VARSITY VIEW NEIGHBOURHOOD (Public Input) TRAFFIC REVIEW MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014, 7:00 9:00 P.M.

. Albert Community Centre Facilitators: Kathy Dahl and Mitch Riabko (Great Works Consulting) facilitated the meeting

Meeting Overview & Introductions Kathy and Mitch introduced themselves. Meeting is to discuss and review traffic movement. Mitch identified for the residents to speak out on their concerns for the purpose of collecting information to help resolve a safer flow of traffic through Varsity View neighbourhood. After the Traffic Management presentation, residents to gather into groups to collaborate for solutions to resolve traffic problems (30 minutes given for each table). Councillor Charlie Clark was unable to attend due to another conflicting meeting. A total 34 residents attended. Mitch introduced the COS traffic staff which included Shirley Matt, Lana Dodds, Mariniel Flores, Chelsea Lanning, Justine Nyen, Pamela and Phil Haughn to assist with any questions. Presentation to be given by the Saskatoon Police Service (Constable Lisa Nowosad) on traffic ticket issuing.

Foundations for Success To ensure discussion goes well. Share what is important as a whole community. Respect every comment that comes forward and respect each other. Integrity speak your mind and be honest, if a voice is not heard than there is no participating. Fair equal representation everyone has something important to say. City of Saskatoon representatives will be sitting at every table taking down concerns and recommendations how to resolve. No repetitive discussion in order to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Traffic Management Presented by Justine Nyen Traffic Safety Engineer Kathy introduced Justine Nyen for the presentation. Justine discussed the importance of data collection. This is the information that leads to studies to identify appropriate traffic calming devices.

Typically feedback for solutions (traffic calming in neighbourhoods) is gathered throughout the months of January to June to develop a traffic plan, followed by a meeting in August and October, finalizing the plan in November. Stop & Yield Signs collision analysis confirmed incidents are reduced with yield signs placed at intersections. Collision Analysis Indicated higher trends at uncontrolled intersection (particularly along Munroe Ave and McKinnon Ave). These intersections now have yield signs as part of the Stop & Yield Retrofit Program so collisions should be reduced. High collisions were also noted at the intersection of 14th St & Wiggins Ave, therefore a 4-way stop was installed. Clarence Ave & Main St high number of collisions led to a study of this intersection. It was found that 50% of traffic traveling on Main Street westbound was continuing through the intersection rather than turning onto Clarence Ave. This was the most common occurrence for collisions. The proposed plan is to encourage right turns onto Clarence Ave from Main St by re-aligning the medians. Spoke on the community engagement tool with details given at the end of the meeting. Cycling recommendations outlined in the Varsity View LAP include the need for a multi-use path on Cumberland Ave, and 14th St. Informed the residents that the 14th St cycling route will not be the focus at this time because City Council has advised the Administration to focus on the downtown area. Parking for residents reviewed concerns and recommendations outlined in the Varsity View LAP. There were general concerns regarding the Residential Parking Permit Program. Transit showed map with current bus routes throughout Varsity View (8 th St, College Dr, Clarence Ave, & Cumberland Ave) Described neighbourhood traffic calming devices, their purpose, and example: o Curb Extensions o Raised Median Islands o Roundabouts o Speed Humps o Raised Crosswalk o Diverter o Right in / Right out o Directional Closure o Raised median Through Intersection o Full Closure

Resident Questions: o Chair Person of Saskatoon Cycles Kathy Watts prefers a different roadway as a cycling route, other than Wiggins Ave, throughout Varsity View as an North-South connection.

o Collision map Did the data include pedestrian accidents? responded with Yes. o Will there be a change in speed limit? responded that Council wants to focus on schools zone speed at this point. o It was proposed to make the speed limit at 40km throughout the city but resident can understand that this is not feasible. Saskatoon Police Services Presentation (Constable Lisa Nowosad) Discussed the stats of tickets and accidents in comparison to city wide and Varsity View Neighbourhood. Stats regarding ticket issuing and collisions in Varsity View were given. Residents want the percentage breakdown of tickets compared to city wide. Constable Lisa Nowosad will provide the information. Varsity View tickets at 3,500; city wide at 243,000. Constable Nowosad encouraged residents to contact the Police Service so the problem can be noted to be passed to SPS traffic members. SPS Traffic needs to know the location of the incidents to hand out necessary tickets. Contact SPS Traffic at 975-8068, and for immediate assistance contact the general number at 975-8300. Make sure details are given. Call in at the time the issue is occurring.

Resident Concerns Residents feel it is unsafe to cross to the daycare near Brunskill School. Drivers dont stop for pedestrians. Clarence and 11th street- pedestrian safety issues. Drivers dont stop for pedestrians. 8th street traffic when turning left and someone is crossing, are you to wait until the pedestrian gets all the way across the street. Response was as long as the pedestrian is not on your side of the street you are turning onto you may proceed.

Table Group Discussion Your Solutions Mitch split up groups by South of 14th and North of 14th to collaborate for 30 minutes to discuss concerns and give recommendations with the help of the city representative.

