10/11/1971 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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""I e 708 I Council Chambers Eugene, Oregon October 11, 1971 Regular meeting of the Common Council of the city of Eugene, Oregon was called to order by His Honor Mayor Lester E. Anderson at 7:30 p.m. on October 11, 1971 in the Council Chamber, with the following Councilmen present: Messrs. Teague and McDonald; Mrs. Beal; Messrs. Gribskov, Williams and Hershner; Mrs. Campbell. Mr. Mohr was absent. I. Public Hearings A. Request for 4-Way Stop at 26th Avenue and Alder Street - (Minutes of Committee Meeting of September 29, 1971) A petition signed by 48 persons living in this vicinity was presented to Council. In his report, the Traffic Engineer explained that y~eld signs for controlling side street _ traffic were placed on July 29, after some delay involving Planning Commission and _ Council direction. During the delay, two accidents occurred, which apparently prompted circulation of the petition. The yield signs were posted just after the last accident, and the petition was also circulated before the posting of these signs. It is staff recommendation that no changes be made at this intersection until there has been sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of the present signing, and that, if it is found this signing is not sufficient, a two-way stop be posted giving Alder the I right of way. Staff does not feel that a 4-way stop would be justified at this location. Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams to accept the petition of residents in this area, and that effectiveness of the existing controls be assessed before taking further action. Motion carried. Mr. Bill Newsome~ 2604 Alder~ said that, since the yield signs were installed, an accident involving a):iT,cYG.le.:ha.;:; _occurred, and there was an incident August 27 involving a speeding vehicle with a police car in chase. Mr. Newsom commented that, smBce being designated as a bicycle route, Alder has become quite dangerous at that intersection. He asked what it would take to put in a four-way stop and prevent near-accidents from occurring. City Managerpointed out that the City Council has authority to designate traffic control which is to be placed at any intersection. Neil Murray, 2589 Alder, said he lives at this intersection and has three small children. He feels the intersection is particularly dangerous because there are so many small children in the neighborhood, and that there should be better posting at the intersection. - Councilwoman Campbell explained that the Council had looked at the intersection on tour, and asked what made it different than those at 24th, 25th and 27th. I Mr. Newsom explained that traffic accel-erated from 24th and was going quite rapidly by the time it reached 26th. He felt a device was needed to slow it down on both 26th and Alder. In answer to Councilman Teague, the City Manager explained that the intersection was uncontrolled at the time the petitioners asked for a 4-way stop. Traffic Engineer had made a recommendation for yield signs at the intersection before the petition was received, but they were not actually approved or placed until after the petition came in. 4It Mrs. Beal was concerned about the speed on Alder, and the fact that it was carrying more traffic than-it Chad-- .been designed to carry. Manager pointed out that this was the reason for installation of the yield signs, and that experience has been that use of 4-way stops where the necessity is not obvious to drivers can result in violations which create more hazards than a 2-way stop or yield signs. Mrs. Beal questioned whether it might be better to have no signs at all than the yield signs. She felt some cars ignored them completely. There was further discussion about the effectiveness of yield signs, and how long the test should be conducted to make an evaluation. Mr. Teague moved seconded by Mrs. Beal to accept the recommendation of staff to install I yield signs and allow sufficient time to make an evaluation, and authorize staff, if necessary, to install a 2-way stop, giving Alder the right of way. Mr. Teague asked that a report be given to Council within 60 days. Mr. Williams asked whether staff was not now, in fact, authorized to install stop signs. He felt that authority was delegated to the traffic department. Mayor Anderson agreed, and explained that this was before the Council as the result 4IJ of a citizen petition, which had been specifically directed to the Council. ) :/ 18/11/71 - 1 . ,~.... ..01