Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Arthur Zimmerman.

Members Present: Dick Asleson, Linda Dolan, Charles Grawe, Neal Heuer, Michael Marben, Arthur Zimmerman

Members Absent: Harald Eriksen

Consultants/Alternates Present: Tom Sohrweide

Others Present: Corinne Johnson

2. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Ms. Dolan, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 6-0

3. Approval of July 11, 2007 Minutes

Mr. Sohrweide and Mr. Heuer requested deleting the second sentence of the fourth paragraph for Item 7 and replacing it with a sentence that Mr. Sohrweide confirmed that signs would be appropriate for both directions.

MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, Mr. Heuer seconded, to approve the Minutes of July 11, 2007 as amended. Motion passed 6-0

4. Audience Items

There were no audience items presented.

5. Traffic Study for Traffic Concerns Around Alimagnet Park

Mr. Heuer said that in October of 2006, the City Council directed staff to conduct a traffic study in the area of Alimagnet Park throughout the summer of 2007. For the study, traffic counts were taken on weekdays, weekends, and specifically on Monday evenings.

Mr. Heuer said the development in the area south of the Park dates back to the early 1960's. The homes were originally constructed with septic systems. When City sewer and water were brought to the homes in 1969, the streets were reconstructed. The streets have a 60 foot right-of-way; a measurement consistent with similar streets in other areas of the City. The typical home is set back 30 feet from the street, which is also a standard measurement in other neighborhoods. The street surfaces in the area measure 30 feet from back of curb to back of curb. This is slightly narrower than some other areas in the City that have streets with 34 foot wide streets, but smaller boulevard areas. The streets in the area were designed to handle at least 3,000 vehicle trips per day. The streets in the area are classified as local streets which carry up to 1,500 vehicle trips per day.

Mr. Heuer presented traffic counts for the area taken in August of 2000. The counts showed 653 vehicle trips per day on Walnut Lane between Ridgeview Drive and Garden View Drive. He noted that the Park and Recreation Department had a policy to lock the gate to Alimagnet Park during this time. Mr. Heuer presented traffic counts taken in April of 2006, and September of 2006. The 2006 counts showed similar traffic volumes to 2000, with specific daily counts of 508, 603, and 408 vehicles trips per day at the same location. Ms. Johnson suggested that while the daily total of the traffic counts did not change much, it could be that the distribution of the traffic has changed so that more of the traffic is on the streets in the late afternoon when the neighbors notice it more. Mr. Heuer presented traffic counts for the area taken throughout 2007. The weekend counts were generally a bit lower than the weekday counts, but all counts were within the design and classification standards for the streets. Ms. Johnson said that some vehicles using Ridgeview Drive run the stop sign at Walnut Lane and others race up the streets side by side.

Mr. Heuer presented speed study results taken for the area. The speed study was conducted by Public Works employees in a vehicle intended to blend into the general neighborhood and not draw attention. The speed studies were conducted on Monday evenings as that is the time of the disc golf leagues in the Park. The study showed that the average vehicle speeds for all vehicles on Walnut Lane (both going straight and turning) were between 25 and 27 miles per hour. The 85th percentile speeds were between 30 and 32 miles per hour. These observed speeds on Walnut Lane were somewhat lower than what is often found on other typical residential streets. The study also showed that the average vehicle speeds for only vehicles going straight on Walnut Lane were between 28 and 29 miles per hour. The 85th percentile speeds for straight traffic were between 31 and 33 miles per hour. Mr. Heuer said he suspects that the slightly narrower street design contributes to the slightly lower speeds than often found in other neighborhoods. The fastest vehicle observed during the study was a motorcycle going 41 miles per hour.

Mr. Heuer said he is also working on solutions for a child in the neighborhood who is both deaf and blind. Ms. Johnson noted that there is a second child in the neighborhood that has a handicap requiring a wheel chair.

Mr. Asleson said the study indicates that traffic is not an issue in the area. Mr. Johnson said that traffic is one issue, but neighbors have other concerns about the protection of the trees in the Park and use of alcohol in the Park.

Mr. Marben presented a second speed study that was conducted by the Police Department, not Public Works. For varying time periods on days between July 27, 2007, and August 9, 2007, there were 360 vehicles observed in this study. Of the 360 vehicles, only 11, or 3.05 percent, were at speeds exceeding the speed limit. Of the vehicles exceeding the speed limit, eight, or 72.7 percent, were registered to individuals who reside within the neighborhood.

Mr. Asleson said it appears that the concerns about the traffic in the area relate to disc golf. He asked if there was a means to connect the parking lot in the Park to the street system using Park Lane. Mr. Heuer said such a connection is probably not feasible due to the steep grade between Park Lane and the parking lot. Mr. Heuer noted that the Committee's charge is to examine traffic issues. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee examines activities within the Park. He noted that the report presented to the Traffic Safety Committee would be combined with additional reports to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and submitted to the City Council on October 11th.

Ms. Dolan asked if the neighborhood had conducted any internal educational efforts to educate residents about speeding and traffic safety. Ms. Johnson said the neighborhood had not done so, but noted that vehicles originating from outside the neighborhood were the problem. Ms. Dolan noted that the Park is a neat public place in the community. Mr. Sohrweide noted that neighbors can influence other traffic by driving slower themselves as any cars behind them are essentially also forced to drive slower.

MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, seconded by Ms. Dolan, that the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee concludes that the traffic volumes and speeds observed on streets in the area around Alimagnet Park are within the normal range of volumes and speeds observed in other neighborhoods within the City; and that the observed volumes and speeds on the streets around Alimagnet Park are within the normal ranges for the street designs and classifications of those streets. Motion passed 6 - 0.

6. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the City of Apple Valley

Police Concerns

Mr. Marben noted that August statistics are not yet available due to the conversion to new a new computer aided dispatch system. He distributed statistics through July 31, 2007.

Public Works' Concerns

Mr. Heuer reported that he received a request for signage noting no U-turns on Redwood Court which is a cul-de-sac.

Mr. Heuer received a complaint about the number of bicycles using the pathways and sidewalks near Galaxie Avenue and 153rd Street. He noted that for public safety reasons, it is preferred that bicycles share the paths and sidewalks with pedestrians, rather than contending with the vehicle traffic in that area.

Mr. Heuer said he received a complaint about vehicle speeds from Fordham Avenue. As there is no incentive for cut-through traffic in this neighborhood, the drivers creating the cause of the complaints are most likely from within the neighborhood.

7. Education Issues

Ms. Dolan said an article on roundabouts appeared in the local paper.

8. Adjourn

MOTION: Mr. Grawe moved, Mr. Asleson seconded, to adjourn. Motion passed 6 - 0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m..