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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_071498TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 14, 1998 3:00 p.m. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT William Fernandez, Chairman Steve Turner, MTA Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Larry Woods, Senior Civil Engineer for Jim Looney Dave Lohse, Associate Planner for Robert Sawyer, Director of Planning MEMBERS ABSENT Mike Harris, Assistant City Manager Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Chris Dewey, Ukiah Police Department Donna Roberts, Public Member OTHERS PRESENT Ed Busch STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Fernandez at 3:10 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Fernandez read audience comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes June 9, 1998, as submitted. Members Woods and Lohse abstained. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 1 OLD BUSINESS b. Results of Survev regarding narking restrictions adjacent to driveways on Hospital Drive -Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer. Member Kennedy reviewed the written request from Dr. Rice's office, stating that many of their patients have expressed difficulty with seeing traffic on Hospital Drive as they exit the driveways. He stated a survey was submitted to the occupants of the medical office complex and pharmacy on the west side of Hospital Drive in June 1998. The survey asked the occupants' positions concerning a request for the elimination of on-street parking within 20 feet of both sides of the driveways. Of the 21 questionnaires distributed, 14 were returned. The majority of the respondents (71.4°/a) support the request to remove on-street parking within 20 feet of both sides of all three driveways on the west side of Hospital Drive, serving the medical office complex. Three (3) respondents wanted to retain all on-street parking on the west side of Hospital Drive, and one (1) respondent indicated that they would support a 10 foot setback adjacent to the driveways with the intent of retaining as much on-street parking as possible. A total of five (5) parking spaces would be eliminated on the west side of Hospital Drive, and five 151 of the existing 15 parking spaces on the east side of Hospital Drive, from the southerly service entry driveway to the curb return located north of the Hospital would be eliminated. One 11- on-street parking space consumes approximately 23 linear feet. Immediately south of the center driveway is a crosswalk which ends at a red curb no parking zone adjacent to the Myers Apothecary Shop. He also stated that Mr. ValGene Devitt, CEO of the Ukiah Valley Medical Center expressed similar concerns on the difficulty of sight visibility when exiting the driveways. Mr. Devitt stated he supports the elimination of on-street parking within 20 feet on both sides of the seven (7) driveways on the east side of Hospital Drive which serves the Hospital complex. Discussion followed regarding that Hospital Drive is no longer a through street to Orchard Avenue due to the new K-Mart store; there is an existing 20 foot public access way through the main parking lot on the north side of the K-Mart building; four 141 parking spaces will be eliminated by the Birthing Center driveway, and one (1) between the main parking lot driveways. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 2 Member Lohse stated the driveways north and south of the Emergency Room are required to be red curb for the emergency helicopter. He advised it was a requirement that the Birthing Center provide one (11 parking stall per bed. Staff has noticed that the parking lot for the Birthing Center has not been utilized to full capacity, and that the parking lot could be used as additional on-site parking. He noted there is a possibility the Planning Department may receive an application for a site development permit to build a large medical office complex directly west of the Birthing Center. The medical office will be required to provide a large on-site parking lot. Member Kennedy stated that he had received verbal comments concerning the lack of adequate on-site parking for the Hospital complex. It is a possibility that the employees are restricted from parking in the main parking lot, and have difficulty parking off-site. 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 Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council that on-street parking be eliminated within 20 feet of both sides of the three (3) driveways serving the medical office complex on the west side of Hospital Drive, and within 20 feet of the seven 17) driveways serving the Hospital complex on the east side of Hospital Drive, and establishing a "NO PARKING" zone to improve sight distance for motorists exiting the medical office complex and the Hospital. NEW BUSINESS a. Relocate the existing MTA Bus Stop from Perkowski's Screen Printino to 38' south of the north U-Haul driveway -Steve Turner, MTA Member Turner stated the existing bus stop is located in front of Perkowski's Screen Printing. There is a slope from the curb to a planter area located behind a telephone pole. The area is not appropriate for an MTA bench or passenger waiting area. He is requesting the bus stop be relocated 38' south of the north U-Haul driveway. The proposed area has a 3' retaining wall along the sidewalk with a fence behind the retaining wall. The sidewalk is wide enough for a bench and waiting area. He advised that U-Haul trucks are parked there during evening hours (dropped off) and removed when the business opens. There is an existing 14 foot red curb and 24 feet of faded white curb. Member Turner suggested the possibility of painting the white curb to 24 feet yellow curb or repainting the white curb. The yellow curb would allow customers of U-Haul to park trucks at this location during the evening hours. The yellow curb is designated as open parking after 6:00 p.m. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 3 Member Kennedy asked if a red curb would be adequate. Member Turner responded he would prefer the existing white curb or yellow curb. Chairman Fernandez asked if U-Haul was advised the proposed relocation of the bus stop. Member Turner responded no. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Woods, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve MTA's request to relocate the existing MTA bus stop from Perkowski's Screen Printing to 38' south of the north U-Haul driveway, and that the existing white curb be painted yellow or repainted white. Member Turner abstained. b. Remove MTA Bus Stop on North Bush Street, southbound side of Bush Street. iust south of Arlington and Bush Street Intersection -Steve Turner. MTA Member Turner requested that this item be continued to the next meeting. c. Approval of MTA Bus Stoo at 200 block South Orchard Avenue southbound iust south of the Stella Street and South Orchard Avenue intersection -Steve Turner, MTA Member Turner stated the proposed bus stop would be located immediately south of the intersection of Stella Street and Orchard Avenue, between the curb return and the secondary/backyard drive approach to the residence on Stella Drive. Afire hydrant is located on the corner and next to the garage of the Stella Drive residence. The proposed bus stop will be adjacent to the northbound MTA bus stop. A bus stop sign will be located between two residences in the landscaped area adjacent the power pole. This proposed bus stop location is included in MTA's bus stop enhancement program. Member Kennedy asked if a bench will be installed at this location, and if a red curb will be required. Member Turner responded because the area is residential a bench will not be installed. There is an existing 15 foot red curb around the fire hydrant. Member Kennedy stated Fire Marshal Evans submitted written comments, noting that a fire hydrant is located in the vicinity of the proposed project. Uniform Fire Code Section 1001.7.1 prohibits placement of any object near the fire hydrant such as sign post or shelter. Section 1001.7.2 further requires that a minimum 3-foot clear space MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 4 be maintained around fire hydrants. Member Turner responded the sign post will be located 50 feet from the fire hydrant. Member Kennedy stated that Orchard Avenue is scheduled for reconstruction at the end of September, and that the project will take approximately 6 weeks to complete. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Woods, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council approval of MTA's request for a no parking zone and bus stop loading zone at the 200 block of South Orchard Avenue, southbound, just south of the Stella Street and South Orchard Avenue intersection. Member Turner abstained. Member Turner advised he has not discussed the proposed bus stop with the property owners at this location. Member Kennedy stated Staff will notify the property owner that a recommendation to establish a "no parking zone and bus loading zone" along the Orchard Avenue curb fronting the Stella Drive property will be presented to the City Council. d. Recommendation for the establishment of a four wav stoo at Airport Park Boulevard and Commerce Drive -Rick Kennedv. Director of Public Works/City Enoineer. Member Kennedy stated that at the intersection of Airport Park Boulevard and Commerce Drive there are two northbound lanes, two southbound lanes, a northbound left-turn lane, and a southbound left-turn lane. Airport Park Boulevard is posted 30 mph, and Commerce Drive currently does not have a posted speed zone. Details of existing conditions at the intersection are provided in the attached Study. Airport Park Boulevard is unique, were motorists must stop on a minor street leg of an intersection and cross free flowing traffic on a four lane boulevard with median islands. During the 1997 calendar year there were a total of nine (91 accidents, and four (4) accidents through May 24, 1998, at this location. All of the accidents are classified as right angle collisions except one where the driver swerved off the road to avoid a right angle collision. One-way signs have been posted along the median island fronting exiting driveways of the businesses. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 5 The accident history at this intersection warrants the installation of a four-way stop. ON A MOTION by Member Lohse, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council the establishment of a four-way stop at the intersection of Commerce Drive and Airport Park Boulevard. OLD BUSINESS a. Status report on MTA bus stop at Alex R. Thomas Plaza -Steve Turner. MTA Member Turner stated at the May 12, 1998 meeting, MTA requested the establishment of a bus stop, southbound on South State Street, in the existing red zone opposite Stephenson Street, next to the Alex R. Thomas Plaza. At that meeting Member Roberts requested that the bench be similar to the benches in the park. He advised he contacted the company, and the cost for an 8-foot bench of the same make, model, and color would cost approximately 52,000. He noted that eight (8) MTA benches could be purchased for 52,000, and that a bench will not be installed at this location. c. Results of Resident Survey regarding Marlene. Betty, and Lorraine Streets -Rick Kennedy. Director of Public Works/City Engineer. Member Kennedy stated that at the request of the City Manager, a survey was sent to the residents on Marlene, Lorraine, and Betty Streets, and Deborah Court. Based on the responses, the City Manager recommends that the Marlene Street barricade be removed, and two (2) speed humps be installed on Marlene Street between Orchard Avenue and Lorraine Street. The survey asked the residents' opinions regarding the effectiveness of the one-way opening on Marlene Street at Orchard Avenue, and the speed humps on Betty and Lorraine Streets. The survey included several options for each traffic calming measure such as leaving the installation as is or modifying it in some manner. The options listed were: A) leave the speed humps as is; B) remove all speed humps; C) remove specified speed humps; and D) other. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of the respondents preferred that the speed humps remain on Lorraine Street, and eighty-eight percent 188%) of the respondents preferred that the speed humps remain on Betty Street. The survey results regarding the one-way opening on Marlene Street at Orchard Avenue are not as conclusive as the results for the speed humps. The options listed in the questionnaire were: A) leave half barricade as is; B) install full barricade across Marlene Street; C) remove the barricade and reopen Marlene to two-way traffic; D) remove the barricade as in C and install speed humps on Marlene Street between MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 6 Orchard Avenue and Lorraine Street; or E) other. No one option carried a majority of the respondents, however, Options C (21.5% in favor) and D (35.4% in favor) are similar and, when combining the results for these two options, approximately 57% of the respondents supported the reopening of Marlene Street to two-way traffic. Approximately 29% of the respondents prefer that the one-way opening remain. Within the last three (3) years through December of 1997 there has been one traffic accident related to the traffic calming measures. On February 6, 1997, one-half of the barricade was removed at the opening Marlene Street at Orchard Avenue. There are no speed limit signs posted on either Marlene or Betty Streets. Lorraine Street is posted 15 MPH speed limit between Talmage Road and Marlene Street. The speed humps on Betty Street are posted 15 MPH warning signs. The opening at the barricade on Marlene Street at Orchard Avenue is posted for one-way traffic, eastbound only. He also advised that some motorists are intentionally ignoring the posted one-way entrance and entering the intersection in front of opposing traffic. Member Lohse stated with the installation of the speed humps, will in the long-term, discourage motorists from traveling through this area. Discussion followed regarding reports that motorists are gutter running around the speed humps on Betty Street because there are no curbs; if speed humps are installed too far apart motorists could speed between the speed humps; the speed humps on Betty and Lorraine are constructed at a height to accommodate a maximum speed limit of 15 MPH; there is a sign posted on Orchard Avenue "THIS IS NOT A THROUGH STREET"; the possibility of installing steel pipes to prevent gutter running; and traffic calming devices are not recommended for collector streets; collectors are made to move traffic, not to discourage traffic. Member Kennedy reiterated the City Manager's recommendation for the reopening of Marlene Street. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council that the barricade on Marlene Street at Orchard Avenue be removed and that two-way traffic be restored on Marlene Street. It is further recommended that approximately 2 speed humps be installed on Marlene Street between Orchard Avenue and Lorraine Street. Staff would notify the residents on Marlene, Betty, and Lorraine Streets, and Deborah Court of the recommendation. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 7 Member Kennedy stated under the new General Plan a Traffic Management Plan will have to be adopted. He has received a copy of Boulder City's Traffic Management Plan describing the installation of traffic measures; the percentage required to respond on a survey; and cost of traffic measures and responsibility of residents. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Kennedy stated he received a complaint from Charlie Ruelle concerning a resident on Oak Street and Gibson Street who occasionally parks a logging truck on either the west or east side of Oak Street in front of or opposite the driver's residence. In a memorandum to Captain Walker, he requested enforcement of Section 7154 of the Ukiah Municipal Code (UMC) "prohibits the parking of a commercial vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 11,000 pounds on any street in any R-1, R-2, or R-3 zoning district unless the vehicle is delivering materials, goods, or merchandise to any lot located along the street." It also excludes the delivering of equipment which would be used in the grading or construction of the street, or on property abutting the street for which a building permit has been obtained. This area of Oak Street is zoned as R-1 Isingle family residential) and there is no reason for the logging truck to be parking along Oak Street at this location. Of concern to Mr. Ruelle is the apparent instability of the west side of Oak Street just south of the location where the logging truck is being parked. Several years ago, Mr. Ruelle, at his expense, had a subterranean retaining wall system constructed along the west side of Oak Street in front of his residence to prevent the on-going movement of the road. Mr. Ruelle has noted evidence that the roadway may be moving again; he has noted cracks in the road, as well as, cracks in his brickwork and concrete walkways. It is important that heavy truck traffic not utilize this area of Oak Street. Member Woods advised he received a similar complaint and concerns from Helen Sizemore, a resident on Oak Street. Discussion followed regarding posting the street as "not a truck route"; there may be an Ordinance designating certain streets as "not a truck route." Member Kennedy stated he received a letter from Carol Gottfried requesting that big green signs, one over each lane, with arrows, be installed on the traffic signal light standard, to inform motorists of the restricted direction of for each lane. Mrs. Gottfried expressed that the newly designed lanes added on Orchard Avenue at Perkins Street has caused confusion to motorists. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 8 Member Kennedy stated with the construction of the new K-Mart Store, K-Mart was required to restripe the north and south legs on Orchard Avenue. Aright-turn only lane was added to the north and south legs of Orchard Avenue, creating alert-turn only lane, a straight through lane, and aright-turn only lane. Before the restriping, the north and south legs of Orchard Avenue had alert-turn only lane and a combined straight through/right lane. The north and south bound legs are signed "right-turn lane only", a symbol sign (the arrow configuration), and arrows marked on the lanes. The symbol sign for the north leg is posted at the driveway next to Stars Restaurant, and the symbol sign for the south leg is posted adjacent the McDonald's driveway. On information provided by Senior Civil Engineer Larry Woods, the traffic signal standard pole is rated for 70 MPH wind, with a pole rating of 3. The rating indicates there can only be one sign of specified dimension with two traffic signal heads. There is the possibility of removing the left-turn arrow sign and combining it with directional arrows. Member Lohse stated he felt the signage and street markings are appropriate and easily identifiable. Member Turner asked Staff to send a written thank you letter to Mrs. Gottfried, informing her that the overhead standard is not designed for directional signs. Member Kennedy noted that the City Manager has requested Staff to review the possibility of modifying the existing sign with a larger sign and placed between the two traffic signal heads. Member Turner advised that MTA's local bus routes are carrying more passengers than in the past. Route 9 is averaging 650 passengers per day, the Jitney is carrying over 100 passengers per day, and Dial-a-Ride over 300 passengers per day. Over 1,000 passengers per day (approximately 10% higher than last summer, and approximately 20% higher from the spring). The Jitney route on State Street has not been as successful, only about 30 passengers per day including summer school, however, the fixed route in Fort Bragg has been very successful. On July 1, the last free ride day, there were 350 passengers, in addition to the 150 passengers riding Dial-a-Ride. The first week were passengers had to pay a fare, MTA averaged 100 passengers a day. He stated MTA has received a grant from MCOG for the installation of seven (7) new shelters, and noting that MTA has added 23 more shelters to the bus routes. Oakland has decommissioned some shelters and MTA purchased 16 shelters at a cost of 56,000. He noted that a new shelter cost approximately 55,000 each. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 9 He expressed that the bus pull outs on Orchard Avenue by J.C.Penneys is working very well, and fits with the entire development. He advised that Congressman Riggs has replaced the entire fleet of diesel buses, in addition to 500,000 for a transit center. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned~t 4:45 p.m. ndez, i~ ~C~<_Y~i~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~C ~ Kathy Kinch, R ,ording Secretar R:1\TEC AO11A98 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 14, 1998 PAGE 10