Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Chair Dolan.

Members Present: Craig Anglin, Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe, Neal Heuer, Arthur Zimmerman

Consultants Present: Stephanie Jackson, Glen Van Wormer

Others Present:

Members Absent:

2. Approval of Agenda

Ms. Dolan requested the addition of the following items: Status of Meeting with Dakota County, Press Release Publications, Response to School of Environmental Studies, and Traffic "Pork Chops" Behind Wal-Mart. Mr. Anglin requested the addition of the Child Safety Seat Clinic. Mr. Heuer requested the addition of the Photocop Legislation.

Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Eriksen, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Approval of March 13, 2002 Minutes

Mr. Heuer moved, second by Mr. Eriksen, to approve the minutes of March 13, 2002. Motion passed unanimously.

4. Election of Officers

Mr. Asleson nominated Ms. Dolan as Chair and Mr. Eriksen as Vice-Chair. There were no other nominations. Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to appoint Ms. Dolan as Chair and Mr. Eriksen as Vice-Chair. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Audience Items

There were no audience items.

6. Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City

A) Police
Mr. Anglin distributed a list of monthly complaints. He noted an increase in reckless/ careless driving complaints.

B) Public Works
Mr. Heuer presented the report on traffic complaints received by the Public Works Department. One complaint regarded striping on Palomino Drive. The other complaint requested the installation of sidewalk on the north side of 145th Street between Cedar Avenue and Pennock Avenue. Mr. Heuer said the approval of the sidewalk would be a Council decision.

7. Crosswalk Study

Ms. Jackson distributed the final draft crosswalk study report. Mr. Van Wormer noted a possible change requested by the School District to remove a mid-block crossing on 140th Street between Pilot Knob Road and Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Crosswalk Study will be presented to City Council at their April 11 informal meeting.

8. Specific Location Concerns

A) Intersection of 147th and Foliage
Mr. Van Wormer explained that five accidents have occurred at the intersection. He found the existing signage to be adequate, but believes motorists assume that since there is a crosswalk painted across 147th, the opposing traffic will stop. He noted that a four-way stop is planned for the intersection of 147th and Flagstaff and so would be inappropriate to also place these at 147th and Foliage. He recommended the elimination of the painted crosswalks on 147th Street at Foliage.

B) Galaxie Avenue
Mr. Van Wormer provided an extended aerial view of the length of Galaxie Avenue. He discussed the new Hawthorne and Legacy developments. The Committee members expressed concern about traffic safety due to the future intersections and traffic volumes from the developments with Galaxie Avenue. Several members expressed support for widening Galaxie to five lanes.

9. 2002 Goals

Ms. Dolan asked for comments and ideas for the 2002 Goals. Committee members suggested the following:

Develop a traffic safety program especially for Neighborhood Watch groups. The focus would be on pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Create a one-stop shop or otherwise aggregate traffic safety information on a web site.

Review areas for future issues.

Look at future overlay projects for potential traffic issues.

Review new development projects.

Work with neighborhoods on traffic issues.

Partner with other safety-related projects such as the child safety seats.

10. Status of Meeting with Dakota County

Mr. Heuer said the County would like to meet with the TSAC after the completion of the current intersection studies.

11. Press Release Publications

Mr. Anglin said both the Apple Valley This Week and the Sun Current printed stories based on the press release.

12. Response to School of Environmental Studies

Mr. Heuer distributed a written response by the Police Chief to the students at the School of Environmental Studies.

13. Traffic "Pork Chops" on 147th Street at Haven and Guthrie Avenues

Mr. Heuer said he has attempted to contact the resident complaining about the "pork chops" and requesting their removal. As the neighborhood requested the installation of the "pork chops", Mr. Heuer said he would request that the resident provide a petition of the neighbors for their removal. Mr. Van Wormer pointed out these have deterred cut through traffic, but violations do occur.

14. Child Safety Seat Clinic

Mr. Anglin said a Child Safety Seat clinic will be held at the Northwest Airlines Federal Credit Union on June 8th. He requested volunteers to help register participants or to train people to correctly install child safety seats. Ms. Dolan said she would work with Mr. Heuer on acquiring TSAC tee shirts for committee members to wear at special functions.

15. Photocop Legislation

Mr. Heuer said he spoke with Senator Knutson about the Photocop bill. The bill is "dead" for this session. There are a number of privacy and enforcement concerns with the proposal, but it is expected to return next year. Mr. Van Wormer reported on a "Red Light Running" Study he is doing in Sioux Falls.

16. Other Business

a) Mr. Asleson expressed concern over the short right-hand turn lane from Foliage onto County Road 42.

b) Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to cancel the July meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

c) Mr. Eriksen expressed concern about the pathway near 137th and 140th. The prospect of athletic participants crossing 140th was concerning. Mr. Heuer said he is working with the School to construct a parking lot on the school site and to change the existing trail location.

d) Mr. Heuer said the 2001 Accomplishments will be presented on the next Council Informal Meeting.

e) Mr. Anglin said the Citizen's Academy traffic enforcement night would be April 25th. Ms. Dolan will make a presentation. Ms. Dolan said she would e-mail a copy of her Power Point presentation.

f) Mr. Heuer distributed a Public Works contact magnet.

17. Adjourn

Mr. Eriksen moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m.