Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Minutes-Approved December 7, 201110:00 am Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Highway Safety Coordinator Sheriff Nancy Hove Members present: Sheriff Nancy Hove, Neil Gulbranson, Pierce County Sheriffs Department; Jason Matthys, Pierce County Sheriffs Department; AI Thoner, Pierce County Highway Department; Bill Schroeder, Trucking Industry; Bill Traynor, Wisconsin State Patrol; Brad Lawrence, Pierce County Corporation Counsel; Dennis Johnson, Wisconsin DOT/BOTS; Greg Helgeson, Wisconsin DOT/NW Region; Jim Harris, Pierce County Highway Department; Chad Johnson, Pierce County Highway Department; Greg Place, Pierce County Board of Supervisors. Approve last meeting minutes: Motion by C. Johnson/ seconded by B. Schroeder to approve September 14, 2011 meeting minutes. Carried. Public comments pertaining to items not on agenda. Steve Mark, W8050 CTH "J" Ellsworth addressed the group about a curve in front of his residence which has been the cause of several vehicles skidding off the road into his yard. He sent out a sixteen page information packet by e-mail to Sheriff Hove and C. Johnson addressing the problem. He said the vehicles are heading southbound on CTH "J" when they leave the road. The Safety will place this on the agenda for the next meeting but in the meantime the County Highway Department during their normal course of business will look at the location. AI Thoner stated they filled in the bump on Main Street in the Village of Ellsworth near Brickner's Station with blacktop. This should help fix the problem. He also stated they ground the location on US 10 in front of the Super America where the blacktop meets concrete. Sheriff Hove spoke about the traffic fatality on CTH "F" and STH 29. N. Gulbranson stated he received a complaint about brush growing around a speed limit sign on US 10 when you are coming into East End from the East. Items previously discussed at former meetings: None. New Topics for Discussion and action: a. US 10 construction 2016. C. Johnson and G. Helgeson spoke about the construction on US 10 from Prescott to US 63. The original project called for the concrete to be busted up and replaced. The DOT is now looking at milling the concrete and then seal all the expansion joints and cracks with blacktop patching material and after that is completed they would lay a two inch overlay over the concrete roadbed. b. Hill East of CTH "E". The original DOT plan called for the hill just east of the intersection of US 10 and CTH"E" on US 10 be leveled at the same time as the original road construction project on US 10 was done. Since the DOT has scaled back the construction to take place in 2016 on US 10 this hill removal will not take place. DOT has looked at the accident history and it shows most accidents at US 10 and CTH"E" are caused by vehicles not stopping at the stop signs on CTH"E" both coming from the South and North and not caused by the hill on US 10. This will continue to be studied in the future. c. Status of HSIP project on CTH "QQ" {North leg) at USH 10. C. Johnson reported this project is scheduled for 2013. Engineering is studying this location presently and it is moving ahead. WI DOT-Updates: D. Johnson spoke about traffic fatalities. As of this date in 2010 there were 536 fatalities statewide. For the same time period in 2011 there 525 traffic fatalities. The five year average
as of December 4, 2011 is 591 traffic fatalities. Vehicle miles traveled in 2010 showed a 2% increase over 2009. Seven Pierce County traffic fatalities were reviewed. Two were motorcyclists. Laws of the month were for October 2011 sharing the road with farm equipment and other slow moving vehicles. For November it was meeting the challenges of winter driving in Wisconsin and for the month of December it is National drunk and drugged driving prevention month. Grants available to Pierce County were reviewed. Next meeting date is March 14, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Pierce County Highway Department meeting room. Motion made by B. Schroeder/ seconded by G. Helgeson to adjourn at 10:55 am. Carried. Chief Deputy Neil Gulbranson
Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Minutes-Approved September 14, 2011 10:00 am 1. Meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Coordinator SheriffNancy Hove. Members present: Sheriff Nancy Hove; Jeff Sather, River Falls Police Department: Greg Helgeson, WI DOT; Andrea Loeffelholz, WI DOT Transportation Safety; Jeremy Brunner, WI State Patrol; Al Thoner, Pierce County Highway Department; Brad Lawrence, Corporation Counsel; Greg Engeset, Village ofellsworth; Bill Dravis, Prescott Fire and EMS; David Deiss, 3M; Bill Schroeder, Trucking Industry; Jason Matthys, Pierce County Sheriff's Department; Chad Johnson, Pierce County Highway Department; Dr. Chris Tashjian, Medical; and Neil Gulbranson, Pierce County Sheriff's Department. 2. Approve last meeting minutes. Motion by G. Helgeson/ seconded by B. Schroeder to approve June 8, 2011 meeting minutes. Carried. 3. Public comments pertaining to items not on agenda. B. Schroeder stated he had a phone call with an individual if some kind of a sign could be installed on the Hager Hill on US 63 telling people to keep to the right as they head north. Problems with vehicles passing farm equipment in no passing zones in that area of US 63. Greg Helgeson will look at the area. Put it on the agenda for next meeting. Al Thoner reported he just received a call from DOT stating they will shut down their construction project in Maiden Rock on STH 35 for this weekend's Fall Cycle Run. This will allow two lane passages in Maiden Rock. Sheriff's Department expressed thanks to DOT for taking this measure for this weekend's anticipated heavy cycle traffic. 4. Items previously discussed at former meetings; A. USH 10/ Piety Street intersection Ellsworth. G. Helgeson reported he sent a letter to Ellsworth Village Board expressing the DOT's plans to improve the above intersection in the Village of Ellsworth in 2015-2016. Plans were shown to the committee. The cost of the project will be State DOT 75% and Village of Ellsworth 25%. Gulbranson reported the Village Board passed the concept at its Village Board meeting on September 12, 2011. Planning will continue. B. Update on signing of STH 29/ 35 (Cemetery Road). Helgeson reported as soon as the signs in River Falls are changed the new location of STH 29 will run with Cemetery Road and then north on STH 65 which will change to STH 29/35/65. City will be making changes and improvements along Cascade in front of the University. Traffic calming effects will be used. 5. New topics for Discussion and action; A. STH 35 north of CTH E. C. Johnson and B. Dravis reported on truck accidents notih of the above intersection in the area of s curves and steep grade on STH 35. G. Helgeson reported he will check the area and possibly install signs notifying of steep grade. B. Main Street by Super America-Ellsworth. N. Gulbranson reported it was brought to his attention the hump in that area caused a trailer to come off a vehicle when it hit the hump.
A. Thoner reported it should be ground down and fixed. County Highway will look at the problem. It was discussed to put on the next agenda same problem on Main Stand Grant Street in the Village of Ellsworth. Settling issues in this area should be discussed. 6. WIS DOT-Updates. A. Loeffelholtz from Madison DOT office reported on Pierce County's 2 traffic fatalities this year along with statewide traffic accident counts. A report was passed out to committee members along with Bills of Interest to the Wisconsin Safety Community. Laws of the Month were also passed out. 7. Set next meeting date. Next meeting will be December 14, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Pierce County Highway Department. 8. Adjourn. Motion by B. Schroeder/ seconded by G. Helgeson to adjourn at 11:06 am. Carried. Chief Deputy Neil Gulbranson
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES-Approved June 8, 2011 10:00 a.m. Meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m., by Coordinator SheriffNancy Hove. Members present: Nancy Hove, Sheriff; Al Thoner, Pierce County Patrol Superintendant; Dennis Johnson, DOT Transportation Safety; Greg Helgeson, WI DOT Engineer; Jim Harris, Pierce County Construction Superintendant; PUBLIC COMMENTS: None ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED: A. Update on STH 29 I 3 5 (cemetery road) agreement with City of RF approved and hopeful to have sign change done with minor changes to widen roundabouts. Will keep on next agenda for further updates. B. Update on USH10/CTH QQ lower leg ofcth QQ scheduled for 2013, HWY 63/825th Street near High Bridge for designated left tum lane scheduled for 2013 and HWY 128 realign curves scheduled for 2015. NEW TOPICS: A. No parking signs up by Ellsworth Rod & Gun WIS DOT UPDATES: Dennis Johnson, Bureau of Traffic Safety Representative, advised to date 185 Fatalities so far in 2011. Pierce County has had none to date for 2011. April and May 2011 safest on WI highways since WWII. Gave update regarding legislation regarding mandatory insurance, reduces minimum requirements. Traffic Data Bill has been stalled. Bill prohibiting cell phone use for bus drivers. NEXT MEETING DATE scheduled for Wednesday September 14,2011 at 10:00 a.m. Motion to adjourn and adjourned 10:50 a.m. Neil Gulbranson,
