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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_011601TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16, 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 Dan Lockhart, Ukiah Police Department Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor OTHERS PRESENT Eric Larson, Councilmember MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Rick Seanor, Deputy Dir. of Public Works Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Kageyama at 3:05 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. Chairman Turner arrived at 3:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Steele made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 7, delete the word "provide". The sentence to read: "He supports the removal of the parking space based on the safety issue of the bus not being able pull up and stop completely at the curb, and MTA provides transportation to the public." Member Steele made a correction on Page 6, Paragraph 1, add the word "he". The sentence to read: "Member Looney expressed he is opposed to any street being partially blocked because it then becomes a safety issue." Member Seanor made a correction on Page 5, Paragraph 4, change Mendocino Radiology to Ukiah Valley Radiology. The sentence to read: "He spoke with Belinda Early, Manager of Photo Finish; the manager of Rain Forest Fantasy; Mary Johnson of Travel Time; and Ukiah Valley Radiology regarding the proposal." MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE 10F 8 ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Zucker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the November 21, 2000 minutes as corrected. Eric Larson expressed his appreciation and thanked the Members for their time and effort to serve on the Committee. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: OLD BUSINESS c. Discussion and possible action regarding shift of Darking spaces on Standley Avenue related to MTA bus stop. d. Report on progress to improve transit stop on Standley Street at Main Street Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, 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. He spoke with Ms. Ballard, who is requesting two (2) 24-minute parking spaces, and Larry DeKnoblough. Mr. DeKnoblough surveyed the businesses located within this location, and there was no objection to one (1) 24-minute parking space on North State Street, but did not address the Standley Street request. Member Looney clarified that his suggestion was to designate a 24-minute parking space at the most easterly space on the south side of Standley Street between State and Main Streets allowing the parking space to accommodate the MTA buses. He noted the Public Works Department has adjusted the parking spaces on Standley to the appropriate length and relocated the bus stop sign. Member Steele advised the Public Works Department inspected the parking spaces on Standley and found the red zone was longer in length than required from a curb return, and the parking spaces were irregular in length. The red curb and parking spaces were adjusted to the appropriate length and gained approximately 13 feet to benefit the buses. Norma Wilson, MTA, advised the 35 foot buses do not have a problem pulling up next to the curb when a car is parked in the most easterly parking space. The 40 foot buses do have a problem pulling in next to the curb when the parking space is occupied. She expressed the 24-minute parking zone would help address the problem. Member Zucker asked how many 40 foot buses use this approach. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE 20F 8 Norma Wilson, responded two (2) 40-foot buses use the approach on a daily basis at approximately every 30 minutes. Adjusting the parking spaces and relocating the bus stop sign has helped. She stated when the rear of the bus remains in the travel lane, vehicles hesitate to pass, and do not have clear sight visibility of on-coming traffic at Standley and Main Streets because the front of the bus is at the intersection. She expressed she is in favor of removing the parking space. Member Steele advised she spoke with Chairman Turner and it was agreed that the parking space would be a 24-minute parking zone. The site would be revisited to see if the problem has been resolved. Member Harris expressed he is in favor of the 24-minute parking space. He suggested a temporary 24-minute parking zone for approximately two months to determine if this will help resolve the problem. Member Lohse expressed he opposes the 24-minute parking zone and feels this will not solve the problem. Traffic is hesitant to pass the bus when stopped. He supports the removal of the parking space based on the safety issue of the bus not being able pull up next to the curb. He noted the parking spaces are unoccupied most of the day with the exception of the noon hour. Chairman Turner entered the meeting. Member Zucker expressed she is in favor of the removal of the parking space, but would agree to a temporary 24-minute parking zone to be revisited at a later date. She stated she has observed the parking spaces unoccupied most of the day. Discussion followed regarding there isoff-street parking located to the rear of the building; there are 5-parking spaces on Standley Street and 4-parking spaces on North State Street; there are two restaurants located within this area; and with the increase of limited parking spaces could impact the schedule and route of the Parking Enforcement Officer. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, the Traffic Engineering Committee recommends to the City Council a 24-minute parking space at the most easterly space, on the south side of Standley Street, between State and Main Streets. Motion fails. Mr. Seanor stated the establishment of a 24-minute parking space will provide more turn over to allow the 40 foot buses to pull in straight to the curb. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE 30F 8 Vice-Chairman Kageyama stated he supports the removal of the parking space. He expressed changing the space to 24-minute parking will not solve the problem. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council the establishment of a temporary 24-minute parking space at the most easterly space, on the south side of Standley Street, between State and Main Streets for approximately 60 days. MTA will report back to the Committee the results of the temporary 24-minute parking space. Chairman Turner abstained. Chairman Turner stated he supports the temporary 24-minute parking zone and will bring all findings back to the Committee. NEW BUSINESS a. 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 -Steve Turner MTA Chairman Turner advised the Bike and Pedestrian Plan states there is to be the establishment of a steering committee, to include a City staff member, to assist in the implementation of improvements and projects such as hiking trails and bicycle circulation. Member Lohse stated Charley Stump, Director of Planning, has talked with City Manager Horsley, and she supports this role. The Traffic Engineering Committee will be a good representative because of the transportation and circulation issues addressed by the Committee. Member Steele expressed a concern of additional responsibility and work load for the members of the Committee. Member Lohse expressed the expanding role was to review safety issues, not be involved in grant writing. Traffic and safety issues include pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Chairman Turner expressed he would like to see the Committee address the pedestrian and bicycle issues as important projects, not to be included in the writing of grants. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the Traffic Engineering Committee as a function of the City Engineer; the Committee reviewing traffic circulation as a whole to include pedestrian and bicycle projects; and goals and priorities of the Committee and staff. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE40F6 Member Lohse stated he will review the Ukiah Municipal Code to confirm the Committee would be the designated body to review specific projects. He will also review the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to clarify that once a project is active, the Committee will be the designated body to make a recommendation. He will bring all information back to the Committee. ON A MOTION by Chairman Turner, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee request the Planning Department to research the Ukiah Municipal Code and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan regarding code changes, to verify that the Traffic Engineering Committee can review and coordinate bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular circulation issues. The City Engineer, Director of Planning, and Director of Community Services discuss the impediment in implementing the existing plans, and report back to the Committee with suggestions on how to overcome those obstacles at the February 21, 2001 meeting. Discussion and possible action for the installation of a fog line on the east side of South State Street. along the Airport frontage -Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent 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. A fog line, 8' from the curb, from Beacon Lane, north to the south side of the driveway at 1203 South State Street is proposed. Member Looney stated the northbound travel lane is 19' from the curb face to the nearest line. 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. Member Lohse stated he has had vehicles pass him on the right as if there were a second lane. Vice-Chairman Kageyama stated the fog line would be used for traffic calming, as drivers would perceive a narrower lane and reduce traffic speed. He expressed he is in favor of the fog line. Mr. Seanor stated on Clara Avenue the center line was moved toward the center of the street and a fog line established because of the on-street parking. He advised on South State Street there is very little on-street parking along the Airport frontage. The fog line could be confusing to the drivers and interpreted as a second lane. Chairman Turner suggested parking T's. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE50F8 Member Steele expressed a concern that if there is no fog line and a vehicle is parked on South State Street there are no tail lights, another driver could interpret the vehicle as a moving vehicle. Member Harris expressed he is in favor of the fog line or the parking T's. Member Lohse expressed he is in favor of the fog line. Member Looney stated parking T's would distinguish the location for parking. Member Steele stated she is in favor of the parking T's because it is not confused as another lane, if a vehicle is parked there is would be safer for the driver and vehicle. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Chairman Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Public Works Department establish parking T's along the Airport frontage on the east side of South State Street, from Beacon Lane north to the south side of the driveway at 1203 South State Street. OLD BUSINESS a. Request to change on-street parking spaces to 24 minute parking zone located in front of Photo Finish. 125 North State Street -Ester Ballard. Photo Finish. 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 the establishment of one (1) 24-minute parking space on North State Street, the first parking space north, to accommodate all businesses within this location. Request to review site distance at the corner of S. Oak and Gobbi Streets southbound on Oak to the west on Gobbi), and possiblX remove or establish restricted parking on the north side of Gobbi Street. west of the intersection of South Oak Street -Steve Turner. MTA Mr. Seanor stated he has not prepared a report and the survey of residents within this location. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Chairman Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the February 21, 2001 meeting. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE60F8 e. Discussion and possible action regarding sight distance on Gibson Street at North Oak Street. Mr. Seanor reported that Charles Ruelle spoke at the June 20, 2000 meeting, stating his home is located across the street and south of the intersection. Mr. Ruelle also advised that the Sizemore home was purchased in the 1980's and a hedge was planted on the southwest side of the intersection for privacy, and on the north side of Gibson Street there is a blackberry patch and no sidewalk. Mr. Ruelle stated the hedge has created a visual restriction when making a turn onto Oak Street from Gibson Street. Approximately five years ago, the Planning Commission asked Mr. Sizemore to move the hedge behind the sidewalk. Member Looney reported the hedge set backs 6 to 8 feet from the curb face, allowing a clear line of site distance. He stated he would like to extend the existing red curb an additional 20 feet and would be approximately in-line with the end of the sidewalk. The existing red curb is 15 feet each direction from the fire hydrant. Member Harris asked if there is a driveway entrance at this location. Member Looney responded there is a driveway, and noted with the additional 20 foot red curb there would still be 33 feet from the red curb to the driveway. Member Harris asked if the property owner had been notified of the request. Member Looney responded no. ON A MOTION by Chairman Turner, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Public Works Department notify the property owner of the proposed additional 20 foot red curb - no-parking zone to the existing red curb. If there is no response from the property owner within 10 days from the post mark date, the Traffic Engineering Committee recommends to the City Council approval of the additional 20 foot red curb at the intersection of Gibson Street at North Oak Street. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Chairman Turner requested to place on the February 20 agenda discussion and possible action of traffic delays on Low Gap Road between Despina and North Bush Street at 2:38 p.m. Member Harris requested to place on the agenda "temporary traffic measures". MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE 70F 8 MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. a Vice-Sb m Ben I' ge m Kathy Kinch, Rec~rcling Secretary R:1\TEC M011601 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 16,2001 PAGE 80F 8