HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecp_071310TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
UKIAH CIVIC CENTER
Conference Room No. 3
300 Seminary Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
TUESDAY, July 13, 2010
3:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Kageyama, Jordan, Baxter, Seanor, Turner, Taylor, Lampi, and Whitaker
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 8, 2010
3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
The Traffic Engineering Committee welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heard,
please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than 10 minutes per subject. The
Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on non-agenda items.
4. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Illegal U-turns, on School Street
5. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Safety on Helen Avenue
(Verbal report by Chairman Turner)
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS:
7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Please be advised that the City needs to be notified 72 hours in advance of a meeting if any specific
accommodations or interpreter services are needed in order for you to attend. The City complies with ADA
requirements and will attempt to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities upon request.
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was
posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the City of Ukiah City Hall, located at 300 Seminary Avenue,
Ukiah, California, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting set forth on this agenda.
Dated this 9th day of July, 2010.
Amanda Davis, Administrative Secretary
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
UKIAH CIVIC CENTER
Conference Room No. 3
300 Seminary,Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
TUESDAY, June 8, 2010
3:00 P.M.
Members Present
Steve Turner, Chair
Dan Baxter, MTA, Vice-Chair
John Lampi, Public Representative
Rick Seanor, Staff
Ben Kageyama, Staff
Jerry Whitaker, Staff
Kim Jordan, Staff
Members Absent
Trent Taylor, UPD (reported)
1. CALL TO ORDER: 3:05PM
Others Present
Cathy Haas, Owner of Expressions Candy and Gift Shop
Staff Present
Amanda Davis, Recording Secretary
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
M/S Baxter/Lampi it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to approve
the April 13, 2010, minutes.
3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
The Traffic Engineering Committee welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heard,
please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than 10 minutes per subject. The
Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on non-agenda items.
4. OLD BUSINESS:
5. NEW BUSINESS: 3:06P
a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Illegal U-turns on School Street
Member Seanor presented the item. Recommended actions are: 1) Recommend
additional enforcement of illegal u-turns, 2) Recommend posting another type of no u-turn
sign, 3) Take no action.
M/S Seanor/Baxter to continue the item to the next Traffic Engineering Committee
meeting and provide notice to downtown merchants including the Mainstreet Program and
the Chamber of Commerce. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Members
Turner, Seanor, Baxter, Lampi, Kageyama, Whitaker and Jordan. NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Member Turner.
TEC 6/8/10
Page 1 of 2
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS: 3:35PM
Member Seanor discussed the Gobbi/Oak Manor/Babcock Realignment Project that is currently
underway.
7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: 3:36
Member Turner would like to add an item to the next Traffic Engineering Committee agenda:
Helen Avenue safety concerns.
8. ADJOURNMENT:3:38PM
TEC 6/8/10
Page 2 of 2
CITY OF b.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 8, 2010
O: Traffic Engineering Committee
FRO : Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Illegal U-turns on School Street
Agenda Item
REQUEST: Staff received a letter Attachment "A" from Cathy Haas regarding illegal u-turns on
School Street in the downtown area. Ms. Haas has requested that the u-turn signs be made
more visible and that enforcement be provided for drivers making illegal u-turns. City Manager
Jane Chambers responded by letter (Attachment "B") to Ms. Haas regarding this issue and
referred the matter to the Traffic Engineering Committee (TEC).
DISCUSSIO : On School Street there are nine u-turn signs in the downtown area. For
northbound traffic, u-turn signs are located at Stephenson St., Church St., Perkins St., and Smith
St. For southbound traffic, u-turn signs are located at Smith St., Standley St., Perkins St.,
Church St., and Stephenson St. An aerial photo map, Attachment "C", is provided to show the
general layout of School Street in downtown Ukiah.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is submitting this report for review and discussion by the Traffic
Engineering Committee (TEC).
The following are suggested actions that the TEC may want to consider:
1. Recommend additional enforcement of illegal u-turns.
2. Recommend posting another type of no u-turn sign.
3. Take no action.
enc.
City of Ukiah
300 Seminary Ave
Ukiah, CA 95482
April 13, 2010
Dear City Manager,
a
Attachment a
This is my second letter addressed to the City of Ukiah concerning the same issue. The
first letter was sent directly to the Chief of Police. This letter will go to you, the Mayor and the
Chief of Police and deals with the issue of illegal u-turns on School Street for the purpose of
parking.
In my previous letter I documented a case where a man in a pick up truck made an illegal
u-turn in front of a lady on a bicycle to park in a north bound space when he was traveling south
bound. A lady, on a bike, who had obviously just come from the Farmers Market as the "saddle
bag" baskets on the back of her bike were full of produce was north bound with a car following
her with their right turn blinker going. I do not know whether the truck caught the front of the
bike and tipped it or if , in and effort to avoid a collision with the truck the lady lost her balance,
sending her melons rolling as he very callously walked away. She was not seriously injured, just
a bump to her knee ...this time. The people in the car and myself retrieved her produce and she
refused to allow us to call the police. I did document this in a letter and sent it to the Police
Department and also informed the Chief that this is an on going problem in this area.
Today an older gentleman in silver, smaller size pick-up made the same type of turn and a
woman in a north bound car got out of her car parked in the lane of traffic, about 10 a.m. and
proceeded to walk up to the mans driver side window and swear violently at him about how she
had seen the parking place and done the right thing and gone around the block to be heading the
right way to park there and how he was breaking the law. The man sat in his truck for some time
with his head against the, steering wheel and finally drove away. He sat there long enough that I
was concerned for his well being.
My business location has now been located on School Street for a year and I have
witnessed this driving practice at least 4 times an hour, day after day, sometimes with very close
calls. Sometimes the u-turn maker even takes up two parking places and if the parking
enforcement officers comes across these she does ticket them.
If I am outside my store and witness one of these parkers I do mention them that the turn
they just made is against the law. Some do not realize it is, others just don't care and make the
statement that there is little chance of getting caught. Many say they did not see the "No u- turn"
signs which are often hidden by the trees.
My fear this morning was that the gentleman in the silver pick-up may have been shaken
enough to have had a heart attack as the woman slapped his truck and cursed at him never the
less it was something should not have to endure, even if he.was at fault ...I believe this to be a
form of road rage and totally preventable. PLEASE, make the signs more visible and start
enforcing it law before a tragedy does occur.
Respectfully,
l/~
Attachment 1f
April 22, 2010
Cathy Haas
111 So. School Street
Ukiah, California 95482
Dear Ms. Haas:
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Your recent letter was received in my office April 19, regarding the situation of illegal u-turns on School
Street.
I have discussed the situation with the Police Chief, who advises me that this same topic has been an
issue before in the downtown area. He is going to take the issue before the Traffic Engineering
Committee to review the present signage and discuss what other measures might be taken to
discourage the u-turn activity. The Traffic Engineering Committee is comprised of engineering staff and
public representatives. By copy of this letter, I am requesting that you be notified as to the meeting
time and date in which this topic will be discussed.
A few years ago, a concerted effort was made to ticket and monitor this activity. At that time, the
merchants in the area complained to the City that the strict enforcement was discouraging customers.
The challenge appears to be to find a solution that resolves the problem, but takes into account the
different uses in the area.
Thank you for making the City aware of this issue on School Street.
Sincerely,
A. Chambers
ity Manager
cc: Chief Dewey -
,P*,ru FeE nor, Traffic Cornmittee
Mayor Thomas
300 SEMINARY AVENUE UKIAH, CA 95482-5400
Phone# 707/463-6200 Fax# 707/463-6204 Web Address: www.cityofukiah.com
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