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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/2004 . s . � � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley July 14, 2004 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.by Vice Chair Eriksen. The Committee members introduced themselves. Members Present: Dick Asleson,Harald Eriksen,Neal Heuer, Arthur Zimmerman, Linda Dolan(late) Members Absent(Excused): Charles Grawe, Craig Anglin Consultants/Alternates Present: Merle Lohse, Glen Van Wormer Others Present: Dan Colvin,Mark Hartmann, Marty Adams, Rich Adams, Keith Erickson, Julie and John Olson, Cindy and David Hoshaw,Vince Chauhan,Tim Wilberding, John Lemmer, Denise Sjostrom, Mike Trab, David Slotten,Karinn Schultz 2. A�proval of Agenda There were no changes to the agenda. MOTION: Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Asleson,to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 4 to 0. 3. Approval of Mav 12, 2004 Minutes There were no changes or adjustments to the minutes. MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman, to approve the minutes of May 12, 2004. Motion passed 4 to 0. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. • � . . . TSAC Meeting Minutes • � July 14, 2004 Page 2 5. U�date on Traffic Calming installed on 138`h Street. Mr. Heuer indicated that the traffic calming was bid out as part of the 2004 overlay improvement program. The traffic calming was installed immediately by a contractar, and the Street Department did the markings and signing. Traffic counts were made in May prior to the traffic calming and again in June with the traffic calming inplace. The counters are accurate with traffic volumes,but there is some error in speed information so the speed information is useful in general terms. The volume counts show there is more southbound traffic on Pennock Avenue. The speed information from the traffic counters show there is not a great reduction in eastbound traffic,but a 3 mph decrease in westbound traffic. Mr. Heuer also indicated a radar speed unit is now being used to check speeds in areas such as this. Public Works people are using unmarked vehicles for the surveillance. Radar speed checks showed a slight reduction in traf�c of approximately 2 mph in the eastbound direction. However, it was felt the westbound traffic probably was checked while traffic was within the area of the medians, whereas the eastbound traffic may have been east of the medians when checked. It does not appear the choker as installed has much of an impact on traffic speeds. There will be more checks made with the radar unit. The check location will be such to catch eastbound traffic in the area of the new traffic calming medians. The information will be reported back to the TSAC in September and provided to the Council,probably at the first meeting in November. Mr. Heuer indicated some citizens have questioned the traffic calming devices, and the big question is the effectiveness of them. Mr. Asleson says he travels through the area two or three times a week and notices there is some sign pollution, and some signs have been hit.Mr. Heuer indicated only one sign has been hit so far. 6. Continued Discussion of Traffic Concerns on Diamond Path Between Pilot Knob Road and McAndrews Road At this tiine, members of the audience introduced themselves. All but two were there for the Diamond Path discussion. Time was taken to provide a very brief summary to one individual who arrived late and wanted some information relative to the 138`�'Street item that had just been discussed. The second individual was there for an item later in the agenda. Mr. Van Wormer very briefly explained the concept behind the Diamond Path traffic calming.He indicated some markings had been placed in the street to show the location of potential medians and chokers at the west end of the study area. A considerable amount of discussion occurred relative to the proposed traffic calming devices. Questions related to the necessary length of the _ chokers, whether they could be staggered ar had to be parallel to each other,the location with respect to driveways, and whether they could be extended into the curve area. Questions also were directed towards more chokers,but smaller in duration.These questions were discussed. Other discussion items included the benefits and detriments of the painted yellow centerline and white edge line along Diamond Path. Mr. Van Wormer explained that most of the cut-through traffic and other traffic were on Diamond Path prior to the painting of the centerline, and in many cases, the centerline actually helps to impact and slow down traffic. The potential installation of a TSAC Meeting Minutes � � July 14, 2004 Page 3 traffic circle was also discussed, and the benefits and detriments and the design criteria were presented by Mr. Van Wormer. Discussion ensued whether the TSAC should endorse the concept, endorse a temporary installation of the concept, or drop the traffic calming. Residents indicated they would prefer the two center medians for traffic calming on the east and center areas and chokers on the west area. Some of the other diseussion items included an estimated cost of$30,000 to install the temporary traffic control devices and the need to obtain Minnesota Department of Transportation State Aid section approval since Diamond Path is a state aid road. MOTION: Mr. Eriksen moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman,that the Committee support the construction of a temporary"three prong" approach along Diamond Path with the modification of the initially shown three medians to instead have a choker at the westerly location. Ensuing discussion indicated these would be temporary similar to those on 138"'Street, and it would be considered an experiment. The speeds and traffic volumes would be carefully measured before and after, and the observations of the adjacent neighbors and the feelings of other neighbors would be taken into consideration. The motion was approved on a 3 to 2 vote. Mr. Heuer indicated it would go to the City Council on August 12, 2004. 