WAUPACA COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION

January 24, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Captain Terry Wilz.  The meeting location was Hotel Fremont in Fremont, Wisconsin.

 

Members Present:  Patrol Captain Terry Wilz,  Thomas Knoop, Area DOT Program Manager;   Bob Flease, Population Representative,  Waupaca County Board Chairman Dick Koeppen, Dean Steingraber, Highway Commissioner, Lee Shaw, Mukwa Town Supervisor, Sheriff Brad Hardel, Andy Carlin, Emergency Management Director and Steve Krueger, State Patrol.

 

Patrol Captain Wilz read the open meeting statement.

 

Motion by Tom Knoop, seconded by Andy Carlin to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, with one change.  On Tom’s report, the 3rd line, the word “not” should be removed.  Motion carried without a negative vote.

 

Motion by Dean Steingraber, seconded by Dick Koeppen to approve the agenda.  Motion carried without a negative vote.

 

Public Input - None

 

Patrol Captain Wilz - see attached Traffic Report.      

 

Dean Steingraber – Hwy 10/Vaughn Road intersection again needs to be addressed.  Regional Director Russ Holbock said it would be a 4-5 year project to make a change at this intersection.  DNR said there are environmental issues at intersection.  There are cross traffic signs up 4 miles before intersection.  Dean felt more signage could be done.  Possibly restrict right in, right out.  Highway Committee is putting together a resolution to take to the County Board.  It would ask that the DOT study not only the Hwy 10/Vaughan Road intersection, as well as other parts of Hwy 10.  Bob Flease felt that going through the County Board might give the push a little more strength.  Cable crossing – Veteran’s Day accident where truck crossed the medium just east of the truck stop.  Guard rail damaged on Hwy 10, east of CTY X.  Tom said there is a large area without cable on Hwy 10.  Andy asked Dean for update on the Hwy 54/QQ intersection by the Truck Stop.  Dean said something is supposed to be started this summer.  Lee Shaw asked about the possibility of having a turn lane off Hwy 10.  Sheriff Hardel said it was such a narrow medium that he would prefer no traffic cross the road. 

 

Bob Flease – He stopped at Dr. Weber’s residence prior to the meeting.  Dr. Weber’s wife has been seriously ill and he asked to be removed from the Traffic Safety Meeting Committee.  His phone number is 920-915-2408.  Captain Wilz will contact Dr. Weber.

Dick Koeppen – There is an upcoming election change in the Board’s supervisor staff.  Possibility of four changes.  There is currently a great working board.  Dick represented the Wisconsin Counties Association in Washington DC at the National Counties Assoc. meeting.  Bob Flease said that Dick is getting Waupaca County on the map.  Dick said it was all team-work.

 

Tom Knoop – see attached.  570 fatals for 2011, up from 562 in 2010.  Waupaca County had a large number of fatalities in 2011.  13 in 2011 and 6 in 2010.  Waupaca County had 251 OWI related convictions in 2011.  Inattentive driving was the highest cause of crashes in 2010 (Waupaca County had 133 and 234 for Failure to Maintain Control).  Act 73 regarding bicycle safety is of concern.  Act 91 increases the penalty for fraudulent use of Disabled Parking Cards.  Act 111 allows transport of a child in a more restrictive restraint than required by law.  Act. 113 involved increased penalties for operating without a license, OAR and OWS.  January’s Law of the Month is “Move Over Law”, February is “Driving too fast for conditions causes many wintertime troubles” and March is “Wear your safety belt or risk being stopped and ticketed”  Steve asked if Tom had seen anything on the new DMV cell phone.  Tom said what he’s seen is not clear enough for him to present.  Steve said the law has been interpreted differently by different people.  Involves any hand-held cell phone.  It can sit on the seat, but cannot be held.  Blue tooth phone will probably be allowed.  From Steve’s knowledge, there is no exemption for highway truck drivers.  Brad said we’ve had two officers trained, but doesn’t know if that will qualify or not to issue citations. 

 

Sheriff Hardel – Feels there is a real urgency with the Hwy 10/Vaughan issue.  He would like to push for limited access and limit cross traffic.  Tom asked if the intersection was changed at all when the speed limit was changed.  No, it was not.  Need to work on a frontage road or some other alternative.  Dean suggested he and the Sheriff talk with local businesses and school officials for a round-table conversation.  Ask for their input and also invite the DOT.  Sheriff Hardel agreed this would be a good starting point.  Sheriff Hardel would like to see accelerate and de-accelerate lanes put in.  Captain Wilz has spoken with Jack Keiffer, DOT representative, and provided him with all the information regarding the Hwy 10/Vaughan road intersection.  Dean said Bud Brown, from Weyauwega, has started a petition from area residents to make the road safer. 

 

Andy Carlin – Nothing

 

Steve Krueger –  Above with Tom Knoop.

 

Lee Shaw – Informed the committee that Farm Technology Days is coming to Outagamie County on July 17, 18 and 19.  Our department has been working with them regarding traffic issues.  Per Steve, State Patrol will be staffing Hwy 45/76/22, Hwy 45/D/N and Hwy 45/WW.

 

Motion by Tom Knoop, seconded by Dick Koeppen to adjourn at 12:56 p.m.   Motion carried.  Our next quarterly meeting will be held on April 19, 2012 at 12:00 p.m., at Hotel Fremont, Fremont, Wisconsin.

 

Vickie Thoe, Secretary