Community Meeting Minutes

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

Fay Hassie, Luba Hickey, Ginny Pease, Tim Puffer, Justin Richgels, Bill Poulos

Community Organizer, Kathy Carruth, present.

                       

Last months meeting minutes were approved by voice acclamation.

 

New Business:

1. Smart Trips.

Laura Baum from Smart Trips addressed the committee regarding the Smart Trips Neighborhood program, a non-profit, federally funded program for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement. Laura presented the list of legend items for the Smart Trip Map. The list included items located in Highland Park. In response to her question of business areas to identify on the map it was recommended to include Randolph and Hamline and Randolph and Cleveland areas. It was also agreed to strive for 12% participation. Laura will present a draft of the first map at the next meeting.

 

2. Pedestrian Safety on Southbound Fairview at Edgecumbe road.

An e-mail received by the Transportation Committee from a resident concerning the speed and safety of the traffic on Southbound Fairview at Edgecumbe road was discussed at the March 3rd Meeting which prompted an open discussion to be scheduled. A flyer was distributed to the residents along those streets and the synagogue was informed of the meeting.

 

The open discussion, attended by several area residents and members of the Synagogue, determined that pedestrian safety and the lack of sidewalks is a concern for all. Al Czaia from Public Works, discussed proposed sidewalks, the procedure to get the sidewalks and the funding available for the work. Mr. Czaia was presented with a petition of forty names requesting a sidewalk on Edgecumbe Road.

 

Dennis Rosemark, Councilman Harris's aide, noted the lengthy process in obtaining a sidewalk. The lengthy process of proposing/installing a sidewalk will be started in conjunction to discussing short term proposals for more immediate improvement for pedestrian safety. The short term proposals include barriers, increased signage and markers in the road. The short term possibilities will be presented to Paul St. Martin of Public Safety at the next meeting.

 

Old Business:

1. 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.

 

2. Montreal, W7th and Lexington intersection

Monica Beeman from the City of St. Paul updated the committee on the changes to the Montreal, W7th and Lexington intersection. She provided a map of the intersection showing the lane lines, "cat tracks" that will guide the traffic in the appropriate turn lanes instead of the current overlapping lanes.

-Last month the committee recommended that left turn arrow be installed. Monica explained that the left turn sign to Lexington is low so the signals will be moved to the same level as the signs for easy visibility.

- Last month the committee discussed signage above the intersection, Monica explained the

signs and lane markings that will be as clear as possible from all directions.

- Last month the committee discussed pedestrian crossings. Monica explained that the pedestrian crossings are considered in the second project that has different funding.

The intersection changes are expected to be done in the May time frame of this year.

 

3. Cleveland and Ford Parkway intersection:

Last month the committee suggested moving the bus stop on Southbound Cleveland further away from Ford Pkwy would assist in easing congestion at the SW corner.

Lee Bennett, Assistant Manager of Street Operations, addressed the committee and explained that the Cleveland Southbound and Ford Pkwy stop is a turn around point for some bus lines so the

buses would need room to pull away from the curb then change lanes to make the left turn onto Hillcrest. Removing two parking spaces adjacent to the current bus stop would allow the buses to move forward to prevent the buses from blocking the intersection and the crosswalk. Lee will examine the bus stop further to determine what needs to be done to implement this change.

 

4. Cleveland and the driveway out of the shopping area.

The discussion about moving the Cleveland/Ford Pkwy bus stop prompted two other changes.

  a) Remove all four parking spaces in order to have a clear view when exiting from the driveway of the shopping area.

b)  Make a right turn only when exiting from the driveway of the shopping area preventing

delays/hazards when turning left from the driveway to northbound Cleveland.

c). Move the bus stop on Kenneth and Ford Pkwy further south on Kenneth. This would prevent the waiting buses from blocking that corner and to keep the exit from the shopping area clear.

 

Actions: Monica will discuss the parking change and the right turns only with the owners of the shopping area and research the crash numbers at that driveway onto Cleveland.

Lee will look at the bus stop on Kenneth to see if the waiting buses can park further south on Kenneth

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

Next meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2010 at 6:30 pm.  The April meeting has been canceled due to the Annual meeting and turnover of Committee members.

Respectfully submitted;

Ginny Pease,

Secretary