ATTENDEES:

CSAC Members/Liaisons: Anastasia Bamberg, Sheila Brogan, Melinda Cronk, Charles S. DiMarco, Robert Fuhrman, Lt. Brian Pullman, Christopher J. Rutishauser, PE, Barbara Sacks, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh

Others: Jane Remis

AGENDA ITEMS:

OLD BUSINESS:

1)  West Glen Avenue Sidewalks-- 2018 Capital Budget Process underway. CSAC has suggested initial program for West Glen Sidewalks project for inclusion in Capital Budget.

2)  Franklin Avenue On-Street Parking/Traffic Calming-- NJDOT has pre-qualified three engineering/planning firms for possible RFP &/or short-list.

3)  Crosswalk at Van Emburgh Avenue/ Hampshire Road-- No changes; ADA-compliant ramps scheduled in Spring 2018.

4)  Pedestrian/Bike Safety SRTS Grants--  List of "fill-in "sidewalks under development. No further feedback from Bergen County since 12/20/17 meeting.

5)  CBDAC-- Councilwoman Walsh reported the end of the pilot valet parking program. Actual usage in November and December, 2017 below estimated demand; no safety issues to note. Report to Village Council expected at January 31st meeting.

6)  CSAC By-Laws-- Draft final document to be available soon for comments according to Councilwoman Walsh.

7)  Proposed Parking at RR Station/ Pedestrian Walkway-- No further plans available from Engineering. CSAC will be provided with copy of any plan after submission to and at the direction of the Village Council.

8)  Senior Walkability Workshop Report/Sidewalk Condition Audit-- The written reports were provided to the Mayor and Council. Mss. Sue Ullrich and Beth Abbott gave a presentation describing the efforts to the Village Council at the January 10th meeting. CSAC stated the need for a defined Village program to evaluate/implement the findings in the Report/Audit.

9)   MUTCD and Traffic Control Devices-- Discussion of the need for a Village program to meet current MUTCD standards as a vital component of a community safety effort. Intersection and street lighting/illumination standards need to be required of PSE&G. Several key pedestrian crossings are being upgraded to increase lighting/ illumination. Mr. Rutishauser asked any CSAC members or other citizens to report missing/inadequate/improperly posted devices to Engineering or Central Dispatch for remedial action. 

10) CSAC Members/ Liaisons -2018-- Councilwoman Walsh stated the Council's intention to discuss committee/board appointments at its January 31st work session. Existing CSAC members asking to be re-appointed are expected to be returning. The updated CSAC By-Laws will define Members and Liaisons.

11) Complete Streets Policy-- The consensus asks for a re-affirmation and refresher for the citizens regarding the purpose and goals of the Village's Complete Streets Policy as discussed at the December 21, 2017 meeting.

12) Long-Term Programs/ Policy Discussions-- No topics presented. 

NEW BUSINESS:

1)  Other-- No topics presented.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the Garden Room at Village Hall

ATTENDEES:

CSAC Members/Liaisons: Anastasia Bamberg, Sheila Brogan, Charles S. Di Marco, Joyce Docktor, Robert Fuhrman, Lt. Brian Pullman, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh

Others: None

AGENDA ITEMS:

OLD BUSINESS:

1)  West Glen Avenue Sidewalks-- 2018 Budget process underway. CSAC interested in seeing initiation and funding for this project and "fill-in" sidewalk sections.

2)  Franklin Avenue On-Street Parking/ Traffic Calming--Survey to support County improvements underway. Plans to be prepared for construction after new development.

3)  Crosswalk at Van Emburgh Avenue/ Hampshire Road--No changes reported.

4)  Pedestrian/ Bike Safety SRTS Grants--No report.

5)  CBDAC--Report on valet parking pilot program presented to Village Council on January 31, 2018. No safety issues to report.

6)  CSAC By-Laws-- Councilwoman Walsh reported the Council's intention to have all Village Advisory Committees follow a standard By-Laws template. CSAC will review the final draft when available.

7)  Proposed Parking at RR Station/Pedestrian Walkway-- No changes to status of revised plans reported.

8)  Senior Walkability Workshop Report/Sidewalk Condition Audit-- CSAC continues to support a defined and funded Village program to evaluate/implement the findings in the Report/ Audit.

9)  MUTCD and Traffic Control Devices--CSAC continues to support a funded Village program to meet all current MUTCD standards.

10) CSAC Members/Liaisons-2018-- Village Council approved Resolution 18-66 on February 14, 2018 appointing to the CSAC for two-year terms ending December 31, 2019: a) Sheila Brogan, Board of Education; b) Members of the Public-- Anastasia Bamberg, Joyce Docktor, Barbara Sacks, Jane Shinozuka, Robert Fuhrman, Martin Walker and Charles S. DiMarco; and Advisors (or designee) Village Engineer, Christopher J. Rutishauser, PE and Chief of Police, Jacqueline Luthcke. According to the existing CSAC By-Laws, the President of the Federated HSA is a Member of CSAC.  Ms. Melinda Cronk currently serves in that capacity.

11) Complete Streets Policy--  On January 31, 2018, Mr. Rutishauser presented a discussion of the goals and focus of the Complete Streets Policy to the Village Council with several examples of implemented designs including Monroe and Grove Streets (lane- narrowing, traffic calming and shoulder use for bicycles), special pedestrian safety markings  and lane-narrowing along North Van Dien Avenue at Overbrook Road/ Wyndemere Avenue, and, high-visibility crosswalks along East Ridgewood Ave in the downtown area.

12) Long-Term Programs/Policy Discussions (On-Going)-- No topics presented.

NEW BUSINESS:

1)  Pedestrian Incident Analysis-- An update to the statistical summary on pedestrian incidents was requested. Lt. Pullman will provide an update. He also will provide a poster on Distracted Driving prepared by a RHS student.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the Garden Room at Village Hall

AGENDA

OLD BUSINESS:

1)  Franklin Avenue On-Street Parking/Traffic Calming--Status of Topo Survey to Support County Improvements. (Engineering)

2) Crosswalk at Van Emburgh Avenue/ Hampshire Road-- Schedule for ADA Ramps? (Engineering)

3)  Pedestrian/Bike Safety SRTS Grants-- Status? Feedback from NJDOT/ Bergen County? (Engineering)

4)  CBDAC-- Meeting Report. (Shinozuka)

5)  CSAC By-Laws-- Final Draft? (Sacks/Walsh)

6)  Proposed Parking At RR Station/Pedestrian Walkway-- Update on Revised Plans-- SHPO Comments?(Engineering)

7)  Kenilworth Road/ Spring Avenue-- Sight Distance Restrictions/ Letters to Adjacent Property Owners; Additional Markings; Added Signage. (Engineering/Police)

8)  Living To 100-- Summary of May 21st Conference. (Brogan)

9)  Long-Term Programs/Policy Discussions. (On-Going)

1. a)  West Glen Avenue Sidewalks--Schedule for Sidewalk/ Curb Repairs? (Engineering)
2. b)  Senior Walkability Workshop/Sidewalk Condition Audit-- Defect Confirmation/ Letters to Responsible Property Owners? (Engineering)   
3. c)  MUTCD and Traffic Control Devices-- Signal Division Progress? (Engineering)

NEW BUSINESS:

1)  North Walnut Street Speed Issues-- Background; Prior Speed/ Volume Studies; Past Recommendations.(Engineering/Police)

2)  Garber Square Bike Lane Eradication-- CSAC Input; Complete Streets Policy; NJDOT Input; Award/ Implementation. ( Engineering/ Police)

     (See Attached: Police Traffic Report, Concept Plan, Council Resolution)

3)  CSAC Input to Village Master Plan Review.

4)  Pedestrian Safety Awareness Program--Stop/ Look/Wave Campaign?; CSAC Initiative. (Sacks)

5)  Starbucks Drive-Thru Pedestrian/ Vehicle Safety Issues. (Sacks)

6)  All-Pedestrian Signal Phases-- Discussion. (Di Marco/Engineering/ Police)

7)  CSAC July 19th and August16th Meetings.

8)  Other

NEXT MEETING

Garber Square PD Report-CJR Memo to Council-Concept Sketch                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  ATTENDEES:

CSAC Members/Liaisons: Anastasia Bamberg, Sgt. Jay Chuck, Charles S. Di Marco, Joyce Docktor, Christopher J. Rutishauser, PE, Jane Shinozuka, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh

Others: Sarah Cahill, Jeanne Johnson, Alyson Llerandi, Jane Remis, Bethany Rose, Matthew Schirripa, Jiffy Vermylen

AGENDA ITEMS:

OLD BUSINESS:

1)  Franklin Avenue On-Street Parking/ Traffic Calming-- Surveyor continuing to map Franklin Avenue Corridor intersections and develop data base for design documents.

2)  Crosswalk at Van Emburgh Avenue/ Hampshire Road-- ADA ramp construction scheduled for this summer.

3)  Pedestrian/ Bike Safety SRTS Grants-- No feedback from Bergen County as yet.

4)  CBDAC-- Interest in stepped-up enforcement of pedestrian safety laws.

5)  CSAC By-Laws-- Councilwoman Walsh to e-mail draft By-Laws to members for final comments. 

6)  Proposed Parking at RR Station/ Pedestrian Walkway-- Mr. Rutishauser described three alternates with 33-36 spaces. SHPO has not responded in three weeks.

7)  Kenilworth Road/ Spring Avenue--Letters sent to adjacent property owners regarding requirement to clear sight triangle obstructions. Far-side STOP signs added. Additional pavement markings (including STOP logo) being considered.

