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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/2005 � • Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley November 9,2005 7:00 p.m.Municipal Center Minutes � l. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Chair Arthur Zimmerman. Members Present: Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe, Neal He er Arthur Zimmerman u , Members Absent: Craig Anglin Consultants/Alternates Present: Michael Marben Others Present: Lisa Gilbertson, Jeannette Gunhus, Ann Peeters, Gwen Schroeder,Todd Schroeder 2. Approval of A eg nda MOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 6—0. 3. Approval of September 14, 2005 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed 6—0. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. The Committee members introduced themselves. 5. 142°d Street Traffic Concerns � Mr. Heuer said the City received communications from residents concerned over traffic on 142"d Street south of the Scott Highlands Middle School. Specific concerns were expressed about vehicle speeds and the safety of students in the crosswalk. Several residents shared their views. They estimated that SQ to 60 students use the crosswalk each day. The posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour, but several residents believe that actual vehicle speeds are closer to 40 or 50 miles per hour. They expressed concern that the curve in the road makes it dif#icult for drivers approaching from the west to see students in the crosswalk. TSAC Meeting Minutes � � � � � � November 9, 2005 Page 2 The also said that one of the crosswalk signs is obscured by tree foliage. The residents said they � counted as many as 100 vehicles in the area during peak school times. They said afternoons are particularly difficult with the buses and cars leaving the school parking lot. They said the school crosswalk patrols have been advised not to allow students to cross until such time that no approaching vehicles are visible. This policy has resulted in waits of 10 to 15 minutes for students to cross the street. The residents said they have also witnessed vehicles proceeding � through the crosswalk even when the crossing guards have their flags out. The residents requested the installation of flashing crosswalk lights and the establishment of a school speed zone. They said they have attempted to educate the students on crosswalk safety and have observed frequent police patrols in the area. They said they suspect drivers view 142°d Street as a faster alternative to reach County Road 42 or 140'� Street as it avoids the signal lights at Pilot Knob Road and 140th Street. The residents also expressed concern over parked vehicles which abut the crosswalk. They believe that the parked buses obscure visibility of the crosswalk and that the crossing guard on the south side of the street has limited visibility when facing west. Mr. Heuer suggested adding a person to control the exit movement of vehicles from the school driveway onto the street and to restrict right-turns out of the parking 1ot. MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to request that an engineering study be done on the area. Motion passed 6—0. The residents asked when the study would be done. Mr. Heuer said the City would contact its consultants to begin the study and expects it to be completed by the next Committee meeting in January of 2006. The Committee would then receive the results of the study and could then make a recommendation for possible action to the City Council. The residents expressed additional concerns over the plowing of the sidewalks in the area and the adhesion of the crosswalk striping paint. 6. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Citv a) �Police Concerns—Mr. Marben reviewed recent accident data. He noted there was a fatal � crash in October at approximately 132°d Street and Pilot Knob Road involving a motorcycle. b) Public Works Concerns — Mr. Heuer said he received a request to re-evaluate the possibility of turn lanes on Garden View Drive at the intersection of County Road 42. He has asked the City's consulting engineer to meet with the County Traffic Engineer on the subject. He noted that the service road on the north side of the intersection provides some challenges. Mr. Heuer noted a complaint about parking on Hayes Road. He said the existing parking restrictions are adequate,but more enfarcement may be necessary. Mr. Heuer said he received a request for a stop sign at Galleria Place and 132"d Street. There is a child with hearing and visual impairments living in the neighbarhood. After studying the intersection, the engineer recommends installing appropriate signage at two TSAC Meeting Minutes � � November 9, 2005 Page 3 crosswalks because the proposed sign locations would provide better sight lines and make use of existing pedestrian crossings. They also are further away from 132"d Street so vehicle noise should be less of a problem. c) Other Concerns—There were no other concerns presented. 7. Education Issues There were no educational issues presented. 8. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman, to adjourn. Motion passed 6 — 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.