Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Commission mins 1989/09/14 ~ . . . MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COM~1ISSION ~1EETING CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFOPNIA Thursday, September 14, 1989 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: Council Chambers Public Services Building MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairman Braden, Commissioners Arnold, Koester, Militscher, and Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Decker (excused), Commissioner Harris (resignation was accepted by City Council September 12, 1989) STAFF PRESENT: Hal Rosenberg, City Traffic Engineer; Mike Donnelly, Assistant Civil Engineer; and Frank Rivera, Assistant Civil Engineer See attached attendance list OTHERS PRESENT: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTI ON MSUC (Koester/Thomas) 5-0, to approve the minutes of July 13, 1989. Commi ss i oner Arnol d stated he woul d 1 i ke to reserve the ri ght to di scuss some of the aspects of the report during the regular discussion. 2. CONTINUED MATTERS (a) Follow up report on Country Club Drive area traffic concerns City Traffic Engineer Rosenberg summarized the report by stating staff supports the ori gi na 1 recommendati on of a tri a 1 demonstrati on proj ect for the closing of Country Club Drive at First Avenue; however, staff recommends that no further action be taken at Country Club and Sierra Way or at Country Club and First Avenue at this time. Vice Chairman Braden asked what is the timeframe. r4r. Rosenberg repl ied that staff does not recommend a demonstration project at any time unless the Commission feels they would like to proceed with that action. Miss Kathy Cappos, 815 Vista Way, opposes the closure of Country Club Drive at First Avenue. Since the installation of the berm at Country Cl ub and First Avenue, there have been no accidents. She further noted it has not disrupted the safety or access to and from the nei ghborhood. She expressed the opi ni on that K Street and Vi sta Way would be adversely affected by increased traffic volumes and speeds if Country Club Drive was closed at First Avenue. Miss Cappos asked why are the Country Club residents opposed to the safety measures proposed by staff at the July 13 meeting. . . . MINUTES -2- September 14, 1989 (a) Country Club Drive area traffic concerns - Mr. Ivo Zani novi ch, 89 Country Cl ub Dri ve, stated some of the 90-100 people who signed the original petition to close Country Club Drive at First Avenue have now signed a second petition asking it be left open. Mr. Zaninovich also suggested three proposals: 1) Close eastbound Sierra Way at Country Club Drive so there will be no eastbound traffic on Sierra Way; 2) Install a stop sign on First Avenue southbound at K Street; and 3) Remove Mr. Harold Rosenberg from the duty of safety on the subject of traffic problems for Country Club Drive, San Miguel, Sierra Way and Palomar. Mr. David Leaf, 848 Country Club Drive, complimented Mr. Rosenberg and the staff on the fantastic job that they are doing. He concurs with staff's recommendation to not make any further changes at Country Club and Sierra Way. MOTI ON MS (Thomas/Koester) to accept staff's proposal. Commissioner Arnold described Orange and Riverside Counties as having a lot of the residential communities walled in with a few regulated entrances into their area. There are no houses facing onto the main thoroughfares. He recommended to cul-de-sac or close Country Cl ub Drive at First Avenue. This, he commented would resolve the problem. Mr. Zaninovich is concerned that he will not be able to use his driveway with the closure of Country Club at First Avenue. Commissioner Militscher opposes closing off Country Club Drive in any manner. He i nqui red about the Safety Commi ss i on recommendati ons at their last meeting to study the possibility of installing an island on Sierra Way and to install reflective markers and centerline Country Cl ub Drive. Mr. Rosenberg stated the City Council determined that no further action should be taken at Country Club Drive and First Avenue and this was in concert with what acti on was taken previ ously by the Safety Commission. Commi ssi oner Mil itscher commented that he understood the Ci ty Council di rected the matter back to the Safety Commi ss i on for further revi ew and perhaps additi onal recommendati ons. He asked about the rai sed medi an at Si erra Way and Country Cl ub Dri ve to make ita more normal intersection. By creating a scaled down version of the island at the corner of Country Cl ub Drive and First Avenue and install ing that on Sierra Way or San r~iguel, the intersection could be delineated at Country Club Drive. . tU NUTES -3- September 14, 1989 (a) Follow u (continued Country Club Drive area traffic concerns - Mr. Rosenberg replied staff is not recommending installing an island on Sierra Way or San Miguel. He explained a street should be at least 40 feet wide for safety reasons and both San Miguel and Sierra Way are too narrow. Commissioner Arnold asked staff to look at the intersection of San Miguel and