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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_020916TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES February 9, 2016 Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT Tim Eriksen, TEC Chairman, Director of Public Works, City Engineer Roger Vincent, Public Representative 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 MEMBERS ABSENT John Lampi, Public Representative Marty Nelson, Mendocino Transit Authority OTHERS PRESENT Maureen Mulheren, Council Member Lory Limbird, Public Works Meredyth Reinhard, Public Health Pinky Kushner Susan Knopf, Parks, Recreation & Golf Commissioner Neil Davis 1. CALL TO ORDER The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairperson Eriksen at 3:03 pm in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — January 12, 2016 Motion/Second: Kaeser/Vincent to approve January 12, 2016 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. Discussion and Possible Recommendation Regarding Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Chairman Eriksen began this discussion by announcing that the Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan ("the plan") has been presented to the Planning Commission and tonight it will be presented to the Paths, Open Space and Creeks Commission. Public Representative Roger Vincent stated he put his comments in an email which he presented to keep with the minutes. Susan Knopf, Parks, Recreation & Golf Commissioner added that this plan has not been presented to Parks, Recreation and Golf Commission. MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 9, 2016 Page 1 Pinky Kushner remarked this plan has not been given to the Senior Center or churches for review. Seniors and schools deserve more exposure to the plan because they are the part of the population who are most affected by it. Chairman Eriksen would like to present the plan to City Council as soon as possible with a formal presentation so any concerns could be brought forward. The council can then give direction as to how they want the plan to proceed. Neil Davis suggested that an understandable summary of the plan should be presented to the public. Pinky Kushner stated a City Council presentation is not going to work for seniors and children. This group would most likely not be able to attend a City Council meeting. Susan Knopf stated better public announcement of a meeting to review the plan would be desirable. She suggested a change in the Prioritization Criteria as found on page 82 of the plan. This criteria needs to include churches, meeting houses, stadiums and community halls. The price of each project needs to be included on the final list of priorities to help compare the projects. Member Kevin Thompson entered the meeting at 3:23 pm. Pinky Kushner offered to tabulate the accidents which have occurred on the streets affected by the plan over the last 10 years in an Excel spreadsheet. She stated that the missing word in the plan is "pleasure." She walks for pleasure and thinks there are many Ukiah residents who do the same. Walking for pleasure is a custom in Central and South America. Chairman Eriksen asked if the word "recreation" in the plan could be synonymous for pleasure. Pinky Kushner added that too much emphasis is put on automobiles in the plan. She assumes the City has to accommodate cars first, and then find a way to protect pedestrians and bicyclists from cars. At this time she presented a letter with her comments for the record. She would like to see future projects such as the new courthouse more focused on pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Pinky Kushner stated the plan was given to the public as a draft. It was stated at the last Planning Commission meeting that all comments could be put into an appendix. She requested the suggested changes be incorporated into the body of the plan, not just added in an appendix. Neil Davis would like a paragraph or two to be added to the plan about social and transportation equity. Susan Knopf asked to have the City Code amended to state the minimum width of city sidewalks should be 5 feet with no obstructions — no trees, no fire hydrants, no poles. MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 9, 2016 Page 2 Chairman Eriksen suggested she could submit letter to the City Council for this concern. He asked if it sounds reasonable to take this plan to the City Council to open up a discussion so the council can give us their directions. Susan Knopf would like to see the plan rewritten. Neil Davis asked if the City has a communications person who could inform the public with social media that this plan is ready for public opinion in a way the average person could understand. Council Member Mulheren asked if the committee thinks that the issues talked about here today are included in this plan? Member Kageyama responded that street trees are included in the plan but the social issue is not. There are issues that could be discussed further. Neil Davis stated that traffic speed is not addressed in this plan. The one thing that could make conditions safer for bicyclists and pedestrians is to reduce traffic speed. Member Vincent stated there is wording about reducing traffic speed in the areas around schools in the plan. Chairman Eriksen asked everyone who has comments and suggestions pertaining to the plan to put their ideas into a letter and present the letter to City Council. 6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS none 7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS none 8. ADJOURNMENT .There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m. ory Limb r , Recording Secretary MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 9, 2016 Page 3