Agenda - Council - 06/10/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

assessments are to be levied against properties benefiting from various types of improvement projects for consideration at the July 15, 2014 meeting. 3. Consider Speed Zone Study Recommendation for Green Valley Road: Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and advised of a resident e-mail expressing concern with the speed limit on Green Valley Road/County Road 63 between Nowthen Boulevard and Highway 47. The resident is asking that the speed limit be lowered from the current 55 mph to 40-45 mph because of the presence of pedestrians and pets. Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the number of accidents in this area. He explained that the current 55 mph speed limit on this section of Green Valley Road is a statutory speed limit based on the Basic Speed Law so the speed limit can only be changed through the provisions that are provided by that Law. He reviewed language within the "Traffic Control Modification Policy" and staff's recommendation that this Policy be followed that requires a petition from five property owners or residents in the affected area before sending the Speed Zone Study forward to Anoka County. This is an Anoka County road; however, the City enforces the speed limit. Motion to ratify the majority consensus of the Public Works Committee to require that the Traffic Control Modification Policy be followed and require a petition from five property owners or residents in the affected area before sending the Speed Zone Study forward to Anoka County. 4. Consider Crosswalk Installation Cost and Options Public Works Superintendent Riemer displayed pictures and described three options for crosswalk signs equipped with flashing lights as detailed in the staff report. He presented costs for each option, noting the flashing lights would alert motorists of the approaching crosswalk. Public Works Superintendent Riemer recommended using the pedestrian activated crosswalk system if it is the Public Works Committee's intent to install lighting systems at select crosswalk locations. This recommendation is based on the reasoning that if the motorist continually sees the flashing lights, but never encounters pedestrians in the crosswalk, the effectiveness of the flashing lights will be lost. He also recommended that this type of sign, if approved, be used consistently throughout Ramsey. Ratify the consensus of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council approve the use of a pedestrian activated crosswalk system at select crosswalk locations and for staff to draft a policy that includes parameters where flashing pedestrian crossing signs will be used. COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT 1. Update on Center Street — Sunwood Drive to Ramsey Parkway City Engineer Westby provided an update on the construction of Center Street between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Parkway. He noted the City had received a development grant in the amount of $650,369 through the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program to design and construct the segment of Center Street between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Parkway East. He advised that the grant requires this construction to be completed by April 30, 2015, so staff is drafting an RFP to move this project forward. The project would be bid in August; construction would start right after Happy Days; and, construction would be completed in the fall. 2. Other Mayor Strommen reported the Governor signed the bonding bill that contained Highway 10 funding so now it is a matter of working with Mn/DOT on the final amount. Mayor Strommen stated the League of Minnesota Cities magazine includes a brief article about franchise fees. She stated it contains some basic information and asked staff to provide copies for the Council's review. Mayor Strommen raised concerns related to the Sunwood Drive and County Road 5 intersection. She stated County Road 5 is a steady stream of traffic, making it very difficult for turning movements from Sunwood Drive. Because of that, traffic stacks up. She asked staff to look at that intersection with Anoka County to determine if better intersection control is warranted. Councilmember Riley asked for an update on the Riverdale Drive Extension project.