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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1E, Draft Revised Traffic Sign Policy EN HILLS MEMORANDUM Item 1.E DATE: September 21, 2009 TO: Mayor and City Council Ron Moorse, City Administrator FROM: Greg Hoag,Public Works Director SUBJECT: Draft Revised Traffic Sign Policy/Dellview Glenview Intersection Update BACKGROUND In May of this year the Public Works Director received a request to install stop signs at the intersection of Glenview Avenue and Dellview Avenue. After reviewing the intersection the Public Works Director had stop signs installed on two legs of this intersection. The decision was based on safety for drivers as the intersection is a 4-way uncontrolled intersection. Shortly after the installation the City Engineer and members of the City Council inquired as to why these signs were installed. At the time of installation the Public Works Director was not aware that the City had a Traffic Sign Policy which was adopted in 1994. (See Attachment A.) In July the City Council ordered the signs be removed. Council also asked staff to schedule a discussion with the City Council regarding sign requests. DISCUSSION Staff has reviewed the current traffic sign policy. Staff feels the current policy is in need of revision. Attachment B is a new draft policy for City Council review and comment. The City Engineer has reviewed the draft policy and City Attorney is currently reviewing it. (We should have his comments before the Work Session.) FURTHER DISCUSSION The City Engineer has completed a warrant analysis and speed study of the Glenview /Dellview intersection. The warrant analysis shows that there is not a need for a stop sign at that location. This could be brought to the City Council's September 28, 2009 meeting for formal action not to install stop signs at the intersection. The Council may elect to also discuss it this evening and provide staff with direction not to reinstall the signs. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION Council review and discussion of the revised traffic sign policy for the City of Arden Hills. Attachment A 1994 Arden Hills Traffic Sign Policy Arden Hills Traffic Sign FolicY This document consists of policy for approval, installation, or removal of a traffic sin where pP sign, ere a traffic sign is not required by lave, and is located on a street belonging only to the City of Arden Hills. I. Conditions that must be met for a traffic sign to be considered: l. Location must be meet legal warrants. 2. Traffic sign installation or removal must be requested in writing to the Public q g Works Superintendent by: A. Resident of Arden Hills B. A staff member of Arden Hills C. Ramsey County Sheriff ii. Procedure l. Upon receiving written request, the Public Works Superintendent will review and make a decision based on the appropriate requirements as outlined in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 2. Upon determination and decision of the.Public Works Superintendent, all information will be forwarded to the Public Works/Safety Committee for their concurrence. 3. The Public Works/Safety Committee may decide to poll nearby property owners P to gather information and also offer guidance regarding the sign request. 4. Upon review of the Public Work/Safety Committee, both the recommendation of the Public Works Superintendent,and the information gathered by the Public Works/Safety Committee shall be forwarded to the City Council. The City Council will make the final decision as to where a traffic sign will be installed or whether a traffic sign should be removed. 5. The requesting party will be advised in writing of the decision within four(4) weeks. 6. Should the requesting party not be satisfied with the decision, he or she may appeal it to the City Council. Attachment B Draft Revised Arden Hills Traffic Sign Policy ARDEN HILLS TRAFFIC SIGN REQUEST POLICY For Signs Located Within the Public Right-of-Way Rationale: The City of Arden Hills receives many requests for sign installations within the public right- of-way from residents, public safety representatives, city staff, and City Council members directed to the Public Works Department. This policy establishes how the City will respond to such requests for approval, installation, or removal of traffic signs in locations where such sign is not required by law, and is on a street belonging to the City of Arden Hills. Requests for signs on County and State controlled streets will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies. This Policy also establishes the resources necessary for determining need, installation, and maintenance. Sign Types: This document classifies signing into five general categories: 1. Regulatory 2. Warning 3. Directional 4. Construction 5. Special Purpose Regulatory Regulatory signing is defined as signing that informs drivers on how to function at an intersection or on a street. In the case of most regulatory signing there are certain criteria that must be met before they are installed. These criteria are set out in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the Minnesota Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD), and the Municipal State Aid Rules. These documents specify conditions for installation as well as requirements of maintenance. The courts look to this national publication, MUTCD, and also state publication, MMUTCD, when determining the reasonableness of installation and maintenance. State Statutes dictate that the "local road authority" (City Council) specifically approve and direct changes to regulatory-type signage. Regulatory signage relates to situations where a traffic citation can be issued. When a request is received for a regulatory sign, a warrant analysis will be completed and a recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for action. Examples of Regulatory Signs: Stop signs, Yield signs, No Parking, Regulatory Speed Limit (over 30 mph), Do Not Enter, No U-Turn, etc. Warning Warning signs are signs that provide advanced warning to drivers or pedestrians that something dangerous or unexpected may be ahead. As with the Regulatory signs, these signs are generally mandated by the standards as to where and when they must be installed. When a request is received for a warning sign, a warrant analysis will be completed, and signs installed if they are warranted. Examples of Warning Signs: Curve Ahead signs, Steep Slope signs, Advisory Speed Limit, Stop Ahead signs, Dead End, Playground Ahead, etc. Directional Directional signs provide additional information to help drivers find particular streets or to direct them in certain areas. Directional signs are required on higher speed roadways and must be maintained and are sometimes installed on lower speed roadways but they are not required. Examples of Direction Signs: Red Fox Road, Edgewater Avenue, Dunlap Street, etc. Construction These signs are installed to move vehicles and pedestrians safely through or around a construction zone. These signs provide safety to both vehicles and workers in the area. Their placement is mandated by law. Special Purpose Signs Special Purpose Signs are signs that are not required for general traffic purposes to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. These signs are usually requested by a small group of people or individuals and benefit only a limited number of citizens. Examples of Special Purpose Signs: Crime Watch, Drug Free Zone, Special Events, Deaf Child, Dual Street Dames, Overnight Parking, etc. Procedure for Sign Requests: For any street sign request, we require that the request be in writing. (Preferably in a letter or e-mail) The requester must provide their full name and contact address, reason for the request, and proposed location(s) of the sign(s). The Public Works Department will review and make a recommendation to the City Council in the case of a regulatory sign, or make a decision on all other types of signs. All signs installed in the public right-of-way must be approved by the Public Works Department or in the case of regulatory signs by City Council resolution. The Public Works Department will gather additional information required and assign the request to one of the five sign classifications explained above. Once the sign .has been classified, the necessary judgment will be applied and any studies and reviews required for that classification will be completed. This evaluation will result in one of the following actions: 1. Recommended for installation: Public Works Department recommends, or sees no harm in, installing the sign. All regulatory sign requests must be approved by the "Local road authority" (City Council). 2. Not recommended for installation: Public Works Department determines that the sign not be installed. A letter explaining the decision will be sent to the requester, including available informational materials. Appeals Process Should the requesting party not be satisfied with the decision, he or she may file a written appeal to the City Council. Procedure for Sign Installation: All signs installed in the public right-of-way shall be installed by the Department of Public Works or under the Department's supervision. The Department of Public Works will administratively establish guidelines for the location, number, design and maintenance of the signs. Routine maintenance of the signs, once they are installed, will be performed b p y the Department of Public Works.