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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/02/22 Item 15CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ~~~ CITY OF ~`~' CHULA VISTA 2/22/11, Item ~~ ITEM TITLE: ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT ON EAST H STREET BETWEEN HILLTOP DRIVE AND THE NORTHBOUND I-805 RAMPS FROM 40 MPH TO 45 MPH AND AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER MAINTAINED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO REFLECT THE REVISED SPEED LIMIT ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT ON EAST ORANGE AVENUE BETWEEN HILLTOP DRIVE AND THE CENTERLINE OF I-805 AND OLYMPIC PARKWAY BETWEEN THE CENTERLINE OF I-805 AND NORTHBOUND I-805 RAMPS FROM 35 MPH TO 40 MPH AND AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER MAINTAINED IN E OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO REFLECT THE RE S D SPEED LIMIT SUBMITTED BY: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERI r ~ REVIEWED BY: CITY MANAGERQ~S~ ASSISTANT CITY"MANAGER ~T 4/STHS VOTE: YES ^ NO SUMMARY Staff has completed an Engineering and Traffic survey for these roadway segments in accordance with the California Vehicle Code, which mandates that a speed survey be completed and updated every seven years for each street with a posted speed limit within the City. Properly justified speed limits allow the Police Department to enforce the posted speed limit. Based on the results of these speed surveys, staff has determined that the speed limits need to change. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 1 (c) categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 [Existing Facilities] of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposal involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. Thus, no further environmental review is necessazy. 15-1 2/22/11, Item CS Page 2 of 6 RECOMMENDATION Council adopt the Ordinances. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Safety Commission, at their meeting of January 5, 2011 took the following actions Motion made by Chair Liken, seconded by Commissioner Cochrane to not concur with staff recommendation and deny the increase to the posted speed limit from 40 mph to 45 mph on East H Street between Hilltop Drive and the Northbound I-805 Ramps. Motion carried 5-0-2; Moriarty and Navarro absent. The Safety Commission did not concur with staff recommendation because the location of this segment of East "H" Street is very hard to enforce. Motion made by Commissioner Cochrane, seconded by Chair Liken to accept staff s recommendation to increase the posted speed limit from 35 mph to 40 mph on Orange Avenue between Hilltop Drive and centerline of I-805 and on Olympic Parkway between the centerline of I-805 and Northbound I-805 Ramps. Motion failed 2-4-1, Cochrane and Liken voting yes; Caudillo, Fuentes, Gove, and Navarro voting no; Moriarty absent. DISCUSSION Staff has completed an Engineering and Traffic survey for a segment of East H Street between Hilltop Drive and the Northbound I-805 Ramps; and for a segment of Orange Avenue between Hilltop Drive and centerline of I-805 and on Olympic Parkway between the centerline of I-805 and Northbound I-805 Ramps in accordance with the California Vehicle Code, which mandates that a speed survey be completed and updated every seven years for each street with a posted speed limit within the City. Properly justified speed limits allow the Police Department the ability to provide speed enforcement detail. An improperly justified speed limit is considered a speed trap and is not enforceable. As described in the California Vehicle Code, the survey shall include: (1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements; (2) Accident records (3) Traffic/roadside conditions not readily appazent to the driver. These roadway characteristics aze then used to help determine an appropriate speed limit. In addition, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2010 MUTCD, Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-04) states that the speed limit shall be established at the neazest 5 mph increment of the 85`h percentile speed. Also, if the 5 mph reduction is applied, the Engineering and Traffic Survey shall document in writing the conditions and justification for the lower speed limit and be approved by a registered Civil or Traffic Engineer. Speed limits established on this basis conform to the consensus of those who drive the street as to what speed is reasonable and safe, and are not dependent on the judgment of one or a few individuals. Speed limits higher than the 85`s percentile speed aze not generally considered 15-2 2/22/11, Item 1 r Page 3 of 6 reasonable and safe while speed limits below the 85"' percentile typically do not facilitate the orderly movement of traffic. Only when roadside development results in traffic conflicts or unusual conditions not readily apparent to drivers may speed limits be further reduced. Note that the prevailing speed data must be collected during the non-peak traffic flow periods so that unimpeded traffic flow data is used. EAST`H'STREET City staff completed a speed survey along a segment of East H Street between Hilltop Drive and the Northbound I-805 Ramps in accordance with the California Vehicle Code. A portion of the roadway on East H Street over I-805 is within the County of San Diego jurisdiction and is shown on the attached location plat. This portion is generally on the north half of the bridge over I-805 on East H Street, from the southbound on ramp and the southbound off ramp to approximately 275 feet east of the northbound ramps east of I-805. Per the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22359, any revision to street posted speed limits where portions thereof are within different jurisdictions, no ordinance adopted under Sections 22357 and 22358 of CVC shall be effective until all authorities having jurisdiction of the portions of the street have approved the same. The County of San Diego is awaiting this approval and adoption from the Chula Vista City Council before taking any action and/or approval. At the Safety Commission meeting of January 5, 2011, the Commission did not concur with staff since they felt that police enforcement of the speed limit is not typically conducted on this segment due to the difficulty finding a location to conduct the enforcement from. The greater issue is not that enforcement is difficult; it is that a proper enforceable speed limit must be provided to the public, regardless of whether or not enforcement is difficult. Other methods such as pacing a subject violator could be implemented in this segment. Staff is of the opinion that based on the facts for this segment, that the posted speed limit needs to be revised to 45 mph on East H Street between Hilltop Drive and the Northbound I-805 Ramps. Physical Conditions The following table describes the existing conditions of different segments along East H Street: Segment Limits East HStreet -Hilltop Dr to the Northbound I-805 ramps Length/Width 3,710 feet (0.70 miles)/vazies from 64' - 92' curb to curb with 6'-14' raised center islands at the I-805 Southbound ram s Classification 4-Lane Ma'or ADT ear 39,754 (2010) Exist. S eed Limit 40 m h 85` % S eed 47 m h Number of Lanes 4 total lanes (2 per direction) except for 290' west of I-805 Southbound on-ram it toms into 5 total lanes (3 Westbound and 2 Eastbound). Striping 4 lanes, drop lane for I-805 south ramp to west bound H Street, left-turn ockets, crosswalks, limit lines, ands eed limit le ends On-Street Parking And Bike Facilities No parking allowed along the entire segment. Bike routes exist on both sides of the roadway. 15-3 2!22/11, Item 1 ~ Page 4 of 6 Residential with only 6 driveways with direct access. Hilltop High Land Use School borders on the south side of H Street but has no direct public access. Horizontal Ali nment Tan ent. A sag vertical curve, located about 1140 feet east of Hilltop Drive, with a Vertical Alignment -2.78% to +4.00% grade change over 450' along the centerline produces a deli seed of 43 m h. The accident rate at this segment is 0.62 (accidents per million vehicle Accident Rateā€¢ miles), which is lower than the rate of 2.25 fox similaz roadways in the Segment /State State of California (2008). Bike and Truck routes exist on both sides of roadway. Sidewalk located only on the south side of the roadway. 6single-family dwellings with direct access are located on the north and south side of the roadway east Special Conditions of Hilltop Drive. Hilltop High School's maintenance access gate is located on East H Street, but it has no direct public access exist. A portion of this segment is within the County of San Diego (generally westbound ap roach). Should the City Council and the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors establish the speed limit on East H Street between Hilltop Drive and Northbound I-805 Ramps be increased from 40 mph to 45mph, Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer shall be amended to reflect the revised speed limit as follows: 10.48.020 Schedule X -Established Speed Limits in Certain Zones -Designated Name of Street Beginning At Ending At Proposed Speed Limit East H Street Hilltop Drive Northbound I-805 Ramps 45 mph EAST ORANGE AVENUE In accordance with the California Vehicle Code, City staff completed a speed survey along a segment of East Orange Avenue and due to a street name change, Olympic Pazkway. The East Orange Avenue segment is between Hilltop Drive and the Centerline of I-805, and the easterly extension at Olympic Parkway is between Centerline of I-805 and the Northbound I-805 Ramps. Physical Conditions The following table describes the existing conditions of different segments along East Orange Avenue: East Orange Avenue -Hilltop Dr to the Centerline of I-805, and; Segment Limits Olympic Pazkway -the Centerline of I-805 to the Northbound I-805 ram s 5,738 feet (1.09 miles)/varies from 82' - 9T curb to curb with 6'-18' Length/R'idth raised median Classification 4-Lane Major 15-4 r,,.. 2/22/11, Item ~`-~ Page 5 of 6 ADT ear 21,496 (2010), Max Avenue to Melrose Avenue Exist. S eed Limit 35 m h 85` % S eed 42 m h 4 total lanes (2 per direction) with alert-turn lane across the frontage of Number of Lanes Orange Village Plaza. At the I-805 freeway bridge, there are 2 thru lanes with dual left-turn lanes er direction. Stri in 41anes, left-turn ockets, crosswalks, limit lines ands eed limit le ends Limited parking allowed for a portion of the north side of East Orange Avenue in front of apartments east of Max Ave for approximately 590' and for approximately 500' in front of the Loma Verde/Orange Avenue On-Street Parking Fields, approximately 500'. Bike lanes exist on both sides of the And Bike Facilities roadway between Hilltop Drive and Melrose Avenue except where parking is allowed. Bike Routes exist east of Melrose Avenue. This is not a Truck Route. Residential with no direct driveway access or frontage. Multi-family Land Use with driveway access to main pazking areas. Loma Verde/Orange Avenue Fields located west of Max Avenue. Commercial use neaz I-805. A horizontal curve is located east of Max Avenue with a radius of 900' Horizontal Alignment over a len of 780' alon the centerline with a design s eed of 50 m h. A sag vertical curve, located east of Max Avenue, with a -7.00% to Vertical Alignment +3.10% grade change over 400' along the centerline with a design speed of 32 m h. The accident rate at this segment is 1.48 (accidents per million vehicle Accident Rate: miles), which is lower than the rate of 1.70 for similar roadways in the Segment /State State of California 2008). Bike lanes exist on both sides of East Orange Avenue between Hilltop Drive and Melrose Avenue except where pazking is allowed. Bike Routes exist east of Melrose Avenue. Bus routes exist along the entire segment. Loma Verde/Orange Avenue Fields are located on the north Special Conditions side between Loma Lane and Larkhaven Drive. Yellow school crossings are located on Hilltop Drive, Loma Lane and Max Avenue with a 25 mph "WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT" signs. Multi-family housing with direct driveway access aze located east of Max Avenue. Based on the Safety Commission comments and public testimony regarding raising the posted speed limit by 5 mph to 40 mph, the Commission did not support raising the posted speed limit. As such, enforcement of the 35 mph speed limit can no longer be conducted since the Engineering and Traffic Survey expired on April 7, 2010. The Police Department would like to be able to continue speed enforcement and must have an enforceable speed limit established by the current protocol. As more and more Engineering and Traffic Surveys must be updated, City staff must follow standazd practice in establishing and enforcing posted speed limits. Should the City Council establish the speed limit on East Orange Avenue between Hilltop Drive and the Centerline of I-805 and on Olympic Pazkway between the Centerline of I-805 and Northbound I-805 Ramps be increased from 35 mph to 40 mph, Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer shall be amended to reflect the revised speed limits as follows: 15-5 2/22/11, Item ~'' Page 6 of 6 10.48.020 Schedule X -Established Speed Limits in Certain Zones -Designated Name of Street Beginning At Ending At Proposed Speed Limit East Orange Avenue Hilltop Drive Centerline of I-805 40 mph Olympic Parkway Centerline of I-805 NorthbK~ d I-805 40 mph DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property, which is the subject of this action. Staff Member Conflicts Verification By: Muna Cuthbert Date: January 26, 2011 CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT The proposed speed limit modification East H Street would require the replacement of posting of 2 new speed limit signs, 2 pairs of pavement grinding of existing legends and 2 pairs of new street legends. The cost to install these improvements is approximately $2,000. This cost will be funded by an existing Traffic Engineering Capital Improvement Project, TF-332 (Transnet Funds), Signing and Striping Program. The proposed speed limit modification East Orange Avenue would require the posting of 5 new speed limit signs, 10 pairs of new speed limit legends, 5 sign replacement, and 5 pairs of pavement grinding of existing legends. The cost to install these improvements is approximately $10,000. Since, East Orange Avenue, between Max Avenue and Melrose Avenue will be repaved in the summer of 2011, as part of an existing Capital Improvement Program STL354 Project, the new proposed signing and striping modification will be included in the project budget. No additional appropriation is needed. ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT Once the project has been constructed, there will only be minor routine maintenance costs in ~ to 10 yeazs. The eligible funding source is Transnet or Gas Tax. ATTACHMENTS 1. Location Plat East H Street 2. Location Plat East Orange Avenue 3. Speed Survey East H Street 4. Speed Survey East Orange Avenue Prepared by: Ben Herrera, Associate Engineer, Department ofPub[ic Works M IEngineerlAGENDAICAS2011102-22-IllOrange and h speed limitslEast H St and East Orange Ave SPEED LIMITS. doc 15-6 ~~1/~ ~~ ~~ Location IViap [nr or CHULA VISTA J J 4 '{ ~istiu~~ ~i mph Speed Limit m z (~ J Y m N ~~1// .,c;ry~. Location Map i-w u w ~ncT'n A~~~~~~ 3 SPEED LIMIT -ENGINEERING/TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: East "H" Street LIMITS: Hilltop Drive - I-805 Northbound Off Ramp Length of Segment (ft): 3,710' (0.70 miles) Existing Posted Limit (mph): 40 mph SUMIYIARY OF SPEED SURVEYS Segment: Hilltop Drive - 1-805 Northbo~md Off Ramp Date Takeo: 10/29/2010 No. of Vehicles on Sample (cars): 100 8~u~ Percentile (mph): 47 Range of Speeds Recorded (mph): 33 - 53 ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS Width (ft): 64' - 92' curb-to-curb with 14' and 6' raised center islands at the I-805 Southbound Total No. of Lanes: 4 total lanes (2 per direction) except for, 290' east of I-805 Southbound on-ramp it turns into 5 total lanes (2 Westbound and 3 Eastbound) Horizontal Alignment: Tangent Vertical Alignment: A sag vertical curve, located about 1140' east of Hilltop Drive, with a -2.78% to +4.00% grade change over 450' along the centerline produces a desigi speed of 43 mph TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTICS Average Daily Traftic: 39,754 (2010) On-Street Parking: Not allowed along the entire segment Special Conditions: Bike and Truck routes exist on both sides of roadway. Sidewalk located only on the south side of the roadway. 6 single family dwellings with direct driveway access are located on the north and south side of the road east of Hilltop Drive. Hilltop High School's maintenance access gate is located on East "H" Street. Accident History: The accident rate at this segment is 0.62 (accidents per million vehicle miles) which is lower than the rate of 2.25 for similar roadways in the State of California SURVEY RESULTS Study was Prepared by: Erica Wood Date: 11/5/2010 Recommendation: Increase the posted speed limit to 45 mph due to the 85th percentile speed and traffic characteristics. Date Recommendation Approved: By: Muna Cuthbert , P.E. Approved Speed Limit (mph): 45 mph Per CVC 40802, Survey Expires: 10/29/2017 15-9 ATTACHMENT SPEED LIMIT -ENGINEERING/TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: East Orange Avenue (Hilltop Drive -Centerline of I-805) Olympic Parkway (Centerline of I-805 to NB I-805 ramps) LIMITS: Hilltop Drive-I-805 Northbound Ramps Length of Segment (ft): 5,738' (L09 mi Existing Posted Limit (mph): 35 mph SUMMARY OF SPEED SURVEYS Segment: Hilltop Drive -Max Avenue Max Avenue - NB I-805 Ramps Date Taken: 10/29/2010 10/29/2010 No. of Vehicles on Sample (cars): 85'~ Percentile (mph): 100 100 42 42 Range of Speeds Recorded (mph): 30 - 48 30 - 52 ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS Width (ft): 82' - 9T with a 6'-18' raised median Total No. of Lanes: 4 total lanes (2 per direction) with aleft-turn lane across the frontage of Orange V illage Plaza. At the I-805 freeway bridge, there are 2 thru lanes with dual left-turn lanes per direction. Horizontal Alignment: A horizontal curve is located east of Max Avenue with a radius of 900' over a length of 780' along the centerline produces a design speed of 50 mph. Vertical Alignment: A sag vertical curve, located east of Max Avenue, with a -7.00% to +3.10% grade change over 400' along the centerline produces a design speed of 32 mph. TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTICS Average Daily Traffic: 21,496 (2010, Max Avenue -Melrose Avenue) On-Street Parking: Not allowed, except on the north side between Loma Lane and Larkhaven Drive and on the north side of the road between Max Avenue and Melrose Avenue. Special Conditions: Bike lanes exist on both sides of the roadway between Hilltop Drive and Melrose Avenue except where parking is allowed. Bike Routes exist east of Melrose Avenue. exist along the entire segment. Loma Verde Park and Orange Avenue Fields are located on the north side between Loma Lane and Larkhaven Drive. School crossings are located on Hilltop Drive, Loma Lane and Max Avenue with a 25 mph "WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT" signs. Multi-family housing with direct driveway access are located east of Max Avenue. Accident History: The accident rate at this segment is l .48 (accidents per million vehicle miles) which is lower than the rate of 1.70 for similar roadways in the State of California (2008) SURVEY RESULTS Study was Prepared by: Erica Wood Date: 11 /8/2010 Recommendation: Increase the posted speed limit to 40 mph due to the 85th percentile speed. Uate Recommendation Approved: By: Muna Cuthbert, P.E. Approved Speed Limit (mph): 40 mph Per CVC 40802, Survey Expires: 10/29/2017 15-10 ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT ON EAST H STREET BETWEEN HILLTOP DRIVE AND THE NORTHBOUND I-805 RAMPS FROM 40 MPH TO 45 MPH AND AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER MAINTAINED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO REFLECT THE REVISED SPEED LIMIT WHEREAS, staff completed an Engineering and Traffic survey for a segment of East H Street between Hilltop Drive and the Northbound I-805 Ramps in accordance with the California Vehicle Code, which mandates that a speed survey be completed and updated every seven years for each street with a posted speed limit within the City; and WHEREAS, as described in the California Vehicle Code, the speed survey shall include 1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements; 2) Accident records; and 3) Traffic/roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver; and WHEREAS, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2010 MUTCD, Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-04) states that the speed limit shall be established at the nearest Smph increment of the 85`h percentile speed; and WHEREAS, if the Smph reduction is applied, the Engineering and Traffic Survey shall document in writing the conditions and justification for the lower speed limit and be approved by a registered Civil or Traffic Engineer; and WHEREAS, based on the 85a' percentile speed of the roadway, as well as other roadway characteristics outlined in the Engineering/Traffic Survey, staff has determined, in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, that the speed limit on East H Street should be increased to 45 mph from Hilltop Drive to the Northbound I-805 Ramps. WHEREAS, a portion of the roadway on East H Street over I-805 is within the County of San Diego jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, the County intends to set the speed limit on their portion of the roadway at 45 mph; and WHEREAS, per the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22359, any revision to street posted speed limits where portions thereof are within different jurisdictions, no ordinance adopted under Sections 22357 and 22358 of CVC shall be effective until all authorities having jurisdiction of the portions of the street have approved the same; and WHEREAS, the County of San Diego is awaiting this approval and adoption from the City Council before taking any action and/or approval. 15-11 Ordinance No. Page 2 NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby ordain as follows: I. INCREASE IN SPEED LIMIT That the speed limit on East H Street between Hilltop Drive and Northbound I-805 Ramps be increased from 40 mph to 45mph and Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be amended to reflect the revised speed limit as follows: 10.48.020 Schedule X -Established Speed Limits in Certain Zones -Designated Name of Street Beginning At Ending At Speed Limit East H Street Hilltop Drive Northbound I-805 Ramps 45 mph II. EFFECTIVE DATE That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force on the thirtieth day from and after its final adoption. Presented by Richard A. Hopkins Director of Public Works 15-12 ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT ON EAST ORANGE AVENUE BETWEEN HILLTOP DRIVE AND THE CENTERLINE OF I-805 AND OLYMPIC PARKWAY BETWEEN THE CENTERLINE OF I-805 AND NORTHBOUND I-805 RAMPS FROM 35 MPH TO 40 MPH AND AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER MAINTAINED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO REFLECT THE REVISED SPEED LIMIT WHEREAS, staff completed an Engineering and Traffic survey for a segment of East Orange Avenue/Olympic Pazkway in accordance with the California Vehicle Code which mandates that a speed survey be completed and updated every seven yeazs for each street with a posted speed limit within the City; and WHEREAS, as described in the California Vehicle Code, the speed survey shall include 1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements; 2) Accident records; and 3) Traffic/roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver; and WHEREAS, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2010 MUTCD, Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-04) states that the speed limit shall be established at the neazest Smph increment of the 85`" percentile speed. Also, if the Smph reduction is applied, the Engineering and Traffic Survey shall document in writing the conditions and justification for the lower speed limit and be approved by a registered Civil or Traffic Engineer; and WHEREAS, based on the 85`" percentile speed of the roadway, as well as other roadway characteristics outlined in the Engineering/Traffic Survey, staff has determined that the speed limit on East Orange Ave/Olympic Pazkway should be increased to 40 mph from Hilltop Drive to the Northbound I-805 Ramps. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby ordain as follows: INCREASE SPEED LIMIT That the speed limit on East Orange Avenue between Hilltop Drive and the Centerline of I-805 and on Olympic Parkway between the Centerline of I-805 and Northbound I-805 Ramps be increased from 35 mph to 40 mph and Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be amended to reflect the revised speed limits as follows: 15-13 Ordinance No. Page 2 10.48.020 Schedule X -Established Speed Limits in Certain Zones -Designated Name of Street Beginning At Ending At Speed Limit East Orange Avenue Hilltop Drive Centerline of I-805 40 mph Olympic Parkway Centerline of I-805 Northbound I-805 Ramps 40 mph II. EFFECTIVE DATE That thi s Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force on the thirtieth day from and after its final adoption. Presented by Richard A. Hopkins Director of Public Works 15-14