EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 2, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Melvin E. Gaines, City Manager
BY: Batool Zaro, Associate Engineer
Humza Javed, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Installation of a Multi-Way Stop Sign at Pulgas Avenue, Oakes Street, and Gaillardia Way
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution authorizing the installation of a multi-way (four-way) stop sign at the Pulgas Avenue, Oakes Street, and Gaillardia Way intersection and finding the project is exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (minor alteration).
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 4: Improve Public Facilities and Infrastructure Background
Earlier in 2021, the City of East Palo Alto’s Engineering Division was requested to analyze the Oakes Street, Pulgas Avenue, and Gaillardia Way intersection for a multi-way stop sign due to safety concerns. City Staff prepared a report and presented it to the Public Works and Transportation Commission on April 21, 2021. Based on the analysis, a multi-way stop sign was not warranted.
In Fall of 2021, a community member and the Public Works and Transportation Commission (PWTC) requested that the City again review the intersection for a multi-way stop sign based on collisions that occurred at the intersection during 2021. Per the City’s Residential Streets Traffic Management Policy, if an issue has previously been identified and evaluated within a prior 18-month period, no further evaluation will be performed until additional time elapses or unless sufficient changes warrant an additional analysis. Since the 18-month period has elapsed, the intersection was reevaluated.
As part of the original analysis, parking restrictions were recommended instead of the multiway stop. However, during the reanalysis, staff found higher traffic volumes and an increase in collisions. Since the parking restrictions have not been implemented and conditions have changed, staff is recommending the installation of the multi-way stop at the intersection.
The Public Works and Transportation Commission reviewed this item at the April 20th, 2023, meeting.
Image 1: Location Map, City of East Palo Alto
Analysis
In conducting its re-analysis of the intersections in question, it is important to note that the City of East Palo Alto follows state guidelines outlined in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) when determining if traffic control devices should be installed, such as a multi-way stop sign. The MUTCD outlines minimum guidelines regarding traffic volumes, collisions, and visibility. The use of multi-way stop signs should be considered if engineering judgment indicates that a stop is required because of one or more of the following conditions:
TABLE 1
MULTI-WAY STOP CRITERIA
PULGAS, GAILLARDIA, AND OAKES
N
Condition 1:
As an interim
measure where
traffic control signals
are justified.
Results:
Satisfied.
and/or Condition 2:
Reported crashes – five or
more in a 12-month period
that are susceptible to
correction by a multi-way stop
installation.
Results:
Not Satisfied.
and/or Condition 3:
Minimum traffic
and pedestrian
volumes,
speeds, and
delay as outlined
in the analysis.
Results:
Satisfied.
The California MUTCD outlines if one or more of the conditions are met a multi-way stop sign is warranted.
As noted above, the City has conducted a Multiway Stop Warrant Analysis. This analysis shows that at least one of the conditions was satisfied, and accordingly, a multi-way stop is recommended. The full analysis, which forms the factual basis for staff’s recommendation, can be found in Attachment #2. The Public Works and Transportation Commission reviewed this item, including the recommendation for a multiway stop at the intersection in question, at the April 20th, 2023 PWTC meeting and recommended the City Council approve Staff’s recommendation.
The intersection in question where staff recommends installation of a multiway stop sign already has existing stop signs on the minor streets. Accordingly, the improvements necessary to implement staff’s recommendation consists of minor alternations to existing roadway improvements, including signage and striping.
Fiscal Impact
The cost of this work is approximately $3,000. Funds are available in the Maintenance Division budget to cover this cost.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice of this agenda item by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin board outside City Hall and making the agenda and report available at the City’s website and at the San Mateo Co. Library located at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
This project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), minor alteration of existing highways and streets involving negligible expansion of use beyond that at the time of determination.
Attachments
1. Multiway Stop on Pulgas_Gaillardia_Oakes - Resolution -
2. Multi-Way Stop SIgn Analysis_Pulgas_Oakes_Gallardia - 2023 Update_