ADMINISTRATION - Jean M. Keely, City Engineer
Title
AUTHORIZE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 129TH AVENUE TRAFFIC STUDY
Background
At their February 2, 2017 Council Workshop, the City Council discussed resident concerns on 129th Avenue from TH 65 East Service Road to Radisson Road. Council directed the City to hire a third party consultant to study the operations of 129th Avenue including the future extension of this Municipal State Aid route to Lexington Avenue. Tom Sohrweide of SEH was selected to prepare the attached traffic study for Council’s consideration. The City Council reviewed the traffic study at their June 1, 2017 Workshop and directed that the Traffic Commission review the report and make recommendations back to City Council for implementation.
Tom Sohrweide attended the June 6, 2017 Traffic Commission meeting to present the traffic report and answer questions. The Traffic Commission recommended that the City Council consider implementation of the recommendations from the study:
1. Install a white edge line to create a shoulder in the median areas.
2. Install a yellow edge/center line adjacent to both sides of the medians to create an 11 foot traffic lane.
3. Prohibit parking in the median areas.
4. Increase enforcement at the critical time periods.
5. Install crosswalk pavement marking to legally establish the midblock crossing.
The Traffic Commission also asked that a letter be sent to adjacent property owners letting them know that the City Council will be considering implementation of the traffic study recommendations at their July 13, 2017 Council meeting. The letter was mailed on June 22, 2017.
Recommendation
By motion, adopt the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the City Council is cognizant of providing regulation of vehicular traffic in a safe and responsible manner; and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council consider adoption of the Traffic Study recommendations for implementation; and
WHEREAS, City Ordinance requires a Council Resolution specifying the placement of regulatory signs; and
WHEREAS, the regulatory signs are considered to meet warrants for traffic control established in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that regulatory signs are hereby authorized to be installed as follows:
Ø Parking restrictions shall be placed on both sides of 129th Avenue from Chisholm Street to Radisson Road. (Parking restrictions already exist on the north side of 129th Avenue east of Isanti Street.)
AND, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the May 17, 2017 129th Avenue Traffic Study recommendations be implemented.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 13th day of July, 2017.