7. Traffic Safety Education Efforts Ms. Dolan indicated she has been trying to contact the School District to follow-up on the discussions held with the students from the high school at an earlier meeting. She felt the summer period was not a time in which she will get much of a return,but will continue to try. Indications from both Mr. Lohse and Mr. Van Wormer were that the car seat clinic went quite well. Mr. Lohse indicated there was a continual line up of individuals waiting to get their car seats checked. Mr. Asleson indicated there would be little opportunity for meaningful TSAC activity at the Rotary Club car race. Mr. Van Wormer indicated he had an excellent newspaper article relative to the North High and Tartan High student efforts to obtain higher seat belt use from students. He will make copies and send this direct to the Committee members. Ms. Dolan asked about articles that could be published in the newspaper. Mr. Heuer indicated there has been very little readership associated with the articles. Earlier in the evening, only two of the members in the audience indicated they had read the articles,which brought the total to three people who have admitted they have read them. Mr. Van Wormer provided a copy of the Golden Valley CityNewsletter that contained a modified Apple Valley"Playing in the Street"article.Mr. Van Wormer has provided the Apple Valley articles to Golden Valley with the stipulation that as their professional communications people rewrite the articles, Golden Valley will ship them back to Apple Valley for their use. Mr.Van Wormer will provide copies of the Golden Valley articles to the Committee. TSAC Meeting Minutes � � � July 14, 2004 _ � Page 4 Ms. Dolan asked if Mr. Van Wormer would prepare a winter article. This will need to be at the City prior to the September meeting and will be discussed at the September TSAC meeting. Discussion again took place relative to the"photo cop"concept.This is not legislatively approved yet in Minnesota,but has potential for improving violation apprehension for red light runners and speeders. 8. Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Citv Mr. Heuer presented background information relative to work and studies done on 144th Street and Everest Avenue. He provided information relative to the traffic volume and speed data the City has collected. He discussed the speed data that showed a relatively low speed profile. Data is quite normal and does not indicate a high incidence of violations. The traffic volumes have been checked. Karinn Schultz, present for this item, indicated she did not agree with the volumes or speeds as monitored. She called the manufacturer of the traffic counting equipment and felt the equipment was not properly placed to obtain full counts.Mr. Heuer indicated, and NIr. Van Wormer confirmed, the counters were placed correctly. Tests have been made using both tubes and counters to show the general location will count all vehicles, and vehicles will not have to pass directly over the top of the counter to be monitored.Mr. Heuer also indicated Public Works individuals spent three hours making radar speed checks from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The data again indicated speed violations are not occurring at significant levels. After discussions over the times of day for the count, the numbers, and the defmition of"cut-through traffic",it was determined the primarily concern is the few motorists who seem to speed through the neighborhood. Several members indicated the best approach to this type of problem is to form a neighborhood watch group and try to obtain speeding driver and vehicle information,including license plate number, and to provide it to the Police Department.Mr. Lohse indicated the Police Department will put an officer in the neighborhood some evening around 7:30 p.m. to try to observe the potential offenders. Additional concerns were discussed and are contained on the traffic complaints summary. The additional complaints include motarcycles and scooters that do not activate traffic signal detectars. This is�rimarily a design function. Mr. Eriksen indicated the County Road 11 and Zoo Road � � � signals seem to be continually call the southbound left turn phase. Mr. Van Wormer will contact � Dakota County relative to this. Other complaints included concem over the operation of Gardenview Drive and County Road 42. Mr. Van Wormer is going to put together an overall concept plan for future frontage road alignments. Discussion took place relative to sidewalks along Ellice Trail. Finally, a request to install a traffic signal at Diamond Path and McAndrews Road was received and is opposed by the City. 9. Other Concerns Communicated to the Citv Mr. Eriksen indicated continual parking takes place on 137`h Street north of 140t1i Street, and pedestrians are crossing 140`h Street to reach the ballfields north of the high school. Mr.Van Wormer and Mr. Heuer indicated a recommendation was made to the school to build aparking lot north of the school and to place a fence along the north school property south of 140�'Street. The existing pathway that goes from the school to 137�''Street intersection would be diverted and � , TSAC Meeting Minutes July 14, 2004 Page 5 instead be oriented to the Hayes Road intersection. To date,the school has been unable to proceed with any type of design or funding. 10. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Heuer moved, secand by Mr. Asleson,to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. X�.\AE\Apple\010200\meetings\TSACmtgmin071404.doc .� � � �