2011-06-28_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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at a future meeting of the preferred City of Blaine Traffic Management Policy model in practical application in Roseville. City Engineer Bloom noted that overall, it was much easier for staff to work with residents when a policy or process was in place to provide consistency. In reviewing the Blaine policy, Ms. Bloom noted a lack of established criteria that had been included in some of the other models reviewed. Using requests for a stop sign as a primary example and one that often comes up, Ms. Bloom reviewed some of the possible considerations and/or criteria, referencing Page 17 of the Blaine model. Ms. Bloom reviewed current practice for the City of Roseville in their review of whether a stop sign was indicated or not, including a warrant analysis, with the Blaine model not talking about under which circumstances would be applicable. Member Stenlund opined that there were always a lot of questions creating a need for consistent answers, which he thought was the best part of the Blaine model, specifically addressed in the Introductory/Purpose statement. Vice Chair Vanderwall noted the Blaine model talked about conducting a study, but he suggested that, if a tight policy for stop signs was in place, there may not be as much variation for a local response, and a local study provided staff consistency in response. Mr. Schwartz observed that the Blaine model was quite broad and covered a lot of areas; things that may be related to an engineering study; and suggested the need to make sure who and where the discretion was. From a staff perspective, Ms. Bloom opined that there wasn't a lot of discretion for stop signs, and as a professional engineer, she would not recommend any stop signs without consideration of the warrant analysis. Ms. Bloom noted that, as staff, there were things allowing for latitude beyond normal standards, but there were established parameters for other things, such as traffic calmers, flashing pedestrian signs, and those things had established criteria. Other things such as speed limits, Ms. Bloom advised that there was no control, as only the State Commissioner of Transportation could change speed limits; and the City only able to request bike lanes or speed studies. In response to Member Gjerdingen, Ms. Bloom advised that road width and speed limits were not necessarily entwined, and that with the exception of parkways, the State minimum speed limit was 30 mph. Ms. Bloom advised that, therefore, she would not sign off on any roads with design standards of less than 30 mph. Discussion ensued on design standards for various types of streets and those having multiple speed limits (Dale Street);jurisdictional authority, whether state, Page 5 of 11