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Minutes
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
March 31, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. Members
present were Woody Spitzmueller, Bill O’Rourke, Craig Anglin, Gordon Klingbeil, Jeff Evens, and Greg
Wilson
Others present were City Council Liaison Warren Erickson, Larry Poppler (City Engineer), Brad Brandt
(City Street / Utility Employee) and Becky Lund (City Public Works administrative employee).
Old Business:
A.Sand Point Beach Parking Issues – Crest Avenue Striping
The purpose of tonight’s meeting is for the members of the TSAC to receive a report and
information from the Staff that addresses the questions and comments made during the public
hearing. The TSAC members will discuss and consider the input provided during the September 30th
public hearing, the additional information they receive tonight from the Staff and consider their
recommendation to the City Council on the project.
a.An overview was presented by Larry Poppler, City Engineer, highlighting problem areas
for past parking issues neighboring the Sand Point Beach area. He reviewed concerns
shared by residents at the meeting on 9/30/10 as well as the action items which were a
result of that meeting.
b.Action item one from the 9/30/10 meeting was to research the capacity of Sand Point
Park.
i.A park capacity study performed by a consultant from the Hoisington Koegler
Group determined that capacity is approximately 1,000 persons and that
capacity is self-regulating (meaning that if it seems overcrowded, people
typically won’t stay).
ii.They equated peak use to 330 stalls, however recommended that physical park
counts should be performed during peak periods.
iii.The results of the study (Attachment A) are attached to the minutes for your
reference.
c.Action item two from the 9/30/10 meeting was to review past minutes and resolutions
pertaining to the DNR access.
i.Although there were no resolutions on City record in regard to this matter,
minutes from 1982 did indicate that the City would enforce its parking
restrictions on Crest Avenue.
ii.The final agreement with the DNR from 1989 did not reference Crest Avenue.
iii.The DNR confirmed that they are “not actively looking for a third access site, but
are interested in a third site.
iv.As of the DNR 2009 statistics, Prior Lake does have boat counts that reflect
higher than average usage.
v.The 1994 Lake Access Study discusses a third access to Prior Lake and possible
site locations. It did not have any notes relating to or restricting street parking
for Sand Point Beach.
d.Action item three from the 9/30/10 meeting was to research other communities and
how they address nearby parking related issues.
i.Lake Calhoun and Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis are somewhat unique in that
there are parking lots, meters and on street parking around the entire lakes.
ii.Public ownership is around the entire lake area and residents are much more
accustomed to on street parking in this area of the Metro.
iii.Crystal Lake in Burnsville is situated in a residential area somewhat similar to
the Crest Ave residents near Prior Lake. The City does allow parking on a
collector street that’s near Crystal Lake beach (as overflow parking). Also, there
is no parking with trailers noted near the DNR access lot.
e.The Parks Advisory Committee had reviewed the park capacity study at their most
recent meeting. This group does not recommend building any additional parking lots,
however is open to the concept of restriping Crest Avenue for additional parking. They
encourage more use of Watzl’s beach and believe that performing head and parking
counts during the summer of 2011 could be helpful.
f.The committee reviewed the proposed striping plan on Crest Avenue and discussed the
following alternatives:
i.Recommend striping Crest Ave according to the original plan.
ii.Recommend restriping parking on only the East side of Crest North of the Sand
Point Park Access.
iii.Recommend not to stripe parking on Crest Ave.
iv.Recommend performing head and parking counts for Sand Point Park during
peak periods.
v.The committee also reviewed some of the other alternatives which included:
1.Removal of parking fees
2.Install another parking lot
3.Establish park and ride for the beach
4.Charge beach users rather than park users
5.Fees for DNR access to limit boats on Prior Lake
g.Action Item – the committee approved the motion to recommend to City Council to
proceed with striping parking stalls on the east side of Crest Avenue just north of the
Sand Point park entrance to Cedarwood Trail (see Attachment B). The area would be
signed “No parking vehicles with trailers”. In addition to the striping, perform a
headcount and parking fee analysis this summer.
New Business:
A.Yield Sign Request on Shady Beach Trail approaching Conroy Street
a.Although this is a unique road situation coming off of County Road 42, the committee
did not support adding an additional Yield sign.
B.Speed issues at Rutgers & Grayling Circle in the Boudins neighborhood
a.Larry Poppler, City Engineer, proposed the reconstruction plans for this area to be
performed for this summer (construction to begin in May). The intent was to obtain
feedback to ensure that the project will assist in addressing past concerns with speed in
the neighborhood. The project design includes added stop signs at Grayling and
Rutgers, valley gutter, and increased radiuses. All agreed that the proposed project
includes enhancements that seem to be a good attempt to address the existing speed
issues. Spitzmueller suggested a stop sign at Grayling and Watersedge Trail.
C.No Parking Request sign on CR 21 near Revere Way
a.A bus has been temporarily parking between 5:50 a.m. to 6:10 a.m., Monday – Friday,
before they start their morning route. Currently, there’s only one existing “no parking
sign” and it’s not in the vicinity of where this bus is parking. The request is to add more
“no parking” signage.
b.Since this is a county road, the committee shared that this is not a response item for
their review. In the meantime, officers will be on the lookout for this concern.
Additional Announcements / Updates:
A.It was announced that Steve Albrecht, Public Works Director and chair of this committee, has
accepted a position with the City of Burnsville. His last day with the City of Prior Lake was April
1, 2011.
B.County Road 21 Study - alignment alternatives for CR 21 are currently under review. More
information is expected to be available by mid-April.
C.Jeff Evens shared that he’s interested in sharing a 10-minute demo of MnCMAT at the next
committee meeting. This is a crash analysis tool that could be a good resource for this
committee. Action Item – include this on the agenda for our future meeting.
D.The request to have No Right Turn on Red Southbound HWY 13 at Main Ave has still not been
completed by MnDOT, despite repeated inquiries. Larry Poppler will continue to check status.
E.There was a request to have Terry Hutchinson from the Snowmobile Task Force present at the
next meeting. The committee would like to obtain feedback on the one year trial use of the
snowmobile trail on the west boulevard of Crest Ave from CR 42 to Sand Point Park.
Action Item – invite Terry to the next committee meeting.
Summary of Action Items
Sand Point Beach Parking Issues – Crest Ave Striping
Recommend to City Council to proceed with striping parking stalls on the east side of Crest
Avenue just north of the Sand Point park entrance to Cedarwood Trail for vehicles without
trailers. In addition to the striping, perform a headcount and parking fee analysis this summer.
Future Agenda Items
Include time allotment for Jeff Evens to demonstrate the use of the MnCMAT website / crash
analysis tool.
Invite Terry Hutchinson from the Snowmobile Task Force to share his feedback on the trial use
of the trail on the west boulevard of Crest Ave from CR 42 to Sand Point Park.
The next meeting date is TBD. The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
G:\Streets_and_Transportation\Traffic Safety Committee\2011\March Meeting\TSAC Meeting Minutes 3 31 11.docx