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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_041503TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE April 15, 2003 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Kevin Cotroneo, Public Member Michael F. Harris, Risk ManagerJBudget Officer ]im Looney, Public Works Supervisor Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works Dan Walker, Ukiah Police Department Ben Kageyama, Chairman MEMBERS ABSENT David Lohse, Associate Planner II Doug Pilant, Public Member OTHERS PRESENT Betty Green Lynn Harris Jane Kardas Santiago Simental Moises Sovia STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary Chuck Yates, Fire Marshal Diana Steele, Director of Public Works/City Engineer The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Kageyama at 3:08 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 18, 2003 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 March 18, 2003, as submitted. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Santiago Simental, Nuestra Casa, 487 North State Street, stated Nuestra Casa currently occupies the former Community Care office. There is an alleyway between Nuestra Casa and the former Big A Auto Parts store, which is currently vacant. Located behind Nuestra Casa is a family center for children's tutoring classes. Vehicles traveling northbound on State Street occasionally utilize the alleyway to avoid the traffic signal lights at Scott and State Streets and Norton and State Streets. The building located at the east end of the alleyway, fronting Main Street, is directly behind the sidewalk, making it difficult to have clear sight visibility of vehicles traveling south on Main Street. There is on-site parking for Nuestra Casa and the current vacant building. Lynn Harris reported the City of Ukiah installed a stop sign at the east end of the alley TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMM1TrEE APRIL 15, 2003 Page 1 of 5 exiting onto Main Street. Chairman Kageyama requested this item be placed on the May agenda, and asked Staff to research the area for any right-of-way or easements. City Engineer Steele asked Mr. Simental to forward a letter to the Traffic Engineering Committee explaining their concerns, observations, and requests. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regardino request to adopt an ordinance banning the Seawak Human Transporter from Sidewalks -Rick Seanor Deputy Director of Public Works. Member Seanor reported that Captain Chris Dewey presented this item at the March 19, 2003 City Council meeting, regarding the possible adoption of an "Anti-Segway Human Transporter Ordinance." The City Council referred this item to the Traffic Engineering Committee for further evaluation. He stated the Segway Human Transporter has been designated as an electric personal assistive mobility device, or EPAMD. The EPAMD has been defined as aself-balancing, non-tandem, 2-wheeled device that can turn in place, and is designed to transport only one person. The operating speed is up to 12.5 mph and is approximately four and one-half times as fast as pedestrian walking speed. The current market price of a Segway is approximately $5,000. Senate Bill No. 1918, Section 21282 gives local entities the authority to regulate Segway use and states "State agencies may limit or prohibit the time, place, and manner of use on state property." This law specifies that a "pedestrian" includes the user of an EPAMD. Jane Kardas, 810 Maple Avenue, stated the City of Fort Bragg and the City and County of San Francisco have banned the Segway from sidewalks. There have been demonstrations in Sacramento to ban the Segways from sidewalks. She and Betty Green have traveled from county to county to support banning Segway from sidewalks. She stated the transporter is not appropriate and is not safe for sidewalks, and sidewalks are not wide enough to accommodate the Segway. When in operation, the Segway cannot be heard when approaching. She noted that she and Ms. Green are legally blind and would not be able to see or hear a transporter approaching. Betty Green, 1240 North Pine Street #12, stated the State Law classifies the Segway as a pedestrian, giving them the right to travel anywhere a pedestrian goes. The company is trying to market the Segway as a wheelchair, however, in her opinion, a disabled individual would not be able to operate the transporter. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 15, 2003 Page 2 of 5 Chairman Kageyama asked Ms. Kardas and Ms. Green if they have witnessed in operation. Ms. Kardas and Ms. Green responded negatively. Ms. Kardas expressed because she is legally blind, her major concern is not being able to see or hear the transporter approaching her. Ms. Green stated the Segway is unsafe for disabled individuals, children, and elderly. Member Seanor clarified the maximum speed is 12.5 mph (20km/h) with a platform height of 8-inches (20 cm). Member Harris expressed a concern of the transporter being allowed in congested areas and on sidewalks. Sidewalks would have to be 12-feet in width to allow navigation of the transporter around pedestrians. If allowed, individuals would have to be responsible in the operation of the Segway. City Engineer Steele stated Segways are not allowed in bike lanes. Member Walker stated the State law requires cities and counties to allow the Segway on sidewalks. He is opposed to Segways being allowed on sidewalks and favors an ordinance restricting them from sidewalks. He expressed that 12.5 mph is too fast for sidewalks and the safety of pedestrians. He is not opposed to them being used in