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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Commission mins 1991/08/08 . . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, August 8, 1991 7:05 p.m. Council Chambers Public Services Building 1. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Co-Chair Thomas, Commissioners Chidester, Koester, Matacia, Padilla MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Braden, Commissioner Pitts 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Koester to approve Safety Commission Minutes of July 11, 1991. Second by Matacia. MSUC 5-0. 3. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY: None. 4. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Moved to Commission Comments by Co-Chair Thomas. . 5. REQUEST FOR AN ALL-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY VISTAS LANE AND CRESTVIEW DRIVE Staff received a letter and petition from Dr. and Mrs. Robert Baker requesting that an all- way stop be installed at the intersection of County Vistas Lane and Crestview Drive in Bonita Long Canyon. Staff evaluated the intersection using the all-way stop policy recently approved by City Council. When this intersection was measured against this criteria, it did not meet any of the justification warrants for an all-way stop. The intersection received 10 points out of a possible 54 with the minimum to justify an all-way stop being 30 points nor did it meet one of the warrants, i.e. accidents, unusual conditions, pedestrian volumes, traffic volume, or the traffic volume difference. Staff indicated that there have been no reported accidents at this location. When vehicles are on Crestview Drive looking left for oncoming vehicles southbound on County Vistas Lane, the embankment reduces the sight visibility. An evaluation of the sight distance shows that the sight distance is adequate for the design speed (25mph). Staff is recommending that the limit line be relocated closer to the intersection so that the motorist can gain addition visibility for oncoming vehicles. Staff recommended that the request for an all-way stop be denied. . Mr. Roberl Baker, 1481 Rimcrest Courl, Bonita, CA 91902 Dr. Baker felt his request was misinterpreted by the Traffic division. He was not asking all-way stop, but for one stop sign placed at the north comer of Country Vistas Lane. To the north there is a steep hill rise. Construction trucks are moving quickly up and down the hills and there have been numerous near-accidents. The trucks crest the hill at a high rate of speed and numerous citations have been given out to speeders. . . . August 8, 1991 Minutes Page 2 Mr. Matacia asked if the development in the area about finished. Dr. Baker stated that Crestview is almost complete. However, the development north of Crestview is actively under construction. Dr. Baker stated that the problem is more difficult in the day because a driver cannot see if a vehicle is preparing to crest the hill whereas at night, headlights of oncoming cars are visible. Mr. Thomas asked if placing a stop sign only on the north comer would change staffs recommendation. Mr. Rivera replied that the City does not have any intersection where stop signs are at three of the four comers. It would not be recommended. Commissioner Chidester asked ifthere would be any practicality in reducing the speed limit for the area. Mr. Rivera stated that an intersection warning sign with an advisory speed could be installed at the approach to Crestview Drive on County Vistas Lane. This would not be an enforceable speed limit, but advisory only. Mr. Koester moved that the Safety Commissions recommend to the City Council to deny the request for an all-way stop at the intersection of Country Vistas Lane and Crestview Drive. Second Thomas. MSC 4-1 (Chidester opposed). Co-Chair Thomas informed Dr. Baker that he could appeal this decision to the City Council. Prank Rivera stated that this item will be going back to Council and that residents would be notified of the date and time. Since the Safety Commission is an advisory group only, their recommendation will be on the City Council report. No action will be taken by staff until after the City Council meeting. 6. REQUEST FOR AN ALL-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF BUENA VISTA WAY AND CALLE SANTIAGO. Staff received a request from Mrs. Cueva requesting that an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Buena Vista Way and Calle Santiago. The majority of traffic approaching the intersection on Calle Santiago makes left turns to East UHU Street. On westbound Buena Vista Way, most of the traffic turns right to East UHU Street. This intersection has no reported accidents. The all-way stop study indicated that this intersection did not meet any of the justification warrants. Staff is recommending against this request for an all-way stop due to the good safety record of the intersection. Mr. Padilla asked if the park south of the Calle Santiago/Buena Vista intersection had access from the roadway. Mr. Rivera said there is an asphalt pathway used probably for maintenance but could be used for pedestrian traffic. Mrs. Yolanda Cueva, 867 Crystal Court, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Mrs. Cueva said her request is derived from personal experience with this intersection. During the past school year, she escorted her daughter to school and crossed Buena Vista Way and used the park to access the school. She feels an all-way stop and crosswalks are . August 8, 1991 Minutes Page 3 needed. During the school year, this intersection is very busy. Mrs. Cueva stated that many children going to Chula Vista Hills Elementary School come from the north side of East "H" Street and cross at the Calle Santiago/Buena Vista Way intersection and use the park for access to the school. During the school year, she counted an average of 12-15 children using this intersection to cross. She felt she has help avert accidents by being there to escort children across the street. Mrs. Cueva said she knows of the suggested route to school map but feels that access through the park is safer. Since the school is located at the end of the park, crossing through the park is shorter in distance than walking on Buena Vista Way thus using the suggeted route to school map. The location of the school at the end of the park and the Calle Santiago/Buena Vista Way intersection makes this a natural and logical place to cross and adults and children will continue to cross there in enough numbers to warrant a crosswalk and stop signs. . The suggested route to school map tells children that they should be walking on Buena Vista Way and crossing at Don Carlos Court. Mr. Padilla asked staff for the location of the nearest crosswalk for pedestrian coming from the north. Mr. Rivera pointed out the crosswalks are at Don Carlos Court and Buena Vista Way north of the school, and south of the school near Cerritos Court. There are school safety patrols at each of these locations. Chair Thomas asked if there was value in putting a 25 mph and school crossing sign at Calle Santiago and