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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTSMinutes_2016_07_14BROOKINGS TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE City & County Government Center, Room 241 Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:10 p.m. The Brookings Traffic Safety Committee held its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at 12:10pm in the City & County Government Center Suite 230, Room 241. Members Present: Skip Webster, Jackie Lanning, Carol Rettkowski, Becky Schmieding, Shayn Damm, Gary Gramm, Matt Bartley, John Howard and James Weiss. Members Absent: Tim Heaton, Tony Sonnenburg, Jeff Miller and Brian Leuders. Others Present: Justin Bucher, Jeremy Klingbile, Denise Dornbush, Terry Knutson and Joy Jensen. Call to Order: Additions to Agenda: None Old Business: Request for 2-way stop signs at the intersection of Hunters Ridge Rd. & 7th Avenue S. Lanning described that she received a request to install 2-way stop signs from a citizen who lives in that area. The citizen was concerned about increased traffic. She said the east/west traffic tends not to stop and is worried that the traffic may increase. There were no reported accidents in recent years at the intersection. The committee discussed the upcoming street project for 7th Avenue South and 15th Street South which may change driving patterns in the area. After discussion, Schmieding made a motion to monitor the intersection until the new street project is constructed which was seconded by Gramm. All present vote aye. Motion passed. New Business: Request for 2-way stop signs at the intersection of 15th Street South and Christine Avenue Lanning described that a City police officer received a request while she was running radar in the area to install a stop sign on Christine Avenue at the intersection of 15th Street South. The citizen explained that construction vehicles working on Christine Avenue don’t stop when entering 15th Street South. Lanning described the City Ordinance lists “through streets” which are referenced in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as allowing stop signs at streets entering the through street. She described that there are some collector streets on the City’s Major Street Plan that are not listed in the ordinance as through streets, and stop signs are discussed on those streets on a case-by-case basis. Lanning pointed out there is already a stop sign on the north side of the intersection which she verified before the meeting. Jeremy Klingbile at 1424 Christine Avenue asked if a stop light would be warranted or to install a 4-way stop sign. Denise Dornbush of 1220 Christine Avenue agreed and said now there are 17 homes in the development south of 15th Street South and she was worried about cars driving too fast with students crossing the street. Klingbile was concerned that a 4-way stop sign may create a back up of traffic and thought a traffic signal would be better at that intersection. Bucher added that Christine Avenue will be constructed to connect with 20th Street South. Lanning read the MUTCD warrants for a 2-way stop sign that would be met is Section 2B.04, which states “that Yield or Stop signs should be used at an intersection if one or more of the following condition exists: an intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law.” She stated the intersection would a more in-depth study to see if it would warrant 4-way stop signs or a traffic signal. Schmieding stated that it would be a good idea to use the speed trailer on 15th Street South to alert vehicles of their speed and the committee agreed it would add enforcement since it is a school area. Schmieding /Webster made a motion to recommend the speed trailer be used on 15th Street South and to install a stop sign on Christine Avenue on the south side of 15th Street South. All present voted aye. Motion passed. Request for a stop sign on Folsom Street at the intersection of Division Avenue. Lanning described that this request was brought to the City by a person employed by Prussman Construction. He stated their trucks use Division Avenue as part of their haul route. Division Avenue is a gravel road and he stated other companies in the area also use it as a haul route. He stated they had witnessed vehicles driving west bound on Folsom Avenue into the Agri-Cultures commercial development without stopping on Division Avenue to look for traffic. Lanning stated the west side of the intersection is a private driveway, and there is a large tree on the north east corner of the intersection that obstructs visibility for vehicles driving west. Lanning described the MUTCD warrants for 2-way stop signs and the following warrant would be met : Section 2B.04, which states “In addition, the use of Yield or Stop signs should be considered at the intersection of two minor streets or local roads where the intersection has more than three approaches and where one or more of the following conditions exist: B. The ability to see conflicting traffic on an approach is not sufficient to allow a road user to stop or yield in compliance w ith the normal right- of-way rule if such stopping or yielding is necessary.” The committee discussed that they wouldn’t be able to require a stop sign on the west side of the intersection. Damm/Rettkowski made a motion to recommend a stop sign on Folsom Street on the northeast corner of the intersection. All present voted aye. Motion passed. Member Reports:  The committee discussed the No Right on Red signs on the traffic signal at 12 th Street South and 7th Avenue South. Some members of the committee thought the current signs on the signal mast arm were visible and some members wanted extra signs on the vertical signal pole. Lanning will do further research on sign placement and discuss the issue with the City Manager.  Webster noted that the Bobcat business at the corner of 8th Street South and Main Avenue South had been parking equipment along Main Avenue South which blocks visibility for drivers at the intersection. Lanning will have staff measure to see if the vehicles are in the sight triangle.  Damm mentioned that the yellow flashing arrows at traffic signals were confusing for some drivers and may cause accidents. Lanning will do another press release to help educate drivers about the flashing yellow arrows. The next meeting will be August 11, 2016. Meeting adjourned. Submitted by: Chris Larson