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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 1, 2015 Minutes OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Ed Carlson, Kevin Doty, Leonard Olson, Charles 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, second by Tyler, to approve the minutes of May 4, 2015, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None. OTHER OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS RD A.REQUEST TO CHANGE YIELD SIGNS ON QUINCY STREET AT 43 AVENUE TO TWO- WAY OR FOUR-WAY STOP SIGNS. Ms. Susan Lowe submitted a request to City Council members regarding traffic control at the rd intersection of Quincy Street and 43 Avenue. Residents are requesting the YIELD signs be replaced with TWO-WAY or FOUR-WAY STOP signs. The concern is the number of accidents. ndth Currently traffic yields on Quincy Street. Traffic on Quincy Street stops at 42 Avenue and 44 rd Avenue. Traffic on 43 Avenue stops at Monroe Street and Central Avenue. The Police Department reviewed the reported accident records at this intersection as well as the surrounding intersections from January 1, 2010 to May 15, 2015. There have been nine accidents at this intersection over the five year period. Seven of the nine accidents have been during winter months. Staff recommends two-way stop signs be installed. The intersection does not meet the guidelines in the MMUTCD for four-way stop signs. Additional accident information is needed to determine which direction to stop. Matthew Strong has lived at 4246 Jackson Street for 1-1/2 years and in that timeframe he has seen multiple car accidents occur at that intersection, two of which ended up in a yard. Accidents continually occur where vehicles are going down the hill and do not yield properly, they end up T-boning the other vehicle and knocking it into a yard, especially in the winter. He rides his bike Traffic Commission Minutes – June 1, 2015 Page 2 in the winter months through that intersection, his children walk through the intersection, and he drives through it every day. What worries him is that visibility coming down the hill is so minimal for vehicles’ coming up Central Avenue towards University that yielding is not realistic. If you don’t stop in the winter, because you’re going downhill, there is no way to adjust for oncoming traffic. He works at night and is afraid he will get hit by a car or intoxicated driver that can’t see him because there is no indication to stop, only the need to yield. Feels it is hazardous for the kids that live there or anyone who walks or drives through that intersection. Carlson asked if people will not stop for a yield sign, does he think they will stop for a stop sign. Matthew stated the issue is that vehicles are not fully stopping; they slow down but are not accurately judging the fact that they are on a hill, especially in the wintertime. Feels a stop sign would indicate to drivers that they need to make a complete stop before continuing. Knows most people don’t properly abide by yield signs but feels they would more correctly adjust for a stop sign than a yield sign. A stop sign directly indicates that they need to stop because you cannot see cars coming from Central Avenue. People also drive rapidly from the opposite direction because it’s a 3-4 block distance from Central Avenue to that intersection. Also, there are no intersecting lanes on the right side because of the mall, so vehicles do not slow down until Jefferson or Monroe Street. Drivers from the other direction are not properly assessing the situation when coming down the hill because they cannot see cars coming from Central Avenue, so they are unaware that when they hit the intersection they do not have time to slow down to avoid cross traffic. That is his biggest issue, when you have a yield sign you should be able to see cross traffic and adjust your speed for that. Feels a stop sign would let people know they are approaching a dangerous intersection and need to stop. A yield sign does not allow for assessing the situation, once you get to the intersection there is no way to stop in time. Feels a stop sign would definitely stop traffic and make it safe. Matt Sherin concurs with everything Matthew said. Also, the west side of Quincy Avenue does not have a sidewalk on either side so people with small children or the visually impaired couple across the street encounter additional complications where the sidewalk ends due to the traffic and problems with yielding. When cars have ended up in the yard due to accidents, they are all the way up on the lawn and on their side or upside down. People trying to cross at the new crosswalk on Jackson Street have problems due to the yield sign and drivers going to work coming from or going to Central Avenue. He feels there should be a 3-way stop sign at the crosswalk and a 4-way stop at Quincy Street, or one or the other to slow the cars down that floor it to Jefferson and from Jefferson to Central Avenue. He stated he can hear cars racing up and down Quincy and Jefferson Street and people drive pickup trucks in excessive speed on a regular basis. States these issues happen over and over and over. Tom Locker has owned the house at 4300Quincy for the last seven years and has lost track of how many cars have ended up in his yard. The last car almost hit his deck and he is thankful his children were not outside. People fly through this intersection. A lot of times the person with the right of way slams on the brakes because the car coming down the hill doesn’t stop. He is worried about his children’s safety. Feels a stop sign is a minimal cost and will save a life. Olson rd asked where the stop sign should be placed, on 43 or Quincy. Mr. Locker would like a 4-way stop. His kids are not allowed to play in the front yard because of all the accidents. He has had to put the yield sign back up three times. Feels people will not blow through a stop sign or they will at least slow down. A yield sign to young drivers means speed up and get through the intersection before the other person. Traffic Commission Minutes – June 1, 2015 Page 3 Susan Lowe lives at 4256 Jackson and has been in the neighborhood for 57 years. She started this to protect her neighborhood and community. She was out in her yard yesterday and there was another near accident. It doesn’t cost much for stop signs. She is worried about the kids and pets, is afraid someone will get killed at that intersection. Laura Gutierrez of 4257 Quincy has lived there three years. She also has seen a lot of accidents and three cars have ended up in her yard close to her window and door. She is afraid someone is going to die and she has children. Cars fly through the intersection in the summertime and the neighbors have to be very careful. She does not want to waste anyone’s time but feels a stop sign is necessary. Margarita Angel also lives at 4257 Quincy and reiterated Ms. Gutierrez’ statement. Stated the children need to be safe as well as the adults and feels stop signs will prevent accidents. They have an accident almost every day. Olson stated it is obvious there is an issue here and questioned the state guidelines for a 4-way stop. Kathy stated this intersection does not meet the criteria for a 4-way stop because there have not been five accidents in a 12 month period and it does not qualify for high pedestrian traffic. Olson explained to the residents that the state dictates what we can and can’t do regarding stop signs. Per state guidelines this intersection does not qualify for a 4-way stop, but he feels there is enough interest from the neighborhood that something can be done. The Traffic Commission is in support of stop signs. Motion by Olson to call a Public Hearing to install 2-way stop signs at the intersection of Quincy rdrd Street and 43 Avenue stopping traffic on Quincy Street or 43 Avenue. And during this Public Hearing residents, if they come back, will have the opportunity to push for a 4-way stop. However, as pointed out, the intersection doesn’t meet the guidelines of the state to install a 4- way stop. Motion seconded by Tyler. Motion carried unanimously. Carlson advised this motion is calling for a Public Hearing at the next meeting on July 6 and that the residents will receive a notice of the hearing beforehand from the City. Tyler explained that the Public Hearing gives all the neighbors an opportunity to voice their opinion. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A.CITY ENGINEER th There was a request for a handicap sign at 5020 6 Street. B.POLICE There was a request at the December Traffic Commission meeting to perform speed surveys on the th 4200 and 4300 blocks of 7 Street. There were no significant speeds. Have had off and on parking complaints for the 4600 block of Monroe on the west side from 46-1/2 Traffic Commission Minutes – June 1, 2015 Page 4 th to 47 Avenue. People living in the Hilltop trailer court or the townhomes will park on the Columbia Heights side of the street. Have recently been getting more parking complaints, mainly from one or two neighbors. The department has stepped up enforcement and has issued 10 tags since April. Vehicles are parked on that side quite often and we have had parking complaints off and on the last five years. Mike O’Reilly of Public Works told Captain Austin that parking has gotten worse during thth the winter and has become more of a problem the last two years. Monroe Street from 46 to 47 Avenue on the west side is the main issue. The six hour parking ordinance is based on complaint. Have considered no parking signs but that may penalize the residents that live there. Has reached out to the townhome association but they have been less than helpful. Will keep on it for the next month or so--does not want to post more no parking signs. There is parking on the Hilltop side and in the townhome but they choose not to park there. Doty asked if tickets have a name and address so can tell if repeat violators. Austin does not have the breakdown. The only time they would tow is if the vehicle is parked over 24 hours or in winter. Olson asked if residents who are the complainants have off street parking and Austin replied they do. Olson feels there should be no parking along that entire curb. Austin stated he can reach out to the complainants and see if they are willing to come to a Traffic Commission meeting to talk and make a recommendation. Doty questioned issuing permits for street parking. Austin stated there are criteria that need to be met to obtain a permit. If residents have guests and they need to use the street then it may be a problem. Captain Austin will reach out to the complainants and see if they are interested in coming to a Traffic Commission meeting. Doty questioned if we can put the speed trailer on the street where Mr. Cherin stated the cars are driving in excessive speed. Austin stated he can do that--will check it going downhill. There was rd also discussion as to where to put the stop sign at the intersection of Quincy Street and 43 Avenue. rd Olson brought up the timing of the lights on 53 and Central Avenues, stated the green light is never long enough to get all the traffic through. Traffic at the intersection is becoming congested and dangerous. Kathy will put it on her calendar to do some turning traffic counts at that intersection after the new restaurants have opened. C.COMMISSIONERS None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Olson, second by Tyler to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary