Minutes - Council - 09/26/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Connolly noted that it will cost the City $3,000 to remove the speed humps. Ms. Loken noted that stop signs are not always a solution to speeding and suggested that the City make sure that the stop sign will give them the results they want. Mayor Gamec stated that he does not want to lose the $3,800, but would be willing to do so to develop a good plan for the safety of the residents. Councilmember Connolly suggested contacting the person at MnDOT who is responsible for making the decision to remove the speed humps and request the extension without losing the $3,8O0. Mayor Gamec suggested sending a letter to MnDOT stating that the City is working with residents to develop an acceptable plan and would like an extension for six months with no penalties to develop that plan and present it to MnDOT. Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to direct staff to draft a letter to Robert Brown at MnDOT requesting that the City receive a six month extension without penalties to allow the City time to develop an acceptable plan with the residents along Dysprosium Street and to leave the speed humps in place until a response is heard from MnDOT. Further discussion: Councilmember Hendriksen stated that, in the interim, he would like the City Engineer to produce whatever material it was that made him think that speed humps are permissible along MSA streets and what the process would be if the City feels that the decision to remove the speed humps is not correct. Ms. Loken stated that the City could include in their letter to MnDOT an explanation as to why the bumps should be permitted on a state aid route. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that the alternative would cost $100,000 and if the City Engineer is correct regarding the speed humps he would like to pursue that. Ms. Loken stated that the other avenue would be the screening board that approves and disapproves of changes to the requirements. She explained that MnDOT does not make the rules, the cities do. She also noted that there is also a variance process. Mayor Gamec requested that the City Engineer put the information together for the letter to MnDOT. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if there is a process to obtain a variance and the City decides to take that route can MnDOT still withhold fimding. Ms. Loken replied that the variance the City would be requesting would be if the speed humps meet the 30 mph vertical land speed which the City would probably not be successful on achieving, but noted that the City could bring the issue to the screening board. Councihnember Hendriksen inquired if MnDOT can withhold funding while seeking a variance. Ms. Loken replied yes. Councihnember Anderson inquired if the residents still want the speed humps. Ms. Hoeller replied that she never wanted the speed humps. Councilmember Anderson inquired again if anyone is in favor of the speed humps. Ms. Hoeller replied that if the City were to remove the speed humps immediately it would not make that much of a difference, but stated that she would like to see something done by the spring. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he does not see anything wrong with sending the letter to MnDOT, but if none of the residents City Council/September 26, 2000 Page 8 of 36