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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/2016 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley March 9, 2016 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: Nick Francis, Charles Grawe, Fred Puente, Matt Saam, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Linda Dolan, Joe Shaw Consultants/Alternates Present: Brandon Anderson, City Engineer Others Present: Michelle deKam Palmieri, Mike Westereng, Victoria Truesdell, Harry Wyman 2. Approval of Agenda Members requested two additional items to the agenda—one-way violations on 153rd Street and election of officers. MOTION: Mr. Saam moved, second by Mr. Francis to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5-0. 3. Audience Items Several residents expressed concern about traffic on Walnut Drive around the area of Westview Elementary School and Alimagnet Park. They noted that traffic is quieter in the winter months and seems to pick up when the Monday night Frisbee golf begins in the Park. They believe the traffic is coming from Redwood Drive and County 42. They noted there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. The Committee requested that staff study the traffic in the area. 4. Approval of January 13, 2016 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Francis moved, second by Mr. Saam, to approve the Minutes of January 13, 2016 as presented. Motion passed 5-0. 5A. Resident Concern about Traffic on Galaxie Ave near Greenleaf Elementary School School Principal Michelle deKam Palmieri noted an accident involving students crossing Galaxie Avenue who were struck by an automobile. She noted a large increase in traffic from parents picking up students after school. This has resulted in large stacking issues in the southbound lane of Galaxie. Mr. Anderson said the entire Galaxie Avenue corridor will be studied this summer and the area around the school will be a focus. 5B. Request for Signage, Stop Signs, and Signals 1. Mr. Anderson said the City received a request for a stop sign at 153rd Street and Pennock Avenue. A study of the traffic volumes and vehicle crash report showed that warrants are not met. The Committee consensus was to recommend no action at this time as the warrants were not met. 2. Mr. Anderson said the City received a request for protected left-turn timing from Pennock Avenue onto 140th Street. A study of the intersection showed only 38 left-hand turns from southbound Pennock onto 140th Street, a very low volume. Such a low volume would not justify the addition of protected left-turn timing. The Committee consensus was to recommend no action at this time as the volumes are so low. 3. Mr. Anderson said a resident requested the driver feedback signs on Pennock Avenue be installed on a permanent basis. They are currently part of the summer rotation. He noted that there is the potential for many neighborhoods to make similar requests and expressed concern over fatigue from seeing too many of these feedback signs leading to less effectiveness. He said he would work on drafting a policy on permanent feedback signs for consideration. Mr. Anderson recommended conducting a study to remove or disable the signs and measure driver behavior to see what if any change occurs. 5C. Driver Feedback Signage Data on Pennock Ave near 138th Street Mr. Anderson said the data showed the 85th percentile speeds to be at 30, 30, 31, and 31 miles per hour. These speeds are not significantly above the 30 mile per hour limit. He also noted that the development pattern of the adjoining properties and the road design create challenges for police to conduct enforcement on the stretch of road in question. 5D.Review of Garden View Driver Feedback Sign Data Mr. Anderson shared long-term spend data from the driver feedback signs on Garden View Drive. The long-term trends show some increases in vehicle speed over time. 6A.Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City of Apple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Francis said he received a complaint from a Rosemount resident who believes enforcement on 160th Street is conducted differently between Apple Valley and Rosemount. Mr. Francis said a patrol officer is completing his Commercial Vehicle Inspector certification and plans to work with a certified inspector from Dakota County to work together on some inspections in Apple Valley. Public Works Concerns Mr. Saam said he received a request for more flashing yellow signals, but most applied to Dakota County signal structures. Mr. Saam noted that the short distance between the driveway for AppleBees and Cedar Avenue is creating some traffic issues. Mr. Grawe noted a complaint of wrong-way drivers on the east-bound section of 153rd Street. Mr. Anderson said he would verify that signage is in place near the Foliage Avenue intersection where this traffic would likely enter. 6B.Educational Issues Mr. Grawe noted that the City received a grant from AAA for a sign to promote driver awareness. 7. Election of Officers MOTION: Mr. Saam moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to elect Mr. Zimmerman as Chair and Mr. Shaw as Secretary. Motion passed 5- 0. 8. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Puente moved, second by Mr. Saam, to adjourn. Motion passed 5- 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.