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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_120898TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT William Fernandez, Chairman Steve Turner, MTA Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Larry Woods, Senior Civil Engineer Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department MEMBERS ABSENT Donna Roberts, Public Member Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Robert Sawyer, Director of Planning OTHERS PRESENT Mike Bielenberg Brad James Melissa Phillips STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Fernandez at 3:05 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Tumer, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of December 13, 1998, as submitted. Chairman Fernandez abstained. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Fernandez read audience comments. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS a. Request for Red Curb on the East Side of Oak Manor Drive South of East Perkins Street - Larry Woods. Senior Civil Engineer. Member Woods reported that he received a letter from Brad James requesting restricted parking near the intersection of Oak Manor Drive and East Perkins Street to provide sufficient lane width for vehicles to form two lanes on Oak Manor Drive; one lane to make a left-turn, and the other lane to make aright-turn onto Perkins Street due to heavy traffic congestion during peak hours. He advised that he sent a letter to the residents of 105 and 110 Oak Manor Drive informing them of the request. He received a response letter from MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE 1 Jean and Alan Roberts, 105 Oak Manor Drive, strongly opposing the request He stated the proposed 24 foot red curb from the southwest corner to the driveway would possibly eliminate one (1) on-street parking space. He also stated, he performed traffic observations at the proposed location on Thursday, December 3, 1998, during the hours of 7:40 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. He noted the morning traffic flowed very smooth and uniform, and the right-turn traffic had delays of less than 30 seconds. The afternoon traffic flowed smooth with a maximum delay of 45 seconds (approximately 10 vehicles waiting), while observing both right- and left-turn traffic on six (6) occasions. He stated the request for red curb would have to be approved by the City Council. Member Turner asked if there was on-street parking during the traffic observations. Member Woods responded during the morning observation a large van was parked south of the driveway, and he observed no on-street parking during the afternoon observation. Brad James stated the van has been parking south of the driveway and now parks in an area that does not affect traffic flow. He also stated traffic delays are not the issue. He expressed a concern for the high risk of potential traffic accidents due to drivers pulling out in front of other drivers. He noted that parents dropping their children off at the school now use an alternate route to avoid the intersection. Member Looney questioned if a letter could be sent asking that commercial vehicles be parked on the south side of the driveway to allow adequate traffic flow. Discussion followed regarding traffic congestion only occuring for a short period of time during the day, that delays do not warrant red curbs and restricted parking, and the installation of no parking signs versus red curbs. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee send a letter to the two property owners at 105 and 110 Oak Manor Drive requesting all commercial vehicles park south of the driveway between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. The letter should state that in the future, should traffic congestion increase, the Committee will consider posting the area as "NO PARKING." Member Woods stated he would send the letter. b. Request for Red Curb 6 Feet on both the East and West Sides of Mrs. Denson's Cookie r'ompany Driveway located at 120 Brush Street -Mike Bielenberg Mrs Denson's Cookie Company. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE2 c. Request for Red Curb on the South Side of Brush Street between the NATCO and Soda c'~aPk Press Driveways -Mike Bielenberg Mrs Denson's Cookie Company. Mike Bielenberg of Mrs. Denson's Cookie Company, stated that due to the increase of vehicle traffic on Brush Street, it has become extremely difficult for trucks and trailers to back-up into the 53-foot driveway for loading and unloading. The trucks are having to back in, pull forward, and back in again. Discussion followed regarding the increase of traffic is due to the relocation of the County offices. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council approval of the request to red curb, six feet on both the east and west sides of Mrs. Denson's Cookie Company driveway, located at 120 Brush Street, and approve the request for red curb on the south side of Brush Street between the NATCO and Soda Creek Press driveways. The motion failed for lack of a second. Mr. Bielenberg stated the six foot red curb would not eliminate on-street parking Chairman Fernandez asked if NATCO was notified of the applicants requests. Mr. Bielenberg responded he did not notify NATCO of either request. Member Woods advised that staff should notify NATCO of the request. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present that the Traffic Engineering Committee notify NATCO of the request for red curb on the south side of Brush Street between the NATCO and Soda Creek Press driveways. If Staff does not receive a response from NATCO objecting to the request by the January 12, 1999 meeting, the Committee will recommend to the City Council approval of the request. Member Hoyle advised the Police Department has received complaints from citizens regarding on-street parking of the large trucks, making it very difficult to have clear sight visibility when exiting from Mazzoni onto Brush Street. Member Turner noted with future improvements on Brush Street it should be recommended that the street be widened, or if there are no future improvements, the Committee should consider eliminating on-street parking due to the width of the street and the increase of traffic. Member Woods advised he will have width dimensions of Brush Street available at the MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE 3 next meeting. d. Request for Red Curb on West Side of Leslie Street North of the North Driveway Exiting the Senior Center Parking Lot at 499 Leslie Street -Melissa Phillips Melissa Phillips, Ukiah Senior Center, stated she is requesting a red curb on the east side of Leslie Street, north of the driveway, exiting the Senior Center parking lot. There is an entrance driveway and exit driveway, and when large trucks park on-street between the two driveways, it is very difficult for the senior citizens to have clear sight visibility of oncoming traffic when exiting the driveway. Chairman Fernandez advised it is very difficult to have clear sight visibility when vehicles are parked on-street and when individuals are walking or standing on the sidewalk. Member Woods advised the vehicle parked in front of the Senior Center has been tagged by the Police Department as a possible abandoned vehicle. He also advised there is evidence the curb was painted red seven feet from the north driveway atone time, and that the truck encroaches four feet into the red curb area. Member Looney suggested the Public Works Department repaint the existing seven foot red curb to allow clear sight visibility rather than eliminating on-street parking. He noted that due to the fact there is an existing 7 foot red curb, the request does not need approval from the City Council. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Public Works Department repaint the existing seven foot red curb on the east side of Leslie Street, north of the north driveway exiting the Ukiah Senior Center located at 499 Leslie Street. OLD BUSINESS a. Status Report on Traffic Issues and Complaints Concerning Pick-upand Drop-off Area for Elementary School Children at Mendocino Drive and Dora Street -Ukiah Police Department. Member Turner stated he requested this item be placed on the agenda for discussion. He advised that Greg Heitkamp spoke with Gordon Burke of the Transportation Department, the school Principal, and Mike Harris. The school will be installing signs on the corner of Dora and Mendocino Drive alerting parents not to double park on Mendocino Drive, not to block the street, and to only turn right onto Mendocino Drive when exiting the parking lot. Officer Heitkamp has requested that the school open up the gate at the far southwest corner of the school property to allow the children to walk inside the fence line up to the sidewalk. He also advised that Member Harris will be furnishing the School District drawings on the underground creek culvert, and the School District will respond back. He spoke with Kim Logan at the School District informing her of the drawings. Mr. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE4 Burke responded that he has not reviewed the drawings at this time. He asked that this item be agendized for the next meeting. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meetinc Kinch, Ri\TEC AB0898 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGES