COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Lloyd Lawrence, Neil Evers, John Bergman, Mark Nelson, Gary Shade, Mary Hamann-Roland Dave McKeag, Ruth Grendahl, Denise Louis, Jeff Loch, Mark Heieren, Richard Berg

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Arthur Zimmerman, Peg Smith, Nathan Koering

OTHERS PRESENT: Integrated Process Management Facilitator, Marlene Libby, Dakota County Physical Development Director Susan Hoyt, SEH Traffic Engineering Consultant Glen Van Wormer, City Administrator Tom Lawell, Community Development Director Rick Kelley, Public Works Director Neal Heuer, Police Department Captain Merle Lohse, Administrative Assistant to the City Administrator Andy Pederson, Ron Olsen, Brian Mulvihill

Meeting Facilitator Libby called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Ms. Libby distributed information to the Committee including (a) information regarding Statistics from the Center for Disease Control from Committee Member Louis (Attachment 1).

Andy Pederson stated that were no requested changes to the August 21, 2000, Meeting minutes. Mr. Pederson indicated that the Meeting minutes would be posted to the City of Apple Valley's web site.

MOTION: of the Committee to approve the August 21, 2000 Meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

Committee Member Bergman thanked Committee Member Shade for his comments regarding the Garden View Drive Committee at the August 24, 2000, City Council meeting. Committee Member Shade presented a copy of his statement as prepared and presented to the City Council (Attachment 2). Committee Member Bergman also stated that he has previously participated in the Police Department's Citizen's Academy, which he felt was very beneficial in learning more about the operations of the Police Department. Captain Merle Lohse indicated the Citizen's Academy was being held the second week in October this fall. Committee Member Bergman also requested that a uniformed police officer be available at the open house to answer any potential questions regarding pedestrian safety or traffic concerns from the general public.

Glen Van Wormer discussed the details of potential concept solutions for the entire Garden View Drive corridor as well as various potentially impacted side streets.

Mr. Van Wormer presented potential concept solutions along the northern portion of Garden View Drive. Mr. Van Wormer stated that the neighborhood concept could be introduced through the narrowing and channelization of the street near County Road 38. Mr. Van Wormer stated that a potential solution would be to provide a raised median on Garden View Drive at County Road 38 south past 134^th Street. Mr. Van Wormer stated that the introduction of the neighborhood to drivers as well as narrowing the street would provide traffic calming and demonstrate a difference in the streets. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $70,000.

Mr. Van Wormer presented the concept of chokers near 135^th Street on Garden View Drive with an approximate cost of $61,000. Public Works Director Neal Heuer and Mr. Van Wormer both indicated the costs presented for the projects do not include any utility relocation, which could increase costs. Landscaping costs are also not included.

Mr. Van Wormer presented potential concept solutions near the intersection of Garden View Drive and 140^th Street. Mr. Van Wormer stated that the placement of medians where painting currently exists would help control speed and affect the operations of the street. Mr. Van Wormer stated that a 14 feet width would exist between the curb and median for vehicular traffic. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $118,000. City Administrator Tom Lawell stated that the City Council at its last meeting hired Mr. Van Wormer to study the 140^th Street corridor from Garden View Drive to Pennock Avenue. Mr. Van Wormer discussed the potential affects of the Garden View Drive and 140^th Street intersection becoming signalized.

Mr. Van Wormer continued his discussion and the use of a mixture of channelizing islands and narrowing to produce traffic calming through the area on Garden View Drive near 143^rd Street. Mr. Van Wormer stated that solutions are limited because of existing driveways. Mr. Van Wormer's potential concept solution included narrowing the street to 24 feet. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $72,000 for the northern narrowing project and $46,000 for the southern narrowing project. The Committee recommended that due to driveway constraints and other factors as recommended by Mr. Van Wormer, the southern traffic calming measures be eliminated.

Mr. Van Wormer presented a potential concept solution on Garden View Drive near 143^rd Street, which included raised islands. This potential concept solution would reduce the width of the road in each direction to 14 feet. Public Works Director Neal Heuer expressed concern over the ability of snowplow operations to clear roads in an effective manner and the potential for mailbox and curb damage with such narrow street widths. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $90,000

The Committee requested that an explanation be placed on the map for the open house providing the reasoning why measures are not indicated on Garden View Drive near Westview Elementary. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that based on the number of driveways, further work would be difficult to complete.

Mr. Van Wormer presented potential concept solutions in the County Road 42 and Garden View Drive intersection area. Mr. Van Wormer stated that this intersection could be "cleaned up" in several ways. First, Mr. Van Wormer stated that the potential exists to prohibit right turns on a red light onto County Road 42 from Garden View Drive, as well as stop traffic at the traffic signals before the frontage roads on the north and south side of County Road 42. Mr. Van Wormer stated that the potential exists to implement left-turn lanes and signals at the intersection of County Road 42 and Garden View Drive. Mr. Van Wormer stated that one of the primary objectives is to reduce pedestrian conflicts at this intersection and promote pedestrian travel in a north-south fashion along Garden View Drive. Mr. Van Wormer also discussed that to achieve such ends, the potential to reconstruct the driveway entrances to the commercial entities at the intersection. Raised channelization islands on both sides of County Road 42 would be installed. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $50,000 plus an estimated $15,000 for additional traffic signal work.

Mr. Van Wormer also presented a potential concept solution south of Baldwin Drive on Garden View Drive narrowing the street from 40 feet to 24 feet and at the narrowest point, where a crosswalk would be placed. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the narrowing would only be one to two feet off the existing curb south of the first driveway on Garden View Drive.

Committee Member Nelson presented information regarding the Committee directed survey he took regarding parking on Garden View Drive on the east side of the street near his home. Committee Member Nelson stated 11 residents were surveyed, with five desiring resident only parking, zero desiring time-limit parking, three desiring time slotted parking, two desiring no parking, and one was unable to be reached. The Committee discussed the enforcement and administrative problems associated with resident only parking. The Committee also discussed the merits of no parking on the east side of the street from September through June.

MOTION: of the Committee to adopt no parking September through June on the east side of Garden View Drive from Whitney Drive to Baldwin Drive. Motion passed unanimously that the Committee include this as a measure in their final recommendation.

Mr. Van Wormer presented a potential concept solution for the corner of Garden View Drive and Whitney Drive, which included the narrowing the approach of each street to one lane of traffic in each direction with a cost of $50,000. The narrowing of the streets from the existing width to one lane would minimize traffic impacts from turning movements and heighten pedestrian safety at the intersection.

Mr. Van Wormer presented a potential concept solution for the area on Garden View Drive south of Whitney Drive near 157^th Street, which included narrowing the street and restricting the ability to pass turning vehicles. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $38,000. Mr. Van Wormer also indicated that a proposal similar to that of one presented earlier on Garden View Drive near County Road 38 would have merit in this location and should also be examined and both alternatives be presented at the open house. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $60,000. Mr. Van Wormer also recommended that the crosswalk on Garden View Drive at 157^th Street be moved to the south side of the intersection to further reduce pedestrian and vehicular conflicts.

Mr. Van Wormer presented potential concept solutions for the southern most portion of Garden View Drive including the Garden View Drive and County Road 46 intersection. Mr. Van Wormer presented a channelizing island, as deemed acceptable by Dakota County, as a potential concept solution for the County Road 46 and Garden View Drive intersection. . Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $200,000. In addition, Mr. Van Wormer presented a channelizing island at the intersection of Garden View Drive and Hyland Pointe Court to eliminate northbound traffic onto Garden View Drive from the Hyland Pointe area. This concept solution included a raised median extending from the channelized island at the intersection of County Road 46 and Garden View Drive to the beginning curve on Garden View Drive. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that the approximate cost of such a project would be $40,000 if included with the County Road 46 channelizing island. Mr. Van Wormer stated that options in the area around the curve on the southern portion of Garden View Drive are limited due to the nature of the curve in the street.

The Committee discussed the fact that no stop signs were included in the current proposal. Mr. Van Wormer stated that stop signs will result in three problems: slowing down, rolling stops, and non-compliance, when the stop signs are not warranted or deemed unnecessary by vehicular traffic. Mr. Van Wormer stated that when stop signs are placed at streets with less volume, compliance rates decrease.

Committee Member Louis requested 30-mph pavement markings be painted on Garden View Drive. After analyzing the facts associated with pavement markings and their lack of long term effectiveness, the Committee determined that pavement markings should not be placed on Garden View Drive.

The Committee also discussed and dismissed the placement of rumble strips on the street due to the potential noise impacts from such traffic calming measures.

Ms. Libby introduced Brian Mulvihill, resident of Harwell Avenue. Mr. Mulvihill emphasized the importance of examining all potentially affected streets and stating "that we are all in this together." Mr. Mulvihill expressed concern over the potential affects to Harwell Avenue and Harmony Way if Garden View Drive at County Road 46 is restricted in some manner. Mr. Mulvihill stated that if a restriction were placed on Garden View Drive, something would also have to be done on Harwell Avenue and Harmony Way. Mr. Mulvihill stated that his first preference would be the institution of traffic calming measures, and his second preference being a physical restriction at Harmony Way and County Road 46. Mr. Mulvihill stated that out of a survey conducted, 29 out of 45 households wanted speed humps, 11 did not want speed humps, and 5 were unable to be reached. Mr. Mulvihill stated that he felt Garden View Drive was better equipped than either Harwell Avenue or Harmony Way for higher volumes of traffic.

The Committee discussed the impacts of closing off the southern borders of Apple Valley at Garden View Drive, Harwell Avenue, and Harmony Way, and the potential impacts. The Committee discussed traffic having to find alternate ways to get to their homes and the potential increase of traffic on Garden View Drive south of County Road 42 near both Valley Middle and Southview Elementary Schools.

Mr. Van Wormer stated that the estimated costs do not include the acquisition of right-of-way, landscape improvements, or utility improvements. The estimated costs presented by Mr. Van Wormer are for road construction projects only.

Meeting break at 9:00 p.m. Meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m.

Mr. Pederson presented comments submitted to the Committee via e-mail from Committee Member Koering (Attachment 3).

The Committee viewed a video segment entitled "Pedestrian Safety for Children and Seniors" which is currently airing 18 times per week on the Apple Valley Police Beat show on government access channel 16. The Committee discussed the potential to air this segment in a looped format at the open house.

MOTION: of the Committee to air "Pedestrian Safety for Children and Families" segment during the open house. Motion passed unanimously.

Andy Pederson distributed a draft potential open house notification flyer. The Committee discussed the proposed September 18, 2000, date. Committee Member Hamann-Roland stated that the Apple Valley High School has an open house for its students and parent that same night and time. The Committee discussed various time and dates.

MOTION: of the Committee to set the open house date, time, and location as Thursday, September 21, 2000, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Valley Middle School Cafeteria. Committee Member McKeag stated that he would check the availability of the building for that date and time. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Van Wormer discussed the open house format and the potential individual displays that would be displayed. Mr. Van Wormer stated that in addition to the visual displays of the potential solutions, a display would illustrate the process the Committee has gone through to reach its recommendations. The Committee suggested that Mr. Van Wormer develop a list of "Did You Know" questions for the open house. For example, the Committee suggested that information regarding who establishes speed limits in the state of Minnesota be placed on a "Did You Know" question board display..

The Committee discussed areas of clarification for presentation at the open house.

Mr. Van Wormer stated that presentation display boards would also be used to indicate the other considerations taken into account by the Committee, including:

• Establishing three school speed limit zones;
• Updating of the traffic signage on Garden View Drive;
• Potential of changing pavement texture and color for sidewalks and streets;
• Changing circulation patterns at Valley Middle School;
• Moving crosswalks to meet the needs and make the system more pedestrian friendly;
• Developing a neighborhood theme and building a greater sense of community;
• Pavement markings and lines;
• Developing neighborhood awareness;
• Developing educational materials; and
• Improving alternate routes.

Mr. Van Wormer stated that he would have the presentation boards available to the Committee at its September 11^th meeting, although he would be unable to attend.

The Committee discussed potential traffic calming measures on Whitney Drive at both Cooper Lane and Pennock Avenue. Mr. Van Wormer stated that traffic calming measures could be implemented at Whitney Drive and Cooper Lane and were desirable at Whitney Drive and Harmony Way. Mr. Van Wormer stated that due to volume, speed humps should not be utilized on Whitney Drive. The Committee discussed the addition of white lines on each side of the road thus creating a smaller lane for vehicular traffic.

The Committee discussed the potential impacts of speed humps. Mr. Van Wormer stated that speed humps should not be placed on hills or curves due to safety considerations. Mr. Van Wormer also stated that the placement of speed humps on streets with volumes in excess of 2,000 vehicles per day is not a good idea.

Mr. Van Wormer presented information on the traffic impacts on Garden View Drive when the alignment occurs without any measures being implemented as well as future projections based on the Committee proposal. Mr. Van Wormer's presentation also includes traffic volumes if a channelizing island (C.I.) was placed at the intersection Harwell Avenue and County Road 46 (Attachment 4).

Mr. Van Wormer stated that the traffic would continue to be diverted as more restrictions on the southern border of Apple Valley are implemented. Mr. Van Wormer stated that one will see diminishing returns and greater costs as more restrictions are placed along this southern border.

The Committee discussed the potential of closing the center median along County Road 46. Mr. Van Wormer indicated the problems this would create for Apple Valley and Lakeville residents attempting to leave their neighborhoods. Periodic connections to County Road 46 and to Cedar Avenue are required to meet circulation needs of residents.

The Committee determined its meeting schedule to be September 11 and 25, 2000, at 7 p.m., and scheduled an open house for September 21 from 5 p.m. -8 p.m. at Valley Middle School. (A September 18 meeting may also be needed.)

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.