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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_021197MINUTES TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 11, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT Chris Dewey, Ukiah Police Department Michael Harris, Assistant City Manager Rick Kennedy, City Engineer Donna Roberts, Public Member Robert Sawyer, Planning Director Larry Woods, Senior Civil Engineer (For Jim Looney) William Fernandez, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT None STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli, Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT Steve Turner, Mendocino Transit Authority The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Chairman Fernandez at 3:04 p.m. in Conference Room 5, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken with the results listed above. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -December 10, 1996 Member Kennedy suggested the following corrections to the Minutes: Page 2. Item a. 4th Paraoraoh, amend to read, "Member Kennedy stated delineator markers with reflective sheeting or buttons can be located behind the property line/sidewalk to identify the driveways;" Page 2. Last Paragraph. 2nd Sentence, amend to read, "Ms. Crabtree responded yes, there are stairs to the rear access which are not handicapped accessible, and the participants would have to enter through the kitchen;" Page 3. Paragraph 3. 2nd Sentence, amend to read, "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;" Page 3. Paragraph 4. 1 st Sentence, amend to read, "Member Kennedy asked what is the distance from the curb face to the face of the building at that location;" Page 4. First Fuli Paragraph following Conditions. 1st Sentence, amend to read, "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." ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote to approve the Minutes of December 10, 1996, as corrected. Members Roberts, Sawyer, and Chairman Fernandez abstained from voting. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 11, 1997 Page 1 There was no audience present IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS a. Clearance and Site Distance at Intersection of Norton and Mason Streets -Steve Turner. MTA b. Request for Northbound Bus Stop at 631 South Orchard -Steve Turner. MTA Chairman Fernandez suggested that these two items be postponed until later in the meeting, since Member Turner had not yet arrived, and had not notified staff he would not be in attendance. c. Request for Extension of Red Curb at Exit Driveway from Ukiah High School. and Consideration of a Mid-Block Crosswalk Crossing Desoina Drive -Jerry Garcia. Assistant Principal Ukiah High School The Committee discussed the location of the crosswalk requested by Ukiah High School Assistant Principal Jerry Garcia, the potential dangers of mid-block crosswalks in general, and the reality that the students would likely not adhere to the crosswalk area, but would cross the street where convenient. Member Kennedy advised that Member Woods had explained the hazards of such to Mr. Garcia, and sent him substantiating information; Mr. Garcia had replied he was aware crosswalks had the potential to be dangerous, and that the request may not be feasible. Further discussion followed regarding whether the request for red curbs must be presented to the City Council, wherein it was noted that a resolution was required, and since this Committee does not possess the power to pass resolutions, the request must be presented to Council. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to recommend to the City Council the extension of the existing red curb, northerly to the first light pole nearest the tennis courts on the west side of Despina Drive. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Sawyer, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to deny the request for amid-block crosswalk and direct the Committee chairman to send a letter to Mr. Jerry Garcia of Ukiah High School, notifying him that mid-block crosswalks are not appropriate. Member Kennedy offered to write the letter to Mr. Garcia, informing him that the Traffic Engineering Committee had heard his item and will take it to the City Council, with the recommendation that a larger "No Parking" zone be established on the west side as described, and that the Committee does not support mid-block crosswalks, as Mr. Woods previously discussed with him. Mr. Kennedy stated he will also advise Mr. Garcia that he could take his request relative to the crosswalk directly to the City Council; however, the Committee will recommend denial. d. Request for Limited No Parking Zones Adjacent to City Parks -Larry DeKnoblough Director of Community Services Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 71, 1997 Page 2 Member Kennedy reviewed Mr. DeKnoblough's request for limited "No Parking" zones along the State and School Street frontages of Thomas Plaza, and the street frontages adjacent to all of the municipal parks. He explained that Public Safety had voiced their concern relative to groups of people parking and loitering on the Plaza's east side, and had requested limited parking in that area. Since the parking limitation has been in effect for several years on the streets adjacent to Todd Grove Park, Mr. DeKnoblough suggested the restriction be attached to the other parks as well, thus providing Public Safety with a tool to minimize late night problems, and aid in protecting the parks and the citizens who use them. Mr. Kennedy also communicated City Manager Horsley's concern that "No Parking" zones in the neighborhood parks would limit the residents from utilizing parking along park property for their own use, and that she does not support that elimination. Member Dewey stated that Public Safety had observed the streets surrounding the parks mentioned in Mr. DeKnoblough's memo, and noticed only a few cars parked there overnight. From an enforcement standpoint, if an automobile is still on the street after 2:00 a.m., restricted parking gives the officers flexibility to further assess the situation. He further stated he has not seen anyone, particularly residents, who would be inconvenienced by placing restricted parking zones next to the parks. Discussion followed regarding park hours, and whether this type of parking limitation would affect businesses surrounding the Plaza. It was noted that this restriction would have no effect on private parking, and that late hour customers could still park on other downtown streets nearby. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote to recommend to the City Council that a "No Parking" restriction between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. be designated along Elm and Pine fronting Vinewood Park; Dora, Bush, Clay and Stephenson fronting McGarvey Park; Main and Clay fronting Carpenter Park; and the State and School frontages of Thomas Plaza. e. Verbal Report of Traffic Speed on Emr~ire Drive Between State and Bush Streets - Rick Kennedy. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Member Kennedy stated he had received two calls from a resident on Empire Drive regarding the speed of traffic in that area, and reviewed for the Committee the previous action on the issue, including the posting of a 25 mph speed limit sign for westbound traffic at the point at which the residential district begins. He noted his opinion that most of the speeding was being done by students, and requested that the resident officer at the high school talk to the students about safe driving habits. Discussion followed regarding various traffic calming measures, including the radar trailer, speed humps, stop signs, and "bulb outs" at the intersections, wherein it was noted that long-term measures taken to reduce the speeding would require an expenditure of funds. It was further noted that Mr. Kennedy was not seeking action at this time, but only desired to relay to Member Dewey that there are citizens concerned with the traffic speed, and perhaps Public Safety could increase enforcement in that area. Discussion followed regarding the status of the "Lovers Lane" project. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 11, 1997 Page 3 OLD BUSINESS None. V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Woods advised he had received a call from a State Street business regarding the procedure for requesting time-limited green curb parking. Discussion followed regarding the street re-striping project and parking along State Street. It was noted that the location under discussion was outside of the downtown area, and that the Downtown Parking Administrator would not be involved. Member Woods advised he would visit the site and respond to the inquiry. Chairman Fernandez voiced his concern relative to the egress of traffic from Wal-Mart, stating that he had observed drivers making a short left turn and traveling south towards Friedman Bros. in the northbound lanes. Following Committee discussion regarding the problem, he recommended that a "One-Way' sign be installed on the west side of the street, across from the through exit from Wal- Mart, and a "Right Turn Only" sign on the exit, that goes north. No action was taken. VII. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Fernandez noted that Member Turner had not appeared for the meeting, and therefore recommended that Items a and b under NEW BUSINESS be continued to the next meeting. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, 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 3:55 p.m }. ~/ ,~ ~ - ~ i ia' erns d z, Chairman e Gi ntoli, Recording Secretary B:\meg\tec21197. min Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee February 11, 1997 Page 4