Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 10/01/20084
MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR
THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
L
October 1, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Beauchamp
Lt. Richard Garza
Don Vann
Tim Hertel
Stan Horton
Clyde Williford
Laney Oliver
David Brock
Kevin Callahan
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
A1C Jamie Randall — SAFB
VISITORS
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tony Fulton
Tim Turner
Charles Byars
Phillip Golden
Ryan Matthews
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT
Glenn Barham, City Council
Chairman Laney Oliver called the October meeting of the Wichita Falls Traffic
Safety Commission to order at 1:30 p.m.
Mark Beauchamp offered the invocation.
The minutes and financial report for September were approved as written.
Accident Statistics
Lt. Richard Garza of the WFPD handed out and reviewed accident statistics for the
month of September and totals for year to date. In September, there were 299 accidents
and 66 injuries. Year to date accidents are 2588 and injuries to date are 659. There were 3
fatalities in September bringing the total for the year to 10. Lt. Garza also reviewed
information for high collision intersection and non - intersection accidents for both the
month of September and year to date.
PAGE 1
City Traffic Report
Mark Beauchamp discussed the following projects:
1. Intersection of Stone Lake and FM 369 is ready. Lights will be set to flash for
two weeks and then will go to full operation.
2. They are conducting a lot of studies around the schools to see how many
children are walking. A report will be turned into the School District to
determine the next course of action such as adding additional crossing guards.
It appears one will be added at the intersection of Cypress and Ridgecrest and
another may potentially be added at the intersection of Cypress and Lindale.
Lights will likely be added at the intersection of Taft and Kell for Franklin
children that cross at Taft and Speedway. Due to the geometry of the
intersection at Taft and Speedway, it is not conducive to put a crossing guard or
crosswalk there to encourage traffic to cross there.
State Traffic Report
Tim Hertel discussed the following projects:
1. Falls Flyover — contractor currently has the details on the bridge reconstruction
activites and are expecting prices back from them October 3rd. Then, there will
be review of the information and possibly negotiation of prices. Hopefully,
activity will begin there within a month to six weeks.
2. Kell West extension — beams are being set at Barnett and FM 369 that could
affect traffic. FM 369 beams will be set Oct 8" & 9th and the beams on Barnett
will be set Oct 241h & 25th.
3. Loop 11— the 1St phase of the bridge at I44 is essentially finished. The same
construction will take place on the other side of the bridge. Beam hanging
activity is currently going on.
4. I -44 is near completion. It should be complete mid to late October.
In regard to David Brock's request to open the entrance ramp onto northbound
freeway by the water plant, Tim Hertel said this is not going to occur. Mr. Brock advised
the entrance and exit ramps are very close in another area (possibly Maurine Street and I-
44), and it does not appear to be a problem. Mr. Hertel will check on this location and
advise.
Committee Reports
Mark Beauchamp advised the committee is progressing.
Unfinished Business
1. Item 07 -10: Areas of Concern on School Crossings
Mark Beauchamp gave this information in the City Traffic Report. They
will continue to work through the different items.
PAGE 2
16
2. Item 08 -02: Kell Blvd Pedestrian Ordinance
Mark Beauchamp was not able to speak with Kristen Howcroft of the City of
Wichita Falls in regard to her memo. He will attempt to do so and report
back next month.
Mark Beauchamp advised the striping at 9th Street and Seymour Highway was
scheduled to be done yesterday and the next two days.
New Business
A1C Jamie Randall advised there is a concern with traffic northbound on Hwy 240
and the intersection of Burkburnett Road. She advised the lane markings are not being
obeyed near the old main gate entrance of SAFB. The entrance gates at SAFB are being
rebuilt and changed. There is construction currently on the hospital gate entrance. Tim
Hertel stated signs advising of lane assignments could be posted to help with the problem.
Mark Beauchamp advised he has a meeting tomorrow at SAFB to review Spur 325 and
Hwy 240 traffic to see if this needs to be changed. Mr. Beauchamp will look into this and
report back next month.
David Brock had asked about the police department radios. Lt. Richard Garza said
each officer is assigned two batteries with each radio and given instructions on usage of
these and how to charge them. Problem is partly due to officers not following the
instructions and partly due to the batteries being old. Lt. Garza said they have recently
purchased six battery charger conditioners which will help the battery to hold a charge
longer. WFPD is getting approximately 20 new in -car chargers. They will be put in the
supervisor vehicles first. Eventually, they hope to have car chargers in every WFPD
vehicle.
On issue brought up by Charles Byars about the concern on Taft Street when it
rains, Mark Beauchamp has put in a project nomination form to the MPO to look at that
and see if funding is available.
Items of Discussion
Fall Patrol Party — December 18th is reserved at Skate Whirl for the fall patrol party
from 4 -6pm. Laney Oliver spoke with the manager at Skate Whirl and he
has guaranteed the same price for the rental. David Brock suggested instead
of gift certificates, we will allocate an amount to be spent through Skate
Whirl for free cokes, etc.
Nomination Committee for 2009 Officers was chosen: David Brock, Tim Hertel,
and Mark Beauchamp.
Don Vann showed the trophy for 1st place that is awarded to the school each year
for the traffic safety competition.
PAGE 3
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned
at 2:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
r^
Laney Oliver
Chairman
Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission
WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
FINANCIAL REPORT
October Balance $ 2236.54
Total
PAGE 4
$ 2236.54
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date M r1a��S
By Time o�Jv
NOTICE OF MEETING
MEETING: WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE: November 5, 2008
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
LOCATION: Council Chambers
AGENDA: A. Call to Order
B. Invocation
C. Recognition of New Members & Guests
D. Financial report for October 2008
E. Minutes of the Meeting for October 2008
F. Accident Statistics
G. City / State Traffic Report
H. Committee Reports
I. Unfinished Business
1. Item 07 -10: Areas of Concern on School
Crossings
2. Item 08 -02: Kell Blvd. Pedestrian Ordinance
J. New Business:
1. Item 08 -05: Fall Patrol Party
2. Item 08 -06: Nomination Committee for 2009
Officers
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 6cn 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
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
By Time _