Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/18/2017

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Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and explained that City Staff received a petition from the Sweetbay Ridge Neighborhood residents requesting consideration of st a safer pedestrian crossing area at the intersection of Variolite Street and 161 Avenue NW. Traffic and pedestrian volumes, sight lines, accident history, posted speed, and other information about the intersection will be collected and reviewed by City Staff and a recommendation will be made based on that data as well as standard engineering practices. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated the Public Works Committee can direct City Staff to collect the necessary data and present findings and recommendations on the requested crosswalk at the May 16, 2017, Public Works Committee meeting. A resident of the Variolite neighborhood at the meeting expressed concern that the roads in this area are unsafe for pedestrians trying to walk to the park. He requested that traffic counts be done during summer evenings when there is soccer practice and games. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated City Staff requested traffic accident and speed data from the Police Department and there has been 1 accident in 5 years. Councilmember Johns stated a pedestrian tunnel might be considered. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated there is no trail system to connect it to on either side. st Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated there is no trail on 161 Avenue NW. He added there might be other solutions for the crosswalk. Chairperson Riley stated he supports having this discussion and reviewing potential solutions that will be acceptable to the neighborhood as well as the City. Motion by Councilmember Kuzma, seconded by Councilmember Johns, to instruct City Staff to review potential safety-related improvements on Variolite Street, including a proposed crosswalk, and present their findings and recommendations to the Public Works Committee at their May 16, 2017, meeting. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Riley, Councilmembers Kuzma and Johns. Voting No: None. 5.04: Consider Recommending City Council Approval of Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #17-00, Sunwood Drive Reconstruction City Engineer Westby presented the staff report, and explained that City Staff recommends City Council approval of plans and specifications for Project #17-00, Sunwood Drive Reconstruction. The current plans were submitted to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) State Aid office for review and approval. The current plan is consistent with the design in the Feasibility Study reviewed by the City Council, except that the entire bituminous pavement Public Works Committee /April 18, 2017 Page 4 of 10