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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_031197MINUTES TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MARCH 11, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT Chris Dewey, Ukiah Police Department Rick Kennedy, City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Donna Roberts, Public Member Steve Turner, Mendocino Transit Authority Charley Stump, Senior Planner (For Bob Sawyer) William Fernandez, Chairman MEMBERS ABSENT Mike Harris, Assistant City Manager Bob Sawyer, Planning Director OTHERS PRESENT Carolyn Jeffers Charles Ruelle STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Chairman Fernandez at 3:08 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 - Februarv 11, 1997 ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Dewey, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote to approve the minutes of February 11, 1997, as submitted. Members Looney and Turner abstained from voting. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS d. Request for 20 Minute Parking Saace (Green Curbl at 756 South State Street - Carolvn Jeffers Chairman Fernandez suggested this item be heard at this time since Ms. Jeffers was present in the audience to speak on behalf of her request. Member Turner asked Ms. Jeffers if she understood that the requested 20 minute parking limit would not be enforced any more stringently than the currently posted two hour limit. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee March 11, 1997 Page 1 Ms. Jeffers replied she was aware that would probably be the case, since she had already experienced problems with enforcement of the posted limit. Chairman Fernandez inquired regarding how many parking spaces were available behind the building, if any. Ms. Jeffers replied there were three legal spaces, which she shares with other tenants. The area behind the building is not used for patron parking since ingress and egress is difficult; customers are unwilling to drive back there. The other business in the building has only been there for a month, and it would be her assumption no research has been done by the tenant relative to the City's parking requirements, or that the City is even aware of the new business. Referencing her letter, she reiterated that her main concern is the difficulty the delivery trucks and her customers have in finding parking in front of her business, resulting in a loss of sales when the customers choose to shop at other locales that have adequate customer parking. Member Turner gave a brief review of the Committee's actions relative to granting the requests for a green curb in front of other Ukiah businesses. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to recommend to the City Council that a 20 minute limited parking space (green curb) be created in front of the business at 756 South State Street, as requested. Member Kennedy advised the item will be placed on the Consent Calendar for the March 19, 1997 City Council meeting. c. Request for Weight Limit on North Oak Street Between Scott Street and Low Gao Road -Charles Ruelle Chairman Fernandez suggested this item be heard at this time since Mr. Ruelle was present in the audience. Charles Ruelle, 980 North Oak Street, reported on the history of his property and past ground movement in the area. He relayed his concerns relative to a neighbor parking a loaded logging truck on the street, close to the curb next to Mr. Ruelle's residence. The ground has again begun to move, showing cracks in the sidewalk, curb and gutter, and in the foundation of his house. He is requesting that a weight limit be imposed on North Oak Street between Scott Street and Low Gap Road. Discussion followed wherein it was noted Section 7154 of the Ukiah City Code prohibits the parking of vehicles with a gross weight of 11,000 pounds in residential districts. The Committee expressed their concerns relative to whether through vehicles such as delivery trucks or construction equipment would also be prohibited from using the street if a weight limit were imposed. It was determined that vehicles doing business in the area would be allowed to come and go as necessary. Further discussion followed regarding enforcement of the Code. It was noted the City's vehicle abatement officer only handles incidents concerning abandoned vehicles, so would not be involved in this case, and that the City's code enforcement officer can no longer enforce this type of violation. It was determined this was a parking violation issue, and the driver of Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee March 11, 1997 Page 2 the logging truck should be ticketed by the Police Department, since there was an ordinance in effect. Member Turner asked Member Kennedy what his feelings were as City Engineer regarding the situation. Member Kennedy replied he would like to see "No Truck Parking" posted from the bridge to Low Gap Road. As a general rule, a person cannot be ticketed unless there is a posting in place. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the request from Mr. Ruelle be forwarded to the Ukiah Police Department for enforcement, and if there are issues of public notification of the City ordinance, that the appropriate City department take action necessary to notify all affected residents of said ordinance which prohibits commercial vehicle parking in residential districts. This action shall include a recommendation to the City Council for further parking restrictions in that area, if deemed necessary. Member Dewey expressed his willingness to research the past history of the enforcement of the ordinance and report to Mr. Kennedy as soon as possible. Member Turner suggested that, if it is clear the Police Department can enforce the existing City Code, they make a courtesy contact with the property owner and politely inform him/her of the City ordinance and allow time to move the truck before issuing a citation the first time. Discussion followed regarding commercial trucks parking on city residential streets in general. a. Clearance and Site Distance at Intersection of Norton and Mason Streets -Steve Turner. Mendocino Transit Authority Member Turner briefly advised relative to the reason for the request, and asked if there was a concern for vehicles parked too close to the corner at an intersection. When the committee confirmed the matter was covered by the vehicle code, Member Turner withdrew the item from the agenda. b. Request for Northbound Bus Stoo at 631 South Orchard -Steve Turner Mendocino Transit Authority Member Turner stated that the Job Alliance Project has moved into the former Blue Shield Insurance building at 631 South Orchard. Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) would like to improve the bus service to that location, and place a passenger shelter on the northbound travel lane of the street; the shelter would be located on private property. Because the street is unfinished, there is no curb and gutter or sidewalk, so the only place the shelter can be located is facing the sidewalk area. Because of ADA requirements, the shaded pad area will need to be installed to make a wheelchair accessible landing for their wheelchair lift, and in order to avoid going on and off the edge of the pavement into the low spot that runs along the side of the street, they are proposing to put 50 feet of gravel there as well, to provide a stopping place. He is unaware whether the property owner is going to approve the placement of the shelter on his property, but MTA would like to be prepared with the bus stop in the event he does. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee March 11, 1997 Page 3 Discussion followed relative to the property, and existing and potential development in the area. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Stump, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote to approve, at no financial cost to the City, the request for a northbound bus stop at 631 South Orchard Avenue. Member Turner abstained from voting. OLD BUSINESS None. V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Kennedy reported the City Council approved Committee's recommendations for the limited parking hours for the City parks, and the painting of the red curb at Ukiah High School. Member Dewey commented that vehicles will receive warning notices for the first few weeks after the new parking restrictions are posted at the parks, and inquired regarding the time schedule for signing. Member Kennedy advised that Vinewood Park will be done first, and staff will alert the Police Department when it is complete, since the restrictions are effective immediately upon posting. A smaller sign stating "No Parking Between The Hours of 10:00 p.m, to 6:00 a.m." will be installed above the already existing two hour parking signs. Discussion followed relative to the appearance and location of the signs. VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. VII. ADJOURNMENT ON A MOTION by Member Fernandez, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m. M ge Gi toll, Recording Secretary l ~~ f b:meg\wp\tec31 197.min Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee Page 4 illiam Fer " ndez, Chair n March 11, 1997