Loading...
Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 03/06/2002MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Date 24-6 3 -C� , By kCI Time THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF MARCH 6, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jody Wade John Burrus Clyde Williford Tom Walls Elaine Bourgoin Joe Clement Brad Altman Don Vann Ken Parker Tim Hertel Al Sutko Sgt. Brad Hardin Ty Walker Forrest Ward Jr. EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilor Linda Ammons MSgt. Jim Zillweger VISITORS MEMBERS ABSENT: Henry Oliver Ronnie Awtry EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT Davis Powell - Texas Dept. of Transportation Patsy Walls - Texas Dept. of Transportation Renee Murphy - Wichita Falls Independent School District The March meeting and annual workshop of the Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission was called to order by Chairman Jody Wade at 9:00 A.M. Trooper Joe Clement gave the invocation. Page 1 Chairman Wade welcomed visitors Davis Powell and Patsy Walls with the Texas Dept. of Transportation. The financial report and minutes for the February meeting were approved as written. Sgt. Brad Hardin circulated the accident statistics and noted the top 10 locations that will be worked to try to improve traffic control. City Traffic Report John Burrus advised the commission that the regularly scheduled projects are going as planned. Mr. Burrus also advised that the intersections of Indiana, Scott, and Lamar at 101h and 111h streets will be changed to stop signs instead of lights. The work is scheduled to be completed in April. He also reported that traffic counts are being conducted in the downtown area now that the construction has ended for information to be used in programming signals. State Traffic Report Mr. Tim Hertel advised the commission that the Kell project is still ahead of schedule. Mr. Hertel advised that Southwest Parkway will be resurfaced and the loops replaced from Rhea Rd. to Allendale Rd. A tour of the downtown area for the removal of traffic lights and a tour of the city's traffic control center was held from 9:15 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. Commission members looked at the intersections of Lamar, Scott, and Indiana at 101h and 11th streets where the lights are scheduled for removal. The intersections do not meet the warrant counts for traffic lights. The lights will be replaced with stop signs. Unfinished Business Item 01 -04: Speedway/Harrison Traffic Controls John Burrus reported that the traffic count does not warrant a traffic light at this location. The light will be removed and replaced with a stop sign. Item closed. Item 01 -13: Radar Trailer Mr. Ty Walker advised the commission that he has sent through a proposal for the purchase of one trailer kit. He still has not had a reply. Will report next month regarding the status of the request. Item to remain open. Item 01 -02: Public Service Announcements Patsy Walls with the Texas Dept. of Transportation reported to the commission that the city's Public Information office will be working with the commission and MSU's Team Arrow to produce some public service announcements. The target audiences will be both children and parents regarding safety issues when riding bicycles. Page 2 Renee Murphy with the Wichita Falls Independent School District will also work with the commission to add safety tips to the school calendars that go out to all parents. Ms. Murphy will also check on placing public service announcements on the school's broadcast Channel 4. Subjects to be highlighted will be passing school buses, driving safety in school zones, using flashers when in school zone areas and other relevant subjects based on the time of year and school conditions. Ms. Murphy will also check on some radio spots for public service announcements and possibly an appearance on the morning radio talk show on the first day of school. Another source of exposure for safety tips may be the school PTA newsletters. Ms. Murphy will coordinate that as well. Ty Walker will check with the television stations for their help with the public service announcements. John Burrus reported that there are strobes that can be mounted in the street that are activated by the school crossing guards. A test will be conducted at Ave. O and Kemp to determine their effectiveness. Ms. Walls reported that a meeting has been set up with the MSU bicycle team for later this month to start on the project. Chairman Jody Wade appointed Patsy Walls, Renee Murphy, Don Vann, and Ty Walker to serve as the Public Relations committee to oversee the project. Item to remain open. Items of Discussion 1. Review of Ordinance and Bylaws Commission members reviewed the ordinance and bylaws and determined that no corrections were needed. The commission paid special attention to the procedures for the removal of members. Members agreed that letters need to be sent to the members who have missed two consecutive unexcused meetings. Elaine Bourgoin will handle sending the letters. 