8)  Living to 100-- The May 21st conference included many relevant points to foster safe and healthy environments for an aging population, including, but not limited to, safe walking communities, exercise, age-friendly features (trip-free sidewalks, sitting areas , ADA-compliant ramps). CSAC Members/ Liaisons attending included Ms. Sacks, Ms. Brogan, Mr. Fuhrman and Mr. Di Marco.

9)  Long Term Programs/ Policy Discussions (On-Going)

2018. a)  West Glen Avenue Sidewalks-- Anticipated for construction of select areas in Fall, 2018.
2019. b)  Senior Walkability Workshop/ Sidewalk Condition Audit-- Letters sent to responsible property owners- repair work expected to begin soon.
2020. c)  Signal Division instructed to follow all MUTCD requirements.

NEW BUSINESS:

1)  North Walnut Street Speed Issues-- Several residents discussed concerns regarding drivers exceeding the speed limit on North Walnut Street, failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks at Linwood Avenue and Franklin Avenue and related unsafe behaviors such as driving in the center of the road and failing to keep right. Sgt. Chuck reviewed prior speed analyses showing average speeds of approximately 30-33 mph. The Police will conduct a new speed/volume study and also review crash histories. A recommendation to install a double yellow centerline was considered in the past but deemed unacceptable by residents.  The experience on other Ridgewood streets where this traffic calming technique has been implemented was reviewed and  confirmed a lowering of the average speed and a near-elimination of the higher speeds (40mph and above).

Sgt. Chuck also explained the availability of the process for issuing a summons by a resident through the Violation Bureau. In general, a resident may record and/or photograph a violation with license plate number, a description of the driver, time of the incident and be willing to testify in court, if necessary. This option is available for reporting failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk provided the pedestrian has entered the crosswalk and the approaching vehicle is sufficiently far from the intersection so as to be able to stop ( approximately 110 feet at 25 mph).

The Police study of North Walnut Street will be made available to CSAC when completed.

2)  Garber Square Bike Lane Eradication-- CSAC reviewed the Police Traffic Report, Concept Plan and Village Council Resolution. The Police crash data showed a total of 30 reported incidents in the 34 months BEFORE ( January, 2012 through October 24, 2014) the Garber Square Improvement was implemented and 32 reported incidents in the 30 months AFTER (November 2014 through May, 2017) the implementation. The Police Report notes seven crashes involving left-turning West Ridgewood Avenue vehicles failing to yield the right-of-way to vehicles exiting Station Plaza and two sideswipes in marked travel lanes of Garber Square in the BEFORE period  (NOTE: the two, narrow marked lanes at Garber Square were eliminated with the Improvement) compared to two crashes of the same type in the AFTER period. Also, three of the four sideswipe crashes in the AFTER period involved vehicles improperly using the Bike Lane as a travel lane.

All rear end crashes were caused by driver inattention. None of the reported injuries in both the BEFORE and AFTER periods required transportation to a hospital.

Mr. Rutishauser explained that the proposed eradication of  a portion of the Bike Lane has not been authorized by NJDOT which approved the original design as implemented and approved the grant to fund a part of the improvement. CSAC raised  concerns about the Village's liability for altering the prior plan without an engineer's signed and sealed certification of the design change and approval by NJDOT and the potential risk of refunding the grant if NJDOT declined to approve the change.

CSAC also expressed serious concerns about the impacts of the eradication in view of the Village's Complete Streets Policy which is intended to foster safe and efficient use of the roadway system for all vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.

CSAC viewed the Police crash analysis as displaying no particular negative safety impact and provided a unanimous consensus supporting the Garber Square Bike Lane to remain "as-is" with an emphasis on an increased Police effort to better enforce violations by drivers of the pavement markings clearly designating the separation of motor vehicles from bikers.

Ms. Llerandi discussed her experiences with motor vehicles as a biker (including being struck by a left-turning vehicle along Franklin Avenue) and support for the Bike Lane and continuing efforts to enhance a safe roadway environment for all users, including bikes.

3)  CSAC Input to Village Master Plan Review--CSAC asked to be informed of progress in the Master Plan Review process.

4)  Pedestrian Safety Awareness Program-- CSAC wishes to help with a continuing awareness program. Detains need to be developed.

5)  Starbucks Drive-thru Pedestrian/ Vehicle Issues. Police asked to give more attention to exiting/entering/pedestrian conflicts.

6)  ALL-Pedestrian Signal Phases-- based on prior discussions and experience in other communities, CSAC consensus was that these traffic signal phases were not applicable to the pedestrian/vehicle patterns in Ridgewood.

7)  CSAC July 19th and August 16th Meetings--The July 19, 2018 meeting is cancelled. The August 16th meeting will be held as scheduled.

8) Other-- Ms.Johnson asked for volunteers among the CSAC and other groups to lead the Crosswalk Rally planned for the Fall. Details to follow.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the Garden Room at Village Hall.