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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_021803TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 21, 2003 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT Kevin Cotroneo, Public Member Jim Looney, Public Works Supervisor Doug Pilant, Public Member Rick Seanor, Dep. Dir. of Public Works Dan Walker, Ukiah Police Department Ben Kageyama, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Linda Davidson Linda Gandy CHP Officer Holcomb Steve Pardini MEMBERS ABSENT Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer David Lohse, Associate Planner II STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Kageyama at 3:05 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2003 Member Pilant made a correction on Page 1, Paragraph 4, delete the words "Methadone C/inicon LawsAvenud' and add the words "1120 South Dora': The sentence to read: "At the Apri{ 16, 2003 meeting, Member Pilant requested asouth- and northbound bus stop on Dora Avenue in front of the new Mendocino County Public Health Administration office. With the relocation of the Public Health office to their new location, there is no public transit service between Public Health and 1120 South Dora." ON A MOTION by Member Seanor, seconded by Member Pilant, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of January 21, 2003, as corrected. Member Seanor abstained DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action reaardino the removal of the red zone (No Parkino Zone) in front of 953 North State Street -Steve and Melanie Pardini. At the December 17, 2002 meeting, Staff reported Steve Pardini requested removal of the red curb in front of 953 North State Street, between the two driveways. A motion was made that the Engineering and Street Divisions would 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. 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 North State Street. Large vehicles parked on State Street making 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 properly line to the driveway, based on site distance visibility and accessibility onto North State Street. In April 1994 the red zone was installed. Member Seanor reported on and presented a drawing indicating the locations of the existing "No Parking" zones on both sides of North State Street between Low Gap Road and the Fairgrounds. Member Pilant asked is there is a center turning lane on North State Street. Member Seanor responded no Chairman Kageyama stated removing the red curb would allow on-street parking. He expressed a concern that by allowing on-street parking, the right travel lane would become narrow making it difficult for bicyclists to travel on North State Street. He asked if this would create unclear site visibility for vehicles existing the driveways. Member Seanor recommended 6-feet red curb be painted at each driveway transitions to allow for clear site visibility. He stated North State Street is the standard 12-foot travel lane with 8-feet for curbside parking. State Street has not been designated as a bike route or a street where bike lanes would be installed. To install bike lanes on State Street, on-street parking would have to be eliminated. Bike Lanes have been designated on Dora and Bush Street for north and southbound travel, and Low Gap Road for east- and west bound travel. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Seanor, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council removal of the existing red curb (east side) from 949 North State Street, north to 1005 North State Street (the Goodwill Store), to allow for on-street parking, a total of 457 feet. The Public Works Department to paint 6-feet red curb at the driveway transitions for a turning radius. Motion fails. Member Pifant asked if all MTA bus stops have been identified from Nelson Glass to the Fairgrounds. Member Seanor responded there are two MTA bus stops on the west side between Low Gap Road and the Fairgrounds. Member Looney stated he would like to retain the existing red curb next to the crosswalk located in front of the Charter School. ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Pilant, it was carried by a roll call vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council removal of the existing red curb (east side) from 949 North State Street, north to 1005 North State Street (the Goodwill Store), to allow for on-street parking, a total of 457 feet. The Public Works Department to paint 6-feet red curb at the driveway transitions to allow for a turning radius. And, the Public Works Department will retain the existing 45-feet red curb located in front of the Charter School, south of the existing crosswalk on North State Street at Magnolia. AYES: Members Cotroneo, Looney, Pilant, Seanor, and Walker. ABSENT: Members Harris and Lohse. NOES: Chairman Kageyama. Chairman Kageyama expressed he is opposed to on-street parking that will create a travel lane to become too narrow to allow for bicycle travel and decrease the safety of bityclists. Member Looney advised at the intersection of Low Gap Road and North State Street, there is a wide openness of the travel lane, which allows vehicles to accelerate in this area. By allowing on- street parking, creates a narrowing effect that will slow traffic speed and create safety for bicyclists and pedestrians using the crosswalks. Chairman Kageyama asked how many parking spaces would be created. Member Looney responded approximately 2 - 3 parking spaces in front of Furniture Warehouse and 2 - 3 parking spaces in front of Nelson's Glass. He noted there is adequate on-site parking for Furniture Warehouse and Auto Zone. Member Pilant asked is there a future recommendation for a center turning lane on State Street. Member Seanor responded several years ago there was a proposed project, funded by Caltrans through the Hazard Elimination Safety Project, for striping atwo-way center lane on State Street and eliminating all on-street parking. The project was presented to the City Council for public hearing, which the public opposed the center turning lane and eliminating on-street parking. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and oossible action regarding request for soeed bump installation on EI Rio Street. Linda Davidson stated she has lived on EI Rio Street for nine years. Over the past few years there has been an increase of traffic and traffic speed. Several weeks ago she lost her cat, and expressed it could have been a child hit by a speeding vehicle. There are approximately SO children who ride their bikes in the street, a lot of vehicles utilize on-street parking, and children ride their bikes around the parked vehicles. Ms. Davidson submitted a neighborhood petition approving the installation of speed bumps. Member Seanor reported EI Rio Street is a long street extending between Oak Manor Drive and EI Rio Court. Linda Gandy stated she has lived on EI Rio Street since 1989. There is a large apartment complex at the end of the street, and the residents of the apartments travel at a high speed with their stereos loud and no consideration for other residents. She expressed she would like two to three speed bumps on her street. Member Looney stated the installation of speed bumps is an obstruction to the flow of traffic, relocates the traffic from one area to another