Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/20/2015

Home

5. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 5.01: Consider Stop Sign Installations on 146th Avenue at Iodine Street City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and noted staff recommends installing two stop signs on Iodine Street. He said this can be done with in-house staff. This will be a 3-way stop. He pointed out the existing policy does not have language on what would trigger the installation of a stop sign. Staff will develop a policy to bring it back to have it considered. Chairperson Backous asked whether each request has to come back to the committee if there is a policy. As long as a policy was in place, and staff followed the policy, it may not have to be formally discussed by a committee. City Engineer Westby noted it could be written into the policy that not every request would have to be brought to Council and it could be delineated which situations need discussion. Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma, to recommend that the City Council approve the installation of stop signs on 146th Avenue on both sides of Iodine Street. Further discussion: Chairperson Backous questioned if the traffic count is 300 trips per day on the average. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated they counted 10 trips per resident per day is normal. Chairperson Backous stated this count seems high. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Backous, Councilmembers Riley and Kuzma. Voting No: None. 6. COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT City Administrator Ulrich noted crossing flags have been installed at Ramsey Elementary. Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained the flags were installed on the County signs. Anoka County took objection to that, so staff moved and reinstalled them. He said neither Mn/DOT nor MUDTC have a standard sign for crossing flags, so staff had to make them. He said 20 flags were dropped off at the Elementary School. Recently only one was seen on the stand. Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained that it works with one person picking up a flag on one side of the street and carrying it and depositing it in a tube on the other side of the street. It creates awareness. Mayor Strommen said she will investigate why there aren't more crossing flags. Public Works Superintendent Riemer noted the stopping rate went up 74%. Chairperson Backous inquired if there are crossing flags anywhere else. Public Works Committee / November 18, 2014 Page 2 of 3