Minutes - Public Works Committee - 02/16/2010

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Jeff Spoerndle, 14163 Argon Street NW, stated the closure had solved the problem and he was 100 percent behind the closure. He noted however that there needed to be a permanent solution to the closure because people were going around the barriers. Traci Xurvein, 14142 Barium Street, stated she was against the closure because she had to go out of her way to get to the convenience store, or she had to go to Bunker Boulevard and do a U turn, which was dangerous. She believed Barium Street did not have any accesses and Barium was being closed off. Leroy Stromenger, 5337 142nd Lane NW, stated he was concerned that Dysprosium Street was a big mistake. He asked if Dysprosium Street and 4 ih could be widened out to Bunker Lake Boulevard. He supported the closure of 142nd Avenue. He expressed concern about the intersection of Dysprosium and Nowthen with people not stopping at the stop sign. Randy Backous, 14148 Argon Street NW, stated the closure was not to let the kids play in the street, but it was for the traffic in their neighborhood. He noted they also had four times more accidents in their areas: He stated those problems were very real and he commended City staff, Council, and Public Works for closing the road. He noted there was actual data now that says it solved the accident and traffic problems and the only thing they had to pay for the closure was inconvenience. He believed this was a simple, inexpensive solution to the problem. He stated this closure could not have caused any additional traffic on Dysprosium as it did not make logical sense that anyone cutting through the neighborhood would now cut through Dysprosium. David Griffin, 14521 Argon Street NW, asked if it was feasible to put an exit out of the development as a right hand only turn lane and go behind the bank and daycare. Public Works Director Brian Olson explained why that proposed solution would not solve the Issue. Shawn Xurvein, 14142 Barium Street, stated he would like this opened up. He agreed the City was moving things around. . Jeff Severson, 5275 143rd Avenue NW, stated he was in favor of keeping this area closed. He believed the closure did its job for traffic control and safety. Amanda Schulte, 14188 Argon Street NW, stated she was on the fence as. this was an inconvenience, but she liked the less traffic and it was quieter. She stated she had a concern about getting onto Highway 47. She stated she had children in front of her house playing in the street all of the time and she asked if the City could do anything about it. She stated she had a concern regarding the speed of the cars going down her road. She asked if a speeding sign could be posted. Motion by Councilmember Dehen, seconded by Chairperson Elvig, to recommend to the City Council to have a permanent closure of 142nd Avenue and for staff to continue to work with MnDOT on the Highway 47 and 142nd closing to realign the turn. Public Works Committee / February 16,2010 Page 3 of5