PRESENT: Plan Commission Chairman Wescott, Alderman Rackow, Commissioners Feldman, Flood, Hoppen, Steffen, Zabel.

Finance Committee Chairman Barr, Alderpersons Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips.

Board of Public Works Chairman Wescott, C/T Schlice, Alderpersons Walther, Barr, Molski, Nealis, Moore.

Common Council Mayor Gary W. Wescott, presiding.

Alderpersons Sevenich, Walther, Filipiak (arrived 6:05 P.M.), Seiser, Sowieja, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.

Also Present: Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice, Clerk Zdroik, Directors Gardner, Van Alstine; Mayoral Assistant Molepske.

1. Plan Commission presentation and recommendation relating to South Side Business Highway Alignment Plan.

2. Board of Public Works presentation and recommendation relating to South Side Business Highway Alignment Plan.

3. Finance Committee presentation and recommendation relating to South Side Business Highway Alignment Plan.

Mayor Wescott called the Joint City Plan Commission, Finance Committee, Board of Public Works and Common Council meeting to order. All four meetings will run together for the presentation. The Mayor advised that this is a full meeting of the City Council where all the standing rules that apply by statutes or ordinances are in effect. He thanked those present for coming out and taking the time to attend the meeting.

The Mayor introduced Jim Schultz of Becher-Hoppe and Gary Metzer of the Department of Transportation, who will go over the plans and will give information as to what is happening with the project.
Gary Metzer, DOT, briefly went over the plans and informed those present about what is happening with the project. He said the City has applied for hazard elimination funding because there are a lot of accidents in the area and received the money to do it. The idea to fix this area started in the late sixties or early seventies. The plan calls for moving the north bound and south bound lanes of Business 51 traffic together at a cost of $350,000. Mr. Metzer said the federal and state governments are offering $1.45 million to help take the buildings down to clean up the area and move the lanes together. The concept of moving the north bound and south bound Business 51 lanes of traffic together and removing the buildings must be approved by August 31, 2001.

Jim Schultz, Becher-Hoppe, said two public informational meetings have been held to hear questions, suggestions and concerns from the public. Issues were reconsidered and changes were made based on public input.

Mr. Schultz gave an overview of the project. He said the plan calls for creating a single continuous 4-lane urban highway between Dixon Street and Monroe Street and to stop separating the traffic.

The biggest change is the offer of significant money by the federal and state governments to help acquire and demolish some buildings and allow for the use of some of that land for highway design.

Another issue that was considered and rejected was that the direction of traffic flow on Church Street and Strongs Avenue be reversed. Also added to the plan are traffic medians and a traffic island. Boulevards were also added between sidewalks and the highway and made certain that sidewalks are six feet wide.

A traffic signal at the Park Street, Madison Street and Business 51 intersection was also added to the plan. The reason for using this intersection and not the Dixon Street intersection is because the high traffic count this year for the combination of traffic on Park Street and Strongs Avenue. The reason for combining these streets is to propose the closing of Monroe Street on the west side of Business 51. That traffic volume exceeds 3,300 vehicles a day versus the traffic volume of 1,500 vehicles a day on Dixon Street. In addition, Park Street connects Business 51 with Water Street to the west and other significant industries.

Madison Street was also looked at. Becher-Hoppe does not see a significant traffic flow increase because of the design. The additional traffic will be generated by persons who can no longer turn south onto Business 51 from Dixon Street and as a result will go across Wyatt Avenue and up to the signalized intersection and go south.

The design also allowed for bicyclists and pedestrians to be able to cross the Business 51 corridor which is a very busy street with over 20,000 vehicles per day. This will be achieved at the signalized intersection.

There will be a pedestrian controlled push button on all traffic signals on all four corners and the two traffic medians. These signals will be timed so that pedestrians or bicyclists trying to cross the street will be able to cross before the light changes to green.

Bicycle accommodation was also taken into consideration but there are no specific bike lanes proposed in this design for two reasons. First, the City has already adopted a bicycle plan that discourages bicycles on Business 51 and encourages bicyclists to use parallel routes which are Water Street or Michigan Avenue to go north or south.

On the south end, the existing Business 51 has 9 feet wide traffic lanes and on the north end of the project the existing traffic lanes are only 10 feet wide so there is no bicycle accommodation south or north of the project corridor. So there is no purpose for connecting it in this 2-block area. This design is such that if anytime in the future bicycle accommodation in terms of bicycle lanes are constructed north or south of the project corridor, the bicycle lanes could then be built in the 2-block area as well.

Green space is also increased in the design, where top soil and grass seed will be placed.

