HomeMy WebLinkAboutTSMinutes_2015_08_13BROOKINGS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
City & County Government Center
Thursday, August 13, 2015
12:10 p.m.
The Brookings Traffic Safety Committee held its monthly meeting on Thursday, August 13,
2015, at 12:10pm in the City & County Government Center Suite 230, Room 241.
Members Present: Carol Rettkowski, Brian Lueders, Gary Gramm, Becky Schmieding,
Gregg Jorgenson, Shayn Damm, and Jackie Lanning.
Members Absent: Tony Sonnenburg, John Howard, Shayn Damm, Skip Webster, Tim
Heaton Jeff Miller, Pete Kirchhevel and James Weiss.
Others Present: None
Call to Order: Jorgenson called the meeting to order. Schmieding/Lueders made a motion
to approve the minutes from the July 9, 2015 meeting. All present voted aye. Motion
passed.
Additions to Agenda: None
Old Business:
Discussion on removal of parking on the northwest and southwest corners of the 4th Street
and 15th Avenue intersection
Lanning passed out an aerial map showing the area. This item was a parent request
concerning visibility at the intersection and the committee discussed the issue at last month’s
meeting. Jorgenson commented that removing parking near the intersection may encourage
children to cross at the intersection. It was asked if the City had a traffic study at this location
and Lanning said the City does not have a study on the number of pedestrians that cross the
intersection. Lueders stated that students who come in the morning either go to the
playground or in the front door since the other doors are locked. Lanning said if it is left as is,
students would need to wait for traffic to cross 15th Avenue at 4th Street, or they can cross at
3rd Street and 15th Avenue where the crossing guard is. Damm stated it would not be worth
spending time and energy making the 4th Street intersection a crosswalk when there is
already one at 3rd Street & 15th Avenue. Schmieding said the students could be counted to
get an idea of how many cross at that location. Lueders added that there are 150 fewer
students going to Hillcrest Elementary in the fall. Rettkowski stated it is a parenting issue as
well. Lueders said it could be monitored as school opens and Schmieding agreed the police
department could also monitor it. Schmieding/Damm made a motion to take no action at
this time. All present voted aye. Motion passed.
New Business:
Discussion on the speed limit on 20th Street South between Western Avenue South and Main
Avenue South
Lanning stated the police department requested that the speed limit on 20th Street South
between Western Avenue South and Main Avenue South be lowered to 25 mph, and it is
currently 35 mph. The primary reason for the request is the visibility is limited due to the hill
on 20th Street South and vehicles may not see pedestrians crossing the road if they are
driving at a higher rate of speed. Lueders said they eliminated bussing to Valley View and
Esther Heights Additions so there will likely be more pedestrians walking to the new school.
Schmieding asked if there could be a time limit when the new speed was in place. Lanning
said the only speed zones that have a certain time limit are the school zone signs. Damm
had concerns for the pedestrians walking between the school and the Indian Hills area.
Lueders mentioned the students may be any age from K-12 since the new school is a bus
transfer location. Lueders was concerned with the road slope and vehicle speeds, and
Jorgenson agreed. Schmieding asked if a 4-way stop sign at Western Avenue and 20th
Street South would be a better option. Damm stated he saw 20th Street South as a
thoroughfare through town and didn’t know if the speed limit would need to be lowered since
it is unknown how many students will walk to the new school. Lueders estimated 30 students
from Esther Heights rode the bus last year and would possibly walk. Schmieding thought the
committee should have more information before making a decision. Schmieding/Damm
made a motion to table the item until next month. 4 members voted aye, 3 members
voted no. Motion passed.
Member Reports:
• Rettkowski said she has witnessed many people running stop signs on Main Avenue
and there should be more enforcement.
• Lueders said that the developer west of the new school should install sidewalk on the
north side of 26th Street South to join with the new school sidewalk.
• Gramm said the committee should monitor traffic around the new school after it opens.
The next meeting will be September 10, 2015. Meeting adjourned.
Submitted by: Jackie Lanning