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10-22-15 Traffic Cmt Minutes CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 5:30 P.M. MINUTES Committee Members: Facilitator: Susanne Aspley Chris Gehrke Chuck Rickart, WSB Engineer David Cooley Sandy Finke (absent) Jeff Coplan Ed Hasek City Staff: Kathy Curry Ken Huskins Teresa Elsbernd (Arr 5:50 PM) John Mohn Larry Brown, Public Works Director Bob Gagne Angela Nelson Paul Hornby, Engineer Brad Nielsen, Planning Director (Absent) Others Present: Mayor Scott Zerby; Councilmember Kristine Sundberg; City Clerk Jean Panchyshyn 1. First meeting of the Traffic Committee – Introductions Chuck Rickart, Professional Engineer at WSB and Associates, introduced himself and provided background on his over 30 years of experience in the engineering field and with traffic issues. He noted he has been contracted with the city to facilitate the Traffic Committee meetings, and to provide technical expertise as well. Staff members and members of the Traffic Committee introduced themselves. Committee members indicated where they lived in Shorewood, and some discussed why they wanted to serve on the Traffic Committee. Director of Public Works Brown explained the level of experience that Engineer Rickart brings to the Committee. He reminded members to be respectful of each other’s opinions, noting there will be differences of opinion amongst the group. He also indicated they will be diligent to be respectful of the time, noting the meetings will begin at 5:30 PM, and be kept to one hour. It is expected the monthly meetings will last six months. Discussion centered on possibly having longer meetings in order to get the job done. It was noted the budgeted amount is for one-hour meetings for six months; this may be extended upon Council direction. Engineer Hornby explained the meeting would be facilitated by Engineer Rickart, there will be a Committee Chairperson appointed, and he and Director Brown are present to provide technical resources for Engineer Rickart. In response to Committee members expressing the need for information to be provided in advance of the meetings, it was explained that this will be done. 2. Purpose of the Traffic Committee Engineer Rickart indicated this first meeting is a “kick-off” meeting; he has provided a packet of background information that will be used at reference throughout the future meetings. More information will be provided for the Committee based on the direction the Committee takes. He noted the purpose of the Committee is to review traffic issues, initially around the Minnetonka Country Club area, but it will likely include other areas of the city. A report/recommendation will be made to the City Council after the six-month period. He noted his role is to provide the technical information that the Committee will need in order to make its recommendations to the Council. Engineer Rickart indicated the need to choose a Chairperson of the Committee. Engineer Hornby noted that the Chairperson, along with Engineer Rickart would present the Committee’s recommendations to the City Council. Chris Gehrke nominated Ken Huskins to be Chairpeson. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 3 PAGE 2 OF Mr. Huskins suggested that anyone interested in serving as Chairperson indicate so. The Committee was asked who was interested. (Teresa Elsbernd arrived 5:50 pm). Teresa Elsbernd introduced herself and expressed an interest in serving as chairperson. Considering people’s schedules, Mr. Huskins suggested there be co-chairs, rather than an individual chairperson. Mr. Huskins indicated an interest in serving as co-chair. The Committee agreed that Ms. Elsbernd and Mr. Huskins would serve as co-chairs. 3. Guidelines and Standards Engineer Rickart discussed guidelines and standards. Road designations were explained, some being State Aid streets, which have to meet certain construction requirements and design standards to qualify for state aid funding. Lake Linden, Yellowstone, Smithtown, and Country Club Road were identified as State Aid streets. Mr. Huskins asked if the Committee’s recommendations suggest something that does not meet the state aid requirements, can the state aid classification be removed. Engineer Rickart noted that any state aid funds that have already been put into those roads would need to be paid back. It was discussed that portions of some of the roads have received state aid funds. Engineer Rickart stated that any suggestions the Committee may have, the Committee will take into consideration the impact it has on state aid requirements to determine if it is a viable option. It was noted that changes to state aid requirements and standards are possible through the variance process. Engineer Rickart stated it can be done but would need justification. The task of the Committee to come up with ideas after being provided with the framework of what currently exists was discussed. There are current city and state guidelines that need to be followed; it is the role of the facilitator to provide the Committee information on those guidelines. The Committee discussed the need for a procedure to change the policy if it isn’t working. 4. Issues/Concerns/Prioritization Engineer Rickart discussed past traffic studies performed in Shorewood in 1999; at that time a major concern was cut through traffic on Country Club Road. Results of the study prompted the change of the intersection at County Road 19 and Smithtown Road. Traffic volumes were discussed and it was noted that by 2005 traffic volumes were down 20%. From 2005-2013, Smithtown Road traffic was up slightly; Country Club Road has stayed fairly consistent. In response to concerns raised, Engineer Rickart explained when the studies were done and how the numbers are adjusted based on time of day. Additional information could be provided. Engineer Rickart stated they are required to do traffic counts every four years on State aid roads. It was noted the information is then posted on the MnDOT website. It was noted the Committee seems to be getting bogged down with details; a broad picture is sufficient. Speed and traffic control were identified as issues. Cut-through traffic, site distance, and cyclist traffic are also issues. It was noted the Concept stage plan for the Country Club development has been approved and access points to the development on the Concept stage plan include one on Yellowstone and two on Smithtown. The exact locations of the access points will be determined in the Development stage plan. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 3 PAGE 3 OF Other issues identified and discussed were: what kind of traffic is moving through the area (residential, refuse trucks, etc); whether we agree cut-through traffic is an issue; how to move vehicles through neighborhoods safely rather than prohibiting traffic. Engineer Rickart explained the hierarchy of roads; noting there are State roads, arterial roads, minor arterial roads, collector roads, and local roads. The road classification will be identified for the Committee as discussions continue. Further discussion took place on cut-through roadways and it was noted there are other problem traffic areas in the city. Mr. Hasek recommended everyone read the City’s Comprehensive Plan (available online) to see what traffic guidelines are identified. He noted he is more concerned about safety than volume of traffic and suggested there be more stop signs be installed on Country Club Road. He suggested if we have to prioritize things, the roads around the development should be considered first. Mr. Cooley noted he proposed the consideration of turn lanes for traffic moving east on Smithtown at Country Club and traffic morning north on Country Club Road at Smithtown. Mr. Moen expressed that half of the traffic from the new Country Club development will likely go south on Country Club Road to Hwy. 7; he is concerned about the increase in traffic that will be on Yellowstone, which he drives every day, noting there’s no shoulder, people walk and bike on it every day, and the site lines are bad – this is a high area of concern for him. Mr. Hasek noted that although it is shorter to cut-through Country Club Road to get to Hwy 7 and Hwy 41, it is faster to get there by taking Cty Rd 19 to Hwy 7. Ms. Elsbernd noted another area of concern is the traffic light/intersection at Hwy 7 and Cty Rd 41. Ms. Elsbernd would like to know the time frame for the Committee’s recommendations; she also suggested a large map of the city streets be provided at the next meeting, so the Committee has a visual idea of what they are looking at thoughout future meetings. Director Brown stated they would try to develop a schedule for decisions, and noted the City Council has asked this group to come up with suggestions for traffic control on the roads around the Country Club development. Mr. Cooley suggested having more than one feedback session with the City Council. 5. Future Meeting Schedule Committee members discussed the future meeting schedule, having longer meetings, and meeting every two weeks rather than monthly. The next meeting will be on November 5, 2015. 6. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder