Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_121702TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 17, 2002 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Doug Pilant, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor David Lohse, Associate Planner II Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works Dan Walker, Ukiah Police Department Ben Kageyama, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Jennifer Colvin Steve Pardini MEMBERS ABSENT Kevin Cotroneo, Public Member STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary The TrafFc Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Kageyama at 3:10 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 24, 2002 AND OCTOBER 15, 2002 Chairman Kageyama made a correction on Page 3, Paragraph 6, add the words "in advance". The sentence to read: "Chairman Kageyama suggested advanced warning signs such as "Watch for Pedestrians" or the possibility of installing diamond shape markings on the street. The markings allow vehicles to stop approximately 35-feet in advance behind the crosswalk. This would allow other vehicles to have clear site visibility of pedestrians crossing the street." ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of September 24, 2002, as corrected. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Seanor, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of October 15, 2002, as submitted. Member Pilant abstained DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding crosswalks on State Street-Jennifer Colvin 436 N Pine Street. (Continued from Julv 16 2002) Jennifer Colvin stated the crosswalks located on North State Street in front of the new Redwood Academy Charter Schools next to the Fairgrounds and Auto Zone, should have flashing yellow lights installed as a warning signal to give more visibility to motorist of school children crossing in these TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 17, 2002 Page 1 of 5 areas. There is fluorescent yellow green school crossing signs posted at each school. During certain times of the day, the sunlight makes it difficult for motorist to see the crossing guards and children. She asked what is the possibility of the Police Department patrolling the area in the morning and afternoon when school begins and ends. The crosswalk at the intersection of South State Street and Luce has hatch marks, which makes the crosswalk more visible. Member Harris asked are the crosswalks on North State Street scheduled to be painted with hatch marks. Member Looney responded no. Hatch marks designate mid-block crosswalks to bring attention to motorists there is a crosswalk in the area. Chairman Kageyama asked if hatch marks are used as indicators for school zone crossings. Member Looney stated all intersections are considered a crossing location, regardless if there is a painted crosswalk or not. Hatch marks indicate amid-block crosswalk to bring to the attention of motorist there is an inconsistent crosswalk. The crosswalks on North State Street in front of the Charter schools have been painted yellow. Ms. Colvin expressed crosswalks painted a different color are very difficult to notice. School zones should have a flashing yellow light to indicate there is a crosswalk and school children crossing in the area. Member Walker stated a flashing yellow light gives a false sense of security to pedestrians. Motorist driving the same route on a daily basis become unaware of the yellow light as it becomes a part of the daily routine. Ms. Colvin asked what is the possibility of two crossing guards, one to assist children crossing the street and the other would have the authority to stop vehicles or take license plate numbers to issue a warning or fine to those who violate a crossing. Member Walker stated the crossing guard must be able to identify the driver of the vehicle who violated the crosswalk. The school would submit a letter to the Police Department with a license plate number. The Police Department would initiate a letter to the owner of the vehicle stating their vehicle was observed violating pedestrian right-of-way in a crosswalk and future violations could result in a citation. Chairman Kageyama stated at the February 19, 2002 meeting, a "Guidelines, Installation, and Signage of Diagonally Hatched Crosswalks" was established. The Guidelines stated: Diagonally hatched crosswalk markings may be considered for use at the following locations: 1) Arterial streets and high volume collectors with three or more lanes and speeds of 30 mph and greater 2) At higher volume pedestrian crossings 3) At school crossings 4) At mid block and unsignalized crossings 5) At non-stop controlled crossings meeting the above criteria TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 17, 2002 Page 2 of 5 Diagonally hatched crosswalk installations shall be considered at locations near retirement establishments and where requested by citizens. The City of Ukiah Traffic Engineering Committee shall review and recommend all future diagonally hatched crosswalks, which do not clearly fit the listed criteria prior to their installation. Member Looney stated he would like to discuss this issue with the City Engineer to establish a policy/plan for all crosswalks from North State to South State Street. Member Lohse stated schools and charter schools are exempt from City review and submitting traffic circulation plans. The Charter School submitted a Use Permit and the Planning Department advised the Charter School to consider the exposure of children in the crosswalks. He stated the supervision of a crossing guard is more effective than a flashing yellow light. He advised the Planning Department asked the School to discuss with the parents and children the safety in crossing in a crosswalk. A lengthy discussion continued regarding the cost to install flashing lights in the crosswalk is $18,000 per crosswalk; vehicles and pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings; after an extended period of time motorists do not acknowledge the flashing lights; and the Ukiah Police Department will be educating the public on pedestrian safety, pedestrians violating the law, and vehicles violating pedestrian right-of-way. V. NEW BUSINE a. Discussion and possible action regarding the removal of the red zone (No Parkins Zonel in front of 953 North State Street -Steve and Melanie Pardini. Member Seanor stated at the March 9, 1993 meeting, Larry Nelson of Nelson Glass requested a red curb in front of 953 North State Street due to unclear site visibility when exiting the driveway onto State Street. Large vehicles parked on State Street made it difficult to have clear site visibility when exiting the driveway. The request was approved to red curb the frontage of subject parcel from the south property line to the driveway, based on site distance visibility and accessibility onto State Street. In April 1994 the red zone was installed. Mr. Seanor explained the red zone begins in front of Ukiah Unified School District past the driveway; there is open on-street parking in front of Farmer Brothers with red curbing at the transition of the driveway; there is red curb in front of Nelson Glass including the driveway; a portion of red curb in front of Furniture Warehouse, then open parking with red curb at the transition of the driveway; and open parking in front of Auto Zone. There is newly constructed curb and gutter in front of Auto Zone. He noted that Auto Zone and Furniture Warehouse have on-site parking. He suggested removing the red curb in front of Nelson Glass and Furniture Warehouse to allow on- street parking on State Street and installing designated parking "T's." Steve Pardini stated Mr. Nelson requested the red curb due to large vehicles parking on the street and blocking the driveway. In 1993 the building was 3,000 square feet with an overhang at the rear of the building of approximately 4,000 square feet, allowing additional parking. In 1994 the building was expanded to its current size. The driveway serves as the ingress/egress for the new subdivision and tenants of the building. The tenants are only allowed to park in front of their business. Mr. Nelson parks two personal vehicles in front of his business and parks customer vehicles in other TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 17, 2002 Page 3 of 5 available spaces. He noted large delivery trucks park in the red zone on State Street because the trucks are unable enter the driveway and turn around to exit. Member Lohse stated he is not opposed to the elimination of the red curb in front of Nelson Glass or Furniture Warehouse. He also stated with the elimination of on-street parking, the right-hand lane of North State Street became wider, allowing vehicles to travel faster than the posted speed limit. On-street parking would slow down trafFc and assist in the safety of children using the crosswalks. Member Walker suggested the Engineering and Street Departments review the area to determine if the red curb should be removed. All driveway transitions are to be red curbed to allow a clear line of site. Member Lohse stated he would like to discuss this issue with Engineering before making a decision. Member Looney stated the Street and Engineering Divisions should review the curbing from the north driveway of Farmer Brothers to the crosswalk of the new Redwood Academy Charter School located at the Fairgrounds. If it is determined there is not a clear line of site when exiting the driveway, the red curb will remain. If there is sufficient distance for a clear line of site the red curb will be removed and on-street parking can be established. He recommended 6-feet red curb be painted at those locations. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the February 18, 2003 meeting. The Engineering and Street Divisions will review the curbing from Low Gap Road north to the Fairgrounds to determine if red curb is necessary or can be removed based on site distance with the intent of reducing the red curb and increase available on-street parking. All driveway transitions are to be painted 6-feet red curb. b. Discussion and possible action to establish two MTA bus stops on northbound and southbound Dora Avenue to establish transit service to the new Mendocino County Public Health Administration building effective March 1 2003 - Doua Pilant MTA. Member Pilant stated at the April 16, 2002 meeting, he discussed the agreement between the Board of Supervisors and the residents on Dora, that MTA buses would not travel in this area unless requested by passengers. However, with the methadone clinic located on Laws Avenue there has been an increase of requests for passenger pick-up of at least 36 passengers per day. With the relocation of the Public Health office to their new location on Dora Avenue there is no public transit. Allison Glassey of Mendocino County Social Services, attended an MCOG meeting to discuss the need for transit service on Dora Avenue to and from the new Public Health location. He is requesting to establish one northbound and one southbound bus stop on Dora Avenue between Washington and Observatory Streets. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Walker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the January 21, 2003 meeting. MTA will meet with the Street Department to identify locations to establish one northbound and one southbound TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 17, 2002 Page 4 of 5 bus stop on Dora Avenue between Observatory and Gobbi Street, and bring all recommendations back to the committee. Discussion followed regarding there is a mid-block crosswalk on Dora Avenue; and there is on-street parking on northbound Dora Avenue. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS No comment from Committee members. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Seanor reported at the September 24, 2002 meeting, River Oaks Charter School requested amid-block crosswalk located in front of the School to allow parents to drop-off and pick-up their children on the west side of Leslie Street. There is an existing mid-block crosswalk on Leslie Street located in front of the Senior Center south of the Charter School to the mobile home park. The Senior Center is opposed to the relocation of the crosswalk because senior citizens use the crosswalk to walk to the Center. He advised the City performed a slurry seal on Leslie Street, and when the crosswalk was reestablished it was painted yellow to indicate a school zone area. Members Lohse, Pilant and himself met with the Principal of River Oaks Charter School to discuss a crosswalk in front of the school and an on-site pick-up/drop-off plan, such as modifications to the parking lot. He distributed a drawing showing an on-site pick-up/drop-offarea was established next to the school and playground area access. The vehicles are to enter the south driveway and exit the north driveway. With the new pick-up/drop-off area, there may be a decrease in the amount of children crossing Leslie Street to get to the school. It was the consensus of the Committee for Principal David Taxus, to write a letter to the Parents Advisory Committee regarding the pick-up/drop-off area. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. ~~~- Chair an en eya a ~ ~ ' tr ~ Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary R:1\TEC A121702 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 17, 2002 Page 5 of 5