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES-Approved March 16, 2011 10:00 a.m. Meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m., by Coordinator SheriffNancy Hove. Members present: Neil Gulbranson, Pierce County Sheriffs Department; Al Thoner, Pierce County Patrol Superintendant; David Deiss, 3M Traffic Safety; Gary Brown, Pierce County Emergency Management; Brad Lawrence, Pierce County Corp. Counsel; Dennis Johnson, DOT Transportation Safety; Steve Tape, Wisconsin State Patrol; Greg Helgeson, WI DOT Engineer; Greg Engeset, Village of Ellsworth Public Works Director; Jim Ranis, Pierce County Construction Superintendant; Chad Johnson, Pierce County Highway Commissioner. PUBLIC COMMENTS: -Chad Johnson of PC HWY was contacted by a citizen who lives across from the Rod & Gun on STH 72 regarding fishermen parking on the north side of STH 72 near the Rod & Gun and requesting it be posted "NO PARKING" like the south side of STH 72 is in that location. Greg Helgeson will do follow up on the issue. -Jim Ranis from PC HWY advised they have received complaints regarding the tree on SE corner ofcth 00 & USH 10 belonging to George Cobian that blocks visibility at that corner. Al Thoner from PC HWY advised they will look at it and get it trimmed up. ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED: A. Update on intersection of Piety Street & USH 10 in Village ofellsworth. Greg Helgeson advised the state is still working on different layout & drawings. When these are complete he will meet with Village of Ellsworth regarding the cost share portion of the project and possibility of having to buy the property on the SE corner for a turn lane. Will keep on next agenda for further updates. B. Update on Highway Safety Improvement Projects. Greg Helgeson advises that all three projects were approved. Project in Trenton Township on intersection of HWY 63 & 825th Street at the base of the High Bridge is slated for 2013, Oak Grove Township USH 10 & CTH QQ to lower the hill on the north leg is slated for 2013. PC HWY will complete this project. 128 North of Elmwood lmile slated for 2015 to re-align curves and replace culverts. Motion to complete letter to refresh endorsement. Helgeson will draft letter to be completed by Coordinator Hove. Motion made by Chad Johnson and 2nd by David Deiss, motion carried. Letter will be drafted. C. Update regarding 2011 projects; Wall in Maiden Rock on STH 35 has tentative start date in April2011, CTH A to be repaved from STH 35 to USH 10 and CTH KK south of HWY 63 also to be completed in 2011
D. Update on implements of husbandry; Dennis Johnson advised he did send off an e-mail o Charles Lorentz of WI DOT regarding any possible new legislation being introduced regarding this. E-mail he received back indicated there was none at this time. Sheriff Hove asked Steve Tape of WI State Patrol about this and some discussion took place. It was agreed Steve would contact Deputy Hines at the Sheriffs Department and discuss the issue with him. E. Flooding Update: Gary Brown from Emergency Management advised that as of the last flood forecast issued on March 3, 2011 it indicates a 98 percent chance of major flooding. HWY 63 on Trenton Island would need flood stage at 18 ~ feet to bring it to the fog line of HWY 63 and then the Highway would be shut down if it reaches that level. USH 10 out of Prescott on the Minnesota side is likely to stay open due to the reconstruction of that roadway that bought it to higher stage level. Gary Brown advised there will be a telephone hotline for the flooding and also the county website will be a source of update on the flooding. Sheriff Hove has sent out letters to residence in the flood prone area advising property owners to take precautions to remove or secure items that may be in flood area. HWY advised they will position signs on HWY 63 to update road conditions regarding the flood waters in that area. It was also advised that there will be no sandbagging of HWY 63 to keep it open. Once water reached the fog line it will close. Next flood forecast update comes out on March 29, 2011. WIS DOT UPDATES: Dennis Johnson, Bureau of Traffic Safety Representative, advised 73 Fatalities so far in 2011, just slightly above last year's total of 68 at this time. Pierce County has had none to date for 2011. February 2011 had 22 total statewide. Wisconsin statistics for 2010 show 563 total Fatalities and 518 total Fatal Accidents. Gave update regarding legislation regarding mandatory insurance, budget. Laws of the Month: MARCH- Who has the Right-of-Way When Merging Onto a Freeway? APRIL-Wisconsin's Absolute Sobriety Law means NOT a DROP of Alcohol for Driver under the age of 21. MAY-Tailgating increases your risks of a traffic ticket and a crash JUNE-Slower Traffic Keep Right, drivers must allow faster traffic to pass in the left lane on divided highways. NEXT MEETING DATE scheduled for June 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Motion by Gulbranson, seconded by Chad Johnson, motion carried. Neil Gulbranson,