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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 6, 2015 Minutes OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Carlson, Clerkin, Doty, Olson 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 Doty, second by Olson, to approve the minutes of January 5, 2015 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS TH A.REQUEST TO INSTALL TWO-WAY STOP OR YIELD SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 7 ND STREET AND 42 AVENUE Mr. Kris Barto submitted a request to the City Council regarding traffic control at the intersection of thnd 7 Street and 42 Avenue. The concern is the number of accidents. Another resident has also continued to express concern about the frequency of accidents. At the council meeting on March 9, 2015, the council directed the Traffic Commission to reconsider traffic control at this intersection. The Traffic Commission reviewed a request for yield or stop signs at this intersection on April 7, 2014. Although there were three accidents during January and February of 2014, commissioners felt the unusual winter driving conditions in 2014 were a contributing factor. The request was denied. thstthndth On 7 Street traffic yields at 41 Avenue and stops at 44 Avenue. On 42 Avenue traffic stops at 5 Street and Jefferson Street. The Police Department reviewed the reported accident records for the past five years. There were two accidents in 2010, one in 2013, four in 2014, and one in 2015. Captain Austin reported there was an accident on March 4, 2015 that he did not previously have a report on; so there were actually two accidents in 2015, one on March 2 and another on March 4. The accident on March 4 had front tire thnd damage; one vehicle was traveling southbound on 7 Street and the other westbound on 42 Avenue. No other information is available. This accident was similar to the one on March 2 where one vehicle thnd was traveling southbound on 7 Street and the other westbound on 42 Avenue. Young stated there was also an accident on August 20, 2014 that was reported to her by a resident and has no official police report. th Amber Burnette, a resident at 4208 7 Street, was present at the meeting. She has lived there five years and feels the accidents that have occurred are more than just fender benders because the vehicles drive with such speed. A school bus went up over the curb and the sidewalk and ended up in a yard. Traffic Commission Minutes – April 6, 2015 Page 2 Another vehicle almost knocked the fire hydrant over into someone’s yard; it also went over the curb and sidewalk and ended up in the yard almost knocking downtheir fence. The four yards at the corners of the intersection have all had vehicles in them due to speed, so it’s not just happening in one direction. Often there’s broken glass in the intersection from accidents that probably aren’t reported. She’s concerned about people crossing the street and kids on bikes due to the speed of the vehicles crossing the intersection. John Murzyn was also present at the meeting and lives two blocks down ndthnd from 42 on 7 Street. He agrees westbound cars drive fast on 42 Avenue. John stated when he worked for the City he had to check the hydrant near the corner house multiple times because of accidents. Doesn’t know why, but for some reason that’s where most of the accidents happen and the cars end up in that yard. He also feels something needs to be done due to the number of collisions last year, especially because he was almost hit at that intersection. States cars are mostly going east and th end up on the east side of 7Street. thndnd Doty stated there is a 4-way stop at 4 on 42 and a 2-way stop at 5th and 42so basically there is a two block high speed area going eastbound with plenty of visibility; however that still doesn’t explain th why people drive at such a high speed. Clerkin added that after 5 Street it’s a clear shot to Jefferson before there’s a stop sign, so he can see why drivers speed up going eastbound. However, he questions if a yield sign for eastbound traffic would slow them down. Schmitt stated she would prefer stop signs east to west. Carlson stated people realize what a yield sign is so you don’t need a stop sign. However, it seems like a lot of people don’t know the vehicle to the right has the right of way. Schmitt feels that even if drivers treated the stop sign like a yield sign, it would be better than what they are doing now. Doty stated that if we stopped east and west traffic, they would still have a thstthstnd straight shot going 44 all the way up to 41 on 7 Street. Olson stated 41 is almost replicate of 42 as far as east to west goes. Doty asked if there are statistics on accidents at controlled intersections. Stated Woodbury had seven accidents in one year at a controlled intersection with stop signs, so they put in a roundabout because you have to slow down to get around the roundabout. This eliminated rear-ending and running stop stth signs. Austin agreed that 41 and 7 used to have crashes but that has lessened since the yield signs were installed. There is still congestion but the signs have helped prevent accidents. He can gather some data regarding accidents at controlled intersections vs. uncontrolled intersections in this area so the Traffic Commission can compare the two. Young stated it is staff’s recommendation to use yield signs based on the fact that the accident history seems to be ongoing.The hill and the fence do block visibility a little going eastbound until you’re up close to the intersection—this may be why eastbound seems to be more of a problem.Carlson prefers a yield sign.Feels we may need to call for a public hearing but would like it left open for a yield or a stop sign. Carlson motioned to call for a public hearing at the next meeting. Motion seconded by Clerkin. Doty abstained, would like to wait to see the data. Olson abstained, feels the city is saturated in signs and is not sure this is the answer. Feels the signs we already have do not provide any safe havens and there is no physical space for roundabouts and they also are most likely expensive. Doty stated that in northeast Minneapolis they have small roundabouts to slow traffic down around schools and churches. Olson feels that even if a yield sign is placed at the intersection, there is no guarantee that traffic will slow down, he would rather see a stop sign. Carlson asked for ideas as the vote failed for a public hearing. Schmitt asked if staff could come up with crash accident records for controlled intersections by the next meeting. Captain Austin will get Traffic Commission Minutes – April 6, 2015 Page 3 ndththth the records for eight intersections-- 5th, 6th, 7th and Washington on 42 Avenue and 5, 6, 7 and st Washington on 41 Avenue. He will go back five years from 2010 to the present. Young advised that nd the yield signs on 42 and Washington have been approved but are not installed yet. Captain Austin will still include that intersection. Young suggested that we table the request until the next meeting, get the information, and then decide on a public hearing. Carlson does not want to do this, feels we shouldn’t wait. Olson suggested we use the additional information as supporting the recommended motion this evening, and have the additional information available that will be usable with this recommendation. If the information the police gives us will provide more evidence, then we need to do something about this. Asked if you can call for a public hearing at the next meeting and include that information as well. Young advised that you can. Olson motioned to call a public hearing to thnd install 2-way yield or stop signs at the intersection of 7 Street and 42 Avenue yielding or stopping nd traffic on 42 Avenue with the additional information the police will provide for evidence for the hearing. Second by Clerkin, three ayes, Doty abstained. Motion carried. Amber asked that we send her the information for the next meeting. OTHER OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS RD A.REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF TYLER STREET AND 43 AVENUE rd Mr. Matt Lilley requested stop signs at the intersection of Tyler Street and 43 Avenue. His concern is the lack of traffic control. The Police Department reviewed the reported accident records for the past five years; two accidents in 2011, one accident in 2012, and one accident in 2015. stthrd On Tyler Street, traffic stops at 40 Avenue and 44 Avenue. On 43 Avenue, traffic stops at Reservoir Boulevard and Arthur Street. Visibility at the intersection is good. Olson stated this is another example of where we want to respect the residents who want this to occur, but we also have a responsibility to monitor and check some of these. Motion by Olson to deny the rd request to install stop signs at the intersection of Tyler Street and 43 Avenue. Second by Clerkin. Schmitt advised this is her corner and she has been at three of these accidents. In 2011 roads were in good condition but weather caused them to glaze for approximately an hour and cars slid through the intersection due to ice. Once the roads were cleared everything was fine. The accident in 2012 involved a motorcycle and a minivan. The motorcyclist had a passenger and anticipated the van coming into the intersection and laid the bike down rather than trying to avoid the van. The van actually did stop but the motorcyclist didn’t think it was going to. The motorcyclist did have injuries. In 2015 an older brother was driving southbound with a car full of young kids. Schmitt did not see the accident but she heard it. A car from east to west decided to speed up to get through the intersection before the kids. Instead the car hit them and spun them around. There were injuries. She states the scariest thing is seeing school buses going through that intersection so fast, and hearing a lot of screeching brakes. They do find car parts at the intersection so there are other accidents that aren’t Traffic Commission Minutes – April 6, 2015 Page 4 reported. She also debates the clear view because anytime cars are parked on the street there is not a clear view. Carlson reminded Donna that any decision made by the Traffic Commission can be appealed. rd Motion by Olson to deny the request to install stop signs at the intersection of Tyler Street and 43 Avenue. Carlson requested another roll call for the vote. Vote as follows: Carlson no, Clerkin yea, Doty yea, Olson yea. Motion carried. ND B.REQUEST FOR STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF MONROE STREET AND 42 AVENUE nd Mr. Todd Carnis requested stop signs at the intersection of Monroe Street and 42 Avenue. His concern is the lack of traffic control. Mr. Carnis spoke with staff at the Police Department and the Engineering Department. The Police Department reviewed the reported accident records for the past five years; one accident in 2010 and two accidents in 2011. ndth Monroe Street is one-way southbound from 42 Avenue to 40 Avenue. On Monroe Street, traffic thstnd stops at 44 Avenue and 41 Avenue. On 42 Avenue, traffic stops at Quincy Street and Jefferson Street. Visibility at the intersection is good. nd Motion by Olson to deny the request to install stop signs at the intersection of Monroe Street and 42 Avenue based on the information we have available. Second by Doty. All ayes. Motion carried. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A.CITY ENGINEER th A request was made by the City to the school district to modify parking on 49 Avenue by the school. They would like short-term parking beginning at the striped “no parking” area and extending 20’ north of the entrance to the Fitness Center. Currently parking is allowed any time on non-school days. The proposed signage would state parking is available on school days between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Olson questioned if it is dangerous to have parking on both sides of the street when there is a parking th lot on the other side of street with clear pedestrian crosswalks. Austin stated 49 Avenue is a very busy street and momentum builds up both east and westbound. Olson feels this is a very dangerous area for street parking, especially when you have a large parking lot. Austin asked it there are a lot of requests for this. Young replied most requests are coming from the seniors. Austin asked if there have been traffic studies done for speed on this road, Young replied not recently. Per Young, we did require no parking near the intersections a year or two ago to improve visibility. It was noted that this current request is not for handicap parking, it is for convenience parking. This doesn’t make sense when there is a parking lot across the street with marked crosswalks. The request came through the Recreation Department to the City Manager who has been discussing it with the school district. This is a county road but the city does have the ability to monitor parking. Olson and Doty feel it would be Traffic Commission Minutes – April 6, 2015 Page 5 unsafe. The parking request is for eight cars. Olson feels you should not add this kind of danger zone by the school building when there is a parking lot and marked crosswalks for people to be safe, especially for eight cars. Schmitt asked if this was being presented to the Traffic Commission because it will go to the council next. Young thinks we will provide the council with our input and then they will decide whether to go ahead with the parking or not. Olson reiterated that this is a dangerous situation and that he would make a motion. He could understand if this was for handicap parking, but to allow parking for eight cars for healthy people is not warranted. Currently this area is signed for no parking from 8-4 on school days. Doty also feels this is a hazard because kids get dropped off and picked up in the no parking area and that presents a hazard. Young advised the school is reworking the entrance and exit for the high school and Hyland so this should improve parent drop off and pickup. Motion by Olson to deny the request, not a good idea. Second by Clerkin. All ayes. Motion carried. st A request was received for a handicap parking sign on 41 Avenue at 4056 Madison. The sign will be put in when the weather allows. B.POLICE None. C.COMMISSIONERS None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Doty, second by Olson to adjourn the meeting at 6:23 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary