[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214154,"mediaKeyId","3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171","parentId",3671413,"title","Commission reviews role, asks council to fill vacancies and considers annual report","audioSeconds",1588,"startMs",2400000,"endMs",3988000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171&start=2400&end=3988","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214154/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Commission-reviews-role-asks-council-to-fill-vacancies-and-considers-annual-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214154-c2af610221060271e1466bab766fccb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775202347&Signature=mTOOgSGisYR1NZDMl9NQoD7Zjcka646VXUzsc3bkyHmywGOXO9a~W20OWrf6dbR5YP2752HgPctLB7XfeeeLrPcd7D1TBL17~PuWSqDH16q30Nxki7UAJ~H7tVXUn0x92ha0v04iLrFHZqDuD7yn~n2FQCCNQl-m3iViMdJXu~9cm5p9El3bv5sDOl~3Z8VC3N8NiMSGHQk6xwOqiUvky89CuT5w-biWaSKT6IWDE3zbtFmoZld8O6128SKLnyds2Wt7KtVvDTa~cH9aL5zeX-XG9Oh2MY-GKaZhptCrc5eL6MKlM1dLyspQUDxjfdxQVQy9n-~RlFKLX5yGgBI3fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Morgantown, WV","date","2025-05-29T20:54:28Z","article","Members of the Morgantown Traffic Commission spent part of the meeting discussing the commission’s purpose and whether some long‑standing city advisory bodies should be evaluated or \"sunset\" if they are inactive.

Several commissioners urged that the Traffic Commission emphasize policy and advocacy rather than serving as a de facto casework intake. Bill Kawaki, Second Ward councilor and commission representative, and other members said the commission should use its annual report to show accomplishments and recommend council fill vacant seats.

The group noted that some boards and commissions around the city have stopped meeting; council has been asking for reports from active commissions. Commissioners agreed the chair should contact Council or administration to request that vacancies be filled and that the commission’s annual report is a useful tool for showing ongoing work.

Why this matters: commissioners said demonstrating measurable activity and a clear mission strengthens the commission’s case to remain active. The body decided to add a question about the commission’s purpose to the membership survey and to prepare materials for Council when vacancies are raised.

Next steps: staff and the chair will coordinate on an annual report and a message to Council asking to fill appointments; the membership survey will include questions on the commission’s purpose and member time commitment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Morgantown Traffic Commission - June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members debated the Traffic Commission’s long-term role, discussed asking City Council to fill open slots, and supported producing an annual report to show activity and relevance to council.","taxTitle","Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia","taxId",2635,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214159,"North Street sidewalk work delayed by utility relocations; state ramps and Collins Ferry roundabout timelines updated",336,4560000,4896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171&start=4560&end=4896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","/articles/6214159/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/North-Street-sidewalk-work-delayed-by-utility-relocations-state-ramps-and-Collins-Ferry-roundabout-timelines-updated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214159-1c764e4a5b07b969318ec78f3505a5d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775202347&Signature=j-IfusQdU-UVCl~UmSzWnLP9R7g1VdCCE3~ReUufnarYjS2~9xGAZGky6pb3A6y247yfiN3N0YFllJX6qNgp2RxOnZaz~XdzkHGaMs7pKlndF9~nrn2UC1xCnRCApD-LrGzAN1juZ29lzew3dawyyNmKG6JiTR3mooTXJN42D1y1JDk5la2YKF~vf6QE2Y0bgVVRi~cgICCh3kokPFbccWNiiyZJIHQjxKEByNbWrIgQXyYvEldUAlvMEM4hKUaD3BZyTOh4CjmweYDWhulGhKDnqaENh5IDaSPE6yAh5~T6Ru4gE5pXuZoRwCIF6Rq5wW-JLKFgOf0QsROh5IIryQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff told the Morgantown Traffic Commission that sidewalk and road reconstruction projects on North Street and First Street remain delayed because telecommunications companies have not yet relocated lines to newly installed utility poles.

Drew Jacqueline, staff engineer for the City of Morgantown, said the contractor cannot remove the old poles until the telecom companies move their lines, a common issue citywide that has delayed several projects. That delay prevents the city from widening the roadway and installing planned sidewalks.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Highways (DOH) is conducting a multi‑location curb‑ramp upgrade project in Morgantown. Staff said the DOH effort covers roughly \"80ish\" locations across the city as part of a multi‑year initiative to bring ramps into current accessibility standards.

Separately, the Collins Ferry reconstruction project will require intermittent full closures and is expected to run through December 2026, staff said. The work includes a new roundabout and utility phases that the city expects will cause traffic impacts but also improve a currently constrained intersection.

Why this matters: the utility relocation delays affect pedestrian access and timeline for pedestrian safety improvements. Commissioners asked staff for updates and acknowledged contractors are phasing work to minimize motorist disruptions.

Next steps: staff will continue to track telecom relocations, provide schedule updates to the commission, and monitor DOH ramp work and the Collins Ferry construction phasing.","City staff said contractors remain delayed on North Street and First Street work because telecom companies have not moved lines to new poles; Department of Highways curb‑ramp upgrades are underway at about 80 city locations; Collins Ferry reconstruction expected to finish by December 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214164,"Traffic commission adds speed-indicator deployment to project list",83,2483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171&start=2400&end=2483","/articles/6214164/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Traffic-commission-adds-speed-indicator-deployment-to-project-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214164-6cef4b6af4c5807d579dd1df025f703c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775202347&Signature=STSoqkrwR33OLluaEE~jcYF-tDmbP3XhIZrmoR~Emg~GHnT6GaGnuLrDQtoHJKMOOKhFxTGu089boPwibt8AwIYK3FDg~aZF5VSRBQunkKLdLi~Z4FQ49ivUK-lIh0ZP6p~R4Lw95GIx~N28urM4y4Ahdo9nxdZsNuR6FfWVxnCG5LyelppIcA89dGg98mhoat6ZV-1SuhQ79MeRP-It1qmRAqr0te7EZqaOrNKWntJYuq2bFcUfM9QXFJSF6d3kqoj80Q0izLqQHSjM2CY4PaP7foa811TbYsNSEwcVHreMcQsJm5sQQ6Bf7E5JK8K2IAcgst8s0yD-zyRg0VfuDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgantown Traffic Commission added a prioritized deployment of portable speed indicators to its project list and asked staff to coordinate a schedule with police and Public Works.

