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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.13.2001COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 13, 2001 Counan cil Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Berry that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The council reviewed concerns of the We Care Neighborhood Association regarding loud music, curfew violations and truck traffic on Newell Street. Mayor Rooff and Councilperson Berry reported that they had a meeting with the We Care Neighborhood Association, and they had concerns regarding loud music, curfew violations and the truck traffic on Newell Street. Mayor Rooff stated that one way to bring relief to Newell Street would be to place a truck embargo on Newell Street, which would require trucks to use Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, with the traffic coming to Franklin Street. Councilperson Berry stated that the We Care Neighborhood Association was concerned about the truck traffic, jake braking, IBP trucks and the damaged caused to homes from vibration from the trucks. Mayor Rooff stated that this is east -west traffic, and if the city embargoes Newell Street the traffic would go up Conger to Franklin to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, stated that the City Planner has been contacting businesses regarding using Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and they have been willing to let customers know of preferred routes. Staff is currently working on developing preferred routes. Mr. Thorson stated that each company has different vendors that they need to give notice of preferred routes. Councilperson Anders stated if we place an embargo on Newell Street east that could stop traffic coming onto Conger Street. Mayor Rooff stated the city needs to work with businesses and also help the We Care Neighborhood Association. Councilperson Murphy stated that an embargo on Newell Street could create a new problem with truck traffic downtown. Councilperson Murphy stated he is in agreement that the city should embargo Newell Street, but he wants to make sure we don't destroy another neighborhood. Councilperson Murphy stated he does not want to get rid of one problem by creating another problem. Councilperson Getty stated he has a problem embargoing trucks on Newell Street and not Conger Street. Councilperson Krizek stated the truck problem is not just on Newell and Conger Streets, but it is any place where there is a highway leaving the city. Councilperson Berry stated she would like to develop a truck route outside of the city. Monroe Stevens stated he lives on Newell and Lynn Street. Mr. Stevens stated trucks are bumper to bumper on Newell Street. Kids on the north side of Newell Street have to cross Newell Street to get to school. Mr. Stevens stated that he cannot keep pictures on the walls of his home because of the trucks. Mr. Stevens stated that he thinks the truck traffic could be rerouted outside the city. Mr. Stevens stated he thinks this is an unsafe situation. Marian Coney stated she lives on the corner of Newell and East 4th Streets. Ms. Coney stated Mayor Rooff promised the residents two years ago that the opening of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive would relieve the truck problem, but that has not happen, and she is tired of those trucks. Ms. Coney stated she believes there are more truck than there use to be. Ms. Coney stated IBP has trucks from Illinois and Minnesota, and she does not like that smell in her neighborhood. Ms. Coney stated that her friend on Logan Avenue complains because the trucks drive down Logan Avenue. Council Work Session August 13, 2001 Page 2 Councilperson Krizek stated that she personally feels that the city will have to do the truck embargo first and then give them alternate routes. Benny Walker Jr. stated that the trucks are terrible, they are tearing up the streets, jake braking, and doing Fred Flintstone stops. Mr. Walker stated that there are trucks after midnight coming from the north. Councilperson Murphy sated he has no problem with putting a truck embargo on Conger and Newell Streets and putting up signs. Councilperson Gronen stated he feels signage is important. Councilperson Getty stated he has no problem with a truck embargo on Conger and Newell Streets. Councilperson Anders stated he would like to see a truck embargo on Conger and Newell Streets. Councilperson Anders stated that the embargo won't work if the police does not enforce the embargo. Councilperson Getty stated businesses on Conger and Newell Streets could travel the streets. Councilperson Krizek stated she does not have a problem with the embargo. Councilperson Jordan stated he does not have a problem with the truck embargo, but he feels the city has a duty to post it and give alternate routes. Mayor Rooff stated that the city talked to the We Care Neighborhood Association about raising fines for loud music and curfew violations. Tom Jennings, Police Chief, stated the city's curfew ordinance is enforced by age and the time of the year. Chief Jennings suggested the fines be increased to $100 for first offense, $250 for second offense and $500 for each offense thereafter. Councilperson Jordan asked if the city could require the curfew violators to perform public service. Chief Jennings responded that we would have to stay within State Code. Chief Jennings stated that the city's Ordinance governing loud music currently treats violators as a simple misdemeanor and they are fined $100. Chief Jennings suggested increasing the fines to $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for each offense thereafter. Chief Jennings stated that anyone can write a ticket for violation of the code, but they would be required to appear in court as a witness to the offense. Chief Jennings stated that loud music is happening all over town. Mayor Rooff stated that the city will continue to work on the curfew and loud music violations. Mayor Rooff stated that an ordinance will be placed on next week's council agenda placing an embargo on Newell and Conger Streets. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Gronen that the meeting be adjourned at 5:27 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk