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Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 11/06/2002CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Date (� 69— L 3 By Time MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF NOVEMBER 6, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis Powell Darron Leiker Al Sutko Jody Wade Elaine Bourgoin Brad Altman Sgt. Glenn Barham Don Vann Lt. Jerry Riley Joe Clement Ken Parker EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlan Towsley Councilor Linda Ammons MEMBERS ABSENT: John Burrus - excused Ronnie Awtry - excused Forrest Ward Jr. Ty Walker - excused Tom Walls - excused Henry Oliver EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT VISITORS Steve Seese - City of Wichita Falls Planning Dept. The November meeting of the Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission was called to order by Chairman Jody Wade at 1:40 p.m. Trooper Joe Clement gave the invocation. The financial report and minutes for the October meeting were approved as written. The accident statistics were circulated for review. Page 1 City Traffic Report Darron Leiker provided commission members with a copy of the most recent traffic control audit addressing changes in the downtown area for traffic signals. The intersections listed no longer warrant traffic lights and the changes are proposed to be implemented in February or March 2003. Commission members were requested to look over the audit and review the specific locations before the January meeting. Concerns or questions will be addressed at the January meeting. State Traffic Report Mr. Davis Powell reported that the project to widen FM 2380 will begin within the next few months. The Kell project should be completed in early 2003. Currently the project on Southwest Parkway from Kemp to Barnett Rd. is going well. The project on Seymour Highway from Loop 11 to Fairway is still in progress as well. Committee Reports None. Unfinished Business Item 02 -08: State Funding Request. Mr. Davis Powell reported that he is still working with John Burrus and Darron Leiker to meet the proposal deadline of Dec. 6, 2002 for the Safe Route to School Program. The funding is targeting school zones and related traffic control equipment. Mr. Ken Parker will look at each campus before the proposal is submitted for our area. Item to remain open. New Business Item 02 -11: Election of Officers for 2003 Elaine Bourgoin presented the nominations for John Burrus in his absence. The committee nominated Jody Wade to serve another term as chairman and Mr. Tim Hertel to serve another term as co- chairman. The commission unanimously voted to accept the nominations and elected Mr. Wade and Mr. Hertel to serve another term. Item closed. Item 02 -12: Fall Safety Patrol Party Trooper Joe Clement advised the commission that the date set for the party would be on Thursday, Dec. 19`h, 2002 at SkateWhirl on Jacksboro Highway. To alleviate traffic congestion, the campuses will be staggered for the times of pickup. Some campuses will skate from 3:45 to 5:45, some from 4:00 to 6:00, and some from 4:15 to 6:15. Assignments were made for Trooper Clement to secured the drinks, Lt. Riley to arrange for portable radios and officer assistance, John Burrus to get the ice and traffic cones, Don Van to notify the schools, and Elaine Bourgoin to get the cups and notify all members. Commission members were urged to attend and help with the supervision and other activities. Item to remain open. Page 2 Items of Discussion Mr. Steve Seese with the City of Wichita Falls Planning department requested assistance from the commission regarding the city's sidewalk ordinance. Mr. Seese advised the commission that the existing ordinance refers to a Safe School Route program that is handled by the Traffic Safety Commission. Mr. Seese advised the commission that his department needs maps and documented information on the program. Elaine Bourgoin advised Mr. Seese that she was not aware of the reference made in the sidewalk ordinance. The commission has looked at various school locations but has no formal program as stated. Chairman Wade advised Mr. Seese that the item would be added to the January agenda for action. Mr. Seese thanked the commission for their attention to the matter. Chairman Wade reminded the commission that there would not be a December meeting. There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, r Jody Wade Chairman Elaine Bourgoin Secretary /Treasurer Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT December Balance $ 5213.74 SkateWhirl - Annual Safety Patrol Skate Party - 300.00 Total $ 4913.74 Page 3 NOTICE OF MEETING MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE: JANUARY 8, 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 DECEMBER 2002 E. MINUTES OF MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6, 2002 F. ACCIDENT STATISTICS G. CITY / STATE TRAFFIC REPORT H. COMMITTEE REPORTS I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. ITEM 02 -08: STATE FUNDING REQUEST 2. ITEM 02 -12: FALL SAFETY PATROL PARTY J. NEW BUSINESS 1. ITEM 03 -01: TRAFFIC CONTROL AUDIT 2. ITEM 03 -02: SIDEWALK ORDINANCE 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`b 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 MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council From: Darron Leiker, ACM /Director of Aviation, Traffic, & Transportation CC: Jim Berzina, City Manager Date: 11/6/02 Re: 2002 Traffic Signal Audit Between the months of February and October 2002, the Traffic Control division performed vehicle counts at 67 of the City's 114 signalized intersections. These traffic counts were then entered into our signal warrant software program for analysis. In addition, accident data was collected from January 1, 1998 to September 30, 2002 for analysis under Warrant #6, Accident Experience. The following signalized intersections no longer meet warrants as established in the Federal and Texas Manuals on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD): 1) 7th /Ohio 2) 7th /Indiana 3) 7th /Lamar 4) 8th /Indiana 5) 8th /Lamar 6) 9th /Indiana 7) 9th /Lamar 8) 7th /Eastside 9) 7th /Holliday 10) Rosewood /Harding 11) 10th /Scott 12) 11th /Scott 13) Sheppard Access /Iowa Park Road 14) 8th /Grace 15) 9th /Denver 16) 10thNan Buren The above intersections did not meet 70% of the traffic volumes required for signalization in an 8- hour period. Attached you will find detailed information for each intersection. This includes the amount of additional traffic each intersection would need to meet the signalization warrants. Staff would like to proceed with a plan to remove the signals as required by both the Federal and Texas MUTCD standards with the following traffic control in its place: 1) 7th /Ohio — "STOP" Ohio 2) 7th /Indiana -"STOP" Indiana 3) 7th /Lamar - "STOP" Lamar 4) 8th /Indiana -"STOP" 8th 5) 8th /Lamar -"STOP" 8th 6) 9th /Indiana -"STOP" 9th 7) 9th /Lamar -"STOP" 9th 8) 7th /Eastside -"STOP" 7th 9) 7th /Holliday -"STOP" 7th 10) Rosewood/Harding -"ALL WAY STOP" 11) 10th /Scott - "STOP" 10th 12) 11 th /Scott - "STOP" 11 th 13) Sheppard Access /Iowa Park Road - "STOP" Sheppard Access 14) 8th /Grace - "ALL WAY STOP" w/ flashing red beacons & pedestrian signs 15) 9th /Denver -"STOP" 9th 16) 10thNan Buren -"ALL WAY STOP" The Traffic Safety Commission will be briefed on this recommended plan at their next regular meeting on November 6th. A follow -up meeting will occur on January 8, 2003. Once the Commission has been briefed, an effort will be coordinated with the Public Information Office to notify the public. In addition, the "STOP" traffic control will be in place while the intersection flashes in red /amber mode for a two week period leading up to removal. The "STOP" signs will be placed in the flashing red direction, while the through street will flash amber. This will give the driving public more time to adjust to these changes. Removing the signals will improve traffic flow at these locations. Instead of waiting for a green light if there is no traffic on the cross street, a motorist will simply have to STOP, yield the right -of -way, and continue through the intersection. This will save the driving public time and money due to fewer delays and reduced idling time. It is anticipated that the removal project will be scheduled in February 2003 and will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. If you have any questions regarding this plan, please do not hesitate to give me a call. Attachments 2 N V N Z 0 Q N J Q Z L) LL LL Q F` V � y o m _ � U e y C I C y O ul ci a > Y1 O =� m IM N O U } Q 0 m )o O ° U, OI C 0 O U = w N Ell H I NI m C 0 0 0 0 0 0 Q.0 O O O v 0 m P, 00 n )A N (D n O v n W P- N n v r) n (+f n n O 000 v n 0 O v M N O 0 O N N r r O (D O r" N N N N N N N N N N N N N at N N O O Lo O O O O O O O O O O O O O Q O O 0 N N n 00 O (O O N 00 N N O N (7 O M < N R (O O (O O O C O N O N N O 00 pt, CO i,� co O c 7 v M M M to cm N (O v co N p 00 r- id E c O U � m aci u m c c c L.. (0 V c m m m V m O N m r9 N N t4 u 00 m C N y y an d E E E m m a m 0 C J C J C J � = d L O i? N W a 3 ... .... ... 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(0 V c m m m V m O N m r9 N N t4 u 00 m C N y y an d E E E m m a m 0 C J C J C J � = d L O i? N W a 3 ... .... ... L L L L `L' y y0 O L L a y L O n n n ao w rn rn = n om (n O Cl) n O n (O t0 N N O O) N O (O Cl) t1y O O T (0 V 7 L H L m 7 0 T (o C O V m ; m u c 0 u u E: m 0 C L v m N m v J 'C m CL L C E CD m T m 0 c Y m 3 m m m Q N O O N O M .0 E m CL m co0 O O O m m 7 C m E 0 v u: U m U B v C m U Q :r E 2 m CL ci y r O p U V N C �- m m C L 0] mL. CD c � o y y U r > o c 0 H E (0 m LL O: L O en U y E OI2N NU C r C m O X CL m C y m � LL l0 m L .r3 U 03 y C y C _m C U V ' y m o c CL 'E v aT y l0 O m 'y O j u �o lh C Op 2 it O C 3 E co O •c 'v m v m u m m y C1 N N 'y L O � m � Sec. 94 -128. Requirements for improvements. (a) Any person constructing any improvements for any purpose on a lot or remodeling any improvement when the cost of such remodeling is equal to at least 50 percent of the value of such improvement before remodeling, as determined by the tax appraised value, shall comply with the following: (1) Sidewalks shall be constructed on all arterial and collector streets, as determined by the city's thoroughfare plan, on which the lot abuts, regardless of the type of construction or proposed use of the facility. (2) Sidewalks shall be constructed on any street, regardless of classification, designated as a "safe school route" for schoolchildren by the traffic safety commission. (3) Sidewalks shall be constructed on all streets, regardless of classification, with the construction of any improvements designed and /or modified for use as a commercial and /or industrial establishment. If the commercial and /or industrial improvement is to be constructed on a corner lot, sidewalks shall be constructed on all streets on which the lot abuts. Commercial and /or industrial improvements constructed and /or modified within an industrial district, as defined in subsection (a)(6) of this section, shall meet only the requirements for sidewalks as contained in subsection (a)(6) of this section. (4) Sidewalks shall be constructed with the proposed construction and /or modification of all residential improvements to be constructed or modified in a block where 25 percent or more of the combined property front footage of that block has been developed. For the purpose of this subsection, a block shall be the area between public street intersections. (5) Commercial and /or industrial improvements constructed and /or modified within an industrial district and which abut on an interior street within the industrial district shall not be required to construct sidewalks abutting the interior street. An interior street is defined as a street that lies wholly within the industrial district and does not abut subdivided or unsubdivided property outside of the industrial district. An interior street shall only provide for circulation within the industrial district and does not provide for access from adjacent areas. An industrial district must be greater than 140 acres and must be approved by the city planning and zoning commission. (b) If the owner desires not to install sidewalks on existing right -of -ways, as required in subsection (a) of this section, a cash deposit may be escrowed with the city to guarantee such construction, to be held in perpetuity, or until such sidewalks are installed to municipal standards. Such deposits may be used by the city to install the sidewalks at any time. The amount of the cash deposit shall be set by resolution of the city council and shall be periodically updated to reflect current costs. (Code 1966, § 27 -29; Ord. No. 98 -2000, § 1, 9 -19 -2000) Sec. 94 -129. Requirements in new subdivisions. (a) Sidewalks shall be required in all new subdivisions in which new street dedications are proposed within the plat of the subdivision. The sidewalk shall be obstruction free and not less than four feet in width. Sidewalks shall be constructed within the street right -of -way with the edge of the sidewalk one foot from and parallel to the right -of -way. Construction of the sidewalks by the developer or by individual property owners shall be in accordance with standard city specifications. An alternate location within the street right -of -way may be approved by the director of community development when there are existing obstructions or there is unique subdivision design or where it is necessary to be compatible with existing sidewalks or under special conditions when the specified location is technically unfeasible. (b) If the owner desires not to install sidewalks on exterior streets, a cash deposit may be escrowed with the city to guarantee such construction, to be held in perpetuity, or until such sidewalks are installed to municipal standards. Such deposits may be used by the city to install the sidewalks at any time. The amount of the cash deposit shall be set by resolution of the city council and shall be periodically updated to reflect current costs. (Code 1966, § 27 -30; Ord. No. 98 -2000, § 1, 9 -19 -2000) Sec. 94 -130. Liability of property owner for defective sidewalks. The abutting property owner or person enjoying the use of any property abutting on a sidewalk or curb that has become defective and resulted in causing damage or injury and due to such defective condition shall be primarily liable in damages for any loss or damage sustained as a result of such defective condition. (Code 1966, § 27 -7) Sec. 94 -131. Duty of abutting property owner to repair defective sidewalks. Any sidewalk, parkway, driveway or curb which has become defective and unsafe and hazardous is declared a nuisance. It shall be the duty of the owner of property abutting on any street, avenue, public alley, place or square or section or part thereof along which sidewalks, curbs, or driveways are ordered to be reconstructed or repaired, within 30 days from the receiving of notice as provided for in section 94 -132, to reconstruct or repair such sidewalks, curbs or driveways in accordance with the standard specifications providing for the construction of sidewalks, curbs or driveways. Such expense shall be borne by the abutting property owner. The failure of any owner or agent of any owner to reconstruct or repair any such sidewalk, curb, or driveway ordered to be reconstructed or repaired by the director of public works shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine upon conviction as provided for in section 1 -14. (Code 1966, § 27 -8) Sec. 94 -132. Form of notice to property owner to repair defective sidewalks. The following form of notice signed by the director of public works, which notice may be served by any police officer or other person designated by the city council to serve the notice or which notice may be served by mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed sufficient for the purpose of section 94 -131: Date Mr. or Mrs. (Name) Address Re: Sidewalk, curb or driveway repair. Dear Mr. or Mrs. (Name): The purpose of this letter is to notify you of a defective (sidewalk, curb or driveway) adjacent to the property owned by you or of which you are the agent, located at (address). This notice is being issued in compliance with section 94 -132 of the City Code of Ordinances which requires notification of the property owner of a potentially hazardous condition and issues notice of the requirement for you or your agent to reconstruct and /or repair the item in accordance with specifications for concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters, or driveways as provided for by ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls. It will be necessary for you to obtain the services of a bonded contractor and obtain a permit for this repair. Section 94 -131 of the Code requires that this repair be made within 30 days in order to avoid the penalty set forth in section 1 -14 of the Code. Staff will be happy to visit with you regarding any questions which you might have regarding this notice or the required repairs. We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. TABLE INSET: Sincerely, Director of Public Works By: (Code 1966, § 27 -9)