08-01-1983 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes August 1, 1983 Page Two Mr. Terry Maurer, of Consulting Engineers Diversified, indicated that a stop sign at Holt and School Street was not warranted and was removed at the plans and specifications stage of the School Street Improvement Project. Mr. Maurer indicated that the state goes through a warrant process when determining a traffic sign or signal for a specific area. Mr. Maurer indicated that the warrant process considers accidents in the area, and traffic volume over an eight hour period. Mr. Maurer further indicated that traffic studies show that when stop signs are placed where they aren't warranted, they are disobeyed. Mr. Butch Elliot, a resident of the area indicated that the neighbors in the area petitioned the City Council to place a stop sign at the intersection of Holt and School Street to protect the children and the residents in the area. Mr. Elliot indicated that there were not any accidents at the intersection because of the stop sign. Mr. Elliot indicated that he has traveled allover the country and believes that stop signs are placed at specific intersections for specific reasons and one of those reasons is to slow traffic. Mr. Elliot indicated that cars race down School Street, but they stop at the stop sign before they speed up again to Highway 169. Counci1member Duitsman asked if there were specific standards for warranting stop signs around school zones. Mr. Maurer indicated that the state recommends speed signs and painted crosswalk areas in school zones, but does not deal with stop signs. Ms. Colleen DeMars indicated that kids just do not look when they cross the street, and she believes the stop sign does slow traffic and save lives. The City Administrator indicated that with the proposal of the PUD there would be more people in the area unfamiliar with the stop sign and, therefore, creating that sense of false security. The City Administrator further indicated that the way to address the problem of speeding on School Street would be radar. Counci1member Schuldt indicated that if the City Council was to consider the importance of stop signs at specific areas, he felt there are many other inter- sections in the City that were in greater need of stop signs, specifically Proctor and Main Street, Main and Norfolk, 4th and Morton. Counci1member Schuldt indicated that there are students everywhere within the City of Elk River, and that Main Street receives a heavy use of vehicle traffic. Counci1member Schuldt also men- tioned the heavy commercial use. at the Dairy Queen. Counci1member Gunkel indicated that a previous City Council determined that the sign belonged at the intersection of Holt and School Street, and that the stop sign should not have been removed without the neighboring residents aware of the plan. Discussion was carried on regarding the school patrol in the area, and discussion was also carried on regarding the speed of the school kids along School Street. Ms. Colleen DeMars indicated that the street is very busy between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. with buses and school traffic, that it is almost im- possible to get onto School Street. Counci1member Duitsman indicated that he wanted to study the situation before making a recommendation. COUNCILMEMBER GUNKEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE STOP SIGN AT HOLT AND SCHOOL STREET. COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. Mayor Hinkle indicated that he agreed with the City Administrator's comments, but also felt the concern of the neighbors in the area. Mayor Hinkle further indicated