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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_051600TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 16, 2000 3:00 P.M. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member Ben Kageyama, Pubiic Member Otto Bertolero, Interim Director of Public Works David Lohse, Associate Planner Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor Diane Zucker, Public Member MEMBERS ABSENT Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department Michael F. Harris, Risk ManagerlBudget Officer OTHERS PRESENT Dale Grimm Administrator, Autumn Leaves Harold Bond Deborah Feinstein Ukiah Daily Journal 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 3:05 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Traffic Engineering Committee minutes of April 18, 2000, were not available for approval. Introduction of Diane Zucker Chairman Turner introduced new member Diane Zucker. Member Zucker stated she is employed with Ukiah Unified School as a home medical independent study teacher. She has lived in Mendocino County for 28 years. OLD BUSINESS a. Request for mid-block crosswalks on Gobbi Street between Autumn Leaves and Harold Square Senior Housing complexes -Steve Turner. MTA MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 16, 2000 PAGE 10F 5 Chairman Turner reported the Committee received a request from the Director of Autumn Leaves, David Palmer, for amid-block crosswalk on Gobbi Street for the east- and westbound bus stops. There are two bus stops, the first stop is located eastbound in front of Autumn Leaves with a shelter near the driveway. The second stop is located 200 feet east, between the two driveways in front of Harold Square Mobile Home Park. The residents of Autumn Leaves would have to walk approximately 500 feet from the driveway to the bus stop, as opposed to crossing the street which is approximately 42 feet. The second 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. Chairman Turner presented two proposed locations for amid-block crosswalk on Gobbi Street. The first proposal is a mid-block crosswalk located directly in front of the existing bus stop (Farm Credit building), and the second proposal is a mid-block crosswalk located near the Autumn Leaves driveway. He expressed concerns that there are no street lights for the crosswalk, and the traffic on Gobbi Street is heavily traveled. The speed limit on eastbound Leslie Street is 35 m.p.h., and 30 m.p.h. west on Leslie Street. He suggested the possibility of installing a pedestrian island on Gobbi Street for the safety of pedestrians, eliminating the continuous left-turn lane; or locating the crosswalk near the existing Autumn Leaves bus stop, which would be under a street light with a suspended overhead flashing yellow light for "Pedestrian Crossing", with special striping or barrier island. It was discussed that the California Department of Transportation Traffic Manual states, "Crosswalks serve primarily to guide pedestrians into the proper path. Pedestrian crosswalks should not be used indiscriminately, and that their presence can be detrimental to pedestrian safety. In some cases pedestrians can be given a false sense of security due the prominent appearance of a crosswalk to the pedestrian resulting in a lack of caution. Non-intersectional mid-block pedestrian crosswalks are generally unexpected by MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 16, 2000 PAGE20F5 the motorist, and should be discouraged, unless in the opinion of the Engineer that a strong specification is in favor of such installation." Crosswalks may not be immediately visible to drivers approaching the area. He stated the Gobbi Street bus stop provides service to the downtown area every 30 minutes, and is the fourth highest used segment in the County. The bus travels north and south on State Street to Gobbi Street, Gobbi to Orchard Avenue, north and south on Orchard Avenue to Clara, Mason, Norton, and Main Streets to downtown, east and west on Standley to Perkins Street, Dora, Bush, to the Crossroad Shopping Center, and the College. Member Zucker asked who authorizes the installation of bus stops and shelters. Chairman Turner responded the City of Ukiah has the right-of-way from the back of the sidewalk to the street, and the City determines the placement of the bus stop. The property owner gives permission for the placement of any bench or shelter on private property, the bus stop itself is not subject to the owners permission. The sidewalk is 4-1/2 feet in width and is inadequate to accommodate a shelter. It was also discussed the City does not recommend mid-block crosswalks because it gives pedestrians a false sense of security; there is a concern for the safety of the residents in amid-block crosswalk; the walk to the bus stop is a long distance for senior citizens, and most of the residents do not see very well; the proposed mid-block crosswalk to the west would be located near a utility pole which could provide additional lighting, however, vehicles traveling westbound using the left-turn pocket into the Autumn Leaves driveway would be crossing through the center of the crosswalk, which makes this location inappropriate; and mid-block crosswalks are a hazard, a hazard to pedestrians, and are unexpected. Mr. Bond asked regarding the possibility of relocating the westbound bus stop to the original location at the corner of Gobbi and Leslie Streets and placing a shelter over the sidewalk. Chairman Turner responded the shelter would consist of four posts in the sidewalk, and a roof seven feet in height to allow pedestrians to walk under the shelter. This type of shelter would not protect passengers from the elements of the weather. The intersection of Gobbi and Leslie Streets is the safest location for the passengers to cross and safer for the bus. Member Bertolero expressed a concern for the safety of citizens crossing the street. A lighted crosswalk would help, but still does not guarantee the safety of the citizens. He stated the best location for the bus stop is at the intersection of Leslie and Gobbi Streets. Member Looney asked what is the possibility of the bus leaving southbound Orchard from MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 16, 2000 PAGE30F5 Plum Street to Leslie Street to Gobbi, with a shelter on Leslie located next to the mini-mart store. Chairman Turner responded currently the bus leaves downtown southbound to Clara Street to Orchard Avenue, south on Orchard, turns west on Gobbi Street, and south on State Street. The bus travels northbound on State to Gobbi to Orchard. He stated MTA would lose passenger access to Job Alliance and Mendocino Private Industry Council if the bus were to travel from Plum Street. Member Lohse suggested relocating the bus stop and shelter to Orchard and Gobbi, and relocating the bus stop in front of Ted Myer Insurance without a shelter. Chairman Turner responded the Orchard and Gobbi Street location would present a lengthy distance for the residents to walk. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Kageyama, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, 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. Chairman Turner abstained. Member Seanor stated there is an existing red curb. NEW BUSINESS a. Approval of temporary bus stops in front of the Municipal Pool and barbeaue area at Todd Grove Park. Duration of stops will be June 18 thru September 1 2000 - Steve Turner. MTA Chairman Turner reported he received a request from the City of Ukiah Community Services Department for two temporary MTA bus stops at the Ukiah Municipal Pool and Todd Grove Park barbeque area to serve the Summer Safari Day Camp. The bus will make 15 trips per day, traveling from intersection of Grove and Dora, west on Grove, and resume the route to the north- or southbound route. This will serve the Summer Safari Day Camp, Pool, Golf Course, and Anton Stadium. At the end of the season, MTA will remove the benches from the pool and park area. The benches will be located behind the rock wall, and no signage will be installed. A time table has been submitted to the Community Services Department and a press release will be sent to the news media. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Bertolero, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the temporary bus stops in front of the Ukiah Municipal Pool and barbeque area at Todd Grove Park for the duration of June 18 thru September 1, 2000. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 16, 2000 PAGE 40F 5 a. Report on Ukiah Bike Week -Steve Turner. Chairman Turner reported on the various events taking place during Ukiah Bike Week. There will be a bike to work; continental breakfasts; celebrity errand races; walking tour of the Russian River Cemetery by Judy Pruden; massive bike show and bike club booth; and affordable bike helmets and fittings will be provided by the Ukiah Police Department. He also reported on the automobile versus cyclists. The race consisted of four stops starting from the Emerald Cafe, to the Journal to pick-up a newspaper, to Safeway to make a purchase, to Bank of America, the Post Office, and returning to the Emerald Cafe. Both cyclists won. The first cyclists came in at 9 minutes, and the other cyclists came in at 14 minutes. The first automobile came in at 20 minutes, because she could not find parking space. b. MTA Summer Service Changes -Steve Turner, MTA Chairman Turner reported MTA will continue to serve summer school for the High School and College. Effective June 18 there will be an increase in the MTA fare; the service north of School Way and Redwood Valley will be eliminated; and some minor changes to the coastal service and Santa Rosa service to connect with the Airport. Member Zucker asked if MTA will provide service for the Sunday Concerts in the Park. Member Seanor suggested the trolley car could be used as a service to and from the concerts. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Chairman Steve Turner r ~ Kathy Kinch, Rec ding R:1 \TEC M05160 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 16, 2000 PAGE 50F 5