Minutes - Public Works Committee - 02/17/2009

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turn there take the curve too short. He stated that he has saw four accidents in January and asked if there was a report that would show when the police are there. He stated that the kids used to get picked up at the end of the driveway, but there were so many problems, he has them wait at the front door now. He stated that he doesn't know how else you can do it but to shut it down. He stated that his wife almost got hit shoveling the driveway while she was in the middle of the driveway. He stated that he can go around to get to the neighborhoods and businesses. He stated that he is also a mailman out there everyday and he sees things. He stated that Dysprosium is nasty and he doesn't understand why it has no sidewalks. He stated that he has gotten rear ended at 3:00 p.m. in this neighborhood. He stated that he thinks evening is the worst time. He stated that at 142nd Avenue he sees a lot ofthings there, including City trucks and utilities trucks going through this intersection. He asked if the intersection could be separated and widened on the north side and move the turn lanes because it would give better site lines. He stated that it doesn't help that there aren't any streetlights in the area. Scott Monette, 5334 142nd Lane, stated that since the temporary closing that lasted for a few hours, he has started to go alternate ways as if it were closed and it really doesn't take that much longer. Paul Miller, 14138 Argon Street, stated that one thing he would like to add to this issue has actually gone back further than 2004, but to 1995, with a drunk driver in the area and also the issue when Mallard Ponds went in, so he thinks this history is longer than has been portrayed. He stated that he isn't as concerned about businesses, because he has always been a proponent of closing the turning on TH 47. He noted that he was a First Responder to Nick Sodergren's accident and would like to see closure at 142nd Avenue. He asked how the traffic counts were taken. Jeff Severson, 5275 143rd Avenue, stated that he has had four people in the snow bank on his side of the street since December and knows of at least one accident. He stated that with the traffic and cut throughs it is just getting worse and worse. He stated that closing 142nd Avenue is the best thing for right now. Dennis Lehman, 5301 143rd Avenue, stated that his daughter is scared to walk down the hill to get to the bus stop. He stated that she doesn't play in the street and has trouble getting up the snow banks to get off the street because they are icy. He stated that this has been an issue since he moved in 12 years ago. Chair Elvig asked for a quick straw poll of those in favor of closing the road. There were approximately 21 hands raised in favor of closing the street and about 6 in favor of keeping it open. He stated that he thinks everybody agrees that there is a problem here. Councilmember Dehen stated that he doesn't dispute the traffic counts. He stated that if the neighborhood wants this, he thinks it is a good thing and if it doesn't then that is a good thing. He stated that he doesn't really have a personal opinion one way or the other. He stated that he is convinced that there is a significant amount of cut through traffic. He stated that he thinks TH 47 and 142nd Avenue is dangerous and thinks the City should start with the closure of 142nd Avenue and see how it goes for a year. He stated that it may not eliminate all of the accidents, Pubiic Works Committee / February 17,2009 Page 9 of 19