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Mendota Heights council backs moving radar feedback-sign proposal to a future agenda after safety, cost discussion
Summary
Councilors and staff discussed buying up to 12 mobile radar feedback signs using State Aid funds to collect speed data and support traffic-calming projects; estimated purchase cost was cited at roughly $30,000 and a formal agenda item will be scheduled for a future meeting.
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek asked the Mendota Heights City Council on April 21 to consider buying mobile radar feedback signs for Municipal State Aid Streets to collect speed data and support future traffic-calming work. Ruzek said the units would be mobile, strategically placed where speeds transition and programmed by staff to suit local needs.
City Engineer Lucas Ritchie described the $30,000 estimate for 12 signs as “at the high end,” and said the city could purchase fewer units to reduce the cost. Ruzek told the council the signs would be paid for with State Aid funds and that data gathered would inform future street-project design and traffic-calming decisions. Ruzek also said a traditional speed study could cost about $10,000.
Police Chief Kelly McCarthy told the council that enforcement data show there are locations with higher speeds and that public perception of speeding is not always aligned with measured behavior; she noted that a speed camera on Marie Avenue last year “captured drivers traveling 15 to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.” Councilor Maczko asked staff to produce data demonstrating speeding in areas without existing feedback signs; Ruzek acknowledged that current signs do not collect historical data and that the new units would fill that gap.
Councilors discussed trade-offs between purchasing the signs now and using State Aid funds for pavement work. Public input on where to place units and whether to reduce the number purchased were discussed; no formal vote was taken. Mayor Stephanie B. Levine and several councilors signaled support for bringing a more detailed proposal, including refined cost estimates and placement plans, to a future council agenda.
The council did not adopt any action at the work session; staff will return the radar-feedback-signs item to a future City Council meeting for formal consideration.
