HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 12.26.2012 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
DECEMBER 26, 2012 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson
at 6:30 p.m. on December 26, 2012.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls
_x_ Bruce McGee Mark Mace
x Scot Stokes Chuck Dickerson
x Tom Nelson x Bill Mountsier
OTHERS PRESENT:
None
Public Input (three - minute limit):
Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agenda. The duration for an
individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council
will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
There was no public input.
General items
• Laurel Fire Department:
o Appointments of Daryl 'Crafter, Scott Swanson, Hugo Hernandez and KC Bieber
The appointments will be on the January 2 council agenda.
Executive Review:
• Resolution — Approve and make recommendations to MDOT on East Railroad Street
traffic study
Mayor Olson spoke regarding MDT's recommendation and the suggested change made by city
staff. MDT's recommendation is a 35 mph speed limit on East Railroad Street from South First
Avenue to the corner of Bernhardt Road and East Railroad Street and then 45 mph, except at the
curve in the road. Stars recommendation to the council is for a proposal to MDT for a 25 mph
limit from the intersection of South First Avenue and East Railroad Street to the intersection
where the railroad tracks intersect with East Railroad Street. The draft resolution indicates that
recommendation and also charges the city staff by council direction to lobby the Transportation
Commission to modify the speed limit recommendations.
There was discussion regarding County residents petitioning the County Commissioners for
changes in the speed limit, the current speed limits on East Railroad Street and whether the
County will address the speed limits as recommended by MDT.
Council Workshop Minutes of December 26, 2012
Bill asked regarding the reason for reducing the speed limit to 25 mph from South First Avenue
across the railroad tracks.
Mayor Olson stated that safety is the reason, as stated in the resolution: "recommends the
modification to protect the residents of Laurel and the general public from causing vehicle
damage and losing control due to the rough transition at the railroad tracks."
Bill referred to the crash history statistics of 1.26 crashes per million vehicles, as stated in the
traffic study. He questioned if that is the reason to institute the 25 mph speed limit.
Mayor Olson stated that staff considered the speed limit for traffic heading over the railroad
crossing. Fox Lumber utilizes the side railroad from time to time.
Mayor Olson stated his agreement with staff's recommendation that a 35 mph speed limit is too
fast and it should be reduced to 25 mph.
Bill commented that it is ridiculous to post a 25 mph speed limit for that half block, as drivers
need to use common sense and posting a 25 mph speed limit will not make any difference to
some drivers.
Emelie commented that she would recommend extending the 25 mph speed limit, just because of
how crazy people will drive. She recognizes this as a compromise that staff has considered,
realizing that there is a division in how people see this and how people want this to come out.
She will recognize it as a compromise and go with it.
The resolution will be on the January r council agenda.
• Council Issues:
o Lease Task Force update
Tom stated that the task force asked the Rod and Gun Club to complete a draft copy of the city's
lease template for the Rod and Gun Club building and/or the building and the shooting facility
for the next task force meeting on January 14 The Rod and Gun Club is working on a
contingency plan if they cannot shoot at Riverside Park, as they understand the exorbitant costs
they would incur to bring the facility up to the council's requirements. The club will present a
draft lease or no lease at the next meeting.
Bruce stated that it would not be cost effective for the club to put a fence around the shooting
range for a sunset period that the council would accept and he does not know if the council
would be comfortable to extend the sunset period enough to justify the expense of a fence.
There was further discussion regarding the club's lack of information, the council's desire to
have a decision soon, and the club's opportunity to just lease the building for meetings.
Other items
There were none.
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Council Workshop Minutes of December 26, 2012
Review of draft council agenda for January 2, 2013
There were no changes.
Attendance at the January 2, 2013 council meeting
All council members present will attend.
Announcements
Emelie reminded everyone to recycle live Christmas trees at the drop box on the south side of
Main Street. She also wished everyone a safe New Year's celebration.
Mayor Olson wished everyone a safe holiday.
The council workshop adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for
the listed workshop agenda items.
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