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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_051016 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES May 10, 2016 Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT Rick Seanor representing Tim Eriksen 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 Tim Eriksen, TEC Chairman, Director of Public Works, City Engineer Marty Nelson, Mendocino Transit Authority OTHERS PRESENT Maureen Mulheren, Council Member Lory Limbird, Public Works Susan Passalacqua, UVMC Neil Davis, Walk & Bike Mendocino Keith Hewett, All in One Auto Kathryn Hoffar, All In One Auto Wayne Hunt, T&T Towing Steve Redding, Stevo's Towing Ruben Herrera, R&B Towing 1. CALL TO ORDER The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Rick Seanor at 3:02 pm in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. 7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Rick Seanor apologized for not having the proposed changes to the Ukiah City Code section 7154 to allow tow truck and commercial recovery vehicles to park in residential neighborhoods. Kathryn Hoffar provided the attached printed page of her research of cities which allow large sized vehicles/tow trucks to park in residenti I areas. She found some cities that allow such parking for vehicles no greater than 26,000 punds and up to two axles. Rick Seanor stated this issue will be on the agenda for the June 14th TEC meeting and everyone here will be notified. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES— April 12, 2016 Motion/Second: Malugani/Kaeser to approve April 12, 2016 minutes as written with one correction on page 2 to change 2600 pounds to 26,000 pounds. Motion carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present. 3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS none MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee May 10, 2016 Page 1 4. OLD BUSINESS none 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Pedestrian Crosswalk Flags on Perkins Street and Hospital Drive. Member Ben Kageyama reported a letter was received from Susan Passalacqua of UVMC regarding crosswalk safety on Perkins Street and Hospital Drive. UVMC would like to explore the possibility of using pedestrian safety flags at the crosswalks on Perkins Street at Leslie Street, Perkins Street at Warren Drive and at the crosswalk at 236 Hospital Drive. Concerns were also expressed about the traffic light sequence at Perkins and Hospital Drive. Perhaps the traffic light sequence could be modified in order that the left green arrow doesn't coincide with the crosswalk "go" light. Attachment "B" is a map of the proposed crosswalk flag locations and Attachment"C" is information about the use of crosswalk flags in Salt Lake City. Susan Passalacqua, UVMC stated the traffic light at the intersection of Perkins and Hospital Drive turns green to allow left turns from east bound Perkins traffic onto Hospital Drive at the same time as the pedestrian "Go" light comes on and cars do not yield to pedestrians. She asked if the pedestrian walk and left turn signal could be modified to avoid this conflict. The hospital is looking for a low cost alternative to the more high tech crosswalks such as the one being installed on N. State Street at the fairgrounds. Neil Davis, Walk & Bike Mendocino asked if the timing of the signal lights could be adjusted so pedestrians are allowed to walk into the intersection first before the green light for car traffic. Then pedestrians would be more visible when in the crosswalk to drivers turning onto Hospital Drive. Rick Seanor stated he would not recommend this because it is different from the timing of all other traffic signals in the city. Maureen Mulheren, Council Member stated this intersection is going to change in 2 or 3 years when the courthouse goes in so it does not make sense to change the timing at this time. Member Kevin Thompson as{Ced what pedestrian improvements are planned to be added to this intersection. Member Ben Kageyama stated the intersection will change to a 4-way intersection but he did not believe a protected left turn is planned. Maureen Mulheren, Council Member commented in past TEC meetings, it had been discussed that the temporary flashing light which was put at the intersection of N. State St at the fairgrounds would be moved when the intersection improvements at that site are completed to a Perkins Street location. MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee May 10, 2016 Page 2 Member Ben Kageyama inserted he had researched on-line the use of crosswalk flags. There is not much information about the effectiveness of crosswalk flag use and there is not a MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standard for it. Many cities that have tried crosswalk flags have cancelled their programs because the flags were stolen. The most effective safety measure for crosswalks on a 4 lane street such as Perkins would be advanced yield lines otherwise known as shark teeth which do have a MUTCD standard. Pedestrians need to practice due diligence and always look both ways for traffic before entering a crosswalk. Susan Passalacqua, UVMC asked if one test location for crosswalk flags could be tried on a temporary basis. UVMC will handle the cost of the buckets and flags. Maureen Mulheren, Council Member stated she has seen flags in other cities and as a business owner, would sponsor flags in a crosswalk. This will include being responsible for taking flags in at night and replacing the flags at the crosswalk in the morning. Rick Seanor expressed his concern that crosswalk flags are new to residents and they will have to learn how to use them. The person carrying a crosswalk flag may think he/she is safe and just step out into the crosswalk. Even while carrying a crosswalk flag, pedestrians must remember to look both ways and have eye contact with the driver before entering the crosswalk. Susan Passalacqua, UVMC stated the hospital newsletter will be used to educate employees on the proper use of crosswalk flags. Member Sean Kaeser stated drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed the street before the driver resumes travelling. A driver will be ticketed if that driver fails to stop for the pedestrian. The driver will not be ticketed if that driver resumes travelling before the pedestrian reaches the other side of the street as long as the pedestrian is safely out of the driver's way. Motion/Second: Thompson/Kaeser to allow the hospital to conduct a crosswalk flag pilot program at the Hospital Drive location for a six month duration at which time a hospital representative will report back to TEC about the effectiveness of the pilot program. Also, a flexible crosswalk sign will be installed at the Perkins and Leslie Street crosswalk. Motion carried by a n all AYE voice vote of the members present. b. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Proposed MTA Bus Stop at 671 South Orchard Avenue. Rick Seanor presented this item. MTA requested a bus stop adjacent to the US Post Office at 671 South Orchard Ave. It was suggested that this bus stop should be aligned with the second side walk which leads to the Post Office. Member Sean Kaeser stated there already is a bus stop going south bound located in front of the DMV and north bound there are bus stops in front of UVSD offices and the Orchard Shopping Center. MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee May 10, 2016 Page 3 Maureen Mulheren, Council Member stated there is already limited parking on Orchard Avenue between Perkins and Gobbi with many businesses in this area. What will happen when the wool mill opens across the street from the Post Office? It would be much wiser to study this entire area for future planning to consider parking needs. Rick Seanor suggested that this item should be continued to the next TEC meeting when an MTA rep could attend and answer questions. Maureen Mulheren, Council Member asked if the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan could be brought for this discussion so the plans for this area could be considered Rick Seanor stated this item will be continued as Old Business at the June 14, 2016 meeting. 6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Ben Kageyama stated that good progress is being made on the N State Street crosswalk. The paving is being done today. Contractor is scheduled to take out the old crosswalk and Notice of Closure for the old sidewalk will be included in next month's TEC meeting. T. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS none 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m. 61/L •ry d, Recording Secretary MINUTES of the Traffic Engineering Committee May 10, 2016 Page 4