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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Safety Commission - Minutes - 8/17/2017MINUTES OF THE BAYFIELD COUNTY TRAFFICE SAFETY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, August 17, 2017 The regular meeting of the Bayfield County Traffic Safety Committee was called to order by Chairman Paul Susienka at 8:59 am on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Bayfield County Emergency Operations Center, Washburn, WI. Attendees: Paul Susienka, Bayfield County Sheriff, Jeff Benton-Red Cliff, Dan Bieberitz-WI DOT, Jan Victorson- Emergency Management, Sherri Collins-Education Representative, Don Swedberg- Community Representative, Rick Olig – BOTS LE Liaison, Sgt. Pat Kraetke-State Patrol, Deb Milanowski- Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, Bob Follis-Citizen. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Don Swedberg, 2nd by Jeff Benton to approve the minutes from May 18, 2017. Motion carried. Public Input: None Report from Tom Toepfer: Tom was unable to attend the meeting however, he did call with his update. The new bridge by Co Hwy F & Four Corners Road is being installed and the road is closed until 10/3/17. He indicated there were other odds and ends going on in the county, but no other road closures. Report from Paul Susienka: The Sheriff and Deb reviewed with the committee the traffic accidents for the county using the Community Maps program. Reviewed the 3 fatal accidents that occurred during this last quarter. They involved alcohol and/or drugs. Informed committee that we are participating in the Drive Sober mobilization grant through state which begins 8/18 and ends after Labor Day. Sheriff brought up the discussion of pedestrian rights on the roadway and the misconception out in the public that there are rights for pedestrians. Also, discussed the Town of Namakagon has opened all roads in the township for golf cart use. There are certain criteria that the carts need to meet to operate on roads and the Sheriff will address the Town of Namakagon and let them know. Sheriff also informed the committee of the large number of complaints that came from the Hwy 13 project from Washburn to Bayfield. This is the most we have ever seen regarding a construction project and this one is not one of the largest. Complaints range from not enough signs to having to wait too long. Complaints are coming from a mix of local and tourists. Report from Dan Bieberitz: Updated on the projects in the county. 1.Hwy 13- culvert is in place and paving is underway. This should be completed by Sept. 1st. There will be roadside cleaning through October but not during Applefest. 2. Hwy 2-Brule to Iron River has been scrub sealed and the work has been completed. Report from Jeff Benton: The Red Cliff Traffic Safety plan is still ongoing and working on one more piece. Needs to be completed by November 7th. Report from Community Representative: Nothing to report. Report from Jan Victorson: Jan updated the committee regarding the Reginal Trauma Advisory for the NW region is now all one trauma advisory council. People may be contacting the DOT for statistics. Report from State Patrol: Nothing to report. Report from Rick Olig: Informed the committee that Beth Heflin and Bob Bott have resigned their positions. There will be no BOTS LE Liaison available for the November 16th meeting as they will be in Baltimore. A report will be forwarded for the November meeting. Rick updated the committee with the latest statistics in WI regarding accidents. Also remined the group that the Drive Sober mobilization starts 8/18 and ends 9/4. The Highway Safety Commission is meeting next week and the focus will be to change the culture of highway safety and try to focus on primary areas in certain counties. Reminded committee that the self-report for accidents must be done online as they no longer accept paper copies. Provided the committee with language in a bill that is coming to the legislative session to clear up the language regarding texting/phone use while driving. This bill is called Device Use While Driving (AB-463/SB-380). Meeting ended at 10:02am Respectfully submitted by Deb Milanowski Next meeting is scheduled for11/16/17 at 9:00am at the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office in the EOC.