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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_052102TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room No. 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2002 MINUTES Kevin Cotroneo, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk ManagerJBudget OfFcer Dan Walker, Ukiah Police Department Jerry Whitaker for Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works Doug Pilant, Public Member Ben Kageyama, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Joan Nelson MEMBERS ABSENT David Ldhse, Associate Planner II STAFF PRESENT Chuck Yates, Fire Marshal 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. PPROVAL OF MINUTE 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 April 16, 2002, as submitted. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS f. Discussion and possible action reaardino request from Joan Nelson reaardino the intersection of Orr and Ford Streets. Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Pubic Works, stated the Public Works Department received a letter from Ms. Nelson regarding the difficulty of making a left-hand turn from Orr Street onto Ford Street due to unclear site visibility at the intersection. He advised Orr Street is a paved street with no curb and gutter and is 24-feet in width. Ford Street has curb, gutter, and sidewalk and is 34-feet in width curb-to-curb. A standard utility pole is located on the east side of Orr Street near the edge of the pavement off of the travel way. When vehicles make aright-hand turn from Ford Street onto Orr Street the utility pole forces drivers to pu11 toward the center of the road to complete the turn. He reviewed the SWrfERS Report from January 1, 1997 through September 30, 2001. Ina four- TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 21, 2002 Page 1 of 6 year period there have been three accidents. The first accident occurred in December 2000 involving a bicyclist and pick-up truck, the bicyclist being cited; the second occurred in March 1998 reporting an improper turn sideswiping another vehicle; and the third accident occurred on May 15, 1997 caused by unsafe speed. ]pan Nelson asked what is the standard street width and standard distance between the street and utility pole. Member Seanor responded the standard width for traffic lanes is 12-feet from the centerline, and utility poles are located behind the curb. However, Orr Street has no centerline, curb and gutter. Ms. Nelson stated her daughter was involved in an accident at the intersection. A dual axle pickup truck was traveling westbound on Ford Street waiting to make aright-hand turn onto Orr Street. Her daughter was traveling southbound on Orr Street stopped at the stop sign. The driver of the truck motioned her to make her turn because he was unable to make the turn with her at the stop sign. There was no traffic traveling from either direction. Another vehicle was stopped behind the truck when the driver decided to go around the truck to the left. The vehicle going around the truck then broadsided her daughter's vehicle. Member Seanor stated the Public Works/Engineering Division is in the process of designing the Orchard Avenue Bridge. The Bridge design will be completed by August 2002 with construction in 2003. Fish and Game allows construction work around the creek between April through October; and Staff will prepare an Environmental Review. He noted the bridge would have pedestrian and bicycle lanes. He also noted that upon completion of the Bridge this might divert traffic from the Orr Street and Ford Street area. Member Harris stated there have been discussions of converting Orr Street into a pedestrian and bitycle right-of-way with no vehicle traffic. Chairman Kageyama suggested installing a centerline on Orr Street to assist and guide traffic. Member Lohse asked what is the possibility of installing curb, gutter and sidewalks on Orr Street. Member Seanor responded it is the responsibility of the property owner to construct sidewalk on property frontage. He noted in Fiscal-Year 2002-2003 there is a proposal for a joint sidewalk program between the residents and the City of Ukiah to share the cost of sidewalk construction. ON A MOTION by Member Walker, seconded by Member Whitaker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, the Traffic Engineering Committee request the Street Department to paint a centerline on Orr Street starting from the stop sign and extending 30-feet north. Member Seanor stated he would contact the Electric Department that in the event the utility pole is replaced, the pole would be moved further back from the intersection. OLD i3l1SINESS a. Discussion and possible action to relocate MTA bus stop adjacent to Diamonds and Gold, 102 North School Street Continued from April 16, 2002 meeting. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMifTEE MAY 21, 2002 Page 2 of 6 As reported at the March 19, 2002 meeting, Staff received a telephone call from Stephanie Ricker of Diamonds and Gold ]ewelry, located at the corner of School and Perkins Streets. Ms. Ricker stated there is an MTA bus stop located on the corner Perkins and School Streets. There is a recessed side door entrance into the store located on Perkins Street, which Ms. Ricker utilizes to enter the store with merchandise. MTA customers are using the side door alcove to stay out from the weather while waiting for the bus. Ms. Ricker is requesting the MTA bus stop be relocated to another area. At the May 21~ meeting, a motion was made that the Public Works and MTA staff meet with Redevelopment Director Larry DeKnoblough regarding the facade renovation program in which MTA could contribute 50°l0; and MTA to contact the property owner regarding the possibility of installing an awning on the side of the building, with the MTA logo, and metal bench. 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. When he visited the site there were eight passengers waiting for the bus. The bus stop must be 40- feet in length to accommodate the bus. He suggested relocating the stop 40-feet to the east, to the existing red curb from School Street to the loading zone located at the east end of the block on the north side. He spoke with Bruce Richard regarding the bench and awning on the side of the building, and MTA is willing to share the cost. Member Harris asked if he has spoken with the owner of the building and Ms. Ricker regarding the bench and awning. Member Pilant responded no. Member Cotroneo asked does MTA have a freestanding awning versus an awning attached to the side of the building. Member Pilant responded no. Member Walker suggested a security door. Member Pilant suggested that Ms. Ricker could review the bus schedule for the arrival times, and adjust her arrival time to the store either before the bus arrives or after pickup of the passengers. Member Cotroneo suggested Ms. Ricker could enter her business from the front door. Chairman Kageyama stated he would approve the relocation of the bus stop, however, the installation of a bench and awning would benefit the customers and Ms. Ricker. He also stated he liked the idea of the security door. Member Pilant stated air conditioning units on the side of the building would prevent the installation of an awning to the side of the building. He stated he would contact the property owner and Ms. Ricker regarding the possibility of a shelter. ON A MOTION by Member Walker, seconded Member Cotroneo, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that MTA staff meet with Redevelopment Director Larry DeKnoblough TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 21, 2002 Page 3 of 6 regarding the facade renovation program in which MTA would contribute 50%; and contact the property owner regarding the possibility of installing a shelter on the side of the building, and the possibility of the owner installing a security door on the recessed side door entrance into the store located on Perkins Street. b. Discussion and aossible action to approve the removal of the white and yellow loading zones in front of the First Baptist Church located at 302 Henry Street -Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works. Member Seanor stated a sidewalk was recently constructed on the west side of North Oak Street at Henry Street. In 1996 a yellow loading zone and a white passenger-loading zone was installed when the Office for Alcohol and Other Drugs and a nursery was located in this area. The First Baptist Church purchased the property and the sidewalk was constructed. The Church is requesting the removal of the white and yellow loading zones. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Whitaker, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council approval for the removal of the white and yellow loading zones and reestablish the on-street parking spaces in front of the First Baptist Church at 302 Henry Street. c. Discussion and possible action regarding continuing problems caused by parking along the east side of North Bush Street approaching Low Gan Road as stated by Ruth Toxaui, 821 North Bush Street Letter dated February 5 2002 Continued to September 17 2002 meeting. This item is continued to the September 17, 2002 meeting. d. Update from Subcommittee (Continued from April 16 2002 meeting). It was the consensus of the Committee to continue this item to the August 20, 2002 meeting. If there is no information to report at the August meeting, this item will be carried to the September 17, 2002 meeting. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding relocating MTA bus stop to South Orchard Avenue in front of Job Alliance and DMV - Doua Pilant. MTA Member Pilant reported he and Member Seanor visited the site. MTA is requesting relocate the bus stop currently located in front of Job Alliance to in front of the new Social Security office on South Orchard Avenue. The bus stop will be located in the right-of-way on the sidewalk, 45- feet from the crosswalk, and a 3-seat bench will be installed. He is also requesting the bus stop located in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles be relocated to in front of the Holy Trinity Church. Member Harris asked if the Church had been notified of the request, and if a bench will be installed. Member Piiant responded he did not contact the Church. He did now know at this time if a bench will be installed, however, if a bench is installed he will contact the Church. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 21, 2002 Page 4 of 6 ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Cotroneo, it was carried by an all AYE vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council approval to relocate the MTA bus stop from in front of Job Alliance south to in front of the new Social Security office on South Orchard Avenue to the existing red zone extending 45- feet on the east side of Orchard Avenue, northerly of the driveway to the Social Security office. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Cotroneo, it was carried by an all AYE vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council approval to relocate the existing bus stop in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles south to the existing red curb located in front of the Holy Trinity Church and extend an additional 15-feet. The Staff Report to the City Council will include notification to the Church prior to the meeting. b. Discussion and possible action reoardina MTA bus stop on South Dora between the new Public Health building and Laws Avenue - Doua Pilant. MTA It was the consensus of the Committee to continue this item to the October 15, 2002 meeting. c. Discussion and possible action reoardino Letter to the Editor on traffic accident at Sidnie and Ford Streets -Public Works At the April 16 2002 meeting, Member Seanor reported on the Letter to the Editor in the Ukiah Daily Journal addressing issue of the witness to a traffic accident at Sidnie and Ford Streets. The situation, there are stop signs on Sidnie with Ford Street being a through street. A truck was traveling west on Ford Street when another vehicle was attempting to cross Ford Streetfrom Sidnie, and the truck broadsided the vehicle. He stated the City Manager requested the Committee discuss this item. Member Walker distributed a copy of the Police Accident Report. D-1 was driving northbound on Sidnie Street and stopped at the stop sign at Ford Street. D-1 proceeded across the intersection without sufficiently checking for oncoming traffic. D-2 was driving westbound on Ford Street at ZO to 25 mph with his vision partially obscured by the setting of the sun. D-2 saw d-1 pull in front of him and locked up his brakes, but the vehicles collided in the intersection. The accident occurred at 5:44 p.m. Member Seanor reported he reviewed the SWITERS Report from January 1, 1997 through September 30, 2001. Two accidents occurred at this intersection. The first accident occurred on October 23, 2000 at 5:00 p.m., with a vehicle traveling northbound and a second vehicle traveling westbound. The vehicle-traveling north was cited. The second accident occurred on August 15, 1998 at 2:15 a.m, and was a single vehicle accident. Member Walker noted there is a large volume of traffic on Ford and Clara Streets. Member Seanor distributed copies of Caltrans 4-03.6 Individual Policies for Regulatory Signs - Warrants for Stop Signs. ON A MOTION by Member Walker, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that Captain Walker report back to the City Manager on the findings of the traffic accident. It is recommended that this area of Sidnie and Ford be included in the Traffic TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 21, 2002 Page 5 of 6 Circulation Study. e. Report of action taken at the southeast corner of Ford and Mvron Streets. Member Seanor reviewed the Caltrans Traffic Manual policies for stop signs. Multi-way stop signs should ordinarily be used only where the volume of traffic on intersecting roads is approximately equal: An accident problem is indicated by five or more reported accidents within a 12-month period. Those types of accidents could be corrected by multi-way stop signs. He noted there have been two accidents in a five-year period -one accident being a single vehicle accident. He noted there have been no traffic counts for this area, however Ford Street has a higher volume of traffic than Sidnie Street. He also noted, the traffic could be diverted with the completion of the Orchard Avenue Bridge. d. Discussion and possible action regarding request from Victoria Champion for Dainted red curbs on Marshall Street. It was the consensus of the Committee to continue this item to the June 18, 2002 meeting. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. AD]OURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. i C an emKa ama 1~x r ~ti,1~ \~,1~ ~C ~ 1 Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary R:1\MINUTES\TEC M041fi!)2 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MAY 21, 2002 Page 6 of 6