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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/18/2000 SC Minutes Glen R. Andler ~ Roderick T O'Donovan Sean R D0rsey Paul C, 8ures Jeffrey A. Wu[becker Sandra M, Clark M. Lisa Angell dames E. Guenther Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois B00~5~-22~9 Phone 847/870-5B40 Fax 847/253-9377 TDD 847/392-1235 MINUTES O]F Ttt~ MOUNT ?ROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 18, 2000. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Lee Beening Chairman Chuck Benoit Commissioner Joan Bjork Commissioner John Keane Commissioner Andy Mitchell Comrnissioner Ted Adamezyk Police Department Paul Bures Public Works Matt Lawne Public Works/Engineering Division Absent: Nancy Bobikewicz Commissioner Buz Livingston Fire Department Others in Attendance: See Attached Attendance Sheet. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Bencic, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on September 11, 2000. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens came forth at this time to discuss any [opics that were not on the current agenda. Recycled Paper - Printed with Soy Ink OLD BUSINESS A) STATUS KEPORT OF THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS ALONG COUNCIL TtLAIL l) Background Information The Superintendent of School District 57 requested that the Village wait until mid-November to install the temporary curb extensions around Lions Park Elementary School. During the month of November, the Engineering Staff developed drawings showing the planned layout.' On November 27t~, various Public Works Staff met to discuss the details of the drawings and decide on a construction schedule. From the meeting, it was decided that a Public Works crew would install the temporary curb extensions on Saturday, December 2ha, pending good weather. The work xvill be completed the week of December 4~ should weather hinder the work. The materials to be used during installation include parking bumpers, asphalt and warning signs. It will be an inexpensive way of studying its effect before considering construction of permanent curb extensions. The Superintendent and Principal were notified of and supported the schedule. The school as well as nearby residents will receive written notification of the work prior to December 2ha. Attached is the letter that is to be sent. The Engineering Staff will be studying the effect of the curb extensions during the months of December and January. In February, the Engineering Staff will send out surveys m the school and nearby residents to solicit their opinions of the curb extensions. The Engineering Staff then plans to present the findings of the study, comments from the school and residents, and our recommendations to the Safety Commission in March 2001. 2) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided an update on this issue. The temporary curb extensions were installed on Saturday, December 2~a without any complications. The area will be monitored and studied over the next couple of months. Comments and recommendations will be presented to the Safety Commission in March 2001. Commissioner Bencic asked that the Police and Fire Departments provide their comments on this issue as part of the presentation m the Safety Commission next March. Chairman Beening requested that Traffic Engineer Lawrie provide a monthly status report on this issue to each of the Safety Commission members. No further discussion took place on this issue. 2 NEW BUSINESS A) REQUEST FOK NO PARKING ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF E. MILBUKN AVENUE BETWEEN ~ STREET AND EMEKSON STKEET 1 ) Background Information Resident Observations: Mr. and Mrs. Risler are concerned with the amount of traffic using E. Milburn Avenue. Many commuters cut through the neighborhood as well as park on the street because of their close proximity to the train station, With vehicles parked on both sides of the street, this makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to maneuver along the street. Staff Observations: The Engineering Staffperformed a traffic study. The findings are as follows: a) The 0 block of E. Milburn Avenue is a 26' wide asphalt street with curb and gutter. b) The portion of E. Milburn Avenue involved in this study is in a residential area. Only four homes total (two on each side of the street) ernst on the block. c) Village Code currently allows 2-hour parking between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on both sides of the street. Also, parking is prohibited on both sides of the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. On the adjacent streets, Main Street prohibits parking any time on both sides of the street. Emerson Street allows 2-hour parking between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the east side of the street and prohibits parking any time on the west side of the street. d) Site visits were conducted during the weeks of November 20t~ and November 27a. Vehicles were rarely seen parked on the street. Vehicles were never observed to be parked on both sides of the street where the number of travel lanes were reduced. e) The Engineering