WEST VOLUSIA COMMUNITY TRAFFIC SAFETY TEAM

MINUTES OF MEETING - September 12, 2000

Those Present:

The meeting of the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) was called to order at 8:45 am by Chairman John Izzo.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting minutes of the August 8, 2000 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Since we had some new faces at today's meeting, John Izzo asked everyone in attendance to introduce themselves.

John Izzo, along with Ken Harley (FDOT), stated that Tony Nosse and Barry Wall are in Miami and would not be at today's meeting.

John Izzo asked if anyone had items to discuss related to the Problems/Solutions reports. John Izzo and Malcolm Smith each gave Ken Harley completed Problem/Solution forms for FDOT to look into. In addition, John Izzo gave the School Board representatives copies of the Problems/Solutions forms for their use.

John Izzo showed the committee a plaque and certificates that were presented John and Carol Izzo on behalf of the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team by Healthy Start in participation of the Volusia/Flagler Child Safety Car Seat program.

John Izzo discussed the Crash Statistics report handout that was prepared by Volusia County Traffic Engineering. John asked for input from the committee members to see if anyone might identify additional crash statistic trends. John noted that rear-end (30.1%) and angle (18.1%) crashes were the most prevalent crashes in Volusia County. John stated that this report gives clues to where our problems are.

Pat O'Dare stated that it seems a lot of accidents are due to drivers over correcting.

Jon Cheney discussed the County Incentive Grant Program. This program is funded through the State and is meant to alleviate congestion on the State Highway System. Jon made a motion that the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team formally endorse those projects that the County is submitting. A friendly amendment was added to include all West Volusia projects. The motion, and friendly amendment, passed unanimously.

The projects are:

Saxon Blvd. - widen from 2 to 4 lanes between US 17/92 to existing 4 lane section

Saxon Blvd. - widen from 2 to 4 lanes between Sumatra Ave to Tivoli Dr. (This project was subsequently withdrawn by the City of Deltona.)

CR 92 - widen to 2 to 4 lanes between SR 15A to US 17/92

I-4 Frontage Rd - construct new 2 lane road from SR 472 to Orange Camp Rd.

Volusia County CCTV Camera Network Expansion

Chairman John Izzo will write the letter showing the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team's formal support of these projects.

Jon Cheney discussed the Volusia County Traffic Engineering web page handout. The web page has the meeting minutes and meeting dates for the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team. Jon doesn't have copies of the January through March and June meeting minutes. Jon requested that if anyone has an electronic copy of these minutes that they give him a copy so he can post them on the web site. The address for the web page is http://www.volusia.org/traffic/ctsp.htm.

Nicole Kramer, Volusia County School's representative, gave a brief presentation on the need for a traffic light at the intersection of US 92 and Jacobs Rd. The School Board is requesting that FDOT or the County preform an analysis to see if a traffic light is warranted.

Jon Cheney stated that FDOT will not preform their review until the new Quality Brands beer distribution facility has been completed. Jon suggested that they also contact DeLand to get their support for this project since the intersection is within the city limits of DeLand. Jon suggested that Nicole contact Keith Riger, DeLand's City Engineer, as a first step.

Jon also recommended the School Board request that when FDOT does their analysis that they do 24 hour traffic counts versus 8 hour counts. Twenty-four hour counts may have a better chance of highlighting any special traffic issues that may not be evident in an 8 hour traffic count.

Sgt. Sweeny of the Florida Highway Patrol stated that he would like to see more enforcement on US 92 between SR 15A and Kepler Rd. Ken Harley gave Sgt. Sweeny some Problems/Solutions report forms for him to fill out.

John Izzo showed off the new "Slow Down... Make School Zones Safe Zones" banner. Rick Prine of the Volusia County Traffic Engineering Department will keep the banner for the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team.

Member Comments

Malcolm Smith stated that the next meeting of the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team will include a presentation from the city of DeLand Police Chief.

Pat O'Dare and Jon Cheney discussed a newspaper article that described a lawsuit in West Palm Beach where an individual sued FDOT for $7 million. The individual was injured in an accident, which he claimed was due to the poor design of the intersection.

Joe Cohen of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office discussed the October dates for the Child Safety Seat Checkpoints. Joe also stated that by November citizens will be able to go to any Fire Station in the County to see if their child car seat is properly installed. This program has been funded through a grant from FDOT and Healthy Start.

Bob Ashbury of the City of DeLand stated that DeLand has set up a six member traffic advisory committee to review traffic related issues. Bob said that anyone can contact Rob McKechnie at (904) 736-3900 for more information.

Ken Harley discussed the Community Traffic Safety Team Advisory handout. In particular Ken addressed the upcoming Buckle Up Enforcement Waves, the Fall CTST Fall Coalition Meeting, and the Walk Our Children To School Day activities.

Ken stated that he needs to get our quarterly report data so he can pass it along to Tallahassee. Ken also mentioned that the PIE grant for $30,000 will be divided among the 8 CTST's in District 5.

Ken, along with other members, discussed their perceptions of how the statewide seatbelt survey being implemented in Volusia County was progressing. Impressions seemed to be that the seatbelt compliance rate will be low.

Sgt. Sweeny stated that the Florida Highway Patrol will be more pro-active this year for Biketoberfest. However, they will probably have manpower shortages that will need to be addressed.

Joe Cohen asked John Izzo if the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team was going to write an article to be put in the newspaper/magazines discussing motorcycle safety issues. John stated that the people that were going to work on the article have not been attending our meeting on a regular basis, so he was unable to state what their progress was.

The meeting of the West Volusia Community Traffic Safety Team was adjourned at 10:20 am by Chairman John Izzo.

NEXT AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 10, 2000:

WEST VOLUSIA COMMUNITY TRAFFIC SAFETY TEAM MEETING

INTRODUCTION

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS - Tony Nosse, FDOT

CRASH STATISTICS - John Izzo, Consultant

NEW BUSINESS

BREAK

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION