HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-2023 Traffic Commission Packet
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
6:00 PM
AGENDA
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, by calling 1-312-626-6799 and
entering meeting ID 813 0834 5827 and passcode 636776, or by Zoom at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83839915947. For questions please call the Public Works Department at
763-706-3700.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
APPROVE MINUTES
1. Accept July 19, 2022 Minutes
TRAFFIC COMMISSION DISSOLUTION DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is
made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
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TRAFFIC COMMISSION
City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
6:00 PM
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Davis at 6:01 p.m.
Members present: Commissioners Ciesynski, Davis, Finkelson, Nekora, Schluender
Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer
Captain Markham, Police
Sue Chapman, Administrative Assistant
Council Liaison: Amáda Márquez Simula (absent)
APPROVE MINUTES
1. Motioned by Finkelson, seconded by Nekora, to approve the minutes of June 21, 2022 as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Designate No Parking on North Side of 41st Avenue from Monroe Street to Jefferson Street and South
Side of 41st Avenue from Jefferson Street to 30’ East
Residents Present:
Kt Jacobs, 4104 Monroe St Mary Murzyn (via Zoom)
Jeff Brein, 4057 Madison St Rileigh Cole (via Zoom)
Kt Jacobs has requested No Parking on the north side of 41st Ave from Monroe St to Jefferson St. The
concern is that the width of the street cannot accommodate two-way traffic with parking on both sides.
Ms. Murzyn lives in the area. She asked why these two blocks have been selected for no parking and if the
commission is aware that the main property entrances are all on 41st Ave. Davis advised that no parking is
already posted east of 41st Ave to Central Ave, this is an extension of that to allow emergency vehicles to get
through as the road narrows on these two blocks. He is not aware of any properties on 41st Ave, they are
on the cross streets. Ms. Murzyn stated that if you drive between Madison and Jefferson Streets you’ll see
that the main entrances are on 41st Ave. Her main entrance is on 41st Ave as well as the people across the
alley from her. This will be a huge inconvenience for her and other homeowners. She also has handicapped
parking.
Kt is aware that Ms. Murzyn has handicap parking on 41st Ave. She explained that the no parking designation
would be on the north side of 41st Ave, Ms. Murzyn’s handicap parking is on the south side of 41st Ave.
Residents on the south side of the street would not be affected but residents on the north side would need
to cross the street. Ms. Murzyn asked if this will we be extended further up on 41st Ave, it’s hard to make it
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Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 19, 2022
Traffic Commission Page 2
through the intersection at 7th St. Davis advised it’s not in this proposal and the commission is not planning
to go further at this point.
Ms. Cole asked where this request is coming from--is it coming from the emergency team, have there been
crash reports or are there records of folks that have been impacted. Davis advised the main reason this is
being considered is because the road does become narrower and it has a centerline that cars try to avoid
crossing, and there is parking on both sides of the street. Ms. Cole is worried about multi-family homes
with multiple vehicles and people coming and going as this already impacts people in the winter. She does
not want to burden any of our multi-families. Davis advised the no parking will not be in front of any homes.
Kt stated this is not eliminating parking, just moving parking space from one side to the other. She’s been
there since 1994 and the parking has never been full on both sides of the street. All the driveways are
accessible and there will still be parking on the north-south streets. One of the main reasons for bringing
this forward is the visibility issue for westbound traffic at the hill on Monroe St. The other night she saw the
fire engine coming up 41st Ave, a vehicle was parked on the north side of 41st Ave and there was eastbound
traffic. The fire truck had to stop and wait for the eastbound car to pass through the intersection before
continuing. Her neighbors have a concern about northbound traffic on Monroe St turning onto 41st Ave with
the hill and parked cars obstructing visibility. This was brought to the Traffic Commission due to vehicle and
pedestrian traffic safety and neighbors coming forward.
Mr. Jeff Brein provided a written notice that he agrees that two-sided parking on 41st Ave can impede
emergency services.
No other comments from the public. Public Hearing was closed.
Finkelson questioned the crosswalk diagram that was provided with the MN State Statute 169 Traffic
Regulations. Subd. 20 "Crosswalk" means (1) that portion of a roadway ordinarily included with the
prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections; (2) any portion of a roadway
distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. Young advised that
parking is prohibited 20’ from a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Finkelson confirmed that there is already
no parking in place per this statute and the parked car off 41st Ave is parked illegally. Young agreed, but she
feels this is a very unknown statute and drivers do not know to park 20’ from an intersection. Finkelson
asked if the police could be called to ticket illegally parked cars. Young advised that the 20’ does not come
into effect where there is no sidewalk, it comes into effect only when there is sidewalk at the intersection
Finkelson feels that instead of prohibiting parking where it’s already prohibited , we should mark all
crosswalks. Captain Markham asked if we could yellow curb the intersections. Young advised we’re trying
to get away from the yellow curb because these are covered with snow 4-5 months out of the year. She
feels this is such an obscure statute, drivers are not going to realize that if there is sidewalk present, they
must park 20’ from the intersection. So, she feels signage is required.
Finkelson feels we’re removing traffic calming by eliminating the parking, and having drivers cross the street
makes it more hazardous for pedestrians in that area. He is against the no parking. Davis is in support of
the no parking as it would help emergency vehicles get through and still maintain parking on the south side.
This is a priority road for public safety and the no parking is an extension of that.
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City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 19, 2022
Traffic Commission Page 3
Motion by Davis to designate No Parking on the North Side of 41st Avenue from Monroe Street to Jefferson
Street and on the South Side of 41st Avenue from Jefferson Street to 30’ East. No second. Motion dies for
lack of a second.
OLD BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Engineer
1. MN STATE STATUTE CHAPTER 169. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
There were no further questions or comments on this item.
2. REQUESTS CONCERNING TRAFFIC ISSUES
A property owner at the corner of 41st Ave and Arthur St requested that the 2-way stop sign be
changed to a 4-way stop sign at this corner. Currently there is a “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” sign
at the intersection. Red flashing lights were also installed on the stop signs to draw drivers’ attention
to them. The Police Department reviewed the accident records for the previous five years. There
were two accidents in 2019 and one in 2020. The MUTCD guidelines for a 4-way stop state that there
needs to be five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that could be corrected by a multi-
way stop. There was also a comment that the accidents involved primarily southbound and
westbound traffic. Staff looked at the intersection two times. One time there were no cars parked
on the east side of Arthur St and the visibility was good for oncoming traffic. The second time there
were cars parked on the east side of Arthur St and this did block visibility somewhat. So rather than
change to a 4-way stop which is not warranted, if the Traffic Commission would like to take further
action, they could designate no parking on the east side of Arthur St. Finkelson asked about
designating no parking 20’ from every intersection to keep visibility clear. Young advised that in this
case, the parked cars on the east side of Arthur St that obstructed visibility were actually further up
the block. Staff would probably need to do an engineering study.
3. PUBLIC MEETINGS
A. There are two public meetings coming up. One is the open house for the 37th Ave
Reconstruction Project from Central Ave to Stinson Blvd. The design is nearing completion.
The open house will primarily be addressing stormwater improvements—there are some rain
gardens and tree trenches. They would like to hear from residents regarding what they would
be willing to maintain in their boulevard areas.
The other meeting is an invitation from MnDOT to “share your vision” for University Ave
(TH 47) and Central Ave (TH 65). They are holding some in-person meetings and some virtual
meetings to hear from residents. Davis advised he shows the next meeting being an in-person
meeting on July 20 from 3-5 pm at the Columbia Heights High School.
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City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 19, 2022
Traffic Commission Page 4
B. CHANGE IN STAFF LIASON
Young advised she is retiring the end of July and this is her last meeting as staff liaison. Mr.
Sulmaan Khan has accepted the Assistant City Engineer position. Mr. Khan worked for
MnDOT prior to accepting the position with the City of Columbia Heights.
Police Chief
None
Commissioners
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Finkelson, seconded by Ciesynski to adjourn the meeting at 6:39 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
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Item 1.