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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Commission mins 1989/07/13 . . e MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday, July 13, 1989 Council Chambers 7:08 p.m. Public Services Building ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Decker, Vice-Chairman Braden, Commissioners Arnold, Harris, Koester and Militscher. MEMBERS ABSENT: commissioner Thomas (excused). STAFF PRESENT: Mike Donnelly, Assistant civil Engineer and Frank Rivera, Assistant civil Engineer. OTHERS PRESENT: See attached attendance list. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: MilitscherjKoester, MSC 5-0, to approve minutes of June 8, 1989. Vice-Chairman Braden arrived after the minutes were approved. 2. CONTINUED MATTERS: Agenda Item 2a - Report on parking at Sierra Way between Broadway and East Park Lane Mr. Rivera described the area noting that the street is very narrow and intended for two-way traffic. A brief history of this item and previous actions of the April 13, 1989 Safety Commission meeting was also mentioned. Staff presented review. four alternatives for Safety Commission Al ternati ve 1, parallel parking, was staff I s recommendation since it improves traffic circulation in the area. Mr. Rivera discussed the other three alternatives which staff was not recommending. commissioner Braden arrived and joined the Commissioners on the dais. . . . Safety Commission Minutes 2 July 13 1989 commissioner Koester asked if this section of Sierra Way was for two-way traffic and if the vehicles parking there belonged to businesses across the street on Broadway. Commissioner Arnold presented his plan which he called "Alternative lA", a modification of staff's Alternative 1. Mr. Richard Waibel, 855 Ash Avenue, area resident for 30 years, agrees with the parallel parking proposal. Humphrey's Mortuary does not use this parking; they never get to use it. It is always full. He also mentioned that vehicles parked along the east curb line of Broadway just south of Sierra Way block his vision of northbound cars. These cars are not legally parked. They park between the driveway and the corner. commissioner Militscher asked if it was possible to put up time limited parking for the area. Mr. Rivera replied difficult since most downtown area. that enforcement would be of the time limited parking somewhat is in the commissioner Arnold presented his proposal "Alternative lA". This proposal was like staff's Alternative 1 except that he wanted the curb on the southeast corner cut back so that the south curb line along the parking area could be extended westward. He mentioned that it would make trucks turn and maneuver easier through the area. Mr. Rivera mentioned that the utility pole at the southeast corner would be eliminated when the undergrounding project was completed on Broadway. In addition, staff would be adding pedestrian ramps to the southeast and northeast corners of Sierra Way and Broadway. Staff does not recommend removal of the southeast corner curb area since this would allow motorists the opportunity to park too close to the intersection. This curb area keeps vehicles away from Broadway. Chairman Decker mentioned that if the curb area was removed, this would further magnify the transition area at East Park Lane. The curb area forces the vehicles to drive down the center of the street. MOTION: Koester/Militscher, MSC 5-1 (Arnold), to concur with staff and approve Alternative 1 which allows for six parallel parking stalls. Mr. Donnelly mentioned the improvements at this intersection which would include the addition of pedestrian ramps and the modification of the south curb area to increase the street Safety Commission Minutes 3 July 13 1989 . width from 18 feet to 20 feet. This would allow for two through lanes and still shadow out the parallel parking area. MOTION: Militscher/Braden, MSC 4-2 (Decker/Harris), to recommend that the intersection be modified 2 feet to allow for the two through lanes. MOTION: Decker/Mil it scher , MSUC 6-0, that two-hour parking be established for the area within Alternative 1 (south side of Sierra Way between Broadway and East Park Lane). A parallel parking sign is also to be added. It was mentioned that the stall markings would not be added unless needed. This would allow for one additional vehicle to park in this area. Agenda Item 2b - Report on Country Club Drive area traffic concerns . Mr. Rivera summarized the actions of the June 13, 1989 City Council meeting. The City Council did not approve staff's recommendation which was to continue with the demonstration projects. Rather, this item was referred back to the Safety Commission to re-evaluate the eastbound traffic and also to obtain additional traffic counts and speed surveys for the area. The general trend from the latest data collected (Table 1) reveals that volumes and speeds went down except for two notable exceptions: eastbound Sierra Way and "K" Street where the speeds went up. Staff is not recommending an all-way stop at Sierra Way and Country Club Drive since motorists may not stop when westbound. The street geometries also may hinder visibility of the stop signs. Therefore, staff is recommending that the Safety Commission consider squaring off the intersection of Sierra Way and Country Club Drive. Raised yellow reflective markers are also being recommended to increase night time visibility of the center line. commissioner Harris asked if there was any information on who these people that are speeding. The Police Department did do a selective enforcement of the area and about 10% of the violators were area residents, according to Mr. Rivera. These violations were for crossing the center line, rolling the stop sign and exceeding the speed limit. There was no data available to indicate who did what. Most of the speeding occurs in the late afternoon and evening hours. . Commissioner Harris inquired about motor officer's working later hours during the summer. Safety Commission Minutes 4 July 13 1989 . Commissioner Mi1itscher asked about the lighting since most of the accidents had occurred at night. Mr. Rivera stated that which have a different light standards used. streets have. this area has ornamental street lighting pattern than the newer The light is less than what lights street other Chairman Decker called for a 10 minute recess at 7:55 p.m. Chairman Decker reconvened the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Mr. Clyde Bushong, 856 Country Club Drive, is the member for the Country Club area committee representing 107 residents which have petitioned for closure of Country Club Drive and First Avenue. The reason for this request is for safety. Closure is the only solution. The other trial measures, which were agreed to, were never tried. Ms. Kathy Cappos, 815 Vista Way, is in favor of staff's recommendation to constrict the intersection. She is opposed to the closure since it would increase the traffic to other streets. The reflective markers would help Country Club just like they did on vista Way/"K" Street. A no left turn sign onto eastbound Country Club Drive would negatively affect "K" Street and vista Way. Pol ice enforcement is needed . periodically. Mr. Phil Clark, 36 "K" Street, likes the way the traffic island at Country Club Drive and First Avenue slows you down. He is in favor of adding the reflectors and warning lights. The solution to close off Country Club Drive is not an answer to the problem since traffic would go onto "K" Street. A precedent would be set if the closure is approved. Mrs. Marina Garelis, 60 "K" Street, an area resident since 1949, spoke about the area traffic problems. Country Club Drive should not be closed off because traffic will go onto "K" Street. Mrs. Irene Hazard, 800 vista Way, an area resident for over 20 years. She is interested in safety and would be in favor of the reflectors. There is a traffic signal needed at Sierra Way and Hilltop Drive. Mr. Frederick Hazard, 800 Vista Way, he spoke about an accident which had occurred several years before at vista Way and "K" Street. If the closure is approved, traffic will double on "K" Street. Staff should look at First Avenue near "K" Street by st. Johns' Elementary due to the vertical curve. . Mr. Steve Savel, 53 Sierra Way. On Saturday, June 24, 1989, a motorcycle eastbound on Country Club Drive turned left onto Safety Commission Minutes 5 July 13 1989 . Sierra Way p.m. It occurring. and hit the south curb. was the same type of This accident was at 9:00 accident which has been The 85th percentile speed of eastbound Sierra Way is too high. It is at 45.2 MPH. The speed limit is 25 MPH. Seventy-five vehicles went above 45 MPH in a 24-hour period. Vehicles are still crossing to the opposite side of the roadway as they turn onto eastbound Sierra Way. Mr. Ivo Zaninovich, 89 Country Club Drive, is against closure of Country Club Drive at First Avenue. He had previously presented "diagonal diverters" for staff consideration. These would be placed on Country Club Drive between Sierra way and San Miguel Drive. Chairman Decker asked about the feasibility of adding a pork chop island to Sierra Way and Country Club Drive. Mr. Rivera replied that this would tend to be at the southeast corner. A 4-foot wide median would be preferred along the center line. A slide with these markings was shown and discussed. commissioner Militscher asked about the lighting for the intersection. It seems that there is not enough lighting for the area. This should be looked into. He also asked if the striping on Sierra Way could be improved to contain the east and westbound traffic on their own sides of the street. . Improving on the lighting would certainly help. Discussion was centered around the length of the center median and whether or not it would obstruct or make using nearby driveways difficult. MOTION: Braden/Koester, MSUC 6-0, to accept staff's recommendation to consider constricting the intersection of Country Club Drive and Sierra Way and installing reflective markers on the center line of Country Club Drive. MOTION: Decker/Militscher, MSUC 6-0, to study the possibility of installing an island on the intersection of Sierra Way and Country Club Drive and also to study improving the lighting for the area. 3. NEW BUSINESS: Agenda Item 3a - Request for all-way stop on Lori Lane and David Drive . A report was presented by Mr. Rivera which discussed the all- way stop warrants and the traffic volumes. A summary of the . . . Safety Commission Minutes 6 July 13 1989 accidents was also presented. Staff is not recommending an all-way stop at this intersection. James E. Agnew, 821 Lori Lane, mentioned that his house had been hit twice by vehicles from David Drive. He disagreed with staff's recommendation and felt that an all-way stop should be added. The traffic counter was set out after school was out for the summer. James J. Hlava, 818 Lori Lane, has lived in the area for 13 years. He mentioned the petition which was signed by 28 families. The curve and hilly area also add to the problem. The Police Department has been out there on occasion only after each phone call. This problem is getting worse as housing is developed to the east. commissioner Arnold asked staff why there is a crosswalk mid- block on David Drive. Mr. Rivera replied that there is a series of crosswalks through the neighborhood to give pedestrians a shorter distance to walk toward Halecrest Elementary School. MOTION: Mil itscher/Koester , to accept staff's report. commissioner Harris asked that new counts and data be obtained after September when school is back in session, and that this item be brought back for the October meeting. commissioner