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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_121096TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE Ukiah Civic Center Conference Room 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 DECEMBER 10, 1996 3:00 p.m. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Hams, Michael Kennedy, Rick Looney, Jim Turner, Steve Dewey, Chris -Vice-Chairman STAFF ABSENT Fernandez, William -Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Kay Gerhart Dorothy Crabtree Eric Larson STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Vice-Chairman Dewey at 3:00 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Vice-Chairman Dewey read audience comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by the following roll call vote to approve the minutes of October 8, 1996, as submitted. AYES: Members Hams, Kennedy, Looney, Turner and Vice-Chairman Dewey. NOES: None. ABSENT: Chairman Fernandez. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 1 NEW BUSINESS a. Request for Painting Curbs Red for a Few Feet at Each Side of Two Driveways - Kay Gerhart. Kay Gerhart stated she is requesting red curbs located on either side of the driveway at 1340 South State Street, and the driveway between 189 and 175 Wabash, south side. The driveway at 1340 South State Street to Greeott's Brake and Wheel is very difficult to see at night when making aleft-turn, northbound, from South State Street. There is no curb to full height on the north edge of the driveway. Member Harris asked is there an easement to the City south of the driveway on Wabash. Member Kennedy responded there is a 50 foot easement to the City. Member Looney stated red curb markings is to prevent parking for visual access when entering and exiting a driveway, not to be utilized to identify driveways. Member Kennedy stated delineator markers with reflective sheeting or buttons can be located behind the property line\sidewalk to identify the driveways. Vice-Chairman Dewey stated the driveway located on Wabash is very difficult to see at night ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carved by the following roll call vote, that the Public Works Department furnish two delineators, at cost, to Mrs. Kay Gerhart for 1340 South State Street, and that the Public Works Department determine the proper location of two delineators between 189 and 175 Wabash Avenue. AYES: Member Kennedy, Looney, Harris, Turner and Vice-Chairman Dewey. NOES: None. ABSENT: Chairman Fernandez. b. Request for Disabled Parking Space Located in Front of 425 North State Street Indian Senior Center (Curb Cut and Blue Loading Zonel -Dorothy Crabtree Dorothy Crabtree stated she is requesting a pedestrian ramp located at 425 North Slate Street, in front of the Indian Senior Center. There are problems lifting wheelchair, cane, and walker participants from the vehicle to the sidewalk due to the high curb. Member Turner advised that Ms. Crabtree brought this item before the Traffic Engineering Committee four years ago (May 12, 1992). The Committee discussed installing a handicap ramp on North State Street and Henry, at the crosswalk. Member Looney advised the curb in front of the Indian Senior Center is 8-1/2 inches in height. Member Kennedy advised State Street was a state highway and curbs were constructed at 8-1/2" in height. Member Looney asked if there is on-site parking and access to the Center in the rear of the building. Ms. Crabtree responded yes, there are stairs to the rear access which are not MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 2 handicapped accessible, and the participants would have to enter through the kitchen. She stated she would prefer to have the participants come in the front door. Member Kennedy advised parallel handicap parking requires 9 feet for the vehicle and 5 feet for the wheelchair for a total of 14 feet. A curb cut on Slate Street at Henry Street is an appropriate location for a wheelchair ramp. He also stated that Phase II for Bike and Pedestrian to Construct Wheelchair Ramps at Various Locations was submitted to MCOG for funding and was denied. Member Turner asked what is the cost to construct a wheelchair ramp. Member Kennedy responded to construct a wheelchair ramp in accordance with ADA requirements, the cost is $1,400 to $1,600 per location for demolition and replacement. Member Kennedy asked what is the distance from the curb face to the face of the building at that location. Member Looney responded 8 feet 9 inches. Member Harris asked how many participants require assistance. Ms. Crabtree responded 5. Member Kennedy stated there is a code that allows special parking privileges to abutting property owners, and suggested that the Indian Senior Center be given special curb permits, under certain conditions, to unload/load passengers on North State Street and Henry at the crosswalk location. This request would require approval from the City Council, with a copy to Public Safety. Member Hams advised he is opposed to special privileges to individual situations. Member Turner advised a bus stop sign allows a vehicle to stop at a red curb, if signed as a bus stop, to load/unload passengers. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Turner, that the Public Works Department prioritize in the next series of the wheelchair ramp replacement program the construction of a wheelchair ramp, northbound, eastside on North State Street and Henry at the crosswalk. The Traffic Engineering Committee recommends to the City Council, after installation of the wheelchair ramp, that special curb permits be given to the Indian Senior Center to allow loading/unloading of handicap participants. AYES: Member Kennedy, Looney, Hams, Turner and Vice-Chairman Dewey. NOES: None. ABSENT: Chairman Fernandez. c. Consideration of Proposed Modifications to Two Conditions of Approval for K-Mart Use Permit No. 93-32 Relating to Traffic Issues Rick Kennedy, City Engineer, stated he is recommending that two conditions of approval for the K-Mart Use Permit No. 93-32 relating to traffic issues, be modified to best serve the needs of the City of Ukiah. Support for the modifications is sought from the Traffic Engineering Committee. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 3 The conditions proposed for modification are numbers 6 and 12, which state: Condition No. 6 Orchard Avenue shall be restriped as a four lane roadway between Perkins Street and Clara Avenue, and the center island between Albertson's and J.C. Penney shall be removed. Condition No. 12 A fee equal to five percent of the project cost of relocating the signal at Scott and State Street or Norton and State Street to Clara and State Street, shall be deposited with the City prior to use and occupancy. The City Engineer recommends that Condition No. 6 be modified to require the restriping of Orchard Avenue from Perkins Street to Ford Street to provide for atwo-way left-turn lane, a single lane each for north and southbound traffic, and bicycle lanes on both sides of the street. The existing median island between Albertson's and J.C. Penney shall remain. Condition No. 6 was required as recommended in the "Final Traffic Impact Analysis for the Proposed K-Mart Expansion" prepared by Barton - Aschman Associate, Inc., and dated January 1994 (Report). The consultant noted (Page 34 of Report) that the restriping of Orchard to provide two lanes of travel for each direction "would improve travel on Orchard Avenue, and facilitate turning movements to and from the shopping center." Indeed, turning movements from and into commercial driveways along Orchard will be numerous and the City Engineer believes that these turns, as well as through north and southbound traffic, can be best served by installing a two-way left-turn lane, wider single through lanes and bicycle lanes on both sides of the road to encourage alternate transportation modes. Orchard Avenue is currently 48 feet wide, curb to curb, which would permit a 12 feet wide two-way left-turn lane, two 5 feet wide bicycle lanes, and two 13 feet wide through lanes. Through traffic would not be impeded by left turning traffic from Orchard and drivers exiting driveways need only cross one lane of opposing traffic when making aleft-turn from the driveway. The requirements of Condition No. 12 were not specifically mentioned or recommended in the Traffic Analysis Report. The Report did mention, however, that only 4 percent of the cumulative traffic volume at Clara Avenue and State Street intersection would be attributable to K-Mart. The Report also stated the City of Ukiah had discussed the installation of a traffic signal at this location. It is not clear when and by whom this condition, as worded, was put forth. It is noted that the Staff Report to the Planning Commission, dated February 18, 1994 (Page 5), reports that the relocation of a signal to Clara Avenue and State Street was originally recommended in the 1979 TJKM City-Wide Traffic Circulation Study. Attached are copies of Page 20 and Illustration 5, Long-Range and Short-Range Recommendations, of the 1979 TJKM Traffic Study. The study recommended that left-turn lanes be installed on State Street and that Norton Street be restriped to accommodate two westbound approach lanes. It was also recommended that standard traffic signal indications be installed at Norton and State Street. The 1979 TJKM Report did not recommend the relocation of the signals or the installation of a new signal a[ State Street and Clara Avenue. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 4 During the public hearing process for the K-Mart Use Permit, the City committed itself to investigate and support, if appropriate, calming measures for Clara Avenue and Ford Streets. These measures are incorporated to reduce vehicles speeds and not necessarily installed to discourage, nor encourage, traffic use. However, it is well known that the residents along Claza and Ford Streets would prefer to see a drop in the number of pass through vehicles utilizing these streets. The installation of a traffic signal at Clara and State Street would encourage additional pass through vehicle usage on Clara. Refer to comment on Page 4 of the Orr Creek Neighborhood Committee letter dated February 4, 1994. The City Engineer recommends that Condition No. 12 either be modified to allow the minimal monetary contribution to be applied to other off site mitigations, such as the Gobbi/Orchazd Avenue signalization project, or be deleted in its entirety. The traffic signals at Norton/Scott and State Streets acts as one unit; i.e., it has one controller. Relocating the signal polls from either intersection to the Clara/State intersection would not create an operational signal. The manner in which the condition is written, implies that the author believed that relocating the signal equipment from either intersection to Clara would produce an operational system at its new location. To make the system operational, an additional expenditure of approximately $18,000 for controller, cabinet, conduit, and power source. Condition No. 12 is written in such a way as to imply that the development would not have to financially participate in any work beyond the work necessary to relocate the signal. The City has limited funds for capital improvements and this project does no[ warrant the use of our limited resources. The City Engineer seeks the Committee's support for the above modifications. Eric Larson stated the State Street and Clara traffic signalization goes back to the General Plan (the draft of the 1979 study), and was discussed in the General Plan Steering Committee hearing and never dropped. The Norton Street extension was still a consideration of the General Plan. The Clara Avenue and Norton traffic signalization and contribution was not discussed during negotiations with K-Mart due to the expense and the controversy in its proximity to the driveway to Mervyns. There was originally a contribution to a signalization there and was dropped and traded for other off-site projects. The traffic signalization was dropped and the Clara and State Street did not disappear because of other issues. The Planning Commission supported the three lanes on Orchard Avenue, and two Councilmembers wanted Condition No. 12 deleted and the money given to Wagonsellers for traffic calming. Member Kennedy advised City Manager Horsley supports the contribution for Clara signalization to be applied to traffic calming. Member Harris requested that a motion and vote be taken for each proposed change sepazately. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Harris, it was carved by the following roll call vote, that the Traffic Engineering Committee support Staff's recommendation for the modification of Condition No. 6 relative to Orchard Avenue res[riping. AYES: Member Kennedy, Looney, Harris, Turner and Vice-Chairman Dewey. NOES: None. ABSENT: Chairman Fernandez. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 5 ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by the following roll call vote, that the Traffic Engineering Committee supports Staff's recommendation for the modification of Condition No. 12. If approved, the minimal monetary contribution from K-Mart is to be applied to another traffic mitigation measure as proposed by Staff, or to be deleted in its entirety. Eric Larson stated he is representing the Wagonseller Committee, and that the Committee strongly recommends adoption of the modifications to Condition No. 6 and No. 12. Member Harris stated he supports the elimination of the contribution. If no traffic signal is required to mitigate impacts generated by the project, the developer/property owner should not be required to pay a contribution to be used for other projects. Member Turner stated the contribution allows the City Engineer to use the money towards traffic mitigations that will be further impacted and traffic calming. Member Kennedy stated the contribution would be for traffic calming or Gobbi Street and Orchard Avenue. Vice-Chairman Dewey stated there aze traffic problems Gobbi Street and Orchazd Avenue, and that the new K-Mart location will increase those problems, and supports the contribution to be used to mitigate traffic problems that will be further impacted and traffic calming. He further stated the island between J. C. Penney and Albertson's is very important for traffic safety. Considerable discussion followed regarding [he modification to Condition No. 12; [he island between J. C. Penney and Albertson's; and traffic calming. AYES: Member Kennedy, Looney, Turner and Vice-Chairman Dewey. NOES: Member Hams. ABSENT: Chairman Fernandez. OLD BUSINESS a. Accent Resignation of Steve Ford from the Traffic En i~ neering Committee and Authorize Citv Clerk to Advertise for "At-Large Member" -Informational Only Member Harris stated Staff has discussed the possibility of restructuring the Traffic Engineering Committee with the City Manager. Ideas included changing the City Attorney position to the Director of Planning, reducing the Committee from eight members to seven members by eliminating the current Public Member vacancy created by Stephen Ford's resignation, and establishing criteria for the public members. The City Code designates the City Attorney as a member of the Committee. He noted the Public Member positions do not have expiration of terms and serve on the Committee until their resignations are accepted. Member Kennedy advised City Manager Horsley supports retention of the three Public Members. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 6 Member Turner expressed he would like to have the Committee comprised of five Staff members and three public members. The combination of public and staff members is very important. Public members bring new ideas, and Staff has knowledge of the vehicle codes. He stated he supports the three Public Members. Member Harris questioned whether there should be criteria or other type of expertise identified for the Public Members. Member Turner expressed he believes criteria should include a willingness to serve, interest, a driver's license, City of Ukiah residency, and regular meeting attendance. Vice-Chairman Dewey expressed he would like to see a youth on the Committee to represent another paK of the community. He suggested establishing a program so the youth could educate other students about the vehicle code. The position could be a two year term for a high school student. Member Kennedy noted he believes two of the three Public Members should be representatives of a traffic/transportation agency and the automobile club. Discussion was had regarding the potential for a handicap person or a youth, the willingness to serve and attend meetings, motivation, and whether a driver's license would be necessary. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE vote, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council restructuring of the Traffic Engineering Committee changing the City Attorney position to Director of Planning, two Public Members be specific representatives of a transportation agency and automobile club, and one Public Member be a resident of the City of Ukiah of driving age. AD.iOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p. m. J Chris Dewey, Vice-Chairman Kathy Kinch, Rec ing Secretary R:1\TEC M 121096 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE December 10, 1996 Page 7