Report from Public Works Committee dated July 15, 2014.
1: Consider Guidelines for Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossings: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend that the City Council follow the Local Road Research Board Manual on Pedestrian Crossings at Uncontrolled intersections.
2: Consider Engineering Study for Pedestrian Crosswalk at Armstrong Boulevard and 161^st Avenue: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to recommend City Council accept staff recommendation to leave the pedestrian crosswalk at Armstrong Boulevard and 161^st Avenue as is until pedestrian volumes increase, to direct staff to request Anoka County to add solar signalization, and to direct staff to request police presence in the area for an appropriate length of time to raise awareness. 
 


 
 

The Public Works Committee held its regular meeting on July 15, 2014 and discussed the following cases:

1. Consider Guidelines for Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossings

Staff presented a PowerPoint, which further explained the use of pedestrian crosswalks, treatment options available, and their effect on vehicle yield rates. Public Works Superintendent Riemer reported the process to conduct an engineering study as Anoka County requested is much like the process needed to determine whether a stop sign is warranted. This includes data collection and field review. Once the data is input to the worksheet, the formula calculates the final result and this helps determine what type of signaling is needed. If the results of these studies do not warrant a pedestrian crossing, the city can still add another method to help people get across safely. Staff recommended the City Council follow the Local Road Research Board Manual on Pedestrian Crossings at Uncontrolled intersections. From there, staff can help determine what kind of treatment to give crosswalks in the city.

Motion to recommend that the City Council follow the Local Road Research Board Manual on Pedestrian Crossings at Uncontrolled intersections.

2. Consider Engineering Study for Pedestrian Crosswalk at Armstrong Boulevard and 161^st Avenue
 
Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report and explained the engineering study monitored the number of pedestrians, cars, and wait times for pedestrians in a busy hour of traffic near this intersection.  If the data is entered into the Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Evaluation Flowchart as discussed earlier, the Pedestrian Level of Service is rated at a Level C.  This is defined as “delay noticeable to pedestrians, but not inconveniencing.”  He indicated this does not warrant further signalization by the County's standards, and they most likely would not provide financing.

Motion to recommend that the City Council accept staff recommendation to leave the pedestrian crosswalk at Armstrong Boulevard and 161^st Avenue as is until pedestrian volumes increase, to direct staff to request Anoka County to add solar signalization, and to direct staff to request police presence in the area for an appropriate length of time to raise awareness. 

COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT
 
1.    Update on Ramsey Blvd/149^th Avenue Pedestrian Crossing
 
Public Works Superintendent Riemer noted the original crosswalk near Ramsey Market has been removed.  He reviewed the cost to move the crosswalk.  He reported the work to move the crosswalk should begin in two or three weeks.
 
2.    Update on Crosswalk Relocation at Alpine Dr/Helium Street
 
Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained this relocation work will begin at the end of July.
He noted these crosswalk relocations have been held off in order to save on the cost of concrete.  If all the projects can be done at the same time, and the concrete is purchased for all at once, it is discounted. 
 
No action taken, for informational purposes only.






 
 

Staff recommends ratifying the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.

Motion to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee.