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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Safety Commission 07-14-10 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION July 14,2010, 10:00 A.M. Training Room — St Croix County Sheriffs Office CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Update on Hwy 65 (Jerdee Avenue / Jewell St intersection), Star Prairie 2. Hwy 35 / County C / Hwy 64 westbound exit ramp intersection, east side of Somerset ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) ** Additions /Changes /Corrections St. Croix County Traffic Safety Commission Minutes 'St. Croix County Traffic Safety Commission meeting was held on July 14, 2010, in Sheriffs Office training room of the Government Center in Hudson starting at 10:01 A.M. Present were: Cpt. Scott Knudson, Sergeant Brian Erickson, Greg Helgeson, Jim Harer, Miles Wittig, Doris Peterson, and Marion Standaert. Meeting was called to order by chairman Knudson. Cpt Knudson informed us of the new commission members, County Board members Brian Hurtgen and William Peavey and the new Emergency Government Manager Kristen Sailer. Motion was made by Greg Helgeson to adopt the April 2010 minutes with the change in the first paragraph under New Business; seconded by Doris Peterson. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Greg Helgeson started out the meeting by updating us on the intersection they are looking at revising in the Village of Star Prairie at Hwy 65 and Jewell Street. He met with the Village President and will be going to the September 1, 2010, Village Board meeting to discuss the issue. He is recommending change, but wants to see if there is public support. The Star Prairie Village Clerk has recently received a citizen complaint regarding speeding in that area. If there is support, Mr. Helgeson will start looking at viable options for the intersection. Once such option would be closing off the intersection and putting in a cul -de -sac at the end of Jewell St. He thought this might be the most affordable solution. Depending on the solution that is decided upon, it might be necessary to purchase a small amount of land. Miles Wittig was concerned that the surrounding landowners need a say in what is to go on and asked if a change in signage would help the situation. Mr. Helgeson stated that the problem seems to be with the layout of the intersection including trees with block visibility. As of yet there has been no traffic count taken on Jewell St. Mr. Helgeson stated he has an obligation to protect traffic on the State Highway The public may have to weigh the inconvenience with the safety of making the change. Cpt. Knudson informed the commission that not long after our last meeting in April a bicyclist that was traveling north on Hwy 65 when a vehicle traveling south struck him in that intersection. The next issue Greg Helgeson had was the intersection at Hwy 35 /Cty C /Hwy 64 westbound exit ramp on the east side of Somerset. The number of crashes for this intersection in the last five years has been 16. Here is the breakdown: 2006 8 crashes 2007 0 crashes 2008 5 crashes 2009 1 crash 2010 2 (thru May) 1 The traffic count in 2009 was getting close to meeting the minimum requirements for a traffic, signal, but was not there yet. The State will update the traffic count every 3 -4 .years unless there has been enough development in an area to warrant a count sooner. The speed limit in the area is 45, which is typical for that type of intersection. Tim Ramberg asked if the township had asked about street lighting. He stated that they had been offered to have street lights put in when the intersection was built, but they turned it down because it was not then in their jurisdiction. Greg Helgeson reported that most of crashes have been during the day. Miles Wittig stated that people have been talking about an electric stop sign, but Greg Helgeson stated they have not met the minimum traffic count yet. Mr. Wittig was also very concerned about the speed in that area (45mph). He stated that he believed they had increased it when they put the intersection in and he was worried about the Senior Center located in the area. Greg Helgeson believed that the speed limit had always been 45, but would check his records. Tim Ramberg announced the retirement of Jim Harer. Randy Gunderson will be replacing him. Mr. Gunderson has been with the County since 1976 in various capacities. Mr. Ramberg asks for us to have patience as everyone adjusts to the new arrangements. Doris Peterson had concerns that she has heard that State Troopers were spending more time on Hwy 12 instead of 1 -94. Sgt Erickson replied that in every shift there is at least one trooper on 1 -94 and this past Monday they had seven troopers on 1 -94 for a traffic initiative. Ms Peterson also had issues with how bumpy 1 -94 is in Dunn County. Greg Helgeson stated it had been resurfaced within the past few years. Doris Peterson reminded us that Farm Technology Days is coming up. She does not know if she will be able to make it, but she believes they have enough women to man the DOT safety booth. Cpt. Knudson informed us that there had been one traffic fatality since our last meeting, bringing the County total to three for 2010. The victim was a 16 year old male going north on Cty CC. Speed appeared to be a factor; the crash is still under investigation. Cpt Knudson also stated that on Sunday, July 25, 2010, is the Jack Johnson concert at River's Edge which is expected to bring in a crowd of 12,000. Unfortunately that weekend is also Lumberjack Days in Stillwater, and they are having fireworks that same night. Traffic that night in Houlton will be very heavy and they are looking into erecting some "No Parking" signs to help with the situation. That weekend is also the St. Croix County Fair. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at 10:00 A.M. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Sgt. Erickson to adjourn the meeting, and was seconded by Greg Helgeson. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Marion Standaert 2