City of Newberg

Traffic Safety Commission

April 8, 2024

Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioners Present:  

Michael Rossman

Jesse Cad

Branden Dross

Gabrielle Humlie

Roger Kuhlman

Rick Marshall

Mike McBride

Staff Present:  Brett Musick

Ratin Abdullah

Emily Salsbury

Will Worthey

Sgt. Brian Hagan

Jenna Berman

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Russell Johnson, Newberg Resident

Russell Johnson lives just down the street from the intersection at E Illinois and N Main Street and expressed concern about the project’s cancellation. City Manager Will Worthey said that the city is very low on road funds at the moment. He followed on to say that it doesn’t mean the project will not be addressed in the future, but the city doesn’t have the funds to address it now. Johnson said things could be added, like signs, which would help a lot.

ACTION ITEMS- Consent Calendar

 Action:  Approved consent calendar items as presented.

 Motion:  Commissioner Dross

 Second:  Commissioner Marshall

 Vote:  Unanimous Yes

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS:

1.      Newberg Urban Design Verification (UDV) Study

 ODOT Report:  Jenna Berman, Active Transportation Liason

Berman provided a presentation about the Newberg Urban Design Verification (UDV) study project focused on developing stronger infrastructure for pedestrian interaction around the OR 99W and OR 219 highways downtown. She reviewed the results of a citywide survey about how Newberg residents interact with the highway intersections around town and informed on potential ways to address unsafe vehicle-pedestrian interactions.

2.  Report from Newberg-Dundee Police Department

Sgt. Brian Hagan presented on police department activities. The department focused on speeding awareness in March and distracted driving awareness in April. He then identified some of the more dangerous intersections around Newberg through data. Commissioners raised questions about the accuracy of the data, with the intention of learning about the specific kinds of accidents that happen at each intersection.

3.  Report from City of Newberg Engineering

Brett Musick discussed the need to update the active issues log, highlighting completed items and ongoing research efforts. Commissioners talked about improving the data reporting methodology to ensure it is easier to understand, sort, and analyze. Musick confirmed the N Main and Illinois St project is canceled for the time being, and the red light cameras to be installed on OR 99W.

4.  Traffic Safety Commission Work Plan

The Commission expressed a desire to understand more about the ODOT plans Newberg and communicating early and often with the agency as well as with other local and county-wide government commissions and organizations. They then reviewed the Traffic Safety Commission work plan, including distribution of information to the Newberg public via city-operated social media channels. The commissioners also discussed other communication strategies via physical signs, press releases, and newsletters.

4.  Commissioner Comments

Newberg City Councilor Mike McBride clarified operational communication; for example, if there is desire to build a crosswalk.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 Name of Staff Liaison, Title

ATTEST:

 Name of Chair, Chair