Police Advisory Commission Minutes 04-30-1997MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO POLICE COMMISSION
Wednesday, Apri130, 1997
Members present: Liz DeMarias, Brian Stumpf, Brad Fyle
Others present: Wright County Chief Deputy Don Lundell, and Guest Nina
Barker
Staff Present: Rick Wolfsteller
1. ~,gnroval of ninttes of the rep la meef ng held Ma h F 1 7
A motion was made by Brian Stumpf, seconded by Brad Fyle, unanimously
carried to approve the minutes of the special meeting.
2. f 1'
Nina Barker of 406 East Braadway appeared before the Police Commission to
voice concerns over the speed vehicles are traveling along Broadway and the
current speed limits near both the high school and Pinewood Elementary also
located on Broadway. Ms. Barker questioned the Commission members as to
whether the city would be allowed to post a school zone sign near both
schools in addition to the 30 MPH speed limit and questioned whether it
wouldn't be more appropriate For the speed limit to be reduced further away
from each of the schools.
Rick Wolfsteller explained that in order to change the speed limit on
Broadway, the City Council would have to request that Wright County or
MnDOT conduct a speed study since the road is a county state aid highway.
In addition, the placement of the existing 30 MPH speed zone has been
previously established by MnDOT and the Commission could consult with
the Wright County Highway Department to find out what the procedures are
for lowering the speed limits in advance of the school properties.
Commission Member Fyle felt that the 30 MPH speed limit is appropriate
and that it was unlikely the speed limit could be lowered below this level, but
that the real issue is stricter enforcement of the speed limit. Chief Deputy
Don Lundell noted that the department has recently placed a monitoring
device along Broadway that indicates a vehicles speed as a reminder and
agreed that more man-hours for enforcement of the speed limit will likely be
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necessary to get the word out to the motoring public. It was suggested that
some of the additional 200 hours that has been allocated for special problems
be used for this purpose, in conjunction with the portable warning device.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Brad Fyle, seconded by Brian
Stumpf and unanimously carried to consult with the Wright County
Engineer's Office regarding the proper placement, location and appropriate
school zone signage procedures that would be available for both Pinewood
and the high school and to also recommend that the Sheriffs Department
consider utilizing some of the additiona1200 hours of coverage for
enforcement of the speed limit laws along Broadway. The recommendation
included conducting additional enforcement in conjunction with the use of
the portable speed limit warning device.
3. R,evi.ew of action regarding establishment of snowrpr~bajP r~~~te through the
SAY.
Commission Member Brian Stumpf reviewed with the members the Council's
approval of establishing a snowmobile route for the 1997-1998 snowmobile
season that would direct snowmobiles through the city. It was noted by Mr.
Stumpf that the City Council had selected the Cedar Street route to the
railroad tracks and then easterly along the railroad tracks to Washington
Street where the route would either continue on the railroad tracks to
County Road 118 or would proceed southerly along Washington to the
freeway and then easterly to County Road 118. It was noted that the
snowmobile club members will be contacting the property owners and
obtaining the necessary permission to cross private property with a route.
4. '
Fallon Avenue.
The Commission members reviewed a letter recently submitted by
Superintendent, Sheldon Johnson, again requesting the city consider the
installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of School Boulevard
and Fallon Avenue. It is the view of the School Superintendent that with the
increasing number of children attending schools in the area and increasing
volume of traffic that has occurred along School Boulevard, they believe the
installation of a four-way stop sign would be a preventative measure that the
city should consider.
Commission members noted that the City Council had previously been asked
to consider the installation of a four-way stop sign at this intersection along
with reducing the speed limit from 45 MPH to 30 MPH adjacent to the
schools between County Road 118 and Fallon Avenue. Since the City Council
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had only previously acted on the lowering of the speed limit during school
hours, discussion centered on whether the City Council should again be
asked to consider the four-way stop sign.
Brad Fyle noted that School Boulevard was originally designed and
constructed to be a through street connecting all the way from 118 to
Highway 25. Tt is his understanding that eventually even County Road 117
(Oakwood Drive) would likely be stopping for School Boulevard and felt that
if anything, the city should look at installing warning rumble strips or
additional signage to warn that a stop sign exists for traffic on Fallon
Avenue. Member Brian Stumpf and Liz DeMarais felt that with the
additional development that is proposed in the area, afour-way stop sign will
be necessary to control traffic and provide safe places for students to cross
from developments to school properties. As a result, it was recommended that
the City Council again be requested to consider the installation of a four-way
stop sign at this location because of the increase of development that's
occurring in the area and the sake of preventative safety measuxes.
5. Asljaw~,
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