Minutes - Public Works Committee - 05/15/2001

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Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Hendriksen, to recommend to the City Council that the City become the lead agency for the C.R. #116 corridor study and enter into a joint powers agreement. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Hendriksen, Anderson, Kurak, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #4: Waco Street NW/149"' Avenue NW Traffic Considerations City Engineer Jankowski stated that at the November 2000 Public Works Committee meeting, discussion took place on what measures might be undertaken on Waco Street NW to improve traffic safety. Specifically, the ama of concern last fall was the segment of Waco Street NW between 149'~' Avenue NW (Sunwood Drive) and 150~h Avenue NW. However, Waco Street has had a history of concerns relative to speed and traffic since it functions as a collector street for the neighborhood. The direction provided by the Committee as an outcome of that meeting was to gather information and share the information with the neighborhood. In late fall of 2000 the City conducted an early morning observation to determine the extent that Waco Street was being used as a by-pass for Trunk Highway #47. The results of that observation were transmitted to neighbors in a letter dated January 9, 2001. The second element of the data collection was to utilize the Police Department speed trailer to gather information regarding the speeds, numbers and times of vehicle travel down the street. The City has gathered this data and samples of those reports were presented to the Committee. Counciln~ember Zimmerman inquired as to ho~v speed limits are set for roads. City Engineer Jankowski explained that speed limits are typically set at what 85 percent of what speed the traffic is driving at. He stated that he would like to have an opportunity to discuss with the Police Chief what the radar patrol can do. He explained that they could try and watch for a repetitive pattern on the speeders and try and have the Police tag them. Based on the initial numbers be would conclude that there is more of a problem north of the 150th block, but would need more data. He stated that staff wold like more time to gather more information, but at some time they do have to share the information with the neighborhood. Staff will bring back more information at the next meeting. Case #5: Consider Policy on Removal of "Temporary" Erosion Control Measures City Engineer Olson stated that on April 17, 2001, the Public Works Committee directed staff to consider a policy on the removal of "temporary" erosion control measures. During Capital Improvement projects that the City of Ramsey oversees and administers, it is the Contractor's responsibility to install temporary erosion control measures before commencement of work, maintain them throughout the construction project, and remove them upon successful turf establishment. This is normal practice and occurs regularly. Cormnercial and industrial developments are quite similar generally because they encompass only one site and the City can require that they establish turf. Once the improvements are done on their site, the responsibility Public Works Committee/May 15, 2001 Page 9 of 13