06-24-2014 City Council Study Session Packet
City of Grand Island
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Study Session Packet
City Council:
Linna Dee Donaldson
John Gericke
Peg Gilbert
Chuck Haase
Julie Hehnke
Kent Mann
Vaughn Minton
Mitchell Nickerson
Mike Paulick
Mark Stelk
Mayor:
Jay Vavricek
City Administrator:
Mary Lou Brown
City Clerk:
RaNae Edwards
7:00 PM
Council Chambers - City Hall
100 East 1st Street
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 1 / 8
City of Grand Island Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Call to Order
This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The City of Grand Island abides by the Open
Meetings Act in conducting business. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is displayed in the back of this room
as required by state law.
The City Council may vote to go into Closed Session on any agenda item as allowed by state law.
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
A - SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE ITEMS
Individuals who have appropriate items for City Council consideration should complete the Request for
Future Agenda Items form located at the Information Booth. If the issue can be handled administratively
without Council action, notification will be provided. If the item is scheduled for a meeting or study
session, notification of the date will be given.
B - RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
This is an opportunity for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items to reserve
time to speak. Please come forward, state your name and address, and the Agenda topic on which you will
be speaking.
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 2 / 8
City of Grand Island
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Study Session
Item C1
Presentation on Stolley Park Road Configuration
Staff Contact: John Collins, P.E. - Public Works Director
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 3 / 8
Council Agenda Memo
From:John Collins PE, Public Works Director
Meeting:June 24, 2014
Subject:Presentation on Stolley Park Road Configuration
Item #’s:1
Presenter(s):John Collins PE, Public Works Director
Background
Construction of Stolley Park Road was completed in two parts; (South Locust to Blaine) in 1978
and (Blaine to Hwy 281) in 1983 using funds from the Department of Roads. Stolley Park Road
was constructed as a four lane arterial route, but the outside lanes were never opened to traffic.
Traffic volume is continuing to increase from 7,390 average daily traffic (ADT) in 1978 to
current counts reaching around 12,500, and substantially more during special events, such as the
State Fair.
The City has received a number of complaints, including:
Vehicles using the outside parking lane to pass;
Vehicles driving on the outside parking lane as though it was a travel lane;
Vehicle/pedestrian hazards at Stolley Park Elementary and Barr Middle School;
Vehicle/pedestrian hazards along Stolley Park Road as vehicles drive along the parking
lanes;
Speeding;
Vehicles running the traffic signal at Blaine Street;
The Stolley Park driveway creates a hazard as it connects at the intersection of Stolley
Park Road and Park Drive;
Numerous rear end collisions from turning traffic.
The Department of Public Works has studied the issues and verified the complaints. Running the
signal is an enforcement issue only. The remaining issues are related to the design and current
configuration of the street. Factors of significance include:
The road was designed and constructed as a four lane arterial, and is visually
recognizable as such.
The parking lanes rarely contain parked vehicles.
Barr Middle School has appropriate pickup/drop off access. Stolley Park Elementary does
not currently have an appropriate off street pickup/drop off access and is of special
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 4 / 8
concern as very young children cross this arterial. This school access will need to be
addressed in the near future to alleviate the need to pick children up along an arterial
road.
Stolley Park Road is clearly an arterial route, but property development in many areas is
more appropriate to residential streets. As a result, the number of drives makes four lanes
inadvisable for sections of the route.
Discussion
There are three potential layouts to improve safety and capacity along this route:
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.
The goal is to improve safety, increase capacity/reduce impact of increasing traffic, and address
several existing deficiencies (turn lanes, roughness, and park connection)
Attached are the 3 cross section layout drawings and a map indicating the limits of the project.
Conclusion
This item is presented to the City Council in a Study Session to allow for any questions to
be answered and to create a greater understanding of the issue at hand.
It is the intent of City Administration to bring this issue to a future council meeting for
the formal direction to be given to staff on how to proceed.
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 5 / 8
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 6 / 8
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 7 / 8
Grand Island Study Session - 6/24/2014 Page 8 / 8