06/24/2014 Minutes Study CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 24, 2014
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
June 24, 2014. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on June 19,
2014.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. The following Councilmembers
were present: Vaughn Minton, Mike Paulick, Mark Stelk, John Gericke, Peg Gilbert, Mitch
Nickerson, Linna Dee Donaldson, Julie Hehnke, and Kent Mann. Councilmember Chuck Haase
was absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Mary Lou Brown,
City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Robert Sivick, City Treasurer and Finance Director
Jaye Monter, and City Engineer and Public Works Director John Collins.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Presentation on Stolley Park Road Configuration. Public Works Director John Collins stated the
Public Works Department had looked at this area for the past 3 years. He reported the
construction of Stolley Park Road was completed in two parts; (South Locust to Blaine) in 1978
and (Blaine to Hwy 281) in 1983. The road was constructed as a four lane arterial route, but the
outside lanes were never opened to traffic. Traffic volume had continued to increase and the City
had received a number of complaints, which the Public Works Department had studied and
verified. Most issues related to the design and current configuration of the street. Questions were
asked concerning the type of accidents. Mr. Collins stated over 60%was rear end accidents.
Engineering Manager Terry Brown commented on this being a Federal Aid Project which was
originally designed as a four lane street. He updated the Council on the history of vehicular
traffic and accidents which had increased over the years. Mentioned was Stolley Park Road was
an arterial roadway and that intersections were working well because of the turn lanes but the
straight ways were the problem.
The following three potential layouts to improve safety and capacity along this route were
presented:
• Stripe for four lanes as originally planned/promised.
• Stripe for 3 lanes through most of the route, with additional lanes in some locations, as
has been done for several routes in Grand Island.
• Stripe for a `Complete Street Design' which would include 3 lanes and bicycle lanes for
most of the route; and some alternate configurations where indicated.
Matt Rief representing Olsson Associates presented the concept on restriping the road to a four
lane and in the area from the railroad tracks going west to a five lane and extending turning
lanes. Discussion was held regarding traffic signals.
Presented was a three lane concept with two lanes of traffic and a turning lane and bike lanes on
each side. Discussion was held concerning the safety of bike lanes and parking along Stolley
Park. Mentioned were cars illegally passing on the right. Mr. Brown stated both schools along
Page 2,City Council Study Session,June 24,2014
this route would have to look at drop off and pick up zones. Dan Petsch with the Grand Island
Public Schools commented on the driveways for drop off and pick up and supported the three
lane design.
Mentioned was the need to have more signals on this road so people could cross the road. Stolley
Park entrance intersection was mentioned and the possibility of changing the entrance. Also
mentioned was the entrance at Runza and the need to look at this entrance.
Mr. Collins stated a speed limit study would need to be done. Police Chief Steve Lamken stated
this was not a safe street, it was a busy arterial and the city needed to do something with it.
Waunita McGowan, 2909 Circle Drive spoke of the need for changes on this road to make it
safer. Chris Rosacker, 1123 W. Division spoke in support of a three lane with center turning lane
and bike lane. Jim Wilson, 429 Stolley Park Road read a letter to the editor opposing the changes
and taking away the parking.
Mr. Brown stated they would look further at truck traffic and mentioned the wear and tear they
caused on this street. He stated a three lane would help the State Fair traffic and would be visitor
friendly. Bike lanes would be looked at with regards to different color striping.
Comments were made concerning slow moving traffic causing accidents and creating a traffic
division within the Police Department. It was mentioned the Police Department used to have
motorcycles and maybe this should be looked at again.
Mr. Collins stated the current striping needed to be done and changes to a three lane could be
done with the current budget at a cost of$100,000. Traffic signals would need to be studied and
budgeted for at a cost of$200,000 per signal. Discussion was held concerning the need for three
signals along this road.
Comments were made that this road needed to be a four lane as originally planned. Mentioned
was that there was a hike/bike trail not far from this road so there was no need for a bike lane.
Comments were made by several Councilmembers supporting a three lane with a center turning
lane as was support for a four lane.
Discussion was held regarding a five lane and Federal funding. Hike/bike crossing east of
Piccadilly Apal tinents was being looked at with a possible signal in the area to help break up
traffic.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
p,n
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk