07-24-86 Safety Comm Minutes• 8:30 A.M. SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 24, 1986
The Committee met in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were
Chairman Sandy Schindler, Committee Members Saverud and Grainger, Police
Chief Stefanie and Fire Chief Larson.
Schindler called the meeting to order with discussion of the problem of
trains blocking intersections in the city. An ordinance change is needed
that would include all intersections. The current ordinance covers only the
areas of Main Street, 4th Avenue East and 5th Avenue West.
The committee will recommend the change to Council. After input for his
department, Chief Larson left the meeting for another commitment.
Chief Stefanie referred to a request from Kalispell Regional Hospital for
installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Conway Drive and
Claremont Street. The matter was referred to DPW Hammer, who approved the
request, there were no objections and the request will be presented to
Council. C. A. Neier will be asked to draft the proper ordinance.
Councilman Saverud said that he had been told the stop sign at 4th Avenue
East and Center Street, north side, is in the ground but not imbedded.
Councilman Schindler told of the request from the Episcopal Church, 3rd
Avenue East, for a handicap loading zone on Second Street at the corner. It
was decided to give them a portable safety sign which could be placed as
needed during church services.
• Jerry Diegel, Traffic Signals, requests reconsideration on permission for
signs in boulevards on Idaho at 3rd and 4th Avenues West. Councilman
Grainger stated that he has received many calls on the obstruction of
traffic at this site. The signs in question are located at the Muffler
Shop and FIFTH. Councilman Saverud stated that we formally authorized this
permission and suggested reviewing the type of action that was done. He said
that we have quite a few obstructing signs and feels if are talking about
obstructing vision and traffic control, we should consider limiting the size
of cars parked adjacent to alleys. This one will be handled, then Jerry
will be requested to bring problems such as this to us so that action can be
taken. Chief Stefanie said that we have an ordinance dealing with signs
adjacent to intersections but this is insufficient where a street is fairly
wide. Areas such as Woodland and Second intersection,the Conoco station
sign near B&B, were discussed also. Councilman Grainger has mentioned the
Woodland intersection problem to Mayor Kennedy, who said he would take care
of it. Councilman Saverud felt a recommended ordinance to give on -going
authority to handle these problems would be better, rather than having to
wait and go through a process like this. Research will be made on the
Council's specific action on the FIFTH and will be brought to Council with
recommendation to have the signs moved back to the south.
Ewings construction was discussed, including their satellite dishes. Chief
Stefanie advised that the curbs were now being placed, at least the forms
• are in the ground, but he is not sure they are regular curbs.
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• Regarding the Rider's request for a handicapped parking sign at their
residence at 1017 let Avenue West, Councilman Schindler stated that similar
requests have been turned down. Chief Stefanie pointed out they have quite
a wide driveway, but construction in that area does present a problem right
now. This was put on hold for the time being.
Councilman Saverud commented that when Tom Kosena of the Missoula Parking
Commission gave his presentation, be said that Missoula was instituting this
year parking permits in the residential areas to try to solve University
parking extending into residential regions. This bears watching for
possible solutions to the high school parking.
Councilman Schindler went on to the problem area at 7th Avenue E.N./Oregon:
Many complaints have been made by Arthur Williams who lives in the area re
cars and trucks running the stop sign. Chief Stefanie and officers have
checked the area and none perceive the problem to be as serious as he says.
Part of the problem is vision obscurement, trees were trimmed and cleared on
the Williams property, this may help some. A traffic study is being
considered and maybe a north and south stop isn't needed, a two way stop may
be better. Chief Stefanie did a brief count and feels there is easily twice
as many cars going north and south than east and west. A four way stop is
qualified by equal traffic, this is not equal. The Public Works office will
be requested to do a traffic study by the committee.
Schindler reports that Councilman Nystul asked about parking on Third Avenue
East, across the street from the Episcopal Church, no parking on west side
• but allowed on the east. Councilman Schiindler said that this was brought
up months ago and were told that this was involved with the TAC study. It
was decided to recommend to Council that parking be allowed on both sides of
the street with consideration given to limiting parking so many feet back.
The striping down Center Street between 1st Avenue West and 2nd Avenue East
is unclear and needs to be redone. Chief Stefanie reports that it has been
touched up. Councilman Schindler will contact DPW Hammer on this. The light
is not good and the flash button doesn't work, both will be reported to
Jerry Diegel.
F. T. O'Boyle asked about the alley demarkation north of Montana Street
between 6th and 7th Avenues W.N. Chief Stefanie reports that the Petry
brothers live in a small residence in the alley behind what used to be a
warehouse. There have been problems with them blocking the alley and using
the warehouse property. Fred surveyed the property sometime ago, there was
not much improvement done. Now the warehouse owner has placed beams on the
ground across his property line. A very large lilac bush is blocking the
alley and the Petry's two vehicles are parked there. AI Warness has looked
at the area, located the landlady and told her to clear the alley. Clearing
a permanent obstruction in right-of-way was felt to be a Public Works
function and Ken Hammer will be instructed to do this.
Councilman Saverud mentioned a suggestion from Gene Bradford of the
possibility of a four way stop at 5th Avenue West and 4th Street. He feels
• it is not appropriate right now but to wait and see what happens when 5th
is reconstructed but a traffic count will be made.
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• Councilman Grainger mentioned the request at the last Council meeting of a
stop sign at 5th and llth, which is also inappropriate at this time. It was
decided at this time to only watch the more sensitive areas until 5th Avenue
is finished. Streets should be watered twice a day on projects -Ken Hammer
will be instructed to do this. Project specs should be checked as to
street watering responsibilities.
Further discussion concerned the Loading Dock parking problems, particularly
on Bingo nights. Chief Stefanie briefly told of the recent problem at Sky
Mart and the meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Markie Sabol
Recording Secretary
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