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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/08/2001 _ - f • , • �' MINUTES OF TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY CONI�VIITTEE August 8, 2001 -7:00 p.m. Apple Valley City Hall CONIMITTEE NIEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan,Arthur Zimmerman,Neal Heuer, Craig Anglin,Andy Pederson, COVIMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Harald Ericksen OTHERS PRESENT: SEH, Inc. Traffic Engineer Glen Van Wormer, SEH, Inc. Traffic Engineer Stephanie Jackson,Kathy Savageau(899 Garden View Drive),Mark and Kathy Nelson(923 Garden View Drive), Apple Valley Police Officer Nick Francis CALL TO ORDER Chair polan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Zimmerman, adding a presentation by Carol Bufton,president of the Minnesota Safety Council, to the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF JULY 11,2001,MEETING MINUTES MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Zimmerman, approving the July 11,2001 meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously. AUDIENCE: FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. GARDEN VIEW DRIVE PARKING RESTRICTION Committee Member Heuer provided a historical overview of the parking issue on the easf side of Garden View Drive adjacent to Southview Elementary and Valley Middle Schools. Mr. Heuer stated that the City had received a petition by the neighborhood regarding parking on this stretch of street. Kathy Savageau(899 Garden View Drive) expressed her support for the parking restriction and concern for children hidden behind parked cars and then running out in the street. Mark Nelson(923 Garden View Drive)expressed his support for the parking restriction, and expressed concern for the fact that more children will be walking to school as a result of the failed school district levy referendum. Committee Member Heuer also reviewed the revised traffic patterns for Valley Middle and Southview Elementary Schools. Committee Member Asleson expressed concerns with regard to parents stopping and dropping children off on the east side of the street. The Committee discussed whether"no parking, stopping, or standing" signs should be installed, and resolved that initially, "no parking" signs should be installed. The Committee discussed whether parking should also be restricted on the west side of Garden View Drive adjacent to the schools. MOTION: of Heuer, seconded by Zimmerman, directing the Public Works Department to prepare a resolution for City Council consideration restricting parking 7 days per week,24 hours per day, on the east side of Garden View Drive from Whitney Drive to Baldwin Drive. Motion passed unanimously. ^, ., � . . • . 142°d STREET A1VD JOHI�INY CAKE RIDGE INTERSECTION Committee Member Heuer reviewed the past history and report prepared by SEH, Inc.regarding the permanent installation of a stop sign at the intersection of 142"d Street and Johnny Cake Ridge Road. MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Pederson,recommending for City Council consideration the installation of a permanent four way stop sign at the intersection of 142nd Street and Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Motion passed unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAiVI Officer Nick Francis of the Apple Valley Police Department provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Apple Valley Police Department Special Enforcement Team(SET). Officer Francis stated that SET is addressing chronic traffic problems throughout the City and providing an increased traffic enforcement presence throughout the City. The Committee discussed with Officer Francis potential areas of concern and efforts that may be undertaken by the Committee to assist in their efforts. CAROL BUFTON-iVIINNESOTA SAFETY COUNCIL Carol Bufton,President of the Minnesota Safety Council,provided the Committee with an overview of what types of activities the Safety Council develops and promotes. Ms. Bufton stated that the community level is where traffic safety happens,through among other things, shaping the habits of the children early. Ms. Bufton discussed several programs the Safety Council offers, including the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety program offered to employees of business within the community. Ms.Bufton also discussed the 3M Corporation's efforts in traffic safety as well as the "Safe-A-Rarooni" campaign, and other safety programs. Ms. Bufton provided the Committee with several informational brochures and offered some of its resources and , assistance in developing traffic safety programs in Apple Valley. FINDLAY AVENiTE-FIRELIGHT WAY INTERSECTION The Committee discussed the fact that none of inembers from the neighborhood were in attendance far this evening's meeting. Committee Member Pederson stated that agendas were mailed to each of the July 1 l'�' meeting attendees and that Dan Anderson was contacted via telephone the week before the meeting. Committee Member Heuer reviewed the chronology of correspondence and events regarding the intersection, including a request for a multi-way stop sign. Mr. Heuer also reviewed past traffic count information. Mr. Heuer stated that both streets currently have 30 mile-per-hour(mph) speed limits,with advisory curve signs located in both directions on Findlay Avenue. Mr.Heuer reviewed the sight line distances, stating adequate sight lines at the intersection are present. Mr.Heuer stated that the intersection does not have an accident history,with the exception of a bicyclist that ran into the side of a moving vehicle. Committee Member Pederson stated that, as requested,he contacted Dan Anderson with estimates on the cost of installing sidewalks in the neighborhood. Mr.Pederson also stated that he attempted to provide assessment information as requested,but based on the cost of installation,Mr. Anderson indicated the neighborhood was not interested in paying for sidewalks or discussing possible assessment options. Mr. Pederson stated that any installation of sidewalks would be assessed back to the benefiting properties. As requested at the July 11`f'meeting, Committee Member Heuer presented updated 85"'percentile and average speed information to the Committee. The Committee reviewed the information and suggestions discussed at the July 11`�meeting. The Committee determined that based on the current situation, speed bumps were not practical solution; the posted speed limits are as low as they can be under State law; and that increased enforcement should be encouraged,but keeping in mind the low traffic volumes do not provide for the most ; • . • � efficient use of the Police Department's resources. The Committee also discussed and encouraged education and communication efforts that could be undertaken by the residents in the neighborhood. The Committee discussed what other possibilities could be considered for this intersection. MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Anglin, denying the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Findlay Avenue -Firelight Way; encouraging community involvement and communication; and directing staff to prepare a finding-of-facts and letter to be considered at the next Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting and then distributed to the neighbars in the community. Motion passed unanimously. 2001 TENTATIVE WORK PLAN Committee Member Pederson reviewed the tentative work plan for 2001. The Committee discussed a process for establishing a work plan for the next two years. Committee Member Pederson distributed and reviewed preliminary statistical information from the Police Department annual report. Mr.Van Wormer recommended that the Committee first identify and list specific concerns and then proceed with addressing those concerns. The Committee determined that it would solicit perceived concerns and problems and compile such a list at its next meeting. The Committee requested that staff communicate with employees who work throughout the City on a daily basis to provide their thoughts and concerns. TRAFFIC CONCERNS COMMLTNICATED TO THE CITY Committee Member Heuer reviewed the traffic concerns communicated to the City over the past month. CROSSWALK STUDY Committee Member Heuer stated that the City Council recently approved an agreement with SEH,Inc.to perform a study of the City's crosswalks with an anticipated completion date and report back to the Committee at its October meeting. FLAGSTAFF AVENUE-FLEETWOOD AVENUE INTERSECTION Committee Member Pederson reviewed the letter that was distributed to the neighborhood representatives regarding the Committee's recommendation to deny the reinstallation of the four way stop sign. Committee Member Heuer stated that the advisory curve signs have been installed. Mr.Pederson stated that he has not received any correspondence since the letter was mailed. ADJOURN MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Pederson,to adjourn the meeting.Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjoumed at 10:05 p.m.