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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2015 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley September 9, 2015 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Arthur Zimmerman Members Present: Linda Dolan, Nick Francis, Charles Grawe, Joe Shaw, Laura Turek, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Consultants/Alternates Present: Colin Manson, City Engineer, Brandon Anderson, Assistant City Engineer Others Present: Richard Carter, Greg Clausen, Tammy Ganther, Kelly Kausel, Mike Kausel, Feroza Mehta, Daphne Meyer, Denise Reese, Kevin Reese, Carrie Wolfson 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Grawe to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 6-0. 3. Audience Items There were no audience items. 4. Approval of July 8, 2015 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Shaw, to approve the Minutes of July 8, 2015 as presented. Motion passed 5-0 (Mr. Francis abstained). 5A. Request for Special Needs Signage Mr. Anderson presented two requests for special needs signage. He presented information that the Federal Highway Administration stopped recognizing such signage in 2011 and the signs are also no longer recognized in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). He reported traffic studies in the two request areas. In the neighborhood of Everest Avenue and 143rd Street, the traffic volumes were found to be around 200 vehicles per day and the 85th percentile speed was between 24 and 26 miles per hour. These results do not indicate a problem level of traffic volume or speed. In the neighborhood of 13st Street, the traffic volumes were found to be between 140 and 180 vehicles per day and the 85th percentile speed was between 33 and 34 miles per hour. These results do not indicate a problem volume level, but do indicate a problem speed rate. Ms. Kausel provided letters from medical and therapeutic specialists who have treated her son and support her request for a street sign indicating an autistic child is in the neighborhood. She questioned the accuracy of the results of the traffic studies in the neighborhood of Everest Avenue and 143rd Street. She said she believes installation of a sign would be considered an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). There was discussion about the request being outside of the MUTCD recognized signage and seeking assistance from MN Dot to include such signs in the MUTCD so the City could conform with the MUTCD and put up the s MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Shaw, to direct staff to increase traffic enforcement activity in the neighborhood, utilize driver speed feedback signs and education tools to raise awareness, and to direct staff to write letters to the City's State legislative delegation requesting them to work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to include language in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that would allow the City to install such a sign while following the manual. Motion passed 6— 0. Ms. Turek left the meeting. 5B. Concern over Cut Through Traffic on Garden View Drive and Hyland Avenue Mr. Anderson explained that a resident has expressed concern over cut through traffic on Hyland Avenue. There is an incentive for drivers to cut through Hyland to reach a right-hand turn on County Road 46 because the through lane and right-turn lane share a single lane on Garden View Drive. The single lane is essentially blocked for a full signal cycle if the first vehicle in the lane is going straight to the south and not turning right onto County Road 46. The Committee requested that staff implement the speed trailer and driver feedback signs on Hyland in an attempt to discourage the behavior. 5C.Review Traffic Data Along Findlay Avenue and Feldspar Lane Mr. Anderson reviewed the traffic study results for school and non-school weeks. School-related traffic does appear to be part of the issue. 5D.Review Parking Issue on South Side of 144th Street at Traffic Calming Islands Mr. Anderson recommended painting yellow both the approach and exit angles of the narrowing curb calming islands where the pedestrian crossing is located. Vehicles are currently parking on the angled curb on the south side of 144th, further narrowing the driving lane between the calming islands. 6A.Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City of Apple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Francis reported complaints about commercial gravel trucks on County Road 46 using engine braking. The Police Department is working with the State Patrol to hold a commercial vehicle enforcement day for that area. Public Works Concerns Mr. Anderson reported two requests for stop signs. A request for a sign at Johnny Cake Ridge Road and 144th Street does not meet warrants. A request for a sign at the T-intersection of 146th Street and Garrett Avenue has a significant accident history and a study is being conducted. Mr. Anderson also reported a speed concern on Elm Drive. 6B.Educational Issues Ms. Dolan noted that the Toward Zero Deaths Conference will be held in October and that the Eastview DECA group won an award for their traffic safety project. She also noted that the MN Safety Council is attempting to promote traffic safety as part of the Battle of the Apple between Eastview and Apple Valley High School. 7. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Francis moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to adjourn. Motion passed 5- 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.