City of Lasalle Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee met Sept. 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Chairman Bacidore called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present- Alderman Bacidore, Alderman Ptak, Alderman Duncan, Alderman Reynolds Absent- Alderman Herndon
Others Present: Alderman Demes, Alderman Lavieri
A quorum was present.
The first item of discussion was a request from Paula Loebach for a disabled parking sign at 437 Sterling Street.
Alderman Bacidore, Alderman Ptak and Alderman Duncan were all if favor of recommending to the council to grant the request.
Chairman Bacidore explained that because we have a regular City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. and it is a lengthy agenda, he asked if there could be a motion made to adjourn the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee meeting no later than 6:25 p.m. or recess and reconvene at a later date.
Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to either recess the meeting of the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee by 6:25 p.m. or recess and reconvene at a later date if issues are not resolved. All were in favor.
Chairman Bacidore explained that an anonymous letter was sent to Mayor Grove, Carrie Brown, Robert Uranich and Alderman Bacidore regarding various issues concerning the vicinity of N. Marquette Street. Chairman Bacidore inquired if anyone present knew who sent the letter as it was not signed. Patricia Grant of 1156 Marquette Street stated that there is a N. Marquette Street Block Group. Mrs. Grant stated for the record that she compiled and sent the letter, but did not sign it because it was from the whole block.
Chairman Bacidore then made reference to Item 3 on the second page of the letter where there was a question if Carrie Brown the City Clerk is City Engineer Brian Brown’s wife. Chairman Bacidore inquired as to why she needed to know this information. Mrs. Grant stated that she is not from La Salle and it seems like everyone is related, therefore she was just curious.
Chairman Bacidore then brought each item included in the letter up for discussion.
Item #1- Request for a Speed Monitor to be installed on North Marquette Street both north to south and south to north.
In regard to the request for a speed monitor on N. Marquette, Mrs. Grant stated that this was requested approximately two months ago but nothing transpired. She would like the monitor placed on N. Marquette Street to monitor speeds. Discussion followed with Chairman Bacidore who indicated that that there are many streets in La Salle with heavier traffic flow and that determines where the monitors are placed. He inquired if Mrs. Grant notices a lot of speeding on this street. Mrs. Grant suggested that he ask those residents who were present for their opinions. Laura Gruenwald of 1135 Marquette Street stated that she sees a lot of speeding on her street. Chairman Bacidore asked how fast they are going and Ms. Gruenwald stated that she had no idea. Alderman Duncan asked if there was a time of day where traffic is more prevalent. Ms. Gruenwald stated that traffic picks up in the summer. Alderman Duncan asked if the traffic increases when school is in session during drop off and pick up times. Ms. Gruenwald stated that she leaves at 7:15 a.m. and works until 4 so she could not say.
Alderman Duncan asked Carol Baness what her thoughts were. Carol Baness, resident of 1130 Marquette, responded that it is difficult to give a specific answer and the City is asking the residents for expertise they do not have, but asked what hurt it would do to have a monitor on the street? She then added that she is respectful of the fact that the committee is addressing the residents’ concerns. She is grateful that some questions have been answered and expressed that the residents are happy with what has been done so far, but there are other questions to be answered. She continued by saying she is happy with the progress that is being made.
Alderman Duncan stated that he was under the impression that the changes that were previously agreed to, such as the speed bumps being installed and the alley being made one way were making a positive impact. He stated that recently the Mayor came up with the idea of making a portion of the alley two- way to assist those entering and exiting the school parking lot. Alderman Duncan continued by saying that he thinks what has changed the tone here was the letter compiled by Pat which was very negative. He stated that after the last meeting it seemed everyone was pleased and then the letter was received. Mrs. Baness stated that she does not think the letter is necessarily complaints other issues that need to be discussed. These were the items mentioned in the letter.
Mrs. Baness stated that another suggestion made in the letter (Item #2) was to designate the speed limit on Marquette as 15 mph. She acknowledged the fact that because it is on a sign does not mean drivers will adhere to it, but believed it was worthy of consideration. Alderman Duncan stated that it is almost impossible to go 15 miles per hour. Brief discussion followed which concluded that State Statute sets the speed limit within all City Streets in town at 30 mph unless an ordinance changes it. Alderman Duncan stated that he believes installing the monitor should be the first step. It was concluded that the speed monitor will be installed and once that is complete, then the speed limit change request can be reconsidered if need be.
Item #3- Request for marked parking spaces every 25 feet on the west side of N. Marquette Street which is currently the only side parking is allowed on.
In response to this request, City engineer Brown explained that there are striped parking spaces on Bucklin and Crosat Streets because they are federal aid routes. When federal funds are used, striping is required. Mrs. Grant indicated that many people do not have parking due to congestion in the area. School Superintendent Brian DeBernardi commented that he has noticed that when cars do not park close to the curb, and two cars are passing, it is a difficult exchange. Mr. Brown added as another point, with striped parking spaces, you must have enough width to allow two way traffic with a center line. Mr. Brown stated that he has not checked the width of the roadway, but doubts it is wide enough to allow this. Mrs. Grant clarified that she was not talking about striping a centerline, she was referring to painted parking spots. The committee acknowledged that they understood this. Alderman Duncan asked Mrs. Grant if she was ok if we did not approve this and she said yes that it was just brought up as a point of discussion. The other residents in attendance were not in favor of the marked parking spaces.
Item #4- The installation of stop signs southbound and northbound in the alley between North Marquette and Gooding Street.
In regard to this request, Mrs. Grant stated that this was brought this up as a suggestion as a planning issue mainly to remain consistent with signage in the alley between St. Vincent and Marquette. Residents Carol Baness, Laura Gruenwald and Joanie Janick did not think this was a problem and were not in favor of adding these stop signs.
Item #5- Further discussion of the recently install stop sign at the east alley onto Marquette Street (often referred to as Oak Road).
In response to this request, Chairman Bacidore stated that he clearly and slowly read the recommendations to install this stop sign at the Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee held on July 30, 2018 and everyone in attendance nodded in agreement with the exception of Mrs. Grant’s daughter who expressed her objection to the stop sign. Brief discussion followed, but it was concluded that no further action or changes would be made concerning signage.
Alderman Duncan asked the residents present if they were in favor of designating the north half of the north south alley near the school parking lot two way but leaving the remainder of the alley one way southbound to 11th Street. Mrs. Baness stated that she was willing to try, but thought there may be a learning curve. Chris Miller expressed concern about the general public who pull in off 11th and realize it is one way and can’t back up onto 11th Street.
The committee concluded the following recommendations would be made to the City Council for approval.
Alderman Duncan posed to the residents if they were in favor of making the north half of the alley between St. Vincent and Marquette two way, with the south half remaining one way. Mrs. Baness said she was in favor, but felt there would be a bit of a learning curve. Chris Miller, who resides at 720 Lincoln Court, expressed concerns about drivers who enter the alley off of 11th Street and then realize it is one-way south. He stated it is very difficult to turn around, so the general public who is not aware of the one way may continue to head north. Brief discussion followed. Chief Uranich also expressed some concerns with this plan.
Joanie Janick, who resides at 1225 Marquette, asked how every other alley in town makes it work with it being two- way. She wondered why we have to make this one- way. Alderman Duncan indicated that in his view this alley is more of a problem than other alleys in town because of the school. Carol Baness agreed and also stated that the stop light on 11th Street and people who use the alley who try to avoid the light is also a part of the problem. She stated that the speed bumps have helped this issue. City Engineer Brown stated that making the northern portion of the alley was a good solution if it is signed properly. He added that it will function similarly to the alley north of the Twisty Freeze, except that this alley is longer.
Chairman Bacidore asked if the residents present were fine with the recommendations presented. There were no verbal objections. Chairman Bacidore also asked if the residents felt rushed. The residents indicated that they did not.
Moved by Alderman Duncan and seconded by Alderman Ptak to make the following recommendations to the City Council.
In regard to Item #1, a speed monitor would be installed for a week.
In regard to Item #2, the speed limit change will be tabled and addressed at a later time depending upon what the speed monitor shows.
In regard to Item #3, the request for marked parking spots was denied.
In regard to Item #4, the request to install a stop signs in the alley between North Marquette and Gooding Streets, was denied.
In regard to Item #5, the stop sign at the east alley onto Marquette Street (Oak Road) will remain.
The alley between St. Vincent Avenue and Marquette Street, will remain one way south of the east alley onto Marquette Street (often referred to as Oak Road) to 11th Street and will be designated as two-way north of the east alley onto Marquette to Lindberg.
In addition, the east alley onto Marquette Street (often referred to as Oak Road) will remain two way.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
There were no further comments from the public. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2018-10/9-24-2018_0.pdf
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