Traffic Commission

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final Traffic Commission The Traffic Commission is an advisory body to the City Council. The Commission’s function is to review neighborhood traffic concerns on local streets, define issues, review alternatives and cost, hold neighborhood informational/public hearings and make recommendations to the City Council. For each item the Commission will receive reports prepared by City staff, hold neighborhood information hearings and take comment as needed and discuss and act on each issue/concern. The City Council will make all final decisions on these matters. Tuesday, April 4, 2017 6:30 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Blaine Traffic Commission met in the City Hall Chambers on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Chair Haas called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Administration of Oaths of Office City Clerk Sorensen administered the oaths of office to the new Commission Members. Oaths of Office administered. 3. Roll Call Staff Present: Jean Keely, City Engineer Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk Bob Therres, Public Services Manager Chris Olson, Safety Services Manager/Police Chief Sergeant Joseph Sadler Present: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Hill, Maschke, and Skarich Absent: 1 - Mahmudi 4. Introductions Nick Skarich stated he has lived in The Lakes neighborhood since June 2016, and members of his family have lived in Blaine for years. He stated he previously lived in Hugo, and has seen many changes in the City’s roads since then. He shared that he is employed by Doherty & Company LLC, an underwriting investment bank in Minneapolis, and has experience with City infrastructure financing. He said he hopes to help identify traffic concerns that he observes driving around the City City of Blaine Page 1 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 every day. Chad Maschke stated he has lived in The Lakes neighborhood since 2014, and currently works for Comcast as a Technician Supervisor. He previously worked as a technician in the Blaine area, so he is very familiar with the City’s roads and infrastructure. He expressed his interest in becoming involved in City government. Kevin Chmielewski stated he grew up in Circle Pines and moved to Blaine in 1985. He said he is currently the Utilities Supervisor for the City of Shoreview. He stated he wanted to become involved in Blaine City government, and hopes he can provide some perspective and expertise gained through his work with knowledgeable Shoreview Public Utilities staff. Terry Wold stated he has lived at Lexington Avenue and Edgewood Road for 30 years. He said he retired from the Circle Pines Fire Department after 18 years of service and also served as the Centennial Fire Commissioner. He said he has been a member of the Lions Club International for 26 years and worked with Mayor Tom Ryan on the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program. He was asked to be an Election Judge, and Police Chief Chris Olson is a friend and fellow Lions Club member. He wanted to get involved in the City of Blaine, and the Traffic Commission was a great opportunity to do so. Loren Hill stated he lives in The Lakes neighborhood and serves on the Lakes Board. He shared that he retired from the Minnesota Department of Transportation after 35 years as a Civil and Traffic Safety Engineer and continues to do consulting. He said he was involved in initiating the State of Minnesota’s “Towards Zero Deaths” (TZD) traffic safety program in 2003, dedicated to reducing traffic-related deaths. He stated wanted to give back to the community and hopefully share some of his knowledge and expertise with the Traffic Commission. Todd Haas stated he is a 30-year resident of Blaine. He said he attended Blaine High School, and received a degree in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University. He has worked for the City of Andover as an Assistant City Engineer for 23 years, and has been the Assistant Public Works Director for the past 7 years. He said he is Andover’s Parks & Recreation Coordinator, and a 20-year member, and current Chair, of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization. He said he wanted to join the Commission as he has experience with traffic issues and hopes the Commission can provide valuable recommendations to the City Council. Jean Keely, Blaine City Engineer, stated she has worked at the City of Blaine for 28.5 years - as Assistant City Engineer for 16 years, and City Engineer since May City of Blaine Page 2 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 2005. She said she plans to attend the first few meetings of the Traffic Commission but will continue to prepare and provide the Traffic Commission meeting materials. Chris Olson, Chief of Police, stated he has been a member of the Blaine Police Department since 1990, and has served as Police Chief since 2008. He added Sergeant Joseph Sadler has been appointed to Traffic Unit Supervisor and will serve as Staff Law Enforcement resource on the Traffic Commission. He expressed the Police Department’s commitment to traffic safety, and support for the “TZD” initiative. Bob Therres, Public Services Manager, stated he will attend Traffic Commission meetings as needed, depending upon the issues being reviewed. He added another Engineering Staff member will be the Traffic Commission’s regular liaison. Sergeant Joseph Sadler stated he has been a member of the Blaine Police Department since 2004, and has been appointed to his role as Traffic Commission Liaison. He shared his experience with the TZD program as well as traffic enforcement and safety, and said he hopes some of his experience will be helpful to the Commission. He added he looks forward to working with the Traffic Commission. Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk, stated she worked for the City of Blaine in the 1990s, and went to the City of Coon Rapids for a few years before returning to work for the City of Blaine. She added she looks forward to working with the Traffic Commission, and she is also looking for more election judges. Introductions made. 5. Purpose/Ordinance Review City Engineer Keely stated the Traffic Commission will be organized like the Planning Commission at the request of the City Council. She added the Traffic Commission Ordinance is similar to the Planning Commission Ordinance. City Engineer Keely reviewed the Ordinance directive pertaining to the Traffic Commission: “As an advisory board to the City Council, the Traffic Commission shall review neighborhood traffic concerns on local streets, define issues, review alternatives, look at costs, hold public hearings, and make recommendations back to the City Council”. City Engineer Keely stated the Commissioners’ terms should be determined at tonight’s meeting. She added terms are typically 2 years, but will be staggered. She noted 4 members, including the Chair, will serve a 3-year term, and 3 members will serve 2-year terms. After this initial cycle, all Traffic Commissioners will serve 2-year terms. City of Blaine Page 3 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 City Engineer Keely stated Traffic Commission vacancies will be filled by mayoral appointment, and meetings will be conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order. She added a public record of the proceedings will be provided by Timesaver, Inc., an organization that transcribes meeting minutes from webcast. She noted the meeting agendas, minutes and related materials will be available on the City website. Commissioner Hill asked whether the Traffic Commission will only review traffic concerns related to residential streets. City Engineer Keely confirmed this. Informational; no action required. 5. Adoption of Agenda Agenda adopted as presented. 7. Review of Educational Materials City Engineer Keely reviewed a variety of materials that were compiled for the Traffic Commission’s review and reference. These include a copy of the Ordinance, and a color-coded City streets map. Chair Haas asked whether City Staff will provide further materials when an issue is being reviewed by the Traffic Commission. City Engineer Keely confirmed that a staff report with related materials will be put together by the Engineering and Police Departments. City Engineer Kelly referred to State Statute, Chapter 169, which regulates State-wide traffic-related sign uniformity: “The Commissioners shall adopt a manual and specifications for uniform system of traffic control devices”; and “All traffic control devices shall be erected according to State Manual and Specifications.” City Engineer Keely stated a traffic control devices manual is available on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) website, along with many other manuals, which will provide useful guidance for the Traffic Commission. City Engineer Keely stated speed limits are set by State Statute, and local streets are generally 30 miles per hour (mph). She added 105th Avenue is scheduled for reconstruction this summer and its improved design will hopefully lower traffic speeds. City Engineer Keely stated staff analysis will be used in considering new signage requests in neighborhoods. As noted in the manual, “Regulatory and warning signs should be used conservatively or they tend to lose their effectiveness”. She stressed the importance of being consistent in recommending new signage. City of Blaine Page 4 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 City Engineer Keely reviewed regulations regarding right of way of intersections in the manual: “Yield or stop signs should not be used for speed control”. She stated studies show that drivers do not stop at stop signs that are in the wrong places. City Engineer Keely stated Section 2B.9, “Stop Signs”, reviews necessary requirements for putting a stop sign on minor street approaches, or multi-way stop applications. She added several factors are considered, including crashes, traffic counts, and traffic speeds. She noted an “85% rule” is used when determining whether speed mitigation is required - if 85% of drivers at a location are driving 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, that indicates a speeding problem. City Engineer Keely stated the City installed pedestrian crossing signs last year at crosswalks at three locations: two were installed on The Lakes Parkway, near the beach and by West Lake Park; and one was installed on Cloud Drive east of Radisson Road, for a crossing to a trail leading to a park. City Engineer Keely stated the Police Department and Engineering Department have a process that was initiated around 2008 for addressing traffic complaints. She added complaints are received and recorded, and the tube counter is used to collect traffic counts and speed data. She noted the Police radar trailer is also used for driver education and awareness, as well as police presence and the issuance of speeding citations. City Engineer Keely stated the process for investigating traffic complaints has been communicated to City residents at annual “Night to Unite” neighborhood events and other local gatherings. She added the process includes education and outreach, the use of tubes to gather data, the speed trailer to remind drivers of the speed limit, and enforcement. Chief Olson stated the speed trailer can also gather measurable data such as vehicle counts and speed. He added the “85th percentile” benchmark is commonly used and recognized. He noted, when dealing with excessive speed in an area, it is important to be aware of what is 85% over the speed limit, and how it triggers a different level of enforcement. City Engineer Keely reviewed a memo from Chief Olson regarding the responsibilities and procedures that Sergeant Sadler and the Traffic Unit will be using regarding traffic education and enforcement in residential areas. Chair Haas asked whether the Traffic Commission will be reviewing requests for speed limit changes in neighborhoods. City Engineer Keely stated City Staff receives requests to lower speed limits, and City of Blaine Page 5 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 residents are advised that there is a risk that the result could be a higher speed limit. She added the planned improvements to 105th Avenue require State Aid road approval. She noted City Staff are confident that this will result in a lower speed on 105th Avenue. City Engineer Keely reviewed the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, which was initiated in 2004-2005 by the City Council, and provides a process that neighborhoods can follow when they have traffic concerns. She added the program was designed for local streets only. She noted this working document is included in the Traffic Commissions information packet for purposes of review and reference, and the Engineering Department has some recommendations for revisions. City Engineer Keely reviewed the City’s Crosswalk Policy, developed by the City Council in 2014. She added the City is careful about where crosswalks are installed, because pedestrians should not assume that they are safe from drivers. She added some locations, such as intersections, are more conducive to crosswalks than others. Informational; no action required. 8. Selection of Terms Motion by Commissioner Hill to approve the following expiration of terms: Commissioner Chmielewski December 31, 2019 Commissioner Hill December 31, 2020 Commissioner Mahmudi December 31, 2019 Commissioner Maschke December 31, 2019 Commissioner Skarich December 31, 2020 Commissioner Wold December 31, 2020 Chair Haas December 31, 2020 Motion seconded by Commissioner Chmielewski. The motion passed 6-0. Aye: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Hill, Maschke, and Skarich Commissioner Wold stated that Commissioner Mahmudi’s phone number should have a (763) area code. City Clerk Sorensen said she would confirm and update the list. 9. Establish Future Meeting Schedule City Engineer Keely stated the Traffic Commission should decide on a monthly meeting day and time. She asked whether the 1st Tuesday of the month and start time of 6:30 p.m. is acceptable. City of Blaine Page 6 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 City Engineer Keely stated the City Council had discussed whether the Traffic Commission could meet every other month, but their consensus was that monthly meetings should be held during the initial Committee start-up phase. Motion by Commissioner Chmielewski to schedule future Traffic Commission meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, starting at 6:30 p.m., in the City Hall Chambers. Motion seconded by Commissioner Maschke. The motion passed 6-0. Aye: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Hill, Maschke, and Skarich City Engineer Keely stated the Traffic Commission’s next meeting would be May 2, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Hill asked whether there is anything for the Commissioners to review or prepare before the May 2, 2017, meeting. City Engineer Keely stated City Staff will prepare a meeting packet for review by the Traffic Commission a week before the next meeting. Commissioner Hill asked whether it is acceptable for the Commissioners to talk to each other outside of the meetings. City Clerk Sorensen stated the Traffic Commission meetings are subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. She added individual conversations, including via email, could be a violation of that law. She noted Commissioners can contact Chair Haas to request a discussion or agenda item. She agreed to provide information about the Open Meeting Law for the Traffic Commissioners. Commissioner Wold stated the Commission could schedule a worksession meeting if necessary. City Clerk Sorensen agreed, adding the meeting would need to be publicly noticed. Commissioner Wold asked whether the Commissioners would be publicly identified as the City’s new Traffic Commission, and whether they should use a City email address or business cards. City Clerk Sorensen stated the Commissioners’ names and personal email addresses will be added to the City website. She asked that the Commissioners notify her if they want to remove or change their email contact information. City Engineer Keely asked whether the Commissioners would like to receive their meeting packet by email, or have a packet delivered to their homes. Chair Haas and Commissioner Wold requested a printed packet delivered to their homes. Commissioners Chmielewski, Hill, Maschke and Skarich indicated that they would be fine with receiving the packet via email. Commissioner Hill requested a printed copy be provided at the meeting. City of Blaine Page 7 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 City Engineer Keely stated the May meeting agenda and packet will be available on the City website. Chief Olson stated Sergeant Sadler is planning to review City-owned traffic-related equipment at an upcoming Traffic Commission meeting. He added the Traffic Unit will attempt to meet with residents and gain all the facts about a complaint before prioritizing it. He noted the Traffic Unit provides a time frame for how and when the problem will be addressed. Commissioner Chmielewski asked whether the equipment has been purchased, or if the City contracts with outside engineering consultants. City Engineer Keely stated the City owns 8 sets of tubes to be used for traffic counts on State Aid roads in 2017. Chair Haas asked if there are any neighborhoods in Blaine that are known for traffic violations. Sergeant Sadler stated an area of focus is Rice Creek Parkway, where residents have noticed consistently high traffic speeds. He added the Traffic Unit is working with the Engineering Department to narrow down time frames for testing and make sure there are officers in the neighborhood during certain times of day. City Engineer Keely stated speed studies were authorized by the City Council and completed in 2016 on 119th Avenue between Highway 65 and Radisson Road, and Rice Creek Parkway. She added the City Council requested that the Rice Creek Parkway speed study be presented to the Traffic Commission for review and recommendation. She noted that might be an agenda item for the Traffic Commission’s May 2, 2017, meeting. City Engineer Keely stated the City Council has identified potential projects for the Traffic Commission to address: consideration of the public hearing process in relation to traffic control measures; consider the Rice Creek Traffic Study; revise the Neighborhood Traffic Policy and provide a summary report to the City Council; and consider the effectiveness of installations. City Engineer Keely stated, as an example, a set of temporary speed humps were installed on 116th Avenue east of Radisson Road for 6 months, and neighborhood residents were surveyed regarding their effectiveness. She added the neighborhood did not request permanent speed humps, and they were not re-installed. City Engineer Keely stated 2 sets of permanent speed humps have been in place for over 20 years, on Baltimore and Davenport Streets between 87th and 89th Avenues. She added this was a test case initiated by the City Council. She noted the speed humps relieved traffic speed concerns in the neighborhood, and they are still in place. City of Blaine Page 8 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final April 4, 2017 City Engineer Keely stated the City Council has directed that the Traffic Commission will not review traffic concerns on the interstate or highway, or in new developments. She added City Staff will still receive petitions, complaints and emails from residents, and requests from the City Council. She noted after being reviewed by the Police and Engineering Departments, issues will be brought to the Traffic Commission for review and consideration. Chief Olson stated, for purposes of clarification, the Traffic Unit is not available right now, but the goal is to have it up and running in early June 2017. 10. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Wold to adjourn the Traffic Commission meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Maschke. The motion passed 6-0. Adjournment time was 7:52 p.m. Aye: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Hill, Maschke, and Skarich City of Blaine Page 9