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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,May 5, 2014 Page 13 enue at Highway 36 and interactions with Hamline and Lexington Avenues, Mr. Culver noted that closure of that access didn't provide ideal spacing for MnDOT or the federal highway system, making it difficult for them to accomplish that clo- sure. Councilmember Etten questioned the option of simply restriping Hamline Avenue allowing an additional two cars to make a left turn by moving the strip by 30-40' to allow a small expansion rather than the current configuration, creating a safe haven for a few more vehicles. Ms. Laberee advised that it was originally striped without the angle currently shown, as a center left turn lane which was converted to a left turn lane, which had created confusion as it was not clearly defined. Ms. Laberee advised that the angle was created to better define that movement; and expressed her hesitation in shortening up the left turn lane, since a number of vehicles made a left onto Commerce to avoid stacking in the opposing left turn lane, with people now mak- ing a wide left turn. Ms. Laberee opined that her concern was that there wasn't enough storage there, which had the potential of stacking people in the through lane and blocking it as well. Councilmember Willmus opined that it was a good suggestion to consider; and suggested another option may be to determine if the library was willing to consid- er closure of that particular driveway. Ms. Laberee advised that she had not spoken to the library directly at this time, but several years ago when Ramsey County staff discussed that option with them, they had not been interested. Ms. Laberee offered to contact them and enter into those discussions again. Councilmember Etten reiterated his support for his suggested option, or to specify that driveway as an "exit only" or restriping the roadway as the least expensive options that provided the most increased safety. Acting Mayor Laliberte advised that she was the one who continually brought this forward for City Council discussion; and thanked Ms. Laberee for her attendance and willingness to discuss the issue. Acting Mayor Laliberte noted that, while there may not be actual crashes documented, she observed many near misses as people were stacked in the southbound driving lane startling those coming up be- hind them not anticipating someone stopping directly in front of them. Acting Mayor Laliberte understood the need for storage for turns onto Commerce, and did not support shortening that turn lane; however, she expressed interest in fur- ther discussion with the library for other options, whether a right in, pork chop or restriping, but finding some ultimate resolution to prevent left turns from that lane. Acting Mayor Laliberte opined that it should be considered illegal, and was a significant safety issue from her perspective in driving that route on a daily ba-