Minutes - Public Works Committee - 09/17/2019

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education of the public. He stated that he would be in favor of lowering the speed limit on residential roads to 25 mph. Public Works Superintendent Riemer asked the allowed lag time after the adoption of an Ordinance. Councilmember Riley acknowledged that two readings are required for an Ordinance but believed that an effective date of choice could be selected. Chairperson Kuzma asked how this would be funded if approved. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated that the majority of cost would be labor. He stated st that the activity would most likely need to be delayed until after January 1 in order to utilize the new 2020 budget. Councilmember Heinrich stated that she has also received concerns from residents related to speed. She agreed that when walking through a neighborhood a vehicle traveling at 30 mph can feel high. She believed that lowering the speed limit to 25 mph would be difficult in terms of enforcement as people believe that the State standard for residential roads is 30 mph. She believed that there would be multiple challenges in implementing this change and was unsure Ramsey would be 100 percent ready for this change. She stated that perhaps the entire Council could be engaged on the topic in order to receive additional feedback. Chairperson Kuzma stated that he would like to wait and see how it goes in other cities that enact the lower speed limit. He stated that if the change does not work, that additional cost was spent for nothing. He did not believe that signs would slow traffic down. He recommended that the City wait for the time being to review whether the change is effective in other communities. Motion by Councilmember Riley to direct staff to begin developing a draft Ordinance to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on all residential streets. Motion died for lack of second. Public Works Superintendent Riemer noted that the League of Minnesota Cities is currently working on a guidance policy on this topic that could be helpful. The Committee directed staff to bring the topic back for consideration in six months. 5.02: Recommend City Council Approval of Funding Program for Variolite Street Reconstruction, Improvement Project #20-01 City Engineer Westby stated that the 2.24-mile segment of Variolite Street between Alpine Drive rd and 173 Avenue is proposed to be reconstructed in 2020. The pavement on this segment of Variolite Street is in poor condition. Only 13 properties have direct access on this segment of the street and therefore receive special benefit from the proposed improvements and could therefore Public Works Committee / September 17, 2019 Page 4 of 13