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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-072 CCR Member Kay Lasman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -72 RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL CODE OF POLICIES; ADDING POLICY FOR IN- STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2006 -46 on April 10, 2006, which' established a City Council Code of Policies; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to amend its Code of Policies to add a policy on in- street pedestrian crossing signs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, that the City Council Code of Policies be and hereby is amended to add Section 2.98 attached hereto as Exhibit A to Section II of the General Policies. May 9 2011 Date Mayor ATTEST: J" j City Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Carol Kleven and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Tim Willson, Carol Kleven, Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, and Dan Ryan; and the following voted against the same: none; whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -72 2.98 In Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign Traffic Policy 1.. Background A. Rights and Responsibilities Both pedestrians and motorists in the State of Minnesota have rights and responsibilities on the roadway. Statistics and public response continue to reveal that the rights of pedestrians are not very well respected by motorists. This fact increases the potential for accidents and pedestrian injury at crosswalks. B. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to allow the usage of and give - guidance for the installation of the In -Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign (R1 -6b) in accordance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MMUTCD). The In -Street Pedestrian Crossing sign (RI -6b) may be used to remind road users of the Minnesota State law that requires the driver of a vehicle to stop to yield the right -of- way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk. It should be noted that studies show that excessive use - of signs and pavement markings can' substantially reduce the effectiveness of such devices. Therefore, a consistent application of this policy will serve both the motorist and pedestrian within the City. 2. Process A. City Staff will formalize all traffic safety concerns or requests and work with the requestor to gather pertinent facts to Delp clearly define the problem and seek a solution. City Staff will review those facts, determine if the request is warranted, and share this determination with the requestor. If a disagreement occurs with the recommendation or additional information and/or facts emerge that are persuasive as related to the City warrants /policies for the requested issue, the Administrative Traffic Committee will review the issue. 3. Guidelines A. The following guidelines are standards and warrants for the use of In- Street Pedestrian Crossing Signs (Rl -6b): 1. The provisions of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD)_ shall be followed. f 2. Relevant speed, volumes, accident records, pedestrian counts, sight .obstructions and demographic analysis shall be reviewed when considering In- Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign installations. 3. The sign shall not be used at intersections whose approaches are controlled by either stop signs or traffic control signals. 4. The sign should only be used at key locations, such as high pedestrian volume crosswalks; to avoid overuse. 5. The sign shall only be used at existing crosswalk locations. 6. The sign shall only be used as an in- street sign, not on the outside shoulder or parking lane. When installed, the sign shall not impede or obstruct any traffic movement, including through or turning movements. 7. When the sign is used at or in advance of a school crossing to- supplement the ground mounted school warning signs, the sign shall include .the SCHOOL plaque. 8. The sign shall be used seasonally due to safety issues with the use of the sign during the winter and to prevent damage during the winter because of plowing operations. 9: The sign shall only be installed on City streets and maintained by the City of Brooklyn Center at qualifying locations that are determined and prioritized by the Administrative Traffic Committee. 10. The sign shall only be used in 35 mph or lower speed zones. 11. The sign shall only be used on streets with vehicle traffic volumes that exceed 5,000 vehicles per day. 12. Only one sign structure shall be used per approach at marked crosswalks. 13. Any of the following supplemental conditions may warrant the sign's installation: a. Those locations adjacent to and along established pedestrian routes to and from a school. b. Locations adjacent to community centers, libraries, and other high use public facilities. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -72 C. Locations adjacent to public parks. d. Locations where accident records, sight obstructions and /or • pedestrian volume warrants the installation. e. Locations where significant numbers of handicapped persons cross a street. f. Locations where significant numbers of senior citizens cross a street. t