HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-12 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee MinutesPedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee
Minutes of the September 12, 2012 Meeting
Upstairs Conference Room Alfred Stiff Office Building.
Those Present:
Voting Committee Members:
Ralph
Zimmer (Gallatin County)
Gary Vodehnal (City of Bozeman)
Frank Manseau (Gallatin County)
Vance Ruff (Bozeman School District)
Sam Miller (Member At-Large)
Non-Voting Committee Members:
John
Van Delinder (City of Bozeman Streets Department)
Liaison Officers:
Tommie Franscioni (Bozeman Police Department Liaison Officer
Guests:
Andy Kerr (City of Bozeman Engineering Department)
Rick
Musson (City of Bozeman Police Department)
Matthew C. Slayton (City of Bozeman Police Department)
Quorum: present
NEW BUSINESS:
Ralph called the meeting to order at 12:07 PM.
Public Comment. Ralph offered the opportunity for public comment on items not on the agenda. No public comment.
Consideration of Meeting Agenda. Ralph offered the opportunity
to provide input on the agenda and noted that he will take some liberties as we have many items to discuss. No additional comments were made.
Minutes. Ralph mentioned that he had
made changes to the draft minutes relative to the committee’s discussion of the preliminary plat application for Middle Creek Parklands Phase1. The major change was to state that the
committee opposed approval of the requested variance on construction of sidewalks by motion rather than merely by consensus and that then there subsequently was a consensus that sidewalks
needed to meet the five-foot width called for in the county’s regulations. Ralph asked if the committee’s recollection of what transpired was consistent with the changes he had made
and the committee said it was. The committee approved the minutes of the August 8, 2012 meeting with the revisions and edits Ralph previously made.
Ralph reported that he had already
communicated to the county commission the committee’s recommendations on the Middle Creek Parklands Phase 1 application. Ralph further reported
that, as instructed by the committee, he had lobbied the Montana Department of Transportation for maximum funding for the collection of three programs: Community Transportation Enhancement
Program, Safe Routes to Schools program, and the Recreational Trails Program. He had not gotten a response from MDT.
Liaison Officer Reports. Bozeman Police Department liaison officer,
Tommie Franscioni, and Officers Musson and Slayton did not have anything specific to report.
Street Department Report. John Van Delinder reported that the Bicycle Advisory Board
had volunteers counting bicycle users at several intersections around Bozeman. The Street Department is finishing up intersection striping and taking care of last minute projects before
cold weather arrives. He expects the South 8th Avenue project will be wrapped up by mid-October.
Proposed Speed Zones at New Grade School off Durston. Andy Kerr from the City Engineering
Department reported that a new school crossing is proposed at Flanders and Durston and he felt it was a good idea to limit the speed in the school crossing zone. The speed limit is 35
mph now and, under State law, may be reduced by 20% to 25 mph. Andy suggested having the reduced speed limit in effect for shorter periods of time in the morning and evening when school
children are actively using the crossing, not the entire day from 8am to 4:30 pm.
Tommie Franscioni from the Bozeman Police Department thought it better to have consistency with other
crossing times in Bozeman and keep it at 8am to 4:30 pm to avoid confusion. He suggested that shorter time periods could be considered for this school crossing once flashing lights were
installed. Sam made a motion that our committee endorse a 25mph speed limit for the school zone from 8am to 4:30 pm. He also added that the times for the speed limit could be shortened
once flashing lights were installed. Frank seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ralph proposed lobbying the city commission when this issue came up for consideration. All committee
members agreed with this proposal and a consensus was reach.
Solar Powered Traffic Speed Sign. Sam asked Andy if a solar powered traffic speed sign could be installed on Sourth 8th
Avenue for north bound traffic passing Irving School. He felt that improvements to South 8th would result in higher speeds and was very concerned for the safety of children crossing
8th on their way to Irving. Andy said the school principal should make the request. Sam said that he would contact the school.
Safety Concerns on South 19th Avenue. Ralph reported that
he had emailed Kraig McLeod from the Montana Department of Transportation asking about progress on resolving safety concerns on South 19th with the intersections at Patterson Road and
Goldenstein Lane. Kraig emailed back that he would let us know when a determination was made on these intersections.
Streamline Funding. Ralph mentioned that Sue Brown had felt we
should discuss the need for funding of the Streamline bus in light of the county’s decision to not approve some of the funding it requested. Frank indicated he would be willing to contact
county officials and invite them to meet with us.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM.
Next Meeting: October 10, 2012 at noon as noted above.
Minutes by Gary Vodehnal
Edits by Ralph Zimmer