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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2009 � � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee . ` City of Apple Valley - January 21, 2009 : ; 7.0{� p.m. lVlunicipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Linda Dolan Members Present: Dick Asleson, Todd Blomstrom, Linda Dolan, Charles Grawe, Jon Rechtzigel, Arthur Zimmerman (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Members Absent: Harald Eriksen Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide Others Present: Mike Burns, Tracie Bosch, Julia Fried-Devine, Kate Glode, Rebecca Wagner, Roger Wagner 2. Approval of A enda Mr. Grawe requested the addition of the approval of the 2008 accomplishments to forward to the City CounciL Mr. Rechtzigel requested the removal of the item far the Police Department School Educational Collaborations due to schedule conflicts. MOTION: Mr. Blomstrom moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5-0 3. Approval of November 12, 2008 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Rechtzigel moved, second by Mr. Blomstrom, to approve the Minutes of November 12, 2008. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Asleson abstained. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. 5. Resident Request for Sidewalk Installation alon� 132"d Street Between Pilot Knob Road and Emmer Place I Mr. Blomstrom reviewed a resident request for the installation of pathway along 132"d Street between Emmer Place and a pedestrian ramp leading down to a tunnel underpass that was installed under Pilot Knob Road(County State � � Aid Highway 31). Mr. Zimmerman arrived at the meeting. Mr. Blomstrom explained that the City's traffic engineer recommended a modification to the existing pedestrian ramp curb such that it would be flared to the west. The recommendation included the installation of a shoulder lane for bikes and pedestrians only. City staff marked the roadway edge five feet from the curb along the north side of 132"d to show the proposed lane. The recommendation also included double center line striping on 132°d Street. Appropriate signage and parking prohibitions along both sides of 132°a would also be required. Mr. Blomstrom met with a number of the residents to review the design. He also discussed the options with Dakota County as it controls the right-of-way along Pilot Knob Road. The Dakota County traffic engineer responded favorably to the staff recommendation, but had concerns about a possible sidewalk intersection with the pedestrian ramp. The County wants the pedestrian ramp to adhere to design standards and was not in favor of shifting the point where the ramp meets the curb. The County also objected to a sidewalk design that would lead pedestrians straight into the back of a guard rail. Staff discussed two options for curved sidewalks, one with a 20 miles per hour curve design and the other with a 14 miles per hour curve design. It was unclear at this time if the County would agree to both of these options. As the County has permitting authority in the right-of-way, they hold the ultimate authority over improvements impacting the right-of-way. Mr. Blomstrom said the City has three options: 1) leave the conditions in their existing state; 2) implement the City's traffic engineer's recommended improvements with a pedestrian and bike lane; or 3) continue discussions with the County to fully determine what sidewalk designs would meet the County's requirements. MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to table the issue until the next meeting and direct staff to continue to investigate design options with Dakota County to determine what would be acceptable to the County and to also determine a full cost estimate and land acquisition costs that would be associated with any County- approved improvement. Motion passed 6-0. 6. Safe Route to School Grant Pro�ram Application Mr. Rechtzigel said the Police Department applied for a grant from AAA for bicyclist and pedestrian safety projects. If the City receives the grant, a primary focus would be on making drivers and pedestrians aware of the conflicts that occur when pedestrians are crossing legally and a vehicle is attempting to make a right-hand turn into that lane. The program would also stress other safety issues like use of helmets. • . Ms. Dolan said that she has contacted Eastview High School and it appears that a student group may be willing to produce a Public Safety Announcement (PSA) in support of this program as well. Mr: Blomstrom said the City submitted two applications for improvements ` along routes to schools. The City should learn by March if it received funding for either project. 7. 2008 Committee Accomplishments MOTION: Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to approve the 2008 Accomplishments and forward them to the City Council. Motion passed 6-0. 8. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Ci .t�pple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Rechtzigel reported increased damage to property accidents due to the icy weather. He noted that seat belt citations appear to be down due to increased seat belt usage. The traffic engineer said this is a trend state-wide. Public Works' Concerns Mr. Blomstrom said the recent weather pattern has been very difficult far snow and ice removal. He said the LED perimeter flashing lights on the Fire Station#2 sign have been installed to prevent traffic from blocking access to the station. He said it would be appropriate for the Committee to develop a policy on the appropriate use of this type of sign. 9. Education Issues Pedestrian and Bike Safet.�ampai�n This issue was covered under Item 6. 10. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to adjourn. Motion passed 6 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m..