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<br />Stop Sign Installation – Stop signs are perhaps the most requested remedy when <br />a person encounters a real or perceived speed issue. Stop signs are also the <br />most misunderstood and misused street signage. Stop signs must never be used <br />as an attempt to reduce vehicle speeds. They are intended to and must be used <br />only to assign right-of-way. There are criteria set by the State of Minnesota that <br />an intersection must meet to qualify for a stop sign. Staff investigates all <br />intersections in question and determines if a stop sign is warranted, based on <br />current conditions. If the intersection meets those warrants, Staff then seeks <br />Council approval to install the stop sign(s). <br /> <br />Attached is a draft stop sign installation policy. <br /> <br />Watch for Children Signage – This is another sign that has been misused. There <br />exists a perception that erecting a “Watch for Children” sign on a particular street <br />segment will slow the rate of speed at which vehicles travel. For this reason, the <br />City receives requests for this particular sign. According to the “Minnesota <br />Manual on Uniform Traffic Control”, this sign is to be used on rural high speed <br />roadways and are intended to alert drivers of unsuspected entries of children <br />onto the roadway. They are not intended to be used on residential roadways. To <br />purchase and install such a sign costs approximately $300. The City would then <br />need to maintain it and replace it every 7 to 10 years. Also, since there is no <br />justification for this sign along residential streets, the City may be setting an <br />unwanted precedent that compels the City to erect a sign upon every request, <br />thus resulting in a large financial commitment. Staff recommends that these <br />signs be used only in accordance with the “Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic <br />Control”. <br /> <br />Vehicle Noise Laws Enforced Signage – Although not necessarily a speed issue, <br />the City receives several vehicle noise complaints per year. In many cases, the <br />person filing the complaint requests that a sign be erected. Staff recommends a <br />policy be adopted whereby the City installs this or similar law enforcement <br />informational signs at locations recommended by the Police Chief and approved <br />by City Council. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff is looking for direction from the City Council pertaining to this matter. <br />Specifically, Staff is looking for direction regarding Staff’s recommended traffic <br />signage policies. <br /> <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Greg Lee, Director of Public Works <br /> <br /> <br />