Staff also solicited comments from the Police and Fire Departments on this issue. The Police Department uses Milbum Avenue as a main thoroughfare. When vehicles are parked on both sides of the street, safe and efficient movemem of emergency vehicles ~s impeded. The Fire Department does not use the street as a primary route. However, restricting parking on one side of any street improves emergency response time. f) Surveys were sent to the homeowners along the 0 block of E. Milbum Avenue. Three of the four surveys were returned. The question that was asked in the survey was, What insight can you provide or experiences can you share that would support or oppose the proposed parking restriction? Two of the three responses supported the request. g) The Engineering Staff sees advantages and disadvantages to prohibiting parking on the south side of the street at all times. Emergency response time is improved since two-way traffic will always be maintained. However, on-street parking for residents is eliminated on one side of the street. On a majority of our residential streets, parking is allowed on both sides of the su-eet. Since the Police Department uses this block as a pnmary route, though, the Engineering Staff supports the request. 3 Recommendation: Based on Staff observations and comments received from the Police Department, Fire Department and residents: The Village Traffic Engineer recommends: Approval of no parking any time along the South side of E. Milburn Avenue between Main Street and Emerson Street. 2) Discussion Mary Kay Risler, 1 E. Milbum Avenue, shared various problems she has experienced over the years regarding traffic along Milbum Avenue. Problems such as busses parked on the street. vehicles turning around in the driveways, vehicles driving on the lawns and accidents in the area were all described by Mrs. Risler. George Risler, 1 E. Milbum Avenue, read portions of an IDOT letter suggesting modifications to the Main Street / Milburn Avenue intersection to reduce accidents. He went on to explain the difficulties he has witnessed of Fire Department vehicles trying to maneuver down the street when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street. Both he and his wife support the parking restriction on the south side of Milbum Avenue. Mrs. Risler pointed out that the No Left Turn sign on the west side of Route 83 at Milbum Avenue is missing. Chairman Beening asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to investigate this situation and contact IDOT to reinstall the sign. Officer Adamczyk brought to the Commission's attention the memo written by Sergeant Dahlberg to Police Chief Pavlock regarding his support of the parking restriction in order to provide safe and efficient traffic movement. Chairman Beening asked if Traffic Engineer Lawrie had any comments. He suggested the Commission take into account the needs of the Police and Fire Departments when making their decision. He also pointed out that one of the residents who was not in attendance did not support the parking restriction because on-street parking would be reduced. Traffic Engineer Lawrie wanted the Commission to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages to this reqUest. Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, moved for approval of no parking any time along the south side of E. Milburn Avenue between Main Street and Emerson Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. 4 THERISSUES Commissioner BJork was recently driving eastbound on Prospect Avenue and noticed the No Left Turn sign when approaching Route 83. The sign states that the left turn prohibition takes effect beginning on July 21, 2000. She finds thru confusing since that date has passed a long time ago. She suggested the date be removed as this may cause confusion to other motorists. Mrs. Risler asked whether the sidewalk along Route 83 would be plowed by the Village in the future. Mr. Bures acknowledged that once the contractor removes the debris and barricades in the area that both sides of Route 83 between Prospect Avcmue and Shabonee Avenue would be plowed by the Village. Traffic Engineer Lawrie wanted m make the Commission aware that all of the mm prohibitions and weight restrictions that were approved by the Village Board as pan of the Route 83 Reconstruction Project would be repealed at the December 19t~ Village Board meeting since two- way traffic in now open. However, the left mm restriction at Central Road and Wa-Pella Avenue would most likely remain m effect until the Safety Commission had a formal opportunity to determine whether or not the ordinance should be changed. The Safety Commission will probably be reviewing this issue in early 2001. Traffic Engineer Lawrie thanked the Commission members for their commitment to making it a successful year and on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees he presented a gift to each of the members. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 7-0 to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Keane. Commissioner Bencic seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Traffic Engineer x:kfiles xengineerksafecomm\traffich'ecs&min\dec00min.doe