Metro East Sun

City of Belleville Traffic Committee met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS: 

Alderman Phil Elmore, Chairman Present

Alderman Lillian Schneider Present

Alderman Jamie Eros Present

Alderman Scott Ferguson Present

Alderman Johnnie Anthony Present

STAFF SUPPORT: 

Scott Saeger, City Engineer Present

Jason Poole, Director-Public Works Present

Lt. Rob Thomason, Police Dept. Present

Lisa Scharf, Recording Secretary Excused

GUEST STAFF:

Sarah Biermann, City Treasurer

GUESTS: 

Mr. Larry Strahan of 109 Springdale Dr., Belleville, IL, Mr. Jim Hettler of 507 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville, IL, and Mr. Rick Kusmer of 416 Springdale Dr., Belleville, IL

Ald. Elmore called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Minutes of Sept. 12, 2023, motion to approve made by Ald. Eros, seconded by Ald. Ferguson, all those in favor voted aye, approved as submitted.

Ald. Elmore explained emergency procedures.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Mr. Larry Strahan of 109 Springdale Dr., Engineer for the Fire Dept., stated that he is there to discuss the agenda item for the two-hour parking on Springdale Dr. He stated that he has no problem driving out of this street with a fire truck. He parks his personal truck in front of his property on the street, not directly across from the stop sign and to his knowledge, he doesn't know of anyone that has a problem with this. He said that Springdale is not a very narrow street and that there are only two residents that park on the street from the 100 to 400 block, him and another neighbor that will be moving soon. Mr. Strahan stated that he is against the two-hour parking on both sides of the street on Springdale Dr.

Mr. Jim Hettler of 507 Mascoutah Ave. stated that he attended the meeting today to discuss the 4-way stop sign needed at Mascoutah & E. Monroe St. He was unable to attend last month's meeting, so his neighbor, Phoebe Ott, showed up to voice both of their concerns and the details regarding this problem area. He is thankful for the Traffic Committee for taking his request into consideration due to safety concerns at this location.

Mr. Kusmer of 416 Springdale Dr. stated that he has concerns regarding neighbors that park across the street from his address (on a routine basis). By doing so, they are making it very difficult for him and his family members to back up their vehicles out of the driveway. He has asked the neighbors numerous times not to do this, but they continue to park across from his driveway.

OLD BUSINESS: 

E.1. A Motion to Approve Four-Way Stop at Intersection of Mascoutah & E. Monroe St.: 

Ald. Elmore stated that this item was also discussed at last month's meeting and thanked Lt. Thomason for looking further into this matter and providing the data needed. Lt. Thomason stated that this area is definitely an issue due to many previous accidents and that this signage is definitely necessary for this intersection. Motion was made by Ald. Elmore to approve this request, seconded by Ald. Schneider, all approved voted aye, motion carried.

E.2. A Motion to Approve Two (2) Handicap Parking Spaces West Side 100 Block N. Church St., North from Intersection of East "A" St. & N. Church St.; (1) 36'-64', (2) 100'-123': 

Jason Poole stated that this was a request made by the Masonic Hall. This area is located at the 2nd block of N. Church St., in which there is a ramp going into their door (currently being used as a handicap accessible entrance), but people keep parking in front of this area and blocking the entrance. Discussion ensued. Motion to approve this request made by Ald. Eros, seconded by Ald. Ferguson, all in favor voted aye, motion carried.

E.3. Motion to Approve One (1) No Parking Zone West Side, 100 Block N. Church St. 64' North of Intersection of East "A" St. & N. Church St. to a Point 100' from Intersection: 

Ald. Elmore stated that the committee just discussed this item. Motion to approve this request made by Ald. Eros, seconded by Ald. Anthony, all in favor voted aye, motion carried.

E.4. Motion to Approve Two (2) Hour Parking in the 100-500 blocks of Springdale Dr. (Both Sides): 

Ald. Elmore commented that he has had this issue on about six different streets throughout the city since 2009. In the past, he was told to get a petition from the residents along the problem streets and if all agreed, there would be no parking on one side of the street for six months and then no parking on the opposite side for six months. It was very difficult to get all the residents within the block to agree to it. Discussion ensued. Motion to deny this request made by Ald. Eros, seconded by Ald. Anthony, all in favor voted to deny voted aye, Ald. Schneider voted to oppose, motion carried to deny.

E.5. Motion to Approve No Parking – Fire Lane, North Side of Peterson Ln.: 

Jason Poole stated that the sanitation trucks were having some issues accessing Peterson Lane. Mr. Poole stated that Peterson Lane is about 18 ft. wide and many people park on this street. He inquired with the Fire Dept. for them to review this matter. The Fire Dept. is not making any recommendations at this time. Mr. Poole addressed the issue with the neighbor and asked them not to park on the street on trash day (if they wanted their trash picked up) so the trucks could safely get through the street. Mr. Poole requested that no action be taken and that this item be removed from the agenda.

E.6. Discussion on Downtown Parking Meters: 

Jason Poole stated that this matter came up from a previous request for patrons to be able to park on the second block of N. Church Street, upon the request for the parking meters to be removed. This prompted the question about where the city stands with the downtown parking meters. Discussion ensued. Ald. Elmore requested that this item be added onto next month's meeting for further inquiry and suggested that they get the opinions of the downtown merchants (along Main St.) regarding hourly parking.

NEW BUSINESS: 

N/A 

MISCELLANEOUS/ALDERMANIC DISCUSSION: 

None

ADJOURNMENT: 

Motion to adjourn made by Ald. Eros, seconded by Ald. Anthony. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 a.m.

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10102023-3099