Community Meeting Minutes

Transportation Committee Meeting,   January 26, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. The following members were present:

Luba Hickey , Fay Hassie, Ginny Pease, Tim Puffer, Justin Richgels and Andrew Smith.                       

Last months meeting minutes were approved by voice acclamation.

New Business:

1. The District 15 Transportation plan adapted in 2005 was reviewed by the committee. The Plan has 6 goals with a number of "Strategies" listed in each goal.  The "Strategies" in the plan identified with the "Implementer" as HDC were discussed. Each "Strategies" of the plan is listed with a Time Frame.

 Action: The action will be to obtain the St. Paul Transportation Plan to see where the "Strategies" are in the implementation time frame.

2. The Senior Task Force is also looking at transportation options. It was discussed to coordinate and push all encompassing action with the task force. A main concern discussed is crime experienced on public transportation could be seen on local circulation.

Action:  Committee member Tim Puffer attends the Senior Task Force meeting and will present the transportation committee role in the transportation plan.  It was further discussed to invite a member of the Senior Task Force to meet with the transportation committee to present the local circulating transportation progress and plans.

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3. Discussed an e-mail received from a resident concerning the speed and safety of the traffic on Southbound Fairview at Edgecumbe road. The downhill slope allows for increased speed and the lack of sidewalks increase the risk of pedestrians walking in the street. The two issues:  speed and sidewalk on one side of each street, are strategies listed on the Transportation Plan.

Action: The accident incident rate in this area will be obtained from Public Works.

4. Discussed the street cleanliness. Streets were cleaned 1x a week and now to 2x per year. It was further discussed to have some of the main streets cleaned more often.

5. Discussion of the work plan determined that another activity could be added. The activity is "Respond to community concerns and handle community complaints as the committee is notified of them."

Old Business:

Montreal, W7th and Lexington intersection:

Monica Beeman from the City of St. Paul discussed the changes to the Montreal, W7th and Lexington intersection. This intersection has an abnormal high occurrence of left turn crashes.

The plan is to change the intersection by removing parking spaces in front of the building with Exit Realtors to allow room for the left turning lanes from Montreal to Airport bound W7th St to shift away from the opposing left turn lanes. This change allows two distinct turning lanes in both directions in the intersection instead of the current overlapping lanes.

-The committee recommended that left turn arrow be installed. Monica will ask about the status of the left turn proposal.

-The committee discussed signage above the intersection, leading to the intersection and on the street to minimize the confusion of drivers as they enter this intersection. Monica explained that

Transportation Committee Meeting,   January 26, 2010

signage is part of the plans and the obstacle of hanging signs over a large intersection is a challenge however the best possible signage will be used to clearly show the lanes.

-The committee discussed that pedestrian crossings are considered in order to provide a safe crossing. 

-It was asked if a round about was part of the study. The intersection does not have the space required for a two lane round about.

Cleveland and Ford Parkway intersection:

-Monica explained the signal timing at this intersection and how the timing impacts five other intersection approaching this intersection. The current timing with the left turn arrows and the pedestrian count down crossings is the optimal timing for this intersection at this time. Parking on Cleveland would need to be reconsidered in order to further improve signal timing.

-The committee suggested that moving the bus stop on Southbound Cleveland further away from Ford Pkwy would assist in easing congestion at the SW corner. It would require removing a few street parking spots however there is parking in the lot on that corner. Monica confirmed that they could do this.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. 

Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted;

Ginny Pease,

Secretary