Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 01/03/2007MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR
THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
January 3, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kevin Callahan
Charlie Byars
Mark Beauchamp
David Brock
Elaine Bourgoin
Tim Hertel
Tim Turner
Laney Oliver
Charles McMillan
Sgt. Leland Wright
Clyde Williford
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Charles Cypher
Mark Schaffer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tom Walls - excused
Don Vann - excused
Joe Clement - unexcused
Bettye Tanner - Shelby - unexcused
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT
Councilor Rick Hatcher
VISITORS
Mr. Jesse West — Victory Baptist Church
Brenda Chuleewah — Texas Bicycle Coalition
Kinley Hegglund — City of Wichita Falls Legal Dept.
Chairman Mark Beauchamp called the January Traffic Safety Commission meeting
to order at 1:30 p.m.
Clyde Williford offered the invocation.
Chairman Beauchamp welcomed Brenda Chuleewah with Texas Bicycle Coalition,
Mr. Jesse West, Victory Baptist Church, and Mr. Kinley Hegglund, City of Wichita Falls
Legal Dept. Members of the commission introduced themselves and welcomed the visitors.
The financial report and minutes for the November meeting were approved as
written.
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Accident Statistics
Sgt. Leland Wright presented the accident statistics. Sgt. Wright reported that the
number of fatalities for the year 2006 was down. There have been six fatalities for the year
and two of those fatalities were in December.
City Traffic Report
Chairman Mark Beauchamp advised the commission that currently they are
working on the signal lights at Jacksboro Hwy. and Midwestern Parkway. The speed limit
changes on Scott and Seymour Hwy. are awaiting approval from Austin. When the
approval is received, it then goes to the City Manager for approval and then the changes
can be implemented. Chairman Beauchamp reported that the no parking signs have been
installed from Lucas to Hines to control traffic around Lamar Elementary School.
State Traffic Report
Mr. Tim Hertel advised that currently the overhead is still ahead of schedule. The
flyover project should be completed in late summer of this year. No other news to report at
this time.
Unfinished Business
Item 06 -09: Northbound Overhead Traffic Concerns
Mr. Tim Hertel reported that currently TXDOT is looking at alternate
methods of addressing the issue. Several avenues are under consideration and there may
be additional funding required to solve the concern. Should additional funding be
required, it will require going through the normal bid process. If it can be done under the
existing contract, then the work can be done much sooner. TXDOT is still trying to
determine the most effective way of addressing the concerns. Item to remain open.
Item 06 -10: Fall Skate Party
Chairman Beauchamp reported that there was an excellent turnout of the
safety patrol members for the skate party. It was a good event to close out the year.
Item closed.
New Business
None.
Items of Discussion
Mr. Jesse West, Victory Baptist Church addressed the commission regarding the
new Solicitation Ordinance. Mr. West advised that his church raises money to send the
youth of the church to church camps when they would not be financially able to attend
otherwise. The major fundraisers are by soliciting at the intersection of Kemp and
Midwestern Parkway. The new solicitation ordinance will really hurt his church's ability
to help the youth attend various functions. There was lengthy discussion among the
commission on the pros and cons of the ordinance and the intent of the restrictions. The
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major concerns of the commission is the fact that the intersection in question is an
intersection with a high volume of accidents, the traffic flow pattern at the intersection, and
the number one causative factor of accidents is driver inattention. Mr. Finley Hegglund,
with the City's legal department, explained the intent and clarified the
restrictions listed in the ordinance. After commission members brainstormed on the issue,
the decision was made to do further studies and make more in -depth considerations before
any recommendations might be made to modify the ordinance or recommend the ordinance
be kept as written. Mr. David Brock asked Mr. Hegglund to amend the ordinance to
require anyone soliciting in the median be required to wear fluorescent clothing to try to
reduce safety issues. Mr. Hegglund agreed to make the amendments for the council's
consideration.
Item to be added as an agenda item for the next commission meeting.
There being no further business before the commission, the meeting was adjourned
at 2:52 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
rk Beauchamp Elaine Bourgoin
Chairman Secretary/Treasurer
Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission
WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
FINANCIAL REPORT
January Balance $ 2700.56
Current Balance
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$ 2700.56
NOTICE OF MEETING
MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 2007
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
LOCATION: City Council Conference Room
AGENDA: A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
R.
L.
Call to Order
Invocation
Recognition of New Members & Guests
Financial report for January 2007
Minutes of the Meeting of Jan. 3, 2007
Accident Statistics
City / State Traffic Report
Committee Reports
Unfinished Business
1. Item 06 -09: Northbound Overhead Traffic
Concerns
New Business
1. Item 07 -01: Solicitation Ordinance
Items of Discussion
Adjournment
"Wheelchair or handicapped accessibility to the meeting is
possible by using the handicapped parking spaces and ramp located off
the east parking lot on the Sixth Street 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 hours 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