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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