Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-08 SC MINUTES MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING • OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION March 8,2001 Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call: Present: Chair Gove;Commissioners Acton,Cochrane, Liken,Lopez,and McAlister Absent: Commissioner White Also present: Majed AI-Ghafry,Civil Engineer;Jeff Moneda,Assistant Civil Engineer;Sgt. Bryan Treul; and Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary Meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. MSC (Gove/Acton)to excuse absence of Commissioner White. (6-0-1 White absent) MSC (Gove/McAlister)to excuse absence of Commissioner Acton for meeting of 2/8/01. (5-0-1-1 White absent,Acton abstain) 2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Prayer 3. Opening Statement. Opening statement read by Chair Gove. 4. Approval of Minutes -February 8,2001 MSC(Liken/Cochrane)to accept minutes of February 8,2001 as submitted. (5-0-1-1 White absent, Acton abstain) 5. Oral Communications None MEETING AGENDA ITEM NO. 8 WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER DUE TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY. 8. Report on all-way stop control request at the intersection of East Palomar Street and Nolan Avenue Mr.AI-Ghafry presented staff report. Mr. Moneda conducted slide presentation. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission accept the report and consider staffs recommendation to install an all-way stop control at the intersection of East Palomar Street and Nolan avenue, based on the intersection receiving 59 points of a possible 100 points,where 45 points are needed to justify the installation of an all-way stop control. Public hearing opened. U Safety Commission Minutes March 8,2001 Page 2 The following persons spoke in favor of staffs recommendation: 1. Jeannette A. Dawkins, 320 East Palomar Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911 2. W. F. McBride, 336 East Palomar Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911 3. Eldon Sedlacek, 1295 Pecan Place, Chula Vista, 91911 4. Andrew Griffin, 1293 Nolan Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911 5. Roxanne Hernandez, 319 East Palomar Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911 Public hearing closed. Commission Discussion: Chair Gove asked the audience about if persons from the Starlight Center were still using the Nolan Avenue crosswalk. It was stated they were still using that crosswalk everyday and also cross East Palomar on the west side of the intersection where there is no crosswalk. Commissioner Liken asked if notification signs were posted in the area. Mr.AI-Ghafry stated that signs were posted 2-1/2 weeks prior to tonight's meeting. The School District, School Principal and residents of the area were notified of tonight's meeting. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that it was the consensus-of the residents in the vicinity of the intersection that an all-way stop was needed. Commissioner Acton asked if there was an adult crossing guard assigned to that intersection. It was stated from the audience that there are no adult crossing guards and no school safety patrol. Sgt.Treul will look into adult crossing guards and school safety patrol at this intersection. Commissioner Cochrane asked if speeding occurred at a predominant time of the day. He suggested that motorcycle police officers be stationed at the stop signs. It was stated from the audience that speeding occurs at all times of day. Mr.AI-Ghafry clarified the speed study that was done for this intersection. Commissioner Liken stated that this intersection came before the Safety Commission about a year ago. He stated that the sight distance is not adequate for the posted speed limit of 30 mph and recommends installation of the all-way stop. Commissioner Cochrane stated that based on staff study and the slide show presented it was obvious that the sight distance at this intersection is drastically restricted and for pedestrian safety he was in favor of the all-way stop control. Commissioner Lopez stated that he was in favor of the all-stop control and also felt that there should be safety patrol at that in Commissioner McAlister thanked the community for coming and was also in favor of the all-way stop control. MSC (Liken/Lopez) to accept staff report and install an.alkway stop control at the intersection of East Palomar Street and Nolan Avenue. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that based on public testimony, "Stop Ahead"signs with legends will be placed at both approaches to the intersection. 6. Resolution on the proposed revisions to the existing All-Way Stop Policy to City Council for Approval Chair Gove stated that the resolution adopting a Revised City Council Policy,Number 478-03,Titled"All-Way Stop"was approved by City Council on March 6, 2001. 7. Report for an all-way stop at Albany Avenue/Montgomery Street Mr.AI-Ghafry presented staff report. Mr. Moneda conducted slide presentation. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission accept the report and consider staffs recommendation to install an all-way stop control at the intersection of Albany Avenue and Montgomery Street based on the intersection receiving 45 points of a possible 100 points,where 45 points are needed to justify the installation of an all-way stop control. • Commission Discussion: Commissioner Liken stated that this is a T intersection with a school lot driveway being extensively used. He asked how would staff propose handling the vehicular traffic coming out of the private driveway into the controlled intersection. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that the School District and School a� Safety Commission Minutes March 8,2001 Page 3 Principal have been notified. Because of the unique situation of this intersection,permission would be needed from the School District and the School Principal for a stop sign to be installed at that driveway. Staff has not received any comment from the School District,the School Principal,or the public. Commissioner McAlister asked if there was a safety patrol at this intersection. Chair Gove stated that the school was K thru 3,so there would be no safety patrol. Commissioner McAlister stated he was in favor of the all-way stop control due to unusual circumstances. Commissioner Cochrane asked if the City could control the driveway(City right-of- way)without the School District's permission. Mr.AI-Ghafry stated that it was protocol. If the all-way stop is approved,the City would meet with the School District and inform them of the advantages of the all-way stop control. Commissioner McAlister asked if temporary stops could be installed. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that temporary stops have not been installed in the past. He stated that temporary stops are subject to vandalism, removal by the public,and it could be a liability issue. Chair Gove was concerned about no response from the School District. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that the reports were hand delivered to the School District (District Superintendent) and both School Principals on Friday afternoon (3/2/01). Mr. Moneda stated that the secretaries of both School Principals called him about the items. He explained the items were going before the Safety Commission and the principals were welcome to attend the meeting to voice any concerns. Commissioner Acton stated that Cindy'Miller served as a Safety Commissioner and if she had any objection, would have voiced her concerns. Commissioner Liken stated that this stop sign is needed but had concerns with the layout of the intersection. He stated that the parking lot could be reconfigured. He suggested installing the signs then revisit the item in 30-60 days with a follow-up report from staff with a letter to the School District, at that time, to attend the scheduled meeting. Commissioner Lopez concurred with Commissioner Liken but stated that there were too many unanswered questions. He asked if there were any other intersections like this in the City. Sgt.Treul stated yes at Rohr Elementary School. He stated that Rohr Elementary reconfigured their parking lot. He stated that in past experiences with the School District,they are very receptive to City's recommendations. Chair Gove had concerns with the City installing the stop signs on • School District property. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that there are two approaches: 1) the City could install stop signs on Albany for southbound and northbound traffic and ask the School District to reconfigure their parking lot, or 2) ask the School District to install the stop signs at the intersection. Chair Gove stated that she wholeheartedly supports this all-way stop control. She stated that red curbing is needed on Albany on the south side of Tremont. Commissioner Cochrane stated that there could be potential problem if a stop sign is not installed at the school driveway. He stated that a stop sign could be installed at the driveway because of City right-of-way. Commissioner McAlister stated that"Stop"legends are painted at the exits within new and remodeled school I parking lots and•he believed that the stop sign would not be a hindrance for the School. MSC(Liken/Acton)to accept staff report and recommendation to install an all-way stop control at all legs of the intersection of Albany Avenue and Montgomery Street including the exit from the school property. (6-0-1 White absent) 9. Action Summary Update/Staff Comments Action Summary Update accepted into record. No staff comments. 10. Traffic Accident Summary—January 2001 No additional comments. Safety Commission Minutes • March 8, 2001 Page 4 11. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Acton requested that staff investigate the traffic problems at the"C"Street/Third Avenue area (adjacent to the DMV). Discussion ensued regarding some possible solutions. ADJOURNMENT-AT 7:55 P.M.to the next regularly scheduled meeting of April 12, 2001. Respectfully submitted, Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary H:ViOMEAENGINEER\SAFETY\030801 MIN.doc H