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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-13 SC MINUTES.f 4 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION November 13, 2003 Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call: Present: Chair White; Commissioners Acton, Lopez, Perrett, and Willett Absent: Commissioner Gove Also present: Majed AI-Ghafry, Civil Engineer; Police Officer Melissa Cummings, and Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary MSC (Acton/Lopez) to excuse the absence of Commissioner Gove (5-0-1, Gove absent) 2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Praver 3. Opening Statement Opening statement read by Chair White. 4. Approval of Minutes for September 11, 2003 MSC (ActonfWillett) to approve the minutes of September 11, 2003 as submitted. (5-0-1, Gove absent) MEETING AGENDA 5. Oral Communications None. 6. Safety Presentation by Police Officer Cummings Police Officer Cummings, coordinator of the City's Traffic Safety Grant, showed two presentations that are given to local high school students in an attempt to get them to slow down, stop speeding and racing, as well as addressing the drinking and driving issue. The first presentation addressed the speeding and racing problem; and the second drinking and driving. The speeding and racing presentation starts off with a video, discussion about the laws, and then real-life scenarios. The drinking and driving presentation starts off with the students participating in an obstacle course, using the "fatal vision" goggles which simulate being under the influence; discussion about the laws, then a video. Chair White stated that these presentations would also be beneficial to the Southwestern College students. 7. Report on decreasing the existing speed limit on "E" Street between Fourth Avenue and East Flower Street/Bonita Road Based on the provisions of California Vehicle Code Sections 22358 and 40802 and pursuant to authority under Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 10.48.020, the City Engineer has determined that the speed limit on "E" Street between Fourth Avenue and East Flower Street/Bonita Road be decreased from the existing 35 mph speed limit (30 mph between Second Ave. and First Avenue) to 30 mph. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that 4 calls were received, 3 in favor of decreasing the existing speed limit and 1 against. • Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to decrease the existing speed limit on "E" Street between Fourth Avenue and East Flower Street/Bonita Road to 30 mph, and Safety Commission Minutes November 13, 2003 Page 2 that Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be revised to include this speed reduction. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Willett stated that the report neglected to mention that "E" Street is one of the major thoroughfares and an accident study was not cited. He added that the accident rate is declining and the number of miles being traveled in the City is increasing. He stated he was not in favor of decreasing the existing speed limit. He felt it would not increase safety. Commissioner Lopez asked staff to give a brief history on issues in this immediate area. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that about 1-1/2 yrs. ago, an item came before the Commission on turning movements from Corte Maria onto "E" Street. Staff recommended and the Commission concurred to prohibit left -turn movements out of Corte Maria. Also staff was to look into reducing the speed limit on "E" Street in the vicinity of Corte Maria. Some of the Commissioners recommended a flashing beacon and installation of rumble strips. Both the flashing beacon and rumble strips were not feasible at that time. This item is before Commission because the speed survey has expired. Staff conducted another speed survey and the 85th percentile was below 35 mph: A natural progression would be to establish a speed limit that is at or below the 85th percentile in 5 mph increments. Both Commissioners Lopez and Acton stated that they agreed with the 30 mph westbound. Commissioner Perrett stated he was in favor of staffs recommendation. Chair White introduced John Liken, former Safety Commissioner and Chairperson. He also introduced his wife who is observing tonights meeting. He recalled the Corte Maria item when it came before the Commission 1-1/2 yrs. ago. There were a number of residents at the meeting who were very concerned about speeding and difficulty in making turns. One solution from staff was to reduce the speed and Chair White was in favor of this. MSC (White/Acton) to concur with staffs recommendation to decrease the existing speed limit on "E" Street between Fourth Avenue and East Flower Street/Bonita Road to 30 mph, and that Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be revised to include this speed reduction. (4-1-1, Willett voting • no, Gove absent) 8. Report on decreasing the existing speed limit on "E" Street between Bay Blvd. and Fourth Avenue Based on the provisions of California Vehicle Code Sections 22358 and 40802 and pursuant to authority under Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 10.48.020, the City Engineer has determined that the speed limit on "E" Street between Bay Blvd. and Fourth Avenue be decreased from the existing 35 mph speed limit to 30 mph. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that 4 calls were received in favor of the speed limit reduction. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to decrease the existing speed limit on "E" Street between Bay Blvd. and Fourth Avenue to 30 mph, and that Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be revised to include this speed reduction. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Willett stated that no accidents were reported in the staff report and that he opposes staff recommendation. Commissioner Perrett stated he was in favor of staffs recommendation. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated as speed surveys are being re -studied, if an item warrants a reduction or increase, it will be forwarded to the Safety Commission. He stated the California Traffic Manual and the California Vehicle Code support that a speed limit should be set at or below the 85th percentile unless there are overriding conditions. Commissioner Willett stated the speed surveys should be done at peak times. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that when speed surveys are done, 'free flow" speeds are used, not peak times. So the studies are done at 10:00 am or 2:00 pm when there are no outside influences (congestion or police presence). If peak times are taken into account, the speeds are lower and are usually impractical. Commissioner Lopez asked for clarification on the recommendation to decrease the speed limit. Mr. AI- Ghafry explained that there are overriding conditions: this segment has the backside of Feaster Elementary School; it is in a business district -type area; there are a significant amount of driveways and pedestrian activity; it terminates at a trolley station; there is mixed use -of residence/business. Business districts have a 25 mph limit. Since this segment comes off a freeway, it is not practical to set it up as a 25 mph limit. Looking at the 85th percentile (30-31 mph) and the overriding conditions, the recommendation of 30 mph was obtained. Safety Commission Minutes November 13, 2003 Page 3 MSC (Acton/Perrett) to concur with staffs recommendation to decrease the existing speed limit on "E" Street between Bay Blvd. and Fourth Avenue to 30 mph, and that Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be revised to include this speed reduction. (4-1-1, Willett voting no, Gove absent) 9. Traffic Accident Summary - August 2003 and September 2003 Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that there are 4 fatalities compared to 13 fatalities last year at this same time. Commissioner Willett stated that the number of vehicles in the City is increasing and if the figures were shown in a graph, the results would be more meaningful. 10. Action Summary Update/Staff Comments Commissioner Perrett asked what segment of construction on Olympic Parkway is taking place. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated there is pavement failure in a couple of areas. When that is repaired, the 50 mph signs will be installed. 11. Staff Comments None. 12. Commissioner Comments Commissioners Acton and Perrett stated they would be not be able to attend the December 11th meeting. MSC (Acton/Lopez) to cancel the meeting of December 11, 2003, and schedule the next regular meeting for January 8, 2004. (5-0-1, Gove absent) Commissioner Lopez commended Chair White on chairing his first meeting. • Chair White asked if there have been any public requests received in the last 60 days. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that staff is working on new procedures for stop sign requests. He stated that when requests are made, staff will meet with the property owner first and look at the request quickly from an engineering standpoint for viability to be brought before the Safety Commission. A response letter will then be sent to the property owner with copies sent to the Safety Commission. He added that the Traffic Section is understaffed and has a heavy workload which makes it difficult to schedule more than 2 traffic studies per meeting. Commissioner Lopez asked if only 2 items are on the agenda, perhaps meetings should take place every other month. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that he would look at that option, but would need to check with the City Clerk and City Attorney's office. ADJOURNMENT AT 7:30 P.M. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of January 8, 2004. J AEng ineer\SAFETY\111303_M I N.doc 0 Respectfully submitted, Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary