Minutes - Public Works Committee - 06/20/2006

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Chairperson Elvig noted the following should improve the situation: improved signage, exit signs, sweeping Quicksilver, and the possibility of 2 exiting lanes on Quicksilver, which would be handled as a future case. Civil Engineer II Linton indicated there is signage included in the contract for Elmcrest Park, including handicap parking signs, one way signs to direct people around through the parking areas, and stop signs where the parking lot meets the main thoroughfare. There was also discussion during the design stage regarding an exit sign. He contacted the contractor this week about moving ahead on the signage. Chairperson Elvig suggested a more imposing type of stop sign at the location between the west parking lot entrance to the main road, possibly placing it in the middle ofthe road. Public Works Director Olson suggested this stop sign be discussed at a future Public Works Committee meeting. He indicated an all-way stop sign cannot be used unless it meets warrants. Chairperson Elvig suggested signage such as No Through Traffic or Local Traffic Only. Motion by Chairperson Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to direct staff to place a sandwich board in the middle of the parking lot entrance to the main road stating Exit on 16ih Avenue Only for two weeks and to monitor the results, to post exit signs to the east from the parking lot, to post no parking signs on the road, to sweep Quicksilver, and to bring back information at a future meeting regarding the following: an additional exit from the park onto Osmium Street, two exit lanes with a widening of Quicksilver, and a stop sign at Uranium Street and 163rd or inside the parking lot. Further discussion: Mr. Hoppenwrath asked if Osmium Street, where a third exit was discussed, is a driveway. Councilmember Cook replied it is a public road up to the lot line. Public Works Director Olson replied the City owns right-of-way on Osmium Street. ParkslUtilities Supervisor Riverblood indicated traffic counts will be done on a consistent day of the week at the western edge of Elmcrest and at Quicksilver. Public Works Director Olson clarified it has been agreed there are about 200 vehicles per day leaving the park on the west side. The hope is in the next few weeks there will be a decrease in that, but there will not be a study done of the traffic to the west of the west entrance to the park. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Elvig, Councilmembers Olson and Cook. Voting No: None. Case #3: Consider Placement of Park Location Signs Civil Engineer II Linton explained staff has received several requests for placing directional signs to the City parks. One request listed several locations for placement of the signs. The rationale for placement of signs is the use of the parks by traveling soccer teams, teams from other Cities are coming to Ramsey for games and finding the parks can be difficult since several of them are not on major streets. He explained several years ago there was a CIP item for placing signs directing users to the parks. This item was not completed at that time and was Public Works Committee / June 20, 2006 Page 12 of 15