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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_072004Minutes TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE July 20, 2004 Members Present Mike Harris Ben Kageyama, Chair Dave Lohse Bruce Richard Rick Seanor Jerry Whitaker Staff Present Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary Others Present Martin Nelson John Dooley Art McChesney Members Absent Steve Turner Dan Walker The meeting was called to order by Chair Kageyama at 3:04 p.m. in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 18, 2004 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 May 18, 2004 minutes, as submitted. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one from the audience came forward. IV. OLD BUSINESS a. None V. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding proposed MTA bus stops on Main Street. Member Seanor reported the Traffic Engineering Committee (TEC) received a request from MTA to consider implementing a pair of MTA bus stops near the north end of Main Street. The proposed southbound stop would be in front of the Nuestra Casa building, and the northbound location would be just south of the intersection with Norton. A red curb is requested for both locations. MTA recently established a new bus stop in front of Nuestra Casa on State Street at Scott that proved to be unsafe because of its close proximity to the traffic signal. MTA desires to abandon the bus stop at State and Scott Streets. Traffic Engineering Committee July 20, 2004 Page 1 Member Richard commented on the new MTA route after MTA's decision to discontinue using the stop at State and Scott Streets. The former route allowed buses to proceed east on Standley Street and stop on Main Street. Currently, the buses travel around the entire block by turning right on Main, Perkins, and State Streets. A re-route would allow buses to turn left on Main Street from the stop on Standley Street, continue to Norton, and proceed west on Norton and north on State Street. This route would eliminate travel in the vicinity of the State and Scott Street intersection. In addition, the Route 9 Local, operating every 30 minutes, goes in both directions between Norton, Standley, and Perkins Streets. Martin Nelson commented on the proposed pair of bus stops, and referred to the associated site drawings that show the general plan layout and various sidewalk/street dimensions. MTA is currently using the two locations when no vehicle is parked or blocking the access. Member Whitaker commented that the condition of sidewalks is negatively affected when a new MTA bus stop sign is installed. He recommended MTA consider permanent bus stop locations to avoid having to eliminate stops. There was a lengthy discussion between the members and the private property owners concerning the new bus stop locations focusing on the following project issues: - Potential impacts to private driveways - Sight distance/visibility problems for the bus drivers - Assurance that pedestrian safety is maintained in conjunction with the two driveways adjacent to the Nuestra Casa building - Compliance with handicap accessible standards - Sidewalk, street, and fencing widths - The existing red curb requirements to determine whether any modifications were necessary - Preservation and/or the potential for additional street parking spaces - Location of the MTA sign for pick-up and drop-off - Determination of whether the southbound bus stops should be installed between the two driveways located in front of Nuesra Casa - Other posted driving/parking restrictions that could have an impact on bus maneuvering It was noted the corresponding dimensions for the two bus stops relative to the street and sidewalks affected are shown on the site drawings attached to the staff report. ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Richard, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to recommend to the City Council the establishment of two MTA bus stops, one on the west side of North Main Street between the two driveways located at the frontage of the Nuestra Traffic Engineering Committee July 20, 2004 Page 2 Casa building for the southbound bus stop, and one on the east side at 345 North Main Street for the northbound bus stop. b. Discussion and possible action regarding Barnes Street parking and stop sign request for the intersection of Park Boulevard, Todd Road, and Barnes Street. Member Seanor reported the City Public Works Department received a verbal request from Karla Koch regarding two traffic issues in the Barnes Street, Todd Road, and Park Boulevard area. Her concern relates to vehicles parked near the Assembly of God church, stating when drivers park vehicles on both sides of Barnes Street in the vicinity of the church, appropriate traffic flow on Barnes Street becomes difficult. Ms. Koch has requested a stop sign for each leg of the intersection of Barnes Street, Todd Road, and Park Boulevard. Her primary concerns were for the safety of children riding bicycles on Barnes Street. Member Seanor advised that, to date, staff is aware of only one citizen, Ms. Koch, who has voiced such a concern. He referred to a digital photograph, Attachment "A", that demonstrates the general layout of Barnes Street, Todd Road, and Park Boulevard, as well as a photo map, Attachment "B", that shows the general layout and the existing widths of the three streets for discussion purposes. Additionally, curbside parking is allowed for both sides of each street. In order to provide curbside parking on both sides of the street, a minimum width of 40 feet is generally required (two each, 12-foot