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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_071503Minutes TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 15, 2003 Members Present Mike Harris Dave Lohse Jim Looney Dan Walker Ben Kageyama, Chairman Rick Seanor Others Present Tom Cash Miles Gordon Trent Taylor Kelley Coulter Staff Present Members Absent Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary Kevin Cotroneo Doug Pilant The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kageyama at 3:00 p.m. in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: N/A III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA I I Cm~ Thomas Cash commented it would be beneficial to City residents if permits were issued to increase the allowed amount of time vehicles can be parked on public streets in residential areas. He stated two hours is the maximum amount of time a person can park a vehicle in his neighborhood. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: IV. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding changes to curbside parking at 645 North State Street -Michelle Leoni, Montanos Properties ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to recommend this agenda item be continued to the next regular TEC meeting, as no staff report was available and there was no representation for the agenda item. V. NEW BUSINESS a. Public hearing regarding Appeal of Notice of Intention to Abate and Remove an Abandoned, Wrecked, Dismantled or Inoperative or Parts thereof as a Public Nuisance as submitted by: Thomas C. Cash - 475 West Church Street. Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 1 Deputy Director of Public Works Seanor reported staff received an appeal request from Thomas Cash regarding a Notice of Intention to Abate and Remove an Abandoned. Wrecked Dismantled or Inoperative Vehicle or Parts Thereof as a Public Nuisance issued by Ukiah Police Officer Trent Taylor on June 4, 2003. The notice and subsequent list of the vehicles in question are referenced as Attachment "A" in the staff report. Mr. Cash filed an Abandoned Vehicle Appeal Request with the City Clerk on June 5, 2003, and this document is referred to as Attachment "B" in the staff report. A copy of the City Clerk's letter advising Mr. Cash of the public hearing is referenced as Attachment "C" in the staff report. Rick Seanor reported the Committee is required to visit the subject property and take appropriate action in accordance with Ukiah City Code, Sections 7600 through 7614. A copy of the Code is referred to as Attachment "D" in the staff report. He stated the intent of today's TEC meeting is to review, discuss, and hear public testimony concerning the matter. He drew attention to Code sections 7610 and 7611 that outline the procedures for conducting a public hearing relative to abandoned vehicle removal, stating the TEC has the authority to impose conditions or other necessary type of action concerning the issue of abandoned vehicles. Staff recommended the TEC consider the following actions: " Deny the Appeal. Impose conditions on the removal of vehicles from the property in accordance with the City Code Section 7611. Order the vehicles to be removed from the property in accordance with City Code Section 7611. Rick Seanor noted Chapter 8 of the Code in accordance with a City Ordinance states: "That the accumulation and storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof on private or public property, not including highways, is found to create a condition tending to reduce the value of the private property, to promote blight and deterioration, to invite plundering, to create fire hazards, to constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, to create a harborage for rodents and insects and to be injurious to the health, safety and general welfare." PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: 3:17 p.m. Officer Trent Taylor stated the Ukiah Police Department has been involved in a program throughout the City identifying abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles on private or public property considered to be a public nuisance according a City Ordinance. He stated the Notice has been issued to other City residents and the vehicles have been removed. Thomas Cash acknowledged the Notice, stating he intended to remove the three nuisance vehicles in question from the subject property. He filed an appeal request in order to provide testimony concerning his intentions and plans for subsequent action, as the process has taken more time than originally Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 2 anticipated. He addressed each vehicle and the course of action he has taken to comply with the City Ordinance relevant to the process of removing the vehicles, noting not all of the vehicles are operable. He requested an extension of time for one month in which to make special arrangements for the removal of the vehicles. The Notice stated he had 10 days in which to remove the vehicles, so he filed an appeal entitling him to a hearing on this matter to assist him with finding solutions to the problem. A brief discussion followed regarding various types of agencies that would accept the vehicles once they were removed. It was noted the inoperable vehicle may have to be towed and other special arrangements made. Member Walker recommended the Committee consider allowing Mr. Cash until August 15 to make towing and other special arrangements concerning the removal of the vehicles. Kelley Coulter, San Francisco, stated he made a complaint to the Ukiah Police Department because the vehicles promote community blight. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: 3:26 p.m. ON A MOTION by Member Walker, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to grant Mr. Cash a 30-day extension until August 15, 2003, in which to make appropriate arrangements for removal of the three vehicles, as outlined in the staff report, and as discussed above. c. Discussion and possible regarding request from Grove Avenue residents regarding speeding vehicles on Grove Avenue. Deputy Director of Public Works Seanor reported staff received a request from concerned residents of Grove Avenue relative to the issue of speeding vehicles in the neighborhood. Attachment "A" of the staff report, the complainants' letter stated speeding vehicles present imminent danger to bicyclists, Pomolita students walking in crosswalks, children, adults, and pedestrians that frequent Todd Grove Park or walk and drive in the area, and pedestrians, bicycles and merging vehicular traffic on Dora and Grove Avenues where there are no stop signs. The concerned residents recommended consideration be given for implementation of a speeding mitigation program that may include appropriately placed stop signs, islands, speed humps, and traffic enforcement. Mr. Seanor further reported other attachments include photographs of the various intersections and general layout of the street. It was noted the existing infrastructure includes sidewalks on both sides of Grove Avenue, striped bike lanes on both sides of Grove Avenue from Bush Street to Live Oak Avenue, and curbside parking is provided on both sides of the street. The posted speed limit Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 3 on Grove Avenue is 30 mph and is consistent with the Engineering Survey and Traffic Investigation dated February 25, 2000. Staff recently conducted speed surveys at various times on Grove Avenue in accordance with the Caltrans Traffic Manual guidelines, and the results are consistent with the posted speed limit of 30 mph. Staff recommended no changes be made regarding the current posted speed limit, noting that speed limits on various City streets are reevaluated approximately every five years. He commented that the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System was reviewed, and it was determined that four collisions have occurred on Grove Avenue none of which were related to vehicular speeding during the period of January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2001, and no collision data is available for the period of January 1, 2002. Mr. Seanor stated a copy of the Caltrans Traffic Manual Policies and Warrants for Stop Signs and Yield Signs are included in the staff report, which states "Stop signs should not be used for speed control." Hazel Avenue, Spring and Dora Streets are posted with stop signs at the respective intersections on Grove Avenue, and the intersection of Grove Avenue and Bush Street is a multiway stop (four-way) intersection. He addressed the issue of children, adults, and senior residents frequently walking and driving on Grove Avenue, stating the 2003 California Vehicle Code provides that pedestrians are prohibited from walking in bicycles lanes where adequate sidewalk facilities exist. Existing sidewalks are available to pedestrians on both sides of the street for the entire length of Grove Avenue. Mr. Seanor suggested the TEC may want to consider painting the speed limit of 30 mph on the street surface, post the speed indicator radar trailer for additional education on the legal speed limit, continue to provide additional enforcement of the speed limit on Grove Avenue, request consideration of Grove Avenue in the Citywide Traffic Circulation Study, and research and determine appropriate traffic calming measures for Grove Avenue. Miles Gordon, Ukiah, noticed motorists reduced their speed when the City Police Department monitored Grove Avenue. A general discussion followed regarding the results of the traffic speed studies conducted for Grove Avenue. Mr. Seanor stated people should use better judgment and lower their speed limit to 25 mph when children are crossing the street to school. Miles Gordon reported the request to bring a resolution to the speeding problems on Grove Avenue was initiated after a traffic collision into a parked vehicle from a speeding citizen. This incident prompted the neighborhood to request the TEC discuss the problem of speeding on Grove Avenue in excess of 40 mph. Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 4 Mr. Seanor stated one of the speeding mitigation program requests was to implement stop signs where necessary. He noted again that according to the Caltrans Traffic Manual Policies and Warrants for Stop Signs and Yield Signs states, "Stop signs should not be used for speed control." Miles Gordon stated Grove Avenue is wide and, without traffic calming measures implemented, people tend to ignore the posted speed limit and drive faster. Grove Avenue serves as a main access to Todd Grove Park, Anton Stadium, the Golf Course, Pomolita School, and the Maple Avenue residential development. There is a yield sign at the intersection of Grove and Live Oak Streets that people often ignore and tend to speed up as they turn the corner from Live Oak onto Grove Avenue. He recommended the Committee, the neighborhood, and staff coordinate their efforts to further research the speeding problems on Grove Avenue for the purpose of finding appropriate traffic calming measures. Mr. Seanor stated the Citywide traffic study to be conducted will include review of circulation, traffic flow at key intersections, recommendations for stop signs, and other relative information to assist the City in appropriately addressing current and potential traffic problems. Member Looney stated printing the street with the posted speed limit does not necessarily make people slow down. Any street that minimizes the restriction to travel is the one used most frequently. A brief discussion followed regarding various types of traffic calming techniques, citing Clara Avenue as an example of ineffective traffic calming measures. Miles Gordon addressed various types of traffic calming treatments, noting many of the techniques would not be beneficial for Grove Avenue. He emphasized the importance of resolving the traffic problems so that the same issue does not have to