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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 6, 2013 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Carlson, Clerkin, Doty, Olson, Tyler Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Lenny Austin, Police Captain Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Olson, seconded by Tyler, to approve the minutes of April 2, 2012, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None. OTHER OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS THTH A.REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT 4 STREET AND 46 AVENUE th Mr. Larry Wieser and Ms. Dianne Hanson are requesting stop signs at the intersection of 4 th Street and 46 Avenue. The concern is the number and severity of accidents at the intersection. thth Currently traffic stops on 46 Avenue at University Service Drive and 5 Street. Traffic stops ththth on 4 Street at 45 Avenue and 48 Avenue. A pine tree on the northeast corner and the sloped landscape on the southeast corner limit visibility somewhat, especially for westbound traffic. The Police Department reviewed accident records and found four reported accidents in the last five years, one in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013. Three of the accidents involved failure to yield right-of-way. There have been four accidents in the last five years. The last accident on March 22, 2013 was a rollover. Captain Austin stated that every now and then a rollover does occur on a residential street. This particular accident looked worse than it probably was and was non-life threatening. The driver was transported for a possible injury. He does not recall the weather conditions; there possibly was snow on the ground. A vehicle does not necessarily need to be traveling at high speed to cause a rollover. Carlson stated he checked the intersection and it is wide open with the exception of one pine tree. He stated normally the city has the resident Traffic Commission Minutes – May 6, 2013 Page 2 trim the tree up, if this is done the intersection would be wide open and it would be possible to also see traffic when westbound. The tree is the only thing blocking the intersection and you can see around it. Feels there is no problem with that intersection. Doty stated he did notice a lot of stop signs. Olson stated these are detrimental because drivers don’t stop for any of them; they just roll through. th Motion by Olson to deny the request to install stop signs at the intersection of 4 Street and th 46 Avenue. Motion seconded by Clerkin. Motion carried unanimously. THRD B.REVIEW OF ACCIDENT RECORD AT 7 STREET AND 43 AVENUE th Ms. Ramona Strom of 4247 7 Street sent an e-mail to the mayor and city council members thrd with a request for stop signs at the intersection of 7 Street and 43 Avenue. In response, Young sent a letter with updated accident information and the December 2011 Traffic Commission minutes when the stop signs were denied. Currently the accident record at this intersection is inconclusive concerning the MUTCD requirements for yield or stop signs. Staff will continue to monitor the traffic accidents to see if a pattern is developing. Ms. Strom sent a reply to my letter asking that we consider posting “ No Parking” signs on 7th Street heading south (going up the hill). A previous request for stop signs was denied in December 2011. Young proposed we monitor traffic accidents at that intersection as they seem sporadic. If there are no accidents or only one in 2013, then the commission will not look at this again. If there are 2-3 accidents in 2013, then we will review it. Carlson felt this is reasonable. th In response to the “No Parking” signs on 7 Street, Young feels the visibility at the intersection is acceptable, vehicles would need to be parked very tight to reduce visibility. The Traffic Commission will need to either deny the “No Parking” signs or call a public meeting. th Motion by Olson to deny the request for “No Parking” signs on 7 Street heading south. Motion seconded by Tyler. Motion carried unanimously. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS CITY ENGINEER 1.REQUEST FOR DISABLED PARKING SIGNS Disabled parking signs have been requested by property owners at the following locations: A)5134/5136 Washington St, Permit Numbers 182338 and B66526 B)4524 Fillmore St, Permit Number A91319 C)4153 Jefferson St, Permit Number B55550 Traffic Commission Minutes – May 6, 2013 Page 3 POLICE None. COMMISSIONERS Clerkin inquired about posting a Police Station sign on Central Avenue so people know it’s there. Young stated this would need to be requested through the state. She will look into it. If MnDOT allows it, we will put it up. th Harold Hoium (present at the meeting) also inquired about posting a sign on 40 and Mill Street or Central th Avenue for City Hall. Stated people, contractors especially, have trouble finding City Hall now that the 40 Avenue entrance is not accessible. Feels a couple of signs would help. Carlson stated we will consider this request. Schmitt asked if the crosswalk got installed by Rainbow Foods. Young stated the pedestrian ramp installed. The crosswalks will be done when we do the painting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Carlson, seconded by Olson to adjourn the meeting at 5:53 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer Public Works Secretary