HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-09 SC MINUTES-"' MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION
March 9, 2006 Community Room
6.00 p.m. Chula Vista Police Department Headquarters
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call:
Present: Chair White; Commissioner Perrett
Absent: Commissioners Gove, Rosario and Willett
Late: Vice -Chair AI-Ghafry; Commissioner Lopez
Also present: Principal Civil Engineer, Frank Rivera
Senior Civil Engineer, Lombardo DeTrinidad
Recording Secretary, Lindsey Walters
2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Prayer
3. Opening Statement
Opening statement read by Chair White.
4. Approval of Minutes for January 12, 2006.
• Forgone, as there was not a full quorum relevant to approval of the minutes.
MEETING AGENDA
5. Oral Communications
None.
6. Report on Request for an All -way Stop at the intersection of Rutgers Avenue and Ithaca Street
Brief presentation given by Senior Civil Engineer DeTrinidad. On October 13, 2005, the Safety Commission
approved staff recommendation to increase the existing posted speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East
H Street and Otay Lakes Road from 25 mph to 35 mph. Recently, the City received a petition signed by forty-
eight residents requesting the installation of all -way stop traffic controls at the following intersections: (1)
Rutgers Avenue & Ithaca Street, and (2) Rutgers Avenue & Citadel Court. They feel that establishing all way
stops at these locations would assist in calming traffic speeds along Rutgers Avenue once the new speed limit
goes into effect. This report presents the results of the all way stop warrants study performed for the Rutgers
Avenue/Ithaca Street intersection. The study for the Rutgers Avenue/Citadel Court intersection is also being
presented tonight in a separate report.
Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concurs with staffs recommendation to:
• Deny the installation of All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Rutgers Street and Ithaca
Street.
• Implement the following intersection enhancements:
1) Apply 17 feet of red curb on the northwesterly curb of the intersection of Ithaca Street
and Rutgers Avenue.
2) Install T" intersection advisory on Rutgers Avenue north & south of Ithaca Street to
advise of Ithaca Street intersection.
• Include Rutgers Avenue within the scope of work of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study
for the Southwestern College Estates Neighborhood currently being conducted by staff as
Safety Commission Minutes
March 3, 2006 Pagg 2 v
directed by the Safety Commission at their January 12, 2006 meeting (a description of this study
is attached to this report).
Public hearing opened. 46
The following person spoke in favor of staffs recommendation:
1) Mike Donnelly, 2005 Port Cardiff
The following persons spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation:
1) Kathleen Sakai, 1836 Ithaca Street
2) Lynn Graves, 1813 Loyola Court
3) Jack Graves, 1813 Loyola Court
Public hearing closed.
Commission Discussion: Vice -Chair AI-Ghafry felt that staffs recommendation was a good one, and voiced
his support. A stop sign may slow speeders, but its actual purpose is to assign right-of-way. Several
commissioners commented that with a speed limit of 25mph, this location becomes a speed trap. Drivers are
traveling nearly 40mph, but the speed limit cannot actually be enforced, unless the limit is brought up to
35mph.
Principal Civil Engineer Rivera shared that every seven years, Traffic Staff has to go out and validate speed
limit signs, if not more frequently. The last time this occurred, staff recommended increasing the speed limit
to 35mph, so that speed limits could be enforced. At this time, it was taken before the City Council, and it was
decided that it would be left at 25mph, with no police enforcement. Chair White inquired as to whether, when
this does go to Council again, if the public will be informed at that time. Principal Civil Engineer Rivera
confirmed that it would, and was also named as the contact person for any further issues on this topic.
MSC (White/Al-Ghafry) to concur with staffs recommendation. (4-0-3) Gove, Rosario, Willett absent.
7. Report on Request for an All -Way Stop at the Intersection of Rutgers Avenue and Citadel Court
Brief presentation given by Senior Civil Engineer DeTrinidad. On October 13, 2005, the Safety Commission
approved staff recommendation to increase the existing posted speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East
H Street and Otay Lakes Road from 25 mph to 35 mph. Recently, the City received a petition signed by forty-
eight residents requesting the installation of all -way stop traffic controls at the following intersections: (1)
Rutgers Avenue & Ithaca Street, and (2) Rutgers Avenue & Citadel Court. They feel that establishing all way
stops at these locations would assist in calming traffic speeds along Rutgers Avenue once the new speed limit
goes into effect. This report presents the results of the all way stop warrants study performed for the Rutgers
Avenue/Citadel Court intersection. The study for the Rutgers Avenue/Ithaca Street intersection is also being
presented tonight in a separate report.
Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concurs with staffs recommendation to:
• Deny the installation of All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Rutgers Street and Citadel
Court.
• Implement the following intersection enhancements:
1) Apply 15 feet of red curb on the northwesterly curb of the intersection of Citadel Court
and Rutgers Avenue.
2) Upgrade the 150 -watt streetlight located at the east side of Rutgers Avenue to 250 waft.
3) Install a downhill speed caution sign north of Citadel Court to advise of approaching
traffic controlled intersection.
• Include Rutgers Avenue within the scope of work of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study
for the Southwestern College Estates Neighborhood currently being conducted by staff as directed
by the Safety Commission at their January 12, 2006 meeting (a description of this study is
attached to this report).
Public hearing opened.
The following persons spoke in favor of staffs recommendation:
•
\_I
Safety Commission Minutes
March 9 2006 Page 3
1) Mike Donnelly, 2005 Port Cardiff
• 2) Michelle Millsaps, 967 Rutgers Avenue
3) Marie Avina, 937 Rutgers Avenue
The following persons spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation:
1) John H. Vaughn, 942 Rutgers Avenue
Public hearing closed.
Commission Discussion: Sgt. Munch elaborated on the concept of speed traps, in that it is illegal for an
officer to enforce at locations where the posted limit does not allow it. Vice -Chair AI-Ghafry assured the
speakers that the Commission is absolutely passionate about the residents and their safety. He frequently
drives these locations, and wanted to reiterate what Commissioner Lopez said, that this street has always
been lacking enforcement. He felt that a major change would come about with traffic calming measures, and
enforcement.
Chair White said it had been his experience in his stay on the Commission, that regardless of how the
Commission votes, an issue is not necessarily dead if the Commission votes against it. Commissioner Perrett
brought up an instance of putting in an all -way stop, where it actually increased the speed.
MSC (White/Lopez) to concur with staffs recommendation. (4-0-3) Gove, Rosario, Willett absent.
8. Report on Request for an All -Way Stop at the Intersection of East J Street and Paseo Del Cerro.
Brief presentation given by Senior Civil Engineer DeTrinidad. Staff received a request from Mr. David Damico
Principal of Casillas Elementary School requesting an all -way stop at Paseo Del Cerro or Camino Miel and
East J Street. Casillas Elementary officials and parents feel that there is a considerable amount of
• pedestrians crossing East J Street near Paseo Del Cerro and East J Street, without proper control. Staff has
conducted a study of the intersection and is forwarding this report to the Safety Commission for
consideration.
Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to:
■ Install All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of East J Street and Paseo Del Cerro.
■ Implement the following intersection enhancements:
o Apply 15 feet of red curb on the southwesterly curb of the intersection of East J Street
and Paseo Del Cerro.
Commissioner Discussion: (Priorto Public Hearing) Commissioner Lopez asked how the red curb would fit
into an all -way stop situation. City Staff responded that the curb being painted red is not legally long enough for
a car to park there anyway, so its a non -issue.
Public hearing opened
The following person(s) spoke in favor of staffs recommendation:
1) Kelly Luna, 1042 Dorado Way (representing Casillas Elementary Safety Group)
2) David Damico, 17252 Cloudcroft Drive, Poway (Principal at Casillas Elementary School)
3) Gary Hayslip, 821 Cederbend Way
4) Alice Coronado, 1052 Via Sinuoso
The following person(s) spoke in opposition to staffs recommendation:
1) Francisco Vargas, 1049 Plaza Capote
Public hearing closed
9L__; Commissioner Discussion: Speaker Alice Coronado asked whether or not a pedestrian walkway would be
included in the work mentioned in the recommendation. Chair White confirmed with City Staff that there is
such a walkway planned.
MSC (WhitelPerrett) to concur with staff recommendation. (4-0-3) Gove, Rosario, Willett absent.
Safety Commission Minutes
March 9, 2006 Page 4
9. Request for prohibition of left and U -Turns at the intersection of East J Street and Carla Avenue.
Brief presentation given by Senior Civil Engineer DeTrinidad. City staff received a request (via telephone) from
Mr. Sid Porch, Assistant Principal expressing his concerns with vehicles making U -Turns and left turns from
East J Street at Carla Avenue after dropping off and/or picking up children in front of Hilltop Middle School.
School officials are concerned that when vehicles make a U -Turn at the subject intersection they often
encroach upon the cross walks at East J Street and Carla Avenue and endanger children crossing those
streets. In addition, eastbound vehicles making quick left turns northbound onto Carla Avenue endanger
children crossing said street. Tonight, the Safety Commission will be considering the findings and
recommendations of the study conducted by staff on this issue. All 35 residences along Carla Avenue from
East J Street to Penelope Drive have been notified of tonight's meeting via a mailed postcard.
Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to:
■ Prohibit the following:
1) U-turns at the intersection East J Street & Carla Avenue, and
2) Left turns off East J Street traffic onto Carla Avenue. These restrictions will be effective
from (7:00 am to 8:00 am) and (1:30 pm to 3:30 pm) on "School Days."
■ Increase police enforcement efforts during peak hours for ensuring compliance with the above
measures.
Public hearing opened.
The following persons spoke in favor of staffs recommendation:
1) Marissa Allen, 642 Carla Avenue
2) Olga Sanchez, 668 Carla Avenue
3) Sidney Porch, 1015 Via Sinuoso (Assistant Principal at Hilltop Middle School)
4) Pamela Beaver, 42 Alvarado Place Adft
Public hearing closed.
Commission Discussion: Commissioner Perrett posed a quick question to City Staff regarding residents
making a turn coming out of Carla, assuming they would be prohibited as well. Principal Civil Engineer Rivera
confirmed that it would prohibit everyone. Vice -Chair AI-Ghafry proposed the idea of a painted median, or
possibly a red curb in order to free up the field of vision for residents making that tum. City Staff is planning to
re-examine the situation on Carla, independent of Hilltop Middle School, as it seems there are problems aside
from school traffic.
MSC (White/Perrett) to concur with staffs recommendation. (4-0-3) Gove, Rosario, Willett absent.
10. Traffic Engineering CIP Proiect Update—February 2006
Foregone until the next scheduled Safety Commission Meeting.
11. Traffic Accident Summary—December 2005
Sgt. Munch attended, but left before he was able to give his presentation. Will be foregone until the following
Safety Commission Meeting.
12. Action Summary Update/Staff Comments
January 12, 2006
Safety Commission concurred with City Staffs recommendation fora 35 mph speed establishment at
Stone Gate Street. This item was recently approved by the City Council in March of this year.
13. Potential Safety Commission Agenda Item to
1. Request for All -Way Stop on East Palomar Street and Raven Avenue.
Safety Commission Minutes
March 9, 2006 Page 5
2. Parking prohibition for bike lanes on Bay Boulevard from G Street to E Street,
OTHER BUSINESS
14. Commissioner Comments: Vice -Chair AI-Ghafry apologized for his interaction with the public, as the
meeting ran so late.
Vice -Chair AI-Ghafry made a quick parting comment, to thank Ms. Walters for her excellent job so far on
the Safety Commission. The rest of the Commission concurred.
ADJOURNMENT AT 8:45 P.M. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of April 13, 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
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Lindsey Walters, Recording Secretary
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