Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/18/2008

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Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to recommend to .the City Council that parking be restricted to the west side of the street on the 81. Francis Boulevard frontage road. Motion carried. V oting Yes: Vice-Chairperson Dehen, Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Olson. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Elvig. Case #2: Consider Modifications at TH 47 and 1420d Avenue City Engineer Jankowski stated that he wanted to thank residents for showing up and understands it is a very important issue to them. He stated that there has been concern from residents in Flintwood neighborhood that there has been a great deal of cut through traffic in their neighborhood. He stated that the City has also noted a fairly significant accident history at the comer of 142od. He stated that one ofthe reasons that Mallard Ponds has the closed gate was to prevent similar traffic cut throughs, however, once 1420d was closed, it wouldn't provide much of a benefit because there wouldn't be a connection to TH 47. He stated that staff went back to a public safety concern that they have had for a long time, that relying on one access point on 140th Avenue is not the best option. He stated that a portion of the Flintwood neighborhood has also been informed of tonight's meeting. He noted that Dysprosium has been picking up traffic since the early 2000s, but the traffic patterns are now fairly stable. Vice Chair Dehen asked Public Works Director Olson to show on the map what area is being discussed. Public Works Director Olson reviewed the information on the map and reviewed the potential closure. City Engineer Jankowski stated that there are many people here that are anxious to ask questions, . and suggested that some of the other discussion about traffic counts, can wait until after this discussion. He stated that he and the Police Chief did discuss this at a meeting with residents, that, if this went as proposed, to close it on a temporary basis, two years, for example. He stated that there are a lot of concerns about traffic and the actual volumes that may be experienced may be different than people anticipate. He reiterated that they are suggesting that this be done on a trial basis. He stated that if 1420d was closed, signs would be posted east of Dysprosium to let p~ople know there is not access to TH 47 and if the gate was opened, they propose doing that 6 months after the closure of 142od, so people that don't believe you can't get to TH 47 will find that they can't and traffic patterns will be stable again. He stated that the residents are concerned about the traffic that would come through there. Mayor Gamec asked if Mallard Ponds streets were a City streets or all private. City Engineer Jankowski stated that they are all private streets. Mayor Gamec stated that the City would have to acquire property if City traffic is going to go through there. He stated that the streets in Mallard Ponds are not conducive to City traffic. Public Works Committee / November 18,2008 Page 3 of 8