HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_041216TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 12, 2016
Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT
Tim Eriksen, Director of Public Works, City Engineer, TEC Chairman
John Lampi, 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
Marty Nelson, representing MTA
MEMBERS ABSENT
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Mulheren, Council Member
Lory Limbird, Public Works
Neil Davis, Walk & Bike Mendocino
Brian Kornegay
Keith Hewett, All In One Auto
Kathryn Hoffar, All In One Auto
Wayne Hunt, T&T Towing
Tim Wiles, Stevo's Towing
Ruben Herrera, R&B Towing
CALL TO ORDER
The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairperson Eriksen at
3:05 pm in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah,
California.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Feb 9, 2016
Motion/Second: Thompson/Lamp! to approve Feb 9, 2016 minutes as written.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present.
3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Marty Nelson, MTA has a proposal for new bus stop at the Post Office.
4. OLD BUSINESS
none
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and Possible Action regarding a Request for Exemption of City Code
Section 7154 to allow Tow Trucks and Commercial Recovery Vehicles to Park in
Residential Neighborhoods.
Chairman Tim Eriksen stated that a letter was received from Brian Kornegay which
states his reasons why Ukiah City Code 7154 should not be changed to allow tow
trucks to park in residential areas with Ukiah City limits.
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Keith Hewett, All in One Auto Repair stated he had reprimanded one of his drivers
for parking in front of a fire hydrant. This was the only time there was a problem that
he is aware of. It is important for tow truck drivers to park in front of their residences
to allow for quicker response time to an accident site. Getting there quickly is
important for the safety of all public safety officers and the public in order to clean up
the accident site as soon as possible. When tow trucks are parked at the business,
15 to 35 minutes is added to the response time.
Brian Kornegay stated he has the upmost respect for tow truck operators. Tow
trucks parking on the street create unsafe hazards such as blind spots for children,
pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers attempting to come out of driveways and other drivers
traversing the streets. Parking a tow truck on a residential street goes against Ukiah
City Code 7154 and this is not the answer for tow trucks. The City of Norco is the
only city in California that he was able to find that has a city ordinance permitting tow
trucks to park on their own private property but not on the street. The Norco City
Code pertaining to this issue is included with his letter.
Ruben Herrera, R&B Towing stated he has noticed personal trailers and RVs
parked in residential areas on the street. These vehicles are often times larger than a
tow truck.
Kathryn Hoffar, All In One Auto stated that the City of Ukiah exempts themselves
from this city code for public safety. The public is better served by having tow trucks
parked in residential areas to decrease response time.
Neil Davis observed that tow trucks come in a wide variety of sizes He asked if the
tow truck companies are looking for an exception for any size of tow truck or up to a
certain size.
Keith Hewett, All in One Auto Repair answered that the basic size for a tow truck is
up to 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Gross Vehicle Weight means the
total weight of the vehicle when loaded; not just the weight of the vehicle alone. The
bigger specialty tow trucks are not taken home by operators.
Sean Kaeser, Ukiah PD stated the Police Department expects all tow truck drivers to
respond in timely manner 365 days a year. If a company fails to respond quickly, that
company will be passed up and another company will be called.
Kevin Thompson, Planning Department asked what percentage of business comes
from emergency response calls.
Wayne Hunt, T&T Towing answered that his company answers about 800 calls per
month and about 70% of those are emergency response calls.
Keith Hewett, All in One Auto Repair stated a tow truck only goes home with an
employee when that operator is on duty.
Ben Kageyama, Public Works Department asked Brian Kornegay while he was
doing his research, did he find other cities that allowed tow trucks?
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee April 12, 2016
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Brian Kornegay answered that the only city that allows parking of tow trucks in
residential areas that he found is Norco. Norco requires a permit, permission of
adjoining property owners and requires the tow truck to be 25 feet away from any
residential structure on adjoining property. The Norco City Code can be used as an
example for the revision of the Ukiah City Code. Parking of tow trucks needs to be
regulated in case there is a complaint. Parking of any commercial vehicle above
11,000 pounds GVW should not be allowed in residential areas.
Sean Kaeser, Ukiah PD stated the Norco City Code creates more government. Who
is going to issue permits and then enforce those permits? This doesn't meet Ukiah's
values.
Ben Kageyama, Public Works Department understands the need for a quick
response time, but is not in favor of tow trucks parking in residential areas. The City
of Norco exemption is worth looking into. This code states parking of commercial
vehicles is permitted on private property but not on the street. He likes the idea of
having a permit process before allowing tow trucks to park in residential areas.
Motion/Second: Kaesar/Malugani to concur with the request for an exemption of
City Code Section 7154 to allow tow trucks and commercial recovery vehicles to park
in residential neighborhoods and recommend revision of the City Code to include no
more than one truck will be allowed to park near the same property and the tow truck
allowed to park in the residential area will weigh no more than 26,000 pounds Gross
Vehicle Weight.
Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present except for Ben
Kageyama who opposed.
Chairman Tim Eriksen asked if the TEC Committee wants the proposed changes to
the City Code to be brought back to the TEC Committee for approval or should it be
taken straight to City Council?
Council Member Maureen Mulheren suggested that the changes discussed here
should come back to the TEC Committee for final discussion.
Chairman Tim Eriksen restated that the proposed changes to Ukiah City Code
section 7154 will be discussed at the next TEC Committee meeting. The edited
version of the changes will then be presented to City Council.
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
none
7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Chairman Tim Eriksen announced that Public Member Roger Vincent has resigned.
Thanks to Roger for his years of dedicated service.
The TEC Committee is now looking for a new TEC Public Member who must be a City
resident of driving age.
MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee April 12, 2016
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Council Member Maureen Mulheren thanked the Streets Department crew who replaced
the sidewalk on North State Street for their good work. They did a good job of providing safe
access for pedestrians in the construction area.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
7 '
ory Li ecording Secretary
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