Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/2001 � • MINUTES OF TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE July 11,2001 -7:00 p.m. Apple Valley City Hall COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan,Arthur Zimmerman,Neal Heuer,Merle Lohse,Andy Pederson COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Harald Ericksen OTHERS PRESENT: Police Chief Scott Johnson, Police Captain Craig Anglin, Glen Van Wormer, Stephanie Jackson,Dan Anderson(13807 Firelight Way),Debbie Caughey (13882 Firelight Way), Ann Trudeau(13876 Firelight Way),Melissa Kissel (13871 Firelight Way), Laurie Deinhammer(13922 Firelight Court), Greg Drelimel (13928 Findlay Court) CALL TO ORDER Chair polan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: of Lohse, seconded by Zimmerman, adding a petition received from residents on Garden View Drive adjacent to Southview Elementary and Valley Middle Schools, and approving the meeting agenda. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF JUNE 13, 2001,MEETING NIINUTES MOTION: of Asleson, seconded by Zimmerman, approving the June 13,2001 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously. AUDIENCE: FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. FINDLAY AVENUE-FIRELIGHT WAY INTERSECTION 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. The issues surrounding the intersection as presented include the number of vehicles per day, traffic speeds, and the number of children living in the area. Mr. Heuer stated that the City is limited to a minimum speed limit of 30 mph, and that the intersection does not meet the traffic • � volume warrants of the MnDOT Manual for the installafion of a multi-way stop sign. Mr.Heuer stated that the Public Works Department was recommending that neither stop signs or slow children signs be installed at the intersection. Chair polan requested that the residents present and outline the issues as they see them. Mr.Dan Anderson stated that Findlay Avenue extends nine-tenths of a mile without a break or stop sign; sight-line visibility at the intersection is an issue; speeds and volumes are too high; and that 58 children live in the area. It was also noted that 28 children live in Findlay Court. Mr. Van Wormer stated that the traffic counts do not indicate that any traffic volume peaking characteristics are present. The Committee also discussed the traffic speed analysis and requested that a current speed analysis be conducted. Committee Member Asleson discussed the City's liability in placing stop signs at intersections where they are not warranted. Mr. Anderson stated that according to his understanding of the MnDOT Manual,the Manual is a set of rules and the City has discretion to deviate from those rules. The Committee and the residents discussed the need for enforcing speed limits and whether calling the Police Deparhnent and notifying them of speeding vehicles was encouraged. Committee Member Lohse stated that members of the community should contact the Police Depariment if they have concerns with speeding vehicles in the neighborhood. Neighborhood residents expressed concern over retribution for reporting such vehicles. Chair polan requested suggestions on what could be done to remedy neighborhood concerns. Suggestions included conducting a speed study, conducting a safety camp for children in the area, utilizing the Police Department Special Enforcement Team in the area, and reducing the speed limits. The Committee explained that the minimum speed limit in the State of Minnesota is 30 miles per hour. The Committee and residents also discussed the installation of sidewalks in the area. Mr.Heuer stated that any installation of sidewalks would be assessed back to the property owners and benefiting properties. The residents requested costs for installing sidewalks as well as funding options. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING INFORMATION Chair polan introduced Mr. Glen Van Wormer, Transportation Engineer for Short Elliot Hendricksen,Inc. and Consultant Traffic Engineer for the City of Apple Valley. Mr. Van Wormer presented the Committee with traffic engineering information. Specifically, Mr. Van Wormer reviewed information onpedestrian facilities and bicyclists, geometric designs, and other modes of transportation. TRAFFIC CONCERNS COMMi)NICATED TO THE CITY Committee Member Heuer reviewed the traffic concerns communicated to the City over the past month. Garden View Drive Parking. The Committee discussed parking on the east 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. Committee Member Pederson stated that in reviewing the Garden View Drive Committee's recommendation,a survey of the neighborhood was taken. Mr. Pederson stated that the Committee may wish to delay action until its next meeting to invite the neighbors of the area to further discuss this recommendation and petition. The Committee scheduled the issue for its next regularly scheduled meeting. Committee Member Pederson introduced Scott Johnson,Apple Valley Police Chief. Chief Johnson introduced himself, and also discussed an upcoming change in the Committee with the appointment of Craig Anglin to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. 2001 TENTATIVE WORK PLAN Committee Member Pederson reviewed the tentative work plan for 2001. The Committee requested to discuss its goals at its next regularly scheduled meeting. ADJOURN MOTION: of Pederson, seconded by Zimmerman, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.