HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 2, 2011
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Olson, Tyler
Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer
Ted Fischer, Police Sergeant
Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motioned by Goodman, seconded by Doty, to approve the minutes of April 4, 2011, as presented. Motion
carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER OLD BUSINESS
REQUEST TO INSTALL 4-WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF JACKSON STREET AND
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39 AVENUE
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As requested at the April 4 meeting, a speed monitor was placed on 39 Avenue east of Jefferson Street. The
results of the speed monitor showed no problem with excessive speeding. The results of the speed monitor
were accepted. The denial of a 4-way stop sign stands. No action needs to be taken.
NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING TO DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON 50TH
AVENUE, EAST OF CENTRAL AVENUE
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Traffic on 50 Avenue was discussed at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and at the City
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Council meeting as part of the ALDI site plan review. One issue is safety and congestion at the 50
Avenue and Central Avenue intersection. Another issue is additional traffic on Tyler Street generated
by businesses on Central Avenue, such as Jimmy John’s and potentially ALDI.
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Suggestions from the public to immediately improve the intersection have been No Parking on 50
Avenue as well as Traffic Lane Striping. A potential long-term solution is to construct a right turn lane
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from 50 Avenue onto Central Avenue.
Suggestions for limiting traffic on Tyler Street have been to sign Tyler Street for “No Thru Traffic” or
“No Delivery Service Vehicles”. Staff will be discussing these suggestions with public safety personnel
prior to the meeting in June.
The City Council has directed the Traffic Commission to schedule a public hearing to discuss these
issues.
Traffic Commission Minutes –May 2, 2011
Page 2
The Traffic Commission agreed that ALDI will make safety and congestion worse at this intersection.
Currently there is only one way to get to the traffic light. Carlson questioned the possibility of widening
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the median on 51 and Central to allow for southbound traffic, or the possibility of a traffic signal. This
area belongs to MnDOT. Once ALDI is in and we obtain a traffic count, the Traffic Commission can
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approach MnDOT with a request. ALDI will have an exit onto and off of 50 and the frontage road
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will be gone. Schmitt stated there is also another exit north at 51.
Jimmy Johns is a problem during peak hours. A sign will be posted with an arrow to Central Avenue so
people realize they have an alternative exit. Jimmy Johns’ exits are on the east and west sides of the
building. An alternative may be to only allow a right hand turn from the building. Will need to monitor
the situation and discuss.
Motioned by Doty, seconded by Goodman to call a Public Hearing on June 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. to
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designate “No Parking” on 50 Avenue adjacent to 4955 and 5001 Central Avenue, and to extend the
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notification area to all property owners on Tyler Street from 49 Avenue to 50 Avenue. Also to
possibly designate the frontage road as right turn only. Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
CITY ENGINEER
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A parking sign for persons with disabilities is being installed in front of 4237 5 Street NE.
POLICE CHIEF
None
COMMISSIONERS
Carlson welcomed Donna Schmitt as the new council liaison.
Doty stated he appreciated the pothole work that was done on Central Avenue, but stated there is another
pothole south on Central across from the used car lot.
ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Doty, seconded by Olson to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmidtbauer
Public Works Secretary