckler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, City Hall, 6 E. 6th Street.
ITEM NO. 1:
Review and approve the minutes of the Traffic Safety Commission meeting, April 6, 2009.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WOODS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 6, 2009; THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1 (Harden).
ITEM NO. 2:
Consider request to establish STOP signs or SPEED HUMPS on New Hampshire Street at 20th Street, 21st Street and 22nd Street.
David Woosley presented the information provided in the staff report.
Public comment:
None.
Commissioner Harden asked if all criteria had to be met; Woosley advised that only one of the criteria had to be met to consider traffic calming.
Commissioner Woods felt that two of the three crashes should not qualify; Woosley advised that the crashes did not meet the criteria, however, the existing speeds did.
Commissioner Ziegelmeyer noted that if a traffic calming project is approved, once it is funded, city staff meets with the neighborhood to determine what type and location of traffic calming devices to use.
Commissioner Smith noted that he had an issue with traffic calming devices installed that prevent drivers from driving the legal speed limit.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WOODS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ZIEGELMEYER, TO RECOMMEND DENYING THE REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS ON NEW HAMPSHIRE STREET AT 20TH STREET, 21ST STREET AND 22ND STREET; THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HARDEN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ZIEGELMEYER, TO RECOMMEND APPROVING THE REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC CALMING ON NEW HAMPSHIRE STREET BETWEEN 19TH STREET AND 23RD STREET; THE MOTION CARRIED 4-2 (Smith: I don't believe traffic calming devices should be used to impede lawful drivers from driving the established speed limit; Woods: I don't see the need to put in speed humps on New Hampshire Street).
ITEM NO. 3:
Consider request to establish a SCHOOL REDUCED SPEED ZONE on George Williams Way adjacent to Langston Hughes Elementary School.
David Woosley presented the information provided in the staff report.
Public comment:
Carrie Mandingo, 1600 Bobwhite Drive: Thank you for reviewing this and checking the speeds for us; I understand that we don't meet the requirements; we are still trying to figure-out how to best get our kids to school walking.
Commissioner Criqui: It doesn't meet the criteria so it seems pretty clear-cut.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CRIQUI, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WOODS, TO RECOMMEND DENYING THE REQUEST TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL REDUCED SPEED ZONE ON GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY ADJACENT TO LANGSTON HUGHES ELEMENTARY; THE MOTION CARRIED 5-1 (Heckler: I think the city needs to look harder at this to determine if there is a way to accomplish what the parents are looking for).
ITEM NO. 4:
Public Comment:
None.
ITEM NO. 5:
Commission Items:
Commissioner Smith requested a future agenda item to discuss the city's policy on traffic calming devices.
ITEM NO. 6:
Miscellaneous:
The Commission discussed Roberts Rules of Order and determined that no changes needed to be made in the practices of the Commission.
The Commission acknowledged City Commission action on previous recommendations.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, June 1, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
David E. Woosley
Transportation/Traffic Engineer