Vista Way to help direct traffic coming off Hilltop Drive. ~10TI ON MS (Ihomas/Koester) 2-3 (Arnold, Braden, r~ilitscher), to staff's proposal to do nothing at this time and approve staff's accept report. Vice Chairman Braden announced for the record that the Safety Commission received two written statements signed by the Bushong, Osa and Savel families stating they are still adamant about (in favor of) the closing of Country Club Drive at First Avenue. . t10TI ON MSUC (Militscher/Thomas) 5-0, to consider restricting the intersection at Country Cl ub Dri ve and Si erra ~Jay, i nsta 11 refl ecti ve markers on the centerline of Country Club Drive, and install an island at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Sierra Way. Vice Chairman Braden called for a recess at 7:51 p.m. Vice Chairman Braden reconvened the meeting at 8:03 p.m. ~ Pavement on Bonita Glen Drive at Bonita Road Mr. Rivera summarized staff's report. Shell Oil has paid for some of the damages and is making an effort to correct the water problem. MaTI ON MSUC (Braden/Thomas) 5-0, to accept staff's report and directed staff to bring a progress report to the October 12, 1989 meeting. (c) Report on traffic control devices for Hidden Vista Drive t1r. Rivera summarized staff's report regarding staff's assessment of traffic conditions on Hidden Vista in the Terra Nova Park neighborhood. . Mr. James Frank, 417 Horizon View Drive, described the problems at the intersection of Smoky Circle and Hidden Vista Drive. He pointed out that the vi ew is obstructed to the north by the 1 andscapi ng on the northwest corner of Hi dden Vi sta Dri ve when making a southbound turn from Smoky Circle. Another problem is the northbound cars on Hidden Vi sta cutti ng the corner when mak ing an eastbound turn into Smoky Ci rcl e. . MINUTES -4- September 14, 1989 ~ Report on traffic control devices for Hidden Vista Drive - (continued) t.1r. Rosenberg responded that stri pi ng changes will be made on Hi dden Vista Way from East "H" Street to Windrose Way. These changes will add a left turn pocket at Windjammer Circle and increase the sight distance for the intersection at Smoky Circle. Staff will also add a centerline stripe on Smoky Circle as a guide for motorists making a left turn. MSC (Thomas/Militscher) 4-1 (Arnold), to accept staff's recommendation. 3. NEW BUSINESS ill Request for improving traffic conditions on alley north of "H" Street between Fifth Avenue and Smith Avenue Mr. Rivera spoke with representatives from the San Diego office of the Home Federal Savings. The bank wou1 d 1 ike to prepare a report for next month's agenda. They agree there is a prob1 em with the traffi c in the alley and expressed a desire to do whatever they can to alleviate the problem. . MOTI ON MSUC (Thomas/Mil i tscher) 5-0, to tab1 e thi s i tern to the meeti ng of October 12, 1989. t1r. Rivera stated staff will notify all area merchants and residents of the meeting. (b) Request for a crossing guard on "H" Street at Woodlawn Avenue Mr. Rivera summarized staff's report which studied the need for an adult crossing guard at the signalized intersection of "H" Street and Woodlawn. Following CalTrans standards of 300 turns per hour, staff found the i ntersecti on di d not meet the requi rements, with 1 ess than 100 turns per hour, for an adu1 t crossing guard. Staff has been working with Officer Tom Leonard on this item. Officer Leonard stated the crossing guards have been removed at all signalized intersections. Staff does not recommend an adu1 t crossing guard be added; however, staff would paint a "Keep Clear" legend at that intersection if the intersection becomes grid1ocked. The fiscal impact for an adult crossing guard is approximately $4,000 per year. . Mr. Don Jeffries, 55 Bonita Road, Principal at Mueller School, pointed out, when the children cross the street, they push the "Walk" button. Before they have crossed one-fourth of the way, the si gn is f1 ashi ng "Don't Walk." This confuses the children. He also shared photographs with the Safety Commission that showed the intersection totally blocked with cars. t10TI ON MSUC (Thomas !Hi 1 itscher) 5-0, to deny staff's recommendati on and to recommend employing an adult crossing guard. . . . MINUTES -5- September 14, 1989 i!J. Request for a crosswalk at "L" Street at Country Cl ub Drive Mr. Rivera reported that staff performed a pedestrian count. Staff received a telephone call from the person who made the original request, asking for the item to be dropped due to a lack of pedestri ans. MOTI ON MSUC (Militscher/Koester) 5-0, to accept staff's recommendation. iil Safety Commission Policy for expediting Council Referrals Commi ssi oner Thomas noted the Safety Commi ssi on just recei ved a copy of this item at tonight's meeting. MOTION MSUC (Thomas/Koester) 5-0, to accept in concept the Council policy and bring it back for ratification at the next Safety Commission meeting of October 12, 1989, noting the fact that it is a draft copy only. (e) Reconstruction project for Broadway between "F" Street south to City 1 imits Mr. Rosenberg explained staff's proposal to widen some areas, provide additional capacity at busy intersections and install raised medians along Broadway to prevent midblock left turns. Commissioner Militscher asked about the traffic disruption during construction. Vice Chairman Braden inquired how large of an area would be under construction at anyone time. r~r. Rosenberg repl i ed it woul d be done in secti ons and the traffi c would be detoured from one side to the other except during peak hours when all lanes of traffic would be used. Commissioner Arnold asked if the Chamber of Co~merce had been notified. Mr. Rosenberg answered the City Engineer had ~ade a presentation to a downtown group but he did not know which group. Commissioner Arnold inquired if staff would be traffic signals at each lettered cross street. continuous two-way left turn lane. install ing left turn He suggested a painted Mr. Rosenberg explained, because of the anticipated traffic volumes of up to 30,000 cars a day and the density of the commercial area, a continuous two-way left turn lane would be inefficient, motorists would be conflicting with each other. MOTION MSUC (Thomas/Koester) 5-0, to accept staff's report. . . . MINUTES -6- September 14, 1989 Vice Chairman Braden suggested the Commission move to items 3.g. and 3.h. as people were waiting to address these issues and return to item 3.e. later. ill Request for stop signs in Hoodlawn Park area ill Mr. Donnelly summarized staff's report. He described the area as having five T-intersections, four of which have "Yield" signs in place. Although there have been no reported accidents at any of these i ntersecti ons from January 1984 to present, staff di scovered duri n9 field review that some of these intersections had sight restrictions such as grade problems, residential fences and walls. Staff recommends replacing the "Yield" signs with "Stop" signs at these i ntersecti ons. Li nda Brown, 3998 Main Street, asked if a stop si gn was goi ng to be installed on Maple Drive or Spruce Road. She would like to have an all-way stop at that intersection. She also inquired about future development and what impact that would have on the realignment of the roads in that area. '1r. Donnelly replied staff recommends replacing the "Yield" sign with a "Stop" si gn at the i ntersecti on of Mapl e Dri ve and Spruce Road on t1aple Drive. He further explained the streets in that area are substandard. The City annexed thi s area from the County. Vlhen the area is developed, the streets will be widened to City standards. Vi ce Chai rman Braden poi nted out there have been warrants to justify an all-way stop at this intersection. The Safety Commission will review needed, when the roads are realigned. no acci dents or time for that the matter, if Commissioner Militscher commented one stop sign is adequate for that particular intersection. '1OTI ON '1SUC (Thomas/Militscher) 5-0, to accept staff's recommendation. of rai sed i sl and at Broadway and "L" Street '1r. Rosenberg stated staff does not have a written report; however, it is staff's recommendation to leave the island in its present confi~uration. He explained the background for installing the island on "L' Street at Broadway was eastbound motori sts stopped to turn 1 eft into the 7-Eleven store resulted in traffic back-ups into the intersection of Broadway. . MINUTES -7- September 14, 1989 Request for removal of raised island at Broadway and "L" Street (verbal) - (continued) ill Mr. Rodger Hartnett, 903 Broadway, is requestin9 the City eliminate a secti on of the i sl and to all ow westbound traffi cleft turn access to their car wash business driveway; or as a second alternative, remove a porti on of the i sl and from Broadway to a poi nt just east of hi slot. He explained, because of the location of his business on the lot, it is more convenient for the one-third of his customers that are westbound to enter from "L" Street. He stated the business \~ent from a profitable operation to a break-even business because of the installation of the island. ~1r. Donnelly stated the regi stered owners per the County parcel maps were notified of the Safety Commission and City Council meetings pertaining to the installation of the island. Commissioner Militscher commented, if a hole were cut in the island, eastbound motori sts woul d use the area to make a 1 eft turn into the 7-Eleven defeating the purpose for which the island was installed. (f) MOTI ON MSUC ( Braden/Thomas) 5-0, to tabl e thi s item to the next meeti ng of October 12, 1989, and direct staff to bring the Safety Commission a comprehensive report at that time. Request to bar heavy equipment and tractor trailer equipment from usi ng the East "J" Street route to Paseo Ladera and enforcement of the ztJ mph speed 11 ml t . Mr. Rivera clarified for the Safety Commission this request was from a resi dent who had previ ously requested 25 mph speed si gns in thi s area. In response to the previ ous request, staff i nsta 11 ed 25 mph speed limit signs on East "J" Street, River Ash Drive, Blackwood Road and Paseo Ladera. Staff asked the Chula Vista Police Department to enforce the 25 mph speed 1 imit and provi de enforcement of the stop sign for southbound River Ash Drive at Blackwood Road. The Pol ice Department reported no si gnifi cant probl ems on either request. The construction in thi s area has decreased si gnificantly from previous months; however, it is not 1 ega 1 to prohi bi t constructi on traffi c through an area if the work site is within the area served by these streets. Sta ff recommends no additi ona 1 traffi c control devi ces be installed on River Ash Drive. MOTI ON MSUC (Thomas/Koester) 5-0, to accept staff's recommendation. 4. TRIAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS . None scheduled. . . . MINUTES -8- September 14, 1989 5. STAFF REPORTS (a) CIP Status Report FY 1988-89 IJo comments. (b) Chula Vista Police Department Traffic Summary for June (corrected) and July 1989 No comments. (c) Report on Country Club area street lighting Mr. Rivera presented staff's report which compared the Country Cl ub luminaires to the modern street light standards more commonly used throughout the City. He explained the modern street light places the luminaire over the roadway whereas the ornamental light standard, such as those used in the Country Cl ub a rea, places the 1 umi na ire at the back of the sidewalk. Commi ssi oner Mil itscher asked if the ornamental street 1 i ghts gave sufficient light in a driving situation. Mr. Ri vera responded the ill umi nati on from an ornamental 1 i ght standard is considerably less on a roadway than a modern street light standard. Commi ssi oner ~1il itscher remarked additi onal 1 i ghti ng at the Country Club area intersections could be instituted to correct a hazardous situati on. t.1r. Rivera noted strong opposition from area residents to making any changes to the street lighting in the area. Vi ce Chai rman Braden asked if the City coul d overrul e the resi dent's opposition as a matter of safety. Mr. Rosenberg explained a post mounted street light may produce inefficient illumination alone; however, when the illumination of all the street 1 i ghts are measured and added together, they may produce the minimum requirement for safety lighting at the intersection. He suggested looking at a Citywide policy requiring a standard street light illumination minimum at every intersection. Commissioner Militscher asked what was the procedure when the City is undergrounding older sections. Mr. Donnelly responded the City only undergrounds major streets and installation of street lights are part of the undergrounding project. He further noted there are no wooden power poles on the corners in the Country Club area to hang a modern street light. The approximate cost to install a street light standard on an intersection in a residential area would be $3,000 to $4,000 each. . . . MINUTES September 14, 1989 -9- ~ Report on Country Club area street lighting - (continued) Commissioner ~1ilitscher asked staff, in the name of safety, to bring back a study of the benefits of conventional lighting at the i ntersecti ons of Country Cl ub Dri ve at Si erra \~ay, San t1i guel and Palomar. Staff should include feasibility statistics and their recommendations. (d) California Traffic Control Devices Committee letter on speed limits No comments. (e) What's a 8ott's Dot? An article describing Botts' Dots or "raised pavement markers" was included in the agenda packet. Commi ssi oner Arnol d asked the status of the Fourth and H Street 1 eft turn markings. Mr. Rosenberg replied the work order was written to install the Bott's Dots; however, there was an internal discussion that they would create confusi on because there are numerous turn arcs from different directions. Vice Chairman Braden inquired if there is an alternative to the Rotts' Dots. She remarked people do stray on those turns. Commissioner Arnold commented the round dots are suitable. Mr. Donnelly pointed out the round Bott's Dots are not reflective. t1r. Rosenberg further expl ai ned street 1 i ghts coupl ed with car headlights create adequate ambient light. 6. COMMUNICATIONS (a) Public Remarks None. (b) Commission Comments 1. Letter of resignation from Commissioner Suzanne Harris Vice Chairman Braden commented Chairman Decker said he expressed to some members of the City Council that they try to find someone from the EastLake area as a replacement for Commissioner Harris, since it is growing and might be an area that could be represented. . MINUTES -10- September 14, 1989 (b) Commission Comments - (continued) 2. Commissioner Arnold asked what is the status on Sierra Way at Broadway. Mr. Donnelly replied he wrote a memo to the Design Department in Engineering requesting the installation of sidewalk ramps and modification of the corner radius. Design responded, due to the widening of Broadway, they would not expend funds for any modifications at this time. 7. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE None. 8. RECESS TO REGULAR WORKSHOP No workshop scheduled. 9. ADJ OURNMENT MOTl ON MSUC ( Koester/Thomas) 5-0, to adj ourn to the next schedul ed meeti ng on . Thursday, October 12, 1989. /r ... (( .. .>1 it \.4-' Recording Secretary /..,.. A A' N,' I ,