HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_082101TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
UKIAH CIVIC CENTER
Conference Room No.3
300 Seminary Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2001
3:00 P.M.
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Steve Turner, Public Member John Champion
Ben Kageyama, Public Member
Diane Zucker, Public Member
Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer
Diana Steele, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor
Dan Walker, Ukiah Police Department
MEMBERS ABSENT
David Lohse, Associate Planner II
STAFF PRESENT
Candace Horsley, City Manager
Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works
Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary
The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Turner at
3:02 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above.
Chairman Turner stated he has accepted a position with Ukiah Unified School District's
Transportation office. He will remain as the designated representative for Mendocino
Transit Authority until his position is filled. Due to a conflict in scheduled meetings with
Ukiah Unified and the Traffic Engineering Committee, Chairman Turner left the meeting at
3:07 p.m.
Member Zucker stated she has accepted afull-time teaching position. Her class is held on
Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 19, 2001
Vice-Chairman Kageyama made a correction on Page 3, correct the spelling of
"delineators".
Member Steele made a correction on Page 3, change "parallel parking" to "diagonal
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2001
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parking".
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 June 19, 2001 minutes as
corrected.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
OLD BUSINESS
f. Discussion and possible action regarding increased traffic speed on Marshall Street -
John Champion
Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, reported on August 10, 2001, a radar
survey was performed on Marshall Street during the hours of 2:15 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. The
survey resulted in 85% of the vehicles traveling at 25 m.p.h.
Member Harris stated vehicles have been parked on the street and not moved within the
72 hour statutory parking limit. He asked if citations had been issued to the owners of the
vehicles.
Member Looney responded he reported the parking issue to the Police Department
Dispatch.
Member Zucker asked is there is a number count of vehicles using Marshall Street as
short cut to Main Street.
Member Seanor responded no. The speed survey is a traffic count for both east and
west traffic and is based on a 100 vehicle count.
Member Steele suggested installing bot dots on the centerline.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of installing speed humps, bot dots, cutting
the pavement down the centerline; and employees of Redding Auto Repair parking their
vehicles on Marshall Street. The possibility of installing a partial barrier on Marshall Street
at Gobbi Street to prevent traffic from making aright-hand turn onto Marshall. This would
allow two-way traffic on Marshall Street, entering from Main Street, and allow traffic to exit
from Marshall Street to Gobbi Street. It was further discussed the possibility of traffic
making aright-hand turn from Gobbi Street onto Marshall by going around the barrier; and
preventing traffic to use Marshall Street would increase traffic at the intersection of Main
and Gobbi Streets.
Acting Chairman Kageyama suggested addressing this issue in the Downtown Traffic
Circulation Study.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2001
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Member Steele responded it could be eight months before the traffic study is completed.
Member Harris requested the Police Department address the long-term parking of
vehicles, cite those vehicles parked within the red zone, and place the radar trailer on
Marshall Street. He suggested the possibility of extending the existing red curb at the fire
hydrant.
Member Looney suggested placing the partial barrier on Marshall Street at Gobbi Street
on a two-month trail basis.
ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Zucker, the Traffic Engineering
Committee requested the Ukiah Police Department address the issue of vehicles parked on
Marshall Street over the 72 hour statutory parking period, and issue citations to vehicles
parked in the red zone. The Engineering Division design speed bumps to be reviewed by
the Committee at the next scheduled meeting, and the Public Works Department is to
notify the residents on Marshall Street of the request for the installation of speed bumps.
Motion Fails
Candace Horsley, City Manager, recommended temporary speed dots to slow down
traffic.
Mr. Seanor advised the bot dots are a hazard to bicyclists during winter weather.
Member Looney expressed bot dots will not discourage vehicles using Marshall Street.
A lengthy discussion continued regarding bot dots or speed humps would slow down traffic;
the possibility of installing a "Do Not Enter" sign on Marshall Street at Gobbi Street; and
restrict right-hand turning from Gobbi Street onto Marshall Street during certain hours.
Mr. Champion stated the City of Ukiah Ambulance has responded three times to assist
residents on Marshall Street, entering from Main Street.
ON A MOTION by Member Steele, seconded by Member Zucker, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, the Public Works Department will place traffic
counters on the northbound lane and turning boards on Marshall Street at Gobbi and Main
Streets. It is requested the Ukiah Police Department address the issue of vehicles parked
on Marshall Street over the 72 hour statutory time period and issue citations to vehicles
parked in the red zone.
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IV. NEW BUSINESS
a. ,Discussion and possible action regarding request to reconsider action taken at
intersection of Smith Street and Oak Street -Peter Richardson Rainbow Construction
Member Steele requested this item be continued to the next scheduled meeting when Mr.
Richardson would be able to attend. She advised Mr. Richardson is requesting to shorten
the existing red zone by the curb return and the removal of the existing red curb zone on
Oak Street, the left hand curb cut, located by the roll up door and garage entrance to
Rainbow Construction. By shortening the red zone would reduce clear site visibility at the
intersection of Smith and Oak Streets.
