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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/1997 SC MinutesMINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 10:05 A.M. on Saturday, April 5, 1997 at the Christian Life Church at 400 East Gregory Street. ROLL CALL Upon roll call, Safety Commission Members introduced themselves to the audience. Present upon roll call: Absent: Others in Attendance: Lee Beening Andy Mitchell Nancy Bobikewicz Phyllis Moliere Joan Bjork Paul Bures Mike Goy Henry Dawson Chuck Bencic APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Public Works Police Department Fire Department Commissioner See Attached List. Chairman Lee Beening asked if there were any additions, deletions, or corrections to the last meeting and for a motion to approve the last meeting minutes. A motion was made to accept the minutes as read. Commissioner Bobikewicz commented that two decisions the Commission had reached at its last meeting were not reflected in the minutes: 1) Regarding the Wedgewood Association, the Commission voted on putting up no -through traffic signs, and 2) when the Commission voted against installing a 3 -way stop sign at the intersection of Sunset Road and Louis Street (at Sunrise Park); they instructed staff to do a new count when the park is being used for sporting events. Commissioner Bobikewicz stressed that the Village's Board cannot make an informed decision if it does not have all the information. Following Commissioner Bobikewicz's comments, Chairman Beening noted that there was a motion to accept the minutes as read and asked if someone would second that motion. Paul Bures seconded the motion and the minutes were approved as read, with Commissioner Bobikewicz opposing. IV. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Patricia Ziegler, 112 N. Louis St. said she was involved in a serious traffic accident on 10/31/95. There is no one-way or two-way stop sign at the intersection of Pine and Isabella, and there is a large, oversized pine tree on the corner. She was hit by a car driven by a girl coming from Fairview School. The drivers had not seen each other in time to avoid a collision because the pine tree obstructed their vision. The impact sent Ms. Ziegler's car head-on into a telephone pole, and she sustained serious injuries as a result. Ms. Ziegler stated that since that time, there have been three more accidents at that intersection and at least another four before that time. Ms. Ziegler said that if no stop signs will be installed at this location, the oversized pine tree should be either trimmed appropriately or be removed, as it impedes vision. Ms. Ziegler went on to report that at Thayer and Maple, there is also no four-way stop or yield sign. There have been five accidents at that intersection with cars ending up on residents' parkways. She stated that all intersections should be made safe for the residents with installation of stop signs and elimination of all site obstructions. Chairman Lee Beening told Ms. Ziegler that both intersections would be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Ron Diehl, 3 N. Louis, stated that the intersection of Central Road, Mount Prospect Road, and Rand Road and the intersection at Randhurst are the two main problems in this residential area. People making left turns from eastbound Central going onto Mount Prospect Road clog up the intersection because the timing in that triangle is all screwed up, and changing the angle of Mount Prospect Road made the situation worse. He asked for input from the Police Department as to complaints and accident rates and from the Engineering Department as to what studies have been conducted. Chairman Beening agreed that there are backups at these intersections, and he pointed out that these intersections are governed by the State of Illinois; "we make recommendations, and some times they take them, sometimes they don't." There is also another study coming through, the Rand Road study, to be completed in 1998, that might alleviate some of these problems. Christopher Babapilavian, 12 N. Albert, said he agreed, word for word, with Mr. Diehl. When. he picks up his wife, who works in the plaza, he passes Rand Road, going to Mount Prospect Road and turning into Albert. People come in from Rand to.make a turn at Mount Prospect Road, and there is barely enough time for four trucks to pass through; that light should be adjusted. And, coming from the bank, there is an intersection that people block while they are waiting to exit; nobody gives the right-of-way. He sometimes has to wait for three or four lights because people block the intersection. On the other side, to avoid this intersection at Rand, he makes a left turn on Henry and then proceeds to Albert to his home. This situation, he said, is more serious than the absence of left or right turns on Henry or Isabella. Carmelo Blacconiere, 62 N. Albert, said he wanted to make a point about the issue of no left turn to Henry from Rand. This would mean that he would have to go south on Albert or Louis, make a left on Central, then get into this intersection being discussed, make a left on Mount Prospect to get back to Rand and then left on Rand Road. This would create even more hazardous conditions. He said a left on Henry in the morning or evening is not that bad. Eleanor Slesicki, 302N. Maple, voiced her objection to the three-minute light at Kensington, Elmhurst and Rand. She said this situation adds to their traffic problems and should be looked at. Frank Schoenberg, 105 N. Louis St., also had an issue with the intersection at Mount Prospect Road and Central. He said a left-hand turn should have been installed on northbound Mount Prospect Road at Central. Only two cars can make that turn, to get to westbound Central, without blocking the intersection. This situation adds to the congestion problem in that area. Hedwig Lundin, 200 N. Louis, reported that a large parkway tree on Louis and Central obstructs visibility for northbound traffic traveling across Central; drivers can't see southbound traffic on the west without partially entering the intersection. She had written to the Village about this situation, which she said could cause an accident, but she did not get a response. Erika Deering, 48 N. Albert, Transportation Coordinator for School District 57, said that the foliage on many parkway trees and private property trees, especially on northbound Maple, hangs so low and so far out into the street, that it could create a potential traffic hazard for school buses and other vehicles that have to come way out in order to avoid them. She would like to see this issue addressed throughout the Village. Chairman Beening informed Ms. Deering that a site study had been conducted approximately two years ago and it will again be reviewed at all intersections that were discussed. Bob Pohlmann, 112 N. Owen St., suggested that, rather than closing off Isabella, which would be expensive, a sign should be posted near Isabella indicating no right turn 4 PM to 5:30 PM or 6 PM, with police issuing citations to violators. He suggested that wooden horses be placed prior to 4 PM to block Isabella; these would be removed at 6:30 or 7:00 PM. V. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. VI. NEW BUSINESS TURN RESTRICTIONS AT RAND/ISABELLA AND RAND/HENRY INTERSECTIONS Chairman Beening invited Mr. Jerry Boldt, 300 N. School St., to address the Commission. Mr. Boldt summarized the events and circumstances that led to the petition that he initiated and circulated throughout 156 homes in the area at issue. He informed the Commission that traffic patterns have changed drastically since the Kensington Center for Business opened. Much of the traffic generated by the business park uses neighborhood streets as shortcuts to their destinations—Route 83 and Central Road—with no regard to posted speed limits and stop signs. This heavy flow of traffic down residential streets has made these streets unsafe for its residents, especially the children. During rush hours, many of the senior citizens have difficulty exiting their driveways because of the excessive auto and truck traffic. In June 1996 Mr. Boldt set up a video camera at Owen Street and Isabella facing eastbound to see how many vehicles use the intersection in a one-hour period, between 4 and 5 PM. The tape, which he later gave to Mr. Wulbecker, showed a total of 224 vehicles using that intersection. That's almost four cars per minute. Mr. Wulbecker subsequently had a traffic count taken at this intersection. That count showed an average of 3600 vehicles going through this intersection daily. That amounts to one vehicle every 25 seconds, 24 hours a day. It further showed that 1400 vehicles used Owen Street, another 1400 used Isabella, and 800 went west on Gregory Street. This is not residential traffic and is totally unacceptable. Our petition was presented to the Mayor and Village Trustees on 9/24/96. During a later meeting on November 12, the Mayor and Village Manager said they would instruct the Safety Commission to include this problem in an upcoming meeting and today is our day to be heard. We ask that the Safety Commission initiate traffic flow restrictions along Rand Road.to once again make this a safe residential neighborhood it once was. 1. No Right Turn from Southbound Rand Road onto Isabella Street 2. No Left Turn from Eastbound Isabella Street onto Rand Road 3. No Right Turn from Southbound Rand Road onto Henry Street 4. No Left Turn from Eastbound Henry Street onto Rand Road All from 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Chairman Beening asked Jeff Wulbecker from the Engineering Department to present the proposed changes: Following receipt of the petitions, the Engineering staff completed a traffic 3 count study along Isabella and some other streets in the area to determine where the traffic was going as it was coming off of Rand onto Isabella. About 3600 cars pass through the Rand and Isabella intersection. Approximately 39% continue west on Isabella, approximately 39% turn south and go down Owen, and about 22% use Gregory Street. There are basically three peaks of time when the cars are most apt to use the intersections; during the morning rush hour, a small peak at noon, and a much larger peak in the evening rush hour. Traffic from the north side of town, mostly generated by the business park at Kensington Business Center are leaving work and using this as a short cut to the west and south sides of town. Approximately 39% of the total volume of traffic comes through in the evening rush hour. 16% in the morning rush hour and approximately 13% at lunch time. The Plan Commission had a Rand Road corridor study under way for the entire length of Rand Road throughout the Village of Mount Prospect. The results of the Rand Road corridor study recommended that a traffic study be done for the length of Rand Road, this issue to be looked at as part of that traffic study. It is anticipated that the traffic study, however, will not be performed for Rand Road until 1998. Staff felt it was important at this time then to bring this particular location forward since the original request had been into the Village for quite some time, we thought.something needed to be done at this intersection and brought to the Safety Commission for review. The turn restrictions that have been requested have some positive points and also some negative points. Mr. Wulbecker then reviewed; the positive and negative points of the turn restriction requests. Benefits of the Turn Restrictions: 1. Traffic volumes on Isabella St will be reduced. 2. Isabella St should function more like a typical residential St. 3. Implementing restrictions on Henry St at the same time will keep motorists from using 4. The existing turn restrictions at Louis St (no turns from Rand Rd onto Louis St) will be maintained, thus Louis St should experience no increase in traffic. Drawbacks of the Turn Restrictions: 1. The turn restrictions will not only prevent cut -through traffic but will also prevent residents from accessing this neighborhood from Rand Road during the rush hours. 2. As motorists look for alternate routes, it is anticipated that the Rand/Elmhurst/Kensington intersection and the Rand/Central/Mt. Prospect intersection will realize increases in traffic. 3. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) owns Rand Road. Permission from IDOT would be required prior to the installation and enforcement of any turn restrictions and signs. 4. Extensive police enforcement will be required to force compliance with the new turn restrictions. 5. These turn restrictions may not be compatible with the recommendations of the Rand Road Traffic Study. Mr. Wulbecker explained that it is impossible to foresee what the new traffic patterns will be and where the problems will be transferred. We recommend that these turn restrictions be implemented on a six-month, temporary, trial basis and reevaluate the effectiveness of these restrictions, to keep them permanently or to eliminate them altogether after that six-month period. Chairman Beening asked Police Chief Pavlock to make his presentation regarding implementation of the proposed turn restrictions. Chief Pavlock summarized the Police 4 Department selective enforcement plan as outlined in his 3/31/97 memo, which is attached to these minutes. Following Chief Pavlock's presentation, Chairman Beening offered everyone an opportunity to speak regarding the issue of the subject turn restrictions. Duane Young, 102 N. Louis St., voiced his concern that those restrictions proposed for Isabella would also apply to Henry. He noted that people traveling toward Rand do not heed the stop sign at Louis and Henry, and the police ought to force compliance. Carol Bartz, 314 N. Owen St., works for School District 26, which has 15 buses that use Isabella to bus students. The proposed turn restrictions will result in much longer travel times. Gloria Geller, 301 Autumn, lives on the other side of Rand, but has a child in School District 57 and is also concerned about the increased length of time the students will be on the bus and waiting for the bus; will there be extra police patrol to insure the safety of the children waiting for the bus. Mona Haslop, 323 N. Maple St., is a school bus driver and comes in and out of Isabella and Rand. She, too, was concerned about the increased length of time her riders will spend on the bus. She also uses that intersection to get to and from work; turn restrictions will make it very inconvenient for her to go all the way out to Central or Kensington to get to work and home. Carmelo Blacconiere, 62 N. Albert, said that stop signs should be posted and strictly enforced, then we wouldn't need the contemplated turn restrictions because people stay away from areas that have a lot of restrictions. Patti Ziegler, 112 N. Louis St., has four children in School District 57. Her children have to cross a four -lane highway to get to their school and to avoid this, she has to pay $390 for them to be bused. The people behind Courtesy and on Hill Street - their children cross a six -lane highway to get to their elementary school, and they also pay $390 to bus their children to avoid the highway crossing. If the subject turn restrictions are implemented, the parents who choose not to pay the $390 will be driving their children to school; they have to go up to Kensington or to the intersection of Central and Mount Prospect Road, Central to 83, 83 to Gregory and Gregory down to Fairview. This shouldn't even be an issue now until we know what the -Village will do with Gregory. She also commented on the difficult intersection at Mount Prospect Road and Central Road. She told the Safety Commission that they ought to get together with School District 57 and agree to pick up all the children in the triangle area from 83 behind Courtesy. Then there wouldn't be all those moms in all those cars driving all those children and coming off of Rand Road, and off her streets, to get those kids to school. Also, in regard to the Jr. High traffic, those people behind Courtesy come off of Isabella or Henry and go over to Route 83 to the Jr. High. If these children could be bused, that would alleviate a lot of traffic off of Rand Road going towards that school between 6 and 9 and also after school from 3 to 6. Michael Deering, 48 N. Albert St., commented that efforts to reduce potential cut -through traffic from Henry to Albert Street to Central will cause a bigger nightmare for residents in this neighborhood. If he wants to get to westbound Rand Road to get to Business Center Drive, he would have to go from Albert or one of the side streets and make a left turn onto Central. During rush hours, it's a nightmare at that intersection. Trying to make a left turn, especially at Albert, 5 cars are backed up all the way to Owen at that time. Then he would have to make another left turn at that short street -Mount Prospect Road -to get onto Rand; it would take forever. He said if he'd go to Route 83 and up to Kensington, traffic is backed up at that location as well. For those residents who have to get onto westbound Rand Road, it would be a dangerous situation, especially at that time of day. Ericka Deering, 48 N. Albert St., works for School District 57. As far as the issue of free busing is concerned, that has nothing to do with the Village. We do have a bus that goes from Harvest Heights to Hill Street and the Blue Jay Court area. After it comes out of there, it makes a stop on Isabella and William to pick up children there. If turn restrictions are implemented on Isabella, it would take another 20 minutes to bus these children. Also, children who attend Fairview School would spend approximately one hour on the bus if these restrictions are implemented. Ms. Deering suggested that perhaps school buses could be exempt from complying with the proposed turn restrictions, and she referred to a letter that Paul Halverson of School District 57 had sent to Glen Andler on this matter. Karen Cuellar, 14 N. Albert, said she'd make it short and sweet: "I'm going to be trapped and not be able to get out!" Karen Richards, 304 N. School St., asked if any consideration has been given to prohibiting left turns from Business Center Drive onto Isabella and right turns on Isabella. There is precedence for not allowing traffic from the business center into this residential area. And there is precedence for allowing school buses to make right turns when they need to. Robert Blim, 15 N. Elm St., had requested a stop sign at the corner of Henry Street and Elm in 1989. "1 don't understand how 20 minutes on a bus route can be compared in any way to the safety of my children in my neighborhood." Highly recommends that the Commission and the Village adopt the proposed measures for turn restrictions. Eleanor Slesicki, 302 N. Maple St., objects to the restrictions. She feels that if the current traffic laws were enforced during the peak periods listed on the flyer, the traffic problem would resolve itself. Chris Lenz, 214 N. Louis, Isabella is a residential street, current traffic is not residential traffic. Although the proposed restrictions will impose restrictions at certain times, he feels it's worth it and he supports it, including the no left turn off of Louis Street onto Rand Road. He feels police enforcement is critical and suggested the restrictions only during peak rush times. Judy Hoyer, 302 N. School St., would like to see the restrictions enforced. The restrictions heading south on Rand Road from Mount Prospect Road work beautifully. Coming the opposite direction, on Mount Prospect coming to Central, Rand and Mount Prospect Road, the restrictions there during the peak hours of traffic work beautifully. She thinks the proposed restrictions will work well too. Ronald K. Diehl, 3 N. Louis, stated that the proposed restrictions will only shorten the amount of time it takes him to back out of his driveway to get out on Louis. It will lengthen his time to make a left turn onto Central Road. He's totally against this "patchwork plan," and he has a question for the Police and Fire Departments: Why do they always use Louis Street as a thoroughfare to A get down to Rand Road. He said the answer is, because the intersection of Mount Prospect, Rand and Central Road is an engineering nightmare. Herbert Weeks, 216 N. Owen, pointed out that these streets are of substandard width and are dangerous for school buses at any time. The problem at Owen and Isabella is the stop sign. People don't even slow down unless the Police are there enforcing compliance. Consideration should be given to opening up Henry Street and Thayer. And concerning Gregory Street, there were never any problems when Gregory was open and there won't be any problems if it is opened up again. Jim Hoyer, 302 N. School St., agrees with Mr. Weeks. Feels that closing Gregory was a big mistake. Streets should be opened, not closed. Thomas Maloney, 302 N. William St., one block from Rand Rd. If I make a turn on Rand during these hours, I'm restricted. I have to go down to Central or up to Route 83. What caused all these problems in the first place? Asked for background information that led to the proposed restrictions. Chairman Beening answered his questions. Peter Schuster, 303 N. William, said he's for the proposed changes; they would result in more corners and yards not getting messed up by the buses. He described the problem of buses having to sit on Rand Road because they can't get into Isabella due to the cars trying to make a right-hand turn out of Isabella. Carlotta Kozak, 227 N. William St., said it takes her five minutes to get out of her driveway, both morning or evening, trying to make a right-hand turn onto Rand. Trucks come through on Isabella and on Gregory; they don't stop at the stop sign on Gregory. She has truck tracks on her parkway from trucks that shouldn't be using Isabella or Gregory. In order for her to come off of Rand and make a left-hand turn to into her driveway is a nightmare. She has seen cars come off of Business Center Drive onto Isabella and flip over... because of the speeding. The stop sign is useless. We have people lined up in their cars to Owen Street to get onto Rand. My grandchildren cannot play on Isabella during peak rush hours because of these cars and trucks. She thought trucks over two tons weren't supposed to come down Isabella; they still come down, especially the movers. Ethel Brown, 312 N. Owen St., asked if anyone has considered rumble strips or speed bumps. Chairman Beening responded that speed bumps are normally not installed on public rights-of- way, unfortunately. it's illegal to install speed bumps on thoroughfares. Arnie Penner, 203 N. School St., was concerned about the costs that would be incurred by Police staff with the proposed implementation of turning restrictions. And, this would not solve the problem; it would transfer it somewhere else and incur additional costs. Suggested stop signs at all streets, allow local traffic only, etc.; we haven't identified all the alternatives. Kevin Grouwinkel, 202 N. Owen St., stated that his small children never see their front yard; they live in their back yard. Said he would appreciate anything that can be done about this big problem. Richard Benson, 220 Autumn Lane, president of the Harvest Heights Homeowners Association on the east side of Rand Road, stated his concern for the children who would spend an 7 additional 20 minutes on the bus to get to Fairview School. He also pointed out the park in his area and wondered if the Park District had been consulted to ascertain how the proposed restrictions would impact the park in terms of access. Mary Lett, 204 N. Owen, said she agrees with Mr. Weeks that opening Thayer Street should be looked at for access to Rand Road. She does not attempt to enter Rand Road via Isabella, then make a right -hand turn to get to Business Drive. She goes over to Central and uses the traffic lights to get out. Her other point was that children cannot play in the front yards in her neighborhood. She sees the Police issuing citations to people who run the stop sign at Isabella and Owen, but they can only get one car at a time; there are many that go through the other way. She supports the contemplated changes. The bus drivers might be inconvenienced in the morning for 15 to 20 minutes, but those children are safer on the bus than the children are playing in front of their homes. It would make things safer for the whole neighborhood. Ronald Johansen, 108 N. Owen, lives directly across from the park. According to the Engineering survey, 1400 cars use this intersection and at least half of them come through in the evening. With little league activities, -there are cars parked on both sides of the street and kids running from between them. This makes for a very dangerous situation for these kids. Joyce McWietrecki, 2 N. Elm St. The contemplated turn restrictions would impose a hardship for her in that she would not be able to use Wheeling Road to get to her job in Wheeling. She agrees that the short-cut traffic needs to be stopped and speed and stop signs need to be complied with. She suggested that, if the contemplated turn restrictions are adopted, residents in the area should be issued permits to allow them to go through these intersections to get to their homes. Chairman Beening thanked