Buena Vista Way. Mr. Rivera pointed out that the school crossing sign would be too far away from the school. Mr. Matacia stated that this issue is a matter of choice. The children prefer to walk down the park as opposed to walking the route that has been suggested by the schools. He didn't feel that we should negate what the school system has provided as a suggested route. Mr. Padilla had several concerns. He said that it is a good intention for the school district to tell their students which way to walk to school. However, the reality of the situation is that parents can't walk children to school everyday. Regardless if there is a crosswalk or what the access is from the park to the school, the children who live north of Calle Santiago will use that intersection to get from the north side to the south side. According to staff's report there are 51-100 students (estimated, since no count was taken in July) crossing at Calle Santiago and Buena Vista Way. Mr. Padilla felt the Commission should address itself to what pedestrians are doing versus what they should be doing. . Mrs. Marian Fowler, 1374 Blue Falls Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Mrs. Fowler felt the survey was not characteristic in the volume of traffic that was indicated due to the fact that school was not session. The school year is September - June and traffic increases during this time. Traffic is increased not only for the elementary school, but for Bonita Vista Jr. High, Sr. High, and Southwestern College. Vehicle traffic and pedestrians are much more intensive during this time. Since there is a new development going in south of Southwestern College, Mrs. Fowler felt there will be increased traffic using Buena Vista Way out onto East "H" Street. Traffic speeds very quickly along Buena Vista Way, and the curve that leads to East "H" Street is dangerous because there is nothing to stop or slow drivers down. People use Buena Vista Way as a short cut from Telegraph Canyon Road to East "H" Street particularly College students. . . . August 8, 1991 Minutes Page 4 Commissioner Matacia confirmed with staff that the survey was done in July when school was closed. Mr. Rivera confirmed this and indicated why he estimated the pedestrian volume high at over 51-100. Normally during the school year, there are not 50 pedestrians but he accounted for additional traffic. Pedestrian counts were not conducted. Mr. Matacia moved that the Engineers reconduct their study after school is open. Koester Second. MSUC 5-0. Mr. Thomas informed the audience that staff will conduct another study and come back before the Safety Commission in October. Area residents will be notified . 7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 8. STAFF REPORTS A) STATUS REPORT ON SHELL GAS STATION CAR WASH PROJECT- Mr. Rivera has been in contact with the engineer who is working on the car wash project. The plans are complete for street reconstruction and is now being bid. A start date has not been set. Mr. Thomas was under the impression that the street plans were already approved by the City Council. Initially, Shell was told it would only have to repair one half of the street. Mr. Rivera indicated that it was approved by City Council that they design for both sides of the street. Now the design has been completed, Shell will be going out to bid for the contractor will do the entire street width. Mr. Thomas asked why the City would not act as the contractor and do the project. Mr. Rivera stated that it is more advantageous to the City to have this project done by another company and have the City administer inspection. Mr. Matacia asked if anything has been said about the removal of the water from the car wash. Mr. Rivera said that the street project was scheduled to go ahead but it was understood that if the water continued to be a problem on the sidewalk and street, then Shell would be committed to replacing their car wash equipment. It was left up to Shell to reduce the amount of water coming out of the car wash, but the first priority was to get the street reconstructed. Mr. Matacia said the final rinse of the car wash is no longer applied and therefore the amount of water has been reduced but felt that water will still be carried out to the street. B) TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING AT THE INTERSECTION EAST "L" AND CUY AMACA AVENUE A report was distributed to Commission with no further comment from staff. C) BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES HANDBOOK - A copy of a memo from the City Clerk's Office was distributed to the commissioners announcing an upcoming B/C/C workshop. A formal invitation will be mailed by the Clerk in mid August. . . . August 8, 1991 Minutes Page 5 D) 1991-92 CIP STATUS REPORT Mr. Chidester inquired that #7 indicates the City has completed the timing plans for traffic signals. Mr. Rivera indicated that minor adjustments are being made to signal timing. The optimum timing for all city traffic signals has been implemented. E) CHULA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC SUMMARY FOR JUNE 1991 No comments. Mr. Thomas recalled Item #4 a letter from Councilman Len Moore regarding enhancing government/young people relationships. Mr. Thomas felt the Commission should put together a program/event with Safety Patrol and the Safety Commission. One of Mr. Thomas's ideas for the program was to devise a way for all parents to receive the Safe Route to School maps. It has been discovered on several occassions that parents, principals, or students do not receive the maps. Mr. Thomas asked commissioners and staff for ideas on what type of program could be put together. Commissioner Padilla would like to involve the children and let them know the Commission looks at problems of safety. This would hopefully open the lines of communication and get input from the children themselves. Mr. Padilla asked about setting up a "brainstorming" workshop with the commissioners but not necessarily staff. Mr. Matacia stated he felt staff should be involved to provide experience. His suggestion was that staff provide some ideas to the commission and then the commissioners would get together and brainstorm. Sgt. Schaefer stated that the School Safety Patrol program has a good reputation around the County. Sgt. Schaefer said he would be glad to bring some of the officers who administer the program and well as some students to an upcoming meeting and make a presentation to the Safety Commission. Mr. Matacia moved that staff bring the Commission up to date on safety issues that are being done or issues not being done that should be done and inform the Commission regarding them and include School Safety Patrol and Youth Commission. Koester second. MSUC 5-0. 10. RECESS TO REGULAR MONTHLY WORKSHOP SESSION Not necessary. 11. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Koester moved for adjournment, Thomas second. MSUC 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. to next regularly scheduled meeting on September 12, 1991. ,~~~ / Shirley uxton, Recording Secretary SB:SAFETY /8-8-91.MlN 091691