Traffic Safety Commission Minutes - 05/06/2009f
MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR
THE WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
OF
May 6, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Beauchamp
David Brock
Charlie Byars
Lt. Richard Garza
Tim Hertel
Stan Horton
Laney Oliver
Clyde Williford
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Kevin Callahan
Tony Fulton
Phil Golden
Ryan Matthews
Tom Ostovich
Tim Turner
Don Vann
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT
Glenn Barham — City Council
Tsgt Shaundana Major (SAFB)
Laney Oliver called the May meeting of the Wichita Falls Traffic Safety
Commission to order at 1:45 p.m.
Mark Beauchamp offered the invocation.
Members and visitors introduced themselves.
The minutes and financial report for April were approved as written.
RECEIVED IN
CITY C RK'S OFFICE
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Date
BY Time
Accident Statistics
Lt. Richard Garza reported there were 315 total accidents for April. To date, there
have been 4 fatality accidents.
` City Traffic Report
Mark Beauchamp discussed the following projects:
1. The city is in its maintenance time of year - will be doing new striping and
downtown painting as well.
2. Several signal projects kicking off. 5th and Broad St will be a total rebuild.
3. Cypress and 369 signals will be upgraded. Left turns will be removed from the
medians.
4. Moving the signal locations at Missile Road and Burk Road due to the main gate
being moved to the Missile Road location.
5. All signal heads will be replaced at Professional and 369. This is to realign the
signals with the roadway. This will take place in the next few months.
6. Midwestern Parkway and Louis I Rodriguez — in- pavement flashing lights
cannot be placed at a controlled intersection. This equipment will be relocated to
another area of the city. This is a pedestrian intersection which will have very
high tech equipment. Upon pushing a button to request a safe crossing, the
individual will receive a verbal confirmation that the walk sign is on and they
may proceed. This project is still under construction and Mr. Beauchamp
advised he still wants to use this equipment in the MSU area.
State Traffic Report
Tim Hertel discussed the following projects:
1. The last slab has been poured for the last remaining ramp on the direct
connects. Still waiting on reports regarding the repair project.
2. Loop 11 is in the final stages - almost complete but there are some utility issues
with a sewer line.
3. Kell has made progress with 70 % paving complete. Still having issues on the
west end with property owners not having access.
4. Highway 281 paving on frontage Rd progressing well.
Committee Reports
Mark Beauchamp advised no committee reports at this time.
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Unfinished Business:
1. Item 09 -01: New Safety Vests Needed for Crossing Guards
Tim Turner, Don Vann, Laney Oliver, and Mark Beauchamp are working on
some other funding for this project. This item will be held over for additional
discussion and suggestions. Mark stated he would look into getting the line item
placed on his budget for funding.
2. Item 09 -02: Red Light Cameras Project
Mark Beauchamp advised that Councilman Glenn Barham discussed the matter
with the city manager and the manager wanted more information prior to the
TSC making a decision in the matter. Mr. Beauchamp is gathering data to
present to the board and the manager at a later date. The possibility of going out
for a R F P at a later date does exist.
3. Item 09 -03: Traffic Safety Skate Party
The skate party date will be May 28`h from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Door prizes
will be awarded through the vendor. Total expenses will be $300 for the rental
and $100 for door prizes. A vote was cast and carried unanimously.
A pizza party will be given to the winning school, Franklin Elementary.
Discussion followed in reference to getting a trolley and taking the kids to CiCi's
Pizza. Mark Beauchamp advised he would make the arrangements. All were in
agreement.
New Business:
On Southwest Pkwy between Taft and Stone Lake, a new driveway has been
installed to the newly constructed Grove Apartments. Some reconstruction was done
making an exit out of the complex onto Southwest Pkwy. Concerns are high levels of traffic
exiting onto Southwest Pkwy and the possibility of impeding the exit of fire trucks from the
station. In the past, both intersections were controlled by lights allowing the flow of traffic
to stop while the fire trucks were exiting the station onto the roadway. After the
construction of this exit, the control of traffic is now an issue due to the exit being between
intersections controlled by devices. Also, the exiting traffic from the Grove apartments is
making U turns in front of oncoming traffic in the same area. However, TxDot is in the
process of putting up a "No U Turn" sign in this area. After much discussion, Mark
Beauchamp asked if the TSC found this area to be hazardous that we would draft an
opinion and endorsement for the city to make the necessary changes to make safe the area.
After more discussion and on the advice of the city attorney, Miles Risley, the TSC directed
City personnel and TxDot to work together in an attempt to resolve the matter with their
own devices prior to the TSC making any suggestions on the matter at this time. Item will
be added to the agenda for next month.
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There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned
at 2:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
L ey iv r t n on
C airman Secretary /Treasurer
Wichita Falls Traffic Safety Commission
WICHITA FALLS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
FINANCIAL REPORT
April Balance $ 1,864.23
Total $ 1,864.23
An audio recording of the above meeting in its entirety will be
kept on file for future reference.
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