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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_101398TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 13, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT Steve Turner, MTA Dave Forsberg, for Donna Roberts, Public Member Ukiah Postal Annex Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent David Lohse, Associate Planner for Robert Sawyer, Director of Planning Michael Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department MEMBER ABSENT STAFF PRESENT William Fernandez, Chairman Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Turner at 3:06 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Looney made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 2, to delete the words "yellow curbing". The sentence to read as follows: "Member Looney expressed it should be the responsibility of the School to provide a designated area for loading and unloading of school children." ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes September 15, 1998, as amended. Member Kennedy abstained. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Acting Chairman Turner read audience comments. Eric Larson, Citizen, stated that due to the reconstruction of Perkins Street, the volume of traffic on East Gobbi Street has increased. He noted it is difficult to make alert-hand turn from Leslie Street onto East Gobbi Street, and requested a temporary three-way stop at this intersection. Member Kennedy responded he has discussed this issue with Police Chief John Williams, regarding the possibility of traffic control at the intersection of East Gobbi and Leslie Streets. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 13, 1998 PAGE1 DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS b. Reouest for Red Curb in Front of 671 South Orchard Street new Ukiah Postal Annex - Edward McVey. Postmaster Ukiah Mr. Forsberg of the United States Postal Service, stated that the Ukiah Post Office Safety Committee is requesting a red curb located in front of the new Postal Annex building at 671 South Orchard Avenue. There have been 18-wheel trucks parking on-street between the two driveways to utilize the restaurant or motel, making it very difficult for motorists (postal vehicles and customers) to have clear site visibility when making alert- or right-hand turn onto Orchard Avenue. He noted that the Safety Committee does not have a problem with smaller vehicles parking within this area. Member Hoyle asked if the request is to paint the entire curb red or just a portion of the curb Mr. Forsberg responded that the Safety Committee is requesting the entire curb be painted red. He expressed that a portion of the curb painted red would allow sufficient site visibility when exiting the driveways, and would prevent the larger trucks from parking within this location. Member Looney presented two pictures of the location taken during the morning hours. One photograph shows a large truck parked in the location, and the second photograph shows no vehicles parked in the location. He advised that he placed cones at the two driveways, one at 25 feet and one at 50 feet to indicate the length of the proposed red curb and remaining on-street parking space. He also advised that the south driveway is an entrance only and the north driveway is an exit only. Acting Chairman Turner asked if the request will be a recommendation to the City Council for approval. Member Kennedy responded it is a recommendation to the City Council, due to the removal of on- street parking. He noted if a request for a red curb is a minimum of 3 to 5 feet from the driveway apron it is customary to paint the curb red, or 15 feet for a crosswalk is established by ordinance without City Council approval. Member Looney suggested that a 25-foot red curb/no parking zone be established on the south side of the exit only driveway, and 25 feet of the north entrance driveway of the new Post Office Annex building to establish clear site visibility when exiting the driveway. Acting Chairman Turner noted that a red curb was painted in front of 1040 North State Street due to obstruction of UPS trucks parking on-street, and to establish clear site visibility when exiting onto North State Street. 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 recommends to the City Council a 25-foot red curb/no parking zone be established on the south side of the exit only driveway, and 25 feet of the north entrance driveway of the new Post Office Annex. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 13, 1998 PAGE2 c. Discussion of Traffic Sneed on Peach and Warren Streets -Wanda Ruttier Member Kennedy reported that Mrs. Ruttier spoke with Deputy Director Rick Seanor expressing concerns about the increased traffic speeds on Peach and Warren Streets, and requested the installation of speed humps. Mr. Seanor explained to Ms. Ruttier that it is not City policy to install speed humps on City streets, and suggested that she contact the Ukiah Police Department and request traffic enforcement or request placement of the radar trailer within this area. Member Kennedy advised that the Committee take no action at this time until Staff presents a Traffic Management Plan to the Committee that will address these issues. He noted that he has received a copy of Boulder City's Traffic Management Plan explaining the installation of traffic measures; the percentage required (65%) to respond on a survey; and the cost of installing and maintaining traffic measures, and responsibility of the residents. Discussion followed regarding it is a possibility that the increase of traffic and traffic speed is due to the reconstruction of Perkins Street. Member Kennedy requested that the Ukiah Police Department schedule the radar trailer to be placed on Peach and Warren Streets. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Roberts, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee take no action at this time, and requested that the Ukiah Police Department schedule the radar trailer to be placed on Peach and Warren Streets. OLD BUSINESS a. Reoort on Traffic Issues and Complaints Concerning Pick uo and Droo off Area for Elementary School Children at Mendocino Drive and Dora Street -Verbal Report Member Harris reported that Senior Civil Engineer, Larry Woods, spoke with the Principal of Yokayo Elementary School, and that Corporal Greg Heitkamp sent a letter to Gordon Burke, Ukiah Unified School District, dated September 30, 1998, addressing the ongoing traffic safety issues, safety of the school children, complaints regarding increased vehicle traffic on Mendocino Drive, and parents parking their vehicles in front of businesses within the area when picking up and dropping off their children at the elementary school. Corporal Heitkamp requested a meeting to discuss the issues and develop ashort- and long-term solution. He advised that he tried to contact the Principal of Yokayo Elementary School before the meeting, and was unsuccessful. As of this date, there has been no response from the Principal of Yokayo Elementary School or from Ukiah Unified School District. Member Looney reported that the Public Works Department repainted the red curbs within this area. Discussion followed regarding that it is the responsibility of Yokayo Elementary School to provide adequate on-site parking for parents to drop-off and pick-up their children. Member Harris stated he will continue to contact the Principal of Yokayo Elementary School and Mr. Burke of Ukiah Unified School District regarding the issues, and report back to the Committee. He noted that he will also advise Corporal Heitkamp of any developments. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 13, 1998 PAGE 3 b. Member Lohse reported that the consulting firm of Whitlock and Weinberger Transportation is preparing a 20-year Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for Ukiah as part of the City's implementation of the General Plan goals and policies calling for auser-friendly bicycle and pedestrian facilities. He distributed lwo chapters, "The Implementation Plan" and "Financial Strategy Plan". Staff has reviewed the projects as mostly very large improvement projects, which will be funded through grants. Staff would like to present the Master Plan to the Planning Commission in November, and City Council in December 1998. Member Harris stated that the Plan reflects Fiscal Year 1998/99, and suggested that the Master Plan clarify which fiscal year the phases will be implemented. He recommended that on Page 15, "Mello Roos" be deleted. Member Lohse responded Staff would like to maintain the assessment district in the Master Plan. A lengthy discussion followed regarding bicycles lanes, grants, and educating the public on bicycle and pedestrian safety. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Acting Chairman Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee members make their recommendations and/or comments to Member Lohse on an individual basis. Acting Chairman Turner advised that on Page 5, Paragraph 5, of the Master Plan under "Improve Safety and Education", it states "Designate a responsible agency and part-time position for the identification, analysis and resolution of safety issues related to bicycle and pedestrian travel within the City of Ukiah", he recommended that the Traffic Engineering Committee be designated as the agency. ON A MOTION by Acting Chairman Turner, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee be designated as the agency, and that the part-time position be a planning transportation engineer, as described on Page 5, Paragraph 5, of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan c. Petition Regarding Traffic Calming Devices along Clara Avenue and Ford Street. Member Kennedy reported that the City Clerk received a petition containing approximately 125 signatures for the removal of the traffic circles on Ford and Clara. The petitioners believe that the traffic circles are hazardous, and requested speed humps. Staff will be presenting to the City Council on November 4, the petition and a presentation on traffic measures. He will advise the Council that the traffic calming devices are temporary, and upon completion of the Perkins Street reconstruction, Staff will return to the City Council recommending that the traffic calming circles become permanent with the lower profile. Member Kennedy distributed a copy of an article published in the Ukiah Daily Journal dated October 10, 1998, entitled "Speed Bumps Raising Emergency Response Times", stating that speed bumps on neighborhood streets have delayed fire engines and ambulances, increasing emergency response times that could mean the difference between life and death. He noted that Clara is a MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 13, 1998 PAGE4 collector street, and collectors serve other neighborhoods. The residents within the neighborhood may have concerns on the response time of emergency vehicles. He further noted that Fire Chief Roe Sandelin reported in a practice run through the traffic circles the Fire Engine had no problem maneuvering through the traffic circles and the response time was not delayed. He stated he is opposed to speed humps on collector streets, and recommends that the traffic circles on Ford and Clara remain in place. Member Kennedy and Member Roberts presented pictures of low profile traffic calming circles located in Sacramento. Acting Chairman Turner advised that the traffic calming devices are attempts to control traffic speed within the neighborhood, and are more effective than speed humps. He stated that no action be taken on this issue, and that the petition be forwarded to the City Council. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Vice-Chairman. Member Kennedy nominated Steve Turner. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to elect Steve Turner as Vice-Chairman. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Acting Chairman Turner i~~C't ~~ ~ y'l ~'~~ Kathy Kinch, Recordi Secretary R 1\TEC AI01)99 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 13, 1998 PAGE 5