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2018.12.04 Work Session Packet (1st) 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov Posted: Nov. 30, 2018 City Council First Work Session Agenda Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 6:30 p.m. Conference Room A Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter, the first work session of the Crystal City Council was held at ______ p.m. on Dec. 4, 2018 in Conference Room A, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, Minnesota. I. Attendance Council Members Staff ____ Adams ____ Norris ____ Budziszewski ____ Therres ____ Dahl ____ Gilchrist ____ Deshler ____ Ray ____ Kolb ____ Revering ____ LaRoche ____ Serres ____ Parsons II. Agenda The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items: 1. Traffic management update. 2. Constituent issues. III. Adjournment The work session adjourned at ______ p.m. Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the City Clerk at (763) 531- 1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Memorandum DATE: December 4, 2018 TO: City Council FROM: Mark Ray, PE, Director of Public Works SUBJECT: Traffic sign management draft policy Background Over the past few years the City has taken a new, more formal approach towards traffic-related requests. Additionally, the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MnMUTCD) has a requirement that “Public agencies … having jurisdiction shall use an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels…” with a compliance date of June 13, 2014. In order to solidify how traffic requests are handled and bring the City into compliance with the MnMUTCD requirements, staff are bringing forward a draft policy for Council consideration. The Council will also be asked to approve a resolution that adopts all the stop and yield signs (regulatory signs) under City jurisdiction to go along with the policy. Formal approval of the policy is anticipated to be brought before the Council on December 18, 2018. Since no direct spending will result from this policy, it is proposed to be put on the consent agenda at that meeting. Attachment • Draft Traffic Sign Managemenet policy Recommended Action No formal action is needed. Just Council discussion on the draft language and direction. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL TITLE: Traffic sign management policy NUMBER: EFFECTIVE DATE: December 2018 NUMBER OF PAGES: 3 Purpose statement The City of Crystal (“City”) is responsible for the design, placement, operation, maintenance, and uniformity of traffic control devices on all streets, highways, and bicycle paths that fall within City jurisdiction. All traffic control devices under City jurisdiction shall be placed only as authorized by the City of Crystal (Crystal City Code, Section 802.01). No signs, other than those authorized by the City, shall be placed upon any public street, right-of-way, public easement, public land, or extend over any public property or public easements. This Traffic Sign Management Policy is in accordance with the authority granted to the City of Crystal under Minnesota Statutes, section 169.06. The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework through which the City will execute its responsibility and authority for traffic control installation and maintenance within Crystal. Traffic control signs for private roads, parking lots, and/or access points to public roads are the responsibility of the property owner or their designee (23 Code of Federal Regulations 655.603). All roads, parking lots, and/or access points that are open to the public must have signage that complies with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (“MnMUTCD”). Signs that are placed within a City right-of-way, for traffic on private roads/parking lots/access points, must be in accordance with Crystal City Code provisions and MnMUTCD standards. Policy application This policy applies to all traffic control devices in the City of Crystal. Traffic Sign Installation Process The City of Crystal receives requests for sign installations within the public right-of-way from a variety of sources. To respond to these requests, the City has a Traffic Safety Group (“TSG”) to evaluate and respond to sign (and other traffic) requests or issues as needed. The TSG includes staff representatives from the Police Department, Public Works, and Communications. Other individuals or groups are brought on an as-needed basis. All traffic sign requests will be forwarded to the TSG for review, unless emergency conditions require immediate action to protect life or property. Guidelines for the use and Page 2 of 3 placement of traffic control signs are set by the MnMUTCD. Additional considerations may include consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, City precedent, and/or special conditions such as temporary/special events or emergency conditions. If the TSG recommends modifications to existing traffic control, the modification will, if required, be forwarded on to the City Council for consideration. Traffic control changes that have a regulatory impact (such as vehicle movement, turn restrictions, or parking restrictions) where a driver could be cited by law enforcement will be brought before the City Council. Advisory signs, such as warning and guide signs, will generally not be brought before the City Council and will be installed based on the findings of the TSG in consultation with the MnMUTCD. The City will install all traffic control signing as authorized according to this policy within public right-of-way. Cost allocation and cooperative agreements with private parties or other agencies shall be as determined in the sign approval process. Management Responsibilities The City of Crystal is responsible for inspection and maintenance of all traffic control signs on streets and paths within the City’s jurisdiction (MNMUTCD 2A.22). Agreements with other agencies may define other inspection and/or maintenance arrangements for signs on County or State highways. Maintenance and inspection of signs on or for private roads, parking lots, and/or access points to public roads are the responsibility of the property owner or their designee, unless otherwise authorized as part of a City development approval process (23 CFR 655.603). Management Activities a. Asset Inventory The City will collect and maintain information about all traffic control signs currently under its jurisdiction. The inventory will be compiled into a GIS database that will be used for expected sign life as well as other maintenance and use needs. b. Retro-reflectivity Inspection Signs under City jurisdiction will be in accordance with current Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”) standards and procedures. Signs that are identified as having non-compliant retro-reflectivity levels will be replaced under a replacement program. c. Inspection Schedule and Method Traffic control signs will be inspected based on the expected sign life, general observations, performance of similar control signs within Crystal, and potentially supplemental measured sign retro-reflectivity readings of signs nearing the end of their expected life. Signs that do not meet retro-reflectivity requirements will be replaced as part of the sign maintenance program. Page 3 of 3 d. Damaged/Missing Signs Traffic control signs that are repaired or re-installed may have the general condition inspected for compliance prior to re-installation. Sign Removal Guidelines and Process To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements: fulfill a need; command attention; convey a clear, simple meaning; command respect from road users; and give adequate time for proper response. If a sign no longer satisfies the requirements listed above, then it may be considered for removal. If necessary, removal of signs will be approved by City Council resolution similar to the process for sign installation. If the sign to be removed is within the public right-of-way under the City’s jurisdiction, then the removal must be done by City Public Works staff. Agreements with other agencies may define other removal arrangements for signs on County or State highways. Removal of signs on or for private roads, parking lots, and/or access points to public roads is the responsibility of the property owner or their designee.