Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Dolan.

Members Present: Craig Anglin, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe, Neal Heuer

Consultants Present: Stephanie Jackson, Glen Van Wormer

Others Present:

Members Absent: Arthur Zimmerman, Dick Asleson

2. Approval of Agenda

Ms. Dolan asked to add an item regarding a thank you to the ThisWeek Newspaper. Mr. Van Wormer asked to add an item regarding the monthly news articles.

MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Heuer, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Approval of August 14, 2002 Minutes

MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Anglin, to approve the minutes of August 14, 2002. Motion passed unanimously.

4. Audience Items

There were no audience items.

5. Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City

A) Police
Mr. Anglin asked what type of data the Committee would like to receive in his monthly reports. The Committee suggested reports on areas of specific concern, areas that have had past issues, and areas that experience a sudden increase in traffic safety issues. Mr. Anglin reported no major deviations in the most recent reports.

B) Public Works
Mr. Heuer distributed the monthly list of concerns. He reported that he asked the County to review the turn signals on Galaxie Avenue at the intersections with 140th Street and County Road 38. He reported that he has ordered a curve sign and advisory speed sign for the tight corner on Dundee Avenue east of Easter Avenue. He reported that a mid-block crossing was installed in error new Westview School but was removed. He indicated that crosswalks would be installed on both the north and south sides of the intersection of Walnut Lane and Gardenview Drive in its place. Mr. Van Wormer suggested reviewing the painting at that intersection to encourage the use of the correct crossing.

C) Other Concerns Communicated to the City

1) Student Parking on 145th Street and Guthrie Avenue
Mr. Heuer said he observed cars parked beyond the permitted area along 145th Street. He also noted that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) would not approve a change from the current 40-mile per hour speed limit. Mr. Heuer asked the Committee's direction for the traffic engineers to review the appropriate no parking areas and to provide recommendations on appropriate site lines.

MOTION: Mr. Heuer moved, second by Mr. Anglin, to recommend the installation of no parking signs on 145th Street from Guthrie Avenue to point necessary to establish the appropriate line of sight as determined by the City's traffic engineer. Motion passed unanimously.

2) Flagstaff Avenue and County Road 42
Mr. Heuer said that resident requests for left turn arrows on Flagstaff Avenue at the County Road 42 intersection have been forwarded to the County. Mr. Heuer said he understands that the turn arrows will be added in the near future.

3) Dublin Road
Mr. Heuer said that a resident requested traffic reduction on Dublin Road. The current counts of around 800 trips per day and current measured speeds of around 30 miles per hour are not indicative of a roadway with abnormal traffic conditions.

4) Galaxie Avenue Striping
As part of the Galaxie Avenue widening project, the area north of McAndrews Road was changed from a two-lane section to a three-lane section. Mr. Heuer said the striping was necessary to accommodate increased traffic volumes.

5) Fairgreen Avenue Parking Issues
The Committee reviewed a videotape provided by a resident on Fairgreen Avenue. While final recommendations are still being evaluated, Mr. Heuer said he probably would recommend the removal of the unauthorized stop sign currently utilized by the church. He said he is currently reviewing sight line issues on 126th Street, possible parking prohibitions for select times, and possible full-time parking prohibitions. Concerns were raised about the rationale used for parking prohibitions and the precedents they might set. He said he did not believe closing the street would be a viable option at this time.

6) Future Areas of Concern
Ms. Dolan requested that staff provide maps and photos of sites of concern for future meetings.

6. Traffic Safety Educational Efforts

a) Update on Apple Valley High School Fall Festival on September 29th

The City will have an informational booth at Apple Valley High School Fall Festival on September 29. Mr. Grawe said the City would be setting up a booth at the Fall Festival from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the purposes of promoting traffic safety. Mr. Grawe said he would set up the booth. Mr. Anglin said he would have a CSO or police officer at the event take down and pack up the booth. Mr. Eriksen said he would work the booth from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ms. Dolan said she would work the booth from 4:00 p.m. Mr. Grawe said he would e-mail the other Committee members about working on that date. Mr. Anglin said he would obtain the handouts to distribute at the event.

7. Other Business

a) Mr. Van Wormer asked for subjects for future monthly traffic safety articles. He noted that he would like to use similar articles for Golden Valley. The Committee expressed no concerns with this shared use of articles and information. Mr. Anglin suggested an explanation of the new three-lane striping. Ms. Dolan suggested a quiz format on parking laws such as minimum distances from crosswalks.

b) Ms. Dolan said she signed a letter to Mr. Brett Anderson at the newspaper thanking him for his assistance in publishing the monthly traffic safety articles.

c) Mr. Grawe recommended the Committee recommend the City Council send a letter to the Apple Valley High School in support of a new parking lot.

MOTION: Mr. Eriksen moved, second by Mr. Anglin, to recommend that the City Council send a letter to Apple Valley High School supporting the inclusion of a new parking lot area in the School's Capital Improvements Program. Motion passed unanimously.

8. Adjourn

MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr. Anglin, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.