Table 1 (Facilitator - Lana Dodds): Cheaper to park on street than University: o Recommendations: enforcement, ticket price, time restricted parking Clarence Ave & University Dr- pedestrian-activated lights Clarence Ave & Colony St pedestrian-activated lights

McKinnon Ave shortcutting from 7am-9am caused by traffic congestion on Clarence Ave o Recommendations: diverters, barriers, instead of yield signs install stop signs Would like dedicated cycling routes Wiggins Ave & College Dr right turn lane onto College Dr, dedicated turning lanes Preston Ave & Main St congestion at the 4-way stop Cumberland Ave parking issues: o Recommendations: no parking, enforcement Parking away from curb due to windrows is causing the roadway to narrow No parking signage needed 10m from intersection - no parking zone as indicated in the Traffic Bylaw Brunskill School traffic calming needed to slow drivers Clarence Ave snow on sidewalk Munroe Ave & College Dr snow piled up on boulevard McKinnon Ave & University Dr install 4-way stop Expand parking permit zone to at least 14th St No parking at T-intersection of park 14th St- signed cycling route (better signage, larger, location, cut tree branches); heavy vehicle traffic; traffic calming needed Clarence Ave & 14th St pedestrian traffic difficult; 2-lane street should have lights; hill causes problems; concrete pad for pedestrians Cumberland Ave cant see pedestrians crossing o Cumberland Ave & Temperance St build outs/curb extensions Cycling routes- Bottomley Ave, McKinnon Ave, Munroe Ave (not Wiggins Ave); connects to each other parallel

Table 2 (Facilitator - Mariniel Flores): Detailed Table Group Discussion Snow removal and shaving ruts causing narrow lanes Better bike lanes cyclists not yielding to pedestrians o Recommendation: Speed bumps Cyclist signage (education) Lower speed limits (30-40kph) McKinnon Ave speeding, parking on both sides makes road too narrow Elliott St speeding, parking on both sides makes road too narrow, more restrictive parking limits needed (especially on weekends) University Dr speeding

o Recommendation (for all 3 of above): Speed bumps 1100 block of Elliott St back lane (near J. Black Estates to University Dr) shortcutting, blind spot Impact of infill on parking and traffic Osler St more restrictive parking limits (especially on weekends) More parking enforcement Clarence Ave & 14th St speeding/not slowing down o Recommendation: signal crosswalk, zebra Public transit improvements Wiggins Ave- install curb extensions or diverter Diverter at McKinnon Ave or University Dr/Elliott St

Table 3 (Facilitator - Mark Emmons - **Note; this table group consisted mainly of Grosvener Park residents): Detailed Table Group Discussion Clarence Ave & Main St prefer traffic signals; perhaps more traffic signals along all of Clarence Ave More parking should be provided on UofS and RUH property Clarence Ave speeding Stop & yield signs seem to be working effectively Table 4 (Facilitator Pamela Larson): Detailed Table Group Discussion Clarence Ave & Main St- concerns about recommendation (forced right turns); drivers will either shortcut one block from Main St or continue to drive straight through the intersection. o Recommendation: flashing yellow light at all times to signal drivers to slow down Clarence Ave & 11th St- lots of children use crosswalk; difficult to cross. o Recommendation: Crosswalk light Clarence Ave & 12th St- light is too short and too many drivers are turning right making it difficult to cross. o Recommendation: Improve signal timing Surrounding Albert Community Centre- theres a daycare and lots of children playing in the area. o Recommendation: make into a school zone (or child at play) Wiggins Ave- lack of sidewalks

Wiggins Ave & Main St- parking is too close to intersection making it difficult to see on Wiggins Ave o Recommendation: Either increase no parking zone in front of stop sign or better enforce th 14 St- add an east/west cycling route Like the yield signs that were installed

Table 5 (Facilitator - Shirley Matt): Detailed Table Group Discussion Cumberland Ave & 8th St dedicated left turn lane northbound Wiggins Ave & College Dr right turn lane needed Main St speeding/high traffic volumes Clarence Ave & Main St in support of the recommendation (forced right turns); should be moved to Cumberland Ave & Main St Wiggins Ave & 14th St - improve crosswalk markings Munroe Ave & 12th St - visibility issues caused by parking Education for UofS students 8th St improve signal timing Increase number of sidewalks in neighbourhood to improve pedestrian safety 14th St shortcutting 1400 Block of Main St back lane shortcutting Wiggins Ave- sidewalks and snow clearing needed

Next Steps To sort through all the information. Submit feedback via the City on-line Community Engagement webpage no later than March 31, 2014. Complete the Mail - in Traffic Observation comments form and mail to City of Saskatoon no later than March 31, 2014. City reviews the form and webpage comments. City undertakes traffic studies and makes recommendations on how to address issues City completes a draft traffic plan based on public input and traffic studies Follow-up Neighbourhood Traffic Review meeting in late spring or early fall to get public input on draft plan and further additional input If tweaks are significant, may need another meeting Once the plan is finalized will go to City Council. Temporary calming is placed and if effective will phase permanently and go through council for appropriate funding.

Questions/Answers what else do you need to know? When is data collected? Data collections begin in April and end in May. Speed studies are a process and done over an average of seven days. Resident recommended if we could begin studies mid-September to get good data as this is when traffic is heavy due to students. Where is the city at with implementing a Park & Ride to alleviate the high traffic volumes? Transit responded that this is being reviewed for implementation within the new Stonebridge University route freeing up space as you get closer to the University. Park & Ride will be addressed within the transit plan in the near future. There is an open house held on February 25th at TCU. Does the city have any input of traffic flow at the University Campus? To alleviate traffic, the bus mall should not be in front of Place Riel. It was mentioned by Mitch that the contact for Transit was not available to attend the meeting, so this will be brought forward to Transit. March 31st send Varsity View Community Association a link to the City Community Engagement webpage. Next meeting will make sure no conflicts with other city representatives. Another resident asked What real plans are there for Transit metro? the response was given that it will be discussed at the Feb 25th meeting at TCU. Is there somewhere to find information about Wiggins Avenue? the response was that there will be a luncheon and an event in the evening, the information can be located on the City website. No design yet as a possible project need to bring the community (involve). At this point the City is focusing on the downtown area before proceeding with Wiggins Avenue.