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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_091295TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 5 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 SEPTEMBER 12, 1995 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT DEWEY, Chris FERNANDEZ, William HARRIS, Mike LOONEY, Jim TURNER, Steve WOODS, Larry (for Rick Kennedy) FORD, Steve -Chairman MEMBERS ABSENT KENNEDY, Rick STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT Shaun Hoffman Kathy Kinch Gary Pedroni The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Ford at 5:32 p.m. Roll was called with the results listed above. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYE vote to approve the Minutes of April 11, 1995 with the following correction: Page 4, 5th Paragraph, 1st Sentence, change to read "West Standley Street, west of its intersection with Dora Street." ABSTAIN: Members Ford and Woods. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYE vote to approve the Minutes of August 8, 1995 with the following correction: Page 2, Paragraph 2, last Sentence, change to read "the west side has deer present." ABSTAIN: Members Harris, Looney and Woods. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 1 AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Ford read "Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items" to those present. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS Because the applicants were present for two of the requests, and Jan Ledbetter of O'Day travel was absent, the agenda items were presented in the following rearranged order: b. Request for Stop Signs for Arlington Drive and Burlington Drive at EIm Street c. Request for Stop Signs on Eastbound Mendocino Drive at Gardens Avenue a. Request for Two Bus Stops on Hospital Drive e. Consider Change of Meeting Time for Traffic Engineering Committee d. Request for Change in Time Limits to Parking on South Main Street North of Gobbi Street b. Request for Stop Signs far Arlington Drive and Burlington Drive at Elm Street -Shaun Hoffman - Century Cable TV Member Woods read the written request. The concern is that cars do not yield, and enter the intersection where they are a danger to traffic up and down Elm Street. There is a sight distance obstruction of a large plant at Arlington Drive. The only traffic accident occurred in 1994, and involved a bicycle and a car at Arlington. There have been no accidents reported at Burlington. Discussion followed regarding unsigned intersections within the City. On some of the residential streets there is no necessity for stop signs as many of the streets are not through streets. Shaun Hoffman, Century Cable TV, stated she lives on Magnolia and uses Elm. Traffic increases once the high school is in session. She has almost been hit although she drives slowly, and in the last six years the situation has deteriorated. There are many children in that area. Even a yield sign would be helpful. Chairman Ford asked Member Dewey what the experiences of the Police Department were at those intersections. Member Dewey indicated there were no enforcement efforts in those areas. They need a sign at Carlton if one is put at Burlington. Discussion followed regarding signage at the various intersections and what impact there would be on the neighborhood if one intersection was signed and the others were not. Ms. Hoffman stated there is more parking on Arlington and Burlington. Further down on Carlton it is not as condensed. Member Harris asked if the residents have been notified of the potential of putting a stop sign at Arlington and Burlington. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 2 Ms. Hoffman said no. Member Turner advised that they apply the warrant standards to stop signs, and can only recommend stop signs to the City Council. City staff should look at the warrants at Arlington and come back to the committee with a recommendation. Warrants would also relate to the volume of traffic. He further stated that people cut through the neighborhood because of the gridlock. Recently he was driving in the neighborhood and zigzagged on Arlington and took Lockwood north. Many people cut through the neighborhood to get away from north Bush Street; no one wants to go back to Low Gap and Bush. The warrants apply to the morning and late afternoon, with the rest of the times fairly quiet. Member Dewey stated there is a lot of traffic at Frank Zeek. Chairman Ford stated Elm is not designed as a through route. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE vote to recommend the matter be referred to the Public Works/Engineering Department for evaluation of the warrants, and the matter be returned to the November Traffic Engineering meeting so the committee has some basis for recommendation. And further, that the information be referred to the Police Department for location of the radar trailer in preparation for enforcement in the neighborhood. Notice shall be mailed to residents at Arlington, Burlington, and Carlton. c. Request for Stop Signs on Eastbound Mendocino Drive at Gardens Avenue -Gary Pedroni. 261 Mendocino Drive Member Woods read the request, which involves a "T" intersection where traffic may decide on their own whether they have the right of way. There is a slight sight distance problem because of a fence on the parcel just to the west of the corner parcel. Eastbound traffic either cannot see northbound traffic or vice versa. Member Harris stated there is a provision in the zoning code that nothing should be growing more than three feet high in the 20 toot setback. Member Woods said he found no record of reported traffics accidents but there was a recent one that was unreported. Gary Pedroni, resident, stated they are just requesting a single stop sign coming down the hill to Mendocino. Cars coming eastbound tend to gather a little more speed. The configuration is deceiving in the plan. It is not a tight "T" intersection. A driver can make the turn both ways at 45 mph and people do it regularly. His concern is for the children. Yokayo and St. Mary's let out the same time every day at 3 p.m. People park down on the other end of Mendocino and use Gardens rather than Dora. Children use Gardens and try and go up Mendocino. There has been one bicycle accident in the last ten years that resulted in a suit against the City. Chairman Ford stated the stop sign ends up being used like a yield sign at T-intersections. The configuration is similar w Empire and Elm and to Magnolia and Oak. Empire goes through and Elm stops. Magnolia stops and Oak goes through. There are no clear markings as to what the through street is. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 3 Member Turner stated there is a yellow line on Empire at Elm as a control device to try and keep people on their own side of the road. Chairman Ford stated odd configurations make problems, but are fine if there is no traffic. Member Looney stated drivers going westbound on Mendocino Drive are not sure who has the right of way because it is a T intersection. Member Harris asked if there were issues with warrants at this location. Chairman Ford replied if they were going to put in a stop or yield sign there would be Member Looney indicated these were confusing areas of indecision. Member Turner stated they should be considering where the through street is. He questioned the placement of the stop sign. Mr. Pedroni stated he wants to stop traffic coming down the hill. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by the following roll call vote to recommend to the City Council, irregardless of the warrants, the stop sign on Mendocino Avenue, eastbound where it intersects Gardens, and also the delineation of the center line on Gardens that follows around the curved intersection, as a proactive safety device. Discussion followed regarding the warrant situation. It was suggested that the residents be surveyed as the Council will want to know the neighborhood's feelings. It should be designated which is the through street and which are the legs. The warrants on stop and yields are rather loose, making the decision based on which street best matches the warrants. It was determined that both streets have problems but they will go with the neighborhood recommendation for the sign. Member Dewey indicated he would see a difficulty in enforcing the current situation because of which car would have to yield. Chairman Ford indicated determining responsibility in an accident report is problematic. Mr. Woods stated there is a phrase in the warrants regarding sight conditions. Member Harris stated he was uncomfortahle with the lack of information, and would vote against a yield sign. Member Fernandez indicated a stop sign was needed MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 4 Chairman Ford stated he wants information to back up the request to the Council AYES: Members Dewey, Fernandez, Looney, Turner, Woods NOES: Members Harris, Chairman Ford ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Memher Kennedy Member Turner advised Mr. Pedroni and Ms. Kinch to get the support of their neighbors. a. Request for Two Bus Stops on Hospital Drive -Steve Turner. MTA Member Turner indicated that previously there were approved bus stops at this location, but the busses were rerouted to different streets and the signs removed. The Community Clinic has located the First Care Clinic at the old Blue Shield building near the intersection of Hamilton and Hospital Drive. MTA is proposing to move the route to Hamilton to Hospital Drive, come in front of the Clinic, hit Orchard and continue south until somehody decides to develop the property. He is seeking permission to put the signs there to serve the Clinic until such time as they need to be removed. Member Harris asked if MTA wanted to put a pad there. Member Turner answered yes. The pad would he on private property. All that is needed is a small pad for a bench, and a landing field for wheelchairs. The bench would he located on the south side stop and the north side stop would be up closer to the intersection. The intersection of Hamilton would be where the natural crosswalk would be. They don't want to tempt the passengers to cross the street. Member Looney stated Public Works wants to he notified when the stops are abandoned. Discussion followed regarding signs and pulling up posts. Member Harris asked if this Committee was allowed to authorize the stops. Member Turner answered that they did have that authorization. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYE vote, to authorize two bus stops on Hospital Drive as requested by Mendocino Transit Authority to coincide with the First Care Clinic at 415 Hospital Drive. ABSTAIN: Member Turner. Discussion followed regarding the location of other stops. e. Consider Change of Meeting Time for Trattic En ineering Committee -Steve Turner. MTA Member Turner stated he would like to change the meeting time for the Traffic Engineering Committee to 3 pm. It had been discussed a few years ago to change the committee to a commission and have night meetings to allow for more public access. He asked if the public access had improved by scheduling evening meetings. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 5 Discussion followed regarding the validity of the evening meetings. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Fernandez, it was carried by an all AYE vote, to hold the Traffic Engineering meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m., unless there is strong opposition to the rescheduling. The matter will be referred to Acting City Manager Candace Horsley and the City Council. d. Request for Change in Time Limits to Parking on South Main Street North of Gobbi Street -Jan Ledbetter. O'Day Travel Jan Ledbetter, O'Day Travel, was not present for the meeting. Member Woods advised that the O'Day Travel location was developed as a commercial site in 1989, at which time their on-site parking requirements were set at seven parking spaces. O'Day thinks the travel agency across the street, Worldwide Travel, which came in front of the Traffic Engineering Committee the first of this year to eliminate parking on Main Street, is now using some of the spaces as employee parking during the day to divert customers from one agency to the other. Chairman Ford asked how many on-site parking spaces Worldwide Travel had. Member Woods replied quite a few. Discussion followed regarding parking around the area and the difficulty of signing just a few spaces as opposed to an entire block. It was determined that posting the entire area from Clay to Gobbi would require at least ten signs. Further discussion followed regarding how long the time limits should be, and the need for eliminating overnight and Tong term parking. The area has the highest incidence in the City of abandoned vehicles. Member Harris stated he would like [o survey adjacent properties for input prior to making a recommendation. Discussion continued regarding the other businesses along the street that have off-site parking. There was agreement that both travel agencies are probably using the on street parking for employees so customers will be able to use the parking in their lots. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE vote that the matter be referred back to City staff regarding implications for downtown parking, and that the adjacent property owners be notified of the potential of making it a two hour time limit from Gobbi to Mill Streets. And further, the matter be returned to the Traffic Engineering Committee at the November meeting. Discussion followed where it was confirmed that the property manager would be the individual contacted for the apartment complex. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 6 Further discussion determined that an analysis of what the potential would be for Marshall was needed, and the residents on Marshall should also he alerted with the same letter in order to analyze the impact of all day parking in front of those residences. OLD BUSINESS N/A COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS a. "Slow--Children At Play" Bien Chairman Turner reported there is still a "Slow--Children At Play" sign on the upper end of Standley Avenue which is on private property. It needs to he removed as it is not an official traffic control sign. h. Intersection at Empire and State Member Dewey asked if there had been any input to the Planning Commission regarding the intersections at Empire and State, at the site of the new McDonald's. Member Woods answered there has been talk about major improvements to that intersection but it would entail major expenditures. Member Harris stated it had been approved by the Planning Commission. The intersection, but not the Discovery Inn, is in the City limits. State Street is in the County and Empire and the property is in the City. Discussion followed regarding what is and what isn't in the City limits. Member Dewey indicated he has concerns about the traffic circulation at the McDonald's intersection. It was the consensus of the group there will be problems with the traffic circulation on Empire. Member Woods will check with the Planning Department. a School Crosswalks Member Dewey stated his concerns regarding school crossings. Oak Manor and Nokomis schools have yellow cones in the center of their crosswalks. The PTA at Oak Manor is talking about speed bumps before and after crosswalks in front of schools. He updated the Committee on the crossing guard situation, stating that he has authorized two adult school crossing guards at Low Gap and Bush, and Gobbi and Dora. Nokomis will use student guards. Part time student aides will supervise the students. He has a crossing guard program in four schools, but the schools are looking at other ways to control traffic that are not really legal and could come back on the City. He would like to see a solution to the problem. He voiced his support for speed bumps. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 7 Member Harris stated that City Engineer Rick Kennedy is in favor of speed bumps but Berkeley eliminated them because they are ineffective. There is a problem putting something in the right of way. He recommended a good school guard crossing program as a solution. The rest of the time it is a City street and must operate as such. Chairman Ford stated they are not really speed bumps, but rather two undulations in a row. The EMT people dislike them because they offer obstructions. They are also hard on drivers who have osteoporosis. Member Harris suggested the topic be agendized, and will request such for the November meeting. Discussion followed regarding the uniformity of the process within the district, and the effectiveness of cones and visual tools to remind drivers of school crossings. AD.IOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7; 7 p.m. i -~ . l' ~ G Steve Ford, Chairman ~C~~ t ~~'IC~Gc.G~~ G_ . Ma a Giuntoli, Recording Secretary N:I\TEC M091295 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 12, 1995 Page 8