HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2004 F
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Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
City of Apple Valley
May 12, 2004
7:00 p.m. l�Iunicipal Center
Minutes
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.by Chair polan. The Committee members
introduced themselves.
Members Present: Craig Anglin, Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan,Harald Eriksen,
Charles Grawe,Neal Heuer, Arthur Zimmerman
Members Absent:
Consultants Present: Glen Van Wormer
Others Present: Marty Adams,Rich Adams, Vince Chauhan, Jodi Erickson,
Keith Erickson, Karla Hartmann, Cindy Hoshaw,Kevin Mayes, John Olson; Jean Pauly,
Denise Sjostrom, Steve Sjostrom,Mike Traub, Jessica Vollanann
2. Approval of A eg nda
There were no changes to the agenda.
MOTION: Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr.Anglin,to approve the agenda as
presented. Motion passed unanimously.
3. A�proval of March 16, 2004 Minutes
Mr.Grawe presented a correction to the minutes. He asked to strike the last two sentences of the
fourth paragraph of item 5 and to add "He noted the existing street width of 34 to 35 feet has
a capacit�of over 10,000 vehicles per day,but volumes this high are not appropriate far
the sifuation."
MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman,to approve the minutes of
March 16, 2004 as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Audience Items
There were no audience items.
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5. Continue Discussion of Traffic Concerns on Diamond Path between Pilot Knob Road
and McAndrews Road
NIr. Van Wormer presented a concept improvement in response to the comments raised
by residents at previous meetings. Mr. Van Wormer's concept improvements included a
series of three medians installed at intervals along Diamond Path between Pilot Knob
Road and McAndrews Road. He said the medians are likely to slow traffic speeds,but
would not likely be effective at diverting much traffic.
NIr. Van Wormer provided additional details on the proposal. One median would run a
short distance just east of the western intersection of Ethelton Way and Diamond Path.
Another median would run a short distance between the intersections of Diamond Path
with Emmer Place and Edinborough Way. The third median would run a moderate
distance between the intersections of Diamond Path with Pilot Knob Road and Echo
Lane. Mr. Van Wormer said that parking prohibitions would need to be implemented in
the areas around the medians. The medians would serve to narrow the drive lanes to
thirteen feet. The cost to install permanent medians was estimated at$67,000.00.
Ms. Dolan asked how notification would be made to the neighborhood regarding the
proposal. Mr. Heuer said that as the proposal does not impact residents' use of the
roadway or access to other roadways,he did not believe notification would need to
extend to as large an area. Mr. Van Wormer said the notification should go out to all of
the residents who would be impacted by parking prohibitions in front of their homes.
Mr. Heuer said he would want to see the consent of the affected residents before
installing the medians.
Mr. Asleson asked if the proposal would still be effective for traffic calming if only the
western most median was installed. Mr. Van Wormer said his observations were that
vehicle speeds pick up in the area between Emmer Place and Edinborough Way, so he
believes the two medians to the west would need to be installed as a package to be
effective.
Members of the audience asked questions of clarification and provided their opinions on
the concept. Mr. Traub expressed concern that the western-most median would push
traffic closer to the front yards of homes that already have reduced setbacks. He asked if
a choker that narrowed the driving lane would work as a substitute. Mr. Van Wormer
responded that the existing roadway is already relatively narrow. He said that the visual
impact of chokers would be reduced compared to chokers that were installed on a wider
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effectively in situations where there is a si�,mificant volume of opposin�traffic. He said
in this situation, they may not be as effective because there are not the opposing traffic
volumes to make drivers slow down at the road narrowing. Several residents expressed
apinions opposing the western-most median and supporting a choker. One resident that
the median would direct traffic into the yards, causing accidents and a choker would not.
Another resident noted that traffic already drives on the edge of the yards to pass turning
vehicles on the right.
Mr.Heuer said he is currently collecting data on temporary asphalt medians installed on
138�'Street. He suggested that it might be useful to review the results of the 138�'Street
study before proceeding with installation on Diamond Path. He noted that the 138�'
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Street project was a smaller piece of the annual overlay project and was not as expensive.
He said that his current budget does not have adequate funds to absorb the construction
costs of a permanent median installation on Diamond Path. He suggested that it could be
proposed as part of the 2005 budget process. Mr. Traub said he believes there are �
significant differences between Diamond Path and 138"'Street and that the results of the
medians on 138`i'Street should not necessarily prevent similar improvements on
Diamond Path.
