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<br /> <br />to 25 miles per hour. He noted Mounds View, Arden Hills, Shoreview, Fridley, and Roseville would be <br />considering a change in the future. <br />Paetznick discussed the approach the Public Safety Department had towards speeding. He reported the focus <br />for his officers would be on enforcement, education and proper messaging to the community. He noted the <br />speed cart and fixed signs with driver feedback would be used to assist with enforcement. He suggested an <br />additional speed cart be purchased to assist with addressing traffic safety. <br /> <br />Schlichting commented further on how a living streets plan would assist with meeting the City’s long term <br />strategies, while also addressing driver behavior. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle asked if staff calculated the number of crashes that occurred on County roads versus <br />City streets. Schlichting explained he did not have this calculation, but noted the majority of the crashes in the <br />City were occurring on County roads (Silver Lake Road, Old Highway 8, Long Lake Road). He reported there <br />were very few accidents occurring on the City’s residential streets. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle stated he was pleased the County was discussing a change to their speed limits as <br />well. He commented further on how speeding impacts crashes and injuries. He stated the lower the speed in <br />residential neighborhoods, the better. He supported the Council further exploring a living streets plan or other <br />changes that could be made in order to lower the speed of traffic on residential streets. He thanked the Public <br />Works staff and Director Schlichting for all of their impressive work on this matter. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen explained he supported changing the resident speed limit to 25 miles per hour. He stated <br />the cost to implement the new road signs was quite insignificant. He indicated this change would address the <br />numerous complaints the City receives regarding the speed of traffic in New Brighton neighborhoods . He <br />didn’t want to see the City wait until someone was harmed before taking action. <br /> <br />Councilmember Axberg explained he was conflicted noting she was an active walker and biker. She indicated <br />she did not feel unsafe walking on the streets and questioned why the City did not have sidewalks. She stated <br />she would like to sit and think on this more. She feared that if the speed limit were lowered that the City <br />would be receiving more complaints about speeding. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Dunsworth stated she supported the City being proactive than reactive when it comes to this <br />matter. She also wanted New Brighton to be streamlined with neighboring communities. She commented on <br />the amount of time that has been spent on speed studies and noted a change to the overall residential speed <br />limit would address this concern too. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle explained that by reducing the speed of traffic from 30 to 25 miles per hour the <br />chances of being fatally wounded by a moving vehicle are greatly reduced. He commented on how speeding <br />cars were dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. He supported the City being proactive and supported the <br />City reducing the residential speed limit to 25 miles per hour. <br /> <br />Fencing Consortium Joint Powers Agreement <br /> <br />Massopust commented on how the last two years has changed the way municipalities consider risk <br />management and how to protect their facilities. <br /> <br />Schlichting discussed the benefits of being a part of the fencing consortium in the metro area in order to protect <br />critical infrastructure and to maintain essential services in the event of civil unrest. He listed the essential <br />services in the City that were already fenced, such as the water tower and water treatment plant. He stated in an <br />emergency situation, additional fencing may be required to protect City Hall and the Police Department. He