City of La Salle Streets, Alleys & Traffic Committee Met March 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Chairman Bacidore called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Present- Alderman Bacidore, Alderman Ptak, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Jeppson, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Crane
Absent- None
Others Present- Deputy City Clerk Brent Bader, Attorney Jim McPhedran, City Engineer Brian Brown,
A quorum was present.
It was moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Ptak to approve and place on file the minutes of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee for December 28, 2020. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
Discussion followed in regard to the request to repair or replace the No Parking sign and to remove a Deaf Child sign both located on the north side of Baker Avenue off Crosat Street, as well as addressing parking issues on the south side of Baker Avenue near 2163 Crosat.
Alderman Bacidore said he drove up there and part of the curb on the south side of Baker near 2163 Crosat Street is painted yellow, but two SUVs were parked in the remaining area. Alderman Bacidore asked what the petitioner is proposing.
Alderman Crane said the petitioner works nights and therefore was unable to attend the meeting, but has had multiple conversations with Alderman Crane. The resident is suggesting putting a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on the south side of Baker Avenue which would start at the west edge of his driveway between the alley and his driveway and extend east to Crosat Street. He indicated to Alderman Crane that he has spoken to several neighbors who are also in support of this plan.
Alderman Lavieri said he was there at 12:45 p.m. yesterday and there were no cars parked in the area under discussion. Alderman Herndon commented that if we were to approve his proposal there would be no parking on the north or south side of Baker.
Alderman Crane said the petitioner, as another option, proposed a stop sign on the SE corner of Crosat. That way traffic would stop versus turning quickly into a parked car. Alderman Crane asked how many parked cars have been hit there. Alderman Herndon said there was an accident in 2006. Alderman Bacidore said that the last time this petitioner made this same request he stated the reason was because he could not back out of his driveway. Alderman Crane stated that the resident still expresses his difficulty in backing out. City Engineer Brian Brown inquired as to why we have no parking on the north side versus the south side and wondered if it was because of Pohar traffic. Alderman Herndon stated that the city designated the north side as No Parking in 2011, partly because of this resident, but also due to Pohar traffic. Alderman Herndon stated that in his opinion works well as it is. Alderman Lavieri stated that in his opinion the problem exists because people have more cars per household than they used to. Alderman Crane agreed and said Alderman Lavieri’s observation is the petitioner’s as well.
The petitioner does not understand why his neighbors do not park their cars in the alley or in the city diamond or in the driveways behind their homes. They prefer to park on the street.
Alderman Demes responded by saying that what this comes down to is the fact that residents do not own the parking space in front of their houses. It is a city street so anyone had the right to park where they choose. Alderman Ptak asked what Alderman Crane suggests should be done. Alderman Crane said that he is basically relaying the information.
Alderman Crane then moved to install a No Parking sign from the driveway on the south side of 2163 Crosat Street from the alley to the corner of Baker and Crosat Streets. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion Failed.
It was then moved by Alderman Crane to erect a stop sign on the SE corner of Crosat at Baker. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion Failed.
It was then moved by Alderman Crane and seconded by Alderman Herndon to replace the “No Parking”sign with a new one and remove the “Deaf Child” sign both located on the north side of Baker Avenue near 2163 Crosat Street.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Crane, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: None
Motion carried. 7-0
In regard to a request from Sandy Seaback resident of 342 Crosat Street, Chairman Bacidore asked the petitioner to come forward to explain her request. Ms. Seaback explained that due to the manner in which the neighbors’ cars are parked near her driveway, she has difficulty backing out of her drivewayand has almost been hit several times. She said in the summer it is even worse. This is located north of the laundromat.
Alderman Reynolds further described that the parking issues have disrupted her garbage pick-up and newspaper delivery due cars blocking the paper box and her garbage cans. In addition, during snow events the neighbors across the street park on her side of the street which prevents her side of the street from being cleared. After the plows come through they then move the cars to their side of the street which leaves piles of snow near Ms. Seaback’s driveway. She indicated that she has reached outto the neighbors asking them if they could park elsewhere and the neighbors responded that it is a city street and they can park anywhere they want to. She said she also reached out to the News Tribune to see if they could assist in some way, but they said there was nothing they could do. Alderman Reynolds concurred with Ms. Seaback’s portrayal of the issues she is facing. She explained that she is requesting aNo Parking sign from the small wire fence on the south side of her property to the northernmost edge of her driveway. Alderman Lavieri and Alderman Demes said this is one of the widest streets in town. Ms. Seaback said it is very hard for emergency vehicles to make it through the street, they have to slow down to get through.
Alderman Demes said he has a similar situation. He said he just has to back out slowly as he cannot see cars coming through the alley. He said he just puts his four-way flashers on when he backs out and suggested she do the same. Mrs. Seaback said the cars just do not slow down.
Ms. Seaback said she would like no parking one car length from the fence to her driveway which is approximatley one car length. That would allow her to back out easier and make her newspaper box accessible.
Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to recommend to the city council toerect a “No Parking” sign from the fence near her driveway, approximately one car length to the corner.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Crane, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon
Motion carried 5-2
In regard to a request from James Demes to make improvements to the south portion of the city diamond near his residence at 345 Second Street., Mr. Demes pointed out on a visual depiction of his property where his lot is located. Mr. Demes explained that he put in concrete last year and was told by his concrete contractor he should concrete out to the alley. Mr. Demes said he has an easement to use the parking lot behind the Prokup building, but when a business is in there he cannot take advantage of the easement as cars are parked there. With Key Outdoors going into the building April 1st, he will notbe able to park there. There is a 10’ x 12’ square that is already paved, so he is proposing to go fromthat square out to the alley 15-20 feet that curves to about 10 feet. He plans to improve the diamond to avoid mud being dragged into his garage. Mr. Demes said no utilities are affected other than his sewer line and he understands the public can use this for ingress and egress purposes. Mr. Demes acknowledged that all improvements are at his cost and the property remains city property.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Crane, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: None
Motion carried. 7-0
The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2021-03/3-8-2021_2.pdf
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