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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2007 � • Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley November 14, 2007 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Harald Eriksen. Members Present: Dick Asleson, Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe,Neal Heuer, Arthur Zimmerman(arrived at 7:13 p.m.) Members Absent: Linda Dolan, Michael Marben Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide Others Present: Jon Rechtzigel, Greg Dahlstrom, Joel Horazuk, Jack Fenton, Cliff Tye, Anita Wilkins 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: Mr. Heuer moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 4-0 3. Approval of November 14, 2007 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, Mr. Grawe seconded, to approve the Minutes of November 14, 2007. Motion passed 3-0 (Mr. Asleson abstained.) 4. Audience Items Residents representing the Hunter's Way Townhome Association raised the issue of traffic barriers along Palomino Drive. The group made a similar request before the Committee in 2007. The residents reported a new incident in which an east-bound vehicle crossed the lanes of traffic and drove over some of the landscaping belonging to the Townhome Association. This incident occurred on Thanksgiving Day morning and the driver left the scene without being identified. The residents had reported two previous incidents with west-bound vehicles leaving the roadway, both of which involved intoxicated drivers. The residents said there had been three previous incidents that were not reported. As the previous incidents had involved vehicles traveling downhill and into the curve, the City erected a series of chevrons to help indicate the curve was ahead. The latest incident was well ahead of the curve and going in an uphill direction. � � Mr. Heuer noted that the vehicle in the most recent incident was traveling in an uphill direction and that the vehicles tracks in the snow seem to indicate that the driver slowed down and took evasive action to avoid hitting a parked vehicle. Mr. Heuer said that from the s-shaped tire tracks, it is possible that the driver did not lose control and that this was essentially an act of vandalism. He also noted that the point at which the vehicle left the curb was far from where the requested guard rails would have extended. Mr. Zimmerman arrived at 7:13 p.m. Mr. Asleson emphasized that this incident would not have been prevented by the guard rails, even if they would have been installed. The residents indicated that they would now like to see guard rails installed along the entire length of the property, not just in the area where the road curves. Mr. Grawe asked if the Association had considered installing a private fence to protect their property. The residents indicated that they thought a guard rail would be preferable. Mr. Grawe said he would want to know why this situation was unique or otherwise would justify the placement of guard rails, noting that the two previous incidents involved impaired drivers who could leave the roadway at any location due to impairment. Mr. Grawe said he believes it is important to have justifications if public funds for an improvement are essentially only used for the benefit of private property owners. He said the City needs to be careful not to add an improvement for the benefit of a few private property owners in a manner that creates a hazard for the public on the roadways. Mr. Heuer said he did not believe a guard rail would be an appropriate solution. Mr. Grawe requested that the City's traffic engineer examine the site to determine if the slope of the property meets the definition of unrecoverable or otherwise meets the standards for guard rail installation. Mr. Sohrweide said he could make that determination based on the speed limit in the area and the slope. Mr. Asleson asked City staff to also look at similar curves in other parts of the City to determine if there is something unusual about accident rates at this location. Mr. Heuer said he would bring a report back to the Committee for the next meeting. 5. Update on White Li ht Program for Red Li�ht Runners Mr. Sohrweide provided an update on the white light program. In the program, small lights are attached below the signal, on the signal post, or to the mast arms that allow an officer sitting on the downstream side of the intersection to view when the light has changed. Since the officer is monitoring the lights from the far side of the intersection and does not have to cross traffic, the pursuit of the violator has less risk. He said the program is used with success in the State of Florida. Mr. Sohrweide said he prepared the plans for a pilot installation at 140th Street and Galaxie Avenue. This location would allow officers to park in the Fire � � Station driveway and monitor west-bound violations. Mr. Heuer said the City Attorney has reviewed the plan and believes that violators can be prosecuted successfully. The test installation is a very low-cost solution. Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to recommend to the City Council the installation of the pilot white light program at the intersection of 140th Street and Galaxie Avenue. Motion passed 5 —0. 6. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Cit�pple Vallev Police Concerns Mr. Rechtzigel reported that there were 291 DWI arrests in 2007. The City experienced three fatalities in vehicle accidents. To of those fatalities involved medical emergencies, the other involved a DWI situation. Public Works' Concerns Mr. Heuer reported that he received concerns regarding traffic at the intersection of 160th Street and Galaxie Avenue after the opening of the new Lakeville Liquor Store. The concern involves traffic exiting directly from the Lakeville parking lot. Mr. Heuer forwarded the concern to Dakota County and suspects the solution might require the creation of designated lanes. Mr. Heuer said there was a vehicle crash at 153ra Street and Foliage Avenue where the driver violated a stop sign. Additional stop signs were installed in the median area to improve visibility. Mr. Heuer said he ordered the blind and deaf child signs as previously discussed. 7. Education Issues There were no educational issues. � 8. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, Mr. Asleson seconded, to adj ourn. Motion passed 5 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m..