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, May 2, 2017 6:30 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Blaine Traffic Commission met in the City Hall Chambers on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Chair Haas called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. He read from a statement on the agenda regarding the role and responsibilities of the Traffic Commission. 2. Roll Call Staff Present: Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk Tom Scott, Project Coordinator, Engineering Department Captain Dan Szykulski Sergeant Joseph Sadler Detective Joe Matzke Present: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Mahmudi, Maschke, and Skarich Absent: 1 - Hill 3. Approval of Minutes 3.-1 MIN 17-18 APRIL 4 TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES Chair Haas recommended the following change to the April 4, 2017, Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes: Page 2, Paragraph 4, 3rd sentence, should read “Assistant City Engineer”. Motion by Commissioner Skarich to approve the minutes of April 4, 2017, with the following correction: -Page 2, Paragraph 4, 3rd sentence, insert “Assistant” before “City Engineer” Motion seconded by Commissioner Chmielewski. The motion passed 5-0. Aye: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Mahmudi, Maschke, and Skarich City of Blaine Page 1 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final May 2, 2017 Commissioner Mahmudi arrived at 7:05 p.m. Oath of Office City Clerk Sorensen administered the Oath of Office to Khuram Mahmudi. Oath of Office administered. 4. Open Forum for Citizen Input Vieli Torniainen, 2968 Rice Creek Parkway NE, expressed concern over excessive speeding on Rice Creek Parkway. He added he lives on the Parkway near the stop sign at Kane Meadows Park, and many cars accelerate quickly after they leave the intersection and go north on Flanders Road. He noted that the speed of traffic in his neighborhood needs to be controlled better by the City. Mr. Torniainen stated there is also a high volume of commercial traffic on Rice Creek Parkway. He added he has heard that commercial vehicles are not allowed on Xylite Street due to weight restrictions, although that would be the more appropriate route. He noted another more appropriate route for commercial vehicles is the I-35W frontage road, but there is no left-hand turn at 95th Avenue, so large commercial vehicles cut through the Rice Creek Parkway neighborhood to reach 95th Avenue. Mr. Torniainen stated the combination of excessive speed and large commercial vehicles creates safety concerns in his residential neighborhood. He requested that the Traffic Commission provide a recommendation to the City Council to prevent speeders on Rice Creek Parkway through the use of stop signs or speed bumps. Captain Szykulski stated he believes the City Council has authorized an independent study of Rice Creek Parkway, which is the first step in the process. Project Coordinator Tom Scott confirmed that Rice Creek Parkway has Minnesota State Aid Road designation, and State Aid rules apply. Captain Szykulski stated there have been many resident complaints about excessive speeds on Rice Creek Parkway. He added there has been sporadic enforcement when units are available. He noted the City’s new Traffic Unit will soon be functional, and Rice Creek Parkway will be evaluated. Chair Haas suggested that Mr. Torniainen contact City Engineer Jean Keely with questions regarding the City-Council authorized independent study of Rice Creek Parkway Captain Szykulski stated he wished to introduce himself to the Commissioners. He City of Blaine Page 2 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final May 2, 2017 added he joined the Blaine Police Department in 1984 as a member of the Police Reserve. He noted he is next-in-command to Chief Olson, and he assured the Commissioners that there would be a Police Department representative present at every Traffic Commission meeting. Comments received. 5. Adoption of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Skarich to adopt the May 2, 2017 Traffic Commission Meeting Agenda. Motion seconded by Commissioner Maschke. The motion passed 6-0. Aye: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Mahmudi, Maschke, and Skarich 6. Public Hearings/Comments None. None. 7. Old Business None. None. 8. New Business 8.-1 Updated Traffic Commission Member List City Clerk Sorensen presented an updated list of Commission Members with contact information, verified phone numbers, and dates of the terms they will serve on the Traffic Commission. Informational; no action required. 8.-2 2017 Blaine's Calendar of Meetings City Clerk Sorensen stated the Traffic Commission meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Chambers. She added the July 4, 2017, meeting date will have to be rescheduled or cancelled. She noted City Staff will post any changes or cancellations on the City website for public notice. Chair Haas suggested the July 4, 2017, meeting could be rescheduled to July 5, 2017. Commissioner Skarich stated he is not available on July 5, 2017. It was the consensus of the Traffic Commission to reschedule the July 4, 2017, Traffic Commission Meeting to July 5, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Chambers. City of Blaine Page 3 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final May 2, 2017 8.-3 Summary of Minnesota Open Meeting Law - Handout City Clerk Sorensen stated City Staff put together a summary of Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law for the Traffic Commission’s reference. She added this handout is for informational purposes only. She noted presentations, discussions and information reviewed at the Traffic Commission meetings is available to the public. Commissioner Wold asked whether Commissioners can email each other. City Clerk Sorensen stated email communication between the Commissioners is acceptable. She requested that City Engineer Keely should be copied in on the emails so they become part of City Record. Informational; no action required. 8.-4 Draft Traffic Commission Rules for Transaction of Business - Handout City Clerk Sorenson presented a draft Rules for Transaction of Business document for the Traffic Commission’s review, including a draft mission statement. She stated the Traffic Commission should consider ideas and suggestions for how they would like the meetings conducted. She added any changes or amendments can be formally adopted at a future meeting. Informational; no action required. 8.-5 Discuss the Traffic Complaint Process; data collection and prioritzation City Clerk Sorensen stated the Traffic Complaint form is available on the City’s new website, and residents can complete and submit the form’s online link. She added traffic complaints will be evaluated by City Staff and considered for review by the Traffic Commission. Informational; no action required. 8.-6 Demonstrate the Traffic Complaint Link on the New City of Blaine Website Sergeant Sadler stated residents can initiate the Traffic Complaint process on the City’s newly updated website - under “Government”, select “Safety Services”, and residents will be redirected to the Safety Services webpage; scroll down and select “Traffic Complaints”, and complete the online form. He noted a copy of the complaint will be emailed to the Traffic Unit. Sergeant Sadler stated the Traffic Complaints online form should be completed as accurately as possible, including the nature of the complaint, location, and the date or days of the week and specific times of day. He added complainants will be required to provide contact information. He noted, after Police Department review, a squad may be called to the area if the issue requires immediate attention. If not, City of Blaine Page 4 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final May 2, 2017 the complaint will be referred to the Engineering Department. Engineering Project Coordinator Scott stated the Engineering Department determines which equipment is most appropriate for the location - the Police Department’s speed trailer, or traffic counting tubes. He added a task list is continuously updated between the Engineering and Police Departments, so the same area can be addressed by both methods on different days. He noted the speed trailer records traffic speeds that are generally 1-2 miles per hour slower than the tube due to its visibility to drivers. Engineering Project Coordinator Scott stated the last step in the process is to report back to the complainant or City Council and communicate the traffic speed testing results. Captain Szykulski stated Traffic Commissioners will start receiving emails from residents with traffic complaints, which should be forwarded to the Police Department or City Staff to initiate the Traffic Complaint process. Chair Haas stated the Traffic Commissioners can forward emails to City Engineer Jean Keely. Captain Szykulski stated the Police Department has acquired a new device that can record speeds as well as traffic counts, and it will not be visible to drivers as it will be mounted on a pole or tree. He added the Engineering Department determines where enforcement will be focused based on traffic complaints, and data from the speed trailer and tubes is used to determine what action will be taken. He noted there will be more community outreach when the new Traffic Unit is in place, which is a key component of the Traffic Complaint process. Presented and discussed; no action required. 8.-7 Police Department - Demonstration of Equipment Sergeant Sadler stated an equipment demonstration would be given in the City Hall parking lot after the meeting. He introduced Detective Joe Matzke. Detective Matzke thanked the Traffic Commissioners for their time and dedication, and for taking on this important role, and making a difference in the community. He stated he has worked for the City of Blaine for 11 years, and in 2007, he obtained Instructor Certification for lidar and radar from the Northwest Center for Public Safety. He added he trains all the officers in the use of lidar and radar equipment. He noted each squad car is equipped with a Stalker DSR 2x radar unit, which is the best technology currently available for moving radar, using radio waves to measure speed. City of Blaine Page 5 Traffic Commission Minutes - Final May 2, 2017 Detective Matzke stated DSR 2x equipment allows Officers to detect the speed of targeted vehicles moving in different directions. He added 2 antennae mounted on the squad cars provide moving and stationary radar capability, and an instant return on vehicle speed. Detective Matzke stated the Traffic Unit plans to demonstrate some of the devices at community outreach events such as “Night to Unite”, which will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2017, throughout the City of Blaine. He added this is a great opportunity to educate the public and broaden awareness of the Traffic Complaint process. Sergeant Sadler stated the Traffic Commissioners had received a Traffic Survey Analysis Report with their meeting packet. He added the analysis report contains data that is downloaded from the speed trailer, such as vehicle counts, maximum, average and minimum speeds, and the “85th percentile”, which is a calculation based on how many drivers are going over and under the speed limit. Chair Haas stated the Traffic Commission has a meeting on August 1, 2017, which is the same date as the City’s Night to Unite. He asked whether another night should be chosen for the Traffic Commission meeting. City Clerk Sorensen confirmed this, adding the meeting could be moved to August 9, 2017. She agreed to change the date on the meeting schedule, but re-confirm with the Traffic Commission closer to that date. It was the consensus of the Traffic Commission Members to change the August 1, 2017, Traffic Commission Meeting to August 9, 2017. 10. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Wold to adjourn the Transportation Commission meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Chmielewski. The motion passed 6-0. Adjournment time was 7:10 p.m. Aye: 6 - Haas, Chmielewski, Wold, Mahmudi, Maschke, and Skarich City of Blaine Page 6