HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_101293TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES
OCTOBER 12, 1993
2:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 2:07 p.m. by Chairman Turner, in Conference Room 3, at
the Ukiah Civic Center, Ukiah, California. Members present were: Beard, Budrow, Ford,
Harris and Kennedy.
Members absent: William Fernandez.
Others Present: Roger Sprehn, Jimmy Quan, Gary Webb, Debbie Klimasaus and Eric Sturges
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Budrow, it was carried by a consensus vote to add
"parking situation on Myron" to the agenda under Discussion/Action Items, as Item h.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Stephen Ford made the following correction on Page 4, Paragraph 8, change the word "Leslie
Street" to "Ford Street" the sentence reading: "Ken Budrow advised Ford Street is very
narrow... "
Steve Ford made the following correction on Page 4, Paragraph 5, change the word "site" to
"sight", delete the word "parking" and add "shrubbery in right-of-way", the sentence reading:
"Ken Budrow advised the west side of Orchard Avenue, south of Clara, there is no sight
visibility due to shrubbery in right-of-way."
Steve Turner made the following correction on Page 4, Paragraph 5, on the Motion add the roll
call vote.
Steve Turner made the following correction on Page 4, Paragraph 8, change the word "before"
to "previously", the sentence reading: "However, this item was brought before the Committee
previously for discussion of possible red curb."
ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Budrow, it was carried by a consensus vote to approve
the minutes of September 14, 1993, as amended. Abstained: Rick Kennedy.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 1993
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DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
a. Request for Fire Lane Designation in Cul-de-sac of Mendocino Place - Ro eg r A. Sprehn.
Fire Marshal - (Carry over from Sentember)
Roger Sprehn, Captain/Fire Marshal distributed to the Committee a drawing of the proposed
turn-around lane. He advised residents at the end of Mendocino Place use the cul-de-sac for on-
street parking creating a very small azea for fire engines to turn around. The Ukiah Fire
Department personnel are concerned this pazking may interfere with fire fighting efforts in the
event of a structure or wildland fire in that area. Fire Department appazatus require a cleaz
turn-around azea with a 35 foot radius, as well as cleaz areas to the fire hydrant at the end of
the cul-de-sac. The Ukiah Fire Department is attempting, as part of the Wildland -Urban Area,
to improve the safety of the area by designating an area to allow fire apparatus turn around and
to make sure there is access to the fire hydrant. The area would be posted with appropriate
signage "Fire Lane No Pazking Between Signs" and "No Parking Fire Lane." The Vehicle Code
prohibits parking within 15 feet of a hydrant. The turn around is a Hammerhead T. He noted
on October 4, 1993, a packet was mailed to all property owners in the cul-de-sac. City Code
Section 9.108 states "a fire lane is [hat portion of an access road way reserved for emergency
vehicles and the conducting of fire fighting or rescue operations or as designated by the Fire
Department and posted in accordance with section Vehicle Code." He is requesting the Traffic
Engineering Committee designate a "Fire-Lane - No Parking" area in the cul-de-sac.
Mr. Jimmy Quan, citizen, advised he is interested in purchasing the property at 265 Mendocino
Place. He expressed concern for on-street parking, and advised he is in favor of the fire lane
designation.
Discussion followed regarding [here is sufficient on-street parking near the gate for two vehicles;
on-street parking space for three vehicles (deep) against the road and four up to the hydrant; no
curb; there will be a total of four signs two to the north, one on the east and one on the west;
it is the Fire Department's goal to explore the accessibility of all cul-de-sacs accesses in City
jurisdiction on the western hills.
Chairman Turner inquired if the Fire Department will be required to go before the Traffic
Engineering Committee for future fire lane designations. Rick Kennedy noted this may be
applicable for off-site or private property. Bill Beard advised the Committee should take action
on public right-of-way. Stephen Ford read from the Vehicle Code "in any location in a publicly-
or privately-owned or operated off-street parking facility designated as a fire lane by the Fire
Department. "
Fire Marshal Sprehn handed Chairman Turner a letter from William Smith. Chairman Turner
read the letter to the Committee. Mr. Smith indicated in his letter he is in strong favor of the
Fire Department's fire lane designation.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 1993
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ON A MOTION by Kennedy, seconded by Beard, it was carried by a consensus vote to approve
the request of the Fire Chief for a fire lane designation in cul-de-sac of Mendocino Place
according to the plans submitted by the Ukiah Fire Department. Abstained: Chairman Turner.
f. Crosswalk Request on Dora at Luce. North Side -Eric Sturges
Eric Sturges advised he is requesting a crosswalk at 997 South Dora at the intersection of Luce
Street and Dora Street. The crosswalk is for wheelchair clients crossing the street from the
MTA bus stop located across the street. The nearest crosswalk is located on the corner by St.
Mary's or Observatory.
Rick Kennedy advised any intersection is a crosswalk unless posted otherwise, and does not
require a painted crosswalk.
Ken Budrow stated the Vehicle Code requires the crosswalk [o be yellow or white because it is
within distance of being a school crosswalk and would not require school markings. Other
established marked pedestrian crosswalks may be yellow if it is within 2,800 feet of the grounds
or 600 feet of the building.
Chairman Turner inquired if staff has used the crosswalk opposite St. Mary's for their
wheelchair clients. Mr. Sturges advised staff has used the crosswalk by Saint Mary's, however,
the sidewalk is not cut for wheelchair access.
Eric Sturges advised staff feels safer crossing clients in a marked crosswalk.
Chairman Turner expressed a concern by installing a crosswalk at Dora and Luce may encourage
children of St. Mary's to cross at an uncontrolled crosswalk and not at the controlled crosswalk
in front of St. Mary's.
Discussion followed regarding a feeling of false security when people feel they need a crosswalk
to cross the street in order for traffic to stop; using the crosswalk at St. Mary's School; the
crosswalk in front of St. Mary's is a controlled crosswalk by a crossing guard at 3:00 p. m.;
there are controlled crosswalks at Observatory and Dora with 4-way stop signs; handicap ramp
improvements and cost for wheelchair access at Luce and Dora.
ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Beard, it was carried by a consensus vote the Traffic
Engineering Committee take no action [o establish a new designated painted crosswalk at Luce
and Dora Streets, but recommend to the Public Works Department that handicap ramps at the
southwest corner of Luce and Dora and the north east corner of Dora be placed on the list for
handicap ramp improvements.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 1993
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h. Parking Situation on Myron Place
Gary Webb advised this is a cul-de-sac with limited on-street parking with an island located in
the center of the street. In past years the curb area was not painted red and is currently painted
red. He inquired if the hydrant and mail boxes could be relocated to the center island.
Discussion followed regarding there is insufficient on-street parking between driveways; there
is adequate off-street parking in the driveways and garages; and some residents use their garage
for storage and not parking forcing on-street parking.
Ken Budrow advised relocation of the hydrant would be at the expense of the owners or
builders, and would require approval by the City and Fire Department on parking restrictions.
Mike Harris suggested information be obtained from the Fire Department and Planning
Department on the original proposal and return all information to the Committee. He also noted
on-street parking was discussed by the Planning Commission prior to development of the project.
ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Kennedy, it was carried by a consensus vote that the
parking situation on Myron Place be placed on the November 9, 1993 agenda, and request the
Fire Department, Community Development Department and Public Works Department to return
to the Committee all information regarding on-street parking on Myron Place.
b. Proposed Removal of Parking. East Side of Orchard from Pear Tree Center to North
End. (Carry over from September)
ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Kennedy, it was carried by a consensus vote the Traffic
Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council the elimination of on-street parking on
the east side of Orchard Avenue from Perkins Street to Ford Street. Motion withdrawn.
Discussion followed regarding consistency of no on-street parking on the east side of Orchard
Avenue; circulation figures indicates this area is heavily traveled; there has been no observed
on-street parking on the west side of Orchard Avenue due to no businesses in that area; and on-
street parking from the apartment complex at 610 North Orchard.
ON A MOTION by Harris, seconded by Ford, it was carried by a consensus vote to continue
this item to [he November 9, 1993 meeting, to consider removal of on-street parking on both
sides of Orchard from the Pear Tree Center to north end.
Chairman Turner requested traffic counts for Orchard Avenue, Ford Street and Clara Street.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 1993
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c. Alternatives for Gobbi Street/Waugh Lane Intersection Congestion. (Carry over from
Se tember
Bill Beard distributed and discussed vehicle volume summary reports on Perkins Street at Leslie
Street and Gobbi Street at Waugh Lane.
ON A MOTION by Kennedy, seconded by Beard, it was carried by a consensus vote to direct
the Public Works Department to continue further traffic engineering studies on this intersection
and return to the Committee at a future date.
d. Request for Stop Signs on Walnut at Bush Street -Mary Hiatt
ON A MOTION by Budrow, seconded by Harris, it was carried by a consensus vote the Traffic
Engineering Committee recommends there not be a four-way stop at the intersection of Walnut
and Bush Street based on the fact it was originally to enhance traffic flow.
e. Possible Bicycle Parking in Street at Perkins Street. South Side at School Street
Mike Harris advised this item came from Dennis Denny requesting the installation of bike racks
located at Schat's Bakery.
Discussion followed regarding the area is a heavily traveled corner due to the Courthouse and
Schat's Bakery; placement of a bicycle rack inside the sidewalk on the grass or cement area; and
other triangle islands be extended to become a trapezoid.
It was carried by a consensus vote to forward this item to the Downtown Revitalization
Committee.
g. Speed Humps in City Streets to Reduce Vehicle Speed -Traffic Committee. (Carry over
from Seotemberl
Bill Beard advised the attached document on Managing Neighborhood Traffic, Institute of
Transportation Studies, Technology Transfer Program University of California, explains various
designs of undulation such as width, height, and flat top. According to Traffic Engineer Edward
Cline, approximately 50 cities have installed at least one speed bump. Data gathered after the
installation of a 12-foot-long base the average speed dropped by 9 m.p.h. and the critical speed
dropped by 6 to 9 m.p.h. Traffic was not diverted to other nearby residential streets. There
was little potential for accidental damage to vehicles. There was no reports of noise problem
caused by speed humps. Data showed drivers did not hurry up and brake or gutter run to get
around the speed humps. The speed humps are marked with chevrons of white marking tape
and by posting a "bump" sign nearby. Fire engines can go over the bumps at 20 m.p.h. when
fully loaded. Mr. Cline noted one reason for the growing use of speed humps is the gap
between the 25 m.p.h. speed limit for residential streets and the real speed of drivers on those
streets.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 1993
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Bill Beard noted the cost of installing speed humps by City personnel is approximately $500.
Ken Budrow inquired if information was received on dual speed humps. Bill Beard advised
there was no information regarding dual speed humps.
Bill Beard suggested the Committee could recommend, on a trial basis only, the installation of
one speed hump in a residential area where demands for traffic control have been requested.
It was the consensus of the Traffic Engineering Committee, the Engineering Department obtain
information from the City Attorney on City liability and REMIF on City insurance and return
all information to the November 9, 1993 meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
None.
AD.TOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
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Steve Turner, Chairman
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Kathy Kinch, R cording Secretary
B: I\TEC
M101293
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 1993
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