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Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 08/03/200500 W CI "iY CLERK'S OFFICE Date _ =0175 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR By _ Time B' THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION �@N August 3, 2005 MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Hertel Lt. R.W. Smith Mark Beauchamp Clyde Williford Elaine Bourgoin Laney Oliver Brad Altman Joe Clement Ryan Matthews MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Walls - excused Don Vann - unexcused Tim Turner - unexcused Al Sutko - excused Patrick Gray - unexcused Betty Tanner - Shelby - excused Terry Stagg - unexcused EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT Charles Cypher Mayor Lyne - unexcused VISITORS Wendy Medley — Sheppard Air Force Base Safety Office Chairman Tim Hertel called the August meeting of the Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission to order at 1:34 p.m. Mr. Clyde Williford gave the invocation. Chairman Hertel welcomed Ryan Matthews as a new member representing Trans Star Ambulance as a non - government owned transportation company. Members of the commission introduced themselves and the entity they represent. The financial report and minutes for the June meeting were approved as written. Page 1 Accident Statistics Lt. R.W. Smith presented the accident statistics for the months of April — June 2005. The one item that stood out on the reports was the increase in the number of hit and run accidents. Discussion centered on the mentality of individuals not accepting responsibilities for their actions. Hit and run accidents are difficult to prove unless there is a witness. There is a unit within the Police Dept. assigned to solve these cases. The cases have happened on private property as well as public streets. Not much can be done except to educate the public to report any accident they witness as quickly as possible. Lt. Smith also announced to the commission that the Police Department has been approved for a year round grant. The grant funds overtime for officers to not only work Click It or Ticket campaigns, but they can also work special projects such as red light tickets, speeding, or high volume accident locations. The grant also includes funding for the court to process the tickets generated by the campaign. City Traffic Report Mr. Mark Beauchamp advised the commission that the city is working with TXDOT to perform traffic studies in various areas on the traffic signals and pedestrian crossing signals. The main streets being evaluated are Southwest Parkway, Kemp, Midwestern Parkway, Call Field, and the Lawrence Rd. area. The city has already installed pedestrian crossing signals at Taft & 369. The project should be completed by the end of September. Mr. Beauchamp advised they would be evaluating the downtown parking areas to determine if there is any way to create additional parking spaces. State Traffic Report Chairman Tim Hertel advised the commission that the letting for the inter- connects for the overhead will be the week of 8 -8 -05. He also reported that there was a combined effort with the city for a staged accident to promote the Click It of Ticket campaign. Mr. Hertel confirmed that the city had received the comprehensive grant for next year. There are two scheduled Click It or Ticket campaigns then the remainder of the grant may be used at the discretion of the Police Dept. Unfinished Business 1. Item 05 -03: Safety Patrol Party Alternatives Mrs. Bourgoin advised the commission that alternative plans should be made in case of inclement weather forcing us out of our swimming party. Mr. Beauchamp will check with Straight Street to determine if it would be possible to use their facility. It was also suggested that some of the area businesses would be willing to help with the funding for future parties. Mr. Beauchamp will report back at the next meeting. Item to remain open. Page 2 2. Item 05 -04: Legislative Updates Mrs. Bourgoin reported that she is scheduled to attend the legislative update seminar next week and should have the packets ready for review for the September meeting. Item to remain open. New Business None. Items of Discussion Mr. Charles Cypher with Sheppard Air Force Base safety office advised the commission that the annual open house will be held 10 -8 -05. Traffic control is being coordinated. Elaine Bourgoin addressed the area of Rathgeber Rd. & Jacksboro Hwy. Mrs. Bourgoin stated that she felt the commission needs to be proactive to show the public that we are trying to find a solution to the area of a large number of collisions. Mr. Tim Hertel advised that TXDOT is looking into possibly adding flashing lights in the near future. Hopefully, that will help the situation. The question was also asked regarding the Lake Rd. speed limits. They vary from one speed limit to another and then back and forth. Mr. Hertel will take a look at the area to determine the best solution. The limit may need to be standard as on Southwest Parkway. Trooper Joe Clement asked for ideas and /or volunteers to do the evaluations for each campus to determine the overall need. Ms. Laney Oliver advised she would be personally interested. Mrs. Bourgoin will check with the Junior League to determine if they would be interested in helping as part of their community service project. There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Tim Hertel Elaine I ourgoin Chairman Secretary/Treasurer Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission Page 3 WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT August Balance $ 3454.24 Total Balance $ 3454.24 Page 4 f � NOTICE OF MEETING MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE: September 7, 2005 TIME: 1:30 p.m. LOCATION: City Council Conference Room AGENDA: A. Call to Order B. Invocation C. Recognition of New Members & Guests D. Financial report for August 2005 E. Minutes of the Meeting August 3, 2005 F. Accident Statistics G. City / State Traffic Report H. Committee Reports I. Unfinished Business 1. Item 05 -03: Safety Patrol Party Alternatives 2. Item 05 -04: Legislative Update J. New Business H. Items of Discussion I 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 6 °h 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