Minutes - Public Works Committee - 08/14/2014

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Motion by Councilmember Johns, seconded by Acting Chairperson Riley, to approve the following minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes dated July 15, 2014 Motion carried. Voting Yes: Acting Chairperson Riley and Councilmember Johns. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Backous and Councilmember Kuzma. 6. COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT 6:02: Consider Traffic Concerns Near 146th Avenue and Iodine Street Public Works Superintendent Reimer reviewed the staff report. He mentioned that traffic moving at 30 mph in a residential area can seem very fast. However, that is the speed limit. Since the City has had the speed trailer and the law enforcement in that area, and statistics did not show a need for signage, it leaves the City with few opportunities to aid the citizens. Mandy Erlandson, 5640 146 Avenue NW, spoke on behalf of her neighborhood, and explained the biggest concern of the residents is the blind hill. Speeding in that area, with the blind hill, has caused a lot of close calls with children. She noted there was a death of two year old in that area about five years ago. Also, in the fall and winter, the sunlight is in drivers' eyes adding more safety issues. The blind hill, sunlight, bus stops, and snow pile ups can cause huge safety hazards. Ms. Erlandson noted the traffic counters were put out right away upon request. While she expressed gratitude for that, she also noted the traffic will be much higher when school is in session. Neighbors have been close to being T -boned as they back out of their driveway because of the blind hill. She stated as a neighborhood they were hoping for some sort of solution. Traffic signs and speed bumps are not the appropriate solutions. She suggested a three -way stop put at the top of the hill where Iodine and 146 meet would be a possible solution. She asked if it would be an option to reduce the speed limit. Her neighbors signed a petition, which she provided to the Committee. Ms. Erlandson shared a letter written by her daughter, Isabella. In her letter, Isabella asked if the City could please add a stop sign to make her street safer. She wrote that people speed and her sister almost got hit. Brody Grundhauser, 14580 Helium Court NW, read a letter he gave to the Committee which stated he was riding up the hill with his brother, and his brother was almost hit by a car. His brother wasn't looking both ways, but Brody was able to yell at him to stop. Public Works Superintendent Reimer said there is a possibility of the speed study working against them. He stated due to the way the streets are built in that area, the speed limit could actually be increased if a study was conducted. He said it is a tricky area and it's difficult to predict what the higher authorities would do to any studies and plans. He explained a stop sign at the top of the hill is not warranted at this point, by the guidelines of the city which are mandated by the state. Public Works Committee / August 14, 2014 Page 2 of 6