Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2009 � � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley September 9,2009 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chair Arthur Zimmerman Members Present: Dick Asleson, Todd Blomstrom, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen(arrived at 8:03 p'.m.), Charles Grawe, Jon Rechtzigel, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide Others Present: John Alexander, Tor Forsgren 2. Approval of A�enda � Ms. Dolan asked to add the new Booster Seat Law under Education Issues. MOTION: Mr. Blomstrom moved, second by Ms. Dolan,to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 6-0 3. Approval of July 8, 2009 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Blomstrom moved, second by Mr. Rechtzigel,to approve the Minutes of July 8, 2009. Motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Dolan and Mr. Asleson abstained). 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. 5. Resident Concerns on Everest Avenue . � , � Mr. Blomstrom said that City staff studied both traffic speeds and volumes within the neighborhood. The City placed counters at two points along Everest Avenue as well as one location on 131 St Street. The volumes on Everest Avenue were less than 300 vehicle trips per day for both north and southbound lanes during both weekends and week days. The volumes on 131St Street ranged between 380 and 600 vehicle trips per day total for both � � ; , directions. He said the traffic count results appeared to be consistent with the size of the neighborhood and type of land use. The traffic count results do not appear to indicate a high volume of cut-through traffic patterns. Mr. Rechtzigel said Community Service Officers (CSO's) were assigned to take speeds manually using either radar or laser. They found the average speed on Everest Avenue was 279 miles per hour and the highest observed speed was 36 miles per hour. The CSO's also sampled 100 passing vehicles for license plate numbers. They found 54 percent of the vehicles were registered to addresses within the neighborhood, 38 percent were registered to addresses from outside of the neighborhood, and 8 percent the CSO's were unable to get the full plate number. He noted that it is not uncommon for people to forget to change their plate registration address when they move ar when they are residing at their parent's home for the summer. In addition, there are other non-neighborhood vehicles for guests, carpools, deliveries, etc. that are not cut-through traffic. He felt the data supported the findings of the Public Works Department that there was not a large volume of cut-through traffic. The residents expressed appreciation for the extra police patrols,but noticed a decreased deterrent effect of the speed trailer over time. They asked if the Public Works counter data on vehicle speeds was similar to the Police Department. Mr. Blomstrom responded that the counters are not as accurate as radar or laser and are prone to more high-end speed errors, especially from turning vehicles. The counters showed 85�percentile speeds along Everest Avenue of approximately 33 miles per hour. The 85�'percentile speed on 131 St Street was 27 to 30 miles per hour. The residents asked if these speeds were an indicator of a speed problem. Mr. Sohrweide said that generally, if the 85�'' percentile speed is less than 5 miles per hour over the speed limit,it does not warrant a change and that this data does not appear to show an abnormality. He noted that the traffic volumes are very appropriate for that type of neighborhood road. The street is 32 feet wide. Parking on the street and having activity in the front yards are strategies to encourage lower speeds. There was a brief discussion about other strategies that could be used to help reach the neighbors,primarily communication with neighbors regarding speeding and safety concerns. Mr. Alexander and Mr. Forsgren indicated that they will pursue an effort to educate neighborhood residents to comply with the posted speed limit to promote safety. Mr. Rechtzigel indicated that residents can contact the Police Department if they identify specific individuals that consistently speed through the neighborhood. 6. Resident Request for Parking Restrictions on 14000 Block of Guthrie Avenue � � Mr.Blomstrom said this portion of Guthrie Avenue is a small cul-de-sac located across from the athletic fields at Apple Valley High School. A . resident has complained of field users are parking vehicles in the middle of the cul-de-sac and obstructing traffic flow for residents, school buses and emergency vehicles. The cul-de-sac is currently signed with"No Parking" between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday between September and June 15�'due to parking problems during the school year. The resident requested further restrictions to prevent parking problems during the summer league season. The City surveyed the five homes on the cul-de-sac. While there was agreement that there are parking problems, there was not a strong interest in expanding the restrictions. Mr Rechtzigel indicated that parking in the middle o�a cul-de-sac is a violation of City Ordinance Section 71.21. Residents can contact the Police Department if vehicles axe parked in the middle of the cul-de-saa MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to determine that the Committee has reviewed and considered the parking restrictions on the cul-de- sac and the Committee believes the current restrictions are appropriate given the relevant data and information presented to the Committee. Ms. Dolan suggested that City encourage the neighbors to notify the Police Department of parking violations so enforcement can be done. 7. Folia�e Avenue Speed Limit Mr. Blomstrom said the City requested a MNDOT speed limit study on Foliage Avenue between 150th Street and 160th Street. The current speed limit is 45 miles per hour. The City believes that 35 or 40 miles per hour is more appropriate. MNDOT conducted a speed study and determined that this section of Foliage Avenue does not meet warrants for a reduction in the posted speed limit to 35 or 40 mph One option would be to pursue a State Statute option to determine the area an Urban District and seek a 30 miles per � hour speed limit. This speed seems unrealistically low and could create enforcement issues. Mr. Blomstrom said that the City is proceeding with the �installation of larger 48-inch diameter stop signs and painting of stop bars at the intersection with 153rd Street. Other ideas were installation of"Stop Ahead" signage and installation of a flashing light. The Committee asked that Public Works continue to monitor the intersection and proceed with installation of larger Stop signs and Stop Ahead warning signs along 153rd Street. Mr. Eriksen arrived at 8:03 p.m. 8. Parking on Street Near Briar Oaks Park Mr. Blomstrom said the park has been scheduled for back-to-back doubleheader games for the athletic associations. There is an overcrowding of � � . on-street parking along Safari Pass that is occurring as the first game is ending and the second game begins. The result is often parking on both sides of the adjoining residential street, creating a narrowing of the traffic lane. At the prior TSAC meeting,Mr. Blomstrom recommended posting parking restrictions on the west side of the street,but several members of the Committee expressed the desire to"notify any impacted properties prior to taking this action. In repeated attempts, City staff has been unable reach the adjoining property owner. He noted that the athletic season is now over and it will be nine months before the problem could arise again. Staff will provide an update to the committee at the next meeting. 9. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Cit�of Apple Valley Police Concerns There were no other concerns reported. Public Works' Concerns Mr. Blomstrom said that the City received a complaint about higher vehicle speeds on 137�' Street between 140�' Street and Garden View Drive. The resident indicated that speeding was, in part, due to the fact that 137�'was just overlayed and the asphalt is currently very smooth. City staff is evaluating options to address this issue. 10. Education Issues Child Booster Seat Law Ms. Dolan noted that a new child booster seat law took affect on July 1 St requiring children who are under eight years of age and under 57 inches in height to use a booster seat. The group discussed methods to get this information out to the public. 11. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to adjourn. Motion passed 7 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.