Member Looney stated the red zone located by the garage allows a turning radius for
vehicles exiting the garage and allows clear site distance. He quoted from the Ukiah City
Ordinance "at any place within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, a central traffic
district or any business district when such place is indicated by appropriate signs or red
paint upon the curb surface except that a bus may stop it is a no parking area."
Candace Horsley, City Manager, stated the red curb allows clear site visibility of on-
coming traffic at the intersection of Smith and Oak Streets.
ON A MOTION by Member Steele, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, the Public Works Department is to measure 6 feet
back of the existing red zone on Oak Street, park a vehicle in the red zone, have another
vehicle pull up to the intersection of Smith Street and Oak Street to observe if there is a
clear line of site. The Committee is to invite Peter Richardson to the next scheduled
meeting.
b. Discussion and possible action regarding request to implement traffic calming
measures on Mendocino Drive.
ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the next scheduled
meeting.
V. OLD BUSINESS
a. Update on action regarding sight distance on Gibson Street at North Oak Street-
Charles Ruelle. 980 North Oak
Member Steele stated Mr. Ruelle spoke at the June 20, 2000 meeting, stating his home is
located across the street and south of the intersection. Mr. Ruelle advised the Sizemore's
purchased their home in the 1980's and planted a hedge on the southwest side of the
intersection for privacy, and on the north side of Gibson Street there is a blackberry patch
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2001
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and no sidewalk. Mr. Ruelle expressed a concern that the hedge creates a visual restriction
when making a turn onto Oak Street from Gibson Street. Member Steele advised the
Public Works Department will be sending a letter to the homeowners.
b. Update on action regarding traffic delays at Despina and Low Gap to include letter
to Ukiah Unified School District -Steve Turner, MTA
Member Steele stated at the February 20, 2001 meeting, Steve Turner advised he
received concerns from an MTA bus driver regarding traffic delays at the intersection of
Low Gap Road between Despina and North Bush Street. The driver observed the school
crossing guard at Low Gap Road and Bush Street crossing one child at a time. Chairman
Turner stated he would send a letter to Ukiah Unified School District, with a copy to the
Ukiah Police Department, addressing the issue of the traffic delays, request that the
crossing guard receive crossing guard training addressing how to facilitate traffic through
the intersection.
City Manager, Candace Horsley, stated she will write a letter to Ukiah Unified School
District regarding this issue.
c. Discussion and possible action regarding on-street parking on West Church and
West Stephenson Streets near Trinity School -Jim Loonev Public Works Department
As discussed at the March 20, 2001 meeting, the Street Department Street Sweepers
brought this issue to the attention of Member Looney. The Street Sweepers expressed
concerns that they have difficulty passing through W. Church and W. Stephensen safely
due to on-street parking. West Stephensen has no curb and gutter for vehicles to park
against, and vehicles are parked randomly. There are residents on the north side of W.
Church and Trinity School on the south side. A motion was made that the Public Works
Department was to prepare information identifying land use, right-of-way, on-street
parking use during evening hours, W. Church Street width from curb to curb from Dora to
Highland, a map showing the orientation of residential homes, and the existing no parking
zones. Staff is to notify Fire Marshall Chuck Yates, Trinity School, and residents within the
area of the issue.
ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the November 20, 2001
meeting. The Public Works Department is to prepare information identifying land use,
right-of-way, on-street parking use during evening hours, W. Church Street width from
curb to curb from Dora to Highland, a map showing the orientation of residential homes,
and the existing no parking zones. Staff is to notify Fire Marshall Chuck Yates, Trinity
School, and residents within the area of the issue.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2001
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d. Discussion and possible action on parking adjacent to intersection of School Street
and Smith Street -Dave Lohse Planning Department
ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, to include this item in the Downtown Traffic
Circulation Study, and to be presented to the Committee at a future date.
e. Discussion and possible action regarding increased traffic speed on Lorraine Street -
Katherine La Rue. 7 Lorraine Street
ON A MOTION by Member Steele, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the September 18, 2001
meeting.
g. Update on action regarding on-street parking and line-of-sight at the intersection of
Oak and Smith Streets -Councilwoman Kathy Libby
Member Steele stated the City Attorney advised if on-street parking is reduced by a red
curb, the request has to be approved by the City Council.
h. Discussion and possible action on request to change loading zone adjacent to Sports
Attic, between North School and North State Streets to parking spaces and a loading zone
established at the end of the block in front of the former Wildberger's Market -Richard
Cleland, owner of Sports Attic
ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Zucker, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the October 16, 2001
meeting. The Public Works Department will measure the west end block of Standley Street
for the proposed red zone between the crosswalk and loading zone; determine the number
of parking spaces to be established after the removal of the loading zone on School Street,
and bring all information back to the Committee.
i. Update on request regarding diagonal parking in front of church at 140 N Spring
Street Spring Street between Perkins and Standley Streets -Harold Phillips-FrstChristian
Church
ON A MOTION by Member Zucker, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all
AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Public Works Department notify the
residents of the request and bring all information back to the Committee. This item is to be
continued to the September 18, 2001 meeting.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2001
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COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
None.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
None
ADJOURNAMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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Kathy Kinch ~J
Recording Secretary
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MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2001
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