01/21/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/21/2003 In the opinion of residents present at this committee, the road would be safer with the speed kept at 25 mph as it has been for many years. Councilman Nashar noted that in 1996 a proposal was made to raise the limit to 3 5 mph and it was strongly recommended by the Chief of Police that the limit remain at 25 mph for Canterbury Road. Mr. Kelley, a resident from Canterbury, noted that it was not the county that changed the speed limit recently pursuant to the agreement in 1990, but rather it was unilaterally changed by the city's Service Director without notification to appropriate parties. He further noted the significant number of speed tickets that had been written on Canterbury and the significant number of accidents that occur on that road, and that was when the speed limit was 25 mph. He fears that the increased speed would increase that number even further. Other issues which arose out of this discussion are as follows: (1) A hydrant on Canterbury Road was struck by a vehicle. The hydrant was damaged and despite requests to have it repaired, it remains leaking as of the date of the committee meeting; (2) Ditches exist and remain unfilled on the road which present hazardous conditions to drivers; (3) The flashing yellow lights at the crosswalk at Canterbury and Sweetbriar are, in the opinion of the school guard who presently works at that corner, not effective and perhaps present an even more significant hazard at that corner; (4) The speed limit needs to be monitored during the time it takes to address bringing the limit back to 25 mph, should that be the decision of the committee. After much discussion, review of the old agreement and input from the Law Director, it was determined that two approaches exist if the city wishes to lower the speed limit back to 25 mph. First, the city can petition the Department of Transportation to lower the limit. Second, an informal meeting with the county can be held to discuss the prior agreement of 1990 and the possibility of declaring the street a residential district and obtaining an agreement with the county that the speed limit would best remain at 25 mph. The city cannot simply unilaterally revert back to 25 mph due to state statute which states that a through street is one which is at least a mile in length from one outlet to the other and infused with stop signs at intersecting streets. If this exists, the limit is 35 mph and can be lowered only by petition. The following conclusions were arrived at following discussion: First, the issues of the leaking hydrant and the unfilled ditches were referred to the Safety Director for his immediate attention or referral to the Service Director. He is to report back to the Safety Committee on that issue. Second, the Law Director agreed to discuss the flashing yellow light structure with the crossing guard in that area and advise the committee as to the results of that discussion and any recommendations. Third, the committee unanimously agreed and the Law Director concurred that the most expedient approach to addressing the issue of reducing the speed limit on Canterbury Road back to 25 mph is to have the Law Director contact the county to discuss and request this change. The Law Director will then report back to the Safety Committee. Fourth, it was required that the Safety Director immediately place target enforcement signs on Canterbury Road on strategic places to encourage reduced speed until such time as this issue is resolved. It should be noted that immediate attention was requested for the leaking fire hydrant and the target enforcement signs. However, the signs have not yet been posted. ^ The lack of curbing at Canterbury and Sweetbriar, which is of great concern to Mrs. Weir, the school guard at that intersection. The apron is extremely wide and angles 8