HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_101315TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 13, 2015
Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT
John Lampi, Vice Chairman
Roger Vincent, Public Representative
Tim Eriksen, City Engineer
Ben Kageyama, representing the City Manager
Sean Kaeser, representing the Chief of Police
Darin Malugani, representing the Supervisor of Public Works
Kevin Thompson, representing the Planning Director
Bob Butler, representing Mendocino Transit Authority
MEMBERS ABSENT
Dan Baxter, TEC Chairman
OTHERS PRESENT
Matisse Knight
Richard Howland
Lory Limbird, Public Works
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Lampi at
3:06 pm in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah,
California.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — September 8, 2015
Motion/Second: Eriksen/Vincent to approve September 8, 2015 minutes as written.
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. Information Only: City Code Section on the Office of the City Traffic Engineer.
Member Eriksen presented information concerning what staff and public
representatives are present at TEC meetings and why they are here according to City
Code.
b. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Grove Avenue Safe Routes to
School Projects.
Member Vincent stated that Grove Avenue is 56' wide. If travel lanes could be
narrowed down, this could slow down traffic on Grove Ave. The speed limit on Grove
Avenue and Bush Street is 30 mph while the speed limit on Walnut Avenue is 25
mph.
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee October 13, 2015
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Member Kageyama explained that grant funds can be applied for from ATP (Active
Transportation Program). It might be hard to obtain grant funds at the present time
because the City of Ukiah was just awarded funds for the Rail Trail, Phase II.
Member Eriksen stated that Spring Street, Walnut Avenue and Grove Avenue are all
close enough to Pomolita School to be marked for the school zone.
Motion/Second: Vincent/Eriksen to have the city apply for a grant under the
Safe Routes to School Plan to complete the improvements as shown on the
plan in Attachment A on both Grove Avenue and Bush Avenue.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
c. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Grove Avenue Traffic Concerns.
Motion/Second: Vincent/Kageyama to put an item on the agenda for the next
meeting to place a stop sign at Grove Avenue and Live Oak Avenue to replace
the yield sign that is presently at this location.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
d. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Request for No Parking Zone at
419 Talmage Road.
Resident Richard Howland was present regarding a no parking zone at 419
Talmage Road. He stated that is very difficult to see to pull out onto Talmage Avenue
because the bushes along the street block the view. Now cars have started parking
in this area making it impossible to view traffic when pulling out onto Talmage
Avenue. The owner, Lee Kraemer, does trim the bushes two or three times per year.
Also, there are no sidewalks in this area for pedestrians.
Motion/Second: Eriksen/Vincent to take to city council to make a no parking
zone 49 feet long in front of 419 Talmage Ave.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Member Eriksen announced that the cost for stencils necessary to paint the speed
limit on the pavement is $29,203.68. Public Works Department will buy the stencils
and speed limit markings on the pavement will be installed as discussed.
7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Resident Matisse Knight expressed a concern about St Mary's School. He stated there
used to be a passenger loading zone directly in front of the school which he used for
dropping his daughter off at school. This area was being used for parking so he made a
complaint and the Ukiah Police Department gave out tickets. The parents who received the
tickets complained to the school. Last April the school came to TEC to take out the loading
zone and make it a parking area so now there is no place to drop off students. He asked
TEC to reconsider and put a loading zone back in front of St Mary's to provide a drop off area
for students. Mr. Knight was advised to put this in writing and send it to the TEC committee
so this item could be placed on the agenda for the next TEC meeting.
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee October 13, 2015
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Bob Butler MTA asked if the stop line on eastbound Gobbi Avenue at Orchard Avenue
could be moved back 8 feet. Buses cannot make this turn. Bus drivers have been advised
to wait for traffic to clear before entering the lane but traffic is so heavy in this area that the
traffic never clears. Five bus tires have been damaged in this area. Mr. Butler was advised
to put his concerns in writing and send it to the TEC committee so this item could be placed
on the agenda for the next TEC meeting.
Member Kageyama announced that the grant for Phase II of the Rail Trail has been
approved This will extend the rail trail south from Gobbi Avenue to Commerce Drive and the
trail will be placed on the east side of the railroad tracks. The environmental phase will start
right away and the design phase will proceed soon.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
Lory Lim bird, ecording Secretary
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