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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 4, 2015 Minutes OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Pro Tem Olson at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Doty, Olson, Tyler, Carlson arrived at 5:40 p.m. Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Ted Fischer, Police Sergeant Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Tyler, second by Doty, to approve the minutes of April 6, 2015, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS TH A.PUBLIC HEARING TO INSTALL TRAFFIC CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTION OF 7 ND STREET AND 42 AVENUE At the Traffic Commission meeting on April 6, 2015, Commissioners called for a Public Hearing to thnd consider installation of YIELD or STOP signs at the intersection of 7 Street and 42 Avenue, nd yielding or stopping traffic on 42 Avenue. The Police Department reviewed the reported accident records at this intersection for the past five years. There were two accidents in 2010, one in 2013, five in 2014 (two in January and two in February), and two in 2015. The Commission felt the accidents in January and February of 2014 were potentially weather related due to the extreme winter conditions that year. The Commission also requested the Police Department review reported accident records at several other intersections in the area, both controlled and uncontrolled. The accidents ranged from  0 to 1 at intersections with stop signs,  2 to 3 at intersections with yield signs, and  1 to 9 at uncontrolled intersections (including accidents prior to yield signs being installed). ndth At the intersection of 42 Avenue and 7 Street the visibility seems to be good so it is surprising there are so many accidents. thstthnd Currently on 7 Street, traffic yields at 41 Avenue and stops at 44 Avenue. On 42 Avenue, th traffic stops at 5 Street and Jefferson Street. Commission members Doty and Tyler had no comments. Olson stated that the grid streets we are talking about are a disaster, and it seems like traffic gets worse every year. He is not stop or yield sign oriented, but when there have been so many accidents in such a short time we need to take another look. That is the reason for tonight’s public hearing. He then asked for public comments. Traffic Commission Minutes – May 4, 2015 Page 2 ndth Kristopher Barto of 42 and 7 Avenue asked Olson why he is not a proponent of stop or yield signs at an uncontrolled intersection. Olson replied because of the obvious speed limit and good visibility. He stated stop signs, and yield signs especially, tend to be ignored in that type of area and are not a cure-all for the problems they are having in that area. Kris stated he witnessed an accident on March 2 where two cars basically exploded in the intersection. Both drivers were not from around here. If you go through an intersection three blocks back that has a sign, you assume if you don’t have a yield or stop sign at the upcoming intersection, that the other person does. He warns people coming to his house for the first time that there are uncontrolled intersections in the city. He feels that an intersection with nine reported accidents needs traffic control. He also brought up the school bus accident in 2013. Agreed this intersection has visibility but does not understand why it is less relevant to have a stop sign here than four blocks down. Tyler responded that you cannot have stop signs at every intersection. The state has certain guidelines that mandate cities and towns meet certain criteria to install traffic signs. That is why you don’t see stop signs at every intersection. The issue is not the intersection, it is the drivers. The driver’s manual states that the driver on the right has the right of way, but is still required to slow down. Tyler stated he is not debating the need for a stop sign, just explaining that at every meeting we get the same statements from everyone and are very sensitive about this. He will vote on the motion but wants to advise that a stop sign is not necessarily going to solve the problem. Doty interjected that no matter how many signs you have, drivers will still go through them and most stop signs do not prevent accidents. Barto stated the accident he saw both cars were going at full speed and neither slowed down for the right of way. Bill Hugo, resident, stated the intersection is also a bus stop and kids are waiting on that corner every morning for a bus. He feels every corner in Columbia Heights needs at least a 2-way stop. ndth Another resident has lived at the corner of 42 and 7 Street for 50 years and stated there have been a lot of accidents since he’s lived there. He feels stop signs need to be placed on that corner. Approximately one month ago a car came up over the bank into his yard almost to his front door. th Louisa Podlich at 4204 7 Street agrees about the winter weather conditions in 2014. However, because of snow removal it was not just the icy conditions that contributed to accidents but the snow banks also reduced visibility. Feels we need to consider stop signs due to winter conditions. Amber Burnette loves the neighborhood but thinks about people in the intersection due to accidents. People drive really fast. People not familiar with neighborhood have problems with the intersection. Stated drivers have a responsibility, but the city has a responsibility to look out for them. Sergeant Fischer stated that intersection may get more traffic because of the police station. Carlson feels there have been too many accidents at that intersection to ignore. Olson agreed but reiterated that signage gets so heavy that drivers disregard it. Carlson agreed and stated he doesn’t trust any intersection, even if there are signs. One resident stated people that don’t know the neighborhood trust it and expect someone else to slow down because there is no sign, especially when they had one two blocks earlier. thth Barto stated he doesn’t understand what the difference is between 6 and 7Streets. Young stated the accidents have been recent for some reason. Barto stated those are the reported accidents. Tyler advised that is all we can go by. Young feels something seems to have changed that is causing more accidents at this intersection. Barto states drivers are not paying attention and that a stop sign can reduce the number of Traffic Commission Minutes – May 4, 2015 Page 3 people not paying attention. Carlson asked in what direction the stop signs should be placed. Barto stated it nd doesn’t matter; he’s seen accidents from both directions. Podlich feels it should be on 42 Avenue, that way something is happening every two blocks. She feels that would make people slow down a little. Barto nd agreed with 42 Avenue. Motion by Tyler to recommend to the City Council to install STOP signs at the thndnd intersection of 7 Street and 42 Avenue, stopping traffic on 42 Avenue. Second by Carlson. Motion passed unanimously. th Advised residents motion will go to the May 11 City Council meeting. Signs will most likely take a couple of weeks to install, depending on if they need to be ordered or are in stock. OTHER OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A.CITY ENGINEER th Parking on 49 Avenue for the Hylander Center was approved on a trial basis by the City Council. June Agenda Items rd The Council received a request to change the YIELD signs on Quincy Street at 43 Avenue to two- way or four-way STOP signs. The Police Department is reviewing the parking on the west side of Monroe Street from 46½ Avenue th to 47 Avenue, based on the number of complaints received from residents. The majority of vehicles parked on Monroe Street belong to Hilltop residents. B.POLICE None. C.COMMISSIONERS None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Carlson, second by Doty to adjourn the meeting at 6:09 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary