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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 28, 2013 Page 16 Regarding safety concerns, Ms. Messer opined that reconstruction of the road cre- ated the potential for people to drive faster than 43 mph, and spoke in support of 30 mph signage based on her twenty-year history on the street. Ms. Messer ques- tioned if installation of a sidewalk would increase safety or reduce risks for stu- dents, suggesting that lower speeds would make the street more livable. Regard- ing the driveway grades, Ms. Messer expressed concern with icy conditions in winter and the ability to stop backing out of her driveway, creating additional concerns if pedestrians or bikers were on a sidewalk. While the street was based in two different communities, Ms. Messer stated that it was still one neighbor- hood. Doug Schumacher,948 County Road D Mr. Schumacher spoke in support of installing a sidewalk between Chatsworth and Churchill for safety and crossing considerations. However, when moving on to Hafner and the current versus proposed intersection, Mr. Schumacher noted the need to often walk over a mound of snow or wait until buses leave the school site to reach two of the main intersections. Mr. Schumacher also addressed his con- cerns with speed for safety considerations, opining that keeping the speed at 30 mph versus 35 mph would meet the needs of the neighborhood better, especially elderly people and/or younger children using the street. Mayor Roe closed the Public Hearing at approximately 8:38 p.m.; and asked Ms. Bloom to address those specific questions brought up by public speakers that were in her domain. Ms. Bloom clarified that the Pathway Master Plan had been in place for thirty (30) years; however, it had been updated in 2008. Regarding speed along County Road D, Ms. Bloom apologized for misrepresent- ing the speed during her presentation, clarifying that the feasibility report was cor- rect at 43 mph. Ms. Bloom reviewed the process for setting speed limits through the Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation, school speed zones (already in place), and proposed flashing speed boards. Based on recent studies done on Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway, Ms. Bloom advised that it had been found that flashing signs actually caused people to slow down. Ms. Bloom advised that she would consult with the City of Shoreview for the possibility of having the speed boards on beyond school times. Ms. Bloom further highlighted the 85th Per- centile, based on Police Department records and common practice; and the pro- cess for requesting changes to the Commissioner of Transportation through a city petition, based on completion of a traffic study of existing speeds and recom- mended land use. Ms. Bloom advised that the study would determine the speeds at which people are traveling, and would not necessarily result in lower speed lim- its, often indicating a higher speed limit was put in place. Ms. Bloom advised that a petition could be filed with the Commissioner of Transportation as part of the project scope or outside it, as directed by the City Council.