CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Informational Report on the Denial of Speed Hump Installation Request along Dunham Street Pursuant to Speed Hump Policy Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will provide feedback as it deems necessary and consider receiving and filing a report to update the City Council on the denial of a Speed Hump Installation request along Dunham Street between Duncan Avenue and McDonnell Avenue pursuant to the Speed Hump Policy.
BACKGROUND:
On August 11, 2021, the Traffic Commission approved staff’s recommendation to deny the installation of speed humps along Dunham Street between Duncan Avenue and McDonnell Avenue pursuant to the Speed Hump Policy. The reason for providing such a recommendation is that the following criteria was not met:
Criteria: A speed hump should not be placed within 150-feet of any intersection.
Actual Condition: Installing a speed hump at the center of the block would place the speed hump at approximately 137-feet from the nearest intersections.
Criteria: The minimum recommended ADT volume of 500 vehicles per day.
Actual Condition: 306 vehicles per day. (A shortfall of 38%) Criteria: Requires a minimum of 75% signatures of residents fronting the street where the Speed Humps are being requested which demonstrates concurrence with the speed hump installation.
Actual Condition: A minimum of 13 signatures is required for this segment. The applicant obtained a total of 11 applicable signatures (65%).
Although the Traffic Commission denied the request, the Commission approved traffic calming measures as a means to alert motorists of the speed and intersection limits which included the following:
Install “25” Speed Limit (R2-1) Regulatory signs with “25” pavement markings along Dunham Street for eastbound and westbound directions.
Repaint existing faded STOP Line and “STOP” pavement markings at the east leg of the Duncan Avenue and Dunham Street intersection and at the west leg of the McDonnell Avenue and Dunham Street intersection.
Install “CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP” (W4-4P) Warning plaques below STOP signs at the north and south legs of the McBride Avenue and Dunham Street intersection.
ANALYSIS:
The Speed Hump Policy which is also attached to facilitate the City Council’s review, was revised and approved in February 2020 by this City Council. The current revision of the policy does not include an appeal process since there are circumstances where staff may deem a speed hump or humps can/could cause a hazardous condition. Allowing an appeal process in these circumstances could subject the City to liability if overturned by the City Council. However, given that staff deems this request to be lower risk and the City Council’s desire to reconsider the Traffic Commission decision, the Director of Public Works allowed an appeal via an administrative directive per paragraph IV of the policy. Paragraph IV includes eligibility criterion, which states installation of speed humps should be based on the general guidelines in the Commerce Speed Hump Policy as well as Engineering Judgment.
The applicant was issued an appeal letter dated February 16, 2022. The letter provided the applicant that they had 14 calendar days to file a formal appeal which could have included additional information that was potentially not considered by the Traffic Commission including the missing resident signatures. The applicant was also provided a reminder ahead of the deadline but ultimately, they failed to submit their appeal letter within 14 calendar days and had not done so as of the finalization of this agenda report. However, if the City Council wishes, staff can reevaluate the request to determine if the Engineering Judgement criteria can be applied and work with the applicant to obtain two additional valid signatures within the block segments.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation to receive and file this report.
Provide further direction to staff which may include reevaluating the request to determine if the Engineering Judgement criteria can be applied and working with the applicant to obtain two additional valid signatures within the block segments.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact with the recommended action. However, if the City Council wishes to direct staff to reevaluate the request, staff will perform further work and return at a later date to discuss the reevaluation, which can include the cost to implement the installation of the speed humps.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle 4: Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Prepared by: Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works ATTACHMENTS:
August 11, 2021, Traffic Commission Report
City Council Approved Speed Hump Policy