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MIMlTKS OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETINGHELD OCTOBER 25, 1993 <br />ROLL <br />The Council met on the above date with the following members present; Mayor Edward <br />Callalian, Councilmembers J. Diann Goetten, Charles Kelley. JoEllen Hurr and Gabriel <br />Jabbour. The following represented staff: City Administrator Ron Moorsc, Assistant <br />Plannimi & Zoning Administrator Michael Gaffron, City Attorney Kevin Staunton. Public <br />Works Director John Gerhardson, Assistant City Engineer Shawm Gustafson and Recorder <br />Marva Hurst. Mayor Callahan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. <br />(Ul) COUNTY ROAD 15 SAFETY IMPR0VEMF:NTS <br />Hurr gave a brief introduction regarding the plan and asked Steve Peterson from the Planning <br />Commission to describe the original plan and the changed plan. <br />Present from Hennepin County were Vem Gcnzlingcr. Head County Engineer; Pat NIurphy. <br />Head of Hennepin County Public Works, and Bruce Polacek. Engineer for the project. Bruce <br />Polacek talked for a few minutes about the study Hennepin County prepared, noting that the <br />accident rate in the Brackett’s Point area is 3 times higher than other areas. He commented <br />how County Road 16 in Minnetonka, which was a similar situation, has improved in regard to <br />safetv when turn lanes were created. <br />Mayor Callahan asked if the road would be worked on in segments and if some segments <br />could be eliminated. <br />Polacek stated that the road was reviewed in segments due to the sensitivity of certain <br />sections. Murphy added that certain segments could be eliminated if necessar)’. <br />Goetten stated her concerns are as follows: center turn lanes could cause some confusion, <br />especially at night because the area is poorly lighted; the blacktop increase will be massive; <br />and that speed is not generally enforced unless a car is travelling more than 10 mph over the <br />speed limit. <br />Mavor Callahan invited members of the public to comment. <br />David Halper, 1420 Shoreline Drive, commented that it took him 11 minutes to exit his <br />driveway recentlv. He felt that the impro\ements to the road would increase tratiic on the <br />road and he was'perplexed why the City Council is going ahead with the proposal when there <br />were no positive comments at the last public meeting he attended. <br />Lowell Janke. Eo.\ Hills area, slated his concern is that the shoulders are very narrow »md it s <br />difficult to make a right hand turn and would prefer to see a right turn exit lane. He felt that <br />widening the road would increase traffic, especially trucks and buses and would like to see the <br />speed limit he 30 mph. <br />Bob Stierna. 1930 Shoreline Drive, read a letter referencing Minnesota Rules. Chapter 8820 <br />regarding natural preser\ation rt>uies. staling ’.hat the ^rea could be considered for review tor <br />designation as a natural preser\alion route. <br />Barbara Halper, 1420 Shoreline Drive, staled that she felt Council should consider redirecting <br />traffic onto Highway 12. 394 just as it was done when the bridges were under repair. <br />Jim Rivers slated that the Countv should have to operate by the same standards as the City of <br />Orono regarding hardcover issues and adding acres of blacktop would be ''Tong. H<? <br />commented that the real problem is not left turn lanes or sht>ulder. but rather the speed limit <br />should be reduced.