Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 10/01/2003CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
By �'� Time
MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR
THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
OF
OCTOBER 1, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Davis Powell
Lt. R.W. Smith
Elaine Bourgoin
Brad Altman
Ken Parker
Mark Beauchamp
Jody Wade
Al Sutko
Ty Walker
Clyde Williford
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilor Linda Ammons
Jim Zillweger
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Joe Clement
Tim Hertel - excused
Darron Leiker - excused
Don Vann - excused
Tom Walls - excused
Steven Young
Betty Tanner - Shelby
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT
VISITORS
Kinley Hegglund - City Prosecutor
Chairman Jody Wade called the October meeting of the Wichita Falls Traffic Safety
Commission to order at 1:40 p.m.
Mr. Kenneth Parker gave the invocation.
Mr. Kinley Hegglund, City Prosecutor was welcomed as a guest.
The minutes for August were approved as written.
The financial reports for August & September were approved.
Chairman Wade advised the commission that Item 03 -10: Review of New
Legislation would be discussed at this point to allow Mr. Hegglund the opportunity to
address the commission before the other agenda items were discussed.
Page 1
New Business
Item 03 -10: Review of New Legislation
Elaine Bourgoin introduced Mr. Kinley Hegglund, City Prosecutor to the
commission. Mrs. Bourgoin explained that Mr. Hegglund had been invited to attend
today's meeting to explain the new legislation regarding the use of motorized scooters on
public streets.
Mr. Hegglund explained that the laws that became effective on 9 -1 -03 allows
for motorized scooters to be operated on public streets and sidewalks. The scooters do not
have to be registered and there is no age limit to operate the vehicles. The commission was
presented copies of the recent legislation for review and Mr. Hegglund had prepared
pictures of various types of these vehicles that the new law allows. Mr. Hegglund explained
the impact of the legislation on communities. Mr. Hegglund also explained that the way the
law is written it allows communities to issue ordinances to restrict or ban the use on public
streets. After careful explanation and presentation of options that the commission could
use, Mr. Hegglund left the commission to determine the action they wanted to take
regarding the matter.
The commission discussed their concerns on the safety of the children that
could be using the vehicles as well as motorists that could encounter the scooters on the
public streets. The discussion ranged from totally banning the use to specified restrictions
that could be imposed by ordinance to try to eliminate some of the hazards that exist under
the present circumstances. The commission stressed that they did not want to keep the
children of the community from enjoying the scooters, however, their safety was the main
concern.
After lengthy discussion of various recommendations, the following
restrictions were recommended:
If the child is under the age of 10, there must be adult supervision
Child must be wearing protective headgear
Time limited from dawn to dusk
Use limited to streets that have a posted limit of 30 mph or less
If crossing an intersection and the cross street has a posted limit of
more than 30 mph, the scooter must be walked across the
intersection obeying all pedestrian laws
When operating the vehicle, must obey all safety laws as written for
bicycles
Any violation of the restrictions could result in the issuance of a ticket,
which would constitute a class C misdemeanor.
Mrs. Bourgoin agreed to have drafts of a proposed ordinance prepared and
mail out with the minutes for the November meeting for review.
Item to remain open.
The accident statistics were circulated for review. Lt. R.W. Smith advised the
commission that the traffic unit would be working the top accident locations in the coming
month. Lt. Smith advised the commission that there have been no fatality accidents for the
year to this date.
Page 2
City Traffic Report
Mr. Mark Beauchamp reported to the commission that there had been 16
intersections in the downtown area that have been converted to stop signs. Since August
2003, there has only been 1 accident, which occurred at the intersection of 7th & Indiana.
The city is now working with the Texas Department of Transportation on Kemp and Kell.
The department has also been experimenting with fluorescent green stripping for school
zone cross walks.
State Traffic Report
Mr. Davis Powell advised the commission that there is currently a contractor
working on striping the exit ramps off of Kell. The overlay work on I44 should be
completed this week. The overlay work on Iowa Park Rd. should also be completed this
week. The department has a lot of various projects underway currently around the city.
Unfinished Business
Item 03 -09: Safety Patrol Evaluations
Item to be held open due to Trooper Joe Clement's absence.
New Business
Item 03 -11: Appointment of Nomination Committee
Chairman Jody Wade appointed Lt. R.W. Smith, Councilor Linda Ammons,
and Brad Altman to serve as the nomination committee for new officers for 2004. The
election will be held at the scheduled November meeting. Item closed.
Items of Discussion - none
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 2:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jody Wade
Chairman
Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission
Page 3
�cCLI,Ak-,f�
Elaine Bourgoin
Secretary /Treasurer
WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
FINANCIAL REPORT
October Balance $ 4361.25
Total
Page 4
4361.25
NOTICE OF MEETING
MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2003
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
LOCATION: CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM - MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
AGENDA: A. CALL TO ORDER
B. INVOCATION
C. RECOGNITION OF NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS
D. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2003
E. MINUTES OF MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2003
F. ACCIDENT STATISTICS
G. CITY / STATE TRAFFIC REPORT
H. COMMITTEE REPORTS
I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. ITEM 03 -09: SAFETY PATROL EVALUATIONS
2. ITEM 03 -10: REVIEW OF NEW LEGISLATION
3. ITEM 03 -12: ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2004
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. ITEM 03 -13: REVIEW OF SOLICITATION ORDINANCE
R. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
L. 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