bike lanes. Member Cotroneo stated he has not seen the Segway in operation, however he is opposed to the transporter being allowed on sidewalks. He suggested the City Council write a letter to the State addressing the concerns expressed by the community and allow Segway to be used in bicycle lanes. Chairman Kageyama expressed he has not seen the Segway in operation and could not make a decision to ban Segway from sidewalks based on how the community would use it in terms of respect or abuse. The manufacturer recommends the transporter be operated by individuals 16 years and older. The transporter will allow individuals to get outside, facilitate mobility for individuals who have difficulty in walking or cannot drive, and could be an alternative to vehicle transportation. Member Looney inquired whether the City would be in violation of ADA laws if Segway is banned from sidewalks. He suggested additional research on Segways to determine how they would effect the ADA law. He is opposed to banning the transporter from sidewalks based on assumptions that individuals would abuse it. He noted that the Committee is making a recommendation on Segways, which have not been seen within our Community. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 15, 2003 Page 3 of 5 ON A MOTION by Member Cotroneo, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by voice vote that the Traffic Engineering Committee staff research the use of the Segway and bring all information back to the Committee at the July meeting. AYES: Members Cotroneo, Harris, Looney, Seanor, and Chairman Kageyama. NOES: Member Walker. ABSENT: Members Lohse and Pilant. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding issuance of commercial truck parking on urinary Avenue -Captain Chuck Yates Ukiah Fire Department (See Ordinance No. 1044 . Member Seanor reported that at the October 15, 2002 meeting, Fire Marshal Chuck Yates requested the restriction of oversize commercial vehicle parking on both sides of east- and westbound Seminary Avenue, because the ambulance and emergency vehicles are unable to safely drive through when in route to a medical aide or fire response. The emergency vehicles have to back up on Oak Street to take an alternate route. The on- street parking of oversize commercial trucks occurs at all hours of the day and night. California Vehicle Code Section 22507 states, "focal authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibitor restrict the stopping, parking or standing of vehicles, including, but not limited to, vehicles that are six-feet or more in height within 100-feet of any intersection, on certain streets or highways, or portions thereof, during all or certain hours of the day." The City Council adopted this Ordinance at the May 7, 2003 City Council meeting. Staff will be presenting to the City Council a resolution identifying specific locations. Chuck Yates, Fire Marshal, is requesting that Seminary Avenue be included in the resolution for vehicle height restriction. The alternate route for emergency vehicles would be to exit onto Oak Street and travel one block north to Clay Street or one block south to Mill Street. Parking is restricted to one side on Clay Street, and there is on-street parking on both sides of Mill Street. However, Seminary Avenue is the shortest route for medical and fire responses. The median, Seminary Avenue gives the emergency vehicles aone- way lane to negotiate, versus two opposing lanes on Mill Street. ON A MOTION by Member Walker, seconded by Member Cotroneo, the Traffic Engineering Committee recommends to the City Council that the restriction of oversize commercial vehicle parking on both sides of east- and westbound Seminary Avenue be included in the resolution, and re-visit this issue in one year to determine if there are further problems. Member Walker withdrew his motion. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of installing a "No Parking, Fire Lane" sign on TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 15, 2003 Page 4 of 5 eastbound Seminary Avenue on the island side, and additional parking on School Street be added for quest of the hotel and businesses. City Engineer Steele reported that Director Larry DeKnoblough is preparing a parking study, and perhaps this area should be addressed in the study. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Seanor, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the Redevelopment Director Larry DeKnoblough that the on-street parking of oversize commercial vehicles on eastbound Seminary Avenue be addressed in the Downtown Parking Study because the ambulance and emergency vehicles are unable to safely drive through when in route to a medical aide or fire response. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS NJA MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Seanor reported Staff received a letter from Troy Stalker requesting athree-way stop at the intersection of West Smith and North School Streets. The purpose is for better site visibility of oncoming traffic from North School Street. On March 20, 2001, the Traffic Engineering Committee discussed the possibility of installing a three-way stop at this location and recommended this issue be addressed in the Traffic Circulation Study. As part of the City-wide Traffic Circulation Study the consultant will complete an analysis of intersections and stop sign requirements throughout the core area of Ukiah. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m. (~ Ch ' n n a y rna Kathy Kinch ~ Recording Secrets R:1\AGENDAS\TEC M041503 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE APRIL 15, 2003 Page 5 of 5