Commission member discussion identified the speed indicator (radar) units as an \"easy\" project that neighborhoods could use as a general deterrent. Commissioners debated whether the units should be rotated on a first-come, first-served basis or prioritized by neighborhood traffic patterns and summer event locations.

Drew Jacqueline, staff engineer for the City of Morgantown, said he was \"still trying to get the communication, and schedule together with the police department and public works on how those are deployed,\" and offered to work with any commissioner who wanted to propose a prioritization. Commissioners noted the devices sometimes produce data that would be useful to staff engineering but said the primary expected use was speed deterrence rather than detailed technical analysis.

Next steps: the commission asked for a prioritization mechanism to be included in the membership survey and for staff to return with deployment options. Members suggested targeting high-summer-traffic areas such as park entrances and popular neighborhood corridors.","Commissioners agreed to prioritize displacement of portable speed indicators across neighborhoods and to develop a deployment/prioritization approach with police and public works.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214169,"Morgantown traffic commission to survey members on priorities; considers pop-up ‘open streets’ events",2884,706000,3590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171&start=706&end=3590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671413-4bf8b5e8026d84420edc0da3aac5a171/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6214169/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-traffic-commission-to-survey-members-on-priorities-considers-pop-up-open-streets-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214169-56e01696757c7de6d69b5230f9f69d26/orig.mp4?Expires=1775202347&Signature=c-HIP6rYyR44Yb8LexAuyDeP0wtmubSra3TJnEu-JKPB-I-w6rpseOBljSedjc6TKxdEa~M5-SL~gBqFCmb7P6tT0cocog1ab-QQ-86M7so4WY7DOyoHxKUkVppOVxA5b1cNAmfmbSQOkDUFFOK54xHROBXQJHJl-LY4873kFsPJintq6ywD19Wnb9LqRROgCGYWY6~U3365~HRM~V7E~qBpJ1dlhtEjVJBeOwJIsCRif553zJu7B9zf-jfd29q7v0tpAZkkTLzBTI8L2W7XIkETH8HfV34jy6gLV9u5JLqyiIthBhUaTunDzomN8RUStA12wGrbAfg6OsaciQQTBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgantown Traffic Commission agreed June 2025 to send a member survey to prioritize transportation projects identified in the city strategic plan and to explore temporary demonstration events, commonly called \"open streets,\" to show multimodal street designs.

The commission chair said staff will distribute a short survey between meetings so commissioners can indicate interest and time commitments for projects ranging from a truck-traffic study to a complete-streets policy update. Drew Jacqueline, staff engineer for the City of Morgantown, told commissioners, \"I do believe personally that your strength lies there not in attempting to do technical analysis,\" meaning the commission should focus on policy and priorities rather than on engineering details.

Why this matters: the commission is repositioning itself from a reactive forum for neighborhood complaints toward an advisory body that develops policy recommendations for City Council. Members said a short survey would let them indicate willingness to serve on subcommittees, or to limit participation to regular meetings.

Commission priorities and next steps: commissioners reaffirmed two subcommittees already in development: a truck-traffic study subcommittee that has met only in planning and a curb-regulations/street-parking group that the city administration wants to pursue. The commission also listed other priority areas—gateway corridors and wayfinding signage, support for emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, and use of the PRT (personal rapid transit) as a placemaking asset—and asked staff to summarize those choices in the survey.

Open-street demonstrations: multiple commissioners floated using temporary street closures or lane reconfigurations to demonstrate bike and pedestrian space. Matthew Cross (Predation Safety Board) proposed closing part of High Street for events this summer to highlight bike/walk options, and staff described past local demonstrations on Grand and Ross streets that used several hundred traffic cones and door‑to‑door outreach. Commissioners discussed partnering with other bodies such as the Health and Wellness Commission and with organizations that run \"Try This\"‑style neighborhood events.

Timing and outreach: staff said the survey results would be reviewed at the commission’s July meeting. Commissioners asked that the survey include questions about time commitment, whether members want to work in subcommittees, and whether the commission should ask Council to fill current vacancies. Drew Jacqueline said the city would handle public notification logistics for any demonstration events and emphasized that demonstrations require staff time and partner organizations.

Community context and constraints: commissioners reminded colleagues that some streets are controlled by the state Department of Highways, which limits where the city can reconfigure lanes, and that larger multimile open‑streets events — like Pittsburgh’s model — require more resources and coordination. The commission agreed to proceed by survey and subcommittee work and to bring any formal recommendations to City Council.","The Morgantown Traffic Commission agreed to send a survey to members to prioritize projects from the city strategic plan, consider pop-up demonstrations to show multimodal street designs, and continue work on subcommittees including a truck-traffic study and curb/parking regulations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission reviews role, asks council to fill vacancies and considers annual report

North Street sidewalk work delayed by utility relocations; state ramps and Collins Ferry roundabout timelines updated

Traffic commission adds speed-indicator deployment to project list

Morgantown traffic commission to survey members on priorities; considers pop-up ‘open streets’ events