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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/2011 � � � � � � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley July 13, 2011 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes l. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.by Chair Arthur Zimmerman Members Present: Todd Blomstrom, Linda Dolan, Charles Grawe, Jon Rechtzigel, Joe Shaw, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Harald Eriksen Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide, Dave Bennett Others Present: 2. A�proval of Agenda MOTION: Mr. Rechtzigel moved, second by Ms. Dolan,to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 6-0. ' 3. A�proval of Mav 11, 2011 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Rechtzigel, to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2011 as presented. Motion passed 6-0. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. 5. Resident Concern with S ep eding on Upper 136�' Street Mr. Blomstrom reviewed recent concerns from residents regarding speeding traffic Upper 136�' Street. A resident attended the last meeting to express concerns. Mr. Sohrweide distributed a memo providing comparison data from 2008. The data shows that the traffic volume on the street has increased some,but is still below the 1,000 vehicle trips per day threshold for a residential street. The data also shows that the average speed does not exceed the speed limit. The 85�'percentile speed does exceed the 30 miles per hour limit,but is under L � � . 35 miles per hour. The overall traffic speeds and volume are not out of line for a street of this type. Mr. Sohrweide also examined the data for a traffic control. He said that the warrants for a four-way stop are not met. There have been six crashes since 2001, some involving running off the roadway late at night or in snow or ice conditions. This number of crashes appears slightly higher than average for this type of street,but some of the accident causes, such as weather and ` _ backing into a pedestrian,may not indicate a traffic problem. He recommended further evaluation on some of the sight distances and continued monitoring of the area as the Cedar Avenue project proceeds,but no other immediate action. There was a brief discussion about some of the possible impacts of the Cedar project. Mr. Rechtzigel reported the results of a speed study conducted by the Police Department. In the study, five percent of the vehicles were over the posted speed limit. Only one vehicle was five or more miles per hour over the speed limit. 6. Update on Traffic SiQnal Modifications at Galaxie Avenue and 147�' Street Mr. Sohrweide distributed a memo providing analysis of the potential modifications. Some changes were implemented in the Fall of 2010,but the crashes continued. The current setting allows both protected and permissive left turn arrows. These could be changed to protected left turn arrows only. Changing the phases of the signal will decrease the efficiency of the signal. This will likely mean increased vehicle stacking on 147�' Street. However, the data shows 31 crashes in a four year period, with 17 crashes involving left turns and 11 of these crashes involving north and south bound traffic. Mr. Sohrweide recommended that the city modify the signal to remove the permissive left turn arrows on Galaxie Avenue, continue monitoring 147�' Street functionality, and maintaining the current lane striping at the intersection. MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Shaw,to accept the engineer's recommendations as presented. Motion passed 6-0. 7. Update on Safe Routes to School Grant Application for Greenleaf Elementarv School Mr. Blomstrom said staff submitted a grant application for a HAWK pedestrian crossing signal at the Greenleaf Elementary School site due to the very high volumes of walkers crossing Galaxie Avenue mid-block. The application was submitted prior to the State shutdown,but could take time to be processed. � � 8. Resident Request for One-Side Parkin a�lon�t Walnut Lane near Westview Elementarv School Mr. Blomstrom presented background information regarding a request from Laura Miske to remove on-street parking along the early portion of Walnut Lane near Garden View Drive. Specifically,the roadway narrows when vehicles park on both sides of the street,prompting the request for parking restrictions on one side of the street. Mr. Blomstrom recommended that the City survey property owners that would be affected by potential parking restrictions along Walnut Lane. Mr. Sohrweide noted that the S-curve in the area in question is rather unique. Mr. Rechtzigel indicated that Police staff would contact residents at the four properties on the north side of Walnut Lane to the west of Garden View Drive and provide responses to the Committee at the next meeting. 9. Resident Request to Remove Sidewalk alon�West Side of Hovoke South of 140�' Street Mr. Blomstrom presented a recent resident request that the sidewalk be removed from the front of his property to allow additional parking in his driveway an avoid overhanging the existing sidewalk. The property is located along the west side of Holyoke Lane, south of 140�' Street. The subject sidewalk provides a pedestrian connection between the trail system along . 140�' Street and Alimagnet Park. Mr. Blomstrom moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to recommend denial of the request to remove sidewalk for this reason. Motion passed 6-0. 10. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Cit�of Apple Valley Police Concerns Mr. Rechtzigel received a letter from a resident wanting to create a right-turn only lane designation on north bound Galaxie Avenue at the intersection with McAndrews Road. Such a designation would prevent the two lanes of north bound traffic from merging north of McAndrews Road. The Committee discussed the reasons for the current lane striping and there was consensus that the existing signage is in accordance witk the manual and the intersection functions the way that it was intended. MOTION: Mr. Shaw moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to recommend no action at this time. Motion passed 6-0. � � Mr. Rechtzigel noted there was one fatal accident involving a vehicle that failed to yield to a motorcycle and a non-fatal accident involving a bicycle crossing against the traffic light. Public Works' Concerns Mr. Blomstrom said the City is involved in discussions with Dakota County to install a traffic signal at 157�'Street and Pilot Knob Road. 1 l. Education Issues Mr. Sohrweide said there are several web-based games on gridlock and distracted driving that might be useful to young drivers. 12. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Blomstrom, to adjourn. Motion passed 6- 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.