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I I I Council Meeting Minutes April 11, 2000 Page 3 Council Business. continued Comments received during the hearing indicated a desire to leave the 44 ft. width. Since that time, two letters and two phone calls were received supporting the 44 ft. width, and one call supported the 38 ft. width. Because staff has ability to bid alternates, Olson feels the width decision should be deferred until the bid award scheduled for May 9. This allows staff opportunity to gather information from residents by holding an informational meeting. Notices will be sent to residents living directly on 14th St. and an invitation will be published in the New Brighton Bulletin. Also, this would allow the ability for an exact cost differential of the two alternates and keep the project on schedule. Larson observed that last Sunday, there were parked cars on both sides of 14th St. which considerably narrowed the roadway. He feels this project provides a good opportunity to consider traffic calming methods in this area. Olson said there was a larger majority in support of the 44 ft. width, but some residents were unaware of the meeting and it is only fair to schedule another opportunity for residents to express their opinion. City Manager Matthew Fulton added that during the recent Neighborhood Grid Meetings, each neighborhood raised the issue of vehicle speeds and narrowing a roadway does help to reduce this problem. It is important to receive input from affected residents, but Fulton feels that persons out of the project area should be notified being that Pike Lake School serves residents in the entire north end of the City. John Bolhig, 1935 14th St., is especially concerned of the speed levels on 14th St., and feels installing stop signs at the second school driveway and before Long Lk. Rd. will slow traffic. He feels this area should be designated a slower speed zone because ofthe school. Samuelson asked the current traffic calming measures being used on 14th St. Police Chief Bob Jacobson said New Brighton has an active Public Safety Commission and one oftheir tasks is to review traffic concerns. The Traffic Calming Subcommittee reviews information from speed cart data and speed complaints. The Police receive complaints of speed and running stop signs along 14th Ave., and one concern is that additional stop signs result in more disobeying of stop signs which eventually create hazardous situations. Jacobson suggested that the Subcommittee attend the public meeting to explain the process and analysis of traffic calming methods. The next Public Safety Commission meeting is April 26 at 6:30 p.m., and the public is welcomed to attend. Rob Hunt, 1390 Pike Lk. Dr., asked if the narrowing could create dangerous traffic conditions. Olson added that some residents were concerned that on-street parking and narrowing the street may create unsafe conditions. Larson noted that the narrowing would involve the loss of one foot from each traffic lane and two feet off each parking lane. Hunt feels that 14th Ave. is one of the busiest streets in the City and noted a recent fatality which occurred on this roadway. Jacobson explained that past speed cart data showed significantly higher speed levels along 14th St., and noted the fatal accident involved other factors than vehicle speed. Officers regularly issue tickets and warnings along 14th St. and other chronic speed areas in the City. Larson added that stop signs do not necessarily slow down traffic. Council Business Project 00-1, Street Reconstruction Report 00-092