City Council to Consider Implementation Plan Aug 4

Staff has developed a plan to change speed limits as approved by City Council at their February 17 meeting. Under this plan, most local streets would be reduced to 25 miles per hour with higher speed limits on busier streets. This action supports the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, the Living Streets Plan, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the Active Routes to School Plan.

Staff will present the implementation plan to City Council at their August 4 meeting along with first reading of Ordinance 2021-09, which will give the City Engineer the authority to establish speed limits on local streets in accordance with the provisions of Minn. Stat. § 169.14.

A quick summary of what implementation will include:

1. Approximately 250 traffic control signs will need to be replaced or added; if approved, this work is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
2. Staff does not recommend additional enforcement or police resources as part of implementation.
3. The City will launch the “Drive 25” campaign through a variety of communication channels to educate the public on the new speed limits.
4. Staff will evaluate traffic and crash data two years before and after implementation and will prepare additional recommendations regarding enforcement, communication and infrastructure.
5. Total costs for implementation are estimated at $10,000 and will be funded by the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety (PACS) Fund.

The full implementation plan and supporting materials are available in the Document library of this page. This initiative is part of the City’s comprehensive approach to improve safety and mobility for all modes of transportation, which will also require roadway redesign and new pedestrian, cyclist and transit infrastructure.