Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Vice-Chair Eriksen.

Members Present: Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan (arrived 7:35), Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe, Neal Heuer, Arthur Zimmerman

Consultants Present: Stephanie Jackson, Glen Van Wormer

Others Present: John Bergman

Members Absent: Craig Anglin

2. Audience Items

Mr. John Bergman expressed his concerns about parking along 145th Street between Hayes Road and Pennock Avenue and illegal left turns from Guthrie Avenue onto 147th Street.

Mr. Bergman said that during the school year, Apple Valley High School students park on both sides of 145th Street. Mr. Bergman expressed concern that the students park too close to the intersections, often into the pedestrian crosswalks, reducing the lines of sight for drivers at the intersections. He also expressed concern that parked vehicles encroach into the driving lanes. He asked that the Principal of Apple Valley High School address this issue with the students.

Mr. Bergman said that many vehicles make illegal left-hand turns around the channelizing islands from Guthrie onto 147th. Of particular concern to him are two bus companies who transport children and the elderly. He said he noted specific DARTS and Twin Cities Transportation buses executing the illegal turns. Mr. Bergman acknowledged that neighborhood traffic also executes illegal turns onto 147th. He said he counted 30 vehicles making illegal turns during the evening prior to this meeting. Mr. Bergman requested additional enforcement efforts on a periodic basis.

Mr. Van Wormer responded to the 145th Street concerns, explaining that it is illegal to park within 20 feet of a crosswalk. Mr. Van Wormer suggested that he could study the intersections to determine the necessary sight lines and the City post any necessary areas with "No parking here to corner" signs. Mr. Van Wormer also suggested writing a letter to the specific bus companies informing them of their drivers' violations. Mr. Heuer said staff has been working with the school to install an additional parking lot to serve the north ball fields. The school has indicated that this project has been added to the capital improvements program. This lot would not only help solve the problem of athletic participants crossing 140th Street, but it would also provide about 100 additional parking spots on the high school campus. This would help reduce the number of vehicles currently parking on 145th Street and in the adjoining neighborhoods. Mr. Heuer expressed concern that creating "no parking" zones all along 145th Street would force the students to park deeper into the neighborhoods.

Mr. Van Wormer responded to the 147th Street concerns, explaining that when the channelizing islands were originally installed, the City did not purchase additional right of way and the islands were installed smaller than their desired design. He said the City could purchase the necessary right of way and enlarge the islands to their desired design as part of the overlay project next year. Mr. Van Wormer also suggested that this problem could be enforced by the SET team.

Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to request that the Apple Valley Police Department send a letter to DARTS and Twin Cities Transportation advising them of the complaints received about their vehicles making the illegal left-hand turns onto 147th Street and advising them that additional enforcement by the Police Department would be forthcoming. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to send a letter to the Principal of Apple Valley High School expressing the Committee's support for the addition of the new parking lot in the school's capital improvements program. Motion passed unanimously.

Staff indicated that drafts of both letters would be prepared and sent to the Committee members for approval prior to being sent out.

3. Approval of Agenda

Ms. Dolan asked to add an item regarding a social event under the Other Business topic. Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Asleson, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously.

4. Approval of May 8March 13, 2002 Minutes

Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman, to approve the minutes of May 8, 2002. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City

A) Police
As Mr. Anglin was absent, there were no Police concerns relayed.

B) Public Works
Mr. Heuer presented the report on traffic complaints received by the Public Works Department.

6. Traffic Safety Educational Efforts

A) Police Pilot Program with Neighborhood Watch Block Captains
As Mr. Anglin was absent, there was no discussion about this item.

B) Review Article in Thisweek Paper
The group consensus was that the article met expectations. Mr. Van Wormer said the next article will be concerning work zone speed limits.

Ms. Dolan moved, second by Mr. Asleson, that the Committee send a letter of thanks to the Thisweek paper for their participation and support for the traffic safety educational program. Motion passed unanimously.

C) Discuss Monthly Article Title
The group consensus was that the title View From the Road was acceptable.

D) Other
Ms. Dolan said she would like to contact the drivers education instructors and invite them to discuss what role they can play in traffic safety education.

7. Specific Location Concerns

A) 153rd Street from Cedar Ave to Garrett
Mr. Van Wormer said he fine-tuned the recommendations for 153rd Street between Cedar Avenue and Galaxie Avenue. Several of the issues included traffic flows into and out of the Cub Food parking lot, the Target Greatland parking lot, and the Post Office parking lot. Mr. Van Wormer indicated that, if approved, the improvements would likely be installed with the Central Village improvements or with the 2005 overlay. He said the process would now include proposing the recommendations to City staff, calculating a cost estimate for the improvements, presenting the proposal to the City Council, and approaching the affected property owners.

B) Hayes Road from 140th St to County Road 42
Mr. Van Wormer said he plans to examine several driveway issues and present his findings at the August meeting.

C) Flagstaff Avenue from County Road 42 to 160th Street
Mr. Van Wormer said he plans to examine several access issues and present his findings at the August meeting.

D) 157t Street from Cedar Avenue to Galaxie Avenue
Mr. Van Wormer said that traffic calming could be added to the resurfacing project as discussed by the Committee. He said he would develop some ideas for the August meeting.

E) Galaxie Avenue
Mr. Van Wormer said that the issues relating to the accesses south of County Road 42 would be addressed in the Central Village Plan improvements. He said the issues relating to accesses north of County Road 42 will be addressed in the 2005 overlay.

F) Johnny Cake Ridge Road Restriping
Mr. Heuer said Eagan has withdrawn its proposal to restripe Johnny Cake Ridge Road from four lanes to three lanes. As Eagan has withdrawn its proposal, Apple Valley will revisit its proposed restriping of Johnny Cake Ridge Road from County Road 38 north to the Eagan border next year.

G) County Road 42 Turn Lanes at Fischer Market Place
Mr. Van Wormer said the right turn lanes onto County Road 42 from Foliage Avenue are the Dakota County standard design.

8. Other Business

a) Ms. Dolan proposed a social gathering for the night of August 21st at 7:00 p.m. Committee members and their families are invited. Members are invited to bring food to share. She requested that those planning to attend RSVP to her via e-mail.

9. Adjourn

Mr. Eriksen moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.