05-09-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 25, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 22 3. DONATION FROM THE MINNESOTA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (continued) In 2014, that number was reduced to 361 fatalities, which is the second lowest fatality rate in Minnesota since World War II. Hammes stated last year there were unfortunately 411 fatalities total and so far this year there have been 99 fatalities compared to 92 this time last year. Hammes stated in 2013, there were 387 people that lost their lives and over 30,000 were injured. The National Safety Council estimates the cost to Minnesota is over $1.5 billion as a result of the 2013 crashes. Hammes noted Hennepin County is the deadliest county in Minnesota, and over the last four years the County has averaged 35 fatalities per year. So far this year there have been 12 fatalities. In 2012, there were 37 personal injury crashes, with one fatality and 48 people injured. In 2014, there were 28 personal injury crashes, which resulted in 40 people being injured, and one fatal crash that resulted in two fatalities. Hammes stated they all are aware of the dangers of Highway 12 and that the Office of Traffic Safety and the local police departments will continue to work hard on improving the safety along that corridor. Hammes stated the program Towards Zero Deaths is exactly what it says it is. Hammes indicated people ask him all the time whether that is attainable, and what he asks them in response is what an acceptable number would be. Hammes stated during all of this, the Orono Police Department has jumped in and really helped the Office of Traffic Safety and the other local police departments out. Because they were willing to participate in these programs, they were selected to receive this large incentive. Hammes stated some of the reasons the Orono Police Department was selected for receiving this incentive reward is that they have participated in this program for a number of years and have completed all of their reports in a timely fashion. In addition, the Orono Police Department participated in the Spirits of the Lake Festival, which helped teach young people what it is like to drive impaired. Hammes noted Orono is only one of eight police departments that will receive this award this year. Hammes stated on behalf of the Office of Traffic Safety, he would like to thank the Orono Police Department and the City Council for their participation in the program and their support of the Toward Zero Deaths program. Levang moved, Printup seconded, to accept the donation of a radar unit from the Office of Traffic Safety. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS None PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER REPORT 4. WATERTOWN ROAD PHASE 2 Public Works Director/City Engineer Edwards stated the City received a number of bids on Phase 2 of the Watertown Road project. Phase 2 encompasses Stubbs Bay Road out to the west and then Old Crystal Bay to Willow Drive to where it links up to the project being done by Long Lake.