frequently be revisited. He cautioned against implementing measures that may have some impact, but which would eventually become ineffective, causing the matter to be revisited. Member Looney stated the course of planning and implementing for appropriate traffic calming features/structures is time consuming in terms of conducting studies and design development. Chairman Kageyama stated traffic problems must be looked at Citywide rather than on astreet-by-street basis. Member Looney stated it is not a practical approach to make modifications to some streets without considering all the streets Citywide. A Citywide traffic study is important in terms of making appropriate assessments/decisions concerning potential changes and/or the implementation of traffic calming measures for all Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 5 streets as opposed to making decisions on astreet-by-street basis, since all streets correlate with one another, creating a Citywide network. He stated streets must be easily assessable in terms of maintenance and repairs, citing the bulb-outs and/or traffic calming measures implemented on School Street make it difficult for the Public Works Department to maintain, particularly for street sweeping. Member Lohse recommended the aforementioned issue be extended for 30 days in order for staff and neighborhood representatives to assess and make specific proposals for the City Council to review relative to the speeding concerns on Grove Avenue. Moreover, additional information is needed from the Citywide traffic study before this matter can propose effective measures and resolve the problem. Mikes Gordon emphasized the importance of establishing clear objectives and corresponding dates for when the project can be implemented. Member Harris suggested implementing temporary measures such as posting the speed indicator radar trailer and increasing traffic enforcement in the area, all of which may be of assistance until the speeding issue can be appropriately assessed. He did not the support the concept of coming back with a proposed plan within 30 days, as this would not be sufficient time to have the Citywide traffic study data collected and analyzed, the design methods established, and the cost analysis completed. Additionally, grant appropriations are contingent upon approval and subject to specific funding cycles. Member Lohse stated he would assist staff and Committee members with developing more comprehensive facts and figures, allowing for a more cohesive proposal. Mr. Seanor recommended Mr. Gordon work with his neighborhood in order to provide more information, comments, and alternative solutions. Structural changes to the street would be permanent, and so it is important that all input be considered from various types of sources. Member Looney stated the purpose of today's meeting was to introduce the matter to the Committee for consideration, comments, and recommendations concerning the potential approach for resolution. Member Lohse stated it may take time to assess the project issues in order to establish a very detailed plan and to make a recommendation to the City Council. He recommended better defining the method for attaining/identifying the criteria concerning what the neighborhood desires for traffic calming measures on Grove Street. Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 6 Member Looney stated it is important to keep in mind that the project must reflect a realistic approach based on the "whole picture rather than a piece of it." Member Harris stated traffic calming measures must also be examined for health and safety issues and traffic enforcement to reduce the potential for health/safety, noise and pollution hazards. Miles Gordon stated his intent was to introduce the problem with the understanding that a process of finding a resolution has begun. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to continue the discussion regarding the Grove Avenue speeding concerns to the September 2003 TEC meeting, and in the interim for City staff to work with Miles Gordon to develop a potential program involving both the City and the neighborhood. Also, the Ukiah Police Department will be requested to increase the patrolling of Grove Avenue with the intent of eliminating some of the speeding vehicles. Member Lohse recommended an amendment to the above-referenced motion to include the posting of the speed indicator radar trailer on Grove Avenue. A brief discussion followed regarding traffic calming measures implemented for other communities. It was noted some of the measures may be effective in some communities and not in others. Miles Gordon stated the City has very valuable publications available addressing traffic and safety problems in neighborhoods. b. Discussion and possible action regarding request from MTA to establish new bus stops on Gobbi Street at South Oak Street. Mr. Seanor commented that one bus stop is located on the southeast corner next to a vacant lot and the other bus stop, located on the northwest corner, is next to a residence. He recommended MTA take a more proactive role in contacting the adjacent property owners to work out any details when changes in services are proposed that could affect neighborhoods. 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 MTA's request to establish new bus stops on Gobbi Street at South Oak Street, as outlined in a memorandum to the TEC dated July 10, 2003, with the requirement that MTA contact and obtain comments from property owners adjacent to the proposed bus stops. VI. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS There was no discussion concerning this agenda item. Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 7 VII. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS There was no discussion concerning this agenda item. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:43 p.m. ert ey ,Chairman ~ /1 Cathy EI adly, Recordin ecretary Traffic Engineering Committee July 15, 2003 Page 8