2. Lake Park Dr. at Weeks Park Lane Trooper Joe Clement reported that the area has a safety problem caused by people parking on the street. Mr. Burrus agreed to check the area to determine what action needs to be taken. Agreed add as an agenda item for the next meeting. 3. School Zones Chairman Jody Wade questioned if regular evaluations are done on the school areas each year to determine if signs and markings are still effective. Mr. John Burrus advised that there is an annual maintenance checklist for the entire school system. They make sure the signs are in good condition as well as other markings. Mr. Burrus suggested that letters be sent to each campus principal to determine is any changes are needed. Mr. Ken Parker will contact each campus. Page 3 4. Texas Dept. of Transportation Mr. Davis Powell advised the commission that some members might be contacted in the near future. TXDOT is setting up a coordination meeting to discuss future needs. The meeting will fall under the Regional Deployment & Architectural Plan. The task force will look at future plans and requests. Agencies to be included are the City, Department of Public Safety, the Wichita Falls Independent School System, and Sheppard Air Force Base. 5. Safety Patrol Spring Swim Party Trooper Joe Clement advised the commission that we need to start making plans for the annual swim party which is normally held in May. Assignments were made as follows: John Burrus - ice MSgt. Jim Zillweger - volunteers from SAFB Sgt. Brad Hardin - hot dogs & cooker Trooper Joe Clement - Sand Beach arrangements & drinks Don Vann - buns, ketchup, & mustard Tom Walls - security Elaine Bourgoin - cups, pans, & paper towels Item to be added to the April agenda. 6. Safety Patrol Program Trooper Joe Clement discussed the problems that are occurring with the safety patrol programs at the various campuses. Some of the schools have a higher level of dedication to the importance of the program. Commission members brainstormed ideas to increase the awareness of the program and the benefits to the schools, children, and community. Ideas offered were: Recognition program for the teachers overseeing the programs Recognition for the students participating in the program Visiting with the principals of each school to enlist their support Working lunches for the teachers for recognition and training Police officers to help control traffic at campuses with low participation Pizza lunch for the winning school More quality checks and volunteers to help with the evaluations Chairman Jody Wade appointed the following members to serve as a committee to help coordinate the program and set new goals: Trooper Joe Clement Ken Parker Sgt. Brad Hardin Jody Wade Patsy Walls Page 4 7. Goals for the Commission Elaine Bourgoin reported to the commission the events of the City Council Recognition meeting for the various city boards and commissions. Mrs. Bourgoin recognized the importance of each individual board and the dedication of each member serving on the various commissions and the importance that each played within the community. Mrs. Bourgoin commended each member for the time and effort that each contributes to this commission. Mrs. Bourgoin stated that she did not realize the number of community volunteers that were involved in all of the boards and the impact that they have within our city. Mrs. Bourgoin suggested that we try to get more information out to the public regarding the different commissions and the purpose they serve. Members suggested a letter to the editor. Mrs. Bourgoin agreed to check with the local newspaper to determine the best approach. There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 2:12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, q---- P)— . Jody Wade Chairman Elaine Bourgoin Secretary/Treasurer Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT March Balance Total Page 5 $ 5337.84 $ 5337.84 NOTICE OF MEETING MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE: APRIL 3, 2002 Tom: 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 MARCH 2002 E. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2002 F. ACCIDENT STATISTICS G. CITY / STATE TRAFFIC REPORT H. COMMITTEE REPORTS I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. ITEM 01 -02: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS 2. ITEM 01 -13: RADAR TRAILERS J. NEW BUSINESS: 1. ITEM 02 -02: SPRING SAFETY PATROL PARTY 2. ITEM 02 -03: LAKE PARK DR AT WEEKS PARK LANE K. 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 6"' 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