WAUPACA COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
May 1, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Patrol Captain Todd Rasmussen. The meeting location was Hotel Fremont, Fremont, Wisconsin.
Members Present: Patrol Captain Todd Rasmussen, Highway Commissioner Dean Steingraber, State DOT Representative Tony Kemnitz,Dan Brugman (accompanying Tony Kemnitz), Medical Representative Dr. Jerry Salan, Coroner Barry Tomaras, District Attorney John Snider, County Board Chairman Dick Koeppen, Drivers Education Representative Larry Schlueter, Law Enforcement Committee Representative Bill Jonely, State Patrol Sgt. Carrie Johnson, State Patrol Officer Kendi Linjer, and Population Representative Bob Flease.
Patrol Captain Rasmussen read the open meeting statement.
Motion by Tony Kemnitz, seconded by John Snider to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried without a negative vote.
Motion by Bob Flease, seconded by John Snider to approve the agenda. Motion carried without a negative vote.
Public Input - None
Patrol Captain Rasmussen - See attached Traffic Report. Waupaca County had a total of 320 accidents for the 1st quarter of 2014, compared to 309 for the same time frame in 2013. Tony asked if these numbers included all Police Departments or are only for the Sheriff’s Office. They are county officer written reports as-well-as those written by State Patrol.
Dean Steingraber – Had a concern brought to his attention this morning by County Board Supervisor Terry Murphy to look at the speed limit on Hwy 49, south of Iola. This is going past the school and cemetery. The speed limit increases to 55 as you crest the hill, just past the school. Tony will talk about this during his report.
Dr. Salan – Nothing
Barry Tomaras – Nothing
John Snider – Changes in the DA’s Office. Prosecutor is leaving and the traffic secretary for many years has left. A paralegal intern is assisting and attending pre-trials. The new prosecutor will not be able to start until August 1, so his office will be short handed. John asked that people contact him with questions they might have previously asked of those that are leaving. Karen is handling the criminal traffic complaints and she may be able to assist. John will have litigation news at our next quarterly meeting.
Dick Koeppen – Asked when he is on a current 35 mph speed limit and sees the sign ahead for 55 mph, when can you actually go 55? The speed zone starts when you get to the sign, per Tony. A warning sign is put up 500 feet in advance to let people know that the limit will be increasing. County board has four new supervisors. Dick will be selecting committees and sub-committees soon.
Bill Jonely - Nothing
Tony Kemnitz – Dan Brugman was shadowing Tony as a new DOT employee. Tony had two handouts for the committee members. Hwy 49/Meadow Road, south of Iola, a speed zone modification was requested this morning and sent to Madison. DOT is looking at shifting the speed zone from 35 mph, south on Hwy 49, from 0.15 mile to ¼ mile south of Meadow Road, where the speed zone will start. People coming north into Iola don’t see the 35 mph speed zone sign at the bottom of the hill until they have crested the hill and then have to break hard. Dean asked how long it may take for a response to the request. Tony said he didn’t know who would approve it now as they no longer have a Speed Zone Engineer in Madison. He’s hoping it will be done by the next meeting.
Status of cross-over crass analysis on Erickson Road/Hwy 22/CTY A. This has become a statewide issue. 17 locations are requested, including the ones in Waupaca County. Waupaca County is ranked 12 out of 17. A concrete barrier wall could cost 4.2 – 4.3 million. A cheaper alternative is to put cable barrier median about a foot off the bottom of the ditch. This would be a little under a million to do the section in Waupaca County.
Hwy 10/Vaughan Road to Harrington Road. Cable median was looked at for this location also. The cost for this would be around $250,000. Tony is hoping for finalization of approved locations to receive cable barrier after a mid-May meeting by WisDOT Management in Madison. Time frame for a cable median installation on Hwy 10 would be 2016-2018, if approved. WisDOT is moving forward with an activated beacon warning system so that when vehicles approach this area it will activate a flashing beacon on Hwy 10 to let someone know a vehicle is crossing the road in front of them.
Hwy 54/CTY QQ – signals are going to be done at this location, which will provide protected only left turn by Kwik Trip. This is on schedule for a bid-let and hope to award a contract this month and constructed between Labor Day and the start of gun deer hunting in November.
Hwy 45/15 – looking at adding protected only left turn arrows similar to those at Walgreens to address this crash problem. This was the #1 hot spot in the region for crashes. This is on the WisDOT electricians worklist and should be done this summer.
Hwy 49/Northland – There had been a request to look at the speed zone in this area. Once digger hot line is cleared, the county will put speed limit signs up for 45 mph through Northland.
Hwy 49/CTY D by New London – this on Dan’s work list to do an intersection crash analysis to take a look at the signing and marking to attempt to alert drivers of the trucks pulling out.
CTY D/O – Dick’s question from south of Clintonville. This is a tier 1 crash location, so it is a high crash spot. Tony will look at what can be done to address this area.
Hwy 54 speed study in New London, starting at Walgreens and out past the ramps. It is currently 45 mph. In looking at all the criteria, it falls below the data required, so could not be labeled a safety issue and does not justify lowering the speed limit at this time.
Bob Flease – Nothing
Sgt. Johnson – The State Patrol will be doing the aircraft mitigation on Hwy 45 in Marion on May 18 from 1-5pm with another one planned for the end of June. Captain Rasmussen asked if this was being handled by the State Patrol and Sgt. Johnson said that our officers are more than welcome to assist. They would like a K-9, if possible. Sgt. Johnson said she had a meeting the next day regarding the Hwy 10/CTY E bridge work.
State Patrol Officer Kendi Linjer - Nothing
The next quarterly meeting will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 12 noon.
Motion by John Snider to adjourn, seconded by Larry Schlueter at 12:30 p.m. Motion carried.
Vickie Thoe, Secretary