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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2021 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley March 10, 2021 7:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting 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, Matt Saam, Joe Shaw, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Consultants/Alternates Present: Others Present: Aidan Checkett, Abby Hullinger 2. Approval of Agenda Mr. Grawe said that due to unexpected events, engineering staff members were not able to attend the meeting and asked that Item 513, (Georgia and Upper 136th Blind Intersection)be removed from the agenda and taken up at the following meeting. MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed Roll Call Vote 5-0 (Mr. Shaw abstained). 3. Audience Items There were no audience items. 4. Approval of January 13, 2021 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Saam moved, second by Mr. Francis, to approve the Minutes of January 13, 2021. Motion passed Roll Call Vote 6-0. 5A. Presentation by St. Olaf Students on Regulations for Motorized Vehicles on Pathways Mr. Grawe said he was asked to mentor a St. Olaf College class with a public policy issue for a January political science course. The students studied the City's current pathway ordinance and emerging trends in personal electric vehicles. They then provided recommendations for changes to the ordinance to allow both pedestrians and electric vehicle users to use the pathways in a safe manner. Ms. Hullinger and Mr. Checkett reviewed the research process and findings and presented recommendations for amending the ordinance. They found that speed of the vehicles on the pathways had the most direct relationship to pathway safety and preventing accidents. They found that a maximum speed limit of 15 miles per hour would be appropriate based on speeds of mechanical bikes and runners also using the paths. They suggested using a maximum engineered speed of 20 miles per hour for vehicles that would be allowed. They recommended posting signage at entrances to pathways or at intervals of about 1.25 miles to remind users of the speed limit. They also recommended considering a possible registration system so that the maximum vehicle speed could be provided as part of receiving the permit, rather than officers attempting to determine vehicle speeds on the pathways. There was brief discussion with the students about their process and findings. The consensus of the Committee was for staff to work on drafting a proposed ordinance for further consideration. 6A.Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City of Apple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Francis said Apple Valley is part of a group of agencies conducting targeted speed enforcement through a$35,000.00 grant. Public Works Concerns There were no additional Public Works concerns. 6B.Educational Issues and Grant Opportunities Ms. Dolan noted that there will be a virtual Toward Zero Deaths conference on May 13th and encouraged members to attend. 7. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Shaw, to adjourn. Motion passed Roll Call Vote 6-0. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.