BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1999 - 6:45 P.M.
PORTAGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE ANNEX-1462 STRONGS AVENUE
CONFERENCE ROOM 1

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

EXCUSED: Mayor Wescott

ALSO
PRESENT: Director Van Alstine, Design Engineer Yauch, Superintendent Krieski, Clerk Zdroik, Captain Dowling, Attorney Molepske, Director Gardner, Director Schrader, John Blader, Pamela Bork, John Tomaszewski, Mayoral Assistant Bumgarner, Peggy Rentz, Pam Novak, Mary Foltz, Kathi Firkus: Susan Kampmeier, Mike Kemmeter, Scott Krueger; Alderpersons Niedbalski, Pazdernik, Phillips, Rackow, Sevenich, Walther

C/T Schlice said the Mayor asked him to chair the meeting in his absence.

1. PARKING METER REPORT (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

C/T Schlice presented the July 1999 Parking Meter Report.

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

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

2. TRAFFIC STUDIES: (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

A. 99-08-A NO PARKING - KREMBS AVENUE

C/T Schlice presented the above referenced traffic study.

Alderperson Barr moved, seconded by Alderperson Aldinger to approve Traffic Study 99-08-A--No Parking-Krembs Avenue.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

B. 99-08-B SPEED LIMITS - COUNTY HH

C/T Schlice said it has been requested that we do not act on Traffic Study 99-09-B at this time.

3. CONSIDERATION OF CROSSWALKS ON CLEVELAND AVENUE/ALICE COURT (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

John Blader, Principal-McKinley School, said the request is for one crosswalk not three. He explained children from the cul-de-sac cross there anyway and there has been a cadet to assist them for as long as he has been there, eight years, and he understood also prior to that. He said the parents are encouraged to drop-off and pick-up their children on the Cleveland Avenue side and the busses use the Blaine Street side. He said there is a problem with the children crossing at Alice Court.

Alderperson Kedrowski said he was somewhat surprised that staff recommendation was to deny this request. He said there is a crossing guard there and he felt a painted crosswalk would delineate where the children are crossing, it would prohibit vehicles from stopping there. He added there is a day care in Alice Court and also families with children. He said he did not think it was reasonable for the kids to cross at Rice Street.

Alderperson Kedrowski moved to approve one crosswalk on Cleveland Avenue/Alice Court.

The motion died for lack of a second.

Alderperson Pazdernik said he felt lines defining a crosswalk would be helpful.

Discussion followed on parents dropping their children off on both sides of that street and how the children have to maneuver between the parked cars to cross.

Kathi Firkus said the crossing guard has a difficult time getting the kids across with the vehicles in the way and if for some reason the guard isn’t there it’s even more dangerous. She felt the crosswalk would prevent parents from parking there and provide a clearer crossing.

Pam Novak, day care owner, said the kids will cross there anyway and a crosswalk might clear the vehicles out of the way.

Captain Dowling said they didn’t want the children to be encouraged to cross there, but go where they are supposed to. He said he hadn’t observed a problem but acknowledged that Ms. Novak and Mr. Blader would be more aware of such problems.

Alderperson Kedrowski asked if there had been any accidents and Mr. Blader said not to his knowledge.

Alderperson Kedrowski said he felt that proves it works with the crossing guard and the crosswalk would make it better.

Alderperson Walther said he agreed with the crosswalk, it will grab the attention of the people dropping their children off and promote safety.

Alderperson Barr asked if the cadet would continue to assist the children if the crosswalk is painted and Captain Dowling said yes.

C/T Schlice asked how many children cross there and Ms. Novak said she thought about a dozen.

Alderperson Barr moved, seconded by Alderperson Kedrowski to install one painted crosswalk manned by a safety cadet at Cleveland Avenue/Alice Court.

Alderperson Aldinger said she just didn’t feel comfortable approving the crosswalk if the Police Department was not in agreement.

Captain Dowling said it wasn’t that they were opposed, they just didn’t recommend it because it would channel the kids away from the established guarded crossing, and it would remove parking spots in an area where parking is already a problem.

Alderperson Kedrowski said the cadets are there anyway so it might as well be painted and he thought the safety factor should override losing a parking spot or two.

C/T Schlice called for a voice vote on the motion and said this will go before Council on Monday if the concerned residents wished to attend.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

4. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING THE CROSSING GATES AT COUNTY HIGHWAY P AND WATER STREET. (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Director Van Alstine said we have been notified that these crossings have been approved for addition to the 2000-2003 Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Program and we will be expected to come up with 10%. He thought the complete cost including engineering and design costs would be about $240,000 each and we will be responsible for 10% of that.

Alderpersons Kedrowski and Nealis both were pleased with this improvement in rail safety. Alderperson Kedrowski said there are also other crossings to look at and Alderperson Nealis said we still have to make people aware these crossings continue to be hazardous even with the installation of gates.

C/T Schlice said this is informational, no motion is required.

Alderperson Barr commended Director Van Alstine and staff for securing this funding.

5. TRIAL STREET CLOSING - EAST AVENUE BETWEEN JEFFERSON AND OAK (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Director Van Alstine referred to his memo in the packet where the school’s plan is to expand the school building into the existing playground, close East Avenue and create a new playground utilizing the East Avenue right-of-way and the former residential property to the east. He said he would like to try to block the street off for the month of September and he would like to block off both ends using Jersey barricades instead of temporary barricades. He explained people are quick to move temporary barricades.

