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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24, 1995 <br />(#2 - Old Beach Road - Continued) <br />Callahan said the Council was justified in temporarily closing Old Beach Road. He Mid <br />that the Council does not have the right to instigate improvements on county roads but <br />can onlv give advice when the county is making improvements Callahan recogmzed the <br />large amount of traffic being carried on CoRds 15 and 19 and the safety issues involved. <br />It was noted that Old Beach Road has been closed due to high water in the past, and <br />Callahan said he was well versed on the history of the road. CaUahan said the road was <br />designed as a residential road and is unable to handle the traffic volume. He noted the <br />undersurface conditions with wetlands The issue now is one of safety with the school <br />bus incidents as reported. He also noted the use of the shoulders by cars for passing. <br />Callahan said it was his inclination to leave the road closed but would like more <br />information on the accidents on CoRds 15 and 19 from the Engineer and Police as well as <br />information on the use of longer turn arrows at the intersection <br />Cook reported that the green arrow was very short causing cars to attempt turns on the <br />yellow and red lights Cook felt extending the time for the green arrow would improve <br />the situation. <br />Jerry Smirka of the Hennepin County Public Works, Traffic Operations Section, said he <br />is in charges of signals. He noted that the information on the counters was correct; one <br />did not work and the other could have double counted a portion of the cars Regardless <br />of the counts, it was documented that there is a high volume oftraffic on this residential <br />street Smirka said the City requested the turn signals at CoRd 15 and 19, and the <br />intersection receives a high level of service as a "b" level mteresection. He noted that the <br />information on accidents received from the Public Works Dept was not current. <br />Smirka described the left turn arrows and how they worked at the intersection <br />15 and 19. The left turn indicators were for westbound and northbound turns. This is <br />similar to other intersections. The time clock instaUed in January of 1995 aUows for 5-6 <br />seconds of green and 8 seconds on CoRd 19 The controlled use operates Monday- <br />Fridav, but not on weekends or from 7 p m.-7 a m. This was set up on a tnal basis and <br />changes can be made to improve the situation by the use of detector loops. A Iwp is <br />used when demand shows the need and is asked for by the City. Smirka described the <br />efficiencies, or lack of, with loops being installed in different directions. <br />It was noted that Council Member Hurr will abstain from the vote on this matter. Hurr <br />was concerned with conflict of interest with her position as Planner for the City of <br />Minnetonka Beach.