BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1999 - 6:30 P.M.
PORTAGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE ANNEX-1462 STRONGS AVENUE
CONFERENCE ROOM 1

PRESENT: Mayor Wescott, C/T Schlice; Alderpersons Aldinger, Barr, Kedrowski, Nealis, Perlak

ALSO
PRESENT: Director Van Alstine,, Superintendent Krieski, Clerk Zdroik, Chief Carpenter, Captain Daubert, Helen Lee, Attorney Molepske, Assessor Kuehn, Director Gardner, Director Schrader, Mayoral Assistant Bumgarner, Personnel Specialist Jakusz, Peggy Rentz, Administrator Disher, Allen Pennebecker, Mike Disher, Alton McDonald, Barbara McDonald, Guy Janssen, Mickey Simmons, Susan Kampmeier, Mike Kemmeter, Gene Kemmeter; Alderpersons Pazdernik, Phillips, Rackow, Sevenich, Walther

Mayor Wescott called the meeting to order, he announced that Item #5 would be removed from the agenda.

1. PARKING METER REPORT (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Mayor Wescott presented the November 1999 Parking Meter Report.

Alderperson Barr moved, seconded by Alderperson Aldinger to accept the November 1999 Parking Meter Report and place it on file.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

2. TRAFFIC STUDIES: (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

A: #99-11-A - CREATE A NO PARKING ZONE - AREA OF THE INTERSECTION OF MICHIGAN AVENUE AND JEFFERSON STREET

Mayor Wescott said this was part of a reconstruction project where traffic signals will be installed and this will help maintain an orderly flow of traffic.

Alderperson Perlak moved, seconded by Alderperson Kedrowski to adopt Traffic Study #99-11-A.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

B: #99-11-B CREATE TWO-HOUR PARKING ZONE ON SOUTH SIDE OF PRAIS STREET-MICHIGAN AVENUE EAST TO CLAYTON AVENUE

Mayor Wescott said this study as outlined in the packet resulted in a seven month trial period.

Director Van Alstine said the study indicated much of the problem was all day parking by hospital employees.

Alderperson Walter said he has been working on this for several months and was happy with the results of the traffic study and that he will be working with hospital officials to come up with alternative parking for their employees.

Police Chief Carpenter agreed with this solution and said he was sure the problem would be resolved and had been concerned this would leap-frog the parking to another area but the following traffic study recommendation should alleviate that. He said he feels the hospital will use the next seven months to encourage their employees to use the parking facilities provided by the hospital.

Captain Daubert pointed out the north side of Prais Street will remain no parking as it is now.

Mike Disher, 2616 Prais Street, said he had circulated the petition and although they had wanted this to go as far as Minnesota Avenue, he was happy with the seven month trial period, knowing they can make adjustments at that time if they are needed.

Al Pennebecker, Vice-President - Saint Michael’s Hospital, assured the Board that hospital staff will work with the City to resolve this problem.

C/T Schlice moved, seconded by Alderperson Nealis to adopt Traffic Study #99-11-B.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

C: #99-11-C - CREATE TWO-HOUR PARKING ZONE ON NORTH AND SOUTH SIDE OF PECK STREET FROM MICHIGAN AVENUE TO CLAYTON AVENUE

Mayor Wescott said this had been mentioned during the discussion of the previous traffic study and said as Captain Daubert pointed out the north side of Prais Street will remain no parking as it is now.

Alderperson Aldinger moved, seconded by Alderperson Kedrowski to adopt Traffic Study #99-11-C.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

D: #99-11-D - CREATE A NO PARKING ZONE-EAST SIDE OF ALLEY-900 BLOCK OF MAIN STREET

Mayor Wescott said the narrative on this traffic study was self explanatory.

Director Van Alstine said the photos showing the accident indicate that the proposed no parking zone might have prevented the accident.

Chief Carpenter said our downtown is important and this will help accommodate deliveries and well worth the few parking spots that will be eliminated, he added there is plenty of other parking.

Alderperson Barr moved, seconded by Alderperson Aldinger to adopt Traffic Study #99-11-D.

Alderperson Kedrowski questioned if it had to be closed to parking 24 hours a day.

Director Van Alstine said he wasn’t sure, he supposed there might be late night deliveries, he will check with the Stevens Point Journal.

Mayor Wescott said the Director can have that information available at the Council meeting. He called for a voice vote on the motion.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

3. STATE/MUNICIPAL AGREEMENTS (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

A: CROSSING GATES - WCL RAILROAD INTERSECTION - WATER STREET
B: CROSSING GATES - WCL RAILROAD INTERSECTION - W. CLARK STREET (CTH ‘P’)

Director Van Alstine said we had applied for the grant, it had been ranked priority and we received it. The agreements have to be approved so the project can proceed.

Mayor Wescott asked what he thought the time frame would be and Director Van Alstine said probably next spring.

Alderperson Nealis asked if the signal will turn green when trains are passing through?

Director Van Alstine said there is a detection loop that will trigger a green light if a vehicle sits on it for more than five seconds.

Alderperson Kedrowski moved, seconded by Alderperson Nealis to approve the State/Municipal Agreements - A: Crossing Gates -WCL Railroad Intersection - Water Street; and B: Crossing Gates-WCL Railroad Intersection-W. Clark Street (Cth‘P’)

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

4. REQUEST TO USE FARMERS MARKET AREA FOR "BRIDGE BASH 2000" ON FEBRUARY 26, 2000, SPONSORED BY THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION. (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Mayor Wescott referred to the letter included in the packet and asked if this was supported by staff.

Director Van Alstine said it was.

C/T Schlice moved, seconded by Alderperson Barr to approve the request from the Downtown Business Association to use the area of Farmers Market for "Bridge Bash 2000" as outlined in their letter dated December 8, 1999.

Alderperson Phillips said since the construction will create hardships for many City residents on the west side, such as increased time for emergency service responses, he didn’t feel it should be celebrated.

The Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

6. SUPERINTENDENT OF SERVICES' REPORT (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Superintendent Krieski presented his November report and said even though it hasn’t snowed yet, the crews have been busy catching up on other jobs such as shouldering, patching, hauling out cast iron, leaves, etc.

Alderperson Perlak moved, seconded by C/T Schlice to accept the November, 1999 Superintendent of Services Report and place it on file.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Director Van Alstine presented his November report and said we finished the West River Drive project for the year and even managed to blacktop it. We are working with the State on the construction slated for next summer, particularly on signage and traffic patterns to keep the downtown accessible to the public.

The Mayor said the DOT will be at our next meeting to discuss traffic concerns and detours during the upcoming construction.

Discussion followed on the Southside project. Director Van Alstine said the consultants are still working on it. When asked if we have heard anything on the grant the Director said we won’t know the results on that until spring and even if we are successful, it could be two years before we get the money because the County has used it.

Director Van Alstine said he is accepting quotes on the Michigan Avenue underpass and a special Board of Public Works meeting will have to be scheduled prior to council to approve them.

C/T Schlice moved, seconded by Mayor Wescott to accept the November, 1999 Director’s Report and place it on file.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned.

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