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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2001 • • MINUTES OF TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 14,2001 Apple Valley Municipal Center COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Anglin, Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe,Neal Heuer, and Arthur Zimmerman COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHER PRESENT: Glen Van Wormer and Stephanie Jackson CALL TO ORDER Chair polan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Eriksen, seconded by Zimmerman, approving the agenda as written. Motion passed unanimously. NEW MEMBER/INTRODUCTIONS The Committee recognized Charles Grawe as the new Administrative representative on the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, replacing Andy Pederson. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 10,2001, MINUTES MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Zimmerman, approving the minutes of the October 10, 2001,meeting, as written. Motion passed unanimously. AUDIENCE: FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. TRAFFIC CONCERNS COMMUNICATED TO THE CITY Committee Member Heuer distributed the traffic concerns communicated to the City over the past month, including a letter written by Dakota County's Assistant Traffic Engineer Kristi Sebastian. The Committee discussed adding letters to the Traffic Complaint Log (it now is only phone calls) and the intersection of County Road 42 and Garden View Drive. CROSSWALK STUDY The Committee further discussed the crosswalk study presented at the last meeting. Three crosswalks were to be field reviewed by the Committee. The Committee questioned whether there was a real need at Embry Path and 147�` Street. The crosswalk is not in a good location. • • ' The Committee asked Mr. Heuer to determine when the street pavement will be overlaid, and to consider removing or relocating the crosswalk at that time. Committee Member Asleson asked if it would be possible to install a flashing yellow light with a button that pedestrians who wish to cross could push which would turn the light to red. Mr. Van Wormer informed the Committee that such devices are illegal. There is the possibility of installing a button for pedestrians which would initiate a flashing yellow light. This was not considered a good idea. It was decided that Mr. Heuer check if crosswalks on the streets intersecting Galaxie Avenue north of 140th Street W. are marked. Committee Consensus: • Crosswalk at 157'�' Street and Hallmark Path — SEH will look closer at crosswalk due to pathway next to townhouses that connects Hallmark Path to Cedar Elementary SchooL • Crosswalk at 147�' Street and Embry Path — Overlay schedule will be checked. SEH will reevaluate considering Delaney Park. A traffic count will be taken at 144�' Street and Embry Path to determine if relocating the crosswalk and installing four-way stop control is possible. • Crosswalk at Galaxie and Fordham Avenues — Mr. Van Wormer is concerned over elementary students having to cross four lanes of traffic. Parents and teachers should be telling students to cross at 140�` Street with the traffic signal. Elementary students could develop habits to carry over to when they are older and more careful. Committee consensus was to leave the crosswalk in until the road is reconstructed, then to remove it. ESTABLISHMENT of 2001 -2002 WORK PLAN Mr. Van Wormer discussed proactive priorities and the process they underwent to establish priorities. He suggested the Committee review the list of priorities, brainstorm ways of implementing these priorities and discuss potential projects. 1. Educational Process A. In-School Education • Committee Member Anglin mentioned the safety video the Police Department has available. • Chair polan suggested checking with the schools to learn what they are currently doing and/or what they wish they could do. Chair polan said she will make said contacts. • Committee Member Asleson said he would prefer to do one thing and have a greater impact, than to do several things with less impact. Educating the 9�' graders may also have a greater impact by teaching the students about safety before they get their drivers licenses. A different version of the D.A.R.E. 2 • . program could be directed at traffic safety education. Committee Member Asleson further suggested contacting the safety representative with the school district to see if they would attend a TSAC meeting so the Committee could learn about the school district's resources and voids in their program. • Committee Member Grawe said it may be helpful if the school district buys into the process. Mr. Van Wormer suggested approaching the district with the fact that the City wants to know what it could do to assist. • Committee Member Eriksen said he would contact Independent School District 196 to inquire if their safety representative would be willing to attend the next meeting. B. Safety Camp • The Police Department ran one safety camp in 2000 and will run one in 2002. Committee Member Anglin said that the TSAC could have an influence. The camp is set up through the Parks Department and the Police Department sets up the speakers. • Committee Member Asleson recognized the Police Deparhnent's experience in setting up safety programs and suggested potential funding for the program from local car dealerships. • Chair polan asked how the Committee might be able to assist in the safety camp. Committee Member Anglin said the Committee could schedule some time during a camp for safety presentations. • In order to increase attendance, it may be best to schedule the safety camp in early or late summer. Perhaps it could be held while school is still in session. That way, the school may get involved, vacations won't be interfering, and the message would be fresh in the children's mind during summer break. • The only way to continue safety education is to keep it interesting. A safety camp is a good way to get into the neighborhoods. C. Resident and Neighborhood Inspired Education • Somewhat handled through Neighborhood Watch. Neighbors need an issue to organize around. • Committee Member Asleson suggested creating a self-study curriculum for neighborhood groups, perhaps in a PowerPoint format or on the web. If it was a web-based program, it could include a document which children would complete at its conclusion. And maybe there could be an incentive for completing the document. 3 • • . • Committee Member Anglin said it may be possible to provide incentives such as a free ticket to the movie theater or a Park and Recreation pass. • The City's web site could include a page for traffic safety learning. • Chair polan volunteered to check scout books for safety programs, Committee Member Anglin will contact the auto dealerships for programs, and Committee Member Zimmerman said he will check the web for safety programs in other cities. • Potential exists to add traffic safety information as trivia shorts at local theaters. • Committee Member Asleson suggested working with business wherever possible. Ford Motor Company has a good child safety program. If we could get sponsorship, it helps lend credibility to the program. We should search out available business programs. • Chair polan said she would check with Subway sandwiches to see if they have a Safety Program. • Committee Member Asleson will look through AAA information presented by Daron Van Helden at the October meeting to see if they have any programs that could help in the education process. • Committee would like to see a report of traffic safety issues being addressed by the Police Department. Committee Member Anglin will pull together a list of enforcement, efforts, and concerns. SPECIFIC LOCATION CONCERNS • Mr. Van Wormer gave an overview of the concerns at Flagstaff Avenue and 140�' Street and the steps taken to influence drivers to avoid local streets. The traffic signal timing has been changed to orient students to 140�' Street. • 132nd Street and Johnny Cake Ridge Road was studied as a result of an accident involving five children. After looking at the intersection and reviewing traffic volumes and accident records at the intersection, Mr. Van Wormer recommended no change in traffic controls. Increased enforcement could help. • At the 142nd Street and Essex Avenue/Pilot Knob Road intersection, Mr. Van Wormer described alternatives including establishing left-turn lanes on 142nd Street. SEH will draw up the various options and e-mail them so the Committee may review the site with the sketch. 4 . � � OTHERBUSINESS Update Contact Information — The Committee reviewed the current contact information and made a change to Chair polan's e-mail address. Establish 2002 Meetin� Schedule — The Committee reviewed the tentative meeting schedule for 2002. The Committee will meet the second Wednesday of each month. MOTION: of Eriksen, seconded by Zimmerman, approving the 2002 meeting schedule of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. Motion passed unanimously. The Committee discussed the possibility of including someone from Dakota County in the meetings in order to gain the County's perspective on issues as well as ensure plans do not conflict with County policies. ADJOURN MOTION: of Eriksen, seconded by Zimmerman, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m. 5