everyone for their comments and asked the Commission for their input. Commissioner Bjork commented that issuing permits, as requested by one resident, would not be legal. Chairman Beening agreed that this would not be a viable alternative. Commissioner Bjork also commented on the requests for more stop signs, pointing out that, by law, a certain number of vehicles must use an intersection before stop signs can be installed. Commissioner Bobikewicz directed her comments to Jeff Wulbecker. She said that she had noticed that on Rand Road, between Business Center Drive up to Walmart, there is an island, she assumes put there by the State of Illinois. That island does not allow for left-hand turns; so, technically, the State of Illinois is already telling us that we cannot make a left-hand turn onto Rand Road. Jeff Wulbecker responded that this is technically not correct. You're not allowed to sit on an island. Unless they prohibit access with a raised median with a barrier curb on it, they are not prohibiting turns. You are allowed to cross the yellow centerlines, but only at a 901 angle. Technically, the people turning off of Rand, onto Isabella need to sit in the through lane and make their left-hand turns. Commissioner Bobikewicz asked if the island could be raised, thus blocking all left-hand turns all the way to Isabella. 9 A Mr. Wulbecker responded that such a request could be made of IDOT, and they probably would be in favor of it. However, Fire and Police would have some safety considerations about access into that neighborhood. Commissioner Bobikewicz commented further, stating that for those people who complained about the bus route, Prospect Manor has exactly what they are requesting today. They have cut - through traffic also, but they only have one road leading from Rand here; we have three or four. Regarding the buses, District 26 had requested an exception be made for them, but the Village denied it. They have two different bus routes, and drive kids all the way to Arlington Heights. Commissioner Andy Mitchell pointed out that this entire situation was brought about by the old Village Board when this Business Center Park was built. They did not evaluate the situation properly. What should happen is Highland, Gregory, Isabella, Thayer, and Henry should all be opened at Rand Road. Then we would not have this problem on any individual street. Hopefully this will come about with the Rand Road corridor study. He then asked Jeff Wulbecker about the viability of exempting school buses from the left-hand turn restrictions. Mr. Wulbecker responded that this could be a potential for causing problems in that it would confuse other motorists. He suggested that Commissioner Mitchell ask the Police Chief how this would affect compliance and how the courts would handle this. Chief Pavlock agreed that signs restricting turns except for school buses pose a problem with the courts; it's a problem with enforcement. It was reviewed at Prospect Manor and the opinion there was that if you want strict enforcement, you want voluntary compliance restricted to everyone. Voluntary compliance by the public must be easy and understandable. Commissioner Phyllis Moliere said she has concerns about school buses and about children being on the corners longer, but I also realize that this situation is temporary and will be reevaluated in six months. I would like to see something worked out with the school buses, but that's something the Safety Commission has no control over; it needs to be handled by the School Districts. Henry Dawson of the Fire Department said that when responding to emergency calls, any turn restrictions would be ignored as with any others in the Village. When not responding to emergency calls, they obey all traffic laws and would foresee no problems with the proposed plan. Mike Goy of the Police Department assured the Commission that whatever decision is reached, they would have 100% cooperation from the Police Department. Chairman Lee Beening acknowledged the concerns of the 164 homeowners who signed the petition that was initiated by Mr.Boldt. He reminded them that for every action there's a reaction; these solutions will pass the problem on to another part of the Village. It's a temporary solution, to be reevaluated in December. He then summarized Engineering's proposal as follows: 1. No Right Turn from Southbound Rand Road onto Isabella Street 2. No Left Turn from Eastbound Isabella Street onto Rand Road 3. No Right Turn from Southbound Rand Road onto Henry Street 4. No Left Turn from Eastbound Henry Street onto Rand Road 5. No Left Turn from Northbound Louis onto Rand Road All from 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. A motion was made by Commissioner Mitchell and seconded by Commissioner Bobikewicz to adopt the recommendations as made by Engineering staff. The vote was 8 to 0. VI. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission meeting was adjourned at 11:50 A.M. /td x:\files\frontoft\engineering\M inu_97.Apr 10 Respectfully submitted, Trudy M. Deutschmann Public Works Department