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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.13.07 Work Session Minutes Council Workshop Minutes August 13, 2007 Mayor Soderberg called the workshop to order at 5:30 p.m. Present: Soderberg, Fogarty, McKnight, Pritzlaff Absent: Wilson Also Present: MnDOT Representatives, Dakota County Representatives, Peter Herlofsky, Brian Lindquist, Lee Mann, Kevin Schorzman, Shelly Johnson, Lee Smick, Tony Wippler, Commissioner Joe Harris, Cynthia Muller Audience: Doug Bonar, Todd Larson, Michelle Leonard MOTION by McKnight, second by Pritzlaffto approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. TH3 Issues Update The roundabout project is on schedule. It will be located at TH3 and 190th Street. The Surface Transportation Program Application was submitted on time. Applicants will be notified ofthe outcome in October and successful applicants will be notified in September 2008. State representatives gave a briefing on the audit which was performed in November 2006. This covered the area along TH3 from 160th Street to hwy 50. There were short, mid, and long-range recommendations. The speed limit was adjusted for a small portion ofTH3. A long-range recommendation is for TH3 to be 4 lanes. Mayor Soderberg asked about the bypass lane at the 170th Street intersection and noted the danger in the design ofthat intersection. MnDOT will review this area. Farmin2ton Downtown Access Lee Mann gave an update on proposed changes for access points along TH3. The plan shows to open Spruce Street at TH3. A % intersection would allow all turning movements except a left turn and going straight across from Spruce Street to TH3. MnDOT will consider this. There should be a Y2 mile between full intersections and 14 mile between right-inlright-out intersections. MnDOT needs to update their traffic data and consider what the City is planning for this area. Lee Mann will meet with MnDOT to review each access point along TH3. The information should be available by year-end. The vision for TH3 is a 4-lane divided arterial. In 2004 the Met Council was asked to consider making TH3 a principal arterial. The Met Council is creating a principal arterial study and it should be ready in a year. Councilmember Fogarty suggested having full access at Spruce Street until TH3 becomes 4 lanes as this could take 20 years. An operational study would have to be done by MnDOT. East-West Corridor Study A discussion was held regarding intersections along Pilot Knob Road in Lakeville. The County is looking at Biscayne for a north-south route, but spacing provides challenges. It is possible to Council Transportation Workshop August 13, 2007 Page 2 make TH3 an A-minor reliever. Councilmember Fogarty noted there is a dividing line between Farmington and Lakeville. Staffwill bring a resolution to Council regarding this study. Council concurred with the County's plans. Intersection Traffic Control The County discussed the process for determining traffic control. There will have to be changes along Pilot Knob Road. Identified areas of concern are CSAH 31 and CR64, and CSAH 31 and the future east-west corridor. As far as intersections in between, the County wants to talk with the City regarding a vision for this corridor. Currently the County sees no need for changes. Mayor Soderberg stressed the intersection ofhwy 50 and Flagstaffwill need attention soon because of the new high school. The County noted signals tend to increase the number of crashes and they are hesitant to put in signals because of doubling the crash rate. The County will use the school's projections to determine the need for a signal at hwy 50 and Flagstaff. Flagstaff will be paved early in 2008 before the high school opens so the City can see ifthis creates more traffic on Flagstaff. If a developer is willing to pay for a signal, once it meets minimum requirements it can be moved ahead on the schedule. The County installs 3-4 signals per year. Mayor Soderberg was concerned with younger drivers at this busy intersection. Something needs to be done to make it safe. The County would like to work with the school and the Police Department to explore options. Police Chief Lindquist stated 190th Street and Pilot Knob Road is the scariest intersection because of the grade of Pilot Knob Road. Councilmember Pritzlaffnoted the right turn/straight ahead lane south of the 1 90th Street intersection is dangerous. It was suggested to make it a right turn only until after the intersection. The County stated at times a 4-way stop is a step to a signal. They are willing to meet with the City to discuss options for each intersection along Pilot Knob Road. Intersections at Flagstaff and hwy 50, and 190th Street and Pilot Knob Road are of interest to the Council. Dakota County Cedar BRT Uudate The County is moving forward with options with Apple Valley and is negotiating for the right- of-way for Cedar Avenue in Apple Valley. The County is working on acquiring the Watson's property to expand that transit station and provide for more parking. The County is also working with Lakeville to construct a l85th Street transit station. They would acquire the property and hold it until bus service comes to Lakeville. Transit Outions Using a local bus company, a bus route from Farmington to the metro would cost $475/day. This is for one bus in the morning and one bus in the evening. The cost per person for an express route is $2.75/trip. For 3 buses in the morning and 3 in the evening the cost would be $370,500 per year. Winter Parkin!!: Restrictions Mayor Soderberg has heard from residents objecting to having parking restrictions when there is no snow. Councilmember Pritzlaffproposed moving the start and end dates as to when the Council Transportation Workshop August 13, 2007 Page 3 ordinance is in effect. Currently it is in effect for 5 months, he proposed 4 months. Councilmember McKnight did not want the ordinance changed, but felt there needs to be more education. Councilmember Fogarty receives complaints that having the roads plowed within 24 hours is not fast enough. Shortening the length of time for parking restrictions could make this worse. Lee Mann noted the parking restrictions takes hours offthe plow time. Police Chief Lindquist stated they issue warnings for the first two weeks. He would prefer to have the restrictions in effect year around. This would make law enforcement at night easier. Open Forum Council decided to place the appointment recommendation for the Planning Commission on the Consent Agenda and discuss it at the pre-meeting. MOTION by Fogarty, second by McKnight to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, ~J'l7~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant