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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_121091TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES December 10, 1991 2:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m., by Chairman Vara, in Conference Room 3, at the Civic Center, Ukiah, California. Members present were: Beard, Borecky for Goforth, Budrow, and Harris. Members absent: William Fernandez, Roy Tindle and Steve Turner. Others Present: Alice Peterson and Mrs. Peterson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mike Harris made the following correction to all Motions made, correct "AYES, NOES, ABSENT, ABSTAIN." ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Beard, it was carried by the following vote to approve the minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee meeting of November 12, 1991, as corrected. AYES: Beard, Borecky, Budrow, Harris, and Turner. NOES: None. ABSENT: Fernandez and Tindle. ABSTAIN: Chairman Vara. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: d. Request to Extend Red Curb on West Side of Dora, Northerl from Mendocino Drive - Alice Peterson. Bill Beard stated that the request was from a citizen who talked to a member of his Engineering Staff. It is requested to extend the red curb on the west side of Dora, northerly from Mendocino Drive, due to site distance problems of oncoming traffic south bound on Dora. Alice Peterson stated that there is a site distance problem and the possibility of hitting a child due to the lack of clear visibility. She also stated that to clearly see north and south you have to pull further out into the intersection. It was explained to extend the red curb would not solve the problem due to the angle of Mendocino Drive entering onto Dora. William Fernandez arrived at 2:15 p.m. Discussion followed regarding the parking problems at Pomolita School, extending the red curb will take additional parking spaces at Pomolita School, diverting the bus route, installing a road to Gardens exiting onto Mendocino as a bus route, the parking spaces located near Pomolita School are not marked parking spaces, four or five vehicles are able to park in this area, there is an existing 20 feet red curb from the curb return north on Dora, placement of a loading zone for loading and unloading students, and the increased travelling speed of the traffic. ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Borecky, to continue this item to the January 14, 1991 meeting. The Traffic Engineering Committee is to contact the Principle of Pomolita School regarding a loading zone on the west side of Dora, northerly from Mendocino Drive and to notify the property owners and businesses on the west side and return all information and comments at the next meeting. AYES: Beard, Borecky, Budrow, Fernandez, Harris and Chairman Vara. NOES: None. ABSENT: Tindle and Turner. ABSTAIN: None. a. Report on Existing Signage for Traffic in Southerly Portion of Helen Avenue. George Borecky reported that at the November 12, 1991 meeting, Mrs. Marie Denham had requested the speed limit be reduced on Helen Avenue between Washington Avenue and Observatory. In a report from Sargent Barclay, he indicated that the traffic is light and that a hazardous condition does not exist. It was requested by the Committee that the Public Works Department review the south end of Helen Avenue and Observatory for appropriate school zone and school speed limit signage and report back to the Committee. George Borecky presented to the Committee members a map showing were the various signs are located on Helen Avenue and Washington. Discussion followed regarding the location of school zone and speed limit signs. ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Fernandez, that the Public Works Department install a School Zone sign " 25 MPH When Children Are Present" south of San Jacinta Drive and north of Washington at the discretion of the Public Works Department, and move the 30 mph speed limit sign at Observatory Avenue north at the discretion of the Public Works Department. AYES: Borecky, Budrow, Fernandez, Harris and Chairman Vara. NOES: Beard. ABSENT: Tindle and Turner. ABSTAIN: None. b. Possible 4-Way Stop at Orchard Avenue and East Gobbi Street. Bill Beard reported that at the November 12, 1991 meeting, it was requested that this item be placed on the December 10, 1991 agenda, with no immediate action at this time. He reported that the Orchard Avenue extension will be completed within the next six months with traffic using the road, and possible installation of traffic signals within one year. Bill Beard recommended that the Traffic Engineering Committee consider what action should be taken before the opening of the extension. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 10, 1991 Page -2- Discussion continued installing four-way stop signs, a new subdivision within the area, to allow sufficient time for traffic to get used to stopping at the four-way intersection, and "Ahead Stop" signs located on East Gobbi Street. Bill Beard noted that to install a four-way stop sign requires a resolution from the City Council. ON A MOTION by Harris, second by Beard, to recommend to the City Council a resolution establishing a four-way stop at East Gobbi Street and Orchard Avenue to be implemented at the commencement of construction of the southern extension. AYES: Beard, Borecky, Budrow, Fernandez, and Harris. NOES: Chairman Vara. ABSENT: Tindie and Turner. ABSTAIN: None. c. Relocation of Crosswalk on Dora at Holden. Bill Beard reported there is a crosswalk located in the middle entrance/exit driveway to the back parking lot of the Civic Center. He expressed that the crosswalk should be relocated to the south side of the intersection. George Borecky reported that Dora Street is scheduled to be reconstructed during Spring, 1992, and suggested that the crosswalk be relocated at the completion of reconstruction. ON A MOTION by Beard, seconded by Budrow, it is recommended that the Public Works Department relocate the crosswalk on Dora at Holden to the south side of the intersection with the Street Reconstruction Project. AYES: Beard, NOES: None. ABSENT: Tindle ABSTAIN: None. e. Request to Yield Signs with Street and ON A MOTION by Budrow, seconded by Harris, to recommend to the City Council a resolution to remove the yield signs at Spring Street and Mendocino Drive and replace with stop signs at the intersection of Spring Street and Mendocino Drive. AYES: Beard, Borecky, Budrow, Fernandez, Harris and Chairman Vara. NOES: None. ABSENT: Tindle and Turner. ABSTAIN: None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS George Borecky stated that he spoke with the property owners on the corner of Banker Boulevard and Cochran Avenue. He reported that the property owners Borecky, Budrow, Fernandez, Harris and Chairman Vara. and Turner. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 10, 1991 Page -B- requested the red curb, and therefore, have no problems with the red curbing of the curb return and an additional 20 feet at the southeast corner of Banker Boulevard and Cochran Avenue. Chairman Vara reported that Roy Tindle has given a written resignation from the Traffic Engineering Committee. Bill Beard requested that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the City Clerk and City Council. Chairman Vara expressed that the City Manager would like to receive input from the Traffic Engineering Committee on his proposal to abolish the Traffic Engineering Committee and create a Streets Commission consisting of public members with assigned Staff (City Engineer and Public Works Director). Mike Harris expressed that more Staff time would be spent to prepare Staff Reports, and becomes more of a political issue as opposed to a process to complete projects. He also expressed that public input is very valuable, but does not recommend establishment of a Street Commission and that the Engineering aspect should remain at Staff level. William Fernandez expressed that the Traffic Engineering Committee should remain as is. The Committee currently consists of Staff members from Public Works, City Engineer, Planning and the Ukiah Police Departments that have the knowledge, expertise and knowledge of the law to make decisions at the time of the meetings. Public members do not have the knowlege, expertise nor knowledge of the laws. He also expressed that more Staff time would be involved, more confusion in decision making. He expressed that he is against the creation of the Street Commission. A comment was made that the Traffic Engineering Committee is available to the public and that the public is invited to attend any of the Committee meetings. It was the consensus of the Traffic Engineering Committee not to establish a Streets Commission due to the fact that it will require more Staff time to prepare Staff Reports and research. That members of the Committee have the knowledge, expertise and knowledge of the laws to make decisions at the time of the meeting and that the public does not have the knowledge, expertise or knowledge of the laws. That the Traffic Engineering Committee should remain as is with three public at large members. AD,TOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. ~ eorge V~fa, Chairman Kathy Kinch, ecording Secre ry R:TEC1 TEC MIN 12/10/91 Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 10, 1991 Page -4-