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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_051199TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT William Fernandez, Chairman Steve Turner, Public Member Donna Roberts, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent David Lohse, Associate Planner MEMBERS ABSENT Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department John Bartlett Diane Bartlett Bobby Pugh Tom Rooney Gordon Burke STAFF PRESENT Corporal Darren Wojozaek Ukiah Police Department Carl Tuliback Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer 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 Member Looney made a correction on Page 2, Paragraph 6, to read as follows: "Member Looney stated he is opposed to designated on-street handicap parking at that location." ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of May 11, 1999, as corrected. Member Kennedy abstained. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Fernandez read audience comments. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE1 PUBLIC HEARING/VEHICLE_ABATEMENT a. 660 Talmage Road. Ukiah..- Bobbv Puah Member Kennedy introduced Carl Tuliback, City of Ukiah Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, and Corporal Darren Wojozaek, City of Ukiah Police Department. Mr. Bobby Pugh stated of the 14 vehicles that received abatement notices, eight vehicles remain on the property requiring repairs, and plans to convert the pickups into hauling trailers. The 1987 Ford Ranger he is currently driving. He presented pictures of the property to show that some of the vehicles had been removed from the property or relocated to the rear of the building. He also stated he will be moving his residence to the rear building to work on vehicles, allowing the front building to be rented. The vehicle on the trailer will be removed the weekend of May 15, and he will continue to remove the trash and debris, and vehicles. He noted he is disabled due to a head injury. In August of 1999 he will have occupied the building for five years to use as a storage area. Carl Tuliback, Building Inspector, stated Mr. Pugh's business license expired on December 31, 1996. Mr. Pugh returned the business license informing the City of Ukiah Business License Department he no longer intended to operate a business at 660 Talmage as of September 1996. As of this date, there is no current business license for any type of business at this location. The accumulation of trash and debris on the property is in violation of the City ordinance, and the ultimate condition of the property and cleanup is the responsibility of the property owner. The vehicles are registered in Mr. Pugh's name and was properly notified by the City of Ukiah Police Department on the vehicle abatement. He noted relocating the vehicles to the rear of the building does not resolve the existing problem. He advised the current condition of the property has improved since his first visit several months ago. The Building Department has notified Mr. Pugh, in writing, to remove the remaining noticed vehicles, trash and debris prior to August 31, 1999. Chairman Fernandez asked is it the obligation of the property owner for the maintenance and condition of the property. Mr. Tuliback responded yes. The property owner is ultimately responsible for the maintenance and condition of the buildings and property. The property owner has been notified of the vehicle abatement and condition of the property. Member Harris clarified the Traffic Engineering Committee has no jurisdiction over the condition of the property, only the vehicles. Corporal Darren Wojozaek stated Corporal Heitkamp was in charge of the Community Response Team at the time of the vehicle abatement notification. Upon notification of a vehicle abatement, the owner of the vehicles has 10 days to remove the noticed vehicles MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE2 from the property, however it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner for the removal of the trash and vehicles. He advised the conservator of the property is Tom Caldwell, and that he spoke with Rose Caldwell, wife of Mr. Caldwell. Mrs. Caldwell informed him that they were not aware of the vehicle abatement, but knew of the letter from the Mr. Tuliback. A letter was sent to the property owner, and returned for reasons unknown. The abatement notice was mailed to Tom and Rose Caldwell, in which Mr. Caldwell requested an extension of August 31, 1999, as stated in Mr. Tuliback's letter. Corporal Wojozaek stated he has since talked with Mr. Pugh regarding the removal of the remaining noticed vehicles, in which Mr. Pugh advised he was in the process of removing the vehicles from the property, and will provide a written explanation on his plans to convert the pickups into haulers. Corporal Wojozaek explained to Mr. Pugh that automobile fuels, oils, and batteries contaminate the soil, and a water source is nearby which becomes an environmental issue. Mr. Pugh has been notified that he has until May 31, 1999, to remove the remaining noticed vehicles from the property. Member Harris asked if there is a list of the noticed vehicles and their condition. Corporal Wojozaek responded yes. Mr. Tuliback stated the first inspection was conducted on March 11, 1999, at which time there were more than 15 vehicles. Inspections on the condition of vehicles include dismantled, inoperative and/or abandoned vehicles, have expired license plates, or registration. Vehicles are considered inoperative due to certain physical characteristics. He advised to dismantle vehicles and manufacture into other uses becomes a planning and zoning issue to be addressed by the Planning Department. Member Harris asked if there is a specific reason for the May 31, 1999-deadline on the removal of the vehicles. Corporal Wojozaek responded May 31, is the extension date from the original 10-day abatement notification set by the Police Department. Member Harris asked if Mr. Pugh has requested an extension of time. He noted the "Traffic Engineering Committee may delay the time for removal of vehicles or parts there of if the circumstances justify it." Corporal Wojozaek responded Mr. Pugh has not requested an extension of time. Member Harris asked what is the status of the vehicles being removed prior to May 31, 1999. Mr. Pugh responded he would like to keep some of the vehicles behind the back building to make repairs. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE3 Member Harris expressed a concern that there is no proposal on the repair and removal of the remaining vehicles. Member Lohse advised the property is zoned C-1 District, and is not to be used for vehicle repair. The residential portion of the site will require verification that it has been used as a residence since annexed into the City. Currently, there is no use permit that allows residential use. The residential standard and commercial standard do not allow the manufacturing or storage of vehicles or vehicles parts without a use permit. The use permit will require that if vehicles are to be stored there is to be aesthetic screening, and the vehicles are to be stored in such a manner they do not leak hazardous materials. Member Turner asked what is the possibility of relocating the vehicles to property that is zoned and set up to handle vehicle maintenance and repair. Member Lohse suggested to Mr. Pugh that he relocate the vehicles to a garage or storage area location within the C-2 zone to allow auto manufacturing. Mr. Pugh stated he has not been able to find a place to rent. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee extends the 10-day abatement notice to July 31, 1999, to remove all inoperative vehicles or obtain the proper use permit to maintain or repair vehicles. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS a. b. Request to remove on-street~arking near the intersection of Frietas Avenue and Oak Street -John Bartlett. 260 Frietas Avenue. John Bartlett, 260 Frietas Avenue, stated he is requesting to change atwo-way stop to a four-way stop at Frietas Avenue and Oak Street. Due to the recent construction of the St. Mary's Church there has been an increase of traffic, traffic speed, and on-street parking. The on-street parking has made it very difficult to have clear site visibility to cross Oak Street from Frietas Avenue. He also stated his daughter's vehicle was in a recent traffic accident at this intersection, trying to cross Oak Street from Frietas Avenue. He expressed a concern for the safety of the children who live in this area due to the increase of traffic speed. Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, reported three (3) separates traffic counts were conducted at this intersection on Friday, May 7, and Monday, May 10, 1999. The MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE4 traffic counts include traffic movement within the intersection and the number of pedestrians. He noted that the traffic counts were analyzed with HAS software to determine the level of service, with the Level of Service A being the best and Level Service F being the worst for traffic flow. Friday. May 7.1999 from 11:45 to 12:45 p.m. All traffic turning movements were Level of Service A. Monday. May 10. 1999 - 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. All traffic movements were Level of Service A. Monday May 10. 1999 - 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Frietas Avenue eastbound, left turn movement -Level Service B. Frietas Avenue eastbound, through movement -Level Service B. These two traffic movements are on the borderline between Level of Service A and Level of Service B. Mr. Bartlett asked if traffic counts were conducted on Sunday during church services when there is an increase of traffic and on-street parking. Mr. Seanor responded no. He reported there have been no traffic accidents at this intersection from 1995 to September 30, 1998. The SWITRS Report is a summary of all accidents within the City, and is obtained through the California Highway Patrol. Member Kennedy advised he receives a copy of all recent accident reports within the City, and that the SWITRS Report is one year behind on reporting. Mr. Seanor reported he did not observe a problem with on-street parking that would create restrictions for site distance. On the northwest corner of the intersection there is a fire hydrant and red zone. The other curb returns are adequately red zoned. He advised the accident history at this intersection does not warrant the installation of a four-way stop. In addition, none of the Caltrans Traffic Manual warrants for stop signs are met at this intersection. Member Turner asked if there has been an increase of traffic during the week because of the rear access to St. Mary's School. Mr. Bartlett responded there is an increase of traffic and on-street parking during church services. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE 5 Diane Bartlett expressed it is difficult to cross Oak Street from Frietas Avenue because of the on-street parking and the lack of clear site visibility. Member Lohse asked if vehicles are parking illegally on Sunday during church services. Mr. Bartlett responded no. He noted he has heard numerous tire screeches and observed numerous near collisions. Member Looney stated the City of Ukiah uses the State Traffic Manual which recommends 15 feet of red curb from the curb return. However, at the intersection of Frietas Avenue and Oak Street the red curb returns are 20 feet, with the exception of the curb return where the hydrant is located, is 28 feet. He noted the installation of additional stop signs may create more congestion and traffic delay time could be increased. Member Turner noted he also lives within this area and rides his bike to work. He expressed he prefers crossing the Oak and Frietas intersection versus the Mill and Oak intersection to avoid State Street. Member Looney asked if they have considered entering onto Gobbi Street. Mr. Bartlett responded it is difficult to make alert-hand turn onto Gobbi Street from Oak Street. Member Lohse recommended the Ukiah Police Department place the radar trailer at this intersection. Member Turner recommended that St. Mary's be notified of this problem and if they could assist in some way to resolve the problem. Member Roberts expressed due to Oak Street being a dead end street, it may give motorists the perception there are no side streets. Member Kennedy advised that St. Mary's publishes a newsletter to the congregation and suggested the church could publish an article in their newsletter addressing these issues. ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to deny the request to change atwo-way stop to a four-way stop at Frietas Avenue and Oak Street based on the traffic counts do not meet the requirements to warrant the installation of stop signs. The Director of Public Works write a letter to St. Mary's Church advising them of the issues discussed, and request that an article be published in their newsletter addressing the issues and concerns expressed by the neighborhood, and ask the congregation to utilize the on-site parking. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE 6 ON A MOTION by Member Turner, seconded Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee denies the request to remove on-street parking near the intersection of Frietas Avenue and Oak Street. Member Kennedy advised Mr. Bartlett that he can appeal this decision to the City Council. OLD BUSINESS a. Status Report on Traffic Issues and Complaints Concerning Pick up and Drop-off Area for Elementary School Children at Mendocino Drive and Dora Street -Ukiah Police Deoartment. Chairman Fernandez reported this item has been discussed by the Committee on several occasions due to the fact that the Ukiah Police Department had received numerous complaints on traffic safety issues, safety of the school children, complaints regarding increased vehicle traffic on Mendocino Drive, parents parking their vehicles in front of businesses within the area when picking up and dropping off their children at the elementary school, and no sidewalk on the south side of the school for children to walk. Gordon Burke, Director of Support Services, Ukiah Unified School, advised that Mr. Rooney had addressed this issue when he first arrived at Yokayo School a year ago. Tom Rooney, Principal, reported the School mailed a flyer to the parents addressing these issues and concerns; published articles in the newsletter addressing the issues on child safety, and that the police will ticket vehicles illegally parked. The flyer presented solutions to parents to pick up their child 10 minutes later, have your child meet you further down the street; and if you live within two blocks of the school, the children can walk to school and home. The school has increased teacher supervision; two signs were installed at the end of the parking lot indicating "no left turn"; two signs will be posted on the fence indicating "no parking anytime'; parents must park their vehicle off the street and remain in or stand by their car; the gate located to the far west was designed for children to walk on school grounds; the gate located further east must remain open due to the crosswalk at this location and is a main entrance/exist for the children; the gate located mid-way is not used and could be closed. Gordon Burke advised the school was designed to accommodate 550 students and current has an attendance of 700 students. The area is monitored by the Ukiah Police Department which has helped considerably. Other suggestions discussed was the possibility of increasing the parking/drop off area on the north side of Mendocino Drive, however, there is an underground creek and storm drain that runs the full length of the fence on the south side of the school. Also, there is a new revised bell schedule that could possibly allow parents to pick-up the children in the existing bus pull out area on Dora for approximately a 15 minute period which may alleviate some traffic. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE 7 Member Turner suggested mile post markers be installed 3 to 4 feet from the fence to allow children to walk between the vehicles and fence, and prevent vehicles from parking to close to the fence. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of establishing a no parking zone during certain hours, installation of a sidewalk and delineators. Member Kennedy suggested there is an LTF grant through the Mendocino County of Governments (MCOG) for ADA ramps and pedestrian safety. The next grant application will be available in the fall, and suggested the would City sponsor the application for a sidewalk on the north side of Mendocino Drive. He suggested as a short-term solution the installation of the delineators 25 feet west of the crosswalk from Alice Avenue east to Dora, to use as a curb line to prevent vehicles from parking near the fence, and allow approximately 5 feet of area for children to walk between the vehicles and the fence, and no parking within 20 feet on both sides of the crosswalk. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to eliminate parking 20 feet on both sides of the crosswalk at Alice Avenue and Mendocino Drive; that delineators be installed along the curb line were the curb currently stops at the entrance to the School parking lot west to were the sidewalk ends. The delineators will be purchased by Ukiah Unified School District and the Street Department will install the delineators. The City of Ukiah will sponsor future candidate projects to install curb, gutter, and sidewalk along the north side Mendocino Drive and will apply for LTF funds and/or SB 45 when available. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGER None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. ~ alr an:Willia ernandez \ ~~ 4 \ ' Kathy~Kinch, Reco ing Secretary R:1 \TEC A051199 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 11, 1999 PAGE9