HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_101194TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
UKIAH CIVIC CENTER
Council Chambers
300 Seminary Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
OCTOBER 11, 1994
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT
BUDROW, Kenneth
FERNANDEZ, William
FORD, Stephen
HARRIS, Michael
KENNEDY, Rick
WOODS, Larry
STAFF PRESENT
Kathy Kinch
Recording Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT
Chairman Steve Turner
OTHERS PRESENT
Pat Harbin
Margo Harbin
Helen Smyth
The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Budrow at 5:31 p.m.
Roll was called with the results listed above.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES -SEPTEMBER 13 1994
Member Kennedy made a correction on Page 3, Paragraph 7, change the motion to read as follows: "ON
A MOTION by Member Budrow, seconded by Member Ford, it was carried by the following vote, the
traffic Engineering Committee deny the request, and recommends Highland Avenue remain as a through
street. AYE: Members Budrow, Ford, Woods and Chairman Turner. NOES: Member Kennedy.
ABSENT: Member Harris.
Member Kennedy made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 4, change the motion to read as follows: "ON
A MOTION by Member Ford, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYE vote, the
Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council to approve the request to change prisoner
unloading/loading parking restriction on Perkins Street from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ OCTOBER 11, 1994
ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYE
vote to approve the minutes of September 13, 1994 as amended. ABSTAIN: Member Harris.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Vice-Chairman Budrow read the "Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items" to those present.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Report from Sub-Committee on Proposed Solutions for Highland Avenue
Vice-Chairman Budrow and Member Ford were appointed to review other alternatives to a barricade on
Highland Avenue.
Vice-Chairman Budrow advised through the Police Department he researched for other alternatives to the
barricade, and was unable to tind other solutions than speed bumps and additional signage as discussed
at the September meeting.
Member Ford advised on October 7, 1994, Vice-Chairman Budrow and he were at Highland Avenue for
approximately 45 minutes and observed very little vehicular traftic, and two vehicles travelling the wrong
way. He stated residents, Helen Smyth and Pat Harbin, have no objection to the possibility of a two-way
street, and do not want a barricade. Member Ford suggested the possibility of a tear-drop island at the
bottom of the hill by Highland Drive and Highland Avenue.
Vice-Chairman Budrow advised the mail boxes indicate the street may have at one time been atwo-way
street. The postal carriers use aright-hand vehicle and make deliveries on the right side of the street,
therefore, the postal carriers are travelling the wrong way. He noted a possible problem with the street
becoming two-way is the narrow sharp corner, and the steep drop-off and berm located on the west side
of the street.
Member Kennedy inquired if the residents commented on the barricade. He noted the barricade allows
for two-way traftic. Vice-Chairman Budrow responded Mrs. Smyth opposed the barricade, because of
limited access to and from the area.
Member Fernandez suggested a jog in the road coming down the hill. The jog would slow traffic, allow
for two-way traftic, and give access to the area for Fire Department vehicles.
Member Harris advised the street was established as one-way within the last 15 years to eliminate thrill
seeking motorists (teenagers) from travelling down hill at excessive speeds. He expressed changing to
a two-way street may create accidents due to the street being very narrow at the north end.
Vice-Chairman Budrow noted the narrowest point of the street is between 490 and 493 Highland Drive.
Helen Smyth, 493 Highland Drive, expressed a concern the street may not be wide enough for two-way
traffic. She would like to have access from both directions, because down hill is very icy, slippery and
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ OCTOBER 11, 1994
dangerous during winter months. She advised she is opposed to the barricade due to limited access, and
there is a problem with the teenagers stopping throwing out bottles and lighted cigarettes.
Discussion followed regarding the street is very steep and narrow; the street is icy and slippery during
winter months; the Engineering Department prepare a report on road width and conditions for atwo-way
travel; the large volume of traffic travelling the wrong way on the street; the break away barricade; and
thrill seeking motorists driving down the hill at excessive speeds.
ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYES vote,
the Traffic Engineering Committee requests the Public Works Director send a questionnaire consisting
of possible alternatives such as two-way street, barricades, one-way street in a different direction, to all
residents concerned and return those comments to the Committee. The Engineering Department prepare
an analysis to address issues on adequate road width for two-way traffic, on-street parking, security,
barricades, and up-hill grade.
Vice-Chairman Budrow advised he will discuss with the Watch Commander to have the area patrolled.
Pat Harbin, 490 South Highland Avenue, advised he has been in the area for 6 weeks, and has no
complaints with the one-way traffic, however, there is no signage and the arrow on the street is faded.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Presentation of Downtown Parkine Master Plan -Larry DeKnobloueh Assistant Redevel~ment
Director
Larry DeKnoblough, Redevelopment Coordinator, presented the Downtown Parking Improvement
Program. This program is intended to implement the policies and directives identified in the Downtown
Revitalization Master Plan, adopted by the City Council and Ukiah Redevelopment Agency on June 5,
1992. The program addresses business owner and employee parking, incentives and enforcement for
employee parking, time zones, metered parking, handicapped parking, parking resource improvements,
public awareness, jury parking, requirements for new development, administration, bicycle parking, and
future improvements.
The bicycle parking will be provided free. Bicycle racks will be included in all parking lots and various
locations throughout the downtown.
The City of Ukiah and Ukiah Redevelopment Agency shall, in cooperation, with the Mendocino Transit
Authority, initiate a public transportation program for the downtown. This program shall include a
designated shuttle service connecting the Redwood Business Park, Perkins Street shopping district, and
the Downtown shopping district. Every effort shall be made to create this service through a
public/private partnership with direct funding being provided through businesses and retailers within the
service area.
The Downtown Parking Improvement Program will go to the Planning Commission on November 11,
1994, and then the City Council.
Member Harris advised the Program addresses all parking issues with the emphasize on employee and
business parking.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ OCTOBER 11, 1994
Member Ford inquired if other counties have been contacted regarding Downtown Parking Improvement
Program. Mr. DeKnoblough responded yes.
Member Ford asked if the Parking District could act as a Lead Agency to create one single parking lot
versus the separate parking lots on Main Street. Mr. DeKnoblough responded the Redevelopment Agency
is currently in negotiations with applicable property owners along the west side of Main Street for the
purpose of securing long-term leases on vacant parcels and existing private lots. Acquisition of leases
on these parcels will allow the Agency to improve these facilities through consolidation, coordination of
circulation and aesthetics. The net effect will he the creation of additional resources on currently
undeveloped and highly underutilized properties, maximizing existing resources while minimizing large
acquisition costs.
Vice-Chairman Budrow expressed jury parking is an excellent idea.
Part Harbin expressed the Downtown Parking Improvement Program is an excellent program in using
existing resources.
ON A MOTION by Member Ford, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYES vote,
the Trattic Engineering Committee recommends to the City Council adoption of the Downtown Parking
Improvement Program as submitted.
COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
None.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
None.
AD.iOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
K ne Budrow, Vice-Chairman
_ ~, ~,
Kathy Kinch, Recol' ing Secretary
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M101190
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ OCTOBER l 1, 1994