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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.04.2002 (4)COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 4, 2002 4:45 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Hurley, Getty, Berry. Members absent: Welper. Mayor Pro Tem Harold Getty called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. Moved by Berry, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Welper. Motion carried. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, gave a report from the Newell Street Truck Traffic Committee. Last fall, a meeting was held between Newell Street residents, trucking industry representatives and city staff to assess the truck traffic problem along Newell Street and to come up with recommendations to the Mayor and Council Members for a solution. From this meeting, the Newell Street Truck Traffic Committee was formed. The Newell Street Truck Traffic Committee has held four meetings to date. Ann Olsson, 1972 Newell Street and representing City View Neighborhood Association, stated the residents along Newell and Conger Streets have been having problems with excessive truck traffic for a long time, starting shortly after John Deere built the Northeast Site. The residents have been asking the city to reduce the amount of truck traffic since 1990, specifically asking for a truck embargo. Since the committee was formed, considerable progress has been made alleviating truck traffic on Newell and Conger Streets. The committee has identified Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as the best alternative route, the speed limit has been increased, some traffic lights have been changed and an informational campaign has been launched by the trucking firms to announce the changes. Most trucks are now using Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The residents are willing to put on hold any request for an embargo as long as the progress continues and the committee continues to meet to monitor changes. The committee is requesting the city to approve the requested spending for improvement to intersections to allow the trucks to more easily make turns. The committee is urging the city to implement a reduced speed school zone and school crossing areas for the new school replacing Grant School. They also would like the city to consider for the long-term a northeast by-pass around Waterloo. Mike Zierath, of Warren Transport, stated he appreciated the input from Department Heads, and he agrees that a continuous partnership between neighborhoods and businesses is an important part of keeping truck traffic off Newell and Conger Streets. John Kincaid, 1513 Newell Street and a member of City View Neighborhood Association, stated that they have had good meetings with the trucking industries and city officials. But within the last two weeks, the truck traffic has started again. Mr. Zierath asked neighborhood association members to call and help identify the truck drivers are before it gets out of hand. Councilperson Berry commended the group for all their hard work and effort and for coming to a consensus. Councilperson Berry stated she respects the work everyone has done and all the Department Heads who have participated. Mr. Thorson stated that the committee has been meeting monthly and are thinking of holding quarterly meetings. Mr. Thorson stated city staff is continuing the design and right-of-way for improvements to the intersections of East Fifth and Franklin Streets and East First and Franklin Streets. The estimated cost for East Fifth and Franklin Streets is $55,000, and the estimated cost for East First and Franklin Streets is $45,000. Mr. Thorson stated that these improvements are included in the current five year Capital Improvements Program. Regarding the northeast by- pass, Mr. Thorson stated that most of the traffic has been identified as local traffic. The Iowa Department of Transportation has indicated there is not much of a chance of participation by the state. Council Work Session March 4, 2002 Page 2 With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Getty that the meeting be adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Welper. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •