TSC Minutes 07-01-26

MARQUETTE COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 1, 2026 Marquette County Public Safety Room Montello, WI Members present: Mike Kowalski, Joe Konrath, Aaron Williams, Trace Frost, Tony Kemnitz, Mike Raddatz, Judi Nigbor, Kris Bergh, Gary Sorensen, Chuck Bornhoeft, Karen Wampler, Matt Strickland, Joel Spoehr, John Bitsky, Ron Barger, Mike Marine, Kim Werden, Rob Lulling, Jason Stauffacher, Jayme Sopha, Clifford Burden and Stephanie Warren. Virtual – Amanda Thoma. The Traffic Safety Committee meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mike Kowalski at 9:00 a.m. Moved by Chuck Bornhoeft and seconded by Mike Raddatz to approve the agenda as presented. All approved. Motion carried. Moved by Karen Wampler and seconded by Joe Konrath to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2026, meeting. All approved. Motion carried. Citizen Concerns – Mike Raddatz advised of a homeless person living out of a camper parked on Fern Road in the Town of Mecan. He has permission to stay there until the end of July. Old Business 1. The ATV/UTV speed limit has been raised from 35 mph to 45 mph for a one- year trial until May 2027 on county roads only. Each town must set their own speed limits on town roadways. 2. Continue to advise towns of needed brushing/trimming along town roadways. New Business 1. The bridge on Chauncey Street (CTH I) in the Village of Oxford developed potholes/sink holes from storms this Spring. After stripping back the asphalt layers it was discovered there was a gap between the concrete and ground that allowed water to flow through to the creek. The bridge had been inspected and passed this inspection. Brian Trebiatowski will be addressing this issue with the Village of Oxford Board to determine whose responsibility it is to maintain bridges in the county. 2. The speed trailer has been deployed at the following sites this year: 510 S. Main Street in the Village of Neshkoro, 404 N. Main Street in the Village of Westfield, Polk Street at Doodle Street in the Town of Harris, 757 S. Main Street at the Fairgrounds in the Village of Westfield, CTH CH at 5th Drive in the Town of Springfield, and at W721 STH 23 near Mecan River Outfitters in the Town of Mecan. 3. A new date and time for the Traffic Safety Committee was needed due to a conflict with another monthly meeting. After discussion a motion was made by Karen Wampler and seconded by Mike Raddatz to change the quarterly meeting to the first Thursday at 9:00 a.m. All approved. Motion carried. Crash Review So far in 2026 there have been a total of 171 crashes with 45 injuries and 2 fatalities in Marquette County. The first fatality occurred on STH 22 at Fox Ln. with the driver succumbing to injuries 3 days later and the second occurred on CTH M at 5th Ave. There was also a 3rd fatality involving a UTV on Fern and 22nd. Transportation Safety Report and Highway Safety Input Trace Frost advised there were 538 fatalities in the State of Wisconsin in 2025. So far in 2026 there have been 209 fatalities statewide versus 242 in 2025. A Motorized Vehicle Flowchart was presented to help in the identification of types of vehicles based on electric power or gas power. Electric bikes are becoming more popular on roadways. Wisconsin adopted the 11 th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for Streets and Highways. There will be changes to some signage as those signs are replaced. The Governors Conference will be at the Kalahari in WI Dells on August 24 & 25, 2026. Highway Construction Update Tony Kemnitz advised I39 SB lanes from Fawn Court to Columbia County line 12+ miles of resurfacing will begin in May and run through most of October 2026. Ramps will be closed and a work zone speed limit of 55 mph is planned. The 12-mile northbound phase between Fawn Court and the Waushara County line will begin on July 6th through November. Concrete will be replaced on CTH E/J between the I39 ramps. The SB rest area will also have pavement repairs and will be closed during this time. To receive construction updates, call 511 County Road E from Westfield to State Highway 22 5-mile pavement improvement project starting July 13 through October will provide a wider pavement to mitigate motorists driving on gravel shoulder area. Also adding rumble strips and warning signs. The road will be closed and detoured during construction. County Road P from CTH A to STH 23 will be completed by highway crews. Drainage will be completed in April and May with paving beginning in July/August. A traffic count was conducted at STH 22 at CTH J on 06-24-26 for 14 hours. During this time, it was observed that drivers were not coming to complete stops at the stop signs. A HSIP application has been prepared for submittal in the Fall of 2026 with preliminary design in 2027/2028 and construction in 2030/31. Introductions were made. Other Business Marquette County passed the Animal-Drawn Vehicle Ordinance, and a pamphlet was created for educational purposes. Warnings will start to be issued followed by citations if violations continue to occur. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Tony Kemnitz and seconded by Ron Barger. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. The next meeting was set for Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Submitted by Stephanie Warren