HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/10/2006 - �
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Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
City of Apple Valley Municipal Center
Wednesday,May 10,2006
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Minutes
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1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Arthur Zimmerman at 7:10 p.m.
Members Present: Chair Arthur Zimmerman,Linda Dolan,Harald Eriksen,
Neal Heuer, Police Sergeant Mike Marben
Members Absent: Dick Asleson, Charles Grawe
Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide
Others Present: None
2. Approval of A eg nda
Motion by Ms. Dolan to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Eriksen, approved unanimously.
3. Approval of Februar�8, 2006 Minutes
Motion by Mr. Zimmerman to amend the meeting minutes of February 8, 2006 as follows:
Item 8, fourth paragraph, second sentence,replace "...he wasn't sure of their effectiveness..."
with"...they appear to be slightly less effective...".
Motion by Mr.Heuer to approve the minutes as revised, seconded by Mr.Eriksen, approved
unanimously.
4. Audience Items
There was no audience participation.
5. Safet�Concerns on 153rd Street/Foliage Avenue
Mr. Heuer outlined concerns expressed by a citizen in a letter concerning the intersection of
153rd Street/Foliage Avenue.The letter contended the intersection is not safe due to recent
crashes.
Mr. Heuer indicated Mn/DOT has set the speed limit on the road at 45 mph, and it would be
appropriate to reevaluate once development is complete in that area.He further indicated the
Police Departinent has had four contacts at that intersection. One was in relationship to the
presence of a survey crew, and three were vehicle crashes. One crash involved alcohol, one was
minor crash, and the recent crash with an overturned vehicle,which prompted the contact, was a I
result of a driver's visor coming down and blocking their vision of the stop sign,thereby going �
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TSAC Meeting Minutes �
May 10, 2006
Page 2
through the stop sign and incurring the crash.While the intersection has not been counted
recently, 153`d Street is a minor street at this location, and counts will not meet warrants for the
installation of an all-way stop.
Sergeant Marben indicated he was aware of a crash at the intersection within the last 10 days and
complaints to the Police Department here are in relationship to speed.
Motion as made by Mr. Heuer to check for"Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" signs, and if present,
these signs should be flagged. Motion seconded by Mr. Zimmerman, approved unanimously.
6. Police Department
a) The Police Department is working on a May mobilization with Safe and Sober,with all
departments in Dakota County. The May mobilization is aimed at seat belt enforcement.
Statistics indicate 82% of drivers wear seat belts, while 50% of those injured in crashes
do not have seat belts on.
b) Traffic deaths are anticipated to decrease this year, but in all likelihood not due to
increased safety efforts,but due to less driving as a result of higher gas prices.
c) As result of seat belt enforcement being a secondary offense,the State of Minnesota is
losing highway funds.
d) The Police Department attempted to participate in a red light running trial program in
1997 for the intersection of 140`h Street and Cedar Avenue. They were not successful in
being a part of this program,but fully support the use of red light running enforcement.
e) Sergeant Marben's priorities with regard to traffic will be emergency response and traffic
enforcement.
� Captain Craig Anglin made a presentation to the Citizen's Police Academy.
g) The Car Seat program is scheduled for June 3.Mr. Eriksen will participate as a
representative of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
7. Public Works Department
Mr. Heuer advised of several requests regarding traffic issues.
a) A complaint was received from Dover Drive indicating excessive traffic cut-through and
vehicle speeds. City staff gathered traffic information that indicated a daily traffic volume
of 150 vehicles and an 85`hpercentile speed of 29 mph. This is not indicative of any type
of traffic problem on the street.
b) A request was made for speed enforcement on Palomino Drive. Car 54 was used at this
location and received a very positive response from the complainant.
c) A request was received for an all-way stop at the intersection of Whitney and Cooper.
All-way stop warrants were reviewed with the resident, and the resident agreed the
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TSAC Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2006
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situation does not warrant an all-way stop. Some enforcement has been done, and Car 54
will be used at this location. Additional traffic and speed counts will be done.
d) Funding is available to cities and school districts for Safe Route to School programs.
$175,000 is available for infrastructure improvements, and$10,000 is available for non-
infrastructure improvements.
After some discussion and suggestion by Mr.Heuer,Mr. Zimmerman moved to
investigate school crossings for Falcon Ridge School, continue to explore and pursue
grant funding, and recommend possible grants to the City Council.This motion was
seconded by Ms. Dolan and approved unanimously.
Mr. Sohrweide will contact Falcon Ridge School to determine if any improvements can
be considered for a grant.
8. Adj ourn
Motion to adjourn by Mr. Eriksen, seconded by Ms. Dolan,unanimously approved. The meeting
adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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