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TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 12, 2014
Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT
Dan Baxter, TEC Chairman
Rick Seanor, Staff
Roger Vincent, Public Representative
Trent Taylor, UPD
Ben Kageyama, Staff
Jerry Whitaker, Staff
MEMBERS ABSENT
Kim Jordan, Staff
John Lampi, Public Representative
OTHERS PRESENT
Meredyth Reinhard, Public Health
Robert L. Faulk
Phil Baldwin, City Council, Mayor of Ukiah
A.R. "Buck" Ganter
Pinky Kushner
Mark Hilliker
Susan Knopf
STAFF PRESENT
Lory Limbird
Jarod Thiele
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairperson Baxter at 3:00 pm in
Conference Room No. 5, Ukiah Civic Center Annex, 411 W. Clay Street, Ukiah, California.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 8, 2014
Chairman Baxter corrected the minutes to state "Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas" instead of
"Buddhists ".
M /S: Taylor/Vincent to approve July8, 2014 minutes with correction. Motion carried by an all AYE
voice vote of the members present.
3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS
none
4. OLD BUSINESS
none
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Traffic Concerns on Walnut Avenue.
Member Seanor introduced this item. Staff received a letter from Robert L. Faulk requesting
consideration of traffic items on Walnut Avenue. Walnut Avenue is approximately 37 feet wide with
parking and sidewalks on both sides of the street. There are a number of cars parked along the street
which has the effect of making the street appear narrow to drivers. Walnut Avenue extends from Todd
Grove Municipal Park to N. Pine Street providing access to the park, the Municipal Pool, Anton
Stadium, the Golf Course and neighborhoods. In April 2012, an engineering and traffic survey (speed
zone survey) completed on Walnut Avenue confirmed the posted 25 mph speed zone. Staff observed
that there is no speed limit sign for eastbound traffic. The Street Maintenance Division is scheduled to
install a 25 mph sign on Walnut Avenue for eastbound traffic. Since the week of July 28, 2014, the
speed radar trailer has been posted on Walnut Avenue east of Todd Road. The speed radar trailer is
an effective tool to provide direct feedback to drivers of their speed compared to the posted speed
zone. Staff recommends Walnut Avenue for the Police Department's "Directed Enforcement
Program" which will provide additional emphasis on driving within the posted speed limit.
Mark Hilliker entered at 3:07 pm.
At the intersection of N. Pine Street and Scott Street there is a green guide sign which directs traffic for
the Municipal Park, Golf Course and Municipal Pool to Walnut Avenue. Staff recommends that the
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee.
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August 12, 2014
1 arrow on this sign be reversed to direct traffic to Grove Avenue. There is a second green sign on the
2 southwest corner of Pine Street and Walnut Avenue. This sign should be relocated to Pine Street and
3 Grove Avenue.
4
5 A "STOP" sign is not recommended for the intersection of Walnut Avenue and N. Spring Street. Stop
6 signs are considered when there is an equal volume of traffic on both cross streets and there is a high
7 volume of pedestrians. Stop signs are specifically not to be used as speed control devices.
8
9 A crosswalk on Walnut Avenue at N. Spring Street is not recommended. A crosswalk at this location
10 would have the effect of a mid -block crosswalk which may give pedestrians a false sense of security.
11 This location may be a candidate project for "Safe Routes to School" funding with additional work to
12 establish the crossing location.
13
14 Staff recommends:
15 1. Walnut Avenue for the Police Department's "Directed Enforcement Program "; and
16 2. Modification to the two green guide signs located at N. Pine Street and Scott Street and on the
17 southwest corner of Pine Street and Walnut Avenue to direct traffic to Grove Avenue.
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19 Member Taylor explained that with the "Direct Enforcement Program ", Walnut Avenue will be included
20 in the police briefing and the officers will then target this area.
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22 Member Vincent stated his opinion that school buses use Walnut Avenue instead of Grove Avenue
23 because it is quicker for school buses to use Walnut Avenue. A bus can turn the corner at a protected
24 stop sign instead of waiting for a break in on- coming traffic. It is difficult to see down Walnut Avenue
25 because of all the cars that park along this street. Children walking to and from Pomolita Middle
26 School walk across Walnut Avenue in the morning and afternoon on every school day. This should
27 warrant a 4 -way stop sign at Walnut Avenue and Spring Street.
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29 Member Seanor stated that limited sight distance is a consideration for a stop sign.
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31 Robert Faulk asked why there are crosswalks on Grove Avenue and not on Walnut Avenue.
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33 Member Seanor stated that historically crosswalks were located on Grove Avenue.
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35 Member Whitaker added that the crosswalks on Grove Avenue are painted yellow because they are
36 closer to the school.
37
38 Robert Faulk stated there are parties that include drinking of alcohol at Anton Stadium and Todd
39 Grove Park. This means drinkers drive very fast down Walnut Avenue usually at speeds much higher
40 than limit.
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42 Member Seanor restated that the concern is a crosswalk at Walnut Avenue and Spring Street would
43 have the effect of a mid -block crosswalk which may give pedestrians a false sense of security when
44 crossing the street.
45
46 Mark Hilliker stated he lives at 618 Grove Avenue and the rate of speed coming down Grove is
47 always over the speed limit of 25 mph, usually over 35 mph.
48
49 Susan Knopf stated she lives at 460 Todd Road which is 1/2 block from Walnut Avenue. There is
50 definitely a problem when parents are picking up the children who participate in Pop Warner and
51 cheerleading practices. There have been times when she was unable to cross Walnut Avenue.
52
53 Member Taylor stated that if a speed zone survey finds that 85% of people drive faster than 25 mph,
54 speed limit in that area can then be increased. This is not what is wanted in this neighborhood.
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MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee August 12, 2014
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Chairperson Baxter asked if the Committee wants to ask Rick Seanor to investigate the site again to
determine if a stop sign is warranted at Walnut Avenue and Spring Street.
Robert Faulk asked if the police would accept a list of color and model of the cars and the license
plate numbers of habitual speeders.
Member Taylor replied to Mr. Faulk that he can make a list and email it to him and it will be added to
the police briefing.
Member Taylor would like to have the city council fund permanent flashing signs put under the stop
signs.
Pinky Kushner stated that Spring Street has a rise and flattening which makes cars approaching
Walnut Avenue hard to see.
Member Seanor stated that an unwarranted stop sign could be challenged in court.
Motion made by Member Vincent to go with the 2 staff recommendations and add a 4 -way stop and
crosswalks at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Spring Street. This motion died for lack of a
second.
M/S Taylor/Whitaker to recommend that more research to be done in the area of Walnut Avenue and
Spring Street to determine if a 4 -way stop sign and crosswalks are warranted there. Motion carried by
a 5 AYE /1 NO voice vote of the members present. The NO vote was cast by Member Vincent.
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Member Kageyama announced that the NWP Rail Trail Project has been awarded to a local
contractor, Gregg Simpson Trucking. Work will start at end of August. This project will include a bike
and pedestrian trail running along the railroad tracks from Gobbi Street to Clara Avenue. Included will
be crosswalks on Gobbi Street and Perkins Avenue. There may be trail lighting installed in the future.
Member Vincent stated there was an article in the Ukiah Daily Journal about the Grand Jury
recommendations for crosswalks countywide. Ukiah City Council did authorize the engineering
response from the Department of Public Works.
Chairperson Baxter stated Electric Department Director Grandi made a comment about the traffic
light located at Talmage Road and Airport Park Blvd. When travelling north on Airport Park Blvd,
traffic cannot proceed north onto Lorraine Street. There is a green turn signal for traffic turning west
onto Talmage Road but there is a standard green light for traffic turning east and not a turn signal.
This could be confusing to drivers.
The traffic signal located at State Street from Hastings Avenue is very short there causing back -ups
especially when driving west over State Street.
Member Seanor explained this signal was damaged and is now on recall mode giving a fixed time for
traffic to cross the intersection. The loop is scheduled to be fixed at this location.
7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
none
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
Lory Limbird, Recording Secretary
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee
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August 12, 2014