Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecp_032001TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room No. 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2001 3:00 P.M. AGENDA REVISED I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Turner, Vice-Chairman Kageyama, Members Zucker, Harris, Looney, Lohse, Steele, and a Representative of the Ukiah Police Department. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 20, 2001 III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS The Traffic Engineering Committee welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than 10 minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on non-agenda items. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: IV. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding on-street parking on W. Church and W. Stephenson Streets at Trinity School -Jim Looney, Public Works Department b. Discussion and possible action regarding request to install a yellow loading zone adjacent to the existing red curb at 990 South Dora in front of the Rural Adult Program. Length to be determined by discussion -Steve Turner, MTA V. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion expanding the role of the Traffic Engineering Committee to include bicycle and pedestrian trails, facilities, and circulation. Possible action to work with City Departments to formulate a recommendation to the City Council -Steve Turner, MTA b. Discussion and possible action regarding request to change loading zone adjacent to Sports Attic, between N. School and N. State Street, to parking spaces and a loading zone established at the end of the block in front of Wildberger's -Richard Cleland, Sports Attic c. Discussion of temporary traffic measures -Diana Steele, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Discussion and possible action on parking adjacent to intersections at Oak and Smith Streets and School and Smith Streets -Jim Looney, Public Works Department. OLD BUSINESS (rnntinued) 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. VI. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS VII. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS VIII. ADJOURNMENT Please call Kathy Kinch at 463-6214 if you are unable to attend the meeting. The City of Ukiah complies with ADA requirements and will attempt to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities upon request. R I\TEC AOl2ppl TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE February 20, 2001 3:00 P.M. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member N/A Ben Kageyama, Public Member Diane Zucker, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Diana Steele, Director of Public Works/City Engineer ]im Looney, Public Works Supervisor MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Dan Lockhart, Ukiah Police Department Candace Horsley, City Manager David Lohse, Associate Planner Rick Seanor, Deputy Dir. of Public Works Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Turner at 3:05 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, made a correction on Page 2, Paragraph 3, change "he received a letter from Ester Ballard" to °the City of Ukiah received a letter". The sentence to read: "Mr. Seanor reported the City of Ukiah received a letter from Ester Ballard, owner of Photo Finish, 125 North State Street, opposing the request from MTA to remove one parking space and lengthen the red zone an additional 20 feet on Standley at Main Street. In her letter, Ms. Ballard requested the designation of 24-minute parking spaces on North State Street at Standley, in front of Photo Finish." Mr. Seanor made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 3, change the wording "the northbound lane is full width from the center line" to "the northbound lane is 20' wide from the center line". The sentence to read: "Mr. Seanor reported on South State Street to the City limits, the northbound lane is 20' wide from the center line to the edge of the pavement, with on-street parking along the Airport frontage." Mr. Seanor made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 3, change "He is proposing an 8' fog line" to "A fog line 8' from the curb from Beacon Lane". The sentence to read: °A fog line, 8' from the curb, from Beacon Lane north to the south side of the driveway up to 1203 South State Street, is proposed." Member Looney made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 4, delete the word "of" and add "with". The sentence to read: "He expressed a concern that he has observed traffic using the travel lane as two lanes, traffic is not in line with the travel lane." ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Zucker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the February 20, 2001 minutes as amended. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and oossible action regarding the traffic delays on Low Gap Road between Desoina and North Bush Street at 2.38 p m -Steve Turner, MTA Chairman Turner stated he received concerns from an MTA bus driver regarding traffic delays at the intersection on Low Gap Road between Despina and North Bush Street. The driver reported it took 18 minutes to travel from the intersection of Low Gap Road and Despina to the intersection of Low Gap Road and Bush Street. The driver observed the school crossing guard at Low Gap Road and Bush Street crossing one child at a time. The majority of children cross at this intersection. He contacted the Ukiah Police Department and was informed the issue should be addressed by the Ukiah Unified School District. He noted the concern was expressed because the MTA scheduled travel time is 9 minutes from Low Gap Road to North Bush Street. He proposed that a letter be sent 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. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Steele, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that Chairman Turner send a letter to Ukiah Unified School District addressing the issue of traffic delays on Low Gap Road between Despina and North Bush Street, request that the crossing guard receive crossing guard training and how to facilitate traffic through the intersection. Chairman Turner commended Member Looney for painting the parking T's along the Airport frontage in such a timely manner. The parking T's have made a difference with keeping traffic in line with the travel lane, and the safety of bicyclists and on-street parking on South State Street. City Manager Horsley advised the City Council would like to be informed of action being taken by the Committee so the Council would be able to answer questions from the public. b. Request to change loading zone adjacent to Snorts Attic, between N. School and N. State Street, to parking spaces and a loading zone established at the end of the block in front of Wildberger's -Richard Cleland Snorts Attic Chairman Turner introduced this item stating the City of Ukiah received a letter from Richard R. Cleland of the Sports Attic, requesting a loading zone be relocated at the other end of the block in front of the old Wildberger's market. Discussion followed regarding relocation of the loading zone in front of the old Wildberger's market. This would allow larger delivery trucks ability to pull straight forward and park in the loading zone; however, to back-out of the parking space, the driver would be backing up blindly into a crosswalk and into moving traffic on South School Street; the current loading zone allows the driver to pull forward into the crosswalk having clearer site visibility of pedestrians; there is a traffic signal and pedestrian signal at the intersection of North State Street and Standley; and what type and size of delivery trucks use the loading zone. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the March 20, 2001 meeting. Member Looney will contact Richard Cleland regarding his request and to discuss the type and size of delivery trucks using the loading zone. The Public Works Department will notify all businesses within the area of the request to receive comments. Kathy Kinch will ask Larry DeKnoblough and a representative of Traffic Enforcement to attend the next meeting to receive comments. c. Discussion of temporary traffic measures -Diana Steele. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Member Steele reported that the concept of granting authorization to the Committee to implement temporary traffic measures was presented to City Council on February 7, 2001. The City Council indicated they would be willing to entertain a resolution at an upcoming meeting. There is some question whether this will require two agenda packets for every item proposed which would negate the effect the Committee was hoping for. The City Council meeting minutes need to be reviewed. ON A MOTION by Member Zucker, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the March 20, 2001 meeting. OLD BUSINESS a. Request to review site distance at the corner of S. Oak and Gobbi Streets (southbound on Oak to the west on Gobbi), and possibly remove or establish restricted parking on the north side of Gobbi Street, west of the intersection of South Oak Street -Steve Turner, MTA Member Looney stated in reviewing the site distance, he noticed there are indications of a 40 foot pre-existing red curb, west of the intersection, that has worn off. From the previous extent of red curb, there is sufficient on-street parking before the driveway. He stated he will schedule to have the pre-existing red curb repainted. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Steele, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee finds the site distance issue at the corner of S. Oak and Gobbi Streets resolved based on the findings that there are indications of apre-existing red curb that has worn off. It is requested that this item be returned to the Committee at a future meeting as New Business, at the request of the Public Works Department at such time that an official project for a bike lane on W. Gobbi Street is developed. Public Works is to bring back all recommendations and information from the neighborhood survey. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Looney requested that the discussion and possible action on parking adjacent to the intersections at Oak and Smith Streets and School and Smith Streets be placed on the March 20, 2001 agenda. He advised this item was discussed by the Committee last year and on a motion was to be continued for further discussion. He also requested discussion and possible action regarding on-street parking on West Church at Trinity School be placed on the agenda. Chairman Turner requested discussion expanding the role of the Traffic Engineering Committee to include bicycle and pedestrian trials, facilities, and circulation. Possible action to work with City Departments to formulate a recommendation to the City Council be placed on the March 20, 2001 agenda. Member Kageyama asked if there have been any comments regarding the temporary 24-minute parking space at the most easterly space, on the south side of Standley Street, between State and Main Streets. Chairman Turner responded he has no information at this time. Mr. Seanor reported the Public Works Department is in the process of updating the Pavement Management System. The Mendocino Council of Government (MCOG) has hired Nichols Consulting Engineers to perform a pavement survey throughout Mendocino County. The consultant performs an inspection of every street pavement in the City, gives it a rating, the data is entered into a computer program, and the program gives recommendations on the type of pavement treatment or replacement, projects the level of pavement deterioration, life span of the pavement, and projects effects of improper maintenance of pavement. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS N/A ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. ~~ s Choi an Steve Turner ~~ Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary R:1\TEC M011601 ITEM N~ Vd. the adjacent seafood restaurant would appreciate eliminating the 24 minute parking and adjusting the three spaces at that location to the standard 2 hour limit predominate along North State Street. She has had discussion with patrons of the restaurant who find it impossible to patronize the facility in 24 minutes and are having difficulty finding parking. a. Discussion and possible action on parking adjacent to intersections at Oak and Smith Streets and School and Smith Streets -Dave Lohse, Associate Planner. Steve Turner introduced the item turning discussion over to Dave Lohse. Mr. Lohse stated a complaint was received regarding poor visibility at the intersections of Oak and Smith Streets and School and Smith Streets. Smith is a one way street which flows in a westerly direction. The intersection of Oak and Smith Streets is obscured on the Northeast corner by large pickups and vehicles parking in front of Rainbow Construction. A red curb extends a short distance along this section but vehicles are legally able to park just beyond, creating poor visibility. In addition, the existing 5 to 6 foot hedge along the building and sidewalk intensify the problem. The intersection of Smith and School poses a problem as parking on either side of the eastern approach to the intersection is diagonal as opposed to parallel. The addition of landscaped islands on the corners adds to the difficulty for westbound vehicles to have a clear view before proceeding. Vehicles must proceed halfway into the intersection in order to determine if it is clear to cross. Vehicles traveling North on School Street do not have any stop signs past Standley street and have a tendency to pickup speed as they enter this intersection. Mr. Lohse and Rick Seanor, Assistant Public Works Director, made a site visit to the location and proposed options for possible correction of the situation. The Oak Street intersection provides adequate visibility for Northbound vehicles as parking along the street is parallel. The possibility of extending the red curb in front of Rainbow Construction would cause trucks to park further north of the intersection, thereby creating better visibility. A requirement could be made for the property owner to restrict the height of the hedge which would allow for better visibility. An alternate proposal would be the installation of stop signs on Oak and School in a North South direction, eliminating the West bound stop signs on Smith Street. This would create a more direct traffic flow from State Street to Dora Street. Chairman Turner stated it might be possible to install stop signs at those locations in addition to the existing stops on Smith Street. Elimination of Westbound signs on Smith could create a more rapid flow of traffic until vehicles reach the valley gutter at Smith and Pine Streets, requiring an automatic decrease in speed. He felt creating a westerly flow of traffic could improve access to the downtown area. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE2 Member Harris felt the Committee would not be able to take any action on this proposal at this time as it was stated on the agenda. Member Lohse indicated the item was placed on the agenda as a discussion item only Member Bertolero felt a study would need to be completed in order to provide more accurate information as to all stop signs in the downtown area, traffic flow patterns, and parking spaces which may need to be removed. If a decision is made to implement these proposals, an implementation plan will need to be prepared to reorient drivers to the new placement of stop signs. Member Looney felt the westbound priority traffic flow on Smith Street may be viable with the reorientation of the public parking lot on Smith and Main Streets. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse it was approved by an all AYE voice vote to place consideration of relocation of stop signs at Smith and Oak Streets and Smith and School Streets on the November Agenda as an action item. c. Consideration and possible action regarding the installation of a fog line on the east side of South State Street, along the Airport Frontage, from Beacon Lane north to the south side of the driveway at 1203 South State Street. The line to be eight feet from the curb face -Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor Chairman Turner stated he rides his bicycle along this street everyday and is not comfortable with traffic. Member Harris questioned if a bike lane would be feasible. Member Looney stated there is legal parking along the street which would not allow room for a bike lane. The northbound traffic roadway appears to be a wide lane until you reach a vehicle or truck parked along the street. The fog lane would define the travel lane and the parking lane as there have been several accidents at this location, primarily after dark. The roadway measures 19 feet from the centerline to the curb, with an 8 foot parking lane. Member Harris questioned if a fog line would be the most appropriate way to define the parking lane. Member Bertolero stated a fog line can be used to define the parking lane if there is no control over the size of the vehicle using the space. This fog line will also be used to allow persons parking the ability to determine what the parameters are between the parking lane and the roadway. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE 3