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Home My WebLink About2004-09-09 SC MINUTESMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION September 9, 2004 Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Roll Call: Present: Chair White; Commissioners AI-Ghafry, Gove, Lopez, Perrett, Rosario (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Willitt Absent: None. Also present: Jim Newton, Civil Engineer; Police Sgt. Arsenault; and Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary 2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Praver 3. Opening Statement Opening statement read by Chair White. 4. Approval of Minutes for November 13, 2003, May 13, 2004, and August 12, 2004 MSC (Perrett/Lopez) to approve the minutes of November 13, 2003 as submitted. (4-0-1-2, Rosario absent, toAI-Ghafry/Gove abstain) MSC (Willett/Lopez) to approve the minutes of May 13, 2004 as submitted. (4-0-1-2, Rosario absent, AI- Ghafry/White abstain) MSC (Perrett/Lopez) to approve the minutes of August 12, 2004 as submitted. (4-0-1-2, Rosario absent, AI- Ghafry/White abstain) MEETING AGENDA 6. Oral Communications Bill Adsit, 871 Verin Lane, Chula Vista, CA, asked if the timing of traffic signals was going to be adjusted to the new State regulations. Senior Civil Engineer Nuhaily responded that yes the City's signals comply with the new criteria in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Item 7 was taken out of order. 7. Report on Vacatina an Easement for the Partial Pedestrian Path Located Between 624 and 626 Mariposa Circle It was brought to City staffs attention that a pedestrian path located between 624 and 626 Mariposa Circle was subject to constant vandalism and for the past few years, has been closed off by the adjoining property owner. In addition, since this pedestrian path has not been granted across the adjoining church's property to the south, there was a greater concern about the pedestrian path's impact on the safety of the children attending the Covenant Christian School and the Greg Rogers School. Sr. Civil Engineer NUhaily showed a Powerpoint presentation. He stated that staff has received two letters. The first letter received back in April requesting the closure of the pedestrian path and the second letter from the resident of 624 Mariposa supporting staffs recommendation to vacate the easement. He also stated that Safety Commission Minutes September 9. 2004 Page 2 the property owner of 624 Mariposa agrees with staffs recommendation. He clarified the City will not expend any funds to remove the wall on the property. This will be done by the property owner. He also clarified that if the Commission votes to accept staff recommendation, the easement will revert to the property owner of 624 Mariposa. Staff Recommendation: To vacate the 6 -foot wide pedestrian easement between 624 and 626 Mariposa Circle. Public hearing opened. The following persons spoke in favor of staffs recommendation 1. Ms. Joann Bonner, 626 Mariposa Circle, Chula Vista, CA 2. Chuck Teaman, 517 Kiley Road, Chula Vista, CA (representing Covenant Christian School) 3. Bill Adsit, 871 Verin Lane, Chula Vista, CA (representing Bayview Orthodox Presbyterian Church) Mr. Adsit submitted photos showing vandalism at the church. Public hearing closed. Commission Discussion: Commissioner AI-Ghafry asked if the property owner of 624 Mariposa has agreed to the vacation proceedings and if so, are there timelines/conditions they must meet. Mr. Nuhaily stated that the letter they received from the property owner was from out-of-state. They expressed support for staffs recommendation. He clarified that the easement will revert to the property owner and what happens after that is up to the property owner. Commissioner AI-Ghafry asked as part of the vacation proceedings, a requirement be included that the property owner close off the frontage of the easement. Mr. Nuhaily stated that would be taken into account. Both Commissioners Perrett and Lopez agreed with Commissioner Ak Ghafry's suggestion. Commissioners Willett and Perrett stated they supported staff recommendation with Commissioner Perrett expressing concern about the closure of the front and back entrances. Chair White clarified that if the easement is vacated all improvements will be borne by the property owner. Mr. Nuhaily stated that the suggestion to make the property improvement a condition of the easement vacation would be researched and if possible, included in the vacation proceedings. He again clarified that the City will not be responsible financially for any physical changes on that property. MSUC (Gove/AI-Ghafry) to vacate the 6 -foot wide pedestrian easement between 624 and 626 Mariposa Circle and to include closing off the front entrance on Mariposa and the back entrance adjacent to the church property. (7-0) 6. Establishing a 40 mph speed limit on Heritage Road from Telegraph Canyon Road to Olympic Parkway Based on provisions of the California Vehicle Code and pursuant to authority under the Chula Vista Municipal Code, the City Engineer has determined that a 40 mph speed limit be established on Heritage Road from Telegraph Canyon Road to Olympic Parkway. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to establish this speed limit. There were no public comments. MSUC (Willitt/AI-Ghafry) to concur with staff recommendation. (7-0) 0 Safety Commission Minutes September 9. 2004 Page 3 8. Establishing a 45 mph speed limit on La Media Road from Telegraph Canyon Road to Olympic Parkway Based on provisions of the California Vehicle Code and pursuant to authority under the Chula Vista Municipal Code, the City Engineer has determined that a 45 mph speed limit be established on La Media Road from Telegraph Canyon Road to Olympic Parkway. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to establish this speed limit. There were no public comments. MSUC (Gove/Rosario) to concur with staff recommendation. (7-0) 9. Establishing a 35 mph speed limit on Paseo Ladera from Telegraph Canyon Road to East Palomar Street Based on provisions"of the California Vehicle Code and pursuant to authority under the Chula Vista Municipal Code, the City Engineer has determined that a 35 mph speed limit be established on Paseo Ladera from Telegraph Canyon Road to East Palomar Street. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to establish this speed limit. a There were no public comments. • MSUC (Perrett/Gove) to concur`With staff recommendation. (7-0) 10. Traffic Accident Summary -July 2004 Commissioner Willett asked that a comparison of accidents per number of vehicles be used. Sgt. Arsenault stated they would look into getting those stats from the DMV. 11. Action Summary Update/Staff Comments Commissioner Gove asked about "E" Street/Corte Maria. Senior Civil Engineer Nuhaily stated it has not been forgotten. He stated staff tried to include it in this year's CIP, but was unsuccessful and would be trying again for the next fiscal year. 12. Staff Comments Senior Civil Engineer Nuhaily announced an upcoming Traffic Engineering Workshop for Public Officials and encouraged the Commissioners to attend. Chair White stated he and Commissioner Perrett have attended this workshop and highly recommended others to attend. 13. Commissioner Comments Commissioner AI-Ghafry asked that after staff has reviewed the new MUTCD manuals and addendums, they the results should be brought back to the Safety Commission during a training workshop. Commissioner Rosario apologized for arriving late. He asked Sgt. Arsenault if there was any information on the City using the red light cameras. Sgt. Arsenault responded that a study has been recently completed and may be brought to Council at some future date. Commissioner Lopez asked about the amount of red curbs and fire hydrants. Sgt. Arsenault stated that the law is 15 ft. either side of the hydrant is a "no parking" zone, but the City is not required to paint the curb red. Safety Commission Minutes September 9, 2004 Page 4 Commissioner AI-Ghafry thanked Chair White for attending the Council meeting with Mr. AI-Ghafry "swearing in" ceremony and looks forward to working the Commission this upcoming year. Chair White thanked staff for installation of a traffic light at Paseo Ladera. He also stated he would not be attending the October meeting (he will be on vacation). ADJOURNMENT AT 7:00 P.M. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of October 14, 2004. J:\engineer\safety\091604—MIN.doc :7 1-0 Respectfully submitted, Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary