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Police Advisory Commission Agenda 02-18-1998 . . . AGENDA REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO POLICE COMMISSION Wednesday, February 18, 1998.7 p.m. Members: Liz DeMarais, David Gerads, Bridget Baldwin, Brian Stumpf, Brad Fyle ,. Call to order. 2. r.' i;)v Approval of minutes of the meeting held October 1, 1997. \'J\ 3. Consideration of election of officers and review appointments to Advisory Commission. 4. Discussion on increased incidents oftheft in industrial park areas. 5 Consideration of reviewing draft copy of the School Boulevard traffic study. 6. Update on snowmobile trail route. . . . MINUTES MONTICELLO POLICE COMMISSION Wednesday, October 1, 1997 - 7 p.m. Members Present: Dave Gerads, Bridget Baldwin, Brian Stumpf, Brad FyIe Members Absent: Liz DesMarais Also Present: Sheriff Don Hozempa, Deputies Ken Anti! and Dennis Compton 2. AppTOvlIlofminlltes. The minutes of the regular meeting held Apri130, 1997, were approved as presented. 3. Consideration of reviewing previous discussion on tr:lf'fic control recommendHtions alool/' School Boulevard. Previously, by Police Commission consensus, the City Council was going to be asked to consider the installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of School Boulevard and Fallon Avenue near Little Mountain Elementary School. The recommendation from the Police Commission was that the stop sign should be considered to provide a safer crossing area for pedestrians due to the number of children in the area with the new residential developments that were occurring near the new elementary school. Even though commission members were aware that School Boulevard was originally intended to be a through street without stop signs from County Road 118 to Highway 25, they felt pedestrian safety would be better if a four-way stop sign was installed at this location. Prior to the recommendation being presented to the City Council, it was noted that the Klein Farms 3rd and 4th Additions located south of School Boulevard had planned on constructing a pathway and sidewalk system along School Boulevard providing for a crosswalk across Fallon Avenue to connect to the existing school crosswalk from Cardinal Hills to the elementary school. Since the Police Commission members were not aware that this sidewalk/pathway system had been proposed as part of the residential development, the recommendation for the four-way stop sign was not forwarded to the Council to enable the Police Commission to again review whether a stop sign was appropriate. In addition, the City Planner had also prepared a rough sketch plan of sidewalk and pathway improvements that would likely occur in this area because cfthe new Lions Park that will eventually be developed as part of the Klein Farm.s development. The Planner's proposed pedestrian circulation plan seemed to support the Police Commission's original consensus in that a four-way stop sign is Page 1 Police Commission Minutes - 10/1/97 . recommended by the Planner at Fallon and School Boulevard. Although it was noted by Commission member Fyle that School Boulevard was always intended to be a major through street and that the School does and will continue to provide crossing guards at appropriate locations near their schools, the COIlBensus of the commission members was to rea:ffirm their original recommendation and request that the City Council consider installing stop signs on School Boulevard at this location. DAVE GERADS MADE AMOTION, SECONDED BY BRIAN STm.1PF, TO FORWARD THIS REQUEST TO THE COliNCILAT ITS NEXT MEETING ON OCTOBER 13, 1997. Voting in favor: Brian Stumpf, Bridget Baldwin, Dave Gerads. Opposed: Brad Fyle. Motion carried. 4. Consideration ofrf~vip.wing the 199R nroposed police department bmlp'p.t :md contract rate. The Police Commission members briefly reviewed the proposed budget proposal for next year that would provide 9,376 hours of coverage, the same as 1997. The contract rate established by the County Board was $35.55 per hour, which would amount to an annual contract total of$333,317. . Commission members also discussed the use of the additional 200 hours that were added to the contract for 1997, and Sheriffs Department representatives presented an accounting of the hours used so far totaling 172 hours. It is anticipated that the balance of 28 hours will be used for traffic speed monitoring. Commission members also reviewed with the Sheriff whether the additional 200 hours were sufficient, and SheriffHozempa felt the department could get by with the same hours in 1998 but that the Police Commission and City Council will have to seriously consider increasing the hours in 1999 to keep the same level of service we're accustomed to. It was noted that the calls for service are continuing to increase as our population continues to grow, and it is eventually going to require additional hours of coverage to provide good service, Although this item will be further discussed during 1998 prior to setting the 1999 budget, SheriffHozempa recommended the Commission start thinking about having a second patrol officer available for an additional 8 hours per day, 7 days per week, rather than the current second officer for weekends only, This would add approximately 2,500 hours annually to the contract and would amount to approltimately $90,000 per year. . No action was taken on the increase in hours at this time, as further discussion will occur prior to setting the 1999 police department budget. Page 2 Police Commission Minutes - 10/1/97 . 5. Discussion ofenforc"lllpnt procedures concerninl' use of licensed and nnlicenserl motorcycles and dirt. hikes in the citv limits. Commission members were advised that the City had received a complaint from a property owner along 4th Street that motorcycles and dirt bikes were operating in their back yards along the railroad tracks. It was noted by Sheriff representatives that the number of complaints they had received were minimal regarding dirt bike and motorcycle operations, but they would continue to monitor the number of complaints or calls regarding this to see whether additional enforcement activities are warranted. In the past, most of the complaints regarding motorcycles had to do with noise rather than vehicles being operated on streets without being licensed. 6 Discussion on bicycles onerating- on sidp.walkslpathwllYs. . Deputy Compton advised the Commission members that state statutes indicate that bicycles are not allowed to operate on sidewalks in commercial areas uruess previously approved by that city. Since the City of Monticello does not have any ordinances prohibiting or allowing bicycles to operate in a business district, bicycle operation would not be allowed in the commercial downtown area. Commission members discussed whether this was a major problem for the City and were informed that one business owner had expressed concerns, and the Commission instructed the Sheriffs Department to monitor the situation to see if additional action is necessary by the City. 7. Update on estahlishing- a snowmobile trail ronte. Commission members were informed that final word of allowing a snowmobile trail route to be established along Burlington Northem Railroad tracks had not yet been received, but the City expects approval to be forthcoming SOOD. Commission members also discussed the best route for the snowmobile trail fromWashington Avenue to connect to County Road 118, and it was still the consensus of the Commission that all efforts to maintain the route along the railroad tracks be exhausted before an alternate route is select€d. 8. Discussion On enforcement nrocedures for "kateboarders l1tili7.ine- public and orivate parkine-lots. . Commission members were informed that the City has received complaints from business owners that problems are occurring with youngsters lingering in city and private parking lots for skateboarding activities. It was also noted that the city parks have recently experienced some damage to picnic Page 3 . . . Poli"e Commission Minutes - 10/1/97 tables and equipment utilized by skateboarders making ramps, etc. The police department realizes that this is continuing to become a problem for not only the City but private businesses but that it's very difficult ro control. It was recommended by the Police Commission that additional efforts be encouraged by the Sheriff's deputies in dispersing youngsters who are congregating in the parking lots and after hours in city parks in an attempt to curtail some of the damages that have been occurring after hours. RickWolfsteller City Administrator Page 4 . . . Police Commission Agenda - 2/18/98 3. Comlideration of election of officer!'! and review annointmEmts to Advisory Commi!ilsion. (R.W.) A REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND: Currently, the Police Advisory Commission consists of four members at large appointed to staggered three year terms and one council member, whose term corresponds with their elected office term. Commission members, Bridget Baldwin and Dave Gerads, terms expired December 31, 1997 and these terms were extended by the City Council action in early January; extending the terms for another three years. If either one of these individuals is not interested in remaining on the Police Advisory Commission, a recommendation should be made to the Council for any replacements needed. The current ordinance creating the Police Advisory Commission also indicates that a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary shall be elected from it's members_ Typically these positions are reviewed annually to see if any changes are necessary. I believe the last review of these positions was in 1996 when Liz DeMarais was elected chairman, Brian Stumpf was elected vice chairman and yours truly performed the function of secretary for the commission. Any or all of these positions should be reviewed by the group fOT any changes necessary. 2 . . . Police Commission Agenda - 2/18/98 4. Dil'lcul'll'lion on increa!led incident!! of theft in indm.trial nark o..-ea!!. (RW,) A. REFERENCE AND RACKli-ROUND. Recently, plant manager, Joel Abraham ofRcmmele Engineering appeared before the City Council to express concerns over an increasing number of incidences of theft of their recycling materials from their property in the Oakwood Industrial Park. Mr. Abraham was not necessarily critical of the police protection in Monticello, but did want the Council to be aware that it appears there is an increasing level of theft occurring in the area and it's been hard for them to critique the activity. At this point, this item is simply being placed on the agenda for general discussion by the Commission Members with representatives of the Sheriffs Department to find out if there is something the City or Police Commission should be doing differently. Mr. Abraham noted that the Sheriffs Department has responded very quickly and is aware of the concerns that Remmelc Engineering is having, but he generally wanted the City Council to be aware that there may come a time when additional law enforcement patrolling or enforcement action will be necessary to control the theft that's occurring. Ai; part of the discussion, possibly the Sheriff's Department, representatives will have some indication of the number of complaints or incidences that have occurred in the recent past involving such thefts in the industrial park. Possibly, the Sheriffs representatives will have some suggestions on what could be done to help in these areas. Other than general discussion and to be made aware of the concerns of industrial park property owners, IlO other specific action is noted at this time for cOIlsideration. 3 . 5. . . Police Commission Agenda - 2/18/98 Consideration of l'eviewinl! draft cnvv of the School Boulevard traffic stlldy. (RW.) A RRFRRENr:E AND BACK(}RotlND' At your last meeting in October 1997, the Police Commission voted to request that the City Council consider the installation of stop signs on School Boulevard at the intersection of Fallon Avenue. Currently, the traffic does stop on Fallon at the School Boulevard intersection, but School Boulevard is the through street fOT traffic movement. This request was based on the notion that it would provide a safer intersection if traffic along School Boulevard was required to stop rather than currently along Fallon. This request was placed on a council agenda for their consideration and as a result, the Council authorized the City Engineer, WSB & Associates, to prepare a traffic study of the entire School Boulevard area. A draft copy of the study has been completed by the engineer and has been reviewed by the city staff including administration and the Public Works Department. The final study has not yet been forwarded to the City Council for review, as we wanted to have the Police Commission take a look at the study and the recommendations first. I'm sure there will be debate on the recommendations, the study basically confirms the original thoughts when School Boulevard was designed in that School Boulevard would be considered a major thoroughfare from Highway 25 to County Road US_ It was built as a wider, collector type street and the report seems to indicate that not only is stopping Fallon Avenue traffic at School Boulevard appropriate at this time, it is also a recommendation that County Road 117 should also be looked at as having a stop sign at the School Boulevard intersection rather than the other way around. As you know, traffic is currently required to stop on School Boulevard at County Road 117 and it was assumed by the City Engineer and Public Works Department that as traffic volumes increased on School Boulevard to where they exceeded the traffic on 117, would be the trigger point for placing stop signs on the County Road rather than School Boulevard. The study currently indicates that this is very likely the best solution for traffic movement. Mter the Commission has had a chance to review and discuss the traffic study, it would be suggested that a recommendation from the Police Commission accompany the report as it's presented to the City Council for their review and acceptance. 4 . , - I , , ';::\?; "','YiY MONTICELLO OfJic",frhc' CiL)' Adminim(l!<JY 250Ea'tl-lroaJ""y Monticcllo,MNSSJ62-9245 Phone' (612) 295-2711 Metw;(6i2)31J-S739 MEMO TO: Police Commission members FROM: ,,-"\0, Rick Wolfsteller, City Administrator .,S; / DATE: May 7, 1997 RE: Police Commission's recent recommendation for a 4-way stop at School Boulevard and Fallon Avenue, . At our recent meeting, a majority of the commission members had requested that the City Council again be approached with the request for the installation of a 4-way stop sign at School Boulevard and Fallon Avenue. It was noted that the City Council in January of 1996 had been requested to consider the 4-way stop in addition to lowering the speed limit by the school. Because of the recent letter from Superintendent Shelly Jolmson and with the increasing housing development that was occurring in the area, you indicated a safe crossing location should be available for children to access the school properties. . It was originaIIy intended to place this request on the May 12 Council agenda, which 1 had begun to prepare. During a staff meeting, it came to my attention that additional information the Police Commission members were not aware of may be beneficial before proceeding to the Council with this request. As part of the Klein Farms development proposed fOT south of School Boulevard, pedestrian traffic linking the housing developments to the schools has been considered, and a sidewalk will be installed along the south side of&:hool Boulevard in an east/west direction to funnel traffic to Fallon Avenue. At this point, pedestrians would cross Fallon Avenue to the east, where it is proposed to relocate the existing crosswalk to a location approximately half-way between its existing crossing and School Boulevard to provide a more direct route to the SchooL If the sidewalk as proposed is developed and the crosswalk is relocated west from its present crossing of School Boulovard, the installation of a stop sign on School Boulevard may be inappropriate at this time. - . . Memo Police Commission Members May 7, 1997 Page 2 I know the commission members were concerned about the safety of children in the area, and that was onc of the prime reasons why I believe you wanted the Council to consider a 4-way stop sign. Had you been aware of the proposed sidewalk and relocation of the crosswalk to better access the elementary school, I wasn't sure whether this would have had an influence on your request at tbis time. Rather than giving this information to the City Council without the Police Commission being able w discuss it first, 1 chose to remove the item from the May 12 agenda and suggest that the Police Commission again discuss this topic at our next meeting. With the Klein Farms development just beginning south of School Boulevard, I believe there's sufficient time for the Police Commission to re-evaluate the sidewalk, pathway, and pedestrian movements that are being proposed in this area before hastily making a request to the City Council without adequate study. Should you have any questions on this memo, please give me a calL cc: NenaBarker . . I I -'-Ii, .. :, \\' ,,- I ',i\,,, I ' \\\\ I ,.J'_, I """' , "" ,:',1 ',' ,", I,: ,I lc_-- I, ,_",=" ,-='""---~-""~,~,--'---~+-' !-( ~I ~ I... : .JI.: I ~3, I .. .,}, <t' ~ ',' ~ ~I >i I ~"'I\!) I ~~,~: I, '-' I ' I' " : 1/. ! -~--).' ".~ 'I .~ ' :,il '1"/ :J.!; ,_ ._~J ,1;/ , '" '>> - <t: 3 ~ .. 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LaVonn Nordeen 18681 Cleveland Street NW Elk River, MN 55330-2314 March 23, 1999 City of Monticello 250 Broadway East Monticello, MN 55362 Dear City Officials: Having again this morning witnessed another near miss accident at the intersection of Fenning Avenue and School Boulevard (going west) and Jason Avenue (going east) (just south of the middle school), I felt compelled to make you aware of a problem before a serious injury or death occurs here. Currently, vehicles approaching the intersection from the east and west are required to stop at a stop sign. Traffic on Fenning Avenue does not stop, which is reasonable given that from the south you are traveling down the steep hill by the Monte Club. For some reaSon though, after stopping, people often pull out directly in front of vehicles driving through on Fenning. I can't explain why this happens. I've even purposely approached the intersection from the side streets to try to understand what they're seeing (or not seeing). I've seen it occur many times including to me and that's just in the brief periods that I'm passing through. Marry houses have been built in this area and I'm sure traffic has increased greatly. Additional signs on School Boulevard and Jason Avenue that advise that cross traffic does not stop might be helpful. I believe that this intersection is within your jurisdiction, but just in case it isn't, I'm also copying this letter to the Wright County Highway Department. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. My work number is 682-7535, my home number is 441-5059. Sincerely, /?/z0< '1e/ltiX LaVonn Nordeen cc: Wright County Highway Department IOB1 . 