Agenda - Public Works Committee - 07/16/2013

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Ms. Her stated she does not want something to happen and noted this is no longer a County road. Councilmember Riley stated there are rules in place that are not being enforced so instead of a stop sign that does not meet criteria, the City needs to address how to enforce the current speed limit through a combination of a speed sign and Police enforcement. Mr. Her asked about speed bumps. Chairperson Backous stated they often cause drivers to speed up rather than slow down. Public Works Superintendent Riemer agreed and stated the City has used them in the past and found they are not effective. Councilmember Kuzma supported asking the Police Department to increase enforcement and to study the situation to determine if anything else can be done. Mr. Her stated it is used as a shortcut road by the neighborhood to the north. Chairman Backous stated it may then be the same people causing the concern. He suggested determining the options that can be used, noting it would be prudent and cost effective to take the first step of enforcing the speed limit. Chairman Backous stated if the offenders are tagged, it may resolve the issue and then it can be followed up with monitoring. If the problem remains, other options should be considered. Councilmember Riley agreed and stated he would like to hear back from the neighborhood whether it is effective. Chairperson Backous stated it is his personal preference that residential neighborhoods have 15- 20 mph roadways but that is not an option so he would support asking the Police Department to focus enforcement in this neighborhood. City Administrator Ulrich stated he will inform the Police Chief of this request and, hopefully, the offenders can be ticketed and deterred. Jeff Gelded, 14044 Dysprosium Street, stated from Thurston to Dysprosium it goes from 40 mph to 30 mph but when a Police car is parked in that area, traffic slows and then speeds again once the Police car is gone. He suggested using an unmarked Police vehicle. City Administrator Ulrich stated if the goal is used to slow traffic, the City Engineer can address traffic calming options such as a curb bump out, colored concrete/asphalt, narrowing the roadway, or mid -block roundabout. He stated there are other solutions that could be vetted to determine if any are viable. Chairperson Backous stated in Coon Rapids they addressed speeding traffic by installing two stop signs at "T" intersections and in that case, it worked. But, in this case, he supported taking a Public Works Committee / June 18, 2013 Page 3 of 13