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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2016 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley September 14, 2016 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Secretary Joe Shaw. Members Present: Linda Dolan,Nick Francis, Charles Grawe, Fred Puente, Matt Saam, Joe Shaw Members Absent: Arthur Zimmerman Consultants/Alternates Present: Brandon Anderson, City Engineer, Aaron Kellas, Civil Engineer Others Present: Bryan Root 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Ms. Francis to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 6-0. 3. Audience Items Mr. Root expressed concern about the safety of the crosswalk on the north side of the Cedar Avenue and 1401' Street intersection. He noted that drivers making a right turn to the north onto Cedar often fail to observe pedestrians and bicyclists crossing Cedar from east to west. Mr. Grawe suggested that Mr. Root communicate these concerns with Dakota County as the County controls the design and operation of the intersection. Mr. Anderson noted that the City is currently studying the nearby intersection of 1401i Street and Galaxie Avenue. As part of that study, the City is looking at extending the pedestrian pathway along 1401i Street on the south side of the road, where no pathway currently exists. If pedestrians were to cross Cedar on the south side of 1401i Street, there would not be the conflict with the 1401' Street traffic making right turns. Mr. Francis explained the challenges of enforcement activity around busy intersections. 4. Approval of July 13, 2016 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Saam moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to approve the Minutes of July 13, 2016 as presented. Motion passed 6-0. 5A. Crosswalks Concerns Former Paideia School Mr. Anderson noted that the crosswalk on 1471' Street near the location of the former Paideia School has been removed. Residents have requested re- establishment of the crosswalk. Mr. Anderson explained that the crosswalk was established within a larger context, including the creation of a school speed zone and a crossing program and crossing guards for the school. The school has since closed and the speed zone and crossing program no longer exist. The crosswalk does not meet criteria without these other two elements. Mr. Anderson said that with the speeds and traffic volumes on 1471i Street, current pedestrian volumes do not support a marked crosswalk by itself and additional street design enhancements would be necessary. He recommended that the Engineering Division study the entire 1471i Street corridor between Cedar Avenue and Galaxie Avenue to determine an appropriate crossing strategy. Cobblestone Lake Park Mr. Anderson said the Engineering Division collected data on three existing unmarked crosswalk areas along Cobblestone Parkway. The group discussed removing the curb ramp for the middle crossing area because the crossing doesn't lead to a destination that pedestrians would naturally use. MOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Francis, to recommend the Engineering Division discuss the situation with the Parks Department, and if no additional issues are raised, recommend removal of the middle crossing ramps and to mark the remaining two crossings. Motion passed 6-0. 5B. Parking on Germane Ave South of Palomino Drive Mr. Anderson said the City has received complaints about parking on the grass along the east side of Germane Ave between 1301i Street and 1271' Street. There is also concern about parking between 1271i Street and 1281' Street obscuring the visibility at the intersection. Germane Ave has center striping, which is not typical for a street of its type. The striping may be causing people to park further away from the drive lane. MOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Puente, to recommend the removal of the center striping, to post"no parking" signs on the east side of Germane Ave between 1301' Street and 1271' Street, and to post"no parking" signs on both sides of Germane Ave between 1281i Street and 1271' Street. Motion passed 6-0. 5C.Review of Speed Advisory Sign Data at 361 Palomino Drive Mr. Anderson said that 851i percentile speeds of 41, 42, and 39 miles per hour were measured over time. The speed limit in this area is 35 miles per hour. The consensus of the Committee was to add an additional speed measurement device without a visible sign after the existing sign to determine if motorists are actually reducing their speeds in reaction to seeing the sign. The Committee also recommended increased enforcement activity. 6A.Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City of Apple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Francis said the officer trained as a commercial vehicle inspector made 14 full inspections in the previous month, resulting in removal of three vehicles for service. Public Works Concerns Mr. Anderson said the signage in the area of Greenleaf School on Galaxie was replaced. 6B.Educational Issues Ms. Dolan noted that the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) Conference will be held in November. Two police officers plan to attend. She also noted that Dakota County's TZD is focusing on reducing distracted driving. 7. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Francis moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to adjourn. Motion passed 6 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.