HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Commission mins 1990/05/10
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MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF CHUrA VISTA, CAliFORNIA
Thursday, May 10, 1990
7:07 p.m.
Council Chambers
Public Services Building
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chainnan Decker, Commissioners Arnold, Koester,
Militscher, Thomas, Waller
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Vice Chair Braden, excused
STAFF PRESENT:
Hal Rosenberg, City Traffic Engineer; Frank Rivera,
Assistant Civil Engineer
OTHERS PRESENT:
Patrol Division Officer Barry Bennett, Ray Morris,
Zoubir Ouadah. Also, see attached attendance list.
1.
APPROVAL OF MINlITES
MOTION
Approve minutes of the April 12, 1990 Safety Commission meeting.
MSUC [Koester/Thomas] 3-0, Decker, Militscher and Waller abstained due to
absence from last meeting, to approve the Minutes of April 12, 1990.
Chainnan Decker welcomed Harvey Magana, a student, who was at the Safety Commission
meeting in order to compile a report on local government in action.
2. CONTINUED MATTERS
(2a) ReQuest for sneed control on Canyon Drive and Country Vistas Lane
Frank Rivera, Assistant Civil Engineer, presented staffs report. This is the request
for speed control on Canyon Drive and Country Vistas Lane. At the April 12 Safety
Commission meeting it was voted 4-0 for staff to come back with other alternatives
to address the vehicular speed on Canyon Drive; md Country Vistas Lane. Staff has
completed some additional evaluations and studies of the area and has corne back
with some recommendations. [Using a viewgraph, he indicated that the area is
between Country Vistas Lane from Corral Canyon to the west and Canyon Drive
from Otay Lakes to Country Vistas Lane. Both these streets are 40 foot wide
residential collectors with an average daily traffic count of approximately 1,800
vehicles per day. Staff also did an engineering traffic survey in which the minimum
design speed is approximately 30 mph, the area is strictly residential in nature, the
accident rate is also half the statewide average and on the data that staff has
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collected for these speed surveys, they show that at various locations on Canyon
Drive and on Country Vistas Lane we have a median speed generally in the 30 mph
range (to the high 30s mph). Staff also conducted curve studies which showed
typical readings showing comfort levels as vehicles negotiate the curves in the area
at various speeds. Staff is recommending that because of the curves and nature of
the area and the volume of traffic in this area, the recommendation to establish a
30 mph speed limit, in keeping with the design of the roadway and to also post
curve warning signs in the area of 25 mph. In looking at these curves, most of
these curves at 30 mph exceeded our limits, but at 25 mph were well within the
range. Therefore, staff is recommending to keep these at 25 mph. Staff is also
recommending that an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Canyon Drive
and Country Vistas Lane due to the fact that there is a high volume of turning
movements in this area and these two streets serve the entire area of the Bonita
Long Canyon subdivision.
PUBUC COMMENTS
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Rich Triplett, 561 Canyon Drive, Bonita, 92002.
I received a copy of the report that Mr. Rivera just summarized and quite frankly
I'm not satisfied with the 30 mph speed limit. He says they have done a study and
the road has been designed for 30 mph and that if something less than 30 mph
were posted it would be considered a speed trap. In my mind I would rather have
a speed trap than a death trap. He stresses in the second paragraph that it should
be noted that most vehicles are traveling within 10 mph of the presumed 25 mph
speed limit and his supporting data shows that the median speed at Locations Band
C is 35 mph and being a median speed, that would mean that 50 percent of the
vehicles are exceeding 35 mph. I want to stress that it is not a trivial matter and
I think that a lot of people are here to discuss this issue. But, when the survey was
done no one came to my house, no one asked how many children we have, no one
asked what kind of concerns that we have. The survey just rated off peak hours.
I just don't think that 30 mph in a residential area is appropriate. I was told that
if it was not posted you cannot track the cars by radar--I don't know whether that
is true or not, but what would happen if something like we posted the advisory
signs at 25 mph, but not actual speed limit signs, would they still then be allowed
to use radar? I don't know the answer to that and I don't know if any of you do
either.
Chairman Decker interjected that the advisory signs on the curbs are just advisory.
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Mr. Triplett continued, stating sure, but if they posted 25 mph speed limit signs I
was told they wouldn't be allowed to use radar to enforce that 25 mph speed limit,
which didn't make sense to me but I was told that since this survey would reflect
the road is designed for 30 mph, that that would be considered a speed trap. When
the roads are strictly residential, if anyone wants to use high speed thoroughfares
that is what "H" Street and Corral Canyon have been provided for.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
Chairman Decker interrupted, stating that [he would not cut into the speaker's
remaining time] it was covered fairly clearly at the last meeting that the problem
with posting the speed limit at 25 mph when the prima facia speed is 25 mph is
that that maintains that speed exactly at that. When you post a speed it has to be
supported by a survey. A survey is not a small thing--you do not go out there and
count just a few cars--you put a device down in the street, take the survey for a
couple of days at a 24-hour time interval. Once that survey is established, and that
seems to be reasonable and fair, then the speed law mandates that we establish a
speed that is 85 percentile of what seems to be reasonable and fair by the drivers.
The rules in this state are relatively simple: they assume that prudent people drive
at prudent speeds. I consider all of you prudent people. So when you go out there
and drive then you would drive at a prudent speed of what would be considered
prudent in that area. Now, since this is a housing area the state law is quite
explicit. It is 25 mph. You do not have to post it. However, if the street is
designed for a little bit higher than 25, municipalities have the option of posting it
a little bit higher than 25 mph and we have them all over this City. "H" Street is
in a housing area, but it is still posted at 35 mph and 40 mph and 50 mph at some
places, but that is not necessarily a housing area. So, the point is that when you
do that you have to be able to support it by some radar survey that says that you
made a prudent speed by establishing some speed other than 25 mph, established
by the people that drive.
Mr. Triplett asked if the accidents warrant the speed. Had they come out there on
a day when the traffic was 50 mph.
Chairman Decker stated that staff had done more than one day.
Mr. Triplett responded that it looks like they did two days.
Chairman Decker noted that they had done two plus some time before.
Mr. Triplett continued his comments, stating that the Ball Bank indicator study has
indicated that the 30 mph at least in one direction in three out of the four places
could be hazardous. The curves are close together and comprise a large portion of
the two streets and it concerns me. I would like to see added, Children At Play
signs or some other alternatives other than a 30 mph. I just don't think that is
acceptable for a strictly residential street that serves the community and if anyone
wants to use bypass I speed streets, they can use "H" Street and Corral Canyon.
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May 10, 1990
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Kathy Aland, 569 Canyon Drive, Bonita, 92002
I appreciate the fact that you have resurveyed the street and have come up with
some alternatives to our problem. I do agree with the center lines, I feel that this
would be a good way to deter people passing at high speeds and cutting off people
trying to turn in and out of their driveways. I do agree with the stop sign at the
end of Canyon Drive and Country Vistas Lane. I do agree also with the installed
curve warning signs which I think would be most effective at about the [Point
number 3, as shown on viewgraph] where the greatest speeds are. What I do not
agree with is the 30 mph speed limit. I have three children that do not play in the
streets, that are even afraid to walk on the sidewalk. Within the last two weeks we
have had two accidents, one being over the weekend, Saturday evening when we
were out of town. A car traveling down, hitting the maximum speed point at Point
3 [as shown on the viewgraph] was on the right hand lane going down the hill,
ended up in a driveway across the street, taking out the side of a car. If it had not
taken out the side of the car parked across the street it would have ended up in my
neighbor's home. Someone coming down [Point B, on the viewgraph] the street a
year ago, did go through my neighbor's home. Then again last week, coming up the
hill at Point B, a car coming up the hill went all the way over onto the grass where
the children should be and not the carsnthe speed was too fast and they had no
control. I would like to see at Point 3, Curve signs and Children at Play signs. I
think the more that people are aware that there is something going on, the more
signs they see the more aware they are of the problem and maybe will slow down.
I would also like to see a dip in the road at Point 3 to slow the traffic before it
reaches the maximum point speed at Point B. I think one dip in the road with a
sign that says Dip will certainly prevent those people from speeding. I have seen
two cases with cars and police cars going down that road where those people feel
that they can get away, they get to the bottom of Country Vistas Lane, they can
hang a right and they are home free when they hit Corral Canyon, because Corral
Canyon is wide and it opens to the back roads. I would like a dip there, they hit
the dip and they'll lose their axles and they'll slow themselves down and we won't
to have to worry about our children. I thank you for listening and I would
appreciate it if you could come up with a little more to help us with our problem.
Chairman Decker addressed the idea of the dip. The dip becomes a hazard to
driving and if we, the City, engineers something like that, they are liable for
anybody that gets in any kind of an accident there. If it is engineered because of
natural drainage, that's one thing. When you engineer something like that in you
are in for a lot of trouble. It is certainly an idea and we like to listen to ideas.
Thank you.
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May 10,1990
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Mark Blakey, 1605 Country Vistas Lane, Bonita, 92002.
I work for the County as a litigation investigator so I am familiar with some of the
problems here. I am in favor of the 30 mph. If you do not have something that is
enforceable, people are going to disregard it. If you try to enforce something that
people are not going to abide by then it's a problem for them too. I don't think that
five miles per hours one way or the other is going to be a problem with the prudent
person and I think all of us here tonight probably are of the opinion that we are
really concerned about the people that travel down there at 40, 45, 50 mph. I saw
a car one day go down there and he must have been doing at least 60 mph. I think
the problem is not so much in the lower section when you get close to the
intersection of Country Vistas Lane and Canyon Drive because the two curves, the
one at Point 1 and one at Point 2 have sufficient curve radius as well as the lack of
super elevation to slow the traffic down. I would be opposed to the stop signs from
the standpoint that I think the traffic is already slowing for that intersection. The
problem is that the people coming down, until they get to about that point, the
traffic is too high. I do not think that the 30 mph would cause a problem with
children, I think that it is the people going above that and that is really the
problem. Its not the 25 versus the 30 mph. I have children and what concerns me
is not the people who are doing 30 mph, or even the people who are sometimes
doing 35 mph, because they have sufficient sight distance, they have sufficient
stopping room and normally are attentive enough to see what is going on and stop
or be able to stop. It is those people that are really being well above the speed
limit. I have thought about this for some time and I don't know exactly what the
solution is, the dip is a problem, the County gets sued over problems like that. The
dip is a good suggestion but it presents a problem. I think maybe we need to look
at other possible solutions that maybe are not in the CalTrans Manual or whatever
manual that the City is using as some other alternative of slowing down the speed.
One thing that I thought might be a potential solution and I have never seen it
done, although it may have been done somewhere, would be possibly some kind of
real very, very low type of speed bump or several multiple small speed bumps like
maybe 1 inch high and 3 or 4 inches wide so that when people go across them they
do not lose control, it does not cause a problem for normal traffic, but it might be
enough to slow down that fast driver who is really the one causing the problems.
I don't know if that is a potential solution but I think there are some things we may
have to look outside the normal things in the traffic manuals as a solution as I don't
see the speed signs or some of these other things as being a solution. Lastly, I think
the stop signs, to me, is kind of an over regulation because the traffic is slowing at
that point anyway and it's really over regulating the intersection.
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Commissioner Thomas asked Mr. Rosenberg if there has ever been any statistics on
these speed bumps in residential areas or any different types of speed bumps.
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May 10, 1990
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Mr. Rosenberg responded, stating that there have been some studies performed in
cities throughout the State of California. The gentlemen is referring to what we call
speed humps and these are mounds of asphalt about 2 or 3 inches high and actually
are about 12 feet wide and create a undulation, if you will, on the movement of the
car--a gentle bump and has proven to slow cars down on residential streets. The
California Traffic Control Device Committee evaluated this device and based on a
lot of dissertation and testing have determined that it was not applicable in most
cases and decided at the State level to recommend that this device not be included
as a traffic control device. However, some cities within the State are employing the
speed humps. A report has been issued by the State committee and they have made
recommendations that if they are to be used, on what kind of roadways they should
apply. One of the conditions they have made for the use of the speed hump was
that they should not be used on high volume streets or on streets that have grades
in excess of 4 to 5 percent. The problem is that those kinds of streets, particularly
on grades similar to what we are talking about here may tend to cause cars to go
out of control. There is really not enough statistical information to prove one way
or the other whether that in fact is valid. Also, I want to point out that in order for
these speed humps to be effective they have to be placed about 200 feet apart to
give you that up and down motion as you travel the roadway. They also cause
some slight jarring and the Fire Department and bicycle users and others find them
to be somewhat offensive and may constitute a safety problem for those users. So
they do have an application, but we would suggest that they be used very carefully
and only in certain situations where they fit the case.
Commissioner Thomas stated that he doubted that the people coming down that hill
at 25 or 30 mph would slow down, so if they put a speed hump between Points 3
and 4 [as shown on the viewgraph] --what would happen if the car hit it at 25 mph.
Mr. Rosenberg responded that nothing would happen at 25 mph, but if a car were
going at 45 mph it could possibly cause a problem. My fear and my objections to
the speed humps is the problem may arise if someone who is unaware of the speed
humps loses control, flips over, runs into the sidewalk into someone's front yard
and, God forbid, runs somebody over. The same thing would hold true with the
dip-type situation.
Commission Thomas inquired if they were ever used as a temporary measure for
gather data, or once you lay them they are permanent.
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Mr. Rosenberg stated that once laid they are generally permanent. The City of La
Mesa installed some speed humps in a residential neighborhood and there were
many complaints from the residents because of the noise impact caused by those
speed humps. The cars go over and they give thumping sound, and in the middle
of the night it causes quite a problem for people trying to sleep. As a matter of fact
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
I can tell you that when I worked for the City of San Diego we had a similar
problem on Ardath Road and I put down strips of asphalt to give a rumbling effect
to wake up people as they were driving down a hill towards Torrey Pines because
we were having a lot of problems with speeding and motorists were having
problems coming to a stop at the bottom, coming off the freeway of 1-5. That
rumble strip only lasted a couple of days, the residents complained, they thought
someone was using a jackhammer in the neighborhood because of the thumping
every time a car ran over the hump. That is a consideration too.
Mr. Blakey spoke from his seat at this point. What he said was not picked up on
tape. [In future it is recommended that people return to the lectern and speak into
the microphone.]
Mr. Rosenberg noted that he thought Mr. Blakey was referring to rumble type strips,
the type I was just referring to--just little beads of asphalt that would cause a
rumbling effect on the motorist and enlighten them to realize they there is
something unusual about the roadway. I prefer not to use those devices for the
reasons I just mentioned.
Summer Aland, age 12, 569 Canyon Drive, Bonita, 92002.
Representing: Children at Play.
I am here today because I am mostly concerned about when I walk home from my
bus stop which is approximately at Curve 1 [on the viewgraph] and I live at
Point B. Several cars have been known to come out of the street across the lane
and on to the sidewalk, across the front lawns. This has happened two times in the
last week. I appeal for the safety of myself and my friends to put at least two or
three Children at Play signs. About the speed bumps, I do think that is a good idea
and also maybe if you would put up a sign, speed hump or whatever, then the
drivers would not be going 45 mph and lose control over their cars. I thank you for
your cooperation.
Chairman Decker noted that we are all drivers and one of the problems with drivers,
--though I am not lecturing you all--but once in awhile I think we all speed a little
bit. Our modern cars are so quite and ride so well and behave so well that we tend
to not watch the speed. It doesn't make them any safer and it doesn't make us any
better drivers--but we tend to be very relaxed on that and that happens with a large
number of the cars that are out there. Then there are always the people who are
not like us and just ignore the speed limit completely and feel that the road is built
for them. These are the kind of people we are looking for and I don't know how
we answer those, except give them tickets as often as we can.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
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Christopher Kiefer, 1589 Country Vistas Lane, Bonita, 92002.
I want to thank the police for coming out a little more often lately. I think they
have given out a few tickets and I hope it is going to payoff. I am against the 30
mph speed limit. I am concerned that the people who are driving at 25 mph now
will see the 30 mph speed limit sign and speed up to 30, possibly 35 mph. People
who are driving 30 mph now will speed up to 35 or 40. I don't think it is going to
slow the traffic down, I don't see it working. Summer [Aland, previous speaker]
mentioned that item number 1 there--the bus stop. There is 100 to 140 children,
I think, who are let off at that bus stop in the afternoon and picked up in the
morning. People come down Country Vistas Lane, put on their brakes very hard to
make that comer. I am just afraid that one time some children will be let out of
their bus and somebody is not going to make the comer. Regarding the striping,
I am a little concerned with striping. To me, I see stripes and I think this is a
thoroughfare. One thing I think we ought to discourage is giving people the
opinion that this street is a thoroughfare. People can take Corral Canyon to "H"
Street over to Otay Lakes Road, that is a thoroughfare; Country Vistas Lane and
Canyon Drive I don't believe should be treated as thoroughfares. Another point I
find interesting is, and we seem to have a hard time enforcing it, is a 25 mph posted
speed limit. When I go on Corral Canyon, and as soon as the dots there [referring
to the viewgraph] that signify the difference between Chula Vista and San Diego
County, right at that point there is a 25 mph speed sign. I think I have seen that
enforced. I have seen cars pulled over. I don't know if the ticket sticks, but I have
seen cars pulled over. I just ask that we do something to try to get the cars down
to a reasonable speed. Thank you.
Chairman Decker responded that there have been folks who come up in front of our
Commission before asking for a redress on that area and the police give a ticket that
is very seldom at less than 35 or 38 mph.
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Wayne Jackson, 573 Canyon Drive, Bonita, 92002.
One of the accidents that was mentioned earlier, the one that happened Saturday
night, I think might have been avoided with a possible stop sign at the top of the
hill which is where 3 and 4 meet there [referring to the viewgraph] --the comer of
Via Hacienda. The car that came down the hill was gaining speed before he ever
got to that comer. All night long we listen to cars hitting those curves and wheels
squealing. I think that with a stop sign at the top of the hill, those people would
stop and then continue along down the street. That night I saw the car right after
the accident happened as he spun out of control into the neighbor's yard. The
reason being was that the squealing woke me up first, and then the car parts flying
across the road and him hitting the other car. When I got to the window I saw him
slide up into the driveway. I believe that the stop sign would eliminate the people
starting to speed at the top of the hill. Most of the people who are speeding down
the hill are going downhill, not uphill. There are some speeders coming up the hill.
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May 10,1990
But going downhill you can lose control of your car a lot easier. The other thing
I wanted to point out was that there is another street out in that area, I think it is
also on the Agenda too, to have a stop sign removed, which is Gotham. I remember
when that street did not have any stop signs on it. It had one at the end and at the
beginning and it goes from Otay Lakes Road to Rutgers Road. A lot of people used
it as a thoroughfare until the stop signs were put in. And, it is posted at 25 mph.
I don't know whether the study showed that it was safe to go 25 or 30 mph, but
I do know that once the stop signs were in, I myself stopped using the road as a
thoroughfare and started going around because I did not want to stop at all the stop
signs. I think that a lot of our traffic problem is people that are cutting through
from Otay Lakes Road over to Corral Canyon and they think they can go at any
speed they want down that hill and back up again. It eliminates them having to go
back to "H" Street and down that road up to Corral Canyon. I appreciate the stop
sign being considered.
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Jim Hoke, 564 Canyon Drive, Bonita, 92002.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak once again, I spoke last time. I don't think
the problems are as complicated as it is made out to be by a lot of different people.
I agree with Mr. Jackson that there should be a stop sign at Via Hacienda, because
going down the hill there I believe the stop sign would stop a great majority of the
people that would not have the chance to gain as much speed as they do without
having to stop at that point. They start going down from Otay Lakes Road and it
is just like riding a skateboard, the further you go the faster you get. One of my
major concerns is that I don't want to see the elimination of Chula Vista police
being able to come down their and catch speeders with radar. There have been
several of the motor units that have been coming down, parking in our driveway
and I talk to these guys, and one morning last week one of them wrote 10 tickets
in less than two hours. None of them were for less than 40 mph. If we hit these
people in the pocketbook by sticking them with tickets, over and over again. As
long as we can keep the police out there to write these tickets, I believe that is
going to be a major deterrent. There are two specific groups that are really guilty,
it's the going to work crowd in the morning and the coming home crowd in the
afternoon. A lot of the afternoon ones are high school kids. Basically, I think a
couple of stop signs--one down at the bottom of the hill at County Vistas Lane and
Via Hacienda. Actually I would like to see some more put in because I think
inconvenience to the driver is a great deterrent in itself. But really, I think we
should hit them where it hurtsnin the pocketbook. Let's write some tickets, let's
make them go to court. Even if there are rich people who can afford to pay the
tickets, they are going to lose their license if they get enough tickets. I think that
is probably the best deterrent we are going to have. If posting the speed limit is
going to keep them away [the police], by the way I disagree to raising it to 30 mph,
I don't want it posted. I have mixed emotions about having a center stripe put
down. It's one good point that maybe the people who pass you, I like that idea
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
because I have almost been hit several times just turning into my driveway with my
turn signal on. I turn left and they try to pass me on the left as I'm turning into my
driveway. But at the same time I agree with the gentleman who was saying that
it is a little neighborhood, that it is not a major thoroughfare. That line might make
it seem to many people that it is a major thoroughfare versus a residential area. So,
let's hit them in the pocket, let's not post the speed limit if that is going to keep the
police away. Thank you.
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Greg Fay, 448 Sandy Creek Drive, Bonita, 92002.
I live just about where the Circle 5 [referring to the viewgraph] is, we are right on
the comer. My major concern is from the area of 6 down to 5 [again, referring to
the viewgraph] because the trucks and cars just speed down that area. But I am
also concerned about the children that congregate at 1 [referring to the viewgraph].
I think that there is a real likelihood that someday we are going to have a car
coming either from G to D taking out a bunch of kids, or a car coming from 5 to D,
passing in that area and taking out a bunch of kids. This is going to happen. When
we came here for the last meeting, we had a car coming northbound on Country
Vistas Lane that [in Circle 2, referring to the viewgraph], we were coming the
opposite the direction, coming southbound, he bounced across the road and almost
hit us. Tonight when I was coming here we were again coming up Country Vistas
Lane, going southbound [between F and B], a boy about 9 or 10 years old had a
ball come rolling out into the street. He ran outnI was doing exactly 25 mphnhe
didn't even see me coming. I stopped just before I hit him. I did not see him until
he came out from between the cars. We have had accidents [in Circle 5] right in
front of our house. There have been accidents down near the intersection of
Country Vistas Lane and Canyon Drive. I understand there was an accident on
Country Vistas Lane about 6:00 p.m. There is a lot of stuff going on out there. I
think that the solution is to put stop signs on every comer. I said it before, I'll be
glad to buy a stop sign or two if the City cannot afford to buy them. There are
other people here that said that they would buy them. I am a police officer, by the
way; the advantage of the stop signs is they are 100 percent enforceable. You don't
have to worry about radar. You put a 30 mph speed limit out there, you and I both
know that they are going to write people 40 and over [referring to the speed limit]
at an absolute minimum because you always give them 10 mph to make it
enforceable in court. People are speeding through there as it is. The 30 mph is set
upon speeds that were done by people who are breaking the law in the first place.
If they were doing 25 mph like they were supposed to, that's what the average
speed would be. If you put the stop signs in, they have to stop or slow down and
the few of them that don't do it there will get a ticket that there is no defense
against. The officer just says there is a stop sign here, the guy went through it, I
wrote him a ticket. That's the end of the trial. It will definitely slow people down.
If you don't do it, you are going to have some people killed out there. Then you'll
probably go ahead and put the stop signs up. I have a real strong interest in this
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
because my daughter was seriously injured in an accident in a residential
neighborhood where the County of San Diego in a Board like this refused to put up
stop signs until the accident occurred. When we sued them then they put up the
stop signs. The stop signs are still there and there have not been any other major
accidents in that intersection. But, it took my daughter being crippled for life to get
the stop sign. I don't want to see that happen to my other kids, here or anybody
else's kids. I think you folks are being penny wise and dollar foolish by refusing to
put stop signs in. Thank you for your time.
Alex Lievanos, 1565 Country Vistas Lane, Bonita, 92002.
Good evening. I live right at the juncture of Canyon Drive and Country Vistas Lane
where the D is [referring to the viewgraph], just a little bit to the west. I live right
at that comer. After a rather vigorous meeting last month, some of you folks were
not here, but I was very pleased to see the response that happened very, very
promptly by the staff of this Commission and the police officers of this City. It
seems that they were energized, both of them and took very, very prompt action.
From a citizen of this City I commend them both. I urge this Commission to accept
the recommendation of the staff as regards, especially, the all-way stop at the
intersection of Canyon Drive and Country Vistas Lane. Living right at that
intersection I am privy to the noises--the squealing and screeching tires--that occur
there at all hours of the day and night because of excessive speed. Attempting to
manipulate human behavior by posting signs and drawing lines on streets is almost
a futile task. This is what this Commission is faced with. We are not, as human
beings, possessed of that wisdom as to how to manipulate human behavior to cause
the effect that really this Commission is seeking. Insofar as the stop signs are
concerned, I encourage this Commission to go ahead and recommend that and
accept the recommendation of your staff. In addition to that, however, I am
wondering if the addition of a Stop Ahead sign might be advantageous or effective
at some worthwhile distance approaching the stop sign, to alert the drivers that
there is a stop sign approaching. I differ with the person here who indicated that
posting of stop signs would be over biting this thing. I beg to differ, I live right
there and hear the noises and I think I have a little more valid perspective on that.
In summation, I am really impressed by this Commission and its staff that they
responded so promptly and I commend you both. Thank you very much.
Commissioner Koester asked the Chair if they wished to have the Police Officer
speak on this issue.
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Patrol Division Officer Barry Bennett addressed the issue. All the motor officers and
our sergeant meet on a regular basis meet with the traffic engineers and are advised
of these problems. We do what we can. I personally have worked, I don't know
how many hours in the last five weeks, on Country Vistas Lane and Canyon Drive.
I definitely see there is a problem. However, if I can clarify as I am not sure if
everyone understands about the speed survey and by posting it at 25 mph, the
police will go away. The way it works is, when we go to court--if I write a citation
for someone exceeding a posted speed limit, I can't just go to court and tell the
judge or the jury that this person was going 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. I have to
prove that the speed was unsafe at the time and I also have to show by a copy of
the speed survey--I have to have it in my hand or the judge will completely dismiss
it. They ask for it before the trial starts and if I don't have it, they will throw the
case out. I have to show by that survey that the speed limit that is put on the street
is backed by justification: the road design, the width of the roadway, and the like.
The problem is--and we had it on one other street out in the EastLake area on
Rutgers Avenue where we had a similar problem--it was a thoroughfare, we had a
lot of speed and the street was posted at a speed lower than the speed survey
legally would justify. When that happens all the police officers, mainly the traffic
officers, we stopped working it because we would be violating a section in the
[California] Vehicle Code. Whether you wish to leave it as it is now--unposted at
25 mph, I am allowed to work radar there. Personally, I do not think it will make
much difference from my enforcement point of view if you leave it unposted at
25 mph or if you post it at 30 mph. At 3:00 in the morning and there is no one on
the road, for example, when I write my citations I have to allow a little speed over
the limit as I have to go to court and convince the judge that it was unsafe. If it's
4:00 in the afternoon and there are children all over or its raining or anything that
would make an unsafe condition, I can write for less than the posted speed limit
because I can justify that it is, in fact, an unsafe speed. I agree with the gentleman
who asked for police concern out there. I agree also that when you start writing
tickets these people are going to feel it: in their pocketbook and their insurance
rates are going to go up. One thing I do want to point out though, in the 40 or 50
citations that I have written in that area, probably 80 percent are area residents.
By their addresses on their driver's license I am seeing that the people that live in
the area are the ones that are speeding. I have talked to a lot of you folks when I
have been out on Canyon Drive and I know one concern was the construction
workers at Circle 6 [referring to the viewgraph] at the top of the hill. I have gone
up there twice and talked to the foremen and a number of the drivers and told them
what is going on and I've made an effort to educate them about driving the roads
through this area. But, most of the individuals I have been stopping are residents
in the area. As far as having more police services in your area, I wish we could;
but, there are only five motor officers and we cover from 6:00 in the morning until
7:30 in the evening, Monday through Saturday. We work four day work weeks and
we cover the area from National City south to the Otay River bottom and from the
.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
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ocean as far east as the City goes. We also take accident reports and have lists of
assignments that we have to complete. Before daylight savings time took effect, we
changed our hours so we are covering more time. We were working from 7:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m., but we were missing the morning crowd and the afternoon crowd.
There are now three motorcycle officers on at 6:00 in the morning and there are
two of us are on until 7:30 at night. This went into effect this week, so you will
see us, hopefully, a little more during the rush hours. I can tell you now, that if
you post signs that post 25 mph, legally I will be breaking the law by sitting there
and work speed enforcement with the radar gun. It is prohibited in the [California]
Vehicle Code under what is defined as a speed trap. It is not the type of street that
I can pace people on. I don't believe staff has a survey that will back this speed
limit. It may be able to be enforced, but I don't think we can legally work radar.
[At this point, Officer Bennett received a sustained round of applause.]
.
Officer Bennett responded to a question regarding advisory (warning) and
regulatory signs from the audience [the speaker's voice was not picked up on the
microphone]. Advisory signs are the ones that are yellow, such as curve warning
signs. Those are not mandatory nor enforceable. It is only the white signs with the
black lettering that are enforceable that we have to have a survey to back.
.
Chairman Decker commented to those present, noting that what is happening here
is not exclusive to your neighborhood, it happens all over town. It happens in my
neighborhood. I live just across "H" Street down by Southwestern College. I have
walked out in your area, I am familiar with the area. I know what you are talking
of and I know where you come from, what you are talking about. I have often
wondered about establishing a neighborhood committee. Have you all thought
about that. What I mean by establishing a neighborhood committee, Officer Bennett
said and I thoroughly believe this because I notice in my neighborhood that most
of the people who speed in my neighborhood are from the neighborhood. I
recognize the cars, you see them all the time. Find out who that is and go to their
house as a committee and say hev. how about slowinsr down. If you could slow
down 50 percent of that 80 percent [that is speeding] that would be 40 percent of
the vehicles. Another thing is, what do we do when we don't like the way things
go? We protest! Get your committee out there in the evenings, mornings and
afternoon with signs that say Slow Down! There is only so much the government
can do for you and a lot of this you have to do for yourselves. There are so many
places we can that we can put these officers. One of the things you've got to try
to do as citizens of this City is to demand more motorcycle officers. Motor officers
are hired to do one thing and one thing only and that is to write tickets. They
know that when they become a motor officer--they are concerned with traffic. What
you have to do is get hold of your Councilman and ask for more motor officers,
because the more motor officers we have the more tickets we write the more tickets
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
we write the slower go. I want to point out one thing for somebody about stop
signs. We know that when you put up a stop sign, most cars are back up to speed
within about 200 feet. So you would have to put up stop signs practically
everywhere in the City to keep people slowing down if they don't want to slow
down. The only way you can train them to slow down is to cost them money, that
is where it hits everyonenin their pocket.
Mr. Rosenberg commented that with the 30 mph speed limit sign we can post the
warning signs at the curves at 25 mph. If the speed limit remained at 25 then we
would not put the warning signs up because the speed limit is already at 25 mph.
I think there is an added benefit of the advisory signs at the curves because it does
provide notice of something unusual at those particular locations.
Chairman Decker noted that on the freeways there is a series of bumps, small disks,
they put down occasionally to warn you of something. Is there something made like
that that is a little bit smallernabout half the size of the ones you find on the
freewayuthan could be put on streets.
Mr. Rosenberg said no, there are not any designed for that purpose. We can
manufacture the effect that you try to obtain with the little dots that are in the
roadway. As I pointed out before the rumbling effect is only momentary and does
cause noise, so there is a downside to the devices. Also they do present an obstacle
in the roadway and bicyclists or motorcyclists who go over them have a tendency
to lose control.
Commissioner Thomas asked if there were any problems with Children at Play signs.
Mr. Rosenberg responded that there is if the sign implies that it is okay for children
to play in the street. We don't want to encourage children to think that it is safe
to be in the street. There are some signs that are put on private property and
private developments that we have no control over. But, generally speaking, we
think those are not helpful at all.
MOTION
That Commission accept staffs recommendation. [Thomas/Koester]
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Arnold had an inquiry regarding Item 4 of the recommendationuadd
a centerline stripe. Commissioner Arnold suggested that we modify that to add the
word double centerline stripe.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
Chairman Decker advised that there was a motion on the floor and that this would
have to be entered as a separate motion after the motion on the floor was handled.
MSUC [Thomas/Koester] 3-0, Decker, Militscher and Waller abstained due to
absence from last meeting, to approve the Minutes of April 12, 1990.
MOTION
That Commission accept staff's recommendation.
MSUC [Thomas/Koester] 6-0, approved.
Commissioner Militscher inquired if the striping was double striping or double
striping.
Mr. Rosenberg responded that staff would put in a broken line so it would be
permissible to pass to the left, except at the curveshthere the centerline would be
double yellow.
Commissioner Arnold stated he does not vote for the dashed one because of the
gradient of the area. No passing should be permitted or allowed.
Mr. Rosenberg stated that staff had no objection to a double yellow centerline
stripe. The problem with the double yellow line stripe is that it does encourage
violation. Staff has no problem with a double yellow line the entire length of the
roadway if that is the desire of the Commission.
Commissioner Arnold made the motion that the Commission accept the
recommendations of the Safety Commission and add the word double under Item 4
of staff's recommendation--add a double centerline stripe.
MOTION
That the Commission change the recommendation of staff, Item 4, to a double
centerline stripe. [Arnold/Koester]
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Arnold pointed out the value of the double centerline, particularly in
a winding area, especially in a neighborhood area. I do a lot of driving in the San
Bernadino Mountains from San Bernadino up to Running Springs and Big Bear. Out
of that area there is only two areas where you can do any passing and there is only
maybe another two areas where they use dashed lines, all the rest of the way it is
double lines. If you get behind somebody that is slow you've got to stay in there
behind them or you are going to cause an accident. I use that example for my
justification of the double line.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
MOTION
That the Commission change the recommendation of staffs Item 4 to a double
centerline striDe.
MSC [Arnold/Koester] 5-1, (Waller), approved.
Chairman Decker called a recess at 8:25 p.m. Chairman Decker alerted the public
that there was a sign up sheet and that if they wished to be notified when any of
the issues being discussed at this session would come before the City Council they
needed to sign the sheet.
Chairman Decker called the Commission back into session at 8:40 p.m.
3. NEW BUSINESS
(3a) ReQuest for an all-wav stoD at "0" Street and Woodlawn Avenue
Frank Rivera presented staffs report. This was a request that we received for an all-
way stop at Woodlawn Avenue and "0" Street. This item has come before the
Safety Commission previously and at that time the intersection was uncontrolled
and the Safety Commission at that time decided to install yield signs on "0" Street
to control east- and west-bound traffic. Staff did do an all-way stop study at this
location to determine the merits for the request for an all-way stop. This
intersection did not meet the City's requirement. I would like to point out that the
volumes on these streets are 717 on "0" Street and 967 vehicles per day on
Woodlawn Avenue. We have had one accident, which was a right-angle accident
which occurred over one year ago--one vehicles did not yield the right-of-way for
the other motorist. Staff is recommending that a two-way stop be installed, but
with stop signs we are being recommended that it be posted on the minor street,
or the street with the lower volume, which would be "0" Street. Therefore, in
effect, we would be replacing the yield signs with the stop signs. I would also like
to point out that the vehicles which park in the vicinity of the intersection can be
reducing the sight distance. There are some campers parked in the area and motor
homes which park close to the intersection. Staff is only recommending that these
two stop signs be added and that if the Safety Commission desires it, we could also
install a parking restriction within the vicinity of the intersection.
PUBliC COMMENTS
Bert Vanderheyden, 101 Woodlawn Avenue, Chula Vista, 92010.
I have lived at the comer of Woodlawn Avenue and "0" Street since 1945, so you
know I have seen many changes. It has only been in the more recent years that we
are running into a problem. Now as you know this street is only two blocks long
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
.
where we are having the problem. This is not a thoroughfare for anybody to go
anywhere. This has become residential area. We have all trailer parks on the left
hand side, many people in there, especially the ones from "0 Street up to Chula
Vista Street, they are mostly elderly people. On the other end they have many,
many apartments and down through Woodlawn Avenue there is getting to be more
and more apartments. It is our own people, as you brought up once before, that is
causing the problem. We have asked for the police to come out and check it and
you see the cars at 3:00, 3:30 in the afternoon and 10:00, 10:30 in the morning.
Everybody is going to work, nobody is driving on the street. Probably 9 out of 10
of the cars drive legitimately. It is not a case of everybody speeding, it is not case
a case of high speed. It is a case of--from about 4:30 to 6:30 in the evening--they
work on their cars and then later it used as a drag strip. They zoom. The bikers
get out there and I'm telling you it is not 35/40, when they come through there it
is good. If you will check back about three years we had a bad accident in there
where the Life Flight helicopter had to come and take the people away. After you
put the yield signs in on "0" Street, it has become way worse. Now they are not
going to speed on "0" Street. You've got a dip in there and if they go over it at 25
mph you'll see the wheels off the car and that car off the ground. As soon as you
put up a stop sign there, that made it legitimate for these people to use this as a
drag strip. If you are out there at the right time of day, it won't only be one or two
or three--but it only takes one car to kill somebody. I am telling you it gets to be
dangerous to even try to walk across the intersection. To me it was worse after
they put the yield signs. Seeing as this street does not go any place, it only goes
up one to two blocks to residents, down here another block to the school, they can't
go fast around that so they have to be slowed down at the school. To me, the
legitimate thing to do would be to put a stop sign at "0" Street and Woodlawn
Avenue. Now, I know what is going to happen when you put a stop sign in: you
get all of the car noise, everybody is trying to get underway as fast as they can, you
have more smoke in the intersection it would turn blue from the smog. So I know
we have two problems there. But everyone in there is concerned about the
possibility of a child being hurt, it is a dangerous situation.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Militscher asked is this on the suggested route to school, this
intersection--do the children have to pass that.
.
Mr. Rivera responded that all the intersections in the area, depending where the
children live, are on the suggested route to school. If a child lives north of the
intersection in this area [referring to the viewgraph] there would be crossing in this
direction [again, showing the Commission on the viewgraph] to get to the school
which is located here. Generally, the pattern is for the students to walk this way
to the Feaster Element School.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
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Commissioner Militscher asked if he were correct in assuming there were no
crossing guards at the intersection under discussion.
Mr. Rivera stated that no, the only crossing guards are at Jefferson Avenue. He
further stated that he did not know if there is a crosswalk on Woodlawn Avenue,
where the could possibly be another crossing guard.
MOTION
Commissioner Koester made the motion that we accept staffs recommendation.
[Koester/Militscher]
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Arnold asked relative to the sight distancehhe has had problems with
these types of vehicles parked at intersections. I would like some reaction from staff
as to how far back that intersection should those large vehicles be restricted from
parking.
Mr. Rivera showed slides of the area. The primary problem at this location is that
when a vehicle is eastbound and they have to look south, they have to come up to
the intersection, very slow, and look both ways before they can cross. When
vehicles such as this [the van shown parked at the comer, in the slide] do park
close to the intersection it does present a problem. Staff could put about 30 feet
of red curbing on the approaches to each intersection. But when vehicles are
parking in the vicinity of the intersection it does [such as the vehicle in the slide]
it normally does not present a problem sight distance wise. It is when these type
of vehicles are parking over on these comers [pointing to the slide] on Woodlawn
Avenue that make it difficult for "D" Street traffic to look for oncoming vehicles.
Commissioner Militscher asked if that would present a parking hardship for the
residents in the area.
Mr. Rivera stated that on the west side it is a mobile home park, it should not be
a problem for them as they having parking spaces. This house here [pointing to the
slide] their parking could be on the other side of the street; this house here
[pointing to the slide] may have a problem where we would have to restrict
parking--over here by the fire hydrant and continuing down somewhat, across the
street restricting would not be a problem. Possibly some restriction here where the
car is [pointing to the slide] might present a problem as you see there is also a
vehicle here in the driveway, so I imagine that they do have a need for off-street
parking.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
MOTION
Accept staff's recommendation.
MSUC, [Koester/Militscher] 6-0, approved.
(3b) Request for an alI-wav sto1' at East Oxford Street and Melrose Avenue
Mr. Rivera gave staff's report. This is the request for an all-way stop at the
intersection of Melrose Avenue and East Oxford Street. Staff received a request
from a citizen to investigate the need for an all-way stop at this intersection. Staff
has noted that the traffic in this area is pretty much evenly distributed between East
Oxford Street and Melrose Avenue. The volumes are 2,080 vehicles on Melrose
Avenue and 1,890 on East Oxford Street. The accident history for this intersection
shows that since 1987 that we have six reported accidents and we have had only
had one in the last year. A radar study was done at this intersection for East Oxford
Street and showed that the 85 percentile was 33 mph. The City's all-way stop
policy completed at this intersection showed that this intersection did not meet the
warrants to justify an all-way stop at this intersection and therefore staff is
recommending that no all-way stop be installed at this location. That completed my
report .
Mr. Rosenberg made the observation that the volumes of traffic on both streets are
almost equal and in terms of the effect that an all-way stop would have for delay
would be minimized because the volumes are equal and generally speaking, these
kinds of streets lend themselves best to all-way stops. However, the criteria that we
use in terms of points does not qualify the intersection. But in terms of a local
neighborhood type all-way stop it would not cause anything unusual in a delay
problem.
Commissioner Militscher asked if there were any stop signs up at present.
Mr. Rivera noted that Melrose Avenue, north- and south-bound directions do have
the stop signs. Mr. Rosenberg interjected that both streets have centerline stripes
on them, so they are through streets, intersecting with each other, but no stops for
Oxford Street. Mr. Rivera showed a slide of the view looking eastbound, East
Oxford Street does not have any stop control. The stop signs are on Melrose
Avenue.
Commissioner Waller asked about the five accidents that were referred to as
broadsides. He asked if he was correct in assuming that people are running that
stop sign.
Officer Barry Bennett stated that he personally probably took the most recent
accident report about six weeks ago and he believes that the biggest problem is for
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SAFETI COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
the through street on East Oxford Street are violation of right-of-ways during a left
turn. Someone will be going straight east or west and someone else will be making
a left turn and they will turn in front of them--that is what the accident was that
I responded to. That was the most recent.
Commissioner Arnold asked that relative to page 3 of the all-way stop summary he
noted that staff had some recommendations in addition to the not installing an all-
way stop, specifically parking sight distance. What was intended when this was
added on page 3 of the all-stop summary.
Mr. Rivera responded that staff was saying that the sight distance could be improved
if vehicles such as the one on the previous slide [which showed a parked van]
parking too close to the intersection. This would also help provide more visibility
for the vehicles.
Commissioner Arnold asked what was the deal on the north leg move limit line 5
feet.
Mr. Rivera stated that we would be moving the limit line closer to the intersection
to provide more sight distance because of the block wall.
MOTION
Accept staffs recommendation.
MSUC, [Militscher-Thomas/Koester] 6-0, approved.
Chairman Decker inquired if staff needed a motion to go ahead and move the limit
line. Staff indicated a motion was not necessary. Chairman Decker noted that there
was not much visibility at that comer.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION ITEM BY STAFF
Chainnan Decker requested that Mr. Rosenberg check and see if that block wall was put
up under permit.
llil ReQuest for removal of stop sisms on Gotham Street at Vassar Avenue
Mr. Rivera gave staffs report. This is the request from Mr. Douglas Tatreau who
owns the property at 1698 Gotham Street, requesting the removal of the temporary
all-way stop at Vassar Avenue and Gotham Street. Staff has received a written
request Mr. Tatreau last November that the stop sign be removed and the red curb
in front of his property also be removed. Staff evaluated this intersection for an all-
way stop study and found that the intersection of Gotham Street and Vassar Avenue
did not justify any points. The volumes on these streets, Gotham Street initially
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
when the all-way stops were installed had volumes of approximately 4,000 vehicles
per day. At that time Rutgers Avenue did not extend north between Gotham Street
to East "H" Street. At that time the only way east/west through the area for the
residents living east of Rutgers Avenue was to go through Gotham Street. The
volumes on Vassar Avenue are 111 vehicles per day. We had, during the four
busiest, 34 vehicles. Staff, therefore, had also conducted a vehicle speed survey
since the stop signs were installed to decrease the speed of the motorists on Gotham
Street. The radar speeds, which was done on April 19 showed that the mid-block
speeds between Vassar Avenue and Cornell Avenue had an 85 percentile of 39 mph.
The radar speed which was done in 1985 showed that the 85 percentile was 4 miles
per hour lower. Therefore, the all-way stops have not reduced the speeds mid-block
although they have reduced the speeds in the vicinity of the stop signs. Staff also
evaluated the accident history for this intersection and found that we have had no
reported accidents at this intersection. Staff also feels that since the motorists are
now using Rutgers Avenue and bypassing Gotham Street, and as the volumes are
about two-thirds lower, the recommendation is that the stops signs for Gotham
Street be removed and the stop signs on Vassar Avenue remain.
.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
.
Tom Davis, 1657 Gotham Street, Chula Vista, 92013.
I am speaking in opposition to this particular study. I [see/have] a couple of
problems that may be bureaucratic in nature, but when these stop signs were
approved they were temporary. My recollection is that on two occasions they were
made permanent. When I spent some number of hours this week with the City
Clerk looking for those two approvals for permanent stop signs, I could only find
one in the records which was 4/12/88 in which three sets of stop signs were made
permanent. I don't know exactly what that means, except it was my understanding
that when the City Council acted on that particular matter that they were going to
stay. That Gotham Street being what it is and with the traffic volumes
understandably less than they were when Rutgers Avenue was put through, that the
stop signs were still an appropriate device to have in there. I now discover that
action by the City Council, whether there were two or one, seems to have no effect
on this. That the gentlemen who wrote the letter to the City Council initiates
another entire study of the matter. That being the case, and if that is correct, then
you can expect to act on every stop sign and stop light in the City. I [generic use
of I] will require something that will require a new study to be done. I don't
understand, first of bureaucratically, when a set of stop signs are approved for the
reason of controlling traffic--we admit that freely--that when somebody wants one
removed that it can be removed after all of the argument and emotion that was
expressed the first time those signs were approved. Secondly, I do not think a
39 mph 85 percentile speed is appropriate. It is a reflection of not enforcing the
speed limits, as far as I am concerned, because the attention has been drawn away
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
from that area. When there was a lot of attention on Gotham Street, the speed
limits were lower because it was being enforced. Now there isn't such enforcement,
they are off on these other areas that you have already heard about at length this
evening. I believe that to accept a 39 mph 85 percentile speed on a residential
street is absurd. The stop sign being removed would only encourage that to be
higher. When the study was done at first, when the stop signs were being
considered, the high speed was over 50 mph. I feel that without stop signs on that
street that is exactly what you can expect again. I don't think we ought to be
subjected to those kind of speeds on a residential street no matter how the twisted
logic goes that we should remove the stop sign and then remove any reason for
slowing up on the street at all. So I would say that I would be opposed to the
removal of that stop sign. The red curb is there because it is a bus stop, not
because it is a stop sign. I think that point ought to be made clearly, that the red
curb is there not because of the stop sign, but because of the bus stop. The bus
couldn't stop there so the bus company got together with the City and had a red
curb. It will stay red curb, whether there is a stop sign or not. Thank you.
.
John Stewart, 1716 Gotham Street, Chula Vista, 92013.
I have lived at this address for 22 years. I am also a police officer with the City of
Chula Vista and have been so for the past 15 years. I have seen traffic on Gotham
Street before and after the installation of the stop sign. I have personally have
written hundreds and hundreds of tickets on Gotham Street before the stop sign for
speeds exceeding well over 50 mph. With the installation of the stop sign there has
been a drastic change. Your survey of the 85 percentile of 39 mph in my opinion
is unacceptable and probably should require some selective enforcement. I feel that
the stop signs being in place at this time, they are an effective control regardless of
the amount of traffic on the street. I feel, in my own opinion as a professional in
the law enforcement field, that it would be foolhardy to remove them. There has
been a lot of talk on stop signs already, they are effective, they are working and I
ask you to leave them in place. Thank you.
Richard Villarreal, 1720 Gotham Street, Chula Vista, 92013.
I am a father of two kids which go to school at Tiffany's School and cross that street
on a daily basis. I think that by taking the stop signs out will have more of an
increase of speeders. We already have violators of speed out there on that street.
By removing those stops it is just going to increase. Those special people that
violate the speed law, they are going even faster, they know they have to come to
a stop and I feel that if that is true that the red curb is out there for the bus stop
reason. Why jeopardize the safety of the kids around in the neighborhood on top
of that.
.
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May 10, 1990
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Brenda Boyd, 1704 Gotham Street, Chula Vista, 92013.
Our house is located at the end of Gotham Street, directly in front of the three-way
stop so you can image I am able to view the traffic daily at all times of the day. I
was here before the stop signs were installed and there is no doubt about it, they
make it a lot safer to live on Gotham Street, to cross the streets, or to drive. Our
community supports these stop signs. I have a petition with over 100 neighbors'
signatures opposing the removal of the stop signs. We are concerned with the
safety of the school children that go to Tiffany Elementary School. We have a letter
from the Principal of Tiffany stating his support for these stop signs for exactly this
reason. Before the stop signs were installed, there was no limit on what speed a
motorist could excel to. And it was not unusual to see speeds in excess of 55 mph.
If you take the stop signs out people will be traveling extremely fast. Our children
cross there, I don't know if it is the approved route, but it is where they go. We
will just be increasing the likelihood that somebody is going to get hit and killed
and it is probably going to be a small child. As I understand it, these stop signs
were made permanent after East Rutgers opened to East "H" Street and nothing has
changed since then. We still need the stop signs. The reason we are here is
because of the red curbing in front of 1698 Gotham Street. The owner has
indicated to me that he has no objection with the stop signs in and of themselves,
he just wants the red curb removed. So I hope you can remove the red curb
without affecting the stop signs. Thanks.
.
Doug Tatreau, 1355 Valencia Loop, Chula Vista, 92011.
I am the owner of 1698 Gotham Street and my 88 year old father is the resident in
the house. I am also the latest villain on bring this question up on stop signs and
red curbs on Gotham Street. For the benefit more of the people sitting behind me
than you as the Council I would like to read the last sentence of my very first letter
that I wrote back in September to the City of Chula Vista. "I hereby request that
the City not paint the curb red in front of 1698 Gotham Street." Please note, I did
not request that the stop sign be removed at that time. The only reason that I
requested the stop sign be removed is because of a letter that I received from the
City Engineer saying that that was the only way that they could remove the red
curb was to remove the stop sign. And as a previous speaker has pointed out, the
reason for the red curb was because of the bus stop. Now, the situation is
somewhat confusing to me. In other words I talked to the people in the bus stop
and they indicated they would consider not having to require the red curb there.
I then talked to the people in the City Engineering department and they said that
even if the bus stop were removed, and I repeat, even if the bus stop were removed,
that the red curb would have to remain there if the stop sign remained there. But
the reason that the red curb was put there was not because of the stop sign but
because of the bus stop. So I reached kind of a point of confusion here. Then my
request was, well how about we just get rid of the red curb and I am allowed to
park a vehicle therehwhich isn't very often since it is an elderly man of 88 years
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
.
old. Then the City pointed out that there is ordinance that says, no you cannot park
any vehicles within 30 feet prior to a stop sign. I got very confused at that point
because all other stop signs in College Estates do not have a red curb painted in
front of them and they do have cars parked in front of the stop signs--with one
exception--the stop sign in front of the fire station, it has a red curb and I have an
idea that red curb was there long before the stop sign. To go a step further, the
stop sign diagonally across the street, there is no red curb. People park there in
front of that stop sign all the time. In other words, in violation of the code. Other
stop signs up and down Gotham Street do not have the red curb in front of them
and people park there. To take the risk of really insulting someone, and I don't
want to, but if you walk out these doors through the City Administration Building,
and go out on to Davidson Street, right in front of the Health Services Building you
will find a stop sign and two reserved designated parking spots within that 30 foot
strip that would be in violation of the this code. Or, walk across the street to where
there is a more public situation and not the City property and you will find that on
Davidson Street and Fourth Avenue there is a stop sign, there is no red curb and
prior to this meeting at 6:30 there was a car park there. So, I realize that there is
this City code, but I also realize that this City code is obviously is not enforced very
much, even when the City on their own property has two designated parking spots
within 30 feet of a stop sign. So I go back to my original request, I am confused
on the enforcement. It appears that the City has this law but it is not enforced very
much throughout the City. I see lots of stop signs without red curbs and cars
parked within that 30 foot margin, all over. I see I am running out of time here,
therefore, my request is primarily to remove the red curb more than anything else
and that is the way my original request was written.
Commission Militscher asked if it were impossible to remove the red curb.
.
Mr. Rosenberg stated that staff is bound by the Code and that's what gives me the
heartburn. The Municipal Code Section 66 states you cannot park within 30 feet
of the approach to any flashing signals, stop sign or traffic control similarly located
at the side of the roadway. This Code, by the way, I think, was written in 1966.
It is an unusual section of the Code. As you know I worked at the City of San
Diego for 28 years and in the City of San Diego there is no such regulation that
denies parking near intersections or next to stop signs. If there is a problem with
vehicles blocking the visibility of the stop sign, we dealt with it on a case by case
basis. I think there are two issues here: 1) is whether or not the stop signs are
justified--we did evaluate that and determined that they did not qualify and we feel
that, and continue to feel, they are not required nor needed any longer; and 2) the
issue of the red curb and parking, I would suggest that the Commission consider
directing staff to study the feasibility of modifying the Code to delete that provision
to allow for these exceptions and determine the problem on a case by case basis.
There is a provision in the Vehicle Code, enabling legislation if you will, that allows
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
a local agency to adopt an ordinance or resolution to prohibit the parking of
vehicles in excess of 6 feet in height, including any load on the vehicle, from
parking within comers for a distance of around 100 feet. We could modify the
Code to cover that situation and rectify the problem. If the Commission determines
that the stop signs shall remain I would suggest then that we study the feasibility
of changing the Code that would allow us then to remove the red curbing. I am in
a little bit of a fix because I have been put on notice by the bus stop that they need
they did that. If they were to relocate the bus stop, I guess I would have to take
that risk and remove it. If in fact someone did get hurt crossing the street because
a car was parked there and the motorist couldn't see the pedestrian or the child
crossing the street, they can turn to the City and say you created a dangerous
condition. I don't want to be in that position, having been on notice to put the red
curb in initially. Now if there were a complaint about any other location we would
probably put red curb in at other locations where they constitute a problem. I
recognize that there are situations where cars are being parked next to stop signs
within that 30 foot tolerance. I am not aware of those situations representing a
dangerous condition.
Chairman Decker asked if the reason for the red curb right now at this location at
present is because there is a bus stop there.
Mr. Rosenberg responded yes to the question and to enforce, or emphasize, the
provision of the Municipal Code.
Chairman Decker stated that the City does not paint curbs on all stop signs as a
regular policy in this City, do we.
Mr. Rosenberg stated that was correct.
Chairman Decker reiterated that it [the red curb] is there primarily because it is a
bus stop and regardless, it is still a no parking zone regardless of whether there is
a bus stop there or not.
Mr. Rosenberg stated that if the bus stop were removed it still would be a violation
to park there, but recognizing that people do park adjacent to stop signs, I am in
a dilemma here on removing the red curb.
Chairman Decker noted that this was truly a Catch 22!
Mr. Rosenberg agreed.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
Commissioner Militscher asked if it were possible to establish a code to remove that
red paint.
Mr. Rosenberg told the Commission that they could pass a motion to recommend
that the red paint be removed.
MOTION
That the Commission move to not accept staff's recommendation--and to leave the
stop sign and remove the paint on the red curb. [Militscher/Thomas]
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Arnold desired to know what effect this would have on the bus
company.
Mr. Rivera informed the Commission that he spoke to the representative from the
transit company and they said that when the request was made they were having
a problem with vehicles parking there. I understand that now, since the vehicles
that do park there are there less frequently that they do not experience the problem
that had when they initially made the request for the red curbing. They said that
most times they should not experience a problem at that location.
Commission Waller noted that there was a gentlemen earlier from another area
discuss that he was one of the people who used to go through Gotham Street before
the stop sign was installed and he stopped going through there after the stop signs
were put up and I can image that quite a few other people no longer use Gotham,
but that if we take the stop sign down they will start using Gotham Street again.
Commissioner Decker commented that while he was never in favor of the stop signs
to begin with, only because of a technical issue, I am generally against changing
things when they have been established and this is a well established intersection,
the stop signs are there, the speed is still excessive--I walk that street often and I
still see people going at excessive speedsnso I can't believe, personally, that
removing the stop signs is going to decrease the speeds on that street. Given that,
I am in favor of retaining the stop signs, too.
MOTION
That the Commission move to not accept staff's recommendation nand to leave the
stop sign and remove the paint on the red curb.
MSUC, [Militscher/Thomas] 6-0, approved.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
(3d) Request for a pedestrian barrier on Otav Lakes Road alon!!: Bonita VISta
Junior and Senior Hi!!:h Schools
Mr. Rivera gave staffs report. I would like to mention the background of this
request. Staff received a letter from the President of the Bonita Business and
Professional Association and the Principal of Bonita Vista High School that
something be done about the jay-walking students crossing the area of Otay Lakes
Road in the vicinity of the Junior High School and the shopping center. Staff had
met with the Principal of Bonita Vista High School and the Director of Planning for
the Sweetwater Union High School District to discuss some of the alternatives
available to eliminate the jay-walking in the area. Otay Lakes Road is a divided
four-lane roadway, with a median, set between Canyon Drive and north, where it
is separated by a double yellow centerline stripe. The recent roadway
improvements, the development of the shopping center, and the schools and
residents in the area do encourage the pedestrians to cross to go to these
developments. Staff did look at the idea of installing a chain link fence on the
median and that idea was not recommended since the design of the medians would
not lend themselves easily to the addition of a chain link fence. Staff has also
reviewed the accident history for the area and it shows that there were no reported
pedestrian accidents in crossing mid-block. It should be noted that the roadway
width changed considerably within the last year. Staff and the school district came
to a consensus to add No Pedestrian Crossing signs which would be placed in the
medians, opposite the shopping center driveways, which are not signalized. These
are the locations where the pedestrians tend to congregate. They cross the street
in the mornings towards the driveway where the Carl's Jr. is located, in the
afternoon they are crossing the north driveway of the shopping center where the
video and ice cream stores are located. Staff, therefore, is recommending that
Pedestrians Use Crosswalks signs be installed to discourage the jay-walking. The
Chula Vista police have issued some citations for the jay-walkers in the area. Staff
feels this is a first measure, along with police enforcement that we will help
alleviate this problem.
Commissioner Koester inquired as to whether there were an adequate number of
crosswalks.
Mr. Rivera noted that there were three crosswalks in the area: one at East "H"
Street and Otay Lakes Road, one at the mid-block location, and Canyon Drive and
Ridgeback. All of which are signalized. [Slides, showing the areas of the
crosswalks, were shown to the Commission.]
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
Mr. Rosenberg interjected that we do not want the children crossing mid-block, of
course, and the only way to discourage them is either to put a barrier up which is
not feasible or to issue citations--it is a violation, and this is in the jay-walking code
section, crossing between two signalized intersections.
Commissioner Thomas asked if the schools have made any public announcement to
their students that this is a violation, that they could be given a citation.
Mr. Rivera responded stating that he had spoken with the Principal. The Principal
was going to be sending notices out to the students and also there were some
perimeter gates along the high school, which when left open the students use to
walk down the grass and they proceed across the street mid-block over the median
and over to the driveway. The school was talking about closing off the gate, and
thereby causing the students to be coming out up towards the library which is closer
to the signalized intersection.
PUBUC COMMENTS
Manuel Uera, 658 Landis, Chula Vista, 92010.
I am the Principal of Bonita Vista High School. This has been quite an experience
hearing all the crowd. I probably did not need to stay because I agree with the
City's decision. My only concern is, and it was mentioned somewhere in the report,
is that at a later time if this solution does not work, then something else needs to
be looked at. But for the present, we have notified the students that they are not
to cross, that it is a misdemeanor and that they will be cited. I noticed this morning
as I was driving in, a police officer was citing a student. Perhaps if we do that for
a little while, knowing the police are very busy, it tends to have an effect on them.
There are also adults doing the same thing [jay-walking] and some of them are
employees of the school and some of them are not. We are informing our own
people not to do that. The signs will instruct everyone--be they students or adults.
It is quite a ways between the two lights and people think twice and then they
make a dash for it, so they need that warning that they could be cited. We will be
closing the gates in the front which will redirect the students to the areas where the
two traffic signal lights are. I really didn't have much to do with the area further
to the north for the junior high school; that is another problem, but one that may
also have to be addressed. The junior high school kids tend to go every which way
and, I think, it's an even worse problem than the high school. I wanted to wait to
thank you, to thank the City for its rapid response to our request and what seems
to be a pretty good temporary solution. Thank you.
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SAFElY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Arnold inquired as to the spacing of these signs. He noted that it was
quite a distance between traffic signals and wished to know also how many signs
were there going to be.
Mr. Rivera responded that staff was looking at placing the signs opposite of each
driveway entrances since that is where the students are crossing. Along the west
curb line where the shopping center is located on Otay Lakes Road. If the students
are crossing, they have to walk towards the driveway anyway. They are tending to
walk the shortest route to their destination which is the driveway entrances.
Therefore, we wanted to put the signs opposite the driveways on the median.
Chairman Decker stated that he noticed that opposite the junior high school that
there is illegal crossingnright at the end of the fence where there is a short walkway
that comes down to the edge of the curb, to the southwest from the school. He
urged Commission/staff to put a sign across the street at that location, if in fact it
is an illegal crossing.
Mr. Rosenberg informed the Commission that it was legal to cross at that location.
Chairman Decker inquired if it were possible to make it illegal to cross there as it
certainly is a very dangerous spot.
Mr. Rosenberg stated is all that we can hope is that we get the word out to the
junior high school and have monitors out there directing the children to not do that.
As far as enforcement he did not know what we could do.
Officer Barry Bennett said that the way the law reads for jay-walking is crossinsr
between adiacent controlled intersections. either bv a sisrnal or a police officer. So
this does not apply in that situation. There are sections that do apply, in that when
you are not crossing at an intersection a pedestrian does not have the right-of-way
and must yield to all oncoming hazardous traffic. So if a police officer were out
there and one of these kids darted across the street or tried to run, and if a car had
to put on brakes or swerve or make some kinds of evasive action or it was close
enough that it could have been a hazard, that is, in fact, a violation and can be
cited.
MOTION
That the Commission accept staffs recommendation.
MSUC, [Koester/Thomas] 6-0, approved.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
(3e) ReQuest for an all-way stOD at Yale Street and Vassar Avenue
Mr. Rivera gave staff's report. We received a request from Mr. Gibson to investigate
the need for an aU-way stop at Yale Street and Vassar Avenue. Mr. Gibson
mentions that the proximity of the elementary school and the stop signs on Gotham
Street have diverted traffic over to Yale Street and therefore he was requesting that
an all-way stop study be conducted by staff. Staff did do an aU-way stop study and
did traffic counts in this area. Volumes on Yale Street are approximately 375
vehicles per day and 395 on Vassar Avenue. Staffs aU-way stop study showed that
it received 11 points, primarily because the volumes were so close to each other that
an aU-way stop would not reaUy delay one direction over the other. One point that
should be noted is that at most times the vehicle volumes are very low and
therefore there are gaps in traffic. There is also pedestrians in the area, but the
pedestrian counts do not show to be more than 20 to 30 pedestrians crossing in the
morning and in the evening on their way to the elementary school. We have had
one accident which was a right-angle accident, this occurred in January 1989, where
one vehicle failed to yield to the other vehicles. This accident occurred at 2:00 p.m.
Staff is recommending that an aU-way stop not be instaUed at this intersection.
Commissioner Arnold stated that he is assuming that in the fourth paragraph under
Discussion [in staffs report] that the second sentence Both intersections of Xavier
and ComeU Streets are T-intersections with Vassar Avenue. This should be Yale
Street and not Vassar Avenue. What is the relevance of that particular statement
to the problem here.
Mr. Rosenberg told the Commission to disregard.
PUBUC COMMENTS
RandaU Webber, 1692 Yale Street, Chula Vista.
I live on the southwest comer of Yale Street and Vassar Avenue. I am here to
support staff's recommendation to not instaU stop signs. The minimal traffic that
we have observed over the last 15 years, I do not believe supports the need for stop
signs at Yale Street and Vassar Avenue. I would like to thank staff also for their
quick action to look into this situation.
Robert Tugenberg, 1702 Yale Street, Chula Vista.
I have been living at this address for 17 years. The accident reported here of
January 3, 1989--my wife had happened to be knocked down and had a couple of
stitches put in her head. Nonetheless, I am also supporting the staff's
recommendation because there is literaUy no traffic on either Vassar Avenue or Yale
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
Street. Since the opening of Rutgers Street it has become even less. Oh, by the
way, I have lived there, as I say, 17 years and in the 17 years I have counted three
accidents so I see no justification for a four-way stop there. Thank you.
MOTION
That the Commission accept staff's recommendation.
MSUC, [Waller/Thomas] 6-0, approved.
Qfl Reauest for parkinS!: permits on 300 block of Roosevelt Street
Commissioner Arnold informed the Commission that the people who submitted this
request were here earlier, one of them is a doctor involved in bring this to our
attention. He had a medical requirement to leave and so nobody will be here to
represent them.
Mr. Rivera gave staff's report. We received a request for the doctors to be able to
obtain permit parking on Roosevelt Street. Initially, when the City Council
established the permit parking on Roosevelt Street was to help out the residents
because they live in an area where there are medical buildings and commercial
businesses that do make parking a premium there. People from the medical offices
across the street would fill up the entire street and residents could find no place to
park. The street is 30 feet wide and this necessitated the removal of on-street
parking on the north side and establishing a two-hour parking limit on the other
side from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Staff is recommending that the red curb in front
of the doctors' offices be removed to allow for one more parking space to allow for
a vehicle to park closer to the medical offices. They do have a parking lot but it
only holds eight vehicles. Staff is therefore just recommending that the red curb be
removed. We are not in a position to overrule the City Council and provide them
with a parking permit since the City Council has established a policy for residents
only to receive a parking permit. Therefore, we intend to forward this time to the
City Council and maybe they could provide the doctors with a parking permit. But
we feel that by adding an additional parking space closer to the medical office
building that we are moving in the right direction.
Commissioner Koester asked if the new space would also be a 2-hour parking space.
Mr. Rivera stated yes it would.
Commissioner Waller wished to know how many doctors were in the medical
building.
Commissioner Arnold informed the Commission that there were two doctors and six
technicians in the medical building.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10,1990
Commissioner Waller noted that would take up eight parking spots.
Commissioner Arnold stated he had gone down and looked at the area and the
people who use these doctors are elderly individuals and that another problem in
the area is that the people have to go across the street to the hospital and that some
of the people do not have the mobility to cross a busy street such as Fourth Avenue.
Commissioner Arnold said he would go along with the creation of two parking
spaces where the red curb is presently located.
Chairman Decker wished to know why the red curb was painted so far down the
street, did it come about with Council's direction.
Mr. Rivera addressed that question. We have a red curb that is 53 feet long and
over on the other side of the street it is 49 feet. The red curb was installed here
because vehicles were parking on both sides of the street and only one vehicle could
drive down the center of Roosevelt Street. If a vehicle was on Fourth Avenue and
wanted to turn onto Roosevelt Street they would have to wait mid-turn in order to
let a vehicle leaving Roosevelt Street maneuver out. Later it was determined that
if parking was to be removed on one side it would allow for parking and two
directions of travel on Roosevelt Street and that is why the red curb was put in--to
clear the intersection area so that it would reduce the backup and congestion on
Fourth Avenue.
Mr. Rosenberg interjected that the [lengthy] red curb is redundant and not needed
any longer. It was an oversight on staffs part not to have removed the red curb
when the parking was removed. My understanding is that the doctors are seeking
permits for employees to park on the street, not their patients, so that they can
leave some room on their parking lot for patients. As you know, the residential
permit parking was established primarily for the hardship that was incurred by the
residents because of employee parking on the street. It is not staffs
recommendation to go to the City Council unless the Commission so determines that
wish to ask that the Council reconsider the use of the issuance of permits. If the
Safety Commission does approve our report, we would forward an information
report to the City Council only to the effect that we are going to establish an
additional parking place by removing the red curb. If the doctors wish to pursue
a request for special consideration, we expect them to take the initiative, we would
not do that on their behalf.
Commissioner Waller inquired if staffs intent was to add one more parking space,
which would also be a 2-hour parking space.
Mr. Rivera responded that the new parking space would still fall under the 2-hour
parking restriction.
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SAFE1Y COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
Commissioner Waller asked why staff could not allow those two parking spaces be
allotted to the doctor. It is his building and essentially he is the resident. Why not
allow put a sign up.
Mr. Rosenberg reiterated his understanding that staffs recommendation is to leave
it open parking and not designate a 2-hour parking limit for the space.
MOTION
Remove the parking restriction on the south side of Roosevelt Street, remove 18 feet
of red curb and establish the zone for open parking with no time limit restriction
in that area.
MSUC, [Militscher/Koester] 6-0, approved.
4. TRIAL TRAFFIC REGUIATIONS
None scheduled.
s.
STAFF REPORTS
Commissioner Koester inquired what is the fuel efficient traffic signal management
program.
Mr. Rosenberg informed the Commission that staff is installing a computerized
traffic signal throughout the City. As you know we are upgrading approximately
100 some odd signalized intersections. The Federal Highway Administration,
through the State of California, has a program which provides a grant that allows
cities that have sophisticated traffic control systems to perform studies to determine
the best timing for the signals for the purpose of fuel energy conservation, so hence,
the acronym FETSIMnfuel efficiency transportation system management program,
is designed to do just that. We have a contract for about $100,000 worth of effort.
A consultant is going to make traffic counts at all these intersections and, using
simulation computer models, determine the best timing for the signals as a system
and then run actual field measurements of the performance of the signals as they
operate, without the change and with the change, and show us how much more
efficient we can get the roadway system to operate.
Chairman Decker asked how often this would have to be revised based upon the
change in the traffic loads.
Mr. Rosenberg stated that the contract would hopefully will teach us how to do that
on our own. Staff should be able to perform modifications as traffic patterns
change and make adjustments. As soon as the computer is up and running, the
Commission can corne over and see a demonstration and view the performance of
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
the signal system-owe can program the system and show you an areawide system,
and then we can focus in on a small area and then finally, on one intersection so
you can view the changing of the signals.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
fA} Public Remarks
None.
ill Commission Comments
Commissioner Arnold stated that he was curious as to the progress on the
development of the Broadway medians.
Mr. Rosenberg introduced Zoubir Ouadah, an Associate Civil Engineer, in the
Engineering Department, who will be transferring to the Traffic Section as an
Associate Traffic Engineer and turned the question over to Mr. Ouadah for response.
Mr. Ouadah informed the Commission that he is currently in charge of the special
assessment district(s) and the development impact fee programs in the City of Chula
Vista. I believe the Broadway project has been divided into three segments and the
segment between "I" Street and south to Oxford Street is out to the consultant for
design. I think it was two months ago we went to Council with a report to approve
the median.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION ITEM BY STAFF
Mr. Rosenberg informed the Commission that he will provide a progress report at the June
meeting.
Commissioner Arnold brought up the signals south of "L" Street--going north and
southuthere seems to be some problems.
Mr. Rosenberg stated that there may be a malfunction. Staff will check.
Commissioner Thomas made a brief report on the Shell Station at Bonita Glen Drive
and "E" Street. A week ago last Wednesday, Mr. Rivera and I met with two
representatives from Shell Oil Company at the gas station and we discussed the
deterioration of the street and talked about problems and probable solutions. Shell
Oil is to get back to me later this week with some type of recommendations. I think
it is a very good idea to get them out here to meet with City officials, to look at the
situation, to get somebody high up. His name was Brooks Herrings, he is an
engineer from the Retail Facilities from Irvine. We felt his recommendations may
be to paving concrete half the road, about 175 feet on the east side. I asked him
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
to think about this before he made their recommendation. He felt strongly that
Shell should not be responsible for the west side of the street. That if Shell paved
it concrete on the east side, the City should leave the west asphalt, which would
possibly present an elevation problem, thereby forcing the City to pay half to
concrete the other side. I said that without Shell's problem the City would not be
forced to make any kind of budgetary decision.
Mr. Rivera stated that the problem would occur where seam of the concrete meets
the asphalt. It would never be even and that would be where the water would
collect, thus deteriorating the asphalt part of the roadway. We will have to keep
the water off the road, and that is why we recommend that it would either have to
be all concrete or no more water on the street to leave it at asphalt.
Commissioner Thomas continued, stating that after the meeting on Wednesday that
it might be a good idea to make a recommendation that the Mayor write Shell a
letter. Commissioner Thomas read the letter sent by Mayor Cox to Mr. Herring.
[Copy attached to these minutes.] I think we have to give Shell an opportunity to
present a proposal, then I think we could bring that proposal to the Safety
Commission, what does the Safety Commission think and then make the
recommendation to the City Council.
There was dialogue between Commission members about how to proceed.
Chairman Decker asked that when this recommendation officially comes in, is it
going to be presented to the Safety Commission. Is it your understanding that
someone is going to come from Shell and make a presentation to the Commission.
Commissioner Thomas stated that his concept was that Mr. Herring would submit
a written proposal via him to the Safety Commission that would be acted upon and
recommendation made to the City Council.
Chairman Decker suggested that the Commission ask Mr. Herring to come and
present his recommendation to the Commission.
FOLLOW.UP ACTION ITEM BY STAFF
Mr. Rosenberg stated that staff could make this an Agenda item for the June 1990 meeting.
Staff will write a representative of Shell Oil Company informing them that this will be
before the Safety Commission for discussion and possible action and that the Safety
Commission has a preliminary recommendation to make. We can so advise the Shell Oil
Company that that is what the Commission will be considering at the next meeting and
perhaps they would like to have a representative come and speak to the item.
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SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 1990
7. WRrITEN CORRESPONDENCE None.
8.
RECESS TO REGULAR MONTHLY WORKSHOP SESSION
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT TO REGULAR SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING OF THURSDAY,
JUNE 14, 1990
MOTION
That we adjourn this meeting.
MSUC, [Koester/Waller] 6-0, approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
At the June meeting members will nominate and elect a new Chair and Vice Chair.
~~.~
Berlin D. Bosworth, Recording Secretary
[SC3\A:MAY-90.MIN]
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