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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_070897MINUTES TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 8, 1997 Mike Harris, Assistant City Manager Rick Kennedy, City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Donna Roberts, Public Member Bob Sawyer, Planning Director Steve Tumer, Mendocino Transit Authority MEMBERS ABSENT Chris Dewey, Vice-Chairman William Fernandez, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT None STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli, Recording Secretary Charles Stump, Senior Planner It was the consensus of the group that due to the absence of Chairman Fernandez and Vice- Chairman Dewey, Member Tumer would conduct the meeting. The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Acting Chairman Steve Turner at 3:07 p.m. in Conference Room 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken with the results listed above. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -June 10, 1997 ON A MOTION by Member Hams, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to approve the minutes of June 10, 1997 as submitted. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward. IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS a. Request for Approval of One Permanent Bus Stop Located in Front of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. 640 South Orchard Avenue -Steve Turner. Mendocino Transit AuthorityjMTA) Acting Chairman Turner requested this item be continued to the next meeting since he was still conducting research on the matter. It was the consensus of the Committee to grant Mr. Turner's request. b. Request For Approval of a Permanent Bus Stop_on the South Side of Commerce Drive. West of the Driveway Entrance to La-Z-Boy Furniture Store -Steve Turner. MTA Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee July 8, 1997 Page 1 Acting Chairman Turner stated he had been unsuccessful in his attempts to secure Wal-Mart's approval for construction of a sidewalk to accommodate a bus stop to their store. However, the owner of the property which includes the La-Z-Boy Furniture Store has agreed to allow a bus stop approximately 40 feet from the existing La-Z-Boy store driveway, with the improvements to be paid by MTA, thus providing hourly service to the shopping center of approximately nine trips each direction during weekdays. Discussion followed regarding the placement of ramps, a possible mid-block crosswalk on Commerce Drive linking Wal-Mart and La-Z-Boy Fumiture Store, and wheelchair access to the proposed bus stop. Further discussion followed relative to the bus stop location at Wal-Mart as proposed in their original design plans, wherein it was noted that buses stopping in front of the store would cause a safety hazard, but that they could stop at the driveway by the auto service center for entrance through that door. Member Sawyer inquired regarding the passenger demand, and whether Mr. Turner had consulted with anyone at Wal-Mart other than Store Manager Jesse Perez, who probably did not have the authority to make site development decisions. Acting Chairman Turner replied there would be passengers traveling to and from the shopping center on every scheduled trip, and that the proposed service would very likely create ridership. He further replied that Mr. Perez had been his only contact regarding the sidewalk improvements for the bus stop; he had not consulted the Wal-Mart corporate offices since it was his intention to construct the bus stop as soon as possible and the La-Z-Boy location was immediately available. A MOTION was made by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Harris, to approve a bus stop location on the south side of Commerce Drive west of the entrance to Laz-Z-Boy Furniture Store with the understanding that MTA will pay for the ramp that is needed, in addition to the staging area for the wheelchair area, without the painted crosswalk. Discussion followed regarding the wheelchair ramp. Member Looney stated he thought the proposed bus stop was at the wrong location for passenger loading. The motion carried by the following roll call vote AYES: Members Kennedy, Harris, and Roberts. NOES: Members Looney and Sawyer. ABSTAIN: Acting Chairman Turner. ABSENT: Vice-Chairman Dewey and Chairman Fernandez. c. Request for Approval of Mid-block Crosswalk on Commerce Drive Linking Wal- Martand La,Z-Boy Fumiture Store -Rick Kennedy. Director of Public Works/City Engineer ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Hams, it was carved by an all AYE voice Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee July 8, 1997 Page 2 vote of the members present that given the unique circumstances of this portion of Commerce Drive and the lack of sidewalks and access around this project, the Traffic Engineering Committee approve a standard crosswalk only if Wal-Mart pays for the ramp and sidewalk on the north end of the crosswalk. Member Kennedy stated that marked crosswalks are warranted when there is a need to direct people across a specific location, in this case to accommodate the pedestrian thoroughfare. Senior Planner Stump clarified that it was inherent in the motion to direct staff to request that Wal- Mart construct these improvements, and if they do not agree, then the idea of the crosswalk will be disregarded. Acting Chairman Tumer commented that he will delay the construction of the bus stop near La-Z- Boy if Mr. Stump will contact Wal-Mart to determine if they would prefer the bus stop be located on their side of the street, which has already been approved by the Committee contingent upon Wal- Mart constructing the 20 foot sidewalk. d. Consideration of "No Parking" Limits to be Placed on Clara Street Near Orchard Avenue in the New Traffic Calming Construction area -Rick Kennedy. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Member Kennedy advised that the Traffic Engineering Committee had previously approved the traffic calming measures in this area, and noted that part of the Kmart project was a condition to install a meandering curb and gutter on the south side of Clara Street just west of Orchard Avenue. It is necessary that parking be restricted since the intersection has been necked down; it appears this would impact only one residence. ON A MOTION by Member Hams, seconded by Member Sawyer, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to recommend to the City Council that "No Parking" limits be placed on Clara Street near Orchard Avenue in the new traffic calming construction area. e. Consideration of "No Parking" Limits to be Placed on Ford Street Near Orchard Avenue Near Proposed Median Island -Rick Kennedy. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Member Kennedy explained the rationale for the request and that it was related to the traffic calming project. ON A MOTION by Member Hams, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to recommend to the City Council that "No Parking" limits be placed on Ford Street near Orchard Avenue near the proposed median island. Member Hams recommended that the property owners affected by the above two items be notified of the time and date the items will appear on the City Council agenda. OLD BUSINESS None. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee July 8,1997 Page 3 V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Acting Chairman Turner reported on the Greyhound bus stop at the airport, and noted that MTA has been selling tickets on a percentage basis for Greyhound since June 2. He further reported that summer ridership is up 33% from last year, and that the recently purchased trolley had been at Ft. Bragg for the Salmon Bake on the 4th of July weekend, and was available for charters. VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. VII. ADJOURNMENT ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Hams, 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 4:00 p.m. ~I-22--------- Steve urner, Acting Chairman Ma a Giu toli, Rec rding Secretary b:meg\tec70897.min Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee July 8, 1997 Page 4