travel lanes and two each, 8- foot parking). Moreover, to allow for curbside parking on only one side of the street would require a width of 32 feet. Only Todd Road, at 40 feet in width, is sufficient to provide for curbside parking on both sides of the street. All three streets are in good condition with good visibility provided at the intersection of the streets to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Member Seanor reported staff reviewed the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), and determined there were no collisions on these three streets from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2001. Data for the period of January 1, 2002 through the present is not available. Member Seanor referred to a copy of the Caltrans Traffic Manual Policies and Warrants for Stop Signs and Yield Signs (Attachment "C"), that states, "Stop signs should not be used for speed control." Todd Road has a stop sign at its intersection with Park Boulevard and North Barnes Street. The installation of STOP signs on Barnes Street and Park Boulevard does not meet the STOP sign warrants specified in the Caltrans Traffic Manual. Therefore, no additional STOP signs are recommended at this intersection. A brief discussion followed regarding traffic issues on Sundays when the church conducts its services. Traffic Engineering Committee July 20, 2004 Page 3 Member Lohse commented on the posted traffic speed for the area, noting he has observed the tendency for people to speed as they descend from North Barnes. A general discussion followed regarding the potential for restricting the parking on North Barnes Street to one side of the street to reduce the tendency for larger vehicles to cross the centerline. The members addressed the fact that curb, gutter, and sidewalk facilities have not been installed on portions of North Barnes and Park Boulevard near the intersection. The members also discussed the issue of people parking in private driveways and/or blocking the driveways because of the lack of curb, gutter, and sidewalk on sections of North Barnes Street. Chairman Kageyama inquired whether the shoulder of a street is considered a prescriptive right-of-way for persons parking on the side of the road. Member Lohse replied people tend to park their vehicles as far off of the pavement as possible in places where no curb, gutter, and sidewalk facilities exist. A general discussion followed regarding curbside parking and whether changes should be made, such as restricting parking to one side of the street. Attachment "A" shows two stop signs on Todd Road at the intersection. The members concurred with staff's analysis provided in the Caltrans traffic manual policies that stop signs should not be used for speed control, if this is Ms. Koch's primary concern. Member Whitaker noted that one citizen complaint does not justify a change in the street configuration. Member Harris suggested the TEC thank Ms. Koch for her concern, stating that although consideration was given to the traffic and parking issues raised, the committee does not recommend any changes be made at this time. Member Lohse stated the issue of safety is a primary concern to him more than the inconvenience of requiring a driver to slow down to the posted speed limit. It may be necessary at some point to further narrow-down North Barnes to accommodate curb, gutter, and sidewalk. City staff would be required to determine the appropriate measure so that drivers would not have to cross the centerline on North Barnes Street to accommodate the curbside parking and narrowness of the street in order to safely pass through a congested area. The element of safety becomes an issue when drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are impacted by parking and traffic congestion. He noted, in his opinion, implementation of curb, gutter, and sidewalk and/or other type of infrastructure is not an issue at this time, and therefore, the traffic/parking concerns raised is not Traffic Engineering Committee July 20, 2004 Page 4 substantial enough to justify any changes. As discussed above, the issue of speed control cannot be addressed by the installation of stop signs. Member Seanor reiterated it is possible that Ms. Koch's underlying concern focuses on periods when traffic and parking congestion exists on North Barnes, such as when the church conducts its services, which become safety issue for pedestrians and bicyclists. It was the consensus of the members present to take no action concerning the above-referenced matter. VI. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS a. Update on City Traffic Circulation Study Member Seanor reported the consultants are working diligently on the study. A workshop will be conducted to discuss the results and recommended measures to take. b. Update on City Parking Study Member Seanor reported that review of the study has resulted in the incorporation of MTA's concerns. A working draft should be completed in the fall and will be provided to the TEC at that time for review. c. Update on crosswalks - (signs installed at South State Street and Freitas Avenue) Member Seanor reported the City Public Works Department has implemented new markings on the sidewalk for pedestrians at the South State Street and Freitas Avenue crosswalk. Photographs of the markings placed on the sidewalk were distributed for review. VII. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS There was no discussion on this agenda item. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:13 p.m. B Ca ya C airman Cathy E awadly, Recor ' g Secretary Traffic Engineering Committee Page 5 July 20, 2004