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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.04.2001• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 4, 2001 3:30 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Berry, Murphy. Members absent: Gronen, Getty. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Anders that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Murphy, Gronen, Getty. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff stated that the meeting was to gather input from neighborhoods and businesses regarding the truck embargo on Newell and Conger Streets. Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, reported that traffic counts were taken on Newell Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from 12:00 p.m. August 27, 2001 through 6:00 a.m. on August 31, 2001. The counters were placed on South Barclay and east of Idaho Street where it turns into two lanes. The following counts were taken: Eastbound on Newell Westbound on Newell Eastbound on Martin Luther King Drive Westbound on Martin Luther King Drive 398 trucks 401 trucks 215 trucks 201 trucks Mike Cook stated that the trucks have disappeared since counters were put in place. Mr. Cook explained that during a six hour period he counted 250 trucks, and if 250 was multiplied by 4 times that would be over 1,000 trucks in a 24-hour period. Mr. Cook commented that the count taken by the city is too low and does not represent the actual usage. Mayor Rooff asked if the trucks would use Martin Luther King Drive if the city made the turn easier for the trucks onto Franklin Street. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, stated that his office has investigated the right turn lane on Fifth Street onto Franklin Street. If 5`h Street is marked so there is a right and left turn lane only, he believes the trucks would be able to make the turn onto Franklin Street. Councilperson Berry stated that last week some of the council met with Mrs. Coney and saw a lot of trucks traveling on Newell Street in a short period of time. Councilperson Krizek stated she noticed there were a lot of dump trucks. Councilperson Krizek commented that the city needs to let the companies know what we are trying to do, and come up with alternate routes, and she feels they will help as they are good corporate neighbors. Mr. Thorson stated that of the streets in the area, Donald, Newell, Martin Luther King Drive and Independence, only Donald Street has a truck embargo as it is not designed for a lot of traffic. Mr. Thorson noted that the other streets are not exceeding the design for truck traffic. Councilperson Berry stated that she has seen trucks using Martin Luther King Drive and they seem to get by just fine. Councilperson Berry stated that the city has said that the opening of Martin Luther King would reduce some of the truck traffic on Newell Street. Councilperson Berry stated that she is concerned with safety issues with the schools now opened and the odors from the IBP trucks. Councilperson Berry noted that the opening of Martin Luther King Drive and the proposed turn lanes onto Franklin Street should help to alleviate some truck traffic. Les Beisner, Ryder Integrated Logistics, stated that they made a concerted effort to get trucks off Newell Street, and they did not know the counters were on the roads. Mr. Beisner stated that his company still needs to get letters out to companies asking them to use other routes. Mr. Beisner contends that Martin Luther King Drive has reduced the truck traffic. Mayor Rooff stated he would like to continue working with the businesses and residents and asked Mr. Thorson to look at all the streets and what projects are currently underway. Council Work Session September 4, 2001 Page 2 Mike Grothe, IBP, Inc., stated that his company is contacting truckers to use other routes. Mayor Rooff asked that staff put more counters out and look at a right turn lane onto Franklin Street. Mr. Cook stated that the residents do not like the odor from IBP trucks. Mr. Cook commented that it is not the residents' intention to put anyone out of business and they would like to work with the businesses. Mr. Cook stated that the issues are: cleanliness, quietness and safety. Mr. Cook stated that when the new school is completed the kids will be crossing on Newell Street, and he is concerned if the city does not take action the trucks will driving on Newell Street again. Mr. Cook stated the residents would like all the businesses with access to Martin Luther King Drive to use that road. Mr. Cook stated that there are many mandatory stops on Newell Street, but on Martin Luther King Drive there are only traffic lights, which could reduce travel time. Mr. Cook stated that the residents have been very patient, and they were told once Martin Luther King Drive was completed that the truck traffic would use that route. Ann Olsson, 1972 Newell Street, stated she would like to present a petition to the council this evening requesting a truck embargo on Conger Street from River Road to Highway 63 and on Newell Street from Highway 63 to Northeast Dive. Ms. Olsson commented that almost 100 percent of Newell Street residents signed the petition. Chris Dinsdale, Basic Materials, stated that their trucks are probably involved in city projects. Mr. Dinsdale asked why couldn't the city install alternate truck routes. Mr. Dinsdale commented that next year the city should put in their contracts that Newell Street is embargoed for city projects. Mike Zierath, Warren Transport, Inc., stated that his company uses that road more than anyone else. Councilperson Berry asked if the truckers will continue using a different route. Mr. Zierath stated that he has noticed that the speed limit is not enforced on Newell Street during the middle of the day, or at least not being enforced often enough. Mr. Zierath stated that he believes this is not just truck traffic but buses, etc. Mr. Zierath stated that the new counts are a lot lower than the previous counts, and that the percent of truck traffic is minuscule when looking at the existing traffic. Mr. Zierath stated that Newell Street is a main thoroughfare and should not be embargoed. Mr. Zierath commented that his company is already rerouting truck traffic per the city's request. Mr. Zierath stated that the issue is can we find an alternative route that is a win/win situation for everyone. A resident stated that her ceiling is cracked and the doors and windows rattle from the truck traffic, and she asked if the truckers would allow that in their neighborhoods. Murphy now present at 4:12 p.m. A representative from John Deere stated that they do not support a truck embargo, and that requiring trucks to use Martin Luther King Drive is not a win/win situation. He stated that the city needs to control traffic and to establish alternate routes for trucks coming into the city. A representative from Weyerhaeuser Company stated that they do not support a truck embargo. He stated that the businesses need more roads and accesses. He stated that the businesses need to discuss this issue with the residents, and they would be willing to come up with ways to alleviate trucks at certain times. He stated he does not believe a truck embargo should be discussed at this time. He commented he does not believe any business encourages their drivers to speed to meet deadlines. Mayor Rooff stated that the council will receive and file the petitions at tonight's council meeting, table the ordinance and he will ask for additional traffic counts. Mayor Rooff stated that a meeting needs to be set up with the neighbors and eight or ten businesses to try to come up with the best solution using the current infrastructures and make a recommendation on what other infrastructure is needed. Mayor Rooff also asked the group to look at Donald Street and asked that City Engineering staff be involved with these discussions. • • Council Work Session September 4, 2001 Page 3 • • Mayor Rooff asked that a meeting be set up within the next two weeks, and that Mike Cook be the contact person for the neighborhoods and Dale Collingsworth from the Chamber will contact the businesses. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Berry that the meeting be adjourned at 4:28 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Gronen, Getty. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk