HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_1211121 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
UKIAH CIVIC CENTER
4 Conference Room No. 5
5 411 West Clay Street
6 Ukiah, California 95482
7
8 TUESDAY, December 11, 2012
9 3:00 P.M.
10
11
Members Present
Others Present
12
Steve Turner, Chair
Glenn McGourty
13
Dan Baxter, MTA, Vice -Chair
John McCann
14
Ben Kageyama, Staff
KDC
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John Lampi, Public Representative
Jared Dean
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Trent Taylor, UPD
Jane Duggan
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Kim Jordan, Staff
Willie West
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Jerry Whitaker, Staff
Jeff Trouette
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Rick Seanor, Staff
Jamie Connerton
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Steve Scalmanini
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Helen Sizemore
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Antonio Andreade
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Suzanne Ferris
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Phil Baldwin
25
Martin Bradley
2 Members Absent Staff Present
L Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary
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29 1. CALL TO ORDER
30 Chair Turner called the Traffic Engineering Committee meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
31
32 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -October 9, 2012
33 Member Turner made the following correction to the minutes:
34 Page 5, line 16, sentence to read, 'People are not cognizant that a dip exists, particularly at night.'
35
36 MIS Baxter / Lampi to approve the minutes of October 9, 2012, as amended. Motion carried by an all AYE
37 voice vote.
38
39 3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON- AGENDA ITEMS
40
41 4. OLD BUSINESS
42
43 4a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Traffic Concerns in the Vicinity of North Oak Street.
44 Cypress Avenue and North Pine Street
45
46 Member Seanor recused himself from participating in the discussion and possible action for this agenda item and
47 Director of Public Works Eriksen represented Member Seanor in this regard.
48
49 Chair Turner asked that persons who spoke at the last meeting on this agenda item refrain from repeating what is
50 already a matter of public record.
51
F� Public Works Director Eriksen gave a staff report concerning traffic issues in the vicinity of North Oak Street,
i North Pine Street and Cypress Avenue and noted staff's recommendation for the Pine Street/Cypress Avenue
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 traffic issue is to post two DIP signs with 10 mph advisory speed plates and post two each TURN signs with 10 mph
2 advisory speed plates.
The Committee generally discussed traffic conditions /patterns and the existing traffic safety measures in place for
5 North Pine Street and Cypress Avenue that serve this area and whether or not a stop sign is warranted for
6 installation at this location.
7
8 Member Whitaker:
9 Considered staff's recommendation, but is of the opinion a single STOP sign is the better approach.
10
11 Member Kageyama:
12 • Has concerns about installing an 'unwarranted' stop sign at the intersection of North Pine Street and
13 Cypress Avenue.
14 • It is likely drivers will roll through this unwarranted stop sign because they would see no reason to have to
15 stop, which could then create a hazard for pedestrians.
16 • DIP signs would be appropriate since there are drivers that do not realize that a dip exists and drive faster
17 than what is safe.
18 • It is a good idea to have a DIP sign with a turn arrow in both directions.
19
20 Chair Turner: The dip is rather'shallow' and could be missed if one is not aware it exists, particularly at night.
21
22 Public Works Director Eriksen:
23 • Has an issue with installing too many signs. Understands while a STOP sign would be unwarranted would
24 support one sign as opposed to DIP signs and /or warning signs because this would essentially `clog up'
25 the street whereas a STOP sign would not.
26 • Is of the opinion the visual coming down North Pine Street would not give a person the feeling he /she
27 should not stop. To this end, a STOP sign would naturally catch one's eye because of the
28 character /condition of the approaching circumstance so from this standpoint would support a STOP sign
2r as opposed to having too many sign types.
1 /
31 Member Jordan:
32 • Agrees that visually having too many signs telling a motorist what he /she should be doing is a lot to
33 comprehend whereas a single STOP would be easier to see and understand.
34 • While the Committee is concerned about installing unwarranted signs, such a sign is justified in this case.
35 • Substituting a single STOP sign whether or not 'warranted' is a better approach as opposed to having too
36 many signs for a motorist to process what he /she should be doing.
37
38 Member Baxter:
39 • There is no real solution in terms of providing adequate signage that would prevent people from driving
40 'stupidly.'
41 • Supports installing a STOP sign.
42
43 Members Taylor and Lampi like the STOP sign idea because it appears to be more direct and requires less
44 signage.
45
46 Jeff Trouette:
47 • A STOP sign is warranted.
48 • Whether a person is intoxicated or sober three accidents have occurred where the intent is to alert a driver
49 that a traffic hazard is coming.
50 • Has observed many people misjudge the road conditions and drive too fast not realizing there is a dip in
51 the road.
52 • If a STOP sign is not the solution recommends providing signage that alerts drivers a curve is ahead.
53 • The street could also be painted to alert drivers of a STOP sign ahead as a precautionary measure.
54 • The question is to determine where signage should be placed and /or engineered.
• Installing a STOP is a good solution.
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Helen Sizemore:
• Has the Committee considered making Pine Street one -way as a possible way to slow traffic?
Chair Turner: This would not likely be an effective solution and could encourage people to travel faster.
There was committee discussion concerning an appropriate location to install a STOP sign.
M/S Whitaker / Eriksen to recommend City Public Works Department install one STOP sign northbound at the
intersection of Cypress Avenue and North Pine Street.
Public Works Director Eriksen:
• While it is easy to say a STOP sign should be installed every time there is a traffic issue, there is resistance
to do so.
• If the City were to place a STOP sign at every location the public sees as necessary, what would occur is
1) there would be unwarranted STOP signs that drivers would ignore; and 2) There is only so much
maintenance effort the City has available for signage in terms of cost effectiveness and time for such
maintenance where City maintenance crews could be out doing other things.
• STOP signs really need to be justified.
Jamie Connerton:
• Appreciates the Committee consideration given to traffic issues northbound on Pine Street.
• Supports installation of a STOP sign at the intersection of Cypress Avenue and North Pine Street.
• May want to consider some type of signage such as a speed caution sign eastbound on Cypress Avenue
between Bush Street and Pine Street. People do speed in this location.
Member Whitaker:
• Called out the fact that the speed limit in residential neighborhoods is 25 mph.
There was discussion about the benefit of 'FOG lines' in certain circumstances to control /regulate speeding on City
streets because this approach essentially narrows the street that people drive so they have to slow down.
Jamie Connerton:
• With regard to 25 mph as being the speed limit in residential areas, this speed is actually much too fast to
effectively be able to effectively make the turn and dip on Cypress Avenue and N. Pine Street.
Antonio Andrade:
• Asked why City street contractors paint signage on streets in the early morning hours.
Public Works Director Eriksen:
• Painting is done early in the morning because there is no traffic at this time of the day.
There was no further discussion concerning the motion. Motion carried with Member Kageyama voting 'no.'
Public Works Director Eriksen spoke with regard to traffic issues on N. Oak Street:
• The speed zone survey has been completed.
• The 851h percentile is 25 mph and noted the perception of this is inaccurate.
• A qualified certified Traffic Engineering firm conducted the corresponding traffic studies.
+ Is of the opinion the street and area is signed properly and has no knowledge about what further measures
can be taken to control speeding.
Member Whitaker advised one sign in the area north of Scott Street is blocked by a tree. The tree needs to be
trimmed or moved.
Member Taylor:
• Is it possible to paint in the lanes '25 mph ?'
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1 Member Whitaker:
2 • The County does this service, but the City typically does not. The City did paint '25 mph' on Clara Avenue
as a speed control deterrent to remind drivers of the speed limit.
4 The aforementioned approach was successful.
There was Committee discussion whether or not this would be a good idea on N. Oak Street.
8 Member Taylor:
9 • The Ukiah Police Department has instituted a policy to start implementing what is called `Directed
10 Enforcement Spots.' The N. Oak Street area is definitely one of those spots targeted.
11 • Now that the traffic surveys have been completed and the other associated legal processes in place radar
12 can be used and speeding tickets issued. Radar can be used any place where traffic has been surveyed.
13 • Has met with City Police Officers to locate areas that have speeding issues and /or streets where people
14 have made complaints about speeding and expressed concern for safety.
15 • Noted speed enforcement lasts only so long before drivers return to their initial behavior so the issue of
16 speeding will never fully resolve itself, particularly concerning the areas of Oak Street, Cypress Avenue,
17 Low Gap Road and Scott Street along with several other streets where Directed Enforcement' will be
18 concentrated at this time.
19 • Will welcome feedback from the public about whether streets exercising 'Directed Enforcement' is working.
20
21 Public Works Director Eriksen:
22 • It may be painting N. Oak Street advising of a 25 mph speed limit would be an effective approach.
23
24 Member Taylor:
25 There may be problems with issuing tickets even if a street has a painted or posted 25 mph sign because
26 of one reason or another. A judge may ask the Police Officer where the nearest painted /posted sign is
27 located. The officer must be prepared to answer questions concerning a speeding ticket and show proof by
28 presenting pictures of where the sign is located in court.
2
3, Member Baxter:
31 • Is not supportive of things that have to be maintained, such as painting the street to advise of the speed
32 limit.
33 • It may be Oak Street could be painted one time as a test program.
34
35 Member Whitaker:
36 • Painting Oak Street may lead to the public requesting other streets be painted.
37 • Street signage fades within a year.
38
39 M/S Taylor / Eriksen to recommend the City Public Works Department as a test program paint collector streets at
40 the intersection of Cypress Avenue and N. Oak Street and the intersection of Gibson Street and N. Oak Street in
41 two directions advising that the posted speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise determined by Public Works. The
42 aforementioned project will not be precedence setting.
43
44 Member Jordan:
45 • Would like discussion why the proposed test program is appropriate for the particular street location
46 referenced above and not somewhere else.
47 • How will it be decided whether or not the street painting program should continue.
48
49 Public Works Director Eriksen:
50 • Clara Avenue and N. Oak Street are collector streets and the posted 25 mph street signage was effective
51 on Clara Avenue.
52 • If such signage is appropriate on one collector street, it may be worthwhile to use on another collector
53 street.
54
1 Member Taylor:
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 • Recommends the matter be reviewed by the Committee again as to determine whether the pilot program is
2 effective.
• Will get some statistical information related to how the pilot program is working.
5 Chair Turner: The neighborhood will also likely provide feedback as to the perceived effectiveness of the program.
6
7 Phil Baldwin:
8 • Asked about other collector streets that do not have this similar type of signage if this causes an
9 enforcement problem for those streets.
10 • There could be an enforcement problem in court with traffic tickets if certain streets are marked while
11 others are not.
12
13 Member Taylor: There would not be an enforcement problem. In some circumstances speed limits must be posted
14 and /or are required. Oak Street this is a residential street where the speed limit is 25 mph. Not only has this street
15 been surveyed, there is a 'prima facie' speed there. There should be no associated problems in court with the
16 understanding of speed limits in residential areas.
17
18 Helen Sizemore:
19 • Resides on the corner of N. Oak Street and Gibson Street on the east side.
20 • Oak Street is essentially a hill when driving southerly. If signage was painted on the incline of Oak Street
21 going northerly rather than at the intersection of Cypress Avenue, it would be more visible because
22 Cypress Avenue is flat. People leaving town are typically in a hurry.
23 • The motion on the table is site specific.
24 • Has no knowledge as to the effectiveness of signage north of Gibson Street. There are not many street
25 lights in this location.
26
27 Chair Turner:
28 • The City street department likely has discretion as to the perceived effectiveness about where the signage
2 should be located on the street.
s, • Signage north of Cypress Avenue could be on the incline.
31
32 Member Taylor:
33 • Recommends the City street department make the appropriate determination where the signage is most
34 appropriate north of each of the intersections.
35 • Signage at the intersection of Gibson Street and N. Oak Street would be for the benefit of southbound
36 traffic.
37
38 Jamie Connerton:
39 Appreciates that the City is focused on traffic concerns on N. Oak Street and other corresponding streets in
40 the area.
41. Likes the speed solution recommended for Pine Street.
42 Likes the speed solution for N. Oak Street of having a policeman on the street using radar to cite speed
43 offenders.
44 • Approves of using a speed caddy as a speeding deterrent.
45 • Clarified the percentage of people who speed on N. Oak Street is greater than 5 %.
46
47 Jeff Trouette:
48 • Is okay with the City painting 25 mph speed placards on the streets.
49 • While an effective solution provided multiple tickets are being written is to have the City Police Department
50 available on the streets, such as Oak Street using radar to control speeding, it would be too costly long
51 term to use City resources in this way.
52 • Permanent blinking /flashing digital signs are effective like those used on Mill Creek Road.
53 . The traffic study done for the streets being discussed above was not conducted during peak times.
5/1
Director of Public Works Eriksen:
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 • While permanent blinking lights may be effective, the flashing is offensive to people /neighborhoods.
2
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
5 4b. Discussion and Possible Action crosswalk request Observatory Avenue
6 Chair Turner:
7 • The TEC continued the discussion for this agenda item so that staff could provide further information on
8 ADA curb cut requirements and feasibility of installing the requested crosswalk without curb cuts, crosswalk
9 signage and /or other information.
10 • Noted Martin Bradley provided additional photographs along with a sketch of the sidewalk and planter strip
11 at the proposed crosswalk location.
12 • Staff's recommendation is to deny the request for a crosswalk since there are no ADA curb cuts at the
13 proposed crosswalk location.
14 • Installation of a crosswalk would be problematic because of the existing configuration of the driveways and
15 lack of infrastructure, such as curb cuts, etc.
16
17 Member Jordan:
18 • Although it would be nice to provide crosswalks for the school facility, the Committee views this as a
19 problem because of the lack of curb cuts.
20 • If there is a way to provide the ADA curb cut for the crosswalk, the crosswalk requested is likely
21 appropriate.
22 • Has observed there are existing crosswalks that connect directly to a curb, but have no ADA ramp.
23 • It was determined at the last Committee meeting regarding this agenda item that there is no way to
24 effectively line up a curb cut with the existing driveway on Observatory Avenue.
25 • Has observed when driving around there is more than one existing crosswalk that connects to a driveway.
26 • Is an ADA curb cut required for the crosswalk?
27 • Questions why special consideration is given to this school facility when there are other schools that have
28. crosswalks that do not connect to an ADA curb.
• If an ADA ramp is required and cannot be provided questions how a crosswalk can be warranted.
3U
31 Chair Turner:
32 • It may be that such crosswalks having no curb cut were constructed prior to the American Disabilities Act.
33 • Driveways are not considered access ramps.
34
35 Member Whitaker: All new crosswalks require an ADA ramp.
36
37 Director of Public Works
38 • Expressed concern about installing a crosswalk at the T- intersection of Observatory Avenue at Marwen
39 Drive where the reason for the crosswalk is for pedestrians to feel safer. The minute a pedestrian feels
40 safer in such a crosswalk, one is actually less safe.
41 = Does not support the installation of a crosswalk at the T- intersection of Observatory Avenue at Mart ^✓en
42 Drive for the exact reason stated above.
43 • If a pedestrian feels he /she can walk across Observatory Avenue with the associated feeling that there is
44 any protection at all that comes with that crosswalk, is of the opinion that person is likely in more danger
45 than before the crosswalk existed.
46 • Is of the opinion that if a crosswalk is not at a 4 -way intersection or there are no bulb -outs that tell the driver
47 there is something coming up, no effective service is being done, particularly to children who feel
48 crosswalks are always safe.
49
50 Willie West:
51 Does not attend the school facility, but has concerns about the element of safety in crosswalks.
52
53 Chair Turner asked whether Mr. West feels safer crossing in a crosswalk than at an unpainted intersection.
5n
Willie West:
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• Does not feel safe in a crosswalk because he was hit by a car while in a crosswalk.
• Would rather jaywalk than use a crosswalk.
Martin Bradley:
• Supports installation of a crosswalk at the T- intersection of Observatory Avenue and Marwen Drive to
provide a safe route for students attending the school facility.
• Would think that crosswalks do slow down traffic.
• There appears to be faulty reasoning to say that crosswalks are more dangerous than having none at all.
Crosswalks serve a purpose.
Director of Public Works Eriksen:
• The City does not have funding available to construct the necessary ADA ramp and retrofit the driveway
across the street. To this end, funding is available for'Safe Routes to School.'
• Grant funding should be available for the project once it is added to the list.
• Grant funding would pay for the required ADA ramp and it is possible the grant would pay at the same time
for a bulb -out on the Observatory Park side of the street and possibly the other side of the street as well
that alerts drivers something exists ahead to pay attention to.
• Has a concern about installing crosswalks at T- intersections because pedestrians hit on State Street are
typically in crosswalks at T- intersections.
• There is an existing study identifying which improvements could be considered for 'Safe Routes to School'
grant funding and recommends including the requested crosswalk project on the 'Safe Routes to School'
study for bulb -outs and a proper crosswalk solution.
M/S Director of Public Works Eriksen/Whitaker to recommend the crosswalk project requested at the T-
intersection of Observatory Avenue and Marwen Drive be considered on the 'Safe Routes to School' study for
possible grant funding.
Member Kageyama recommends City Street Supervisor Whitaker be involved in the design aspects of the project
so that City street sweeping and /or maintenance crews would be able to perform their jobs, particularly if bulb -outs
/ are part of the design concept.
Martin Bradley:
• Asked about the timeline concerning the study and grant approval process.
• If there is other remediation that needs to be done to decrease the hazard in the area where the school
facility is located recommends this be a consideration.
• Is it possible to make portions of Observatory Avenue near Observatory Park area 'No Parking' on either
side of the driveway?
Chair Turner:
The matter of possibly eliminating parking can be agendized for Committee discussion but would ultimately
have to be reviewed by City Council. The Committee does not have the authority to remove parking from
the street.
Asked Mr. Bradley to send a letter specifically requesting what he thinks is appropriate as a possible
interim solution to the crosswalk problem and to consult with Director of Public Works Eriksen about the
timeline concerning the study and possible grant funding for the crosswalk project.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote.
5a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign at Nokomis School on
Washington Avenue
Member Seanor gave a staff report:
• Staff received a letter from Jan McGourty of Nokomis Elementary School requesting pedestrian crossing
signs for the two crosswalks nearest the school. (see attachment A of the staff report)
• Staff reviewed the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2012 Edition regarding the in- street
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 pedestrian crossing signs. In California, the R1 -6 in- street pedestrian crossing sign that has a yield symbol
2 inside it is approved for use and as such would provide an additional visible reminder to drivers regarding
right -of -way at crosswalks.
4 There is a school crossing guard that uses the crosswalk located near Marwen Drive. This is the main
5 crosswalk that students are guided across.
6 . Has observed the school crossing guard has no special clothing with regard to a safety vest.
7 . Use of a safety vest is advisable.
8 • When visiting the site noted there is a large tree at this location that provides shade. What is occurring is
9 pedestrians are crossing from a shaded area to a bright and sunny area so in terms of visibility this is not
10 good because pedestrians can essentially come out of the shadows.
11 . Also noted many parents and /or drivers are making left turns into the school's horseshoe driveway so there
12 are many operations going on at once at this location.
13 • Staff recommends the Public Works Department post an in- street pedestrian crossing sign in each of the
14 two crosswalks nearest the school.
15
16 Committee comments:
17 . Chair Turner: The signs would likely last longer if they are put in when needed for use and removed when
18 no longer in use for the day.
19 • Member Whitaker is of the opinion the R1 -6 sign is not necessary because it is a school zone that is
20 clearly marked as such and there is a crossing guard. Would support a portable crossing sign like those
21 used at Oak Manor School and on Leslie Street. These signs are privately purchased and maintained.
22 . Member Baxter: Signs in crosswalks do get his attention like the R1 -6 signs used in crosswalks on State
23 Street.
24 . Chair Turner: The signs used at Oak Manor School were not permitted by the City.
25 • Member Taylor: Warning devices can be used in crosswalks at schools.
26 • Member Seanor: The advantage of having a portable sign is that it is only out for the time it is needed.
27 Permanent signs in crosswalks like those on State Street get hit by cars and must be repaired. Such signs
28 are expensive to repair.
2 ) . Member Jordan: It may be Nokomis School would be willing to do what other schools are doing and take
3u care of themselves as opposed to the City when it comes to safety concerns in crosswalks.
31
32 Glenn McGourty, President of the UUSD Board of Trustees:
33 • There are no sidewalks on Washington Avenue in front of the school.
34 . Has concerns about children being able to cross the street safely because there are different types of
35 activities going on when school is in session.
36 . School Principal McCann has a lot of responsibility when school is over for the day having to
37 coordinate /direct traffic duty with children using the crosswalks and contending with all the activities going
38 on at this time of the day.
39 . Identified two areas of concern: 1) area in front of the Nokomis School 2) Intersection of Washington
40 Avenue and Dora Avenue is not a safe place for children to cross the street.
41 O The safety of children is the number one issue of importance.
42 . The intent is to make certain people understand the area in and around Washington Avenue, Dora Avenue
43 and Helen Avenue is a school zone.
44
45 Chair Turner: A T- intersection exists at Helen Avenue and Washington Avenue.
46
47 John McCann, Principal of Nokomis Elementary School:
48 . Was unaware of his options and thought that measures taken with regard to considering other safety
49 features available for crosswalks had to be discussed with the TEC.
50 . The shade tree in front of the schools is the least of his concerns when there are parents parking along
51 Washington Avenue on both sides of the street where the visibility of the primary crosswalk is often
52 compromised in this regard with parents coming and going in their cars and children walking all around the
53 area.
5 ^ . Has no problem purchasing a portable sign to increase the awareness that a crosswalk exists.
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 Chair Turner: Encourages school crosswalk guards to wear safety vests.
2
l Glenn McGourty asked if there was anything that can be done about signage for school crossing at the
J intersection of Washington Avenue and Dora Street?
5
6 Chair Turner: The crosswalk at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Dora Street is painted yellow, which is
7 the color for a school crossing.
8
9 Principal McCann will purchase and maintain a portable warning device for a crosswalk the school uses.
10
11 5b. Discussion Regarding Making Bush Street a through Street
12 Chair Turner introduced this agenda item and referred to his proposal to improve northbound and southbound
13 traffic flow on Bush Street for discussion and consideration by the TEC:
14 - Remove both NB & SB stops at W. Stephenson. Install one west bound stop on W. Stephenson.
15 - Remove both NB & SB stops at W. Church. Install one eastbound stop on W. Church.
16 - Remove both NB & SB stops at W. Smith. Install one westbound stop on W. Smith.
17 - Remove both NB & SB stops at W. Henry. Install one eastbound stop on W. Henry.
18 - Remove both NB & SB stops at Walnut Avenue. Install both eastbound and westbound stops on Walnut
19 Avenue.
20
21 The result will be a wider north and south through street from south of the Downtown to Low Gap Road and
22 beyond to the north end of development. There would be four fewer stop signs in use. Consideration can
23 be given to some traffic calming treatments at Henry and N. Oak Streets and Low Gap Road and N. Oak
24 Street to discourage travel at the same time these changes are made and would promote N. Bush as an
25 alternate. After habits are changed, could consider reducing traffic calming.
26 • The aforementioned proposal would disperse traffic more so as to improve the flow without the traffic
27 concentrations that presently occur on Oak Street.
28 • The engineering of the improvements would likely be the easiest part whereas the hard part would be the
2 ° \ public relations work to get approval. This matter would probably have to go to City Council for review only
because it is a public issue.
31
32 Director of Public Works Eriksen:
33 • What is the public issue? Is it because the streets would have to be reclassified?
34 • Agrees with the proposed concept of improving traffic flow in the Downtown area to Low Gap Road and
35 with promoting N. Bush Street as an alternative route. To this end, traffic on N. Bush Street would likely
36 increase as habits change possibly making this a public issue for those persons residing on this street. It
37 may be the best approach would to let this happen and allow people to react such that a discussion
38 becomes necessary as a result.
39
40 Chair Turner:
41 . The public issue would be acceptance of the increased in traffic flow for the affected streets where the
42 intent is to actually make it easier for drivers.
43 • People would be encouraged to change their habits that would benefit such streets as Oak Street.
44
45 There was Committee discussion about traffic flow /traffic routes and existing stop signs on other streets in the
46 Downtown area as demonstrated on the Google handout provided and ways traffic flow could be improved.
47
48 Chair Turner: The Commission could agendize this matter for further discussion and entertain the concept thereof
49 if there is an interest in doing so.
50
51 Member Jordan:
52 • Supports having further discussion.
53 • Likes that the intent is to improve the overall traffic circulation for the City.
54 • Is of the opinion the public should be able to participate in the discussion and provide input.
It was the consensus of the Committee for this matter to be agendized for further discussion.
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1 4c. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Vehicle Parking along Carolyn Street and Mill Street
2
Committee comments:
• A complaint about parking problems on Mill Street and Carolyn Street as provided for in attachment 4c
5 of the staff report has been received by the Ukiah Police Department.
6 . The parking problems along Carolyn Street and Mill Street have been discussed by the TEC
7 previously.
8 • Member Taylor:
9 o The problem continues to exist.
10 o The police department has responded to the parking complaints and determined no one is
11 parking illegally and /or out of compliance with the City traffic rules and regulations.
12 o Noted the person making the complaint was most likely not publicly noticed because he is not
13 in attendance and recognizes the importance of publicly noticing persons that initiate an
14 agenda item or who have expressed an interest.
15 o It is likely the parking issues along Carolyn Street and Mill Street will occur again. In the event
16 people writing letters voicing a complaint be invited to attend a discussion about the issue.
17
18 There was Committee discussion about the possibly of further red curbing streets in the area. If this is the case, the
19 Committee would have to agendize the matter for discussion and later review by City Council.
20
21 It was noted the reason the owner of Blue Drug parks his large utility trucks on Mill and Carolyn Streets is to slow
22 traffic down on these streets. He moves his vehicles regularly in accordance with the City ordinance regulations.
23
24 It was the consensus of the Committee to agendize this matter for further discussion to the next regular TEC
25 meeting.
26
27 S. NEW BUSINESS
28
20 \, 5c. Discussion Regarding Parking at 798 South Spring Street and Pomolita Way
31 / Committee comments:
32 • The TEC received a letter from Darca Nicholson regarding parking on S. Spring Street and Pomolita Way
33 asking what can be done about the parking. (see attachment 5C of the staff report).
34 . Member Taylor:
35 Parking perpendicular in a cul -de -sac is a City vehicle code violation.
36 In a cul -de -sac a person cannot park'curb in.' This means a person has to park around the cul -de -sac.
37 Any portion of the tires cannot be more than 18 inches from the right -hand side of the curb. More
38 specifically, the passenger side tires have to be within 18 inches of the curb and /or parked parallel 18
39 inches from the curb. In this way, no one will get a ticket unless parked more than 18 inches from the curb
40 or'nose in. People are not allowed to park perpendicular to the curb (nose in) in a cul -de -sac.
41 Cul -de -sac scenarios are typically tight- fitting particularly for emergency vehicles so people have to park in
42 accordance to City vehicle code rules. People have a tendency to park more cars in a cul -de -sac because
43 they are going 'nose in.'
44
45 The reason this matter was agendized for discussion was that Ms. Nicholson was asking if something
46 different can be done with the parking in the cul -de -sac.
47
48 Ms. Nicholson may not have been informed of today's meeting because she is not in attendance.
49 Would like to explore what options may be available for the cul -de -sac.
50
51 • Chair Turner referenced Mendocino Drive that is essentially a horseshoe shape. Accordingly, there is a
52 south, west, and north leg that come around Yokayo Elementary School. If one travels along the north leg
53 until it turns, there is a TEC- approved 'fog line' that resembles the one that was just painted on Pine Street
54 in which there were perpendicular lines drawn at the same time. It is a wide cul -de -sac and residents
5F wanted to park in it in addition to their driveways. The driveways in this regard are close together. The
parking in the cul -de -sac is an existing exception to the rule.
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 Observed that the cul -de -sac on S. Spring Street and Pomolita Way is not as large as the one on
2 Mendocino Drive.
y
The area was not busy when he visited the site at lunchtime.
5
6 Member Jordan: Observed there is plenty of parking available on S. Spring Street and Pomolita Way,
7 which may be not be directly in front of a house.
8
9 Would like to see a more formal staff report for this agenda item.
10
11 Member Seanor saw no cars in the area yesterday at 3 pm when he visited the site. Many residents have
12 driveways and two -car garages and did not park on the street. There appears to be a lot of off - street
13 parking.
14
15 The Committee considered whether to possibly agendize this matter for further discussion at the next regular TEC
16 meeting and for staff to explore more codified options.
17
18 Member Baxter:
19 • Suggests asking if staff would respond to the email and inquire whether there is a need to have a more
20 formal discussion about the parking situation in the cul -de -sac.
21 . From a Committee's perspective there does not appear to be much interest in possibly 'exempting the
22 parking ordinance.' There seems to be too much effort being made to avoid just having to park correctly.
23
24 Member Kageyama advised that City Street Supervisor Whitaker is opposed to any change to the parking rule for
25 the cul -de -sac so the street sweeper can get in there to clean the street.
It was the consensus of the Committee not to pursue the matter any further unless there was a reason to do so.
5d. Discussion Regarding After Hours Valet Parking for 2 existing Parking spaces in the 100 block of
West Standley
Committee comments:
• Member Taylor:
• An interest has been expressed by a business owner on Standley Street about after hours
valet parking for 2 on W. Standley Street.
• Valet parking is an interesting concept and explained how valet parking works.
• The City has ordinances that address different types of parking situations of which 'valet
parking' is not one. It is likely valet parking has been allowed at some point in the past.
• There are other'after hours' parking accommodations available in the Downtown.
• Valet parking would likely require a license and involve a fee.
• The interested business owner would have to pursue the matter so that make a formal
proposal for the TEC can be made.
• Could be a test program. Regulations would have to be in place as to how valet parking is
done.
46 Committee comments:
47 • Is after hours valet parking really necessary? What is wrong with people walking a few blocks?
48 . Would other businesses be interested in valet parking? Are there other places where the opportunity
49 exits?
50 . If valet parking is acceptable, a process should be formulated to provide the guidelines as to how this
51 type of parking would work to be able to assist business owners expressing an interest.
52 . It may be worthwhile financially for the City to allow valet parking where feasible.
53 • Important to identify which businesses are located in the Downtown /Downtown Parking District for
54 purposes of consideration concerning different parking types.
• Some Downtown businesses have shared parking arrangements for overflow parking after hours.
TEC December 11, 2012
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1 Committee consensus: Will not pursue the matter unless the interested business owner submits a plan /proposal
2, _ concerning how the valet parking would operate /work otherwise the parking on W. Standley Street will remain
parallel parking.
4
5 5e. Discussion and Possible Action regarding TEC meeting date and time
6 There was Committee discussion whether it would be feasible to possibly change the TEC meeting date and time
7 which was a topic raised by the public during the discussion about traffic issues on N. Oak and Pine Street/Cypress
8 Avenue at the regular October 9 TEC meeting.
9
10 It was the consensus of the Committee that changing the meeting time to Tuesday evenings would not be feasible
11 for most TEC members and do not support a change to the meeting date /time.
12
13 There was TEC discussion about having more regular meetings to address issues that come to the attention of staff
14 and the importance of advising the public when a meeting is cancelled as part of the agenda process.
15
16 Member Taylor: City code provides rules /regulations concerning TEC meetings and should probably be reviewed
17 to make certain of compliance and that no modifications are necessary.
18
19 6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
20
21 7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
22
23 8. ADJOURNMENT
24 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
25
26
27 Cathy awadly, Recor ng Secretary
28
TEC December 11, 2012
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