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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_061494TRAFFIC ENGINEERING CONINIITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Council Chambers 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 June 14, 1994 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Budrow, Kenneth Ford, Stephen Harris, Mike Kennedy, Rick Woods, Larry Turner, Steve -Chairman MEMBERS ABSENT Fernandez, William OTHERS PRESENT Dee Fossa Patricia Haley Utah Haley Eric Larson Donna Roberts Jacob Turner The meeting of the Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Chairman Turner at 5:34 p. m. Roll was called with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee Member Budrow recommended a change on Page 3, second paragraph. "She expressed she uses the south bound highway 101 off-ramp every day to and from work" should be changed to "She expressed she uses the south bound highway 101 off-ramp every day to work" since she would not be using the south bound ramp going to work and from work. ON A MOTION by Committee Member Harris, seconded by Committee Member Kennedy, and carried by an all AYE vote to approve the Minutes of the April 12, 1994 meeting as amended. Committee Member Harris left the meeting. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 1994 PAGE 1 AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Turner read the "Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items" to those present. NEW BUSINESS a. Request (Petitionl for "Children at Play" sign special warning sign ig ving notice of the presence of physically impaired persons and installation of a 25 MPH speed zone sign on South Barnes. as filed by Utah Halms Committee Member Kennedy advised the signs requested are not adopted for use by the State of California. He noted the prohibition against non-uniform signs and read Sections 440, 21400, 21465 and 21467 of the vehicle code relating to the issue of posted signs that have not been adopted by the State of California. Staff recommended denial of the above referenced request based upon the vehicle code and recommended the request and petition be forwarded to City Council for their review. He further recommended the Committee discuss the merits of the request and consider other options to address the concerns of the residents and to forward the Committee's action to the City Council for their review and consideration. Chairman Turner inquired if there is a speed limit sign that could be posted that is lower than 25 MPH and if it would be effective. Committee Member Kennedy advised the only speed limit sign lower than 25 MPH is the 15 MPH sign which is reserved for alleys. Discussion followed on what constitutes an alley and if the 15 MPH sign could be used. Utah Haley, 408 South Barnes Street, advised at one time there was a sign at the end of Barnes Street that read "Slow" with an arrow directing traffic to the right or to the left. He noted this sign has disappeared but the post it was on is still there and inquired if the sign could be replaced. Committee Member Budrow noted the speed limit at any uncontrolled intersection is 25 MPH and at a blind, uncontrolled intersection speed limit is 15 MPH. He stated his belief the physical conditions would warrant a stop sign on South Barnes and Betty Street and recommended this committee take the issue to City Council requesting the area be designated a 15 MPH zone, based on [he geometrics of the road, as it is very similar to an alley. ON A MOTION by Committee Member Kennedy, seconded by Committee Member Budrow, and carried by an all AYE vote to recommend to City Council they authorize a 15 MPH speed MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 1994 PAGE 2 zone on South Barnes between Clay and Betty Streets and a stop sign at the intersection of South Barnes and Betty Streets. Committee Member Kennedy advised he will write the recommendation to come before the City Council at their meeting on July 6, 1994. a. Request fora 4-way stop siPn at Compress and Bush Streets intersection as filed by Cathy Edmonds. Committee Member Kennedy advised several traffic engineering studies have been conducted on the Cypress and Bush Street intersection to determine if warrants are met for the installation of a 4-way stop. Copies of the warrants for amulti-way stop were given to the members of the Committee. He further advised staff had installed a temporary 4-way stop at the intersection to get a feel for the situation as it exists. Studies show stop signs do not slow traffic between the stop signs, only at the signs. Two separate video tapes showed numerous bicyclists ignoring the stop sign and darting in front of vehicles. He noted there have been two accidents during the past year involving bicycles and cars at the intersection. In both instances, the bicyclist was at fault. After thorough study, staff recommended denial of the requested 4-way stop a[ Bush and Cypress Streets and the report of staff's findings be forwarded to the City Council for their review. He further recommended the installation of a "Slow -School Crossing" pavement markings on the Bush Street south bound approach and the north bound approaches to the Cypress intersection where yellow school crosswalk markings are required by the Vehicle Code. Chairman Turner recommended a Public Relations Statement be issued by the Police Department regarding the importance of bicycle safety education. He inquired if bicyclists are cited for violations with the same frequency as motorists. Committee Member Budrow advised he and his officers write citations for bicyclists just as they do for motorists who do not obey the laws. He noted, however, it does not seem to make a difference, that children and [heir parents seem to have a "so what" attitude. He voiced his opinion that education is needed as well as enforcement. He told of talking to students at Pomolita School regarding bicycle safety. After the presentation, he noted students were still ignoring rules of the road and bicycle safety. Committee Member Kennedy advised there is an Installation Type C "SCHOOL ZONE - 25 MPH WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT" sign located north of Cypress when it should be located south of Cypress. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 1994 PAGE 3 ON A MOTION by Committee Member Budrow, seconded by Committee Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE vote to deny the request fora 4-way stop at the intersection of Bush Street and Cypress; that the "School Zone - 25 MPH When Children Are Present" sign be relocated south of Cypress; that staff's report be forwarded to City Council; a "Slow -School Crossing" pavement marking be placed on the Bush Street south bound and the north bound approaches to the Cypress intersection where yellow school crosswalk markings are required by the Vehicle Code; and, a Public Relations Statement be issued by the Police Department regarding bicycle safety education. b. Request for Traffic Signal Re-Phasing at North State Street and Scott Street as filed bX Lucille Mirata. Committee Member Kennedy advised that staff conducted a thorough study, including a turning movement count, at the intersection of North State Street and Scott Street and determined the lag green phase was still needed during peak traffic hours to facilitate the clearing of the short traffic lanes on State Street between Scott and Norton Streets. Committee Member Ford noted there is a real problem with there being no good way for traffic to exit the downtown area which, in turn, puts more traffic on Scott Street, as well as Oak, Low Gap and Norton. Discussion followed regarding possible alternatives to the lag green light and their effectiveness. Discussion included the possibility of changing the cycle of the signal to include more phases, including a protected left turn. Chairman Turner proposed stopping north bound traffic before it enters the Scott Street intersection and stop south bound traffic before it enters the Norton Street intersection. Allow Scott Street to have the green so you have east bound left turns going north leaving the Norton Street light green so traffic can continue north on State Street. This would allow a protected left onto North State Street and allow traffic to go through the Norton Street intersection where there is another set of lights. Next, have another phase just like this except Norton Street would have the green light west bound while the intersection of Scott is green allowing traffic to continue south down State Street. Then, release cars behind them so the other south bound traffic can come through after Norton Street traffic is stopped. Committee Member Kennedy advised the controller at this intersection is very old and the first step would be to determine if the controller is capable of these changes. Chairman Turner suggested that perhaps it is time to budget for a new controller if it is determined the old one will not perform the functions required to expedite traffic. Lengthy and thorough discussion followed resulting in Chairman Turner asking Committee Member Kennedy to take the ideas and suggestions to staff for stridy and evaluation and report MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 1994 PAGE 4 back to the Committee with its findings at their September meeting. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS a. Resolution of the City of Ukiah declaring its intent to develop and implement measures to lessen traffic impacts in the residential areas on Ford Street and Clara Avenue. Committee Member Ford advised that City Council considered the resolution at their last meeting. He explained each individual committee looks at one isolated area or concern and suggested everyone should look at the big picture. Committee Member Kennedy explained this resolution obligates the City to work with the Wagenseller and Orr Creek neighborhood to lessen traffic impacts. City Council preferred the Traffic Engineering Committee be assigned this responsibility. He recommended this committee form asub-committee including himself and someone from the Planning Department. He explained this sub-committee would need to meet often. Chairman Turner asked Committee Member Budrow if he would be willing to serve on the sub-committee. He stated his belief that many problems that come to this Committee are related to speeding motorists and that this Committee needs to look at the traffic problems of the entire City because, as long as the issue is addressed in individual neighborhoods, as soon as one areas problems are resolved, traffic only moves to a different area and the same problem arises again. He added that the traffic problem raises the level of frustration for drivers which, in turn, creates other problems. Eric Larson, 123 Clara Avenue, addressed the Committee and stated he is not here to ask for stop signs, speed limit signs or stop lights. He spoke of traffic management and showed pictures taken in Eugene, Oregon and Eureka, California showing streets that incorporated traffic calming techniques successfully. He explained one of the pictures shows a street that is absolutely straight but has the appearance of being a winding street, creating an illusion with the use of planters on each side of the street placed in an irregular fashion. He suggested a test program using portable planters. Chairman Turner inquired of Committee Member Kennedy if he has enough direction from this Committee to form his sub-committee and suggested he include a member of the Public Safety Department. Discussion followed on what measures could be incorporated to calm traffic and the funding for the project. It was noted there would be some volunteer labor available from residents. Donna Roberts, 781 Sidnie Como, suggested the community service laborers be utilized in the project. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 1994 PAGE 5 Committee Member Kennedy advised he will form the sub-committee and report back to this Committee next month on their progress. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Committee Member Budrow advised he had just received a letter from a Mr. Pitman and would like to have it placed on the agenda for the next meeting. He will contact Mr. Pitman to determine the nature of his request since he was unable to determine this from the letter he received. AD.TOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. ,LZ GL3~~---__ Steve Turner, Chairman / ,! --~ ~ Shirley Thoma~ Recording Secretary 6:,E~ M061494 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 1994 PAGE 6