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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/2016 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley July 13, 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: Linda Dolan,Nick Francis, Charles Grawe, Fred Puente, Matt Saam, Joe Shaw, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Consultants/Alternates Present: Brandon Anderson, City Engineer, Aaron Kellas, Civil Engineer Others Present: Holly O'Keefe, Thomas O'Keefe 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Ms. Dolan to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 7-0. 3. Audience Items There were no audience items. 4. Approval of May 11, 2016 Minutes Mr. Saam noted a typographical error in the draft minutes. MOTION: Mr. Francis moved, second by Mr. Puente, to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2016 as corrected. Motion passed 6-0. (Mr. Saam abstained) 5A. Request to Make the Sidewalks on Diamond Path between McAndrews Road and Pilot Knob a Pedestrians Only Walkway Mr. Anderson provided a summary of the concern of bike riders using the sidewalk with pedestrians and pet walkers. Mr. O'Keefe presented a proposal to limit the use of sidewalks by bicyclists. He expressed concern that bicyclists don't obey bicycle laws when passing pedestrians. He said that bicyclists are often traveling at high speed on the sidewalk. He requested that the City designate the sidewalk segment as a pedestrian only walkway, with an exception for bicyclists under the age of 13. Children under 13 would be required to complete a City bike rodeo safety program and to obtain a license to use the sidewalk. The rodeo curriculum would include a section on passing pedestrians safely. He requested signage indicating that bicycles are not allowed on the sidewalk. He suggested redesigning the roadway to accommodate a bike lane. Mr. O'Keefe distributed a petition supporting his proposal. Mr. Saam noted that in a survey of other Dakota County cities, seven cities have no restrictions on bikes on sidewalks. Four cities have limitations of bikes on sidewalks in business districts. No other Dakota County cities have restrictions on bikes using sidewalks in residential areas. Mr. Grawe suggested that the proposal has significant policy implications that would take time to consider. He noted that an alternative solution toward addressing the problem might be to raise the concern of unsafe bike habits at the neighborhood block parties during Night to Unite. The City could create an educational piece to distribute to the parties to make people aware of the concerns. Staff agreed to review accident history data that would indicate the depth of the problem. 5B. Review of Speed Advisory Sign Data on Pennock Ave Mr. Anderson said he collected data when the sign reflected feedback to drivers and when the sign was turned off. There was a one mile per hour difference in the 85I'percentile speeds in both locations. In one location, the speed with the sign on was 33 miles per hour and 34 miles per hour with the sign off In the other location, the speed with the sign on was 36 miles per hour and 37 miles per hour with the sign off. The Committee consensus was that the sign should be rotated to another area of the City that has speed issues. 5C.Review of Speed Advisory Sign Data at 361 Palomino Drive Mr. Anderson said that 85I'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 of motorists are actually reducing their speeds in reaction to seeing the sign. The Committee also recommended increased enforcement activity. 5D.Review of Traffic Data Collected at Diamond Path West of County Road Segment Mr. Anderson said this section of roadway is the same as that mentioned in the sidewalk discussion. The 85th percentile speed was 37 miles per hour with a traffic volume of around 1,089 vehicle trips per day. The Committee recommended increased enforcement activity. 5E.Request for Crosswalks Mr. Anderson said there were several requests for sidewalks, but additional data would need to be collected to make a recommendation. 5F. Review of Vehicle Speeds at 14610 Hanover Lane Mr. Anderson said the street has a very low traffic volume, indicating that the issue is most likely being caused by someone from within the neighborhood. 5G.Review of Vehicle Speeds at 5779 126th Street West Mr. Anderson said the concern also was that traffic is using the roadway as a cut-through route between westbound McAndrews Road and northbound Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Significant construction activity on McAndrews just west of the Johnny Cake Ridge Road intersection may create an incentive to cut through. 5H.Request for Speed Advisory Signs at Highland Court Point Mr. Anderson said there was a similar concern over vehicle speed last year. 6A.Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City of Apple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Francis said the department held a bike rodeo, but had low turnout. Public Works Concerns a) Mr. Anderson said he received a request for a Deaf Child sign, but that as with the Autistic Child sign, these are no longer supported in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. b) Mr. Anderson said he received a request for rumble strips on a section of Embry Path being constructed in a residential neighborhood. c) Mr. Anderson said he received a request for a traffic signal at 147 ' Street and Pilot Knob Road, but the intersection doesn't meet warrants. d) Mr. Anderson said additional crosswalk markings have been installed in the Greenleaf area of Galaxie Avenue. 6B.Educational Issues Ms. Dolan said the City received a grant for educational signs at several parks. Stenciled messaged were also planned for parking lots to encourage drivers to take more time. 7. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Saam, to adjourn. Motion passed 7 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.