05/16/77 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 16, 1977 REQUEST TO SCRAP POLICE VEHICLES APPROVED Chief Michael Borkowski requested permission of the Board to scrap Mechanic #631 and Mechanic #661. He noted that the cost to repair the vehicles exceeds their value and recommends that they be declared obsolete and disposed of as junk after parts are stripped from them. Upon motion made by Mr. McMahon, seconded by Mr. Brunner and carried, the Board approved the recommendation to declare the vehicles obsolete and dispose of them. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC AND PARI:ING CONTROL ON WESTERN AVE14UE Mr. Michael Dillon of the DeFrew Carpet Company, 1616 Western Avenue, was present to advise the Board of a -problem faced by.customers leaving his lot on Western Avenue. Mr. Dillon said cars parking on Western Avenue decrease visibility for vehicles attempting to pull out on Western Avenue. He submitted photographs of traffic congestion occurring at various hours during the day. Mr. Dillon noted that the curb was painted yellow for 20 feet at the entrance to their parking lot. He then displayed.two newspaper articles regarding traffic accidents, one a fatality, which have occurred in the area. Mr. Dillon said he was requesting that parking be removed from in front of his store on Western Avenue. He said that vehicle traffic in that area travels at a much higher rate of speed than the 35 m.p.h. posted limit. Mr. McMahon advised the members of the Board that Mr. Dillon's original request was transmitted to the Mayor's office and referred to the Engineering Department. It was their recommendation that the -yellow curb be marked at the entrance to the parking lot. Mr. McMahon said the Engineering Department does not feel that parking should be removed from Western Avenue in this area. The roadway is wide enough to accommodate four driving lanes and parking. Mr. McMahon said at no time has the City considered removing parking from the area. He said they indicated that they would remove some parking immediately next to the driveway into the parking lot and that has been done. In regard to the traffic accidents mentioned, Mr. McMahon said neither was related to parking in the area. One was the result of a passenger getting out of a car and crossing the street and the other was caused by a driver making a U-turn on Western Avenue in the middle of the street. Mr. McMahon said the Mayor was advised that parking would not be removed with the exception of the 20 foot segment at the entrance to the parking lot. The Police Department has been asked to conduct an investigation regarding cars traveling at excessive speeds and has been asked to arrest violators. Mr. Dillon said the yellow curb at the entrance to the parking lot removes only one vehicle. He asked where he could now take his complaint. fir. McMahon noted that this Board is the body which makes decisions on parking restrictions and the matter rests here. Mr. Dillon asked the other members of the Board if they agreed. Mr. Brunner asked why Mr. Dillon considered this an unusual area. He noted that this is a straight stretch of road. Mr. Dillon said cars coming out of the driveway from his parking lot have difficulty seeing if the street is clear and have to back up. Mr. Mullen asked when the curb was painted yellow. Mr. Dillon said it was painted on May 3, the day after he appeared before the Common Council with his complaint. Mr. Mullen said, according to the times on the photographs submitted, it appears that the congestion occurs at the noon hour. Mr. Dillon said there is a restaurant next door to his store and the congestion occurs over the noon hour and on Monday and Friday nights when the store is open. The area is also congested on Saturdays when there are activities at the American Legion Post. He said his store has provided a parking lot for customers. Other business places in the area provide no off-street parking, although there is a field directly across the street which might be used for parking. Mr. McMahon advised the members of the Board that when this matter was discussed at the Common Council meeting, the members