11.15.2001 Town Council Minutes (Special)Special City Council Meeting
109 S. Main Street
Thursday, November 15, 2001
Those Present: Mayor Pro -Tern Charles Niswanger, Michael Perry and Jeff Walker. Mayor Jim
Dunmire was not present at 6:00prn but arrived at the meeting at 6:45pm. Janet Phillips not
present.
Call to Order: Mayor Pro -Tem Charles Niswanger called the meeting to order.
Workshoo with the Texas Department of Trans gelation: Kelly Selman and Bill Lovil with the Texas Department
of Transportation (TXDOT) presented Council.
Charles Niswanger advised TXDOT that he would like to see the speed limit lowered on SH289 through the City
Limits of Prosper, possibly from SH380 to FIV11461. He feels that it would reduce the number of accidents.
Mr. Lovil explained that the speed limit is based on "what normal people drive". Studies have shown that 70% of
people drive approximately the same speed limit. The speed limit that these 70% drive is considered reasonable
by the State of Texas. He also mentioned that speed limits are set for Ideal conditions. Speed limits are not easy
to change. In order to have them changed, extensive studies must be conducted. When the City feels that the
drivers on SH289 are slowing down their speed, then we may contact TXDOT and request that studies are
conducted. It is very difficult to make drivers slow down their speed. Mr. Lovil explained that the most effective
way to reduce the speed is to keep a police car on the highway. Chief McFarlin advised that he has recognized
speeds of 70mph along SH289 during early morning hours.
Michael Perry expressed his concern with the unreasonable number of wrecks recently on SH289. He mentioned
that we must make people slow down in order to reduce the number of accidents.
Citizen Lloyd Rucker asked why Prosper is not getting turn lanes like the City of Celina. Mr.
Selman advised that he had approached the City approximately 18months ago with some
proposals, but the City was unable to work with them because of financing.
Selman explained that a turn lane project is being planned for FM1 193 and SH289. It will be
approximately a $100,000 project. The project is estimated to begin in April 2002.
Selman also explained that they have had numerous complaints on the turn lane constructed at
FMI461 and SH289. They had to take out the shoulder in order to complete this project, and it
has caused many problems. He feels that constructing a turn lane by the elementary at Craig Rd.
and SH289 would create the same type of problems. The Council and Chief McFarlin agreed that
eliminating shoulders for the construction of turn lanes could present some dangers.
According to Charles Niswanger, I st Street and SH289 should be the City's fist red light due to
the vast traffic that will be created from our new developments.
Lovil explained that it generally takes 1 month to 3 months to do a study to get a light. Start to
finish, the entire project can take 1-1/2 to 2 years to actually have the light installed.
The signal light test is located in the Texas Uniform Manual on Traffic Control. Because of limited
funding, meeting only one of the constraints does not necessarily constitute having a light
installed. The City may contact the Dallas traffic studies office to find out which constraints are
more important than others.
Traffic lights generally cost approximately $100,000. In situations where funding is the main
obstacle in installing a light, the City may choose to finance the project. Council questioned if
they would be allowed to raise money from developers for such projects. Mr. Lovil explained that
this is a common practice among other cities, but TXDOT requires that the actual deal be made
between them and the City. TXDOT will not work directly with the developers. Another possibility
in financing a traffic light would be the spending of EDC funds.
Charles Niswanger explained that there is a problem with the fire truck crossing SH289. Lovil
explained that if the City acquires traffic lights, they may purchase devises to control the lights in
emergency situations -
A citizen present at the meeting asked about an underground tunnel or crosswalk that would
allow children to safely cross SH289. According to Lovil, TXDOT may conduct a study, and if
enough children are crossing SH289, then they will construct a School Crossing sign that would
reduce the speed to 50mph.
Michael Perry requested the relocation of the 60mph sign on SH289. Mr. Perry explained that the
school advisory plaque is virtually meaningless with the 60mph speed limit sign so close behind
it. Mr. Selman agreed to moving the speed limit sign to a location further away from the advisory
plaque.
Questions arose regarding a school zone on SH289. Mr. Selman explained that because the
school is not actually on SH289, they are unable to establish a school zone at this time.
However, work is currently being done in an attempt to establish school zones in areas where
there is dense traffic generated by the school. He advised the Council to go forth with a written
request for a school zone on SH289 in the event that these rules are changed in the future.
Jeff Walker inquired on installing electronic traffic signs that indicate the speed of passing
vehicles. Mr. Lovil explained that TXDOT does not install such signs. Generally, the cities erect
these type of signs themselves.
Michael Perry questioned the yield sign going southbound on the on-ramp at SH380 to SH289.
Selman explained that a stop sign had actually been placed there at one time but created a great
number of problems.
The Council requested that traffic lights also be installed at the intersection of SH289 and SH380.
It is a very dangerous intersection in which many accidents have occurred. Mr. Selman said that
studies have been conducted at that intersection, and TXDOT has authorized flashing beacons to
be Installed sometime in February; however, due to funding problems it may be delayed. The
Council explained that a flashing beacon will help very little with the problems at that dangerous
intersection. Mr. Selman agreed that installing traffic lights at this intersection would be the best
solution to the problem.
Larry Tracey questioned the passing lanes on SH289. He requested double stripes be painted
on the highway to deter people from passing. Mr. Selman agreed to research this issue. Mr.
Lovil indicated that the City may be able to pass an ordinance to create no -passing lanes on
SH289. He will have his staff look into this issue.
Mr. Selman mentioned that preventative maintenance work will soon begin on FM1461 from
SH289 east to the McKinney City Limits. Preventative maintenance is also the only type of work
scheduled for BUS289 at this time.
Mr. Selman is currently working on a schematic for widening SH289 from FM720 to SH380. A
public hearing will be scheduled for this project after the first of the year. As part of the
schematic, the on-ramp yield lane from SH380 to southbound SH289 will feed into its own lane,
creating a much safer approach. He recommended that the Council request a long range
planning authority to extend the widening of SH289 through Prospers ETJ. The City may want to
begin requiring builders and developers to reserve right-of-ways along SH289 in order to prepare
for such a project.
Chief McFadin informed Mr. Lovil and Mr. Selman of some of his concems with traffic. First,
there is a problem with the entrance ramp at SH289 northbound from SH380. He feels that a no -
passing zone and a no -tum sign at that location could help alleviate some of the accidents.
Chief McFadin also advised them of problems with the flashing advisory lights throughout the
City. Most of these lights do not work properly and flash during the wrong hours. When the rights
do not property work, people tend to pay little attention to them. McFariln also asked Mr. Lovil
and Mr. Selman how the City can make changes to their school zones.
According to Mr. Lovil and Mr. Selman, the City's first step in solving any of the problems
discussed should be the prioritizing of its traffic needs and submittal of written requests to
TXDOT. Mayor Dunmire requested that the City Staff begin drafting such requests.
Mr. Lovil also advised the Council to indicate specific times/days desired for studies to be
conducted when submitting requests. This will insure that studies are conducted during peak
traffic hours. Mr. Selman suggested the City also include a request to have the advisory plaque
on SH289 changed to an actual black and white speed limit school zone sign.
Ad"oum
Jii� Dunmire, mayor