ordinance amending chapter 23 of the municipal - City of Appleton

MUNCIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
June 7, 2011
PAGE 3
Joe Coenen, Echo Service Center, Inc., 1430 N. Ballard Rd., Appleton – he is a tenant and
was not aware of any work that is going to be done. He asked why sidewalks are only being
installed on the east side? He also stated the bike lanes are a bad idea. Does not like the idea
of scaling down to a two lane road.
Alicia Ehlke, 1430 N. Ballard Rd., Appleton – concerned about the sidewalk going in on the
east side because there is a lot of truck traffic and she is concerned about pedestrian safety.
She is also concerned about Wisconsin Avenue businesses that had to close and would like to
know if access will be allowed.
Tim Ehlke, 1430 N. Ballard Rd., Appleton – does not like the idea of it going to a two lane
road and does not like the bike lane idea. He also stated he does not think having sidewalks
on the east side where it is mostly industrial is a good idea. Mr. Ehlke asked if this is a
county road?
Tom Leuhring, Valley Transit – concerned with a two lane road and having to stop for riders.
If two lanes, vehicles would have to find a way around the bus and also the bus then would
have to pull back into traffic.
Jason Brown stated the notification letter went out on May 5 th to the property owners with
information about the May 19 th Public Hearing and also the May 24 th and June 7 th meetings
of the Municipal Services Committee.
Director Vandehey stated this is a county trunk highway. The proposed agreement is the
county would pay 60% with the city paying the 40% of the project costs with the idea that the
roadway would be jurisdictionally transferred to the City. The assessments would then be
based on the City assessment policy. She further stated if the assessment is greater than
$1,000 there is a 5-year option for payment.
Director Vandehey stated the reason for sidewalks is that we want to make the city a
walkable community. We want people to have options to get to work. She further stated
there are private signs, private parking lots and private landscaping that have encroached into
the road right of way that will be removed as part of the project.
Alderperson Clemons asked if this is approved and we find out later it is not working, is this
easily put back to a four lane road?
Director Vandehey stated the width of Ballard Road will remain the same so it would be a
matter of removing pavement markings and removing the turn lane.
Director Vandehey stated the speed limit is 35 mph. The dual turn lane does allow vehicles to
use this lane to go around other vehicles, such as buses or slower moving vehicles such as
mopeds.
Director Vandehey stated the businesses that closed on Wisconsin Avenue that was their
choice and some are using this time to do remodeling. There will be some inconvenience to
business owners and property owners but we do try and limit it best that we can.
Motion to approve by Konetzke, second by Hill.
Vote on motion. (3/0)
4. R/B (6/1/11)/Spears - #8-R-11/Konetzke – “Whereas, the Canadian National main rail line
cuts through the City of Appleton diagonally, resulting in over 50 intersections between
pedestrians, vehicles and railroad traffic, and