HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/21/1997CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 21, 1997
5:40 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Krizek, Collier, Getty, Anders, Murphy, Mollenhoff, Jordan, Mayor
Rooff.
It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Mollenhoff to approve the agenda as proposed.
Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mayor Rooff explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Barton-
Aschman report on the traffic at San Marnan Drive. Rooff opened the discussion to
concerns of members of the council with the results of the report.
Mollenhoff asked what was the fee paid for the report. Mayor Rooff responded that the
study cost was $80,000.00.
Jordan asked when the process got started?
Mayor Rooff explained that the process was initiated two years ago as the growth of the
Crossroads area was booming. The report was contracted to provide the following
information and recommendations:
Study traffic flow at different periods of time; a.m., p.m., weekends and predict flows
through year 2001.
Provide knowledge on the level of service needed in the San Marnan Corridor.
Study growth and development through the year 2005 and then through 2020.
Provide an accident study covering statistics from the last three years.
Identify improvements needed for 2005 using the current land configurations and
geometric solutions.
Identify improvements needed through the year 2020.
Estimate the cost of improvements through the year 2020. The cost of this report would
cover the estimated $40,000 needed for design review for any single project along the
corridor.
Provide a schedule to phase funding over several years to cover the cost of improvements.
Rooff stated that the $80,000 spent on this report could have been spent incrementally in
much greater amounts. A timing analysis of five intersections would cost $45,000, a
accident study of five intersections would cost $18,000, design review would be $45,000
and finally a capacity study of five intersections would cost $45,000. By combining the
study to cover the corridor substantial savings was realized over individual analysis.
However, the study does not address issues on Hammond Avenue which have recently
been brought forward.
Anders reported that he is unable to locate the solution proposed for the San Maman and
Flammang intersection. He doesn't agree that the proposed recommendations will solve
the issue. Traffic Engineer Tim Mrozek pointed out that two recommendations have been
provided, to install slip ramps and signalization changes.
Anders suggested establishing a new road be constructed to access Crossroads from the
south side to alleviate traffic congestion. City Planner Don Temeyer reported that Sarah
Drive is now a southern access point off of Hammond Avenue. But traffic primarily
flows from the north into Crossroads.
Krizek has been informed by residents that GMAC and school traffic create a constant
traffic flow on Hammond Avenue from seven o'clock a.m. to seven o'clock p.m.
Discussion was heard on options to re-route traffic on Bethel, enlarge Hammond to four
lane or make Hammond a one way through street.
Mollenhoff reported that he uses the Hammond and Ridgeway route into Crossroads to
avoid the stop sign at Ansborough and San Maman. The installation of a traffic signal at
Ansborough and San Marnan this year may ease some of the traffic on Hammond.
The consensus of the council is that the report does not provide all the information
needed to address all the traffic problems in this area of town. Mayor Rooff stated that
the report will allow access to State funding for traffic control improvements which have
been denied the past three years. The State has pointed to the lack of a comprehensive
study as a reason for denial. Krizek and Mollenhoff pointed out other areas of concern
are turns and merges on Highway 218. There are potentially dangerous areas without
proper signage or lane markings that cause drivers confusion.
Jordan stated that he is unhappy with the scope of the report. He feels it is incomplete.
Mollenhoff requested another work session be scheduled and suggested that staff look to
be more customer service oriented rather than focus only on technical aspects of traffic
control.
Mayor Rooff asked that the council prepare a list of their questions regarding the report
for the Traffic Engineer to respond to and asked Traffic to work on including the human
element into the proposed solutions.
With no further discussion, it was moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Collier to adjourn
the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk