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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/10/2008 � . � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley September 10,2008 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes l. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Arthur Zimmerman Meinbers Present: Todd Bloinstrom, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe, Jon Rechtzigel, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Dicic Asleson, Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide Others Present: Mil�e Burns, Sue Burns, Gracie Carlson, Pexer Carlson, Julie Crafton, Christin Croll Carlson, Henry Croll, Julia Fried-Devine, Tiffany Field, Catherine Hunter, Susan Runnels, Kellen Stewart, Michael Stewart, Reaghan Stewart, Rhyan Stewart 2. Approval of A�enda Ms. Dolan requested that resident requests for traffic control signs be moved � after the request for sidewallc installation in order to talce items first that had audience members. MOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Rechtzigel, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 6-0 3. Approval of July 9, 2008 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by NIr. Rechtzigel, to approve the Minutes of July 9, 2008 as presented. Motion passed 4-0 (Mr. Eriksen and Mr. Blomstrom abstained) 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. Mr. Grawe introduced Mr. Blomstrom who is the new Public Works Director and new Coinmittee member. +. � • . 5. Resident Request for School Speed Zone along 147th Street and Garrett Avenue Adjacent to Paideia Academy Mr. Bloinstroin said the City received several requests from residents � regarding the inarlcing and control of the crosswalk on 147`h Street ilear the Paideia School. The crosswalk currently has the standard crossing advanced � warning signs, a "Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswallc" sign, a crosswalk � pedestrian crossing sign, and an advanced pavement marking. He consulted the uniform manual on traffic control devices and found that there have been changes to the signage and placement since the original signs were installed. The staff reco�nmendation is to update the signage and markings in confornlance with the manual. Ms. Susan Runnels requested a push-button light activation that would stop traffic. Several residents descriUed what they felt were large amounts of pedestrian traffic to and from the school crossing the street. They also noted � the clirves in 147th Street and heavy traffic volusnes. � � Mr. Blomstrom explained that a red light that could stop traffic as requested � would not be allowed in the maniial. He noted that some other jurisdictions have flashing warning lights that could be activated on-demand. MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to recommend the City install the revised signage and nlarkings as recominended by staff and that the City's traffic engineer study the intersection for speeds and volumes to detennine if any other alternatives or options would be appropriate and if so, � to provide cost estimates. Motion passed 6-0. . � 6. Resident Request for Sidewalk Installation alon� 132°a Street Between Pilot Knob Road and Emmer Place Mr. Blomstrom said the City received a concern over the grade of 132"d Street as it approaches Pilot Knob Road. At the intersection of 132"d and Pilot Knob, there is a pedestrian ramp leading down to a tum�el underpass that was installed under Pilot Knob Road. The resident requested the installation of pathway along 132"d between the ramp and Emmer Place. The requested patllway would end at the intersection of Emmer Place and would cross the rear of one residential property. Mr. Blomstrom said it was not know at this time if there was adequate right-of-way to installation a pathway without acquiring additional right-of-way from t11e adjoining property owner. Mr. Mike Burns is the adjacent property owner. He said he does not believe there is a safety issue with 132°`� Street and showed photos of the intersection from inany angles. He noted that there are no existing sidewallcs or pathways i � in the surrounding neighborhoods. He was strongly opposed to installing a pathway along the rear of his property. Ms. Julia Fried-Devine said she is not asl�ing for sidewalks. She said her family experienced a near accident this year when her daughter was biking down 132"`� toward the ramp and was unable to stop. Her husband was injured while attempting to prevent her daughter from riding out into Pilot Knob Road. She said she believes the grade of the street is a safety hazard. : Mr. Grawe clarified that the asphalt pavement to the underpass was intended as an access ramp to the tunnel. A ramp was required to meet Federal codes. He noted that the ramp was not intended to be a trail-head or be the same as the bike pathways found elsewhere in the City. Ms. Fried-Devine agreed and said a sidewalk along 132°a would be acceptable instead of a pathway. Mr. Grawe said that sidewalks for the surrounding neighborhood might be a pedestrian safety improvement for the entire neighborhood. Ms. Fried-Devine said she was not interested in sidewallcs for the surrounding neighborhood and was only interested in a sidewalk section between the rainp and Emmer Place. Mr. Blomstrom noted that the cost of the project may be for more than the sidewalk slabs if easement acquisition is necessary. MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Blomstrom, to direct the City's traffic engineer to study the area in question to determine if there are any � � unique factors that warrant a sidewall�segment and that the Public Works � Director work�with the City Attorney to determine what right-of-way is � available and what would be required for a sidewallz. Motion passed 6-0. 7. Resident Requests for Traffic Control Signs Multi-wav Stob Si�n Requested at Hayes and U�per 145th Street Mr. Blomstroin said he had not been able to talce traffic counts prior to the opening of schooL He noted that current construction activity in the area could slcew results of counts at this time. However; the current traffic counts did not meet the volume�warrants for a sign. Ms. Dolan suggested installing a "Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" sign on the stop sign. Re�uest to Modifv Control Si�nal at 153'�d Street and Cub Foods Mr. Blomstrom said concerns were raised due to the potential Cedar Avenue iinprovements. Staff has asked Dakota County�to evaluate this intersection when evaluating potential Cedar Avenue improvements. No action is recominended until more is lcnown about the potential Cedar Avenue improvements. - . . • . Slow Traffic Si�n Request on Surrev Trail Mr. Blomstrom said a concern was raised in an area where there is a curve in the road. The road is a very small "looped" roadway. Ms. Dolan recommended using Neighbarhood Watch as a means to encourage safe driving. The group agreed that staff should prepare a letter to the neighborhood on behalf of the Committee encouraging safe driving. Children Sian Rec�uest on Reflection Road Mr. Bloinstrom said a concern was raised regarding children at play. The road is a cul-de-sac. Ms. Dolan recommended using the City newsletter as a means to encourage people to be aware of children and for parents to keep their children from playing in the street. The group agreed that staff should prepare a letter to the neighborhood on behalf of the Committee encouraging safe driving. 8. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Cit�of Apple Vallev Police Concerns Mr. Rechtzigel reported no concerns. He noted that Officer Joel Horazuk was recognized for his DWI enforcement efforts. He noted that there are two new members of the City's Special Enforcement Team for traffic enforcement. He reported that the City received a grant to replace its old VHS squad recorders with new digital recorders. He agreed that in January, some he would make presentations on traffic issues around the high schools and could bring in tools used in the DARE education classes. Public Works' Concerns There were no additional concerns. 9. Education Issues Mr. Grawe distributed information on the I Brake for People campaign in Burnsville. The information stresses the responsibilities of both drivers and pedestrians. Mr. Rechtzigel said there may be grant funding available to fund a siinilar campaign for the City and would also loolc at an in-school educational component. . � • 1VIOTION: Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to ask staff to apply for grant funding to support a pedestrian and bike safety campaign. Motion passed 6-0. 10. Ad�ourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, Mr. Blomstrom seconded, to adjourn. Motion passed 6 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m..