In the January 2001 design, there were seven lanes across including turning lanes. That has now been reduced to five lanes. This will moderate speeds.

Plan Commissioner Steffen asked about the possibility of irrigating the green space area.

Director Gardner said there will be no irrigation at this time and if it is added, it would be at City expense.

Commissioner Steffen also asked if truck traffic will be allowed on Dixon Street.

Director Van Alstine said no because it is not a truck route now.

Mayor Wescott said the City is not introducing any new traffic to the neighborhood based on information received from planners and engineers. The Mayor also noted that at the last public informational meeting, there were in excess of forty people who stopped by and looked at the plan and offered thoughts. Tonight, we do not have forty plus people here. This means people are satisfied that we finally have a plan.

Ald. Sevenich asked if there will be temporary signage on Dixon Street directing people to Wyatt Avenue and then to Madison Street.

The Mayor said the people living in that area already know how to do that but he added that signs will be posted.

Gary Metzer reminded those present that due to a deadline of August 31, 2001, a conceptual plan must be decided by that date, hopefully tonight. The construction will begin in 2005. Additional changes to the design could be entertained by contacting Director Gardner, Director Van Alstine, or the Mayor.

Ald. Seiser questioned the future of bike lanes for the whole Business 51 and the three blocks. She asked if the lanes will be made narrower or whether the boulevards be taken out.

Jim Schultz stated bicycle lanes could be added by taking some portion of the boulevard and changing the curb and gutter section.

Ald. Sowieja thinks the design concept is great. For the record, the Alderman said he resides on Wyatt Avenue east of the City redevelopment area, right in the middle of the block. He talked about the alignment of Dixon Street with Church Street and allowing a left turn. With the acquisition of some properties, it will give ample space to make a left turn, the Alderman said.
He continued on to say that he is supporting the plan that is in front of him right now.

Ald. Filipiak would like to plant a seed now regarding the planting of prairie wild flowers on the boulevard space.

Gary Metzer said this is something that could be worked on before 2005. He suggested there be no tall shrubs because they obscure vision.

Director Van Alstine distributed cost estimates if the project is built and cost estimates if the project is not built.

Mayor Wescott explained that if the City Council says no to the $2.3 million federal and state money, the City will have costs that we will be legally obligated to pay. The total cost to the city taxpayer if we do not do the project is $552,738 and the total cost to the taxpayer if we do the project is $519,000.

John Brown, 2132 McCulloch Street, voiced his disappointment that there was nothing done about a bicycle lane in this project.

Amy Heart, 2132 McCulloch Street, noted that the plan is much better than what it was and is pedestrian friendly. She feels the Dixon Street and Church Street intersection needs improvement. The no left turn paralyzes motorists and bicyclists. She also said the Department of Transportation is mandated to encourage and accommodate bicyclists even on major routes.
Now is the time to really think about it, she added.

Mayor Wescott commented that the plan has been improved dramatically. Jim Schultz, Becher-Hoppe, Gary Metzer, DOT, Public Works Director Van Alstine and Community Development Director Gardner have really listened to the community. Everyone thought this type of federal and state resources would not be available but the City did not stop and received funding.

Since there were no further comments or questions received from the commissioners, board members, and committee members, the Mayor asked for a motion from the Plan Commission, Finance Committee and Board of Public Works.

Plan Commission.

Commissioner Flood moved, Commissioner Steffen seconded, for approval of the south side realignment plan as presented and the acquisition of properties.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Board of Public Works.

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice moved, Ald. Molski seconded, for approval of the south side realignment plan as presented and the acquisition of properties.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Finance Committee.

Ald. Nealis moved, Ald. Rackow seconded, for approval of the south side realignment plan as presented and the acquisition of properties.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

4. Common Council review of recommendation of Plan Commission, Board of Public Works, and Finance Committee relating to South Side Business Highway Alignment Plan.

5. Common Council consideration of implementation of South Side Business Highway Alignment Plan including amendments thereto.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, for approval of the south side realignment plan as presented and the acquisition of properties.

Ald. Filipiak asked if this action precludes the future potential for accommodating bike lanes in this project.

Gary Metzer said a request for bike lanes could be accommodated between now and 2005.

Roll Call: Ayes: Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Sowieja, Seiser,
Filipiak, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

6. Common Council acceptance of contract with DOT:

A. 1.1 million dollar property acquisition.
B. $350,000 property acquisition/$585,000 construction.

Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Walther seconded, for acceptance of the contract with the Department of Transportation, to include 1.1 million dollar property acquisition and $350,000 property acquisition and $585,000 construction.

Roll Call: Ayes: Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Sowieja, Seiser,
Filipiak, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

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