HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 7, 2010
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Anderson, Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Tyler
Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer
Matt Markham, Police Sergeant
Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary
Council Liaison: Bruce Kelzenberg
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motioned by Goodman, seconded by Doty, to approve the minutes of April 5, 2010, as presented. Motion
carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
OTHER OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
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A.REQUEST TO REVIEW STOP SIGN LOCATIONS IN THE AREA SURROUNDING 41 AVENUE
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AND 6 STREET
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Dan Barrett has requested a review of the stop sign locations in the area surrounding 41 and 6 Street. He
was present at the meeting. His requests are as follows:
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Install east-west stop signs at the intersection of 6 Street and 41 Avenue.
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Revise the stop signs at 6 Street and 42 Avenue stopping east-west traffic rather than north-south
traffic.
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Install east-west stop signs at each uncontrolled intersection from 37 Avenue to 53 Avenue.
Mr. Barrett states his concern is the potential for accidents at uncontrolled intersections, especially the one by
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his home at 41 and 6 Street. He states traffic has increased in this area due to a higher attendance at the
Muslim church along with two daycare facilities on other corners. He also stated there is a dip in the road
that can bottom out a car if the driver is unaware of the dip and driving too fast. Mr. Barrett stated there is
no uniformity within the city and thinks stop signs should be installed at all east-west intersections.
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The intersection at 6 Street and 41 Avenue does have limited visibility in the northeast corner. There have
been four accidents over the past three years caused by a failure to yield. However, Carlson stated this does
not meet the qualifications for a stop sign. Mr. Barrett asked about a traffic count at this intersection.
Carlson stated the traffic count would also not qualify. Carlson also informed Mr. Barrett that the City must
Traffic Commission Minutes – June 7, 2010
Page 2
follow state guidelines to install a stop sign. Mr. Barrett asked Officer Markham his opinion regarding this
matter. Officer Markham stated that he would like to see stop signs at all intersections but this is not always a
good idea. The problem is speeding and not using common sense. He stated we run across the same situation
with or without stop signs. Carlson again stated that this intersection does not meet the requirements for a
stop sign. He said that problems also occur when stop signs are put up where they shouldn’t be, as drivers
just tend to run them. The same problem occurs with a yield sign. All stop signs that have been installed in
the city have met state guidelines except for one. This sign was installed due to a petition. Anderson
suggested holding a public hearing and possibly using a traffic counter. Mr. Barrett stated none of his
neighbors would attend a public hearing. Carlson made the motion to deny the project and deny a public
hearing. Motion seconded by Tyler. Motion carried.
Mr. Barrett stated he would let the Traffic Commission know of the next accident. He asked that we keep
this project in mind.
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B.REQUEST TO REVIEW TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION OF 50 AVENUE AND FRONTAGE
ROAD/CENTRAL AVENUE
A request was made by Ms. Cathy Kehrwald to review traffic at the intersection of 50th Avenue and to review
the frontage road off Central Avenue for improvements. Her concern is that the additional traffic generated
by the new Jimmy John’s restaurant has made an already dangerous intersection worse.
The commission agreed this intersection is difficult to navigate but it is tough to change. The road in front of
the strip mall is a MnDOT right of way maintained by the City. One possibility is to close the frontage road to
the north and put in a right turn lane, or use striping to help direct traffic. Young stated we could possibly
stripe in 2012 when MnDOT widens the road and could close the frontage road to the north as it is rarely
used. Carlson recommended that we not change anything at the present. Carlson motioned that we deny any
action. Motion seconded by Anderson.
REPORTS
CITY ENGINEER
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A disabled parking sign has been requested and will be installed at 4416 3 Street. Doty questioned if we
check handicap signs. Young stated that handicap permits are good for 5-6 years and are not checked. New
residents usually call to have the signs removed
Staff has begun traffic counts during peak hours at the intersections with Central Avenue.
Young informed the Traffic Commission that the City is currently taking an inventory of all signs within the
city. A GPS is being used to locate the signs and a photo is being taken. This is a federal requirement. More
information will be available at the end of the summer. Carlson stated there was a 10 minute parking sign and
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zoned on 40 Avenue and 5 Street on the north side close to 5. The sign is gone but should not have been
there. If it is on the map it should be removed.
POLICE CHIEF
None
Traffic Commission Minutes – June 7, 2010
Page 3
COMMISSIONERS
Goodman checked the signs by the Holiday station. It is very difficult to make a left hand turn at this
intersection from both the Holiday and the Rainbow side of the intersection. It was recommended to make a
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right turn on 43and then come back around.
Carlson stated the need to appoint or re-appoint a chairman. Motion was made by Goodman to re-appoint
Carlson as chairman and seconded by Tyler. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Richard Anderson will no longer be serving on the Traffic Commission as he is moving out of
state. This is his last meeting. Members thanked him for his years of service. The commission will need to
find a new candidate to fill his spot.
ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Doty, seconded by Tyler to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmidtbauer
Public Works Secretary