traffic and parking control

A possible lane-configuration change at Parkway Blvd (North) and 45th Street was raised for future consideration; the intersection was noted as having a 4-way stop and a crossing guard.

The agenda included an item to discuss staff recommendations on traffic and parking control, but no substantive summary of recommendations or actions is documented in the available record.

The agenda included a Memorial Drive traffic counter item described as an ongoing study, without documented results in the available record.

Staff reported a parking ticket 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 any ticket challenge would go through police and municipal court.

The agenda included an item to discuss staff recommendations on traffic and parking control, but no substantive summary is documented in the available record.

The committee reviewed traffic counter data from Memorial Drive indicating many drivers were over the speed limit, including a high share northbound and very high maximum speeds.

The 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.

The committee discussed complaints that parking on Jefferson Street (15th to 22nd) reduces intersection visibility and makes the street feel narrow, along with reports of city employees’ vehicles being hit while parked near City Hall.

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

No changes were approved for Jefferson Street; the committee’s consensus was 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 pedestrian 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 if it wants the city to consider it.

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

City Council approved an agreement to purchase a parking lot parcel at the southwest corner of Adams and 18th Streets from Wine Not, LLC.

City Council amended the motion to correct the parcel number and clarify that the seller pays for title insurance.

The parking lot purchase agreement passed on a 6-2 vote.

Staff presented multiple traffic count/speed studies (Pierce Street, Zlatnik Drive, Jackson Street, Mishicot Road, 17th Street, Roosevelt Avenue) and reported a recurring pattern that a large share of drivers exceed posted speeds, including on low-speed neighborhood streets.

The 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 pointed the property owner to police for trespass/property damage enforcement.

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

An agenda sub-item listed traffic counters for Pierce Street, Zlatnik Drive, Jackson Street, Mishicot Road, 17th Street, and Roosevelt Avenue, without documented results in the available record.

The committee agenda included a broad slot for parking and traffic issues with discussion and possible action.