HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-27-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
March 27, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00
p.m. in the Police Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on March 27, 2001.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Hewitt, Black, Slavik, Harstad,
Johnson, and Stein.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Police Chief
Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Fire Chief Kline, Community Development Director Hurlburt,
City Engineer Dan Faulkner, Public Works Director Moore, Traffic Engineer Jones, and City
Clerk Paulson.
Speed Hump Policy
Public Works Director Moore stated during the past several years, the City has received many
requests from citizens to control speeding and high through -traffic volumes on residential streets.
To address these concerns, the City adopted a policy for the installation of speed humps on
residential roadways on July 6, 1999. Since this policy was adopted, the number of requests for
speed hump installations has increased. In order to review speed hump issues and the existing
policy, the Council recently placed a moratorium on the approval of speed hump installations in
the City. Staff has assembled information from other cities to outline the advantages and
disadvantages of speed humps.
City Engineer Faulkner stated staff reviewed changes to the existing policy, including
assessments. In addition, over the next few months, staff would be reviewing speeds of some
designated study areas in the City. Staff has recently purchased new and improved traffic
counting devices that are plates rather than the traditional hose that would be placed over the
roadway. Staff is currently reviewing and working with neighborhoods for the speed hump
requests for 8°i Avenue, Niagara Lane, and the Fox Run neighborhood.
Traffic Engineer Jones suggested that the City develop and utilize a comprehensive Traffic
Calming Policy. She explained this type of program would provide more tools to calm the
traffic, encourage citizen involvement, and strengthen communication between police, fire, and
engineering departments. The program could involve a first-year process to educate
neighborhoods through a combination of educational/enforcement programs such as:
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of March 27, 2001
Page 2 of 3
1. Neighborhood Traffic Safety Campaign.
2. Traffic safety newsletter/flyers.
3. Brush trimming to improve sight distances at intersections.
4. Pavement markings.
5. Additional signing (speed limit, parking, dead-end, school signs, etc.).
6. Increased enforcement.
7. Speed trailer.
8. Permanent radar sign.
9. Neighborhood speed watch.
10. Photo radar.
11. Turn restrictions (full-time or peak hour).
12. Parking modifications.
13. Speed limit changes (in limited situations, according to State law).
The City could consider making roadway changes if the first phase isn't effective. This type of
policy/program would allow more flexibility for the City.
Public Works Director Moore noted that speed humps need to follow spacing requirements;
otherwise, they aren't effective.
Councilmember Johnson stated she would like a process in place that has measurable timeframes
with speed humps being the last solution to the problem. She added that potentially, residents
could be required to pay a portion or all of the cost of the speed humps.
Councilmember Harstad stated he agrees with Councilmember Johnson. He supports assessing
100% of the speed hump installation cost to the neighborhood. He added that he does not
support traffic circles.
Public Works Director Moore stated sometimes traffic circles handle more traffic than all -way
stops.
Councilmember Stein asked about Fox Run's response to the moratorium and/or no speed
humps. Councilmember Hewitt stated they would not attend another meeting to discuss other
issues or alternatives. The majority of the residents did not favor the speed humps.
Councilmember Slavik stated she supports assessing the cost of speed humps to the
neighborhood. She would favor a percentage greater than 50% for cul-de-sac streets. She
thanked staff for the packet of materials from other cities who have Traffic Calming Programs.
She would support raised crosswalks, which are mentioned in the packet materials. She stressed
that speed humps should not be constructed on primary and emergency roadways.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of March 27, 2001
Page 3 of 3
Councilmember Black stated that she would support a Traffic Calming Program with the
educational efforts. She would also support assessing the speed humps.
Mayor Tierney asked what is the design of the raised crosswalks. Public Works Director Moore
replied they are very similar to speed humps, and they are constructed and marked at the
crosswalk. Mayor Tierney stated the height should be three inches or less.
Mayor Tierney asked how often the City utilizes its speed trailer in those neighborhoods where
traffic is a problem. Police Chief Gerdes replied due to the snowfall, his department was unable
to utilize the trailer in the winter. The speed trailer has a short-term positive effect, as there is no
enforcement component to it. However, there has been a real positive use with the trailers.
Currently, the City has one speed trailer, and they cost approximately $5,000 each.
City Manager Johnson noted that a petition submitted by a neighborhood should be a threshold,
and it shouldn't control the Council's decision. Mayor Tierney stated the language in the City's
policy should be amended to state, "petition to explore."
Councilmember Stein stated before speed humps would be constructed, he would support a
neighborhood educational process and involvement the neighborhood.
In conclusion, the Council supports development of an overall Traffic Cahning Program to
include standards and educational efforts for the neighborhoods. The petition requirements
should be expanded, and staff is to prepare standards for assessing the costs of speed humps.
Consider Future Study Session Topics
The Council amended their Study Session topic list by deleting and adding items to the list.
Adjournment
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to
the meeting at 6:55 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion
s' )
Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk