2008 0416 Special City Commission Meeting

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Summary Minutes: Special City Commission Meeting April 16, 2008 Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Commissioner Goodman said that FDOT needs to look at the five block stretch between 178th Street and 183rd Street. There is no light in between that area and people jaywalk there, which is hazardous. Mayor Edelcup said that Commissioner Goodman brought up another valid point that there are five blocks between 178th and 183rd Streets without a traffic light. At the south end of the City, you have a light at 158th, 159th, 163rd, Sunny Isles Boulevard, in front of Newport Hotel, 170th shopping center, 172nd, another light at the other Raanan Shopping Center, and so you have lights within one block of each other, and here is an area that is five blocks long and you don't have any traffic lights. Commissioner Scholl asked Mr. Penfield how long it takes to design, implement, and install the signal. Mr. Penfield replied 60 - 120 days assuming that we have a lot of cooperation, and work around the clock. Commissioner Scholl clarified that FDOT and Miami-Dade County were the permitting agencies. Danny Iglesias stated that if everything were approved today, it would still probably not be ready by August. Commissioner Scholl said the difference would be that the City might be able to close that side street knowing that the approval is forthcoming. Mr. Pego suggested that the City try controlling the access first to see ifthat works. If it does not work, then there are operational problems and your recommendation is valid. Further, he suggested the City try to control the movement coming out of that driveway, when people realize they can't go northbound there, they will go out of the other driveway. Mayor Edelcup said that is still not acceptable. Commissioner Brezin said the property owner has rights and that the City Commission cannot take away his rights and tell him how to direct traffic in his own private shopping center. She said FDOT should have done this a long time ago and that they must have some provision for this type of emergency to protect pedestrians. Mr. Pego said FDOT establishes minimum standards for all municipalities state-wide, so there is safety for anyone traveling on public facilities. He will continue to work with the City staff to expedite a resolution for this matter City Manager Szerlag asked what the City needs to do mechanically for FDOT to say yes. Mr. Pego said the installation of a traffic signal requires a set of plans, utility contact information (all part of the permitting process), to be furnished with a permit application. The permitting applicant will be the County as they maintain the signals. Once FDOT receives the application, it is more or less making sure that ADA requirements and certain other standards are met. However getting to that point involves studies that include traffic engineering and forecasting vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There are many warrants for signals, but meeting one of them does not mean that a signal should be installed, as it is not always the best traffic control device for the location. City Manager Szerlag asked Gus Pego to get some specificity for Mr. Penfield and the City will look to calibrate the study performed by Trump Development to include traffic generated by a new school. City Manager Szerlag clarified that that is all the City has to do, and Mr. Pego said the study is part of the package, however, the area must also meet the space criteria, 4