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Council Meeting Minutes July 13, 1993 Page 1 0 Council Business. continued Geri Evans, 52 Windsor, noted that Senator Novak and herself attempted to pass Legislation to authorize local governments to imposed 25 mph speed limits on residential roads less than 1/4 mile in length, but it was vetoed by the Governor. MN/Dot noted they would be willing to perform a study in the interim to look into that issue. Rebelein confirmed that the legislation was limited to roadways less than 1/4 mile in length and would not had included Silver Lake Road. Benke said the City intends to pursue this Legislation at the upcoming Legislature session. Rebelein likes the bill, but would not recommend the 1/4 mile limitation in the bill's language. Gary Grundahl, 182 Windsor and Windsor Green Assoc. President, feels it is time for the City to direct a plan so that the resident's concerns can be addressed. He noted the many Qualified people at Windsor Green to assist with the landscape committee. He feels the area from 1-694 to Apache Plaza should be a continuous 35 mph roadway, and the Association will continue to address their concerns at all governmental levels. Esther Knowlin, 196 Windsor, noted the high accident rate for the past three years in the areas from Silver Lane to the 1-694 bridge. It was MN/Dot's determination that it is not the speed that attributes to accidents, but that traffic will move according to its road design. She feels the road needs to be designed to minimize accidents and without the larger proposed design. She noted that the Governor stated it is unwise to grant local governments the discretion to circumvent sound engineering and traffic safety procedures. This statement makes her feel uncertain that traffic signals on Silver Lake Road could be timed at 35 mph. Mr. Soler said most County roadway signals are not timed to any certain speed and are operated based on traffic levels. Roadways which have interconnected signals have fairly high traffic volumes, and these signals are set at a speed where most vehicles are traveling. A negative impact of slower signal time is the increased stoppage time for cross streets. The ideal situation is to keep the vehicles moving to minimize stoppage, delays, and fuel consumption. Ms. Knowlin asked if setting the signals at a lower level than the posted speed would circumvent engineering and traffic safety procedures. Mr. Soler said the Governor vetoed the setting of a regulatory 25 mph speed limit, and does not see how those two issues are related. Benke said the decision to coordinate signals and setting the speed is at discretion of the County which is in concurrence with the City for the setting the signals at 35 mph. After many years of interconnected signals at 35 mph, the City may convince MN/Dot to change the speed limit to 35 mph. Ms. Knowlin is very uneasy of these presumptions. Benke said the Police will enforce the speed limits. Ms. Knowlin noted a New Briahton Bulletin article which states that automobiles have polluted our cities, forests, lakes, destroyed neighborhoods and soaked up billions of tax dollars. It is time for transportation planners and politicians to begin dealing with this reality and stop making it so easy for people to use their private vehicles. Council Business I Silver Lake Road Reconstruction Project Report 93-'98 I I