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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-14 SC MINUTESMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION November 14, 2002 Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. Roll Call: Present: • Chair McAlister; Vice Chair Acton, Gove, Lopez, Perrett, and White Absent: Commissioner Willett Also present: Ralph Leyva Majed AI-Ghafry, Civil Engineer; Patrick Moneda, Assistant Civil Engineer; Sgt. Scott Arsenault; and Dolly Hicks, Recording Secretary 2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Prayer 3. Opening Statement Opening statement read by Chair McAlister. 4. Approval of Minutes for August 8, 2002 MSC (McAlister/Acton) to approve minutes of August 8, 2002 as corrected (4-0-1-2, Willett absent, Gove & Lopez abstain). Vice Chair Acton stated that minutes have been behind schedule and requested that all minutes be brought up to date. MEETING AGENDA 5. Oral Communications Rudy Ramirez, 372 Quintard Street, stated 3 weeks ago there was a fatality in front of his house (across South Chula Vista Library). He requested the area in front of his house be investigated for possible mitigation (traffic light, signing). Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that staff will follow up on this request and has already done some striping/signing modifications and will look at safety measures for pedestrians. Mr. Leyva stated that the accident is still under investigation. Sgt. Arsenault stated it appears that the vehicle that struck the pedestrian was engaged in a "quasi -race" with a second vehicle that left the scene. The pedestrian was crossing in violation of the Vehicle Code. 6. Report on request for an All -Way Stop at the intersection of Naples Street and First Avenue/Moss Street Recently, staff was contacted by area residents regarding traffic issues at the intersection of Naples Street and First Avenue/Moss Street. Those residents stated that they use this intersection on a daily basis, and each resident has been involved in several "near -hits" while attempting to enter the intersection from both Moss Street and First Avenue. The residents requested that all -way stop control be installed to improve intersection safety by assigning proper right-of-way at the subject intersection, and by controlling the speed of motorists traveling through the subject intersection on Naples Street. Safety Commission Minutes November 14, 2002 Page 2 Mr. AI-Ghafry showed the Powerpoint Presentation. He stated that 8 calls were received, 4 in favor and 4 against the all -way stop. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staff's recommendation to install All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Naples Street and Moss Street/First Avenue based on the intersection receiving a total of 67 points out of a possible 100 points, where 45 minimum points are required to justify the installation of all -way stop control. Commission Discussion: Commissioner White and Perrett stated they concurred with staffs recommendation. Chair McAlister asked if there were either short or long term improvements for this neighborhood. Mr. Leyva stated that as a short-term solution, staff considered making Moss one-way in the northwesterly direction which would create a right-angle intersection. Further study needs to be done. As a long-term solution, the triangular parcel in the middle, which is private property, could be developed/landscaped. MSC (Acton/Gove) to concur with staff's recommendation to install All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Naples Street and Moss Street/First Avenue. (6-0-1, Willett absent) 7. Report on request for All -Way Stop installation within Apache Drive in the vicinity of the Charter Point Development. Staff received a letter from Jim Cauley, Community Association Manager of Property Management Associates, regarding the excessive speeds of motorists traveling on Apache Drive between Otay Lakes Road and Telegraph Canyon Road. Mr. Cauley requested that all -way stop controls be installed along Apache Drive as a traffic calming measure to help control the speed of motorists along Apache Drive. Mr. AI-Ghafry showed the Powerpoint Presentation. He stated 5 calls were received, 2 in favor and 3 against the all way stop. He stated that staff also considered the possibility of placing traffic calming measures on Apache Drive (main section). The City would need to work with the homeowners to proceed with an assessment district. The other option would be to vacate the street and have it go back to the homeowners. Staff Recommendation:. That the Safety Commission concur with staff's recommendation to deny the installation of All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Apache Drive and Apache Drive 1502-1528 Even/1515-1533 Odd (private) since the intersection received a total of 16 points of a possible 100 points, where 45 minimum points are required to justify the installation of all -way stop control. Public hearing opened. The following person spoke in favor of staff recommendation: 1. Laura Paulus, 1524-A Apache Drive, Chula Vista The following person spoke in opposition to staff recommendation: 1. Carlos Carreon, 1533-A Apache Drive, Chula Vista Public hearing closed. L� 10 Safety Commission Minutes November 14, 2002 Page 3 Commission Discussion: Commissioner White stated he concurred with staff recommendation and was concerned with sight distance. He felt that the City should work with the Homeowner's Association on the sight distance problems and traffic calming measures. Commissioner Acton asked about police enforcement in this area. Sgt. Arsenault stated that enforcement is done all over the eastern portion of the City with the majority of the enforcement occurring on the collector streets. He stated that moving violations have increased 56% in the last year. Chair McAlister stated this street is used as a shortcut by the college students and requested additional police presence in this area. He also supported staffs recommendation. MSC (Lopez/Acton) to concur with staff's recommendation to deny the installation of All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Apache Drive and Apache Drive 1502-1528 Even/1515-1533 Odd (private). (6-0-1, Willett absent) 8. Status Report on Traffic Issues on Surrey Drive As a follow-up to the report sent to the Safety Commission on the meeting of August 8, 2002, staff prepared a status report to summarize the improvements done on Surrey Drive, and to notify the Safety Commission of future improvements being requested by the residents of Surrey Drive. Mr. AI-Ghafry showed the Powerpoint Presentation. Measures such as raised asphalt chicanes and rumble strips are not feasible at the present time due to budget constraints and may require that an Assessment District be created among the residents to finance the improvements. If there is a significant interest in such process, a petition will be circulated among the property owners to determine sufficient interest in the establishment of an Assessment District. To create the Assessment District, at least 60% of the property owners must be willing to fund their share of the Assessment District costs. Since the neighborhood meeting, 25 mph has been painted on the street. There will be further discussion among residents regarding the location of an all -way stop at Mustang Place or adjacent intersections, and additional traffic safety improvement measures. Staff Recommendation:. That the Safety Commission accept status report and provide a public forum so that residents of Surrey Drive can work with staff to provide additional traffic safety improvement measures. Public hearing opened. The following persons spoke: 1. Patricia Aguilar, 1048 Surrey Drive, Bonita 2. Matt Mitchell, 256 Surrey Drive, Bonita 3. Fernando Padilla, 1002 Surrey Drive, Bonita 4. John Connors, 309 Mustang Place, Bonita 5. Roberto Solorzano, 301 Bronco Place, Bonita 6. Frank H. Orbach, 252 Surrey Drive, Bonita Public hearing closed. Commission Discussion: Commissioner White asked if the Smart Unit has been used in this area. Sgt. Arsenault stated yes, on two occasions. According to the Smart Unit survey data, the first time the average speed was 23 mph; the second time, the average speed was 25 mph. He stated the majority of people are obeying the speed limit. He stated more needs to be done to educate the residents about the speeding problems. Chair McAlister thanked all the residents who attended tonight's meeting. He stated there is no simple solution. The efforts of the residents input and working with staff is valuable in going forward. Chair McAlister asked how the community meetings are arranged. Mr. Leyva stated they are called by the • community. 9. Action Summary Update/Staff Comments • • 0 Safety Commission Minutes November 14, 2002 Page 4 Chair McAlister thanked staff for installing the stop light at Eastlake High School. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated staff is also working with the Eastlake High School administrators on improving the on-site circulation. 10. Traffic Accident Summary — August 2002, September 2002 Sgt. Arsenault stated there was an overall decrease in August and September. He stated there was a clerical coding error on the reports, so the data from 2001 and 2002 are flawed. The reports are being reviewed and corrected. The correct information will be forthcoming. 11. Staff Comments Mr. Leyva reported on the Sheffield item that went before Council on November 12'h. Council referred the matter back to staff (to include Attorney's office, Planning Dept. and Engineering Dept.) and the condo association Board of Directors to come up with a satisfactory solution. Commissioner Gove asked if the condo association will be changing their CC&R's. Mr. Leyva stated there were two speakers at the Council meeting who said that could be done. Mr. Leyva commented on a letter submitted by Commissioner White regarding Olympic Parkway. He stated that the project to widen the bridge on Olympic Parkway from 1-805 to Oleander and upgrade the traffic signal at Oleander/Olympic Parkway may start next spring. Mr. Leyva stated the next meeting for December will be a workshop session at Mr. Leyva's residence. He stated tonight is his last Safety Commission meeting. He will be retiring from City service on December 30tH 12. Commissioner Comments Chair McAlister thanked Mr. Leyva for his commitment to the Safety Commission. He stated he would like to organize a "going away' event for Ralph Leyva. Commissioner White asked if Mr. Leyva will be residing in Chula Vista after his retirement. Mr. Leyva stated he will be residing in Chula Vista. Commissioner Acton asked if Surrey Drive was in the County atone time. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that is correct. Surrey Drive was annexed into the City at a later time. Commissioner Lopez questioned Sgt. Arsenault regarding phone calls to the Police Department. Commissioner Perrett asked when the traffic signal will be activated on Heritage Road. Mr. Leyva responded they may be activated next week. Chair McAlister thanked Ms. Hicks for filling in as Recording Secretary. He thanked John Liken for his years of service to the Safety Commission and is looking forward to working with new Commissioner John Willett. ADJOURNMENT AT 7:50 P.M. to a workshop session scheduled for December 12, 2002. J.\EngineerlSAFETY1101002_M IN.doc Respectfully submitted, Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary