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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 4, 2011 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:59 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Olson, Tyler Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Ted Fischer, Police Sergeant Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt (not present) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motioned by Doty, seconded by Tyler, to approve the minutes of December 6, 2010, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None OTHER OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS REQUEST TO INSTALL 4-WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF JACKSON STREET AND TH 39 AVENUE Mr. Shannon Tuttle of 3857 Quincy Street has requested 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Jackson Street thth and 39 Avenue. Mr. Tuttle’s main concern is the speed of traffic on 39 Avenue. He is especially concerned for the children who are dropped off by the school bus at that location. At the City’s request, Bill Strep with the School District observed the bus drop-off procedure for the thth elementary school bus. The bus drives south on Jackson Street from 40 to 39 Avenue and stops on the north th side of the intersection. Several students go north on Jackson Street and a few students cross 39 Avenue and go south on Jackson Street. The bus driver reported that the traffic does tend to go fast from Central Avenue down the hill toward Jackson Street. When trucks are parked near the intersection, the bus and students beginning to cross the intersection can be hard to see. Bus routes and bus stop locations are reviewed annually and changed based on the number of students in the area. Mr. Tuttle, who was present at the meeting, also stated that westbound traffic from Central Avenue to Jackson Street picks up speed coming down the hill. Visibility is limited if cars are parked on the street. Traffic does th currently stop on Jackson Street but apparently children from the bus stop run out and cross 39 Avenue without looking. A memo from the Police Departments states there have been four accidents at this intersection since 2007, none of which involved children. The MUTCD guidelines for multi-way stop signs require five or more correctable accidents in a one-year period. Traffic Commission Minutes –April 4, 2011 Page 2 Commission member Tyler looked at the site. He states it would be difficult to stop for a stop sign at the th bottom of the hill on 39 Avenue in the winter. It would also be difficult to drive up the hill from a dead stop in the winter. Mr. Tuttle also reported that his garage has been run into twice and stated again there is a problem with speeding, mostly on the weekends around bar closing time. Sergeant Fischer stated the Police Department can set up a speed trailer on a Saturday to monitor east and west bound traffic for a few days. If there is a problem they will use a speed gun to monitor traffic. Motioned by Carlson, seconded by Tyler to table the stop sign request until speed survey information is available. After further discussion the motion was withdrawn. The Traffic Commission was in agreement that this location is a terrible place for a stop sign. Motioned by Olson, seconded by Tyler to deny the request to install 4-way stop signs at the intersection of thth Jackson Street and 39 Avenue, and request that the Police Department set up the speed trailer on 39 Avenue to monitor east and west bound traffic. Motion passed unanimously. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None REPORTS CITY ENGINEER TH 50 AVENUE AT CENTRAL AVENUE Aldi’s has purchased the Cafe Donuts, 5001 Central Avenue, and Crosstown Eatery, 5025 Central Avenue, properties. The proposed plat for the development is on the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting agenda th Tuesday night. There have been no objections thus far. This business will generate more traffic to 50 Avenue, which is a good reason for a right turn lane. Mill and overlay is scheduled on Central Avenue from Broadway to 694 in 2012. The traffic signals may not be done until 2013. Aldi’s was required to submit a new plat so this is a good time to redo the right-of-way and request an additional 10 feet. Commission member Goodman stated that when the mill and overlay is done, it would be a good time to st change the wait time at the signal on 41 and Central Avenue. TH 49 AVENUE th Anoka County has tentatively scheduled construction on 49 Avenue (CSAH 4) from Central to Fairway Drive. City staff met with Anoka County Engineers and the School District concerning the project. The crosswalk near Chatham Road will be eliminated. The idea of a three lane road with a dedicated center turn lane and restricting parking near the crosswalks was discussed. The County Engineers felt that it is safer for pedestrians to have to cross just one lane of traffic in each direction. Also, the concern with a dedicated center turn lane is that within the limited area of the schools, the number of turning movements in opposite directions would actually result in more vehicle conflicts. The School District wants to minimize parking restrictions near the cross-walks. The City paints the standard distance of 20 feet on each side of the crosswalk. Traffic Commission Minutes –April 4, 2011 Page 3 2011 STREET REHABILITATION PROJECTS A map of the proposed street rehabilitation projects under consideration by the City Council was distributed. POLICE CHIEF None COMMISSIONERS Lenny Olson stated he is happy to be a part of the commission. ADJOURNMENT Motioned by Doty, seconded by Goodman to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer Public Works Secretary Traffic Commission Meeting - Sign In Sheet Date: '7/- -/,/ % ' 0 / / 6:00 p.m., City Council Chamber "Please Print Legibly* Name Address a A N r TA C- o