Minutes - Public Works Committee - 09/21/2004

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the bend in the road, and to follow up with monitoring the speed after the chevrons have been . installed. Further Discussion: Councilmember Elvig indicated in ad<.iition to this, staff should research the City's ability to limit the speed control as well. Public Works Director Kapler indicated staff can proceed with the radar trailer prior to Council ratification, as'there is no cost involved with this. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Zimmerman, Councilmembers Elvig and Cook. Voting No: None. Further Discussion: Councilmember Cook asked if Mr. Greenland can do anything in his own yard that is a legal means to reduce access onto his property. Councilmember Elvig noted Mr. Greenland could put himself in harms way legally if anyone were to be hurt on his property. Chairperson Zimmerman suggested the Committee's suggestions be acted on first. Case #3: Receive Petition to Reduce Speed Limit on CR83 between CR63 and CR22 City Engineer Jankowski stated at the citizen input segment of the September 13, 2004 City Council meeting a petition signed by 16 residents along CR 83 (Baugh Street) was presented requesting a reduction in the speed limit along Baugh Street from CR 63 (17300 Avenue) to CR 22 (18pt Avenue) from the current speed limit of 55 miles per hour to 35 miles,per hour. The petition cited an increase in traffic from development and an urbanizing nature of the area as reasons for the reduced limit. The petition was referred to the Public Works Committee for consideration. City Engineer Jankowski explained the segment of the road request for a reduced speed limit is a county road and is under the jurisdiction of Anoka County. The 2003 average daily traffic volume on this segment of road was 3,400 trips per, which is anticipated to grow to 4,100 trips per day by 2020 according to the latest city comprehensive plan. Anoka County has resisted the reduction of speed limits on county roads citing the need for these roads to provide a high level of mobility. This segment of roadway is identified as a collector route in the City's comprehensive plan. He advised staff recommends that this petition be forwarded to the Anoka County Publics Works Committee for consideration. Betty Johnston, 16501, Baugh Street, NW, stated when they moved to Ramsey 13 years ago 55 mph was a fine speed limit for the situation at that time. However, there is now a substantial increase in traffic, and there are 16 homes that face and have their access on Baugh Street. 55 mph is just not a safe speed limit there anymore. There are very few people that drive the speed limit, in fact there are a lot of county dump trucks and none of them drive the speed limit. She stated they cannot have the windows open in the front of their homes anymore because of the noise of the traffic. There is an older gentleman that has to cross the street to get his mail. This is not a safe situation, and they are asking that the speed limit be reduced for 8/1 0 of a mile. Councilmember Elvig stated he was involved with the county about 1 Y2 years ago in trying to reduce the speed limit in front of the elementary school. The county told the Council no, and Public Works Committee/September 21, 2004 Page 5 of 10