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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_011100TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Steve Turner, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Otto Bertolero, Interim Director of Public Works David Lohse, Associate Planner Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent MEMBERS ABSENT Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department Ben Kageyama, Public Member STAFF PRESENT Rick Seanor Deputy Director of Public Works Kathy Kinch Administrative Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Turner at 3:05 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of November 9. 1999 Member Looney made a correction on Page 3, Paragraph 4, change the word revolving to r I in ,the sentence to read, "...prominent appearance of a crosswalk to the pedestrian resulting in a lack of caution." Page 4, Paragraph 7, add the word w n, the sentence to read, "Member Looney asked what is the possibility of a bus shelter between the corner of Harold Square and the bus stop located in front of Ted Meyer Insurance." Page 9, Paragraph 3, add the words 4evond the circles, the sentence to read, °Member Looney stated he supports the removal of the traffic calming circles because they are not effective in reducing traffic speed beyond the circles." MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 PAGE 1 OF Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, noted his name does not appear under staff attended. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee be approved as corrected. Members Harris and Bertolero abstain. December 14. 1999 Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works, noted his name does not appear under staff attended. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee be approved as amended. Member Harris abstained. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Vice-Chairman Turner read audience comments. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS Request to establish a bus stow southbound on North State Street between the entrances to the Food Bank (888 North State Street) and Lee's Fast Foods (816 Vice-Chairman Turner requested that this item be continued to the next scheduled meeting. He is requesting a new bus stop, southbound, located in front of the Food Bank. He advised the new bus stop is not within the restriping project area; there is a 25 foot curb between the two driveways and the length of the bus is 35 - 40 feet and would block the rear driveway during the stop. To move the bus stop further north would locate the stop in front of Lee's Fast Food or the Barber Shop. He noted the Barber Shop and the other small businesses within this location do not have on-site parking and utilize on-street parking. Lee's Fast Food does have adequate on-site parking. Member Looney stated he visited the location, measuring from a point where the red curb would begin to the No. 2 lane as 17 feet. An existing angle in the southbound lane creates a cause for concern with the possibility of vehicles traveling straight through through the angle, during the time period the bus is stopped, as opposed to merging into the left lane. He also stated he is not opposed to the bus stop or the bus blocking the driveway, as the bus is parked for a short period of time, but is opposed to the bus blocking traffic within the tapered area of State Street. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 PAGE 2 OF Discussion followed regarding the possibility of relocating the bus stop to another location, and postponing this issue until completion of the restriping. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee deny the request to establish a bus stop southbound on North State Street between the entrances to the Food Bank (888 North State Street) and Lee's Fast Foods (816 North State Street) specifically 240 feet south of the traffic signal post at Low Gap Road, extending the full 25 foot length of the curb, due to the width of State Street at this location. Vice-Chairman Turner abstained. OLD BUSINESS a. Consider re-establishment of bus stop on Gobbi Street, westbound near Leslie Street intersection -Steve Turner. MTA Vice-Chairman Turner reported he spoke with Ted Meyers of Meyers Insurance. Mr. Meyers is opposed to a shelter located in the parking lot on the east side of the driveway adjacent to the fence between his property and the mobile home park. He expressed the shelter would obstruct a safe flow of traffic when entering and exiting the driveway, clear sight visibility, and is opposed to the bus stopping in front of his driveway. Mr. Meyers suggested MTA install a shelter east of the property line between the fence and the sidewalk in front of the mobile home park. Vice-Chairman Turner stated he would like to discuss this issue further with the residents of Autumn Leaves and the mobile home park, and requested that this item be continued to the next scheduled meeting. Member Looney suggested the possibility of raising the fence in front of the mobile home park to protect the resident from the passengers and the shelter. Vice-Chairman Turner noted the traffic stops at the intersections of East Gobbi and Main Street and East Gobbi and Orchard Avenue, the combination of the two stops, is ranked fourth as having the highest traffic stops in Ukiah. The College, Crossroad Center, and Pear Tree are the highest. b. Member Lohse stated under section Office Established in the Ordinance it states "the office of City Traffic Engineer shall consist of a committee who shall serve without additional compensation, consisting of the City Manager, Chief of Police, the City Engineer, Planning Director, Superintendent of Public Works, or their duly appointed representatives, together with a representative of the local transit authority, a representative of the regional automobile club, and a City resident of driving age." He stated he would like to amend the Ordinance to read "...together with a representative of the local transit authority, a MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 PAGE 3 OF representative of a regional automobile, bicycle, or pedestrian group, and a City resident of driving age." or ". .together with a representative of the local transit authority, and two City residents of driving age." Member Harris advised this item is on the City Council agenda of January 19, 2000. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the possibility of including a representative from the Mendocino County Department of Transportation to allow open, productive communication between the County and City; a representative from another agency; and would there be interested individuals from the bicycle and pedestrian groups willing to serve on the Committee. Vice-Chairman Turner stated he would like to have a representative from the local transit authority and two City residents of driving age. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council to revise the Committee Membership as established by City Ordinance. It is recommended to delete the words "a representative of the regional automobile club" and add the words "two City residents of driving age." The sentence to read, "the office of City Traffic Engineer shall consist of a committee who shall serve without additional compensation, consisting of the City Manager, Chief of Police, the City Engineer, Planning Director, Superintendent of Public Works, or their duly appointed representatives, together with a representative of the local transit authority, and two City residents of driving age." c. Review information on light guard svstem -Steve Turner, MTA Vice-Chairman Turner advised he requested information on the Lightguard System as a follow-up to the Gobbi Street mid-block crosswalk issue. The system is a manually activated push button, in-roadway warning signals placed at or before the crosswalk to assist in warning approaching motorists that a pedestrian is in or about to enter the crosswalk, with an LED enhanced pedestrian crossing symbol sign that flashes lights for a crosswalk. He noted the Lightguard System has been installed in the cities of Fort Bragg and Willits. To purchase the system fora 41 foot wide street would cost $12,559 excluding installation. He suggested the possibility of the City and MTA applying jointly for pedestrian funds and split the matching fund. Member Looney asked what is the cost for installation. Vice-Chairman Turner responded he did not have the information at this time. Member Bertolero noted the Lightguard System was installed in Suisun City and cost $13,000. The cost did not include saw cutting the asphalt, installation of concrete, two MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 PAGE 4 OF handicap ramps, electrical, control and sensor push button. Completion cost of the project was $30,000. There was some maintenance in the beginning, but remained stable and very little maintenance. Member Harris asked what type of use was located within the area to warrant the installation of the system. Member Bertolero responded a senior center was located on one side of the street and a shopping center and Post Office on the other side of the street. Vice-Chairman Turner asked that status of the traffic calming measures on Clara and Ford Streets. Member Looney responded the temporary traffic calming circles have been removed, and Staff is reviewing alternative traffic calming measures for this location. At the City Council meeting of January 19th, there will be a presentation on proposed alternatives for traffic calming devices and the removal of the temporary measures. Discussed will be street stripping; a continuous white line parking strip; sub-standard street width to include a bicycle lane; adding alert-turn pocket at selected areas; and installation of crosswalks with parallel markings. Member Bertolero advised he received a letter from John Prince expressing the left- and right-turn only signs are not explicit and inappropriate street signage at the intersection of Talmage and Airport Park Boulevard. Mr. Prince is requesting additional signage for the left- and right-turn only. Member Looney responded there is signage on each side of the street as vehicles begin to enter into the left turn pocket and right turn lane, there is signage on the overhang and arrows painted on the street; and the traffic signal lights indicate left- and right-turn arrow indicators. He noted there is a solid green light in conjunction with the green arrows for pedestrian crossing, because on a right-turn only pedestrians are not allowed cross. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 PAGE 5 OF MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS N/A ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. 7 Vice-Chairman Steve Turner Kathy Kinch, Re rding Secretary R:1 \TEC M011100 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2000 PAGE 6 OF