04-08-98 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 8, 1998 SPEED Canada, and Little Canada Road is 30 mph from 35E to Edgerton Street. LIMIT Hiland suggested that the speed limit o~~ LitYle Canada Road on the east side of the freeway should be increased to 35 mph. Hiland stated that he understand the problem with the church, school, and day care center, but felt a 3-way stop at Little Canada Road and McMenemy Road would address that situation. Hiland pointed out that the issue of the three-way stop was discussed a couple of years ago. I-Iiland noted that there is a precedence for this action given the installation of a 4-way stop sign at Edgerton Street and LaSore Road. This stop sign was installed as a traffic control device. Fahey stated that he liked to characterize the varying speed limit as differences rather than inconsistencies. Fahey felt these differences on the east side of the fi•eeway were good given the location of the church, school, and day care center. Fahey stated that he could not support an increase in the speed limit without a compelling reason, and felt the 30- mph on the east side of the fi~eeway was adequate. Hiland also expressed concern with the way Ramsey County is patrolling Little Canada Road feeling that the Sheriff was targeting vehicles coming fi~om the 4-way stop on Edgerton. Hiland pointed out that there is an incline fi om Edgerton driving west, and as cars go up this hill there is the need to accelerate. Once a vehicle loses the drag of the hill, a vehicle may exceed the speed limit for a short period of time. Hiland also pointed out that there is a drop of grade for vehicles coming from the west from the freeway, and it is necessary to break to keep a vehicle from goin~ over the 30-mph speed limit. Even if a vehicle just coasts, it wouM reach a speed of over 35-mph. Fahey stated that he drives Little Canada Road every day and agrees there is the need to break wlten coming from the west. Fahey stated that he would assume the Sheriff's Department exercises some discretion when deciding whether or not to issue tickets. Fahey stated did not feel there was justification for increasing the speed limit on Little Canada Road given the church and number of young children in the area. Scalze reco~nized the speed limits are sort of political pointing out the varying speed limits of roads as they run throu~h other cities. Scalze stated that she would like to know why these speed limits are different. Fahey stated that the City could ask the Sheriffls Department or the County for an explanation of the differences.