HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_011216TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 12, 2016
Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT
John Lampi, Public Representative
Roger Vincent, Public Representative
Tim Eriksen, Director of Public Works, City Engineer
Ben Kageyama, representing the City Manager
Sean Kaeser, representing the Chief of Police
Kevin Thompson, representing the Planning Director
MEMBERS ABSENT
Darin Malugani, representing the Supervisor of Public Works
Marty Nelson, Mendocino Transit Authority, Public Representative
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Mulheren, Council Member
Lory Limbird, Public Works
Meredyth Reinhard
Matisse Knight
Neil Davis
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Member Eriksen at 3:02
pm in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — December 8, 2015
Motion/Second: Vincent/Lampi to approve December 8, 2015 minutes as written.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Mulheren stated the community is very appreciative of the stop sign at
Todd Grove Park at the intersection of Grove Avenue and Live Oak Avenue
Council Member Mulheren stated the City Council was not given the minutes of the current
TEC meeting and minutes were not in the ASR of an item on the City Council agenda.
Member Eriksen stated the draft minutes will be included in any ASR that goes to City
Council before the minutes are approved and made public during the ensuing TEC meeting.
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Establishing a Passenger Loading Zone
on South Dora Street near St. Mary of the Angels School.
Member Eriksen introduced a letter written by Maya Simerson dated January 11,
2016 asking to leave unrestricted parking in front of St. Mary's School. Also
introduced was a petition dated January 12, 2016 asking to "Please leave the parking
spots on S. Dora in front of St. Mary's School unzoned" that was signed by 26
parents of St. Mary's students.
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Member Kageyama stated it should be up to the school to find out what parent
opinions are, adopt a school policy concerning the student drop off/pick up traffic plan
and then come to city to take the appropriate action concerning parking/loading zone
options along Dora Street in front of St. Mary's School.
Member Eriksen stated another aspect that was discussed was the availability of
parking for emergency vehicles at the school.
Member Kaeser stated that when dealing with a threat, police will not be thinking of
finding a parking space so this is not an issue.
Member Eriksen stated that this is an issue that doesn't seem to impact the city as
much as it does the school. He would like St. Mary's School to figure this debate out
based on the parents' concerns.
Matisse Knight stated he understands the city's concern of being put in the middle of
this debate. The issue here is to reestablish a loading zone that was recently
removed after being there for decades. Those 3 parking spaces only benefit 3 people
who park there all day long. A loading zone should be situated in front of the school
for the purpose of dropping off children safely at school. The parking lot should not
be used for dropping off children; it should be used for parking. A loading zone
directly in front of the school is the safest place for dropping off children because
there is no traffic to cross. This committee should make the smartest decision for the
safety of dropping off children. Walking a child to the kindergarten class can be done
in the 3 minute limit for a loading zone. The TEC Committee has a proposal from the
school to return 2 spaces in front of the school to a white loading zone.
Council Member Mulheren recalled that when this issue was first brought before the
TEC Committee last March, it was more about UVAH having parking spaces in front
of their business to unload their patients. Dora Street is a busy street and doesn't
seem like the safest place to drop off children.
Matisse Knight stated it was made clear to him by the school that the loading zone
was removed because parents were parking there and getting tickets. Parking lot
drop off does not work. You must have your child cross traffic when dropped off in
parking lot. It is not safe even with the presence of a crossing guard.
Member Kageyama asked if the school has seen the letter and petition.
Member Eriksen replied that the school has not seen either because the letter was
received yesterday and the petition was received today.
Member Kaeser recalled that the UVAH van was having difficulty parking in the
loading zone in front of their place of business because St. Mary's parents were using
that area to park while dropping off children.
Member Eriksen added that the school had been informed that this issue would be
discussed at this meeting and no one from the school attended this meeting.
Matisse Knight stated he had met with the school and that meeting is what prompted
the new request from the school of reinstating the loading zone to allow space for two
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee January 12, 2016
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vehicles to park.
Member Eriksen stated the TEC Committee could send a letter to the school, include
the history of this issue in the letter and ask the school to speak with one voice giving
a recommendation that is agreed upon by the parents.
Council Member Mulheren stated it is the school's responsibility to create a safe
plan for dropping off children. This section of Dora Street is very busy with children
being dropped off at St. Mary's and Yokayo Schools and patients being dropped off at
UVAH and Mayacama. She did not think this busy street is the safest location for
dropping off children. She requested that UVAH and Mayacama be notified when this
issue is put on the TEC Agenda.
Motion/Second: Eriksen/Vincent - the TEC chairman will write a letter to St Mary's
to say there was not a clear direction found for the recommended action of this item
based on many different opinions both verbal and written by parents from St. Mary's
School. The committee recommends the school hold a meeting of concerned
parents, come to a consensus on this issue and present a recommended action to
the TEC Committee. This issue will be brought back before the committee upon
receiving a response from St. Mary's School.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a New TEC Chairperson (verbal report).
Member Vincent nominated Tim Eriksen.
Member Eriksen accepted the nomination.
The nomination was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Chairman Eriksen passed out copies of the "Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan"
draft for public review to TEC members and Neil Davis. This plan is available for public
review through February 29, 2016 and is available online on the City's website at
http://www.citvofukiah.com/streets/ or at the Public Works information counter at the Ukiah
Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah. A copy is also available at the Mendocino
County Library. Review of the "Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan" will be put on the
agenda for the next TEC meeting which will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. At this
time the public will be given the opportunity to submit comments about this plan.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
none
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:59 pm.
Lot" Limbird, ording Secretary
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