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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_091900TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE September 19, 2000 3:00 P.M. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member Ben Kageyama, Public Member Diane Zucker, Public Member Otto Bertolero, Interim Public Works Director Dave Lohse, Associate Planner Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor MEMBERS ABSENT Pete Hoyle STAFF PRESENT Rick Seanor, Deputy Public Works Director Ina Ford, Administrative 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 20, 2000 ON A MOTION By Member Looney Seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of June 20, 2000 as submitted. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: b. Discussion and action of 24 minute parking zone in front of 582 North State Street (formerly Henne's Candies). City Manager Candace Horsley was present to discuss item b. and as no one from the public was present for other agenda items it was decided to discuss this item out of sequence. City Manager Horsley stated parking spaces in front of the former Henne's Candies were changed to 24 minute packing zones at the request of Mr. Henne a few years ago. As the business is no longer in operation and the structure is to be remodeled to apartment units, 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 pick up 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 Chairman Turner added the fog line, as proposed, would extend to the City Limits but the County of Mendocino Road Department is improving the roadway from that point south and could possibly extend it. Member Zucker expressed concern over the lack of bicycle lanes within the City and questioned the inability to create a bike lane along this section of roadway. Member Looney explained the parking lane would extend 8 feet from the curb, a bike lane would add 5 feet or a total of 13 feet leaving 6 feet for the travel lane which is substandard. Member Bertolero felt an 11 foot travel lane was narrow for a major thoroughfare which accommodates truck traffic. Creating anything narrower would not be a safe situation. Chairman Turner stated from a bicyclist's point of view the traffic varies from driving close to the centerline to driving adjacent the curb. He felt a fog line would provide a sense of security for a bicyclist riding on the right side of the line where marked parking stalls would compel bicyclist's to ride on the roadway side of the line. Member Looney stated the intent of the fog line was to create a sense of a more narrow roadway which would tend to direct traffic toward the centerline. Member Kageyama felt an 11 foot travel lane would create traffic calming. Member Bertolero felt measurements of the full cross section would be necessary to determine consistency and whether it would be possible to decrease the width of the center left turn lanes. Chairman Turner suggested coordinating with the County work as there will be some road widening further south. Rick Seanor stated the City has been working with the County and has provided improvement plans to the County for coordination. As this was a discussion issue and staff had directions to provide measurements and additional information this item will be continued until the next regular meeting. OLD BUSINESS: a. Request from MTA to lengthen the red zone on Standley Street at Main Street an additional 20 feet to the west -Steve Turner, MTA Chairman Turner indicated MTA is still interested in pursuing the request. Mr. Seanor stated it would be necessary to speak with Larry DeKnoblough, Community MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE4 Services Director regarding this issue as well as businesses in the area. This item will be continued until the next regular meeting. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORT Member Kageyama mentioned Draft Road Standards containing road widths, standard plan specifications, and design guidelines are available for review and a public workshop will be held on October 23, 2000 at the County Administration Center. Member Bertolero stated Cal Trans approval was received two weeks ago to spend funds for the State Street tree project. The plans and specifications are close to being final and by next Spring the project should be implemented. The project will start from Perkins Street and radiate north and south in block increments with some type of theme at the entryway being included in the project. Member Lohse indicated he has had comments from South State Street business owners who felt they may be overlooked by this project. Member Bertolero indicated area maps will be available in order to accurately pinpoint existing trees and numerous meetings will be held allowing business and property owners to express their views regarding tree plantings. Chairman Turner questioned the centerline on South State Street being dots as opposed to painted. Member Bertolero stated there is a citywide painting program which will incorporate the restriping of State Street prior to winter. Bids for the project should be opened on September 27, 2000. Rick Seanor informed the committee that the City of Ukiah and otherjurisdictions will be receiving funding from the 2000 STIP Augmentation program for street resurfacing. The City of Ukiah will be receiving nearly one million dollars and Public Works Department is looking forward to resurfacing many streets. Member Lohse mentioned the Air District Grant is being utilized, in part, for crosswalk innovations and completion of the bike lane along Gobbi Street. Crosswalk possibilities would be as outlined in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Chairman Turner questioned the proposed bicycle path along railroad tracks, stating the Police Department would also benefit from the usage in terms of providing access to areas which are not currently accessible. Member Lohse stated the project has basically been postponed as there is no one MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE 5 available to write grants to obtain funding for the project. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Member Zucker inquired regarding a large hole in the bridge at the Railroad tracks near Ford Street, which a person could fall through. Member Bertolero stated the Railroad has received full documentation and are on notice that this is not a City issue. p~DJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was ad}'ourned at 4:04 p,m. Steve Turner, Chairman ~ v ""''/ Ina Ford, Recording Secretary MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE 6