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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_032001TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE March 20, 2001 3:00 P.M. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member Ben Kageyama, Public Member Diane Zucker, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer David Lohse, Associate Planner II Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor Darren Wojcieszak, Ukiah Police Department OTHERS PRESENT George Mayers, Program Director Ukiah Valley Association Rehab. MEMBERS ABSENT Diana Steele, Director of Public Works/ City Engineer STAFF PRESENT Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works Brian Keefer, Associate Planner I Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Turner at 3:03 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. 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 February 20, 2001 minutes as submitted. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS b. Discussion and possible action regarding request to install a yellow loading zone adiacent to the existing red curb at 990 South Dora in front of the Rural Adult Program Lenath to be determined by discussion -Steve Turner MTA George Mayer of Ukiah Valley Association for Rehabilitation (UVAR), located at 990 South Dora, stated the adult program is for individuals with developmental disabilities, including five individuals in wheelchairs. Transportation for these individuals to and from the Program is provided by the MTA charter, Transportation Plus, UVAR vans, and parents. Program hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. During those hours, there are two peak hours of increased on-street parking for dropping off and picking up students. Since Nuestra Casa moved across the street, there has been an increase of on-street parking due to staff parking on Dora. He is requesting a 22 foot loading zone between the existing MTA red zone, which is 25 feet in length, and the next driveway. This would allow on-street parking for one vehicle. He also stated that he spoke with an individual at Nuestra Casa regarding the parking situation and invited them to attend the meeting. He also spoke with Dr. Pasternak's office and they did not have a problem with the request. Discussion followed regarding the existing 25 foot red curb and 44 feet of on-street parking before the driveway; there is a residential home located between UVAR and Dr. Pasternak's office, and the resident shares a portion of the parking lot with the medical office; Nuestra Casa does have on-site parking located to the rear of the building; there is limited on-street parking in front of St. Mary's School; and there is on-street parking on Luce Avenue. Member Harris asked where are the UVAR vans parked during the day. Mr. Mayer responded the vans are parked in the driveway during the day, and loading and unloading of the vans is in the driveway. He advised that his concern is for the outside transportation vehicles that park on Dora when unloading and loading students. Member Lohse asked if the outside transportation vehicles could arrive at different times. Chairman Turner responded staff must be on-site to provide supervision at all times to the students including during their arrival and departure. The program receives minimum funding and staff time is limited. If the vehicles arrive and depart at different times staff is paid from non-reimbursable funds. It is a benefit to the Program to keep the arrival and departure times as close as possible due to funding. Mr. Mayer stated the vehicles arrive within a 15 - 20 minute timeframe. He noted that he has asked his staff not to park on Dora within this location. He also noted there are no on- street parking problems with Dr. Pasternak's patients. Chairman Turner stated the transportation vans need to park as close to the curb as possible because the students require constant supervision and to accommodate those individuals in wheelchairs. Member Lohse expressed this is a specialized situation, and the unloading/loading times are for short periods of time. Chairman Turner suggested no parking during certain hours. Discussion continued regarding a no parking/loading zone during certain hours, and would require approval from the City Council; no parking during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday; the existing red curb is signed as an MTA bus stop; and the curb would not have to be painted. Member Lohse expressed he would not object to the no parking zone. He asked if this would be a problem with parking enforcement. Member Wojcieszak responded Dora is on the regular patrol. If a vehicle parked in the loading zone during the no parking hours, the vehicle would be ticketed and a call could be placed to the Police Department for assistance. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Zucker, 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 establishment of a "No Parking" zone to be located between the existing red curb and the driveway (44 feet) at 990 S. Dora Street. The no parking zone is to be posted "No Parking" between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, will send notices to all businesses and residents within the area notifying them of the request and the recommendation to the City Council. a. Discussion and possible action regarding on-street parking on W Church and W. Stephenson Streets at Trinitv School - ]im Looney Public Works Department Member Looney stated the Street Department Street Sweepers brought this issue to his attention. The Street Sweepers expressed concerns that they have difficulty passing through W. Church and W. Stephensen safely due to on-street parking. He also stated W. 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. Member Harris asked if the neighborhood had been notified of the request. Member Looney responded no. Member Lohse expressed a concern that the parking issue may be created in another neighborhood. Mr. Seanor stated he visited the site of W. Church from Dora to State, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. He reported the following information: Dora to Hortense, W. Church Street is 28 feet from curb to curb, with two vehicles and one trailer parked on the street; Hortense to Spring, W. Church Street is 25 feet wide, with no vehicles parked on the street. Spring Street to Hope, W. Church Street is 25 feet wide, with 10 vehicles parked on the street. Hope to Barnes, W. Church Street is 25 feet wide, with no parking posted on the north side and seven vehicles parked on the east side of the street. Barnes to Thompson, W. Church Street is 25 feet wide. There is a pool and field on the south side and one vehicle parked on street. Thompson to Highland, W. Church Street is 25 feet wide, with residential homes on both sides, with three vehicles parked on street. He noted there are no curb and gutters on W. Church Street from Barnes to Highland. Member Lohse asked could the streets be striped for designated parking. Member Looney responded no. Street striping requires a 15 foot set back from the crosswalk. Mr. Seanor stated the Fire Department had expressed a concern with public safety vehicles not being able pass safely because of the on-street parking. Chairman Turner suggested eliminating on-street parking on the Trinity School side for one block, creating a zigzag effect and would act as a traffic calming function. He also suggested requesting school staff to park next to the playing field between Barnes and Thompson. He also expressed a concern with fire safety vehicles not being able to pass safely through this area in an emergency. A lengthy discussion followed regarding public safety vehicles passing through this area safely; the residents on W. Church have very limited parking; there is noon-site parking for Trinity School; uniformity of on-street parking within this location; there is 24-hour school staffing; the possibility of parallel parking down the center of the street, a travel lane, and parallel parking along the curb; with the removal of on-street parking the possibility of increased traffic speed and the impact to other neighborhoods; changing the street from two-way to one-way; and the possibility of restricted parking during certain hours. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that this item be continued to the May 15, 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. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion expanding the role of the Traffic Engineering Committee to include bic~ Ic e and pedestrian traits facilities and circulation. Possible action to work with City Departments to formulate. a recommendation to the City Council -Steve Turner. MTA Chairman Turner stated he has no information to report at this time. Member Lohse advised Charley Stump, Director of Planning, is be presenting to the City Council approval to release the funding paid by K-Mart for hiring consultants. Member Harris advised K-Mart paid $36,016 as the Air Quality Mitigation fee. $20,000 of the fee is to be used towards the matching grants, and $10,000 is to be used for hire a consultant for the grant writing. b. Discussion and possible action regarding_reauest tochange loading zone adjacent to Snorts Attic, between N School and N State Street to parking_soaces and a loadina zone established at the end of the block in front of Wildberg_er's -Richard Cleland. Sports Attic Mr. Seanor advised he has not sent out the notices to the businesses. He reported that he spoke with Mr. DeKnoblough who supports the removal of the loading zone on the west end of Standley Street. Mr. DeKnoblough advised there is an existing loading zone on School Street. He also advised that the owner of Wildberger's Market is currently in the process of upgrading the building to earthquake retrofit and making improvements, and noted that the owner may be opposed to losing parking spaces. Mr. DeKnoblough suggested extending the loading zone on School Street. Mr. Seanor advised there is approximately 35 feet of existing loading zone on School Street and approximately 7-1J2 feet loading zone that has faded. Member Looney stated the diagonal loading zone between the diagonal parking is impossible for any delivery truck to pull in and out for loading and unloading. If the loading zone on School Street was eliminated that would create additional parking spaces for the Market. He noted there are multiple delivery trucks that use the loading zone on Standley Street for deliveries to the Sports Attic. Chairman Turner requested a drawing of the area showing the two existing loading zones and the number of parking spaces 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 May 15, 2001 meeting. The Public Works Department is to prepare information regarding the number of parking spaces on Standley and School Streets, the location and length of the existing loading zones, land use, and the lengths and type of the trucks using the loading zone. b. Discussion of temporary traffic measures -Diana Steele Director of Public Works/City Enoineer Chairman Turner stated Member Steele was to discuss this issue with the City Manager for clarification and bring back all information to the Committee. Chairman Turner requested that this item be continued to the next scheduled meeting. c. Discussion and possible action on Darking adjacent to intersections at Oak and Smith Streets and School and Smith Streets -Jim Looney, Public Works Department Mr. Seanor reported there was discussion on the possibility of removing one parking space on School Street at Smith Street located by Toppers Hair Salon. The removal of one parking space, one on the north side and one on the south side, to improve the site distance of on-coming traffic when exiting Smith Street onto School Street. Mr. DeKnoblough advised Mr. Seanor that representatives of Toppers Hair Saloon were opposed to the removal of the parking spaces. Member Lohse stated he visited the site and observed that the elimination of one parking space on either side would not allow enough clear site visibility. Discussion followed regarding athree-way stop on School Street; the intersection and School and Smith Streets are heavily traveled; there are stop signs on School Street at Perkins and Standley; and upon completion of the new Church on Smith Street located adjacent to the Post Office, the mail drop boxes will be relocated on Smith Street. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to a future date. The Public Works Department is to prepare a proposal for a downtown traffic circulation study, the impacts of potential revisions to the traffic circulation, atwo-way stop on School Street at Smith Street, and traffic speed, to improve the site distance from Smith Street to School Street. Mr. Seanor stated Mr. DeKnoblough is talking with Rainbow Construction on the possibility of utilizing permitted parking on the west side of Oak Street for their large trucks. d. Discussion and possible action regarding effectiveness of 24-minute parking space on improving approach to MTA transit stop on E. Standley Street -Diana Steele, Director of Public Works/City Engineer. Chairman Turner stated he has received no input from MTA drivers and no complaints. He advised he will continue to monitor this issue and report any information back to the committee. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS N/A MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS N/A ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. -- Chairman Steve Turner t ~ r~ ~ ~.Y_l ~~ Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary N:1\'~( N09R001