Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/21/2009

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Councilmember McGlone recommends a 6 foot sidewalk. Mayor Ramsey is in favor of a concrete sidewalk. Staffis asking what type of improvements the Committee would like to have on Argon and 143rd Avenue. A number of things have been suggested including a sidewalk, adding street lights, replacing speed tables. Vice Chair Dehen wanted to clarify the speed tables are not speed bumps, and that speed wasn't really the problem it was more of a cut through problem. He suggests not doing anything with speed tables until that is studied more. Councilmember McGlone is asking what exactly is staff proposing for the sidewalk Public Works Director/Principal City Engineer Olson responded that there has not been a project initiated for sidewalk but the idea would be if there is a sidewalk put in on Dysprosium Street that it would-be connected along 143rd then down Argon and over to 142nd then over to 47. Public Works Director/Principal City Engineer Olson asked if the Committee was open to the idea of two sidewalks. Mayor Ramsey feels a second sidewalk is a waste it makes sense to have it on the west side. No action taken. Case #7: Update on Proposed Changes to the Speed Limit Laws in Minnesota Assistant City Engineer Steve Jankowski introduced this primarily as an informational case. The Legislature directed a Committee be performed to study speed limits in the State. The point that Steve Jankowski wanted to make was the one that is most affecting us is whatthe'City refers to as rural residential district, which says that if you have structures that are spaced at least three hundred feet apart a 30mph speed limit can be posted while specifically states in Townships but doesn't apply to Cities. All of our suburban subdivisions have spacing's that don't meet the urban standard being less than 100 feet apart and are well within the 300 feet distance. But technically, according to the way the law is written they are not eligible for 30 mph speed limit because they are in the City. The Legislative formed Committee is recommending a 35 mile an hour speed limit. The point of the Legislation would address the issue that the City of Ramsey is facing is the limits that we have posted in our suburban residential districts may not be consistent with what the law says and it would rectify that. Vice Chair Dehen wanted to know if this would take care of how we have our speed limits in some of these residential areas as we see fit. Public Works Committee / April 21, 2009 Page 7 of9