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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_041399TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 1999 MINUTES William Fernandez, Chairman Steve Turner, Public Member Donna Roberts, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent David Lohse, Associate Planner MEMBERS ABSENT Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department OTHERS PRESENT James McLain STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Turner at 3:10 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. Chairman Fernandez arrived at 3:15 p.m., and requested that Vice-Chairman Turner continue conducting the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 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 March 9, 1999, as submitted. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Turner read audience comments. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS Qequest for adisabled- ap rking_area at 302 West Hence Street at the corner of Oak Street -James McLain -County of Mendocino AODP Mr. James McLain, Administrative Services Officer, Department of Public Health, County of Mendocino, stated he is requesting a handicap parking space to be designated at 302 West Henry Street for an employee who has recently been approved for a disabled person placard. Currently, there is no designated handicap parking space that meets ADA requirements for handicap individuals. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE1 Vice-Chairman Turner noted that the placard expires September 10, 1999. Member Harris stated abutting the property is a vacated building with on-site parking, and asked if that parking area could be used for employee and handicap parking. Mr. McLain responded the vacated property is a separate parcel, but owned by the same property owner. He advised, in a discussion with the County's Risk Manager, the on-site parking area does not meet ADA requirements. Vice-Chairman Turner asked if the employee is in a wheelchair or uses crutches. He expressed that he is opposed to the on-street handicap parking on the south side of Henry Street, and that the intersection of Henry and Oak Streets does not have curb cuts or wheelchair ramps. Mr. McLain responded the employee uses crutches. Member Looney stated he is opposed to designated on-street handicap parking at that location. ADA regulations for parallel parking requires an additional 5-feet in width for handicap parking to accommodate wheelchairs, and extensive repair to the sidewalk for a handicap ramp. Member Lohse asked if there is on-site parking. Mr. McLain responded the employees utilize the on-site parking, however, they are not authorized to use the parking area. Vice-Chairman Turner stated the driveway adjacent to Henry Street has been designated as a pick-up/drop-off/short-term parking for handicap parking. He asked if the employee could utilize the end of the driveway, with the existing area being reserved for clients. Mr. McLain responded staff measured the area and it will not accommodate a wheelchair. Member Lohse asked if there is sufficient parking area to develop another handicap parking space. Mr. McLain responded he will contact the property owner to discuss this issue and the possibility of paving the parking area. Member Lohse expressed he is opposed to the on-street handicap parking area because the parking space would be utilized by others, other than for the employee, and there are no handicap ramps. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of relocating the fence along the driveway to obtain additional parking space; Henry Street is narrow and Oak Street has a downhill MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE2 grade. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to deny the request for a disabled parking area at 302 West Henry Street at the corner of Oak Street. a. Request for stop sign on Dora Street at the new driveway entrance of the Catholic Church -Lois Cook. Member Looney advised the Public Works Department has provided a stop sign, at no cost, to St. Mary's Catholic Church, and no further action is required. Request to change two hour parking zone to a loadinq zone located in front of Tom's Glass. 105 South Main -Tom Griffin. Owner. Vice-Chairman Turner reported staff received a letter from Tom Griffin, owner of Tom's Glass located at 105 South Main Street. He is requesting that the two hour parking zone be changed to a loading zone for deliveries to his business. Mr. Griffin states it has become difficult fora 40-foot delivery truck to make aright-turn into the driveway when vehicles are parked on-street and close to the driveway entrance, and creates traffic congestion. The loading zone could be utilized for deliveries, making a resourceful and safer area. Vice-Chairman Turner asked if there is on-street parking in front of the Dragon's Lair. Member Looney responded the Dragon's Lair has off-street parking, and is also an access entrance/exit to the parking lot of the Porter Street Barbeque. He advised that he spoke with Mr. Griffin regarding the possibility of yellow curbing the entire frontage, including the 24.8-foot red curb area, to allow larger trucks to utilize the entire frontage. Mr. Griffin expressed a concern that vehicles would utilize the loading zone for other surrounding businesses and wished to stay with his original request for a loading zone and keep the 24.8-foot red zone. Mr. Griffin noted the delivery trucks deliver three times a week. Vice-Chairman Turner expressed a concern to on-street parking near the intersection of Perkins Street and Main Street. Member Lohse stated at high peak traffic hours vehicles are backed-up and utilize the right-hand turn lane. ON A MOTION by Vice-Chairman Turner, seconded by Member Harris, 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 the request to change the two hour parking zone to a loading zone located in front of Tom's Glass, 105 South Main. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE3 OLD BUSINESS a. Status Report on Traffic Issues and Complaints Concerning Pick-uP and Droo-off Area for Elementary School Children at Mendocino Drive and Dora Street -Ukiah Police Department. Member Harris stated the School Administrator, Principal of Yokayo Elementary, Sergeant Greg Heitkamp, and himself looked at the area. Flyers were to be sent to parents, plans were given to the School indicating the location of the sewer line along the south property line, and there was discussion of improvements along Mendocino Drive. Vice-Chairman Turner advised in a discussion with Sergeant Heitkamp, the gate at the southwest corner of the property was to be open to allow children access to the school grounds within the fenced area, and the gate at mid-block was to be locked to prevent children from exiting between the parked vehicles. As of this date, the School has not opened the gate and the gate at mid-block remains unlocked. He expressed he would like to see "NO PARKING" zone signs installed on Mendocino Drive, 10 - 20 feet apart, to allow the children clear sight visibility when exiting the gate area. Member Lohse expressed he agrees with Vice-Chairman Turner and would like to see the gate at mid-block locked. He advised that he would like to have a representative from the School District respond on the status of this issue. It was the consensus of the Committee to continue this item to the May 11, 1999 meeting, requesting representatives from the Police Department and School District to respond on the status of the traffic issues and complaints concerning pick-up and drop-off area for elementary school children at Mendocino Drive and Dora Street. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE 4 MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m. ./,~~fz~ Vice-Chairman Steve Turner Kathy Kinch, Reco ing Secretary R:1\TEC A041399 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MARCH 9, 1999 PAGES