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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecp_110894TRAFr"C ENGINEERING COMD'"TTEE UHIAH CIVIC CENTER Council Chambers 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 NOVEMBER 8, 1994 5:30 P.M. AGENDA KENNEDY, BUDROW, FERNANDEZ, FORD, HARRIS, WOODS AND TURNER I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 11, 1994 III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA TTEM5 The Traffic Engineering Committee welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than 10 minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on audience comments. IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS a. Ukiah Garden Cafe Request for Entrance/Exit to Mulberry Street (1090 South State Street) -Sid Siderakis b. Request to Install a Crosswalk on Mendocino Drive at Alice Avenue - Larry Beckstrom UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Talmage Speed Zone V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS VII. ADJOURNMENT Rd\TEC A110894 TRAFFIC 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 unloadinglloading 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 I 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. Renort from Sub-Committee on Pr~~ctsed 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 find 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 traffic, and two vehicles travelling the wrong way. He stated residents, Helen Smyth and Pat Harbin, have no objection to the possibility of atwo-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 traffic. 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 traffic, 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 traftc. 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 Tratfic 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 tratFc, however, there is no signage and the arrow on the street is faded. NEW BUSINESS a. Presentation of Downtown Parking_Master Plan -Larry DeKnobloueh. Assistant Redevelopment Director Larry DeKnoblough, Redevelopment Coordinator, presented the Downtown Parking Improvement Program. This program is intended to implement the policies and directives identitied 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 he 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 be 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 Traftic 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. Ken Budrow. Vice-Chairman Kathy Kinch, Recor ing Secretary ~~~~ sacrEC:~ M 101190 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ OCTOBER 11, 1994 ~~'a~g~ ~ i ~ ~. ~ ~r~.-~c.G~ ~C~hCsLs~--° ~~~~~-~~ Co ~.-~~..~ ~ t-rr~ ,~ Sa ~1 G~c~~~ , v~~;gss~~ ~~s~o©~ .~ r._... ~~ ho u.9o.(! '_ewtevl b(~S ®~r~~`n ~~` FCa+~ needle of u~\ 1-0 ~.t~:,n ~~ side ux.~k 51 bc~ rind e w~N ee~enF b loe.~5 MEMORANDUM DATE: October 31, 1994 TO: Traffic Engineering Committee FROM: Larry 7. Woods, Associate Civil Engineer 'X~1~ SUBJECT: UKIAH GARDEN CAFE - 1090 SOUTH STATE ST. REQUEST FOR ENTRANCE/EXIT TO MULBERRY ST. A request is being made by Mr. Sid Siderakis, the owner of the Ukiah Gazden Cafe, and his Realtor, Ms. Ann Cuff of Maudlin Realty, for pemussion to develop a secondary access of the pazking azea to Mulberry Street. This would require a ramp type drive in order to get up and over a retaining wall that is approximately 30" high and is located 5' behind the sidewalk of Mulberry Street. Photos of this area were taken by the owner and will be available at the meeting. The attached copy of an aerial photo is mazked with pink highlighter pen to show the proposed access location. Permission must also be obtained by the applicant from the Ukiah Green Apartments (Rooftree Management Company) since they own a strip of property 5.94 feet wide on the east side of the right of way of Mulberry Street . The cun•ent ratio of pazking to seating capacity does not meet zoning code requirements. The ramp construction would remove 4 parking spaces. If pazking requirements can be resolved with the Planning Commission and if traffic impacts aze determined to be either an improvement or of a minimal negative impact, it is recommended that approval be contingent upon the following conditions: 1. An ingress-egress easement be obtained and a recorded copy be supplied to the Engineering Division. 2. The concrete ramp with curbs on each side be designed by a registered Civil Engineer and approved by the City Engineer. 3. Minimum width of the ramp shall be 20' from curb to curb. 4. Minimum curb height on the ramp azea shall be 6". 5. Entrance to Mulberry Street shall be a standazd driveway apron in order to maintain the southerly flow in the gutter to the existing catch basin neaz the southerly edge of the driveway. 6. The contractor shall obtain an encroachment permit for all work within public right of way. •~.a ~,i,. ~~'E ,1 "" ,~ Y Ai ~ 4 '~~ ~~ty I~ f' i. h kiVt[ ~' ^~ I L{ ` M M ! "~ ~`y~~~ y t ~~~ ra~~9. ~_¢~y~ Ai a. ._s 1. ~~ z" f.i.: +y ..:$-,: ~, .r 4«h i-'j: MEMORANDUM DATE: October 31, 1994 TO: Traffic Engineering Committee FROM: Larry J. Woods, Associate Civil Engineer SUBJECT: Request to install a crosswalk on Mendocino Dr. at Alice Dr. Attached is a request by Larry Beckstrom ,the Duector of Maintenance and Transportation for the Ukiah Unified School District, for the installation of a crosswalk on Mendocino Drive at Alice Drive along with my letter of response to him. A site investigation of this location indicates that there is no sidewallc on the north side of Mendocino Drive and there is a slight rise in the ground to the fence that is to receive the gate. In a discussion with Mr. Beckstrom he explained some of the school's future plans. They include the installation of a sidewalk on the north side of Mendocino Drive with an asphalt path connecting to the new gate in the fence and also include the moving of the bus drop-off area from the present location on So. Dora to the north side of Mendocino Drive east of Alice Drive. These additional improvements would result in a greater need for the requested crosswallc. ~~} t '* A. w ~ ~ `~ ~ #~ ~ I. yfR 4 . ~6. 1„'."~fy i. ~~~icol ~llari~red ~~i~.. ~ialtiTl .'/1:i .i~~i//- .%lalP ./l .~~1/.•i~i/, ~~~n 9.i~A,1 ~7071~6d :i1.~~ OCTOBER 7, 1994 MR. LARRY WOODS CITY OF UKIAH, ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT DEAR MR. WOODS IN A CONTINUING EFFORT TO PROMOTE STUDENT SAFETY AROUND SCHOOL ZONES, UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PROPOSING TO INSTALL A PEDESTRIAN GATE IN THE YOKAYO SCHOOL FENCE AT THE INTERSECTION OF MENDOCINO DR. AND ALICE AVE. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE CITY OF UKIAH ESTABLISH A PAINTED CROSSWALK AT THAT INTERSECTION (SEE ATTACHED DIAGRAM) TO ASSIST US IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK ~~ ~~~. LARRY BECKSTROM DIRECTOR, MAINTENANCE AND TRANSPORTATION CC: CHARLES MYERS, SUPERINTENDENT im ~N 'z ~~ ALICE AVE. ~A o N IN -. - ._ _ PROPOSED PROPOSED CROSSWALK PEDESTRIAN --._ _. - _ _ '~-GATE ONTO SCHOOL GROUNDS 3 m z 0 0 n z 0 o I YO KAYO SCHOOL A S. DORA ST. ~~ CA 95482-5400 • ADMIN. 707/463b200 PUOLIG SAFEN 463-6292/6274 • rAX k 707/4636204 Oct. 31, 1994 Mr. Larry Beckstrom Director, Maintenance and Transportation Ukiah Unified School District 9225 North State St. Ukiah, CA 95482 1ZE: Proposed Crosswalk on Mendocino Dr. at Alice Dr. Dear Mr. Beckstrom, In your continuing effort to promote student safety azound school zones, you have requested the installation of a crosswalk on Mendocino Drive at Alice Drive. I have forwarded this request to the Traffic Engineering Conunittee which will be meeting on Nov.8, 1994. The meeting will be at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center at 300 Seminary Avenue. This Committee is advisory to the City Council who aze the ones who would make a final determination about the addition of any crosswalks. The next City Council meeting would then be Nov. 16, 1994. As I mentioned in our recent telephone conversation, there are times when the addition of crosswalks results in a decrease of safety to the pedestrians crossing the street. I have attached a copy of some information about studies that were made in San Diego and Long Beach. I hope this gives you the information you need. If you have any questions or would like any additional information, please do not hesitate calling ~e at 463-6284. ' Sincerely, Larry J. Woods Associate Civll Engineer LW:Iw Attachments (1) "We Are Here To Serve" T RAFFIC INFORMATION PROGRAM C ~O~V VV ~ 1.(K`J SERIES WHEN IS A CROSSWALK UNSAFE? Apparently, whenever it is painted on the street! A number of years back, the City of San Diego published some startling results of a very extensive study of the relative safety of marked and unmarked crosswalks. San Diego looked at 400 intersections for five years (without signals or four-way stops) that had a marked crosswalk on one side and an unmarked crosswalk on the other. About two and one half times as many pedestrians used the marked crosswalk, but about six times as many accidents were reported in the marked crosswalks! Long Beach studied pedestrian safety for three years (1972 through 1974) and found eight times as many reported pedestrian accidents at intersections with marked crosswalks than at those without. One explanation of this apparent contradiction of common sense is the false security pedestrians feel at the marked crosswalk. Two painted lines do not provide protection against an oncoming vehicle and the real burden of safety has to be on the pedestrian to be alert and cautious while crossing any street. A pedestrian can stop in less than three feet, while a vehicle traveling at 25 MPH will require 60 feet and at 35 MPH approximately 100 feet. The California Vehicle Code says that a crosswalk exists at all intersections unless pedestrian crossing is prohibited by signs. Some of these crosswalks are marked with painted lines, but most of them are not. Pedestrian crosswalk marking is a method of encouraging pedestrians [o use a particular crossing. Such marked crossings may not be as safe as an unmarked crossing at the same location. Therefore, crosswalks should be marked only where necessary for the guidance and control of pedestrians, ,to direct them to the safest of several potential routes. ~. ~I ~ . -- \ ~` IM/1-77 `~\\ ~ ~~~\ ~S..QQ. STATE OF CALIFORNIA-BUSlness, Trarepotlalion ai... dousing Agency PETE WILSON, Governor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT 1, P.O. BOX 3700 A EUREKA, CA 95502-3700 (707) 445-6376 October 27, 1994 1-Men-222-L0.00/2.20 Talmage Road Mr. Rick H. Kennedy Director of Public WorkslCity Engineer City Of Ukiah 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, CA 95482-5400 Dear Mr. Kennedy: We received your September 30, 19941etter regarding the Talmage Road speed zone and the southbound off-ramp. Including the City Council's request t0 place rumble strips or post an advance speed reduction warning and remove some bushes at the Talmage Road -Route 101 southbound off-ramp. With the recent Engineering and Traffic Study approval, a work order has been written to place signs implementing the 35 mph speed zone changes. These changes will update the speed zone within State Right of Way. Additional signing, deemed necessary from the City's perspective, outside of State Right of Way needs to be installed by your forces. Some clearing has already been done by our maintenance forces to provide adequate sight distance at the top of [he southbound off ramp. Prior to authorizing any additional plant removal, we would like to coordinate an on-site meeting between a City representative and either a member of my staff or our landscape crew to clarify the "problem" bushes. Rumble strips are not used on a State facilities because they can cause more problems than they solve especially for bicyclists and motorcyclists. There is already an exit speed warning sign on the ramp in addition to a "Stop Ahead" sign. Additional signing should not be required. To arrange an on-site meeting or to discuss another issue, please confact me at the number listed at the top of this letter. Sincerely, ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ Mark L. Suchanek, Chief Traffc Safety Office LAW OFFICES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER 110 WEST CLAY STREET UKIAH, CA 95482 (707) 463-5433 October 10, 1994 T0: The Traffic Engineering Committee The Ukiah Planning Commission The Ukiah City Council R£: The proposed parking lots for downtown employees displayed and discussed in the Ukiah Daily Journal 10-5-94 Dear members of the above-entitled bodies-: I am an employee of the Public Defender's Office who has worked downtown for going on nine years. When our office was located in the courthouse, I parked for quarters in your recently designated lots C and A (see Ukiah Daily Journal diagram Oct. 5, 1994). I believed then, as I believe now, that on-street parking should be for short-term patrons of county and city offices and local downtown businesses. I have never abused the on-street Limited time parking spaces, nor have I ever amassed parking tickets for doing so. (Please feel free to check.) The only problem I encountered in those days (1986-1989) was that I often had to leave during the work day to perform county business at other sites, thus giving up my parking space (already paid for for a full day) and then having to search for another space when I returned, if I could find one (with the addition of more quarters, a sometimes expensive parking proposition, and one requiring a pocket full of change at all times). This procedure of mine continued for another year when our office moved to 202 W. Perkins in 1989. There was, I admit, a personal security problem when I had to trek in from or to Lot C in the predawn or post-sunset hours. That's when I switched to Lot A if I could find a space, given the heavy demand for parking there (the Post Office took many spaces even in those days), and the meter fee was higher. When our office relocated to 110 W. Clay St. in 1990 (at the bottom of your diagram in the newspaper article of Oct. 5), I chose to pay for parking from the private landowner of the lot you have shown as "new parking" at the northwest corner of School and Clay Streets contiguous on the east to your designated lot F. That entire lot (including Lot F) actually was owned by an individual in Oakland, California who rented spaces, up to about 40 of them, for 58.00 per month. Your diagram in the paper shows that "new lots" would be located at the place where now there are, in fact, existing parking spaces only recently acquired from that landowner by the city to whom I now pay my $8.00 per month. In reality, some county offices provide free parking for their employees at the office site, even in the downtown area. It would seem only fair to provide equal facilities for all county employees, especially those who must work downtown. I have never complained that I had to pay out of my own pocket for parking; after all, the ~8 a month I paid guaranteed me (for the past 4 years) a numbered parking space in a lot close to my office in which I had the freedom to come and go as my job required (without a pocketful of quarters and without someone else taking my space). It seems your new plan would erase all that security and reliability of parking for folks like me. Some of the Public Defender's employees, tike our investiga- tors, come and go in their cars numerous times throughout the day on business. That must be true for other downtown county and private employees. What would your new parking scheme offer them? As I understand it, at least some of the District Attorney investigators, with similar job demands, are presently allowed to park in the law enforcement slots around the courthouse. In the near future will all employees similarly situated spend half their working hours just walking to and from their cars? I admire the fact that the city is trying to ease the parking congestion in the downtown area. As a customer and supporter of downtown merchants, I truly appreciate that. But as an employee of a downtown business lthe county criminal courts) I am forced to park downtown (and will always be due to my job, regardless of where the Public Defender's Office is located) and- should be given some consideration, If I could figure out how to ride my bicycle to and from work in all seasons in a dress or suit and nylons and high heels toting books and files, even in the rain and dark, for the four or more miles each way from my home, I'd love it. I love riding my bike. But it is just not possible to bicycle to and from my job, given the demands of my occupation as an attorney. kmy, then do you think that removing automobile parking and adding bicycle parking will ease ~ parking problems or the parking problems of those like me? According to the Daily Journal article, the city is taking away the parking lot that I have used for a reasonable monthly fee for over four years one block from my job. In e:<change it appears I get a r_oin lot half a. mile away if I can find a spot and if I have the time to walk to it hack and forth all day without regard for my personal safety or convenience or time which is being paid out of scarce tax revenues. There must be a better way. The design I saw in the newspa- per is not a better way. Come on, folks; talk to those who are directly impacted and who are willing to compromise, like me, and come up with a liveable solution. You will not improve goodwill -3- 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. While the Master Plan identified resources in excess of 1,400 parking spaces in the downtown, it also identified a number of deficiencies in the use of those resources. Collectively, these findings indicated the most efficient and cost-effective method of Improving downtown parking is to maximize the utilization of existing resources, while remaining vigilant and responsive to increasing demands resulting from successful revitalization. In pursuit of that goal, this Plan will address and provide for the Implementation of the following directives: • Provide alternatives to individual vehicle use through the increase and enhancement of pedestrian, bicycle, and mass transit access and services in the downtown; • Utilization of existing lots for designated downtown employee parking; • Incentives to ensure use of the facilities by employees; • Enhanced Identification of off-street resources; • Designated juror parking for the Courthouse. These directives are the foundation for the establishment of the following downtown employee parking policies and regulations. Business Owner and Emplovee Parkina -The City of Ukiah and Ukiah Redevelopment Agency shall identify and designate specific locations which provide for long-term parking for all employees working within the Downtown District. Off-street resources shall be utilized whenever possible for that purpose. Should on-street resources be made available for this purpose, they shall be located outside the identified retail district. For the purposes of this Program, the downtown shall be divided into north and south sectors with Church Street as the dividing boundary. This will allow the allocation of resources to be localized near places of employment. Employees north of Church Street, with the exception of postal employees, shall be assigned to Municipal Facilities C and D. These lots currently provide 165 spaces with a planned expansion to at least 200 spaces. These facilities are Ideally located for use by the County and Savings Bank employees. Should employees not wish to park in these locations, on- street permits for Standley and Smith Streets, between Mason and State Streets; all of Henry Street; and School Street, between Henry and Smith Streets, could be obtained. Employees south of Church will be assigned to Munictpai Facility A, which provides a total of 129 spaces. In addition, on-street permits will be available for School Street, south of Seminary; Seminary, between Oak and State Street (medians only); Oak Street, south of Church; and all other areas between Oak and Pine Streets (excluding residential areas). Incentives and Enforcement for Emplovee Parkina -Implementation of the employee parking program will be accomplished through mandatory employee parking permits required of businesses and employees where on-site parking is not available. The City will Initiate a series of workshops to obtain input from, and provide education to, downtown employees regarding this Issue. To Induce employees to comply with assigned parking, all fees for permits will remain at $15.00 per month for two years from the date of adoption of this program. To assure compliance, the fine schedule will be set on an escalating scale based on an Increasing number of citations within a 12-month period. An individual receiving an initial citation will receive an informational warning only. Informational correspondence will be issued informing them of available resources, how the parking system operates, urging their cooperation, and notifying them that subsequent violations will result in a substantial fine, This action should provide adequate support to the provision of affordable, designated spaces and successfully gain the compliance of downtown employees. The proposed fine schedule is as follows: First offense, warning only; second offense, S50.00; third offense, 5200.00; fourth and subsequent offenses, 5300.00. Time Zones - It is important to note that time zones within the Parking District are enforced Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m, to 5:00 p.m. only. The Downtown Master Plan identifies the need for reduced parking times along School Street to meet the specific needs of businesses and create high turnover of resources. Time zones must be balanced to accomplish this goal white not overburdening administrative costs and still creating the opportunity for "browsing" in the downtown. On-street parking within these time zones would be unmetered and free to the public. However, enforcement of the time limitations is applicable to the entire District, not a singular space. As such, a vehicle parked within the District for the maximum allowable time shall be required to utilize metered parking should they wish to remain downtown. This action is necessary prevent the rotation of vehicles from space to space by employees. Staff is proposing the entire Parking District allow athree- hour parking time limit with the exception of School Street, which would be limited to two hours. To enhance the availability of resources and create turnover for the destination visitor, 24 minute spaces shall be established along each block of School Street. The number of spaces so designated shall be determined by business needs and the overall number of spaces available within that block. In no case shall the number of 24-minute spaces exceed two per side of each block. These 24-minute zones would be distributed on both sides of School Street. Other existing 24-minute zones, such as in front of the Post Office, would remain. Metered Parkins -Metered parking on-street would be eliminated throughout the District and the 116 meters removed. This is intended to enhance the aesthetic value of our streetscape improvements, reduce parking enforcement administration costs, and assist in Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Revenues from these meters is approximately 59,000.00 annually and could be replaced by on-street permits and retaining the meters and Increasing the meter fees within the lots. Current meter fees within Lots A, B, C are 5.25 per five hours. Staff is proposing to increase these fees to 5.25 per 90 minutes. This equates to 51.50 per nine hours, or approximately 530.00 per month. Lot D is not as well utilized and, being more remote, would be metered at the lower rate of 5.25 for 2yz hours. Lot E is encumbered to remain as free public parking with a 2-hour limit unfit 1997. At that time, Lot E will be metered at the higher rate. All meters would be converted to 10 hour maximums. Handicapped Parking -Handicapped parking shall be placed within all municipal parking facilities at a ratio of one handicapped space per 25 standard spaces. On-street handicapped parking shall be required along School and Main Streets, only at the rate of one space per 500 lineal feet of curb frontage. This requirement may be satisfied by the provision of additional spaces within appropriately located municipal lots. Parking Resource Improvements -Currently in the planning stage is the addition of a new lot located between Oak and School Streets at Clay Street. Th(s lot will be for general public use and will serve the plaza and conference center. Additional public use lots will be located at Lot B and the current Lots E and F. All public use lots will be metered. Parking facility improvements include landscaping and aesthetic upgrades, and the acquisition and the eventual construction of new facilities. Improvements to existing facilities will be accomplished through the streetscape improvement program and will Include low Intensity decorative security lights, enhanced pedestrian walkways through the lots, perimeter landscaping and interior tree planters. All parking lot improvements will be completed in accordance with the Downtown Design Guide. On-street resources shall be increased where possible through the elimination of unnecessary loading zones, no parking zones, and the realignment of parallel spaces to diagonal spaces. The Redevelopment Agency will also Initiate contact and undertake 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 be the creation of additional resources on currently undeveloped and highly underutilized properties, maximizing existing resources white minimizing large acquisition costs. Public Awareness -The public awareness program shall include an active campaign to promote not only identification of facilities but usage as well. City lots are currently identified by signage, however, landscape Improvements should provide spotlighting of those signs along with security lighting throughout the lots. Informational flyers, including maps and type of parking available, shall be developed and distributed to downtown businesses and as Inserts in local publications. Workshops with downtown businesses should include counseling employees to promote a positive image of downtown shopping and parking. Promotion of a positive public image by enthusiastic downtown employees, merchants and property owners cannot be overstated. Jurv Parkina -Special complimentary one-day permits will be made available to jurors to promote a positive experience to regional residents and to encourage them to shop and eat In the downtown while here on jury duty. Requirements for New Development -The current parking requirement for new construction within the Parking District is one space per 350 square feet of gross leasable space. That will be amended with the adoption of this plan to be calculated at 350 square feet of net leasable space, thus eliminating hallways, closets, elevator shaffs, restrooms, and mechanical equipment areas. Staff is also proposing the establishment of in-lieu parking fees within the Parking District. The purpose of these fees would be to allow property owners in possession of parcels too small to support development with on-site parking to "purchase" off-site spaces. By opting for an in-lieu fee, these owners can increase the square footage of a project making it economically feasible while funding future improvements to public facilities to offset project Impacts. This should facilitate new development on many of the smaller parcels which currently would require a cumbersome and difficult to attain variance. 3 Administration -Parking development, implementation, and administration of the Parking District will be the responsibility of the Redevelopment Agency In the course of carrying out the responsibilities of the Downtown Master Plan. This will allow afront-line approach to respond personally and expediently to needs as they arise from the public, as well as from merchants and property owners. Enforcement will sti11 be the responsibility of Public Safety. The Redevelopment Agency will coordinate with the Traffic Engineering Committee in parking issues which may result in impacts to traffic circulation. Bicycle Parking -The Downtown Parking Improvement Program provides for the addition of new bike racks strategically placed along downtown streets and within public lots. In addition, the adoption of this program will provide developers with a parking requirement exemption for new construction at the rate of three bike spaces per vehicle space, not to exceed the exemption of two spaces per parcel. Bicycle parking amenities will be incorporated Into the landscape and pedestrian areas as well as within municipal lots. Bicycle traffic will be encouraged along all downtown streets with the exception of State Street. Should future improvements provide a reconfiguration of State Street's current parking and circulation pattern, bicycle circulation shall be considered. Future Improvements -Currently being proposed for the Conference Center and Plaza is a parking expansion which wiit combine the two existing lofts located on Oak and Stephenson, the vacant lot along Clay Street, and the property at 351 Oak Street. Additional parking will be needed north of Church Street, contingent upon development and/or revitalization of the Palace Hotel and the completion of potential restaurants in this area. Further Improvements and increases in resources will include expansions of existing facilities and should be based upon demand created by future projects and the success of the revitalization effort. The Master Plan calls for close monitoring of parking demand, and development of resources in response to increases in that demand, With Improvements in the impact of employee parking the need for additional resources should be assessed at a future date. 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 apublic/private partnership with direct funding being provided through businesses and retailers within the service area. Rider charge to the public for this shuttle service should be complimentary, if possible. The adoption of this program will ensure greater availability of both on and off-street parking resources and provide the foundation to meet any increasing demands in accordance with the Downtown Master Plan. 4:URA:Parking Rev:9/30/94 4