04-10-2023 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 6B STAFF ORIGINATOR: Diane Hankee, PE City Engineer MEETING DATE: April 10, 2023 TOPIC: Consider Resolution 23-33, Lowering the School Zone Speed Limit on Elm Street VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting Council approve the resolution lowering the school zone speed limit on Elm Street from 30 mph to 20 mph. BACKGROUND The City was contacted by representatives of Independent School District 12 to discuss safety improvements associated with access to Centennial Middle School and Blue Heron Elementary School. The school representatives asked the City to evaluate the school zone speed limit. The existing speed limit on Elm Street is 35 mph. Elm Street has an existing school zone speed limit set between Lake Drive and Snow Owl Lane at 30 mph. Per Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) the 85th percentile speed is used to determine speed limits for roads. The reasoning is that most drivers are reasonable and do not want to get in an accident, but do want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Therefore, a speed at which 85 percent of people drive is figured to be the highest safe speed for that road. Based on traffic speed data collected the 85th percentile speed on Elm Street is 36 mph. During school drop off and pick up times the 85th percentile speed varies between 32 and 34 mph. MnDOT’s Guide to Establishing Speed Limits in School Zones provides parameters for setting the speed limits. In school zones, a City has the authority to reduce the speed limit based on Minnesota Statute, Section 169.14, Subd. 5a - Speed Zoning in School Zone. Based on the existing speed on Elm Street being 35 mph the and our engineering review of the area it is recommended that the school zone speed limit be reduced from 30mph to 20 mph on Elm Street. RECOMMENDATION Staff is recommending approval of Resolution No. 23-33, lowering the school zone speed limit on Elm Street.