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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_102400TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2000 3:00 P.M. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member Ben Kageyama, Public Member David Lohse, Associate Planner Diane Zucker, Public Member OTHERS PRESENT Liz Burford MEMBERS ABSENT Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor STAFF PRESENT Rick Seanor Deputy Director of Public Works Kathy Kinch Administrative Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Turner at 3:00 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. c. Request to review on-street oarking located near 475 South Oak Street -Liz Burford, Rebecca Lvnn's Flower and Gift Shop Liz Burford of Rebecca Lynn's Flower and Gift Shop, 475 South Oak Street, stated she is requesting two parking spaces on the east side of South Oak Street be designated as 30 minute parking, green curb painting, and signage. She also requested that the six parking spaces located on the west side of Oak Street, that currently have no time limit restrictions, be posted as 90 minute parking. The parking spaces are utilized all day by the Courthouse and Conference Center. She expressed her business has increased and needs additional parking for her customers. She noted there is a parking lot located to the north of her business which is used by the Doctor's office. Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, stated he was not able to discuss this issue with Larry DeKnoblough. He also stated there are various areas within the City where parking spaces a restricted to 24 minute parking zones. He acknowledged that the parking spaces on the west side are utilized all day. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2000 PAGE 10F 5 Member Lohse asked how many parking spaces on the east side of Oak Street Member Seanor responded there are five metered parking spaces on the east side of Oak Street, and the six parking spaces on the west side are not metered parking. Member Zucker expressed she is in favor of the six parking spaces on the west side of Oak Street be restricted to 90 minute parking to accommodate all businesses within the area. Member Lohse expressed he is opposed to the restricted parking on the west side of Oak Street for the purpose that most businesses does not have adequate parking for their business. If parking is restricted on the west side it may create parking in the residential areas of Pine and Oak Streets. Chairman Turner suggested one 30 minute parking space and two 24 minutes parking spaces on the east side of Oak Street. Discussion followed regarding the Civic Center driveway and parking lot area is not restricted or prohibited against parking in the parking lot; and individuals obtaining a parking permit from the Conference Center to park on the west side of Oak Street. ON A MOTION by Member Lohse, seconded by Member Zucker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the request to change three on-street parking spaces to 90 minute parking zones, and change two on-street parking spaces to 24 minutes parking zones located in front of 475 South Oak Street. Absent: Members Harris, Hoyle, and Looney. Member Seanor advised the metered parking spaces are two hour parking zones. Larry DeKnoblough entered the meeting at 3:20 p.m. Mr. DeKnoblough stated the parking meters would have to be removed for 24 and 90 minute parking zones. He expressed a concern that on 90 minute parking zones outside the parking district require an encroachment permit. He advised there are no 90 minute parking spaces outside the parking district boundary, and advised 2 hour parking is consistent in the parking district. He also advised he is in favor of the 24 minute parking zone. Motion fails. ON A MOTION by Member Lohse, seconded by Member Zucker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the request to change two on-street parking spaces in front of 475 South Oak Street to 24 minute parking zones. The remaining three on-street parking spaces will be included in the Time Zone Changes for Seminary Avenue to be presented by Larry DeKnoblough. Absent: Members Harris, Hoyle, and Looney. Mr. DeKnoblough advised he will request that Clay Street be excluded from jury parking and Conference Center parking. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Pat Stefani, 225 Washington Avenue, stated since the speed limit was increased to 30 m.p.h. from MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2000 PAGE 20F 5 25 m.p.h. there has been an increase of traffic speed on Washington Avenue between Cresta and Dora. She is requesting that traffic speed be changed back to 25 m.p.h. Member Seanor advised on Gobbi Street from Leslie Street to Dora is 25 m.p.h. Chairman Turner asked that this request be placed on the next agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Seanor made a correction on Page 5, change Step to STIP. Member Kageyama made a correction to the spelling of his last name on Pages 4 and 5. ON A MOT{ON by Member Lohse, seconded by Member Kageyama, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of September 19, 2000 as amended. Absent: Members Harris, Hoyle, and Looney. a. Chairman Turner reported the bus stop was originally located westbound on the corner of Gobbi and Leslie Streets in front of Ted Myer Insurance, 400 East Gobbi Street, for three years. Mr. Myer contacted MTA requesting the bus stop be relocated away from his business, due to passengers leaning against his new sign; standing under the eaves of the building; and waiting on the porch or in the lobby for the bus. MTA suggested the possibility of building a shelter at the bus stop or in the parking lot 100 feet east of the location. Mr. Myer responded no and expressed placing a shelter in the driveway would obstruct the clear site visibility and safe flow of traffic when entering and exiting the driveway, and is opposed to the bus stopping in front of his driveway. Mr. Myer suggested MTA install a shelter east of the property line between the fence and the sidewalk in front of the mobile home park. MTA received approval from the Committee to relocate the bus stop east, adjacent to the property of Harold Square Park. The manager and owner of the Park had no objection to the bus stop or shelter. The resident behind the fence protested to the manager that she did not want a bus stop located in front of her residence. At the May 16, 2000 meeting, a motion was made to relocate the bus stop to the intersection of Gobbi and Leslie Streets, the footage and sight distance to be determined by speed limit; and the bus stop to be posted. Since the relocation of the bus stop Mr. Myers has approached MTA requesting a bus passenger shelter. The shelter structure is a 2 foot by 7 foot footprint and the roof has a 5 foot overhang over the sidewalk. To prevent the shelter from blocking the view of the Mr. Myers sign it was determined the shelter be set back 3 feet 8 inches from the sidewalk, placed under the sign to avoid blocking site distance to the east and have clear site visibility of traffic for 200 feet. The structure will clear the insurance sign approximately 1 inch. The City's right-of-way extends 3 feet 6 inches behind the sidewalk, however, because of the site distance and the shelter being 3 feet 8 inches, the shelter extend onto Mr. Myers property by 24 inches. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2000 PAGE 30F 5 MTA is requesting, upon receipt of a shelter agreement with Mr. Myers, to relocate the bus stop sign next to the shelter. Discussion followed regarding while the bus is stop at the bus stop traffic goes around the bus and travels in the two-way left-tum lane; the shelter's roof height inside is 7 feet and the top side is 7-1/2 feet; an encroachment permit will be required from the Engineering Department to place the sign on Mr. Myers property; and a sign will be placed inside the shelter reading "please respect the property owner and do not utilize the lawn and porch area while waiting for the bus." Member Lohse advised Mr. Myers sign is smaller in size as allowed by the City's sign code. He suggested if Mr. Myers was interested he could have a building sign in addition to the current sign. ON A MOTION by Member Zucker, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that upon receipt of a bus stop shelter agreement between Ted Myer of Ted Myers Insurance and MTA, the Traffic Engineering Committee approves the request from MTA to relocate the bus stop sign adjacent to the shelter. Chairman Turner abstains. Absent: Members Harris, Hoyle, and Looney. b. Request from MTA to lengthen red zone on Standlev at Main Street an additional 20 feet - Steve Turner MTA Chairman Turner stated at the June meeting MTA requested the removal of one on-street parking space (the first parking space west of the driveway) to lengthen the red zone an additional 20 feet. The bus stop is located across from Travel Time, there is approximately 40 feet of existing red curb and a 20 foot driveway, and the bus stops at this location every 30 minutes for approximately 1 minutes, and carries 400 to 500 passengers. Because the bus is 45 feet in length, the approach is not long enough for the bus to fully pull in, and the rear of the bus remains in the travel lane approximately''/z car width. He noted there is a bus stop on Main Street located across from the Library. Standley Street is a one-way street, approximately 19-20 feet wide, with on-street parking on the south side only; the parking spaces are utilized on a daily basis; there have been no accidents or situations for this location; there are no standard requirements for the length of the bus approach. The bus stop is based on parking, available red zones, and length requirements for the bus. For example a 35 foot bus has to stop in a 65 foot bus zone with the rear wheel 18 inches from the curb. The employees of Rain Forest Fantasy (the floral shop) and possibly Photo Finish utilize the back parking lot located on Main Street. Member Seanor stated he is opposed to the removal of on-street parking. He reported he reviewed the site as to how often the parking space is utilized, and the safety issue of the approach not being long enough for the bus to fully pull in. He advised that City Manager Candace Horsley expressed she is opposed to the removal on-street parking. He also advised that he was unable to contact the business owners and discuss this issue with Larry DeKnoblough. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2000 PAGE40F5 A lengthy discussion followed regarding there are approximately five on-street parking spaces on Standley Street; the safety issue of the bus not being able to fully pull into the approach; possible realignment of the parking spaces to give additional approach for the bus; vehicles are able to pass the bus with the rear of the bus still in the travel lane; if the parking meters in front of the Library are removed the parking spaces would be used for all day parking; utilization of the parking space during peek hours; if a vehicle is not able to pass around the bus and the flow of traffic is stalled until the bus leaves, there is the possibility of traffic backing up to State Street; and the parking lot located to the north of the Library is permit parking and can be utilized during evening hours. Member Lohse stated he is in favor of the removal of the parking space. He also stated he would like to receive input from the business owners within this area. Member Zucker stated she is in favor of the removal of the parking space, because of the issue of safety versus convenience. Chairman Turner requested that this item be continued to the November 21, 2000 meeting. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS N/A MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Seanor stated the City has contracted with a street striping firm for North State Street and other various streets within the City. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Chairman Steve Turner Kathy Kinch, Recor¢f~g Secretary R:1\TEC M102400 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24, 2000 PAGE 50F 5