One resident suggested using traffic circles with plantings at the intersections. Mr. Van
Wormer noted that this would require modifications to the corner parcels around the
intersections in order to accommodate the necessary turning radius for each corner. He
also noted that it is difficult to make left turns around such a device and motorists will
drive against traffic. He noted that traffic circles have been found to be effective in some
locations,but are problems in others.
One resident expressed frustration that including the improvements in the budget process
would delay the implementation. Mr. Heuer said an alternative would be for residents to
accept assessments to pay for the improvements. Another resident said that the City
already collects taxes for its services. Mr.Asleson said he did not believe it is
appropriate to discuss past tax levies and that the focus of the Committee is to discuss
the potential solutions to the traffic concerns.
Mr. Van Wormer suggested that the City could paint an outline of both the proposed
median and the requested choker on the street to demonstrate to residents how each
would look. Mr. Asleson suggested that the Committee could then review the issue at
the next meeting. Mr. Zimmerman noted that residents concerned about the distance
between their mail boxes and traffic should understand that chokers would push the mail
boxes closer to the center of the street and traffic. Mr. Van Wormer clarified that the
paint would be for the benefit of the adjacent residents so that they could better visualize
the improvements. The paint would be subtle so that it does not confuse motorists.
MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Anglin,that the Committee request that
the Public Works Department paint the proposed locations of both the proposed median
and the requested chokers on Diamond Path and that Mr. Heuer alert the Committee
members when the painting is complete so that the members couldreview the situation
prior to the next meeting.
Motion passed unanimously.
6. Update on Parkin�Along Upper 145`�Street
Mr. IIeuer said that the School plans to make some improvements to its parking lot when
it restripes the lot in the future. The Public Works Department continues to monitor the
situation. He credited the School Resource Officer for working with the students who
were parking on Upper 145�''Street to explain the trespass issue and encouraging the
students to park in the provided spaces at the Community Center. He noted that the
parking restrictions were removed from the west side of Hayes Road and use of the
Community Center lot has increased. Ms. Pauly thanked the Committee for its work to
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resolve the issue. Mr. Asleson suggested tl�at the neighbors might wish to consider
rewarding the students who park in the Community Center parking lot.
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7. 2003 Accomplishments and Annual Report to the City Council
Mr. Heuer corrected the item concerning the stop sign at Denmark Avenue and 128�'
Street. He clarified that the Committee in addition to recommending the removal of the
sign from Denmark Avenue also recommended the relocation of the sign to 128�Street.
MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman,to approve the report as
corrected and forward it to the City Council. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Traffic Safetv Education Efforts
Ms. Dolan said she has not heard from the students or their supervisor in response to the
last meeting, but she would notify the Committee when she receives a response.
Mr. Asleson suggested that the Committee could work with the students to have a traffic
safety presence at the September 11`"Rotary Grand Prix.
Mr. Anglin reported that the presentation to the Citizens Academy went well.
Mr. Anglin noted that the mock crash will be presented at Eastview High School at 8:15
a.m. on May 25�'.
9. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Citv
A) Police
Mr. Anglin distributed a sheet with a list of concerns. He noted that traffic issues are
already an issue in the relatively new Cobblestone Lake Development which is only
partially completed. He noted that there has been recent speed enforcement on
Diamond Path. Mr. Asleson requested that Mr. Anglin identify if the drivers
receiving those citations live in the neighbarhood.
B) Public Warks
Mr, NPi��r cairj 1�P rPrQ1V?�?CO??C?rn alipiit tr� flnw nf traffi�qn C�Tar[��n Vi�v���'iV�
at the intersection of County Road 42. The resident was concerned about vehicles
passing on the right when the vehicle ahead of them was trying to make a left hand
turn. The resident requested that the green signals for north and south bound Garden
View Drive should be timed to operate separately. Mr.Heuer said this issue is under
the County's jurisdiction. Mr. Heuer also distributed a copy of the sidewalk and
pathway map.
C) Other Concerns Communicated to the City
There were no other concerns.
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10. Other Issues
Ms. Dolan said Channel 5 is currently airing a Monday extra focused on speeding in
neighborhoods.
Mr. Anglin said the Car Seat Clinic would be held June 12`t'from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at the Northwest Federal Credit Union parking ramp.
The next meeting is July 14"'.
11. Adj ourn
MOTION: Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Eriksen,to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m.