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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_081297MINUTES TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE August 12, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT Chris Dewey, Ukiah Police Department Mike Harris, Assistant City Manager Rick Kennedy, City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Donna Roberts, Public Member Bob Sawyer, Planning Director William Fernandez, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Bruce Evans, Fire Marshal STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli, Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT Steve Turner, MTA The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Chairman Fernandez at 3:06 p.m. in Conference Room 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken with the results noted above. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -July 8, 1997 ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to approve the minutes of July 8, 1997 as submitted. Member Dewey and Chairman Fernandez abstained from the vote. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No comments were made. IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM NEW BUSINESS b. Discussion of Recent Traffic Accidents. and Reauest for Appropriate Street Signage at the Intersection of Commerce Drive and Airport Park Boulevard - Sergeant Chris Dewey. Ukiah Police Department Chairman Fernandez advised this item would be heard first as Member Dewey had indicated it would be necessary for him to leave the meeting early. Member Dewey explained the rationale behind his request, specifically noting that one of the patrol cars had been involved in an accident at the intersection of Commerce Drive and Airport Park Boulevard, and that there had been at least ten accidents at that location since the first of the year. Police Department staff has discussed the issue and has been unable to arrive at a solution, since there appears to be a combination of factors causing the accidents. Traffic Engineering Committee August 12, 1997 Page 1 The Committee discussed possible measures for alleviating the problem, including conducting a traffic engineering study with a radar speed survey and review of the accidents within a three year period, and the posting of speed limit signs. Member Kennedy commented he had reviewed the SWITRS Report for the first quarter of 1997, and there were no accidents listed, so it was difficult for him to believe there had been that many collisions, unless they had only recently occurred. He reiterated that a speed survey must be conducted prior to the posting of the speed limit, so that the posted limit will be enforceable with the use of radar. Further discussion followed relative to speed limits, enforcement, and the circumstances surrounding and location of the accidents. Member Kennedy noted that Commerce Drive is included in the City's maintained system, but Airport Park Boulevard is not; however, this does not preclude the City from establishing and enforcing speed limits on a road that was accepted on behalf of the public as a public road but not maintained by the City. Member Dewey stated the primary problem is speed enforcement, and that although a prima facia speed limit citation can be written, the judges are reluctant to impose a fine on that basis. Member Kennedy advised that after the traffic engineering study is completed, the City Council establishes the speed limit. If the area does not meet the criteria of a business district, the prima facia of 25 miles per hour is not applicable. The Police Department will help with a radar survey of traffic speed, which will serve to establish the 85th percentile; however, this can be lowered another five miles per hour if there are certain conditions not apparent to the prudent driver. Member Roberts clarified that if the trees proved to be an obstruction, the speed limit could be recommended to be lowered another 5 miles per hour. Member Kennedy replied yes, stating it would then become part of the engineering survey which should be given to the judge for consideration. Previously the City has provided the courts with copies of the traffic studies; however, now they receive written notification that these surveys are on file for certain streets and copies are available. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present that the Traffic Engineering Committee direct the Engineering staff to initiate a traffic study of Airport Park Boulevard for the purpose of setting the appropriate speed limit, and if it should meet the definition of a business district, then the City will post the appropriate speed limit. a. Request for Approval of One Permanent Bus Stoo Located in Front of the Holy Trinity Eaiscopal Church 640 South Orchard Avenue -Steve Turner MTA It was noted that since Member Turner was not present to review the request, the item would be continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Traffic Engineering Committee. Fire Traffic Engineering Committee August 12, 1997 Page 2 Marshal Evans, who was present for the purpose of speaking to the issue, was advised to contact Mr. Turner directly regarding his concerns. c. Discussion of Ordinance Amending Ukiah City Code Sections Regarding Vehicle Abatement -Rick Kennedy. Director of Public WorkslCity Engineer Member Kennedy advised that a short while ago the Police Department was conducting a significant vehicle abatement program in the Wagenseller neighborhood, and one person chose to appeal the towing of his vehicle to the City Council. From the City Manager's and other individuals' perspective, it appeared that this procedure was too formal for the parties concerned, since they failed to understand that the Council had denied their appeal. As a result, staff believed there should be a more informal setting for the appeal process, such as the Traffic Engineering Committee, where it could be assured the appellant understands what is being said and where questions could be asked on an informal basis to help the Committee make the appropriate decision. He further advised that the Council approved the revised ordinance providing for the Traffic Engineering Committee to hear appeals at their regular meeting of July 2, 1997, and that this Committee needs to be aware that their decisions made regarding these issues are final, although, similar to other Committee decisions, they are appealable to the City Council as the final hearing body. Member Roberts stated she was not certain everyone at the hearings understood that what was being appealed were the fees and fines associated with the towing of the vehicle, and that an individual is not permitted to appeal whether or not a vehicle is allowed to stay on the property. The vehicle code is very clear in that there cannot be anon-running, derelict junk vehicle in the public right-of-way, whether it is on the street or private property, so the owner cannot request to keep the vehicle, because there is no provision allowing such. Chairman Fernandez clarified the City receives grant monies which allow them to absorb the towing costs if the vehicle is found to be abandoned; otherwise, the owner is responsible for the charges. He further inquired regarding the definition of a "non-running" vehicle and when there would be sufficient grounds for its removal. Member Roberts replied the owner of the vehicle is notified he or she has 10 days to repair or move the vehicle, or seek an agreement with the Police Department relative to a reasonable time during which it can be moved or repaired. When she made her first complaint, 25 non-operating vehicles were identified and dealt with. Individuals who had an unlicensed, non-operating vehicle in their driveway were notified it had to be removed; if the vehicle was licensed, in the driveway, and non-running, the car was tagged with a 10-day notice. She noted that most of the vehicle abatement is done on a complaint only basis. Chairman Fernandez inquired if this ordinance also applied to the off-street, 72 hour situations, i.e., a motor home parked in excess of that length of time to which a neighbor takes exception, and how it would be decided if the vehicle were in violation. Discussion followed wherein it was determined the Police Department would make that decision, and that the 72-hour time limit begins after the vehicle is tagged. Traffic Engineering Committee August 12, 1997 Page 3 OLD BUSINESS Member Kennedy advised that the item relative to "No Parking" limits on Clara and Ford Streets near Orchard Avenue, as recommended at the Traffic Engineering Committee meeting of July 8, 1997, was pulled from the City Council agenda due to the fact he failed to notify the residents as directed by said Committee. Member Roberts commented on the traffic calming measures proposed for those areas, stating she would prefer some driving experiments take place prior to the permanent installation of the traffic circles. She expressed concern relative to whether school buses and emergency vehicles could negotiate the required turns, but does not necessarily see it as a problem. Member Kennedy stated he had gathered information from other cities with similar calming measures, and noted that, in some instances, stop signs had to be installed at the traffic circles because people were not negotiating around the devices properly. He understands the concerns relative to the larger vehicles. V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Chairman Fernandez inquired whether Orchard Avenue would be resurfaced after the new Kmart and post office annex are constructed. Member Kennedy replied the frontage along Kmart will not be resurfaced, but Orchard Avenue between Perkins and Gobbi Streets would be under the capital improvement program. He noted that $375,000 has been budgeted in fiscal year 1997/98 for the reconstruction of Perkins Street, exclusive of the underground wiring of the overhead utilities. VII. ADJOURNMENT ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m v~ Marg junto , Recordin Secretary b:meg\tec81297.min Traffic Engineering Committee August 12, 1997 Page 4