08-23-84 Safety Comm Minutes4:00 P. M. August 23, 1984
SAFETY COMMITTEE
The committee met this date in the Conference Room at City Hall. Present were Chair-
man Schindler, Committee member Saverud, DPW Hammer, Chief Stefanic, Joe Withey, Larry
Brazda of. the Highway Department and Roger Hopkins, Daily Inter Lake.
Mr. Withey expressed his concern for traffic problems on US #93 S of Kalispell from
13th to 18th Streets. Property owners have requested different types of traffic reg-
ulatory situations but nothing was ever done. There are no walkways and a caution
light has been taken down. Chief Stefanic reported 6 accidents in a period of 3
years at this .intersection.
Larry Brazda stated that he drives the area daily, would like to see it made into 4
lanes from the Courthouse to Levingoods. He explained that sufficiency ratings deter-
mine how Hiway Dept. monies are spent. In the study done in 1980, it did not show as
being a "red line road". The area will have to be re -rated to be considered. He
felt that signals would only compound the problem.
DPW Hammer reported on information on a grant being available which is based on making
a determination of how a traffic problem can be solved. Funds will be available in
the spring and he, Chief Stefanic and Building Official Petersen are working on a
design which will be submitted. The deadline on this is September 15.
Discussion of the problem at Rosauers and the necessity of a study being done to de-
termine that a light is warranted. Larry Brazda requested a letter from DPW Hammer
requesting that a traffic study be done. This would be helpful in getting state fund-
ing to correct the problem.
C. Saverud asked about statistics on average speed. Chief Stefanic stated that it has
not been monitored since STEP was under grant. Mr. Brazda stated that he could have
it done. .This should help to decide if speed limit reductions should be moved farther
south.
Speed appears to not so much a problem as congestion; the extra lane of traffic at
Airport Road is a complication. Chief Stefanic stated that it would be a lengthy and
costly program to become meaningful in tagging youthful offenders .in the area; he also
stated if the kids are moved from Rosauers area, the problem is moved as well.
Larry Brazda will request a study by the traffic engineer with recommendations but
stated that nothing could be done right away. He stated that hours between 4:00 and
6:00 PM are as bad as it gets. This area is not a TAC priority.
Chief Stefanic gave times of day that accidents occurred and compared driver ages in
this and Main and 13th area.
All present agreed to visit the area immediately after the meeting.
FVCC Request
The community college has asked for some sort of traffic control at 1st Avenue and lst
Street E. Larry Brazda stated that a study was done here and a light isn't warranted.
He suggested the possibility of eliminating 3-4 stalls of parking. Other -items men-
tioned were painting in a cross walk which will be done, and talking to students about
the traffic problem. Because the campus quite possibly will be moved, the cost of
flashing warning lights is not justified.
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Post Office Intersection
41 Requests have been made to replace the signal light at this intersection, but because
-- fire lanes have been redone to coincide with 4th, it does not seem feasible. A traffic
study will be done. Installation of signs, painting crosswalk and the effect of the
proposed mall were discussed. Crosswalk painting to be done in thenextweek or two.
Miscellaneous
The crosswalk at Russell school will be done into the Heller property; this will be
painted when construction is completed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 to meet at Rosauer-property.
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