Agenda - Council - 12/09/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Ramsey 15153NOWTHEN BOULEVARD N.W., RAMSEY, MINNESOTA 55303 PHONE (612) 427-141 o FAX (612) 427-5543 TDD (612) 427-8591 December 1, 1997 Dear Resident: As you are well aware, a traffic circle was installed during the first week of November at the intersection of 149th Avenue and Perridot Street. The installation was intended to be placed on a temporary basis to determine whether it would alleviate the speeding over which residents of 149th Avenue had expressed strong concerns. Since the installation, several related issues have emerged. Many vehicles traveling westbound on 149th Avenue are traveling left of the circle, which is not legal according to traffic laws. It is particularly difficult for longer wheel-base vehicles, including school buses and fire trucks, to travel legally to the right of the circle. The City is certainly concerned about the safety and liability issues this raises. Since the traffice circle was installed, there has been an accident involving a vehicle leaving the roadway. Previously, there have been no traffic accidents reported to the police at this location over the past five years. Also, there have been several incidents of vandalism to the traffic circle since its installation and warning signs have been tipped over and removed entirely from the circle. Not only does this mean taxpayer dollars must be spent for repair, including overtime pay on weekends, but it again raises a safety issue. Since the intersection is not lit, the circle can become hazardous if the warning signs are not in place. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the City Council intends to discuss whether to mod/fy or remove the traffic circle at the Tuesday, December 9, 1997 Council meeting. Your views on whether the traff~c circle is performing as intended and whether it should remain are important, and you are invited to attend the meeting and share your views. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., in the Municipal Building. This issue will be placed near the beginning of the agenda. Sincerely, City Engineer ST;jek cc; Mayor and City Council Linda Waite Smith, Acting City Administrator Merle Mevissen, Public Works Supervisor Dean Kapler, Fire Chief David Gustafson, Police Chief I I I I I I I I I I I I I: I I I I I I