Report from Public Works Committee.
1. Consider Stop Sign Request for Potassium Street and 143rd Circle: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that City Council deny the request for the installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Potassium Street and 143rd Circle as it does not meet warrants.
2. Clarify Policy for Traffic Control on Modification Intersections: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend City Council clarify Policy for traffic control on modified intersections by approving Alternative #1: Follow the traffic engineer’s plan for development (if available); and, Alternative #2:  Staff initiate the traffic study and follow the warrant recommendations in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as a fall back alternative.

 

The Public Works Committee held its regular meeting on October 15, 2013 and discussed the following two cases.
   
5:01: Consider Stop Sign  Request for Potassium Street and 143rd Circle 

Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and petitioned request from residents living near the intersection of Potassium Street and 143^rd Circle for a stop sign at that intersection.  City policy requires five signatures from property owners within 500 feet of the traffic control modification and the petition as submitted did meet that criterion.  Public Works Superintendent Riemer presented statistics relating to traffic counts, accident history, and warrants for stop signs.  He stated staff feels this intersection does not warrant a stop sign at this time based on documented traffic volumes and accident history.  Staff recommends the Public Works Committee deny the request for the installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Potassium Street and 143^rd Circle. 

Motion to recommend that City Council deny the request for the installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Potassium Street and 143rd Circle as it does not meet warrants.
 
5:02: Clarify Policy for Traffic Control on Modified Intersections

Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained the purpose of this case is to clarify City policy for the installation of traffic control devices on an intersection that has been modified by adjacent development.  It was noted that with the Seasons of Ramsey townhome development nearing completion traffic patterns will be changed at two existing intersections: Town Center Drive and 147^th Lane on the west; and, Rhinestone street and 147^th Lane on the east. 
 
Three alternatives were presented for consideration:
Alternative #1:   Follow the traffic engineer’s plan for development (if available).
Alternative #2:   Staff initiate the traffic study and follow the warrant recommendations in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Alternative #3:   Wait for residents to request traffic control and follow the City’s current policy.
 
The current Policy is to require a petition from the surrounding area before the City initiates a traffic study.  Staff is requesting direction on what criteria should be used under these circumstances. Staff supports Alternative #1 with Alternative #2 as a fall back alternative.

Motion to recommend that the City Council clarify Policy for traffic control on modified intersections by approving Alternative #1: Follow the traffic engineer’s plan for development (if available); and, Alternative #2:  Staff initiate the traffic study and follow the warrant recommendations in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as a fall back alternative.

 

Staff recommends ratifying the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.