4.2 Speed Limits Policy
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Public Works City Engineer Wagner April 11, 2022
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
City Engineer Wagner City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
City Planner Licht
4.2 – Speed Limits
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
X Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends the City Council adoption of a policy and adoption of an ordinance establishing
speed limits for City streets.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Minnesota Statutes 169.14 was amended to allow cities greater authority and discretion to establish speed
limits for streets under their jurisdiction. The City Council has requested staff to review and recommend a
speed limit ordinance and speed limit policy based on a revision to MN Statute Section 169. The revised
Statute 169.14 Subd. 5h states (emphasis added):
A city may establish speed limits for city streets under the city's jurisdiction other than
the limits provided in subdivision 2 without conducting an engineering and traffic
investigation. This subdivision does not apply to town roads, county highways, or trunk
highways in the city. A city that establishes speed limits pursuant to this section must
implement speed limit changes in a consistent and understandable manner. The city
must erect appropriate signs to display the speed limit. A city that uses the authority
under this subdivision must develop procedures to set speed limits based on the city's
safety, engineering, and traffic analysis. At a minimum, the safety, engineering, and
traffic analysis must consider national urban speed limit guidance and studies, local
traffic crashes, and methods to effectively communicate the change to the public.
Determining speed limits within the City is based upon guidance from Minnesota Statutes, Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) policies and guidelines, Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MnMUTCD), and engineering judgement.
Lowering speed limits on local streets is in line with national trends toward lower urban speed limits to
support safety. Recently the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and other metro Cities have announced they
are lowering speed limits on their roadways. Lower traffic speeds will also reduce the likelihood of a crash
and makes a crash less likely to lead to death or a life-changing injury. A pedestrian hit at 35 mph is three
times as likely to die as someone hit at 25 mph. Stopping distances are also greatly reduced.
Staff has developed a matrix of criteria for establishment of speed limits, which is included within the
proposed policy. The criteria outline why each type of street has a certain speed limit. These criteria have
been reviewed by both the Public Works Subcommittee and the Administrative Subcommittee. Both
committees have recommended approval of the proposed policy and ordinance establishing speed limits
on City streets.
Implementation of local speed limits requires a communication plan. In order to meet state statute
requirements and to meet Otsego’s own desire to keep residents well informed of changes, a
communication plan is underway through:
▪ Consideration of the policy and ordinance at a City Council meeting.
▪ Notice of the proposed ordinance on the City website.
▪ Publication of the ordinance as approved by the City Council.
▪ An article and map in the Otsego View.
▪ Social media posts
▪ Press releases
The costs to implement the new speed limit policy would be just over $7,000 based on the need for 128
new or replacement speed limit signs at $30 each, equaling $3,840. Installation of the new signs would
take approximately 65 total hours at $50/hour, equaling $3,250. Some additional costs to develop the
speed limit policy, procedures, and ordinance have also been incurred.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
▪ Resolution 2022-39
▪ Speed Limit Policy
▪ Speed Limit Ordinance 2022-04
▪ Speed Limit Ordinance 2022-04 (Summary)
▪ Speed Limits Map
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2022-39 establishing a policy for speed limits upon City streets; adopt
Ordinance 2022-04 to regulate speed limit on City streets; and approve publication in summary form.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
General Fund – Streets Department
Yes
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CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2022-39
ADOPTING A CITY STREET SPEED LIMITS POLICY
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues chapter 169 establishes authority for cites to designates speed limits for
public streets under their jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the City Council directed the City Engineer to undertake a study related to establishment of
speed limits for City streets; and
WHEREAS, the City Engineer’s study includes analysis of traffic safety, roadway design standards,
national urban speed limit guidance and studies, local traffic crashes, and methods to effectively
communicate the change to the public.; and
WHEREAS, City staff has drafted a policy for establishment of speed limits for local streets based upon
the recommendation of the City Engineer’s study; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has met to discuss and review the City Street Speed Limits Policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA THAT:
1. The City Street Speed Limits Policy is hereby adopted.
2
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 11th day of April, 2022.
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
CITY OF OTSEGO
__________________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
1
,
CITY STREET SPEED LIMITS
ADOPTED: April 11, 2022 - draft
A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish background information on the current
Minnesota Statutes governing establishment of speed limits and outline criteria for
determining speed limits for City streets based upon guidance from Minnesota Statutes,
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) policies and guidelines, Minnesota
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MnMUTCD), and engineering judgement.
B. DEFINITIONS
Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan, including the Transportation Plan, of the
City of Otsego.
Residential Roadways: Those local streets either 1) less than one-half mile in total length,
or 2) in an area zoned exclusively for housing that is not a collector or arterial street.
Rural Residential District: A street segment at least one-quarter mile in length with
residential dwellings spaced less than 300 feet apart.
Streets, Arterial: Those streets defined by the Comprehensive Plan carrying larger
volumes of traffic and serving as links between various subareas of the City are intended
to provide for collection and distribution of traffic between highways and collector
streets; hence regulation of direct access to property is critical.
Streets, Collector: Those streets defined by the Comprehensive Plan that carry traffic
from local streets to the major system of arterials and highways and primarily provide
principal access to residential neighborhoods, including, to a lesser degree, direct land
access.
2
Streets, Local: Those streets defined by the Comprehensive Plan with a primary function
to provide direct access to abutting property developed with residential, commercial,
industrial, or institutional land uses.
Urban District: A street segment that is at least one-quarter mile long with structures
situated at intervals of less than 100 feet apart.
C. AUTHORITY
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 169 establishes several provisions that govern setting or
adjusting the statutory speed limits within a local jurisdiction under a variety of
circumstances, including:
▪ The following statutory speed limits apply to City streets:
o 10 mph in alleys
o 25 mph on residential roadways
o 30 mph in an urban district
o 35 mph in a rural residential district
o 55 mph in locations other than those specified in this section
▪ City can request MnDOT to perform an engineering and traffic investigation of a
street based upon which MnDOT, not the City, determines the safe and
reasonable speed limit.
▪ The City has authority to establish a School Zone and reduce the speed limit in
accordance with Minnesota Statute 169.14, Subp. 5a by completing a traffic
engineering study.
▪ Subject to various requirements, speed limits can be adjusted on other public
streets, including:
o Park streets at not less than 15 mph. and no more than 20 mph. below the
surrounding limit, and subject to a MnDOT engineering and traffic study .
o On streets that have a designated bicycle lane at no less than 25 mph.
o In mobile home parks at over 10 mph. but no more than 30 mph.
▪ The Minnesota Legislature amended Statute 169.14 in 2019 that impact the City's
authority to set speed limits on City streets effective August 1, 2019:
o Section 169.14, Subp. 2:
− 25 mph. on residential streets
− 35 mph. in a rural residential district
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− A speed limit adopted under this Section is not effective unless the
City has erected signs designating the speed limit and indicating the
beginning and end of the street on which the speed limit applies.
o Minnesota Statute, Section 169.14, Subp. 5h:
− The City may establish speed limits for City streets other than the
limits provided in Minnesota Statutes 169.14, Subp. 2 without
conducting an engineering and traffic investigation.
− The City must develop procedures to set speed limits based on the
city's safety, engineering, and traffic analysis. At a minimum, the
safety, engineering, and traffic analysis must consider national
urban speed limit guidance and studies, local traffic crashes, and
methods to effectively communicate the change to the public.
− A City must implement speed limit changes in a consistent and
understandable manner.
− The City must erect appropriate signs to display the speed limit.
D. TRAFFIC DATA
The City Engineer compiled the following available data from the City, Wright County, and
MnDOT for analysis in determining appropriate speed limits on City streets
▪ 2012 Otsego Comprehensive Plan
▪ Otsego Zoning Map
▪ Existing land use
▪ Streets:
o Established speed limits
o Most recent and projected traffic volume data
o Existing and proposed pedestrian network
E. ANALYSIS
The City must develop procedures to set speed limits based on, at a minimum, a safety,
engineering, and traffic analysis. The following outlines the analysis used to determine
what appropriate local speed limits could be implemented in the City of Otsego.
▪ National Urban Speed Limit Guidance and Studies: Several studies documenting
review and analysis of reducing speed limits include the following:
o NTSB, Reducing Speeding-Related Crashes Involving Passenger Vehicles, 2017
o NACTO, Setting safe Speeds for Urban Streets, 2020
o NCHRP, Guidance for Setting Speed Limits, 2020
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▪ Safety Review: Crashes are typically concentrated on higher-volume streets, which
typically have higher design and operating speeds. Although the majority of the
crashes are on County Roads or State Trunk Highways there are some on local City
Streets. Based on the local and national studies, lowering the speed limit in urban
areas is an effective way to improve safety for all road users.
▪ Communication Plan: The City would communicate any implemented speed limit
changes through publication of ordinances as required by Statute; articles and maps
in the Otsego View; City social media; press releases; information at community
events; and announcements at City Council meetings. The message will communicate
that the lowing of speed limits will create safer roadways for both vehicles and
pedestrians.
F. SPEED LIMIT CRITERIA
The criteria for establishment of speed limits for street segments within the City is set
forth by the matrix included as Exhibit A to this policy.
G. IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of this policy is to be accomplished by adoption of an ordinance within Title
7, Chapter 1 of the City Code establishing speed limits based on the functional classification
designation by the Comprehensive Plan or for specific street segments in accordance with
the criteria set forth herein.
Exhibit A
Speed Limit Criteria Matrix
Speed Limit Functional
Classification Number of Accesses ADT Pedestrian Use Street Width Sidewalk or Trail
25 MPH Local Residential High Low High
Narrow Width
24' to 28'
33'
Sidewalk
No Sidewalk
25-30 MPH Minor Collector
Residential High Medium High Medium Width
32' to 40'Sidewalk or Trail
30 MPH
Commercial/
Industrial Local
Street
Medium Low to Medium Commercial High
Industrial Low
Wider Width
44' or greater
Commercial with
Sidewalk or Trail
40 MPH Major Collector
Residential Low to Medium Medium to High
High
(Ped Crossings only
at controlled
intersection)
Wider Width
44' or greater Trail
40-45 MPH Commercial/
Industrial Collector Medium Medium to High Medium
(off street)
Wider Width
44' or greater Trail
45-55 MPH
Rural Residential
Mixed with Ag Street
or Predominantly
Local Ag
Low to Medium Low to Medium Low
Typical Narrow Rural
Section
24' to 28'
No Sidewalk or Trail
ADT Ranges Low <300 ADT
Medium 300 to 1500 ADT
High >1500 ADT
Low 10 or fewer accesess per mile on either side
Medium 35 to 10 accesses per mile on either side
High 35 or more accesses per mile on either side
Number of
Accesses
1
ORDINANCE NO.: 2022-04
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS ON CITY STREETS.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
Section 1. Section 7-1-1.B.1 of the City Code (Motor Vehicle Operation) is hereby amended to
read as follows:
1. Speed Limits Established:
a. Forty Five (45) miles per hour for the following streets:
(1) Kadler Avenue between 80th Street and 95th Street (CSAH 39)
(2) Mason Avenue between 83rd Street and 95th Street (CSAH 39)
(3) Packard Avenue between 60th Street and 70th Street (CSAH 39)
(4) 70th Street between LaBeaux Avenue (CSAH 19) and 77th Street
(5) 83rd Street between Mason Avenue and Nashua Avenue
b. Forty (40) miles per hour for the following streets:
(1) Kadler Avenue between 70th Street and 80th Street.
(2) MacIver Avenue between 60th Street (CR 137) and 85th Street
(3) Nashua Avenue between 85th Street and 95th Street (CSAH 39)
(4) Odean Avenue between 70th Street (CSAH 38) and 95th Street (CSAH 39)
(5) Page Avenue between 78th Street and 85th Street
(6) Quaday Avenue between 70th Street (CSAH 38) and River Road (CSAH 42)
(7) Queens Avenue between 53rd Street (CSAH 36) and 70th Street (CSAH 38)
2
(8) 75th Street between Ochoa Avenue and 76th Street
(9) 78th Street between 76th Street and Quaday Avenue
(10) 85th Street between Nashua Avenue and Parrish Avenue (CSAH 42)
(11) Randolph Ave between 53rd Street (CSAH 36) and 60th Street
c. Thirty (30) miles per hour for the following streets:
(1) All industrial/commercial minor collector streets designated by the
Transportation Plan.
(2) Kadler Avenue between 95th Street (CSAH 39) to 101st Street.
(3) Kittredge Parkway between 70th Street and the west terminus of
Kittredge Parkway.
(4) Kalland Avenue between 70th Street and the north terminus of Kalland
Avenue.
(5) Page Avenue between 85th Street and 90th Street (CSAH 39).
(6) 80th Street between LaBeaux Avenue (CSAH 19) and MacIver Avenue.
d. Twenty five (25) miles per hour:
(1) All local residential streets defined by the Comprehensive Plan.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 11th day of April, 2022.
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CITY OF OTSEGO
BY:_____________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:______________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
1
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO.: 2022-04
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS ON CITY STREETS.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on April 11, 2022, Ordinance 2022-04 was adopted by the City
Council of the City of Otsego, Minnesota.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the ordinance adopted by the City Council amends City Code
pertaining to establishment of speed limits on City streets including a map designating speed limits on
specific street segments.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 11th day of April, 2022.
CITY OF OTSEGO
BY: Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST: Audra Etzel, City Clerk
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 412.191, Subd. 4 and 331A.01, Subd.10, this Ordinance is published in
summary form. Complete copies of the ordinance are available for inspection by contacting the City
Clerk, Otsego City Hall, 13400 90th Street NE, Otsego, Minnesota 55330 during regular office hours.
0 1.5 30.75 Miles±Document Path: K:\GIS\Projects\Municipal\OTSEGO\OT901-2022\SPEED LIMIT MAP.mxdLegend
STATUTORY LIMITS (UNSIGNED)
MNDOT OR COUNTY JURISDICTION55 MPH
45 MPH
40 MPH
25 MPH
30 MPH
SPEED LIMIT MAPCity Code Sec. 7-1-1
Adopted: