traffic and parking control

Public Works Committee discussed complaints that on-street parking on Jefferson Street (15th to 22nd) reduces intersection visibility and makes the street feel narrow; there were also reports of city employees’ vehicles being hit while parked near City Hall.

Staff reported police records showed three incidents in three years related to the Jefferson Street parking concerns (not four).

Public Works Committee approved no changes on Jefferson Street and agreed to keep monitoring and documenting incidents before considering stop signs, intersection changes, or other fixes.

Riverside Foods asked about adding a marked mid-block pedestrian crossing on Wilson Street between 25th and 26th.

Staff told the committee the city has no formal policy for mid-block crossing requests and that the typical professional answer is “no” due to safety concerns; Riverside Foods was told to submit a formal written request and justification for consideration.

The committee discussed that vacating the Wilson Street block could be considered someday, but not now due to multiple property owners and possible utilities in the right-of-way.

Public Works Committee agenda included “Traffic Counters: Memorial Drive – Ongoing Study,” without documented results in the available record.

Public Works Committee agenda included “Parkway Blvd (North) at 45th Street – Consideration of Lane Configuration Modification,” noting a 4-way stop and a crossing guard; no proposal details were documented in the available record.

Public Works Committee reviewed Memorial Drive traffic counter data indicating many drivers were over the speed limit, including very high maximum speeds.

Public Works Committee voted to recommend creating a 15-minute loading zone on School Street near 1900 School Street after a business requested help with RV/camper drop-offs, with the recommendation to go to City Council next.

Staff stated that replacing traffic-signal control cabinets would cost about $30,000 per intersection before installation and wiring.

City Council approved an agreement to buy a parking lot parcel at the southwest corner of Adams and 18th Streets from Wine Not, LLC; the motion was amended to correct the parcel number and clarify the seller pays title insurance.

City Council approved the Adams & 18th parking lot purchase agreement on a 6-2 vote.

Staff reported a parking ticket was issued during an active winter parking ban; the cited person believed there should be an exception while doing snow-clearing work, and staff said the ordinance does not include such an exception.

No committee action was taken on the winter parking ban exception question; staff indicated ticket challenges go through police and municipal court.

Public Works Committee reviewed multiple traffic count/speed studies (Pierce Street, Zlatnik Drive, Jackson Street, Mishicot Road, 17th Street, Roosevelt Avenue) and staff reported a recurring pattern of drivers exceeding posted speeds, including on low-speed neighborhood streets.

Public Works Committee voted to paint the first 15 feet of curb on the west side of Pierce Street south of the 22nd Street crosswalk to reinforce the state no-parking zone and improve sightlines/turning room; Jackson Street curb paint was to be refreshed.

A request for “no bikes on sidewalk” signs near 17th Street and Zlatnik Drive was discussed; staff directed the property owner to police for trespass/property damage enforcement.

By consensus, Public Works Committee decided to leave the 36th Street and Adams Street 3-way stop as-is.