area, speed bumps are not used for speed control, and can be hazard or slow down emergency vehicles. Member Seanor reported EI Rio Street is a two-lane street with sidewalk and on-street parking on both sides. The street is 890-feet in length and 36-feet in width. Speed bumps are an obstruction for Police and Fire Emergency vehicles. He advised there are speed bumps on Marlene, Betty, and Lorraine Streets due to the increase of traffic to and from the Wal-MartfFriedman Brothers shopping area. He recommended placement the radar trailer on EI Rio Street with afollow-up of Police enforcement. Member Walker stated he is opposed to the installation of speed bumps based on the fad that once they are installed on a street, speed bumps will be requested in other areas; and speed bumps relocates traffic from one area to another area. He asked during what time of the day does the traffic speed occur. Ms. Davidson responded between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Captain Chuck Yates responded he is opposed to speed bumps. Speed bumps slow down emergency vehicles from reaching their destination and are not a safety item for children. He noted a 40,000-pound emergency vehicle going over a speed bump the hoses fall off the engines. Member Walker stated residents could 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 traffic speed and future violations could result in a citation. Also, the resident reporting the vehicle must be able to identify the driver of the vehicle. Member Looney suggested painting a centerline on EI Rio Street. By installing a centerline, with the on-street parking, would give a narrowing effect of the street and could slow traffic speed. Ms. Davidson asked the possibility of installing bike lanes. Captain Chuck Yates responded on-street parking would be eliminated. Member Walker advised Police enforcement would be increased within the area. ON A MOTION by Member Pilant, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, the Traffic Engineering Committee denies the request for the installation of speed bumps on EI Rio Street as a speed control measure, and recommends that the Police Department increase speed enforcement on this street. The Public Works Department will include EI Rio Street in the next striping project for the installation of a centerline. b. Discussion and possible action regarding "No Parking" Zone at 540 South Orchard Avenue Department of Motor Vehicles/CHP - Captain E Conley Commander Member Seanor reported Staff received a letter from Captain Conley, requesting the removal of the "No Parking" zone in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and California Highway Patrol (CHP). On-street parking to be permitted with the condition that no vehicles over six-feet in height be allowed to park along the frontage. He advised there is 110-feet between the two driveways to allow five on-street parking spaces. In Captain Conley's letter it states the City has the authority to restrict the parking of large trucks with gross vehicle weight exceeding 11,000 pounds from parking in residential areas; however the code applies only to areas within the R-1, R-2 or R-3 areas. DMV and CHP are located in a C-1 zone, and therefore, the section does not apply. Also noted in the request, is California Vehicle Code Section 22507 "local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit or 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." Member Pilant asked where does the larger vehicles park for CHP testing. CHP Officer Holcomb responded most of the drivers park across the street. A Class A driver are required to bring a vehicle and trailer where the total length is 40-feet. Class B drivers utilize the CHP parking lot and occupy a parking space; school buses enter the parking lot utilizing the red zone area, and motor homes and stock trailers would park across the street. Officer Holcomb advised there is insufficient parking for DMV and CHP employees, and occasionally the employees utilize the °No Parking" zone. The additional on-street parking could resolve some of the parking problems. She noted when exiting the driveway Orchard Avenue makes a slight turn to the east and is not a clear line of site when existing the driveway beyond the frontage. Vehicles have to advance into the street for a clear line of site, and Patrol vehicles on emergency calls must have a clear line of site of north- and southbound traffic, therefore the reason for the restriction on vehicle height. Member Cotroneo advised a clear line of site allows traffic the opportunity to acknowledge vehicles exiting the driveways. During certain hours in the morning and afternoon there is an increase of traffic flow and vehicles are backed up from the intersection of East Gobbi Street and South Orchard Avenue. It was discussed that at the May 12, 2002 meeting, MTA requested the relocation of 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 the red curb extended an additional 15-feet. Member Walker stated he would approve the request contingent on CHP enforcing the height restriction. Chairman Kageyama stated there are other areas within the City the ordinance/resolution would apply. ON A MOTION by Member Seanor, seconded by Member Cotroneo, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that theTraffic Engineering Committee recommend to the City Council approval of the request to remove the "No Parking" zone in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol, and establish approximately five on-street parking spaces. The Committee also recommends that the City Council approve an ordinancejresolution restricting parking with the condition that no vehicles over six-feet in height be allowed to park along the frontage. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Pilant reported at the intersection of Airport Park Boulevard and Commerce Drive employees of Applebee`s park on Commerce Drive. Vehicles park on the turning radius making it difficult for the 40-foot buses to make a clear turn. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of red curbing the turning radius the length of one parking space; there are no crosswalks or sidewalks on Commerce Drive; there is an existing fire hydrant located near the turning radius; and there is an existing standard red curb for hydrants. Member Looney suggested in the future when a bus stop has been removed or relocated and a red curb has been removed, the Committee should address at that time reestablishing parking. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Captain Yates asked what is the status on the parking and public safety issues in the neighborhood of Dora, Highland, Standley, Clay and Smith Streets near Trinity School; and the discussion and possible action regarding issuance of commercial truck parking on Seminary Avenue. Staff has referred the issue of Seminary Avenue to the City Attorney, and as of this date Staff has not received a response. Member Seanor stated he would like to have on the next agenda "Update from Subcommittee regarding parking and public safety issues in the neighborhood of Dora, Highland, Standley, Clay and Smith Streets near Trinity School." AD]OURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. (~ Ch~icatan Ber1\'I~~ama ,I ~,~ ~x 1 L~' 1 Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary R:1~gGENDAS\TEC M021803