Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 06/06/2007CITY CLERKS OFFICE
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOJ BY LRQj I Time
THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
OF
June 6, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Tim Hertel
Lt. Brad Hardin
Mark Beauchamp
Charles McMillan
Charlie Byars
Clyde Williford
David Brock
Tim Turner
Ryan Matthews
Kevin Callahan
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Don Vann - unexcused
Laney Oliver - excused
Elaine Bourgoin - excused
Joe Clement - excused
Jesse West - excused
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT
Councilor Rick Hatcher
Mark Schaffer - SAFB
VISITORS
Mrs. Donna Klein
SSgt. Darrell Leatherman - SAFB
Chairman Mark Beauchamp called the June meeting of the Wichita Falls Traffic
Safety Commission to order at 1:30 p.m.
Clyde Williford offered the invocation.
Chairman Beauchamp welcomed the guests at today's meeting.
The minutes and financial report for May were approved as written.
Page 1
Accident Statistics
Lt. Brad Hardin reviewed the top 10 accident locations with the commission. Lt.
Hardin reported that there were a total of 289 accidents for the month with 3
fatalities. One of the fatalities was the motorcycle accident on Southwest Parkway.
The motorcycle was traveling at approx. 140 mph. The rest of the accidents were
either weather related or due to driver inattention.
City Traffic Report
Chairman Beauchamp reported that the striping and painting project is still in
progress. The city is currently conducting traffic studies on Broad and Holliday to
study the traffic to estimate the changes that will need to be implemented when the
flyover opens.
State Traffic Report
Mr. Tim Hertel reported to the commission that TXDOT is currently building a
rollover project for public demonstrations. The project will emphasis safety
precautions to avoid rollovers. Mr. Hertel advised that the 4 way stop at Rathgeber
Rd. seems to be working well.
Unfinished Business
1. Item 06 -09: Northbound Overhead Concerns
Mr. Hertel advised the commission that during the April public hearing, the
consensus from the public was the recommendation to eliminate the off ramp
at Galveston. TXDOT agrees that the elimination of the one ramp would
avoid a lot of the safety concerns that had been addressed. The
recommendation has been accepted. Item closed.
2. Item 07 -01: Solicitation Ordinance
Chairman Beauchamp reported that the recommendations from the
commission were presented to the legal department for review. Legal advised
that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has overruled most of the suggestions
in a case in Houston. The Court overruled limiting locations based on the
assumption that a signalized intersection is unsafe. Otherwise, signals would
not be needed. Based on the Court's decision, the commission agreed to give
the commission's recommendations back to legal for their assistance. The
members are requesting interpretation if any of the recommendations could
still be used. Item to remain open.
New Business
1. Item 07 -05: Safety Patrol Swim Party
Chairman Beauchamp reported that once again the party had been cancelled
due to inclement weather. This has happened several years. Chairman
Beauchamp suggested that the commission members offer recommendations
for a different activity that could be used instead of the swim party. Item to
remain open.
Page 2
2. Item 07 -06: Funeral Processions
Police Chief Dennis Bachman requested that the commission look at the issue
of police escorts for funeral processions. The commission discussed the
nature of the request recognizing the lack of respect when processions are
interrupted as well as safety concerns during the procession. The commission
agreed to hold the item until the next meeting for more information on any
existing laws before a recommendation could be made. Item to remain open.
Items of Discussion
Mrs. Donna Klein addressed the commission regarding train crossings that
run across private drives. Mrs. Klein stated that she understood why the train
would need to sound their whistle when approaching an intersection. But she does
not understand at private drives. She advised that the trains travel at a fast rate of
speed at all hours of the day and night and blow their whistle every time they cross a
driveway or street. Mrs. Klein explained that it is impossible to get any rest with
the whistles blowing at all hours of the night. Mr. Brock explained that federal laws
regulate the guidelines implemented by the railroad commission. He suggested that
Mrs. Klein contact the local railroad office and ask to speak to the local train
master. Chairman Beauchamp advised that this is not an item that could be
handled by the Traffic Safety Commission but offered assistance if Mrs. Klein could
not get any response from the local office.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 2:40 P.M.
Respectfull ubmitted,
Mark Beauchamp Elaine Bourgoin
Chairman Secretary/Treasurer
Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission
WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
FINANCIAL REPORT
July Balance $ 2700.56
Total
Page 3
$ 2700.56
.
NOTICE OF MEETING
MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE: August 1, 2007
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
LOCATION: City Council Conference Room
AGENDA: A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
Call to Order
Invocation
Recognition of New Members & Guests
Financial report for July 2007
Minutes of the Meeting for June 6, 2007
Accident Statistics
City / State Traffic Report
Committee Reports
Unfinished Business
1. Item 07 -01: Solicitation Ordinance
2. Item 07 -05: Spring Patrol Party
Recommendations
3. Item 07 -06: Ordinance for Funeral Processions
New Business
Items of Discussion
Adjournment
Wheelchair or handicapped accessibility to the meeting is possible by
using the handicapped parking spaces, ramp and elevator located off the
East parking lot on 6th St. entrance. Spanish language interpreters,
deaf interpreters, Braille copies or any other special needs will be
provided to any person requesting a special service with at least 24
hour notice. Please call the City Clerk's office at 761 -7409.
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin
board at Memorial Auditorium, Wichita Falls, Texas, on the day of
20 , at o'clock (a.m.)(p.m.).
City Clerk