C/T Schlice asked if there will be any other trial periods.

Director Van Alstine said he wouldn’t recommend a trial in the winter because of the snow and ice build up along the barricades, he said this build up would probably remain the rest of the winter after the street is reopened.

Alderperson Rackow asked if we could close this street in August when school staff arrives.

Director Van Alstine said he couldn’t get the barricades that fast.

Alderperson Pazdernik suggested using temporary barricades until the others arrive.

Director Van Alstine said there wouldn’t be any point closing it because the moveable barricades would removed within hours.

Alderperson Kedrowski said he was glad to see this trial period take place to see how it affects the neighborhood.
Pam Bork, Principal-Jefferson School, said she appreciated this trial period to see how people respond and how it affects traffic and student safety.

Alderperson Kedrowski moved, seconded by Alderperson Aldinger to approve the trial street closing - East Avenue between Jefferson and Oak.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

6. 1999 SIDEWALK REPAIR ORDER (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Director Van Alstine said the property owners on this list will be notified that they have until the end of October to repair or replace their sidewalk. If they choose to do nothing they will be placed on the city’s sidewalk repair contract for next year.

C/T Schlice said he noticed the lists have gotten considerably shorter, the sidewalk repair policy must be working.

Director Van Alstine explained this policy has been in place long enough that the areas are on their second or third time of being inspected and repaired and the sidewalks are in better shape.

Alderperson Kedrowski asked if an Alderperson notices a sidewalk that needs repair, can those properties be put on the list.

Director Van Alstine said probably not this list but they could contact the inspector and he will look at it to see if it should be repaired.

Alderperson Aldinger moved, seconded by Alderperson Barr to approve the 1999 Sidewalk Repair Orders.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

7. ENGINEERING CONTRACT AMENDMENTS 1 AND 2 - SOUTHSIDE BUSINESS DISTRICT (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Director Van Alstine said this is basically paperwork clean-up. These are changes in the contract between the DOT, the consultant, and the city. He said the DOT authorizes the changes and sends us the paperwork.

Alderperson Barr asked when this was slated to begin?

Director Van Alstine said initially next year providing we meet with the Southside Business District within the next month and everyone agrees.

Alderperson Aldinger moved, seconded by C/T Schlice to approve Engineering Contract Amendments 1 and 2 for the Southside Business District.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

8. PROJECT AGREEMENT: CHURCH STREET UNDERPASS-PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY (ATTACHMENT-AGENDA PACKET)

Director Van Alstine said we were not successful in obtaining a grant for widening the underpass but the DOT seemed to think it was important enough to fund a conceptual feasibility study to see if pedestrian tunnels are possible. He said if they think it’s possible they might be more generous with funding.

C/T Schlice asked for a ball-park figure on the cost of the study.

Director Van Alstine said about $21,000 and we would be responsible for 25% of that.

Captain Dowling said there would be other safety issues to consider, there have been gang fights in this area and his concern is visibility and easy access for law enforcement.

Director Van Alstine said he asked for 8' x 12' tunnels so a car could drive in.

Alderperson Kedrowski moved, seconded by Alderperson Perlak to approve the Church Street Underpass-Pedestrian Walkway Project Agreement.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

9. PROJECT AGREEMENT: HIGHWAY 10 LANDSCAPING (ATTACHMENT)

Director Van Alstine said this is another bookkeeping situation, the plan was finished in January and the paperwork has just caught up.

He said City crews will be planting the trees, that when this is contracted out the success rate is not favorable but when our crews plant trees we are more successful.

Alderperson Aldinger moved, seconded by Alderperson Kedrowski to approve the Highway 10 Landscaping Project Agreement.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

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

Superintendent Krieski reported:

• Nearly four miles of sealcoating was completed today and hopefully will be done by the end of the week providing we do not have any breakdowns and the weather permits.
• Rice Street has the first coat of blacktop and hopefully the second coat later this week.
• Grading Heffron Street from Michigan to Minnesota to get ready for the first coat of blacktop. Then we will jump across to Minnesota to do the first coat form Channel to Minnesota.
• Are hoping WPS will move a pole in the intersection of Minnesota/Heffron so we can get ready for the first coat of blacktop.
• After that we will do through streets and driveways and rough-in the shoulders for the landscapers.
• The schools will get the first priority for striping.

Alderperson Barr moved, seconded by Alderperson Perlak to accept the July 1999 Superintendent of Services Report and place it on file.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

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

Director Van Alstine reported on the City Hall remodeling. He said the Police Department will be ready to move into their areas as soon as the locks arrive; the Inspection Department is pretty much complete; Painting has started in the Mayor’s office and they will hopefully move in within two weeks; After that the Clerk and Treasurers offices will be temporarily in the old Engineering Department and finally the Assessor’s office.

He went on to report that we have had several privately funded sewer and water projects this year. We are finished with Somers and the Parkdale project has started on the north end (residential area) of the Shave farm. Eagle Pointe (Reserve) Phase 2 will start later this year. He said even though they are privately funded they take time.

Alderperson Perlak moved, seconded by Alderperson Barr to accept the July 1999 Director’s Report and place it on file.

Ayes - all; Nays - none; Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned.

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