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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_071602TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room No.3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 JULY 16, 2002 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Kevin Cotroneo, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Dan Walker, Ukiah Police Department Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor David Lohse, Associate Planner II Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works Ben Kageyama, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT John Champion Victoria Champion Andrea Werra MEMBERS ABSENT Doug Pilant, Public Member STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Kageyama at 3:02 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Seanor made a correction on Page 2, Paragraph 2, to delete the word "sidewalk". The sentence to read: "Member Seanor responded the standard width for traffic lanes is 12-feet from the centerline, and utility poles are located behind the curb." On Page 3, Paragraph 3, change "west to east" to "east to west". The sentence to read: "Member Pilant stated he and Member Seanor visited the site. The bus stop adjacent to Diamonds and Gold is the only bus stop on the west side in the downtown area, and has been a long established and very important stop. The bus travels this route 14 times per day from east to west." 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 May 21, 2002, as amended. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding request from Victoria Champion for painted red curbs on Marshall Street -Victoria Champion. 674 Marshall Street Member Seanor reported Staff received a letter from Victoria Champion regarding the increase of traffic and on-street parking on Marshall Street. Ms. Champion is requesting an additional 4' red curb north of the north driveway, and 4' red curb south of the south driveway, leaving two standard on-street parking spaces located in front of the apartments at 688 and 674 Marshall Street. Ms. Champion is requesting the additional red curb due to unclear sight visibility when exiting the driveways. John Champion stated motor homes and large trucks utilize the on-street parking making it very difFicult to have clear site visibility when exiting the driveways. Member Harris asked were the property owner and residents notified of the request. Mr. Champion responded yes. Member Harris asked would establishing the red curb require approval from the City Council. Member Looney responded no. Establishing a red curb at each driveway transition, 4 feet in length, is standard. With the additional red curbs at each transition, approximately 40-feet remain for two standard on-street parking spaces. He noted the curb between the two driveways is 15- feet in length and is not adequate for a standard parking space. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee approve the request and authorize the Public Works Department to establish a 4-foot red curb north of the north driveway transition in front of 688 Marshall; a 4-foot red curb south of the south driveway transition located in front of 674 Marshall Street; and red curb the entire 15-foot curb between 688 and 674 Marshall in front of the planter area and green utility box, on the south side of Marshall Street. b. Discussion and possible action per request from Andrea Werra reoardino installation of a stow sign at Standley and Barnes and speeding vehicles on West Standlev Street -Andrea Werra. 901 W. Standley Street. Member Seanor reported Staff received a letter from Andrea Werra requesting a stop sign at the intersection of Standley and Barnes Streets due to the increase of traffic and traffic speed. The Committee discussed this issue at the December 19, 1995 and February 13, 1996 meetings as follows: At the December 19, 1995 meeting, the Committee approved a motion to request the Public Works Department simultaneously install additional signs to create a temporary all-way stop at Highland and Standley, and afour-way stop at Barnes and Standley, and to have the Engineering Department conduct a speed survey to see the accomplishments of these actions. At the February 13, 1996 meeting, City Engineer Staff reported that traffic studies were completed and presented figures both before and after the installation of the temporary stop signs on West Standley Street at both Barnes Street and Highland Avenue. A radar gun was used to determine the speeds of vehicles during the time period of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. A pneumatic tube type traffic counter was used to count the traffic over a 24-hour period of time on both Standley Street and Highland Avenue. In addition, traffic was videotaped passing point east of Barnes Street from 7:30 a.m, to 8:30 a.m. The Cumulative Speed Curve sheets and supporting data showed the following: The 85th percentile speed, as measured on Standley Street midway between Barnes Avenue and Highland Avenue, reduced from 34.7 MPH to 32.4 MPH after temporary stop signs were installed. Speeds of 54 vehicles were taken before stop signs were installed and the speed of 48 vehicles were taken after they were installed. A 30-mile speed range, called a Pace, reduced from a range of 26 to 36 MPH to a range of 23 to 33 MPH after temporary stop signs were installed. Traffic counts indicated the installation of the stop signs resulted in the diversion of traffic to Highland Avenue from West Standley Street. Three hundred forty eight (348) vehicles used Highland Avenue and 571 vehicles used the east leg of West Standley Street before the installation of the temporary stop signs. That means 37.9% of this total of 919 vehicles were using Highland Avenue. Once stop signs were installed, 434 vehicles used Highland Avenue and 503 vehicles used the east leg of West Standley Street, which means 46.3% of this total of 937 vehicles were then using Highland Avenue. The increase from 37.9% to 46.3% is significant. A review of the SWITERS Report on this part of West Standley Street indicates there were three accidents in the last twelve months and one accident in the twelve previous months. It appears that the installation of temporary stop signs had the following effects: 1. Speed is not appreciably reduced. 2. Traffic patterns may have changed to use Highland Avenue instead of Standley Street. There may be an increase in noise and traffic congestion. 4. None of the three warrants set by Caltrans appears to be met for the installation of Multi-way Stop signs. Eight (8) calls were received at the Civic Center from people with comments relative to the temporary stop signs. A tabulation of the results are as follows: In favor of stops at Highland Avenue 3 In favor of stops at Barnes Street 5 Opposed to stops at Highland Avenue 4 Opposed to stops at Barnes Street 2 At the February 13, 1996 meeting, the Committee approved a motion and the request was defeated to recommend to the City Council the installation of stop signs on Standley Avenue at Barnes Street. Member Seanor also reported on the Caltrans Warrants for Stop Sign and Multi-way Stop Signs. Stop signs should ordinarily be used only where the volume of traffic on intersecting roads is approximately equal; and an accident problem exists, as indicated by five or more reported accidents within a 12-month period. He reviewed the SWITERS Report from January 1, 1999 through December 2001. In a three-year period there have been two accidents. The first accident occurred in 1999 when a vehicle traveling southbound on Barnes failed to stop at the stop sign, broad siding another vehicle; the second occurred in 2000 at Barnes and Standley where the driver was sited for unsafe driving. 2001 reported no accidents. Andrea Werra, 901 W. Standley Street, stated she has lived in her home for over 20 years. The increase of traffic and traffic speed exceeding 50 m.p.h. is making it very difficult to live in this area. Construction has started on the development of new homes in the area, which will eventually add more traffic. There is a downhill slope on Standley causing vehicles to pick up speed. A large volume of traffic comes from Anton Stadium, Ukiah Golf Course, and Todd Grove Park. During the placement of the temporary stop signs there was very little traffic and the traffic speed was reduced considerably. She noted the resident who opposed the request before has reconsidered and would approve the stop sign. Member Looney stated the installation of stop signs is an obstruction to the flow of traffic and moves the traffic from an area to another area; and stop signs are not to be used a for speed control. Member Harris asked what is the speed limit within this area. Member Seanor responded 25 m.p.h. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the traffic volume and traffic speed within the area; placement of the radar trailer at this location; when approaching Barnes Street vehicles have to enter into Standley Street for clear site visibility; there are insufficient warrants for the installation of the stop sign; this location will be included in the Traffic Circulation Study. 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 install a stop sign at Standley and Barnes Streets. It is recommended that this area of Highland, Barnes and Standley Streets be included in the Traffic Circulation Study. c. Discussion and possible action per request from Officer Barrv Inman reoardingparkinglssues at Yokayo School. Officer Barry Inman reported the last four years the Ukiah Police Department has received complaints at the beginning and end of each school year regarding vehicle traffic congestion, blocking the designated bicycle lane, and the hazard to children and other pedestrians. The traffic problem occurs at 2:25 p.m. when students are picked up from school. He has been assisting Staff at Yokayo School and the Ukiah Unified School District Transportation Department in developing a solution for the vehicle traffic problem. One of the problems is the parking along the curb north of the student pick up area (exits onto Mendocino Drive) and south of the bus loading zone in front of the school on Dora Street. The parking area is large enough for two vehicles. When a vehicle or vehicles park in this area during student pick up time, the flow of traffic is disrupted causing other vehicles to pull into the pick up area, block or park in the bicycle lane, and cause a hazard to others. The curb between the bus loading zone and the student pick up area located at the south end of the school has been designated vehicle parking while waiting to move forward into the pick up area. There are two teachers who parkin this area routinely because they are disabled. He spoke with the Principal and the school will designate disabled parking on Mendocino Drive. The amount of vehicle traffic has increased and the designated parking area has been defeated from its original purpose. He is requesting "no parking" between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Member Seanor reported in City of Ukiah Code Section 7150. Parking Adiacent to Schools, states "The City Traffic Engineer (the Committee) is hereby authorized to install signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation." Parking Prohibited on Narrow Streets, "The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to place signs or markings indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed 20 feet or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty feet." A lengthy discussion followed regarding the increase of traffic and the parking areas; 14 portable buildings were placed on the property; parents parking along the fence on Mendocino Drive to pick up their children; vehicles double parking and blocking the bicycle lane on Dora Street; and parking on the north side is designated Staff parking. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by a roll call vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee approve the request to install a sign designating "No Parking between 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. while school is in session". The designated area to be posted "No Parking" is the area south of the south driveway to the bus pick up area. AYES: Members Harris, Lohse, Seanor, Walker, Cotroneo, and Chairman Kageyama. NOES: Members Looney. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Member Pilant. d. Discussion and possible action per request from Wendv McNerlin regarding soeedino vehicles on Mendocino Drive -Wendv McNerlin, 494 Mendocino Drive ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend this request be included in the Traffic Circulation Study, and that no further action be taken at this time. e. Discussion and Dossible action per reouest from Jennifer Colvin regarding crosswalks on State Street -Jennifer Colvin. 436 N Pine Street ON A MOTION by Member Lohse, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to continue this item to the next scheduled meeting. Member Seanor reported Redwood Academy Charter School located at the 12`h District Fairgrounds has a crossing guard for the morning and afternoon arrival and departure of the children. Member Harris stated it is the responsibility of the Charter School to provide safe crossing for the children. Member Looney reported diagonal striping will be established at the crosswalks located on South State Street in front of Fosters Freeze and at the intersection of Gobbi and Leslie Streets. OLD BUSINESS a. Update on parking issues along the east side of North Bush Street, approaching Low Gao Road. !Ruth Toxqui) -Rick Seanor. Deputv Director of Public Works. Member Seanor reported he spoke with Ms. Toxqui regarding the on-street parking. Ms. Toxqui stated the on-street parking has improved dramatically since Public Health relocated to their new location on July 31, 2002. Member Looney advised he visited the site and there were two vehicles parked on the street. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS N/A AD]OURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p. m. -~---- Ch ' @n B n I a Kathy Kinch {~ Recording Secretary R:1\MINUTES\TEC M071602