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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 6, 2010 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Tyler Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Lee Okerstrom, Police Corporal Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary Council Liaison: Bruce Kelzenberg APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motioned by Goodman, seconded by Doty, to approve the minutes of June 7, 2010, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None. OTHER OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS TH A.REQUEST TO INSTALL 4 WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 7 STREET AND ST 41 AVENUE th Mr Elhshik is representing the Islamic Center of Minnesota at 4056 7 Street. The concern is the potential for thst vehicle and personal injury accidents at the uncontrolled intersection of 7 Street and 41 Avenue. Mr. Elhshik is caretaker of the building and was present at the meeting. Officer Okerstrom stated that there have been two accidents at the intersection, one in 2008 and one in 2010. Both accidents resulted in property damage only and no injuries. Goodman checked the intersection today. He saw only eight cars and no need for stop signs, but possibly a yield sign on the north side would be beneficial. All members agreed that there is much more traffic during church and mosque activities. However, everyone is more careful due to the increased traffic, which is slow moving. Currently a stop sign would not meet Federal guidelines. However, Mr Elhshik stated that the mosque is very busy and has services five times per day. Mr. Elhshik was advised that studies have shown that stop signs tend to give pedestrians a false sense of security while crossing streets. Studies also show that if a stop sign is not needed, drivers tend to ignore it making the stop sign more of a detriment than a plus. Young reviewed the guidelines with Mr. Elhshik. Commission members all agreed that people are more careful and traffic is st slow during activities at the mosque and the church. Carlson motioned that we deny the stop sign at 41 and th 7. Motion seconded by Tyler. All ayes. Motion carried. Traffic Commission Minutes – December 6, 2010 Page 2 Young advised Mr. Elhshik that he could appeal to the City Council but that the Traffic Commission does advise the City Council. She told Mr. Elhshik he could call her and she would help him with the process if needed. REPORTS CITY ENGINEER None POLICE CHIEF None COMMISSIONERS th Carlson stated he would like the Police Department to give more attention to jaywalkers at 40 and Central Avenue. Corporal Okerstrom stated that jaywalking is one of their top priorities and they do have an active th jaywalker detail. However, lately they have been trying to stay on 49 and Central to encourage pedestrians to use the new bridge. Goodman asked if the police can tag bicycles as there have been a lot of violations by people on bikes. Okerstrom said yes. Doty has a concern regarding parking on the street rather than the parking lot at the high school, especially during events. He stated that students park on the street and then walk in the street and in-between cars rather than using the parking lot. Often there are 4-6 kids hanging around the cars. There are also a lot of cars stopping. There used to be no parking on the street, when did this change? Corporal Okerstrom will pass this information on to the school liaison. There is also a security guard at the school. He does not know when the no parking was changed. st Goodman stated he gets a lot of complaints regarding the length of the stoplight at 41 and Central Avenue. Young informed him that the state will be looking into the longevity of the traffic lights in 2012. It was also noted that this is the last Traffic Commission meeting for Bruce Kelzenberg. ADJOURNMENT Motioned by Doty, seconded by Goodman to adjourn the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer Public Works Secretary