Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Arthur Zimmerman at 7:10 p.m.

Members Present: Chair Arthur Zimmerman, Linda Dolan, Harald Eriksen, Neal Heuer, Police Sergeant Mike Marben

Members Absent: Dick Asleson, Charles Grawe

Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide

Others Present: None

2. Approval of Agenda

Motion by Ms. Dolan to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Eriksen, approved unanimously.

3. Approval of February 8, 2006 Minutes

Motion by Mr. Zimmerman to amend the meeting minutes of February 8, 2006 as follows:

Item 8, fourth paragraph, second sentence, replace "…he wasn't sure of their effectiveness…" with "…they appear to be slightly less effective…".

Motion by Mr. Heuer to approve the minutes as revised, seconded by Mr. Eriksen, approved unanimously.

4. Audience Items

There was no audience participation.

5. Safety Concerns on 153rd Street/Foliage Avenue

Mr. Heuer outlined concerns expressed by a citizen in a letter concerning the intersection of 153rd Street/Foliage Avenue. The letter contended the intersection is not safe due to recent crashes.

Mr. Heuer indicated Mn/DOT has set the speed limit on the road at 45 mph, and it would be appropriate to reevaluate once development is complete in that area. He further indicated the Police Department has had four contacts at that intersection. One was in relationship to the presence of a survey crew, and three were vehicle crashes. One crash involved alcohol, one was minor crash, and the recent crash with an overturned vehicle, which prompted the contact, was a result of a driver's visor coming down and blocking their vision of the stop sign, thereby going through the stop sign and incurring the crash. While the intersection has not been counted recently, 153rd Street is a minor street at this location, and counts will not meet warrants for the installation of an all-way stop.

Sergeant Marben indicated he was aware of a crash at the intersection within the last 10 days and complaints to the Police Department here are in relationship to speed.

Motion as made by Mr. Heuer to check for "Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" signs, and if present, these signs should be flagged. Motion seconded by Mr. Zimmerman, approved unanimously.

6. Police Department

a) The Police Department is working on a May mobilization with Safe and Sober, with all departments in Dakota County. The May mobilization is aimed at seat belt enforcement. Statistics indicate 82% of drivers wear seat belts, while 50% of those injured in crashes do not have seat belts on.

b) Traffic deaths are anticipated to decrease this year, but in all likelihood not due to increased safety efforts, but due to less driving as a result of higher gas prices.

c) As result of seat belt enforcement being a secondary offense, the State of Minnesota is losing highway funds.

d) The Police Department attempted to participate in a red light running trial program in 1997 for the intersection of 140th Street and Cedar Avenue. They were not successful in being a part of this program, but fully support the use of red light running enforcement.

e) Sergeant Marben's priorities with regard to traffic will be emergency response and traffic enforcement.

f) Captain Craig Anglin made a presentation to the Citizen's Police Academy.

g) The Car Seat program is scheduled for June 3. Mr. Eriksen will participate as a representative of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.

7. Public Works Department

Mr. Heuer advised of several requests regarding traffic issues.

a) A complaint was received from Dover Drive indicating excessive traffic cut-through and vehicle speeds. City staff gathered traffic information that indicated a daily traffic volume of 150 vehicles and an 85th percentile speed of 29 mph. This is not indicative of any type of traffic problem on the street.

b) A request was made for speed enforcement on Palomino Drive. Car 54 was used at this location and received a very positive response from the complainant.

c) A request was received for an all-way stop at the intersection of Whitney and Cooper. All-way stop warrants were reviewed with the resident, and the resident agreed the situation does not warrant an all-way stop. Some enforcement has been done, and Car 54 will be used at this location. Additional traffic and speed counts will be done.

d) Funding is available to cities and school districts for Safe Route to School programs. $175,000 is available for infrastructure improvements, and $10,000 is available for non-infrastructure improvements.

After some discussion and suggestion by Mr. Heuer, Mr. Zimmerman moved to investigate school crossings for Falcon Ridge School, continue to explore and pursue grant funding, and recommend possible grants to the City Council. This motion was seconded by Ms. Dolan and approved unanimously.

Mr. Sohrweide will contact Falcon Ridge School to determine if any improvements can be considered for a grant.

8. Adjourn

Motion to adjourn by Mr. Eriksen, seconded by Ms. Dolan, unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.