Chambana Sun

City of Gibson Street & Alley Committee met July 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Meeting was called to order at @ 6:05 p.m. in council chambers by Chairman Doug Parsons.

Committee members present: Chair/Aldermen: Doug Parsons, Randy Wyant, Ray Hankes, and Scott Davis.

Others present: Alderman Denis Fisher Former Mayor Nelda Jordan, Chief Rosendahl, Lt. Acree, Residents Terry & Dayna Roesch, Jean Noellsch - Ford County Chronicle, GCMS Supt. Jeremy Darnell, Supt. Tyler Martin, residents of North Lott Blvd - Keith & Ericka Lipka, Aaron Nettleton, Mark & Ria Voelker.

1st topic of discussion was consideration changing N. Lott Blvd from 17th Street to 15th Street one-way south.

Chairman Parsons opened the meeting by asking Supt. Darnell to share the school's request. Supt. Darnell - our main goal is safety of the students. The school is no longer going to have crossing guards and N. Church Street in front of the High School has been one-way north for years and without any major problems. This new traffic flow shows a drop-off lane nearest the school, replacing the current angle-in parking. That car park will change to the east side of Lott, in front of the houses. Flow through lanes south would go back into two lanes at 15th.

Supt. Martin stated that he does not want to put the big concrete barriers back into the middle of Lott as a divider. They are difficult when plowing snow and they are an eyesore.

Homeowners of the area voiced concerns about their driveways (on 17th) being blocked by a heavy flow of traffic coming to Lott for student drop-off, and increased traffic in the alleys. Chief Rosendahl stated he wants whatever is safest, and Lt. Acree added that he can see increased traffic coming on N. Melvin Street.

Chairman Parsons asked how quickly a decision be made, to that Supt. Martin told the committee he needs an answer as soon as possible to complete the design for painting lanes, parking spaces and directional arrows. Needs to be done before the first week of August. Darnell requests barriers if not one-way, Martin will have to order, current ones are not usable.

Suggestion made to leave the street two-way driving, but 'flip' the parking, angle-in moves to the east side, some parallel will be on the west side with additional drop-off lane near the school. This compromise is what will be recommended to council at the next regular meeting.

2nd topic – age limit for operating a golf cart on city streets. Currently the age is 21, resident Terry Roesch asked previously for this to be lowered. Alderman Davis stated that when golf cart permits were first added to the Ordinances, the city felt the unknown liability warranted the higher age of 21. Chief Rosendahl stated he will support lowering the age to 18, so it stays in compliance with how many passengers may be with a driver under 18. State law is one passenger other than family from driving age 16-18 years. Committee will recommend to full council lowering the age to 18, which will require an amendment to the Ordinance.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. 

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7.20.23-MINUTES-STEET-ALLEY-COM-MTG.pdf