The Port Of Hoodsport

MINUTES FROM THE TRAFFIC MEETING
OF THE PORT OF HOODSPORT COMMISSION    

September 8, 2015

Call to Order:
6:00pm
                Adjourned: 7:15pm

Meeting Held at:    Hoodsport Fire Hall N331 Finch Creek Rd. Hoodsport, WA 98548

Port Attendance:
Commissioner Brazil, Commissioner O’ Laughlin- Chair, Commissioner Petz

K. Wyatt, Port Operations Manager, B. Osborne, Director of Maintenance

Speakers:        Steve Kim, WSDOT –PE Region Traffic Engineer

            Steve Bennett, WSDOT

Public:     Jan Morris-Hardware Distillery, Eric Hagen & Marie Sommers, Mike & Geri Purvis-Hood Canal Grocery, Jim Goodpastor-Mason Fire 1, Diana O’ Laughlin, Frank & Barbara Gray, Tim & Lucy Timmerman-Octopus Garden, Terri Jeffreys- Mason County Commission

Summation:    The Port of Hoodsport held a workshop to address Traffic, Speed & Pedestrian Safety concerns affecting the downtown Hoodsport Hwy 101 thoroughfare. Pedestrian & Speed concerns have been brought to the attention of the Port of Hoodsport’s Commission by some of the local business owners & residents. The Port arranged a Forum in which representatives from the WA State Department of Transportation, local business owners, the local fire department and the public could express concerns, discuss and develop strategies related to pedestrian/traffic safety issues.

WSDOT representative Kim & Bennett were available to listen to the Community’s main concerns. They talked about traffic statistics and studies and how they compared to other towns with similar traffic patterns.Everyone agreed they wanted crosswalks to be safer and for cars to be aware when pedestrians were in the crosswalks. They also agreed there was a need to change driver behavior with a conscious reduction of speed through Hoodsport. There was a consensus that it makes more sense to have the existing crosswalk at the corner of Hwy 101 and State Rt 119 relocated to the North side of the intersection. This would avoid drivers coming from State Rt. 119 from looking only to the left before turning right onto Highway 101 and to give right of way to cars turning onto State Rt 119 coming from Southbound Highway 101 without having to stop for pedestrians especially in high traffic situations during events.

The conclusion was a consensual decision between WA State Department of Transportation & the Port of Hoodsport to:

1. Relocate the Crosswalk to the North side of State Rt 119 just South of the bridge and install a flashing Beacon.
   
2. Install 2 Driver Feedback Radar Speed Signs – One at the North End and one at the South end of town.
   
3. Install 2 Hour Parking signs, one in front of the Library in the narrow parking corridor and one in front of the Port dock in the parallel parking along Hwy 101
   
4. Move the 30mph speed limit signs at both ends of town
   

The Port of Hoodsport will partner with the WSDOT in covering some of the cost of the signs, the WSDOT will pay for the labor to install crosswalks and signs.

Adjourn: Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to adjourn the Traffic, Speed & Pedestrian Safety meeting, Commissioner Brazil seconded, unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at 7:15pm.

________________________ _______________________ _____________________

Commissioner O’Laughlin Commissioner Petz Commissioner Brazil