Board of Public Safety

Meeting Minutes of the BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY December 3, 2020 Via Zoom 16860 Main Street APPROVED Committee Members in Attendance: Marshal Scott Collier Police Liaison Captain James Mundel, St Louis County Police Council Member Liaison Dave Bertolino Board Member Lynette Baker Board Member Denny Welker Also Present: Rick Brown, Director of Public Works Steve Cross, Interim City Administrator Sgt. Brad Wendling, St Louis County Police Absent: Deputy Chief John Bradley, Metro West Fire District Board Member Jeff Baker I. ROLL CALL A roll call was taken at 6:30 pm, with the above noted as present. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Marshal Scott Collier to accept the minutes from the October 15th meeting. All members voted in favor. III. PUBLIC COMMENT A comment form submitted by Barb Giljum was acknowledged. She stated that St. Paul Road is a safety concern due to the narrow width, increased traffic volume, and speeding traffic. She expressed the desire that the City improve the safety of St. Paul Road. The Board determined that the Director of Public Works would speak personally to the resident and retain the item on the agenda for the next meeting. IV. FOR INFORMATION A. Route 100 Road Safety Audit 1. Director of Public Works, Rick Brown, explained that the Route 100 Safety Audit is currently underway. It is a MODOT conducted survey for safety improvements that are low cost, yet effective. Improvements include features such as signage, striping, and reflectors. The final report will be ready by the end of January 2021. 1  2. The St. Louis County Police, Wildwood Precinct, is attempting to obtain authorization from MoDOT to place temporary speed radar devices on Route 100 to assist with enforcement of the speed limits. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Deer Distance Sampling Population Study Sgt. Brad Wendling described the progress of the deer distance sampling survey, that is currently being conducted by the Wildwood Precinct, and expected to be complete by the end of December. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Woods Road Cut Through Traffic 1. Rick Brown described the road and introduced the concern from a resident regarding speeding, cut-through traffic, associated traffic noise, and the desire for the road to be open to local traffic only. Traffic counts and speed studies have been conducted in this roadway in 2019 and 2020. 2. Captain James Mundel described the challenges that the Wildwood Precinct face with enforcement on this narrow road with no shoulders, thus lacking a safe space to monitor traffic, or pull over speeders. Captain Mundel noted that the crash history for Woods Road is low. 3. Discussion moved to the topic of allowing officers to use residential driveways as enforcement locations, and other currently used and potential monitoring strategies. Sgt. Brad Wendling made a recommendation to install two speed limit signs in the flat area near Hwy 109, where temporary electronic speed displays could be mounted, so that motorists can be aware of their speed. Rick Brown noted that a permanent electronic speed display is an option, and that Public Works would work with police to determine placement location for the speed limit signs. 4. No further action was made by the Board relative to this topic. B. Parking at Green Pines Park 1. Green Pines Park is a new neighborhood park. The plan for the park has included 5 parking spaces, and most neighborhood families have claimed that it will draw users that walk and bike to the park. Those living close by have asked that the City tackle street parking near the park prior to park opening. 2. Potential locations and solutions for controlling overflow parking were discussed. 3. Council Member Liaison Dave Bertolino recommended placing “No Parking” signage in front of the first two homes on either side of the intersection for the park. Members of the Board supported the recommendation and agreed to revisit the topic if it becomes a larger problem. C. Proposed Development of a Traffic Policy to Respond to Speeding on Residential Streets 1. Rick Brown explained a need for a formal policy to help the department provide for a consistent and fair response to speeding and cut through complaints on small lot subdivision streets. Other municipalities have similar traffic policies. Coordination with 2  Wildwood Police on the policy is expected. Communication with residents would be part of the process. 2. Captain Mundel explained that steps such as a speed survey, radar trailer, and enforcement would be included in the policy. 3. The Board encouraged that the City research traffic policies in other similar communities, and to provide clear definitions and standards. The Board asks to return to the topic as it develops. VII. NOT READY FOR ACTION A. No items VIII. Miscellaneous IX. ADJOURNMENT A motion to was made to adjourn by Marshal Scott Collier, with no objections. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Michelle Scherer Administrative Assistant for Public Works 3