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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_071399TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer David Lohse, Associate Planner Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department MEMBERS ABSENT William Fernandez, Chairman Donna Roberts, Public Member Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent OTHERS PRESENT None. STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Turner at 3:14 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed abuve. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of May 11, 1999, as submitted. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Vice-Chairman Turner read audience comments. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 PAGE 1 DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS a. Request for a loading zone or "NO PARKING" zone located at the corner of Washington Avenue and Helen Avenue Photograohs to be orovided at the meeting -Judy Baugus Site SuQervisor Nokomis Head Start Child Development Program 499 Washington Avenue. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the next scheduled meeting, because the applicant was not present. Consider installation of a left-turn pocket on Low Gap Road westbound at the main entrance to the County Administrative Center -Steve Turner MTA Vice-Chairman Turner stated he is requesting the installation of a left-turn pocket on Low Gap Road at the main entrance to the parking lot of the County Administrative Center. He advised it is difficult for westbound traffic to make alert-turn into the County parking lot when eastbound traffic is backed-up. This also causes the westbound traffic behind the left-turning vehicles to backup to the intersection of Bush Street and Low Gap Road. There does not appear to be sufficient room to the right of the left-turning vehicles for the through westbound traffic to pass the stopped vehicles. Member Lohse asked are vehicles entering into the bike lane to go around vehicles making alert-turn. Vice-Chairman Turner responded yes Member Kennedy advised the distance between Bush Street and the County driveway may not be long enough to install alert-turn pocket. Member Lohse noted this issue should be considered with the proposed apartment building project within this area. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Engineering Division investigate the possibility of installing a left-turn pocket on westbound Low Gap Road at the main entrance of the County Administrative Center. c. Request to lengthen "NO PARKING" zones at 12 existino bus stop locations Refer Vice-Chairman Turner reported various bus stops were established in the early 1980's MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 PAGE2 when MTA was operating 20 foot vans. MTA is requesting that the following existing bus stops be extended in length to accommodate the new larger MTA buses, and designated as "NO PARKING" zones. • Washington and South State Street -extend existing northbound red zone south; and red curb the southbound stop located at the Savings Bank. • Lighting Center -red curb the existing bus stop. • Orchard Avenue -extend existing red zone north located in front of the Longs Shopping Center. • Clara Avenue -red curb between the railroad crossing and the driveway, southbound bus stop located near tracks. • Mason and Clara Avenue -extend existing red zone 15 feet south. • Walnut Village -extend existing red zone north. • North State Street -extend existing red zone to the north located in front of Century Cable. • Ford Street and North State Street -red curb entire area in front of wall for southbound bus stop. • South State Street and Seminary Avenue -extend existing red zone south. • South State Street -extend existing red zone south located in front Ukiah Theater. • Luce Avenue -extend existing red zone north of the driveway at Luce Avenue and South State Street. Member Harris stated he has no problem with the proposed changes. Vice-Chairman Turner advised that Member Looney contacted him requesting the measured lengths for each of the proposed red curb changes. Member Harris asked if the property owners had been notified of the proposed changes. Vice-Chairman Turner responded no. He advised most of the proposed locations have adequate on-site parking. The southbound bus stop on Washington Avenue is located in front of a parking lot between the Savings Bank and Motel 6, and the northbound stop is located in front of Mayacama; customers of the Lighting Center utilize the on-site parking; MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 PAGE 3 Ukiah Frozen Foods has off-street parking in the industrial park; Walnut Village and Century Cable has adequate on-site parking; at Ford and State Street the bus stop is located in front of a retaining wall; State and Seminary is located in front of Masters Cleaners with adequate on-site parking; on South State Street the Ukiah Theater has adequate on-site parking; and Luce and State is located in front of Carpenter Plumbing and has adequate on-site parking. The only impact maybe Mason and Clara at the Window Shop with one on-street parking space that is not red curbed. Member Kennedy advised this item will require a resolution and approval from the City Council due to the elimination of on-street parking. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the next scheduled meeting to receive additional information on the proposal to lengthen the existing red zone at 12 existing bus stop locations. d. Phasing of northbound and southbound traffic signal lights on North State Street at Norton and Scott Streets -Steve Turner. Vice-Chairman Turner stated he was traveling northbound on State Street, waiting to make alert-turn, at the green signal light, from North State Street onto Scott Street, the lights turned red, and he proceeded through the intersection completing the left-turn. However, the vehicle traveling southbound still had a green light. He is requesting that the split phasing of the traffic signals lights for north- and southbound traffic be phased to change at the same time, removing the split phasing. Member Hoyle advised if a vehicle enters into an intersection lawfully, and that vehicle makes alert-turn on the amber or red light, that person has made a lawful left-turn. Member Kennedy advised that the purpose for the split phasing is to clear the intersection of all vehicles making alert-turn from Norton onto southbound State Street. If the traffic signal lights were phased to change at the same time, vehicles making alert-turn from Norton onto southbound State Street would have nowhere to go, and could possibly create traffic backup at this intersection. He noted the traffic accident reports do not show a problem with the split phasing at this intersection. It was decided by the Committee that the signal phasing is to remain as is. The lack of an accident history indicates that the current situation is safe and acceptable. OLD BUSINESS a. Request to extend "No Parking" red curb on east side of Leslie Street north of the north driveway existing the Ukiah Senior Center parking lot at 499 Leslie Street Vice-Chairman Turner stated the City received a counter note requesting an extension MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 PAGE 4 of the existing red curb at the exit driveway to the Ukiah Senior Center. Member Kennedy stated this item was discussed at the December 8, 1998 meeting, at which time Melissa Phillips requested an extension of the existing red curb. A motion was made that the Public Works Department repaint the existing seven foot curb on the east side of Leslie Street, north of the north driveway exiting the Ukiah Senior Center located at 499 Leslie Street. Member Lohse asked if there is a standard red curb to allow for clear sight visibility. Member Kennedy responded the State Traffic Manual suggests seven (7) feet for clear sight visibility. Discussion followed regarding how much additional red zone is needed for adequate sight distance; on-street parking for the residents of the apartment buildings is needed n the east side of the Leslie Street because most residents having more than one vehicle, senior citizens parking on the east side of Leslie Street in front of the Senior Center; the adequacy of on-site parking for the Senior Center; having the southern driveway exit alert-turn only; and the possibility of red curbing between the two driveways removing the on-street parking along the frontage of the Senior Center. Member Kennedy advised there are no traffic accident reports indicating a problem within this area. Vice-Chairman Turner advised that Kathy Kinch, Administrative Secretary to the Director of Public Works, sent a cover letter, agenda, and a copy of the counter note and the December 8, 1998 minutes, to Melissa Phillips of the Ukiah Senior Center. Ms. Kinch advised she received a telephone call from Ms. Phillips stating she was in favor of the extension to the existing red curb. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote, that the Engineering Division contact the Ukiah Senior Center advising them of the issues as discussed above, and request from the Senior Center the location and length required for the extension of the existing red curb, and the possibility of red curbing in front of the Senior Center and eliminating on-street parking in front of their facility only. Member Kennedy advised this item will require City Council approval if on-street parking is eliminated. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 PAGE 5 MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. ---~ ~, ~' Chairman WiUl~am Fernandez ', ~ ~ ~1 \ } ~~~ U_ A > > l L ~ Kathy Kinch, Recdfding Secretary R:1 \TEC A071399 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JULY 13, 1999 PAGE 6