04-28-1997 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Elk River City Council Meeting April 28, 1997 Page 3 Linda Twaddle, 18994 Zane Street, urged the City Council to continue their progressive actions on this issue. Jennifer Twaddle, 18994 Zane Street, read a memo from Dick Erickson, pastor of Central Lutheran Church, expressing his support for a fence and bridge system on Highway 169. Gary Santwire, representing business owners on Highway 169, indicated he felt the most significant safety issue was the need for reduction and enforcement of speed limits on Highway 169. He expressed support for additional lighting and signalization, if needed, but felt the open areas in the fencing at 5Ih ,Street and Elk Park Center may pose a problem. Mr. Santwire felt pedestrians coming from the east side of Highway 169 at 5th Street may cross the highway only to find a fence on the other side. He noted this same concern would relate to the opening at Elk Park Center onto Highway 169. He requested the city study these two problem areas. Mr. Santwire offered to initiate a fundraiser with the tenants associated with his business owners and indicated his willingness to meet with the Twaddles to support their cause. He stressed the importance that the project is done right. Mayor Duitsman stated he would like the City Engineer to proceed with a design for the fence and bring it to the City Council for discussion on the location. An additional public hearing would be held for public input on the design. Mayor Duitsman felt the crosswalks were an important safety issue and felt the City Engineer should be directed to proceed with this part of the project as soon as possible. Councilmember Thompson indicated hi~ support for the fence on both sides of the highway and ask the City Engineer to proceed with a design. Councilmember Farber agreed with Councilmember Thompson's comments. Councilmember Dietz asked the City Engineer whether or not the same type of green fencing around the pond near Sax could be used along Highway 169. Terry indicated it was likely to be more expensive. He will check with MnDOT to see whether or not it could be used if the city paid the additional cost. Councilmember Dietz indicated he felt the lighting was just as important as the fence, if not more important, and the lighting will greatly improve the safety along Highway 169. He has been contacted by several businesses that were concerned about the fence and is unsure if the fencing is needed on both sides of the highway. He supported the City Engineer designing a plan with a fence along both sides of the highway so the Council could look at location issues. Councilmember Dietz also felt the issue of garbage along the fence needs to be addressed. Police Chief Tom Zerwas indicated officers issued between 10 - 15 tickets to motorists running red lights on Highway 169 in the last 2 weeks and explained the difficulty in enforcement. He was unsure of the necessity to fence both sides of the highway, but felt the additional barrier may deter more children from trying to cross. Tom indicated the crosswalks should be painted as soon as possible to increase safety in crossing at the signals.