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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecp_080895TRAF''TC ENGINEERING COMD''TTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 AUGUST 8, 1995 5:30 P.M. AGENDA KENNEDY, DEWEY, FERNANDEZ, FORD, HARRIS, LOONEY AND TURNER CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MAY 9, 1995 JUNE 13, 1995 III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS The Traffic Engineering Committee welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heazd, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than ]0 minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on non-agenda items. IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS a. Request for Deer Crossing Sign on South Bound Highland between Clay Street and Standley -Resident OLD BUSINESS a. Status Report on Downtown Pazking Master Plan by Lazry DeKnoblough (Verbal Report) -Chairman Ford V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1. Summer 1995 Traffic Safety Update from Caltrans (Information Only) VII. ADJOURNMENT R:I\TEC AOBD895 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 2 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 JUNE 13, 1995 MINUTES HARRIS, Mike KENNEDY, Rick LOONEY, Jim DEWEY, Chris FERNANDEZ, William, Vice-Chairman STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretazy MEMBERS ABSENT FORD, Steve TURNER, Steve OTHERS PRESENT Scott Lumry Deborah Lumry Toker Johnston The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Fernandez at 5:35 p.m. Roll was called with the results listed above. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Vice-Chairman Fernandez read "Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items" to those present. NEW BUSINESS c. Request to have Beacon Lane closed to through traffic at the east boundary of Beacon Wad Scott Lumrv Member Kennedy reported in a memorandum from Larry Woods, Associate Civil Engineer, Mr. Lumry is requesting Beacon Lane be closed to through traffic at the east boundary of Beacon Way. Mr. Lumry, Chief Title Officer of Fidelity National Title, stated vehicles aze traveling at a high rate of speed and MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 13, 1995 1 crime is becoming a problem. Recently there were two drive-by shootings. Mr. Lumry has reseazched the right-of--way on Beacon Lane and was unable to find a dedication of right-of-way for the street. An easement was created in 1933 from Dora Street to Berkeley Way. Mr. Lumry presented a petition to the Committee to close Beacon Lane or make as aone-way street. The consensus of the petitioners is to close Beacon Lane. A Preliminazy Plan 68-25 was proposed fora 30 foot paved roadway with a 5 foot sidewalk on the south side. Another Preliminary Plan 64-3 was proposed fora 32 foot paved roadway with a 5 foot sidewalk on the south side. Member Dewey suggested to make Beacon Lane aone-way street the most appropriate direction would be east bound, and continuous to Laurel. Member Looney suggested west bound would be most appropriate if one-way. Deborah Lumry advised vehicles travel mostly west bound, because it is easier to access from State Street. She also advised west bound would be easier access for the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Health Clinic. Member Kennedy advised an accident was reported in 1994 at Beacon Lane and South Dora under 110 feet east of the intersection on Beacon. In 1993 at Beacon Lane and South State Street, 205 feet west, a single vehicle accident. At Beacon Way and Beacon Lane, 528 feet north, side swipe traveling wrong way. Discussion followed regarding making Beacon Lane aone-way street; vehicle speed; to make aone-way street requires approval from the City Council; aone-way east bound would be difficult to enter onto State Street, west bound is easier to access onto Beacon Lane from State Street; there is a lot of pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the Beacon Restaurant; there are no sidewalks; Beacon Lane is very narrow and difficult for two vehicles to pass; prescriptive easements may have been obtained; access for Police and Fire vehicles and equipment; and the increase of traffic because of the Church and Health Clinic. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Looney, it was cazried by an all AYE vote the Traffic Engineering Committee support Beacon Lane as aone-way street. Staff will send a questionnaire to all residents of record along Beacon Lane, Beacon Way, Beacon Drive and Ranee' Street (driveway access from Dora to State Street) asking their preference to have the one-way east or west bound. Take the questionnaire to the City Council for their action/adoption. a. Request for Loadine Zone in front of 850 Waugh Lane -Aloha Laboratories Member Kennedy reported Rob Phillips of Alpha Laboratories is requesting a loading zone in front of 850 Waugh Lane. The azea is used extensively for unloading samples, supplies, etc., by U.P.S. Fed Ex, and clients. Member Looney advised there is currently a red curb from the curb returns of the driveways. Alpha Laboratories is requesting a loading zone for their customer to load and unload samples, but to prevent residents of the apartment building across the street from parking in that azea. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 13, 1995 Member Kennedy read "Curb Mazkings - whenever local agencies enact local pazking regulations and indicate them by the use of paint on curbs, the following colors only shall be used. The colors indicate as follows: "Red indicates no stopping or pazking while the vehicle is attended or unattended, except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or sign posted as bus loading zone." "Yellow indicates stopping only for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or freight for the time as may be specified by local ordinance." "White indicates stopping for either of the following purposes: loading or unloading of passengers for the time as may be specified by local ordinance, depositing mail in an adjacent mail box." Discussion followed regazding white and yellow loading zone; a yellow loading zone is strictly for loading and unloading merchandise for commercial, not general public; white loading zone for the loading and unloading of passengers. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE vote the Traffic Engineering Committee authorize the Public Works Department to paint the yellow curbing of the area located in front of 850 Waugh Lane as a commercial (yellow) loading zone. Request for Loadine Zone in a "NO PARKING" Zone in front of Methodist Church on West Smith Street -James Lynn and Ira Hill Member Kennedy reported Mr. Lynn and Mr. Hill aze requesting a loading zone in a "NO PARKING" zone in front of the Methodist Church. Loading occurs at this location and there is a need for a loading zone. Member Hazris expressed he is opposed because there is pazking on the north side. Creating a loading zone would leave 8 feet of travel lane. Vice-Chairman Fernandez expressed he is opposed to the -oading zone because the the parked vehicles will eliminate the street as a thorough faze. Would like to maintain a smooth flow of traffic, keep traffic moving with the least amount of obstacles in the street. Member Dewey advised standards should be established for a loading zone. If a loading zone is established for one, others will request loading zones in areas that may not accommodate a safe loading zone and will not allow a smooth flow of traffic. Discussion followed regarding a fence and gate towards the back that enters into a playground, and insufficient space for a vehicle to safely park completely off the street; a dumpster is located in the back of the driveway; there are vehicles currently pazking on West Smith Street for unloading supplies and food; a parking width is 7 feet; the access door located in the back enters into the kitchen; and Perkins and Church Streets are one-way streets with parking and unloading on the opposite side of the street. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE vote the Traffic Engineering Committee deny the request due to inadequate street width for safety issues based MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 13, 1995 3 on the information provided. d. Request that Church Street be reviewed for consistency regarding the establishment of "NO PARKING" zones. Church Street east of Dora not consistent with Church Street west of Dora. Mayor Fred Schneiter Member Kennedy reported a citizen approached Mayor Schneiter requesting Church Street be reviewed for consistency of no parking zones. Church Street is very nazrow, approximately 24 feet wide from curb to curb or curb to edge of pavement, and one-way east bound from Dora Street to State Street with on- street parking on the south side. From State Street to Main Street, Church is one-way with on-street pazking on both sides. Most sections of Church Street, between Dora and Highland, there is parking on both sides, except in front of Trinity School, and no on-street parking on the apartment side, opposite Trinity School. Two vehicles cannot safely pass when vehicles are parked on the street. Member Kennedy read "whenever a local authority determines upon the basis of an engineering or traffic survey that the prima facia speed limit of 25 MPH in a business or resident district or in a public park on any street having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width, other than a State Highway, is more than reasonable or safe the local authority may by ordinance or resolution determine and declare prima facia speed limit of 25 or 15 MPH which ever is found most appropriate, reasonable and safe." Discussion followed regarding parking uses are not consistent on Church Street, there is residential parking to the west and business parking on the east; parking on both sides of the street is convenient for businesses on the south end of Church Street; elimination of on-street parking; and reducing the speed limit to 15 MPH for roads less than 25 feet in width. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Dewey, it was carried by an all AYE vote, the City Engineer send a questionnaire to all residents with frontage on Church Street, from Dora to Highland stating there is a potential hazard. The street is to nazrow for two-way traffic. Would the residents like to have no parking on the north side, no parking on the south side, make one-way, or another alternative. All information will be brought back to the Traffic Engineering Committee for recommendation to the City Council. OLD BUSINESS None. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS a. Status Report Regarding Anneal of Paul Durbin -Request for the Closure of Highland Avenue to throueh Traffic Member Kennedy reported Mr. Durbin appealed the Committee's decision to the City Council. The Council denied the appeal and directed the City Engineer to bring forth alternatives. The preferred alternative is to install a stop sign at Highland Court and Highland Avenue, because it is a blind corner and the safe approach is 15 MPH. Staff will install a centerline stripe or mazkers, post a "NO PARKING" on all segments of Highland Avenue. There is a wide area that will be reserved for pazking. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGMEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 13, 1995 4 Vertical delinators (edge mazkers) will be installed along the curves. A stop ahead sign will be installed for south bound motorists. The street will be posted 15 M.P.H. The least preferred alternative was to maintain Highland Avenue as one-way and the City would install additional wazning signs "ONE-WAY, DO NOT ENTER." However, the disadvantage to the alternative is that it did not eliminate the hazazdous condition of residents using Highland Avenue the wrong way, and would create the need to cite all vehicles using the street the wrong way. The preferred alternative has been adopted, and a resolution will be presented to the City Council. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Dewey advised that on the South Orchazd extension from Gobbi south, including the new residential azea, vehicles aze travelling 40 - 45 MPH. There is no posted speed limit on the Orchazd Avenue extension; from Gobbi north the speed limit is 30 MPH. The Police Officers are requesting a speed limit sign of 25 MPH be posted to enforce the speed limit in a residential azea. Member Kennedy advised there must be 16 driveway frontages within a one (1) quarter mile on both sides or 13 driveway frontages on one side. A year ago there were not the required driveway frontages. Staff will review this matter and wil- post a speed limit sign of 25 M.P.H. if the area meets the requirements. Member Kennedy advised he received a complaint of speeding vehicles on East Gobbi (culvert) at Oak Manor, and asked if the radaz trailer could be scheduled in this area. Member Dewey responded he will schedule the radar trailer for this area. He also advised most of the complaints are when the public is going to and coming from the the softball field from practices and games. AD.IOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. `William Fernandezz, Vice-Chairman. Y 1(7 X 1 1 1 1 !~ lti l~{" ` Kathy Kinch, Re ring Secretary R:1\TEC M061395 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JUNE 13, 1995 5 STATE OF CALIFORNIA -BUSINESS, TRANSPORT. ~ iON AND HOUSING AGENCY ~ PETE WILSON, Govemar DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1120 N STREET °~ P.O. BOX 942873 SACRAMENTO, CA 942730001 TDD (916) 654.4014 FAX (918)6533055 June 9,1995 SUBJECT: Summer 1995 Traffic Safety Update The California Highway Patrol reports that in 1993 a total of 1569 people died and 42,936 people were injured in alcohol-related collisions. Of those killed, 142 were between the ages of 14 and 21. Law enforcement is working to stop these deaths through The Minor Decoy Program, which enlists minors as police decoys. This program is successfully reducing alcohol sales to minors by catching liquor store employees in the act of illegally selling alcohol to these underage "decoys." With the help of new laws passed by the Legislature that have increased the penalty for selling liquor to minors, a sharp decline in sales to those under the age of 21 is expected with The Minor Decoy Program. According to the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 25 agencies throughout California have already implemented the program. Since the existing 737 statewide decoy programs began, there have been 173 violations of selling liquor to minors. With stiffer penalties and widespread use of the Minor Decoy Program by law enforcement agencies, perhaps in 1995 the statistics for tragic alcohol-related deaths will be much lower, and more young lives will have been spared. Caltrans Evaluates Safer Maintenance Equipment Caltrans maintenance crews often perform their operations near high-speed traffic. The best way to reduce the risk of an accident is to remove workers from the roadways, but how can Caltrans complete the task without its workers? One solution now being explored is "tele-operation," meaning "remote operation." Caltrans is evaluating two types of equipment that allow operators to perform maintenance tasks from a safe distance. These devices, now touring the districts, are being used at job sites and reviewed by operators trained in their use. This equipment was developed by the Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) Center, in collaboration with district maintenance and equipment staff. The AHMCT Program is a partnership between Caltrans and the University of California at Davis, whose charter is to use emerging technologies, such as robotics and tele-operation, to significantly improve the safety and efficiency of Caltrans maintenance and construction operations. The Pickall A new litter-picking machine, dubbed the "Pickall," allows tele-operated pickup of bagged and unbagged litter and debris. Currently, workers must drive to the litter piles collected by Adopt-a-Highway and other programs, exit the vehicle, toss the bags and debris into the vehicle, reenter the vehicle, and drive to the next litter pile. 3 DO: • Pull off the roadway as far as possible, away from moving vehicles. • Get out of your car on the side opposite moving vehicles. • Open the hood to indicate you have car trouble. • Use flares or flashers, especially at night. • Use a cellular phone or call boxes to summon assistance. • Wait for assistance at the safest available location. DON'T: • Park in lanes of moving traffic. • Stand near the vehicle. • Walk along the roadway. • Walk across the roadway. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." So don't be a fool; take the time to ensure that your trip will be trouble-free, and know what to do if it isn't. The best way to avoid trouble in the first place is to be prepared. Be familiar with the area where you will be traveling. Are vehicle services conveniently located? Make sure your vehicle is in good operating order before you start out. As another familiar saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Frequently check belts, water level, tire condition and pressure, etc. And for Heaven's sake, don't forget to fuel up. Routine vehicle maintenance will not only save you unexpected roadside trouble and costly repairs, but it may also save your life and the lives of others. I'll bet my halo on that. CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC FATALITIES Number Number 1993 1994 Net Change Pedestrians 862 853 -I.0% Bicyclists l33 121 -9.0%a Motorcyclists 303 291 -4.0%n Motorists 2865 2947 +2 9% Total 4163 4212 +1.2% DIVISION OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS Office of Traffic Safety Program and Research 1120 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Telephone: (916) 654-5543 CALNET: 8-464-5543 Bruce Thompson, Chief