Militscher withdrew his motion and Commission Koester also concurred. MOTION: Harris/Koester, MSUC 6-0, that this item be brought back for the October meeting with new counts after school is back in session. Agenda Item 3b - Request for all-way stop on E. Palomar Street at Nolan Avenue Mr. Rivera presented staff's report which mentioned the varying pavement width due to the undeveloped parcel on the north side. An all-way stop study was done at this intersection and it received six points out of a possible 50, thereby not meeting the required 30 points. The volumes are too low on Nolan Avenue to justify stopping E. Palomar Street traffic. This unimproved parcel may be developed soon and at that time E. Palomar Street will be widened. Slides of the area were shown. . . . Safety Commission Minutes 7 July 13 1989 MOTION: Harris/Mil itscher , MSUC 6-0, to accept staff's recommendation. Agenda Item 3c - Parking removal on north side of Main Street between Maple Drive and Palm Road Mr. Donnelly presented staff's report. A summary of some of the traffic accidents which occurred in the area was also done. with the volume, 20,000 vehicles per day and the high speed limit, parking should be removed to add a two-way left turn lane. The parking would be removed on the north side. The rear end accidents would be eliminated. have adequate off-street parking available. Mr. Harry Solway, 1640 Maple Drive, #15, Autumn Hills Homeowners Association. He said that this report did not address his concerns which were presented at the City Council meeting. His concerns were: to enlarge the street name sign at Main street and Maple Drive; to eliminate the water drainage problem at the intersection of Spruce Road and Maple Drive. He also mentioned the left turn onto Maple Drive next to Otay Valley Road. Most residences Mr. Donnelly replied that, when vehicles are using a two-way left turn lane, they have to share the roadway. Mr. Solway mentioned that the intersection of Otay Valley Road and Main street is very dark, and that the street light on Maple Drive is too close to the edge of the roadway. Staff mentioned that these concerns Mr. Solway was speaking about were not on this report but would be on a later one. These requests were not known to staff until after the final report to the Safety Commission had been prepared. Staff will be addressing his concerns. Mr. George Roberts, 1640 Maple Drive, #73, President of Autumn Homeowners Association, also passed some photographs around for the Safety Commission to look at. He mentioned that staff should look at the location of the street light. Mr. Roberts also described some of the photographs which were passed around. MOTION: Militscher/Koester, recommendation. MSUC 6-0, to accept staff's MOTION: Decker/Braden, MSUC 6-0, staff examine the possibility of moving the street light standard back off the edge of the street (at Spruce Road and Maple Drive). . . . Safety Commission Minutes 8 July 13 1989 Dr. Lee Solomon, past Chairman of the Safety Commission in 1978, addressed the Safety Commissioners. He mentioned that he was elected to the Montgomery Planning Commission where he presented many items, one of which was this area. Agenda Item 3d - Review of Safety Commission Attendance Reports and Annual Summary of Activities for FY 1988-89 MOTION: Decker/Militscher, MSUC 6-0, to accept staff's report. Agenda Item 3e - Election of Commission Officers, FY 1989-90 MOTION: Mil itscher/Koester , Verne Decker as congratulate him on MSUC 5-0, Decker abstained, Chairman for Fiscal Year a jOb well done. to re-elect 1989-90 and There were no other nominations for Chairman. MOTION: Decker/Koester, MSUC 5-0, Braden abstained, to re-elect Ollie Braden as Vice-Chairman for FY 1989-90. There were no other nominations for Vice-Chairman. 4. TRIAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS: None scheduled. 5. STAFF REPORTS: Agenda Item 5a - CIP Status Report FY 1988-89. Mr. Rivera mentioned that the traffic signal at East "L" Street and Monserate Avenue would be completed in September, not in August as previously noted. Agenda Item 5b - Chu1a Vista Police Department Traffic Summary for March (revised), April (revised) and May 1989. No comments. 6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Agenda Item 6a - Public Remarks. None. Agenda Item 6b - Commission Comments Commissioner Braden asked about the status of the Shell Station pavement. . . . Safety Commission Minutes 9 July 13 1989 Mr. Rivera replied that the City crews patched the area with an overlay. Commissioner Braden wanted the median by the Post Office extended further to the south to prevent left turns. Staff mentioned that if people want to make a left turn, they will always attempt it where ever the median ends. It discourages most people now. commissioner Harris stated that this was her last meeting as a Safety Commissioner. She is resigning since she will be moving out of the City of Chula Vista. A letter of resignation will be forth coming. Chairman Decker asked for an excused absence if there is an August 10, 1989 meeting. commissioner Arnold asked about the status of the dual left turn markings. Mr. Donnelly stated that before the reflectors are added, many changes will be required such as to the limit lines. Commissioner Arnold wanted reports to City Council to be sent to Chairman Decker. Chairman Decker says he already receives a copy of the City Council Agenda. 7. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: None. 8. RECESS TO REGULAR WORKSHOP SESSION: No workshop scheduled. 9 . ADJOURNMENT: . . . Safety Commission Minutes 10 July 13 1989 MOTION: MilitscherjKoester, MSUC 6-0, to adjourn to the next scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 10, 1989. The meeting was adjourned at 9:54 p.m. 1 /lAZrJ e~/~~0- Recording Secretary FXR:llb Attachment (A\MINUTES\7-13-89.DOC)