350 Westwood Lake Office 8441WaYUllaBoulevard Minneapolis,MN55426 BA_M;",['<=l,.P_~_ am.". w~~. P-E. !,<<"R-W,ko",ing,P'E. ["m.l~""_S",,,,., 1'.10. ""'n~d B. B,,,", ~E, &Associates, Inc. 612-541-4800 FAX 541-1700 January 21, 1999 Mr,JohnSimola Public \Vorks Direclor CilyofMonticello 909 GolfCourso R<lad Monticello,MN 55362 Re: 7~St"'etSpccdLimjtatWashingtonStr<et City Project No. 9S-12C WSBProject:-lo, 1087.00 DearMr.Simola . Thiskttcri,afollow-uptoourconversationTcgardingthespcodlimitin from oflhe Hluff"ApMlment l,uildingl()""tedalongrecently.recon,lrucle<.l7~Streel. Thc.partmem manager',cuncern is wid\ the increas";n 'peed limilfmm30 MPH to 35 MPH, consideringlhe faO!lh'lthe road i, nola through street at this time. Asyouare fully aware, this 'lreet is intended IocnnneC!IOCSAH 75 on the easl, Elm Street on the west, and i,!he north fronlage road for J-94_ 7~Streethasbeenadequ.telyde,ignc..Jto maitltain speed limits of35 MPH from TIl 25 to the east, which inorderto elfeotivelymove tr.ffic on .colleolor Slroe!,shouldbe mainlainod. u,sserspeedsoocolleclor'lreetssignificanllyimpactthe.bilityoflhc roadlofunclionptoperlyandforcestrafficontootheravailablelocaIstreet,notintendedtobecollectoL'_ ,'-Ie try 10 design collector s!;reeIS for a minimum of35 MPH, and ideally 40 MPH, The 40 MPH speed could not effecti"ely bc achieved onthissegmentofroad, The end of the street althi, lime, is approximately 0,5 mHes from the Blu!T, Apartments, but will k ulilized by the St. Bencdict'.. Senior Housing Facility, as well as St. Henry's Church. Consequently, the improvement in geomclric, compleled with the revised 7fu Street design and a miuor increase in ,peed limit are warranted in this situation and we would recommend the speed limil remain as posted, Please give me acall at512-9769 if you have any que, lion, regarding thi, lellerorifyouwouldlikoto have me meet with the concomed cil;zen, Sincerely, ~Xitr: Brct/l,\\Ieiss,P,E, City Engineer c, ,RickWolfsteller, City AdministralOrfPolice Commi"io~; em . Mi n n cap 0 / i< . Sr. Ct. u d ["frtu",,-cturtl Engineers P!.runers FQUAl OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYFR ,..Wi'W.....""'...,.,..,/,.,'.".,, . . . 6. Police Commission Agenda - 2118/98 U>>date on snowmobill! tr$ll1 route. (R.WJ A. REFRR~~NCR AND BACKGROUND: As you may have noticed, the snowmobile club has marked a trail route from the Highway 25 bridge along Cedar Street to the railroad tracks and then easterly to Washington Street. The city has continued to get a commitment from Burlington Northem Railroad regarding the use of their right"of-way for the balance of the distance between Washington Street and County Road 118. The l:ity has not been denied the right to use the right to use the right- of-way nor have they approved this trail. I believe the Commission may want to simply discuss how the trail system has worked this past winter and see whether the Sheriffs Department has any input on their observations ofthis trail. D SUPPORTIN(} DATA: Traffic study. 5 . . COPy f'i MO/','TlCELW MEMORANDUM TO: BNRFile FROM: ~1 lohnE.Simola,PublicWorksDirector DATE: December2,J997 RE: Use of Burlington Northern Right-of-Way between Washington Street and C.R 118 for Snowmobile Trail This afternoon at approximately 1:30, 1 spoke with Bruce Opp, Regional Sales Manager fOf CatelIus l\.fanagement Corporation, a consultant to Burlington Nonhem Santa Fe Railroad, in regard to right of way Issues, Their address is 4105 Lexington Avenue North, Suite 200, Arden Hills, Minnesota 55126, Telephone number is (612) 415-2706, Fax number is (612) 48\-9361. Bruce informed me that Burlington Northern did not generally give any easements or leases for snowmobile right of way as they felt this increased their liability, but he did suggest that I talk to Roger Swinghammer in their right of way department and maybe something could be worked out, Bruce transferred me to Roger Swinghammer and he was able to quickly retrieve my letter of August 29, 1997, Roger indicated to me that since the snowmobile trail was already being used between Washington Street and C.R liS that having a right of way agreement with the city and placing some additional signing at that portion oftrack mightJimi t the railroad's liability. Inaddition, he voiced some concerns as to whether a temporary type offence may be needed in some areas Roger indicated that he would forward a letter of request to the operations personnel to see if they would be in agreement to establishing such ause along this section of track. He indicated it would take at least two weeks to get an answer back out of the operations personnel and I sh ouldgetbacktohimonoraboutthe 16th of Decem her if he didn't get back to me. JESlbeg cc: RickWolfsteller,CityAdministrator Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator RogerMaek,Street&ParksSuperintendent ""10"';c<lh,CilyHull. 2l0E, Broadw,y. PO Box 114i.MDoticello.\lN S5J(,~.9245 .(612)29S_2711.Fox,!612)2~5_441l--1 on,," or Puoli, W",,,. 909 Golfeou,," Rd__ Monthll". M.~ 5536". (6]2) ,95_3170' F,x, (612) 211_3272