Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of December 01, 2022 Page 1 of 3
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
December 1, 2022
A. CAL
L TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Parking and Public Improvements Commission of the City of Manhattan Beach, California was held in hybrid format (Zoom Call and in person at City Hall, 1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) on December 1, 2022 at the hour of 6:00pm.
B. P
LEDGE TO FLAG
C. RO
LL CALL
Present: Commissioners DaGiau, Apostol, and Kirschenbaum
Absent: D’Amico and Chair Paralusz
Staff Present: Erik Zandvliet, Traffic Engineer
Carrie Tai, AICP, Director of Community Development
Clerks: Fel Cortez, Agenda Host
D. AP
PROVAL OF MINUTES
12/01/22-1 Regular Meeting – August 25, 2022
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (DaGiau/Kirschenbaum) to approve the minutes without corrections.
AYES: D’Amico, DaGiau, Apostol, Chair Paralusz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: D’Amico, Paralusz
E. AUDI
ENCE PARTICIPATION (3-minute Limit)
Acting Chair Kirschenbaum opened Audience Participation.
There were no speakers.
Acting Chair Kirschenbaum closed audience participation.
F. G
ENERAL BUSINESS
12/01/22-2 Presentation of the South Bay Local Travel Network by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet introduced the Local Travel Network (LTN) Program Manager, Aaron Baum. Aaron Baum made a present ation to the C ommission about the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and the Local Travel Network project. The Local Travel Network is a network of preferred streets for microbility transportation and EV vehicles that supports safety, circulation, and sustainability in the South Bay. Aaron Baum stated that the project will change the culture of mobility.
The proposed network of streets constitutes 243 miles of local streets in the South Bay. Aaron Baum summarized the features of the Local Travel Network.
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of December 01, 2022 Page 2 of 3
T
raffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the next step after the planning stage is to move into the funding and implementation stage. The project would be added to the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
The City Council would have to approve any application of funding for the project through the CIP.
Commissioner DaGiau asked why sharrows would be used instead of dedicated bike lines like in other communities. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded that the streets within the City of Manhattan Beach are particular constrained due to the narrow width of the streets. Commissioner DaGiau asked if the project would add to the number of streets in the City that have sharrows. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded that half of the streets that are being proposed for the LTN already have sharrows.
Commissioner Apostol stated his support of the project. Commissioner Apostol asked, due to people’s reluctance to additional signage, what the SBCCOG has seen in other communities regarding pushback concerning the signage. Aaron Baum responded that the SBCCOG is sensitive to this concern and that they are investing time with the stakeholders of the community to show that the program can be an educational opportunity for residents to slow down. He further described the other groups that are in support of the effort. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet added that the signs would be “right”-sized for a slow- speed network. Commissioner Apostol further asked if there was a possibility of a local mobile map for the LTN. Aaron Baum responded that this is definitely a possibility and that they have already had conversations with Waze, Google, and a start-up called Scooter Route.
Commissioner DaGiau asked if there was any consideration to add QR Codes to the signs. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded yes, it has been considered and further added that the City already has its own city wayfinding program.
Acting Chair Kirschenbaum stated his support for the project and but raised concerns that residents may be opposed to micro -mobility devices on their streets. He also asked that since the sharrow program would increase traffic volumes on specific streets, would the Police Department be able to patrol th ose streets more frequently. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated he would make a note to ask them. Acting Chair Kirschenbaum further suggested a license program for young adolescents to obtain from City Hall to use the LTN, which would provide a minimum level of safety training.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet thanked the Commission for their comments and Aaron Baum for the presentation.
12/
01/22-3 Discussion of Work Plan Items for Joint City Council/PPIC Meeting Traffic Engineer Zandvliet presented the existing and possible work plan items identified in the s taff report, including:
• Modernize Parking Standards
• Long-Term Outdoor Dining and Business Uses on Public and Private Property • Downtown and North End Beautification
• Citywide Wayfinding Sign Program Phase 1 Implementation • Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• South Bay Local Travel Network
Acting Chair Kirschenbaum asked why the PPIC would not be involved in the decision- making on a parking structure, specifically the Highland/Rosecrans parking structure. Traffic Enginee r Zandvliet deferred to Director Tai. Director Tai responded that the potential expansion of Lot 4 was introduced by the City Council as a future agenda item. City Council asked the Public Works Department to determine if it was feasible. The Public Works Department provided a high- level report with opportunities for additional parking in the North Manhattan Beach Business District. She stated that the PPIC would have an opportunity to speak on the item and that the discussions around this top are still in its infancy.
Commissioner DaGiau asked if the PPIC has purview on the Manhattan Village streets. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that those streets are private streets, which were built to city standards and are maintained through an HOA. Commissioner DaGiau asked if the road behind the mall has a name.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated it is a private service road that has no name.
A
cting Chair Kirschenbaum asked what can be done to raise the priority level of the Long-term Outdoor Dining Work Plan. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet deferred to Director Tai. Director Tai responded that the priority level was discussed by the City Council and that they kept it at a priority -level B. Director Tai stated that additional staff would be starting in the beginning of the year to address the Outdoor Dining topic. Director Tai stated that in order to speed along the process, there needs to be community conversation and permitting requirements need to take effect when the state of emergency is over and must comply with the City’s Local Coastal Program and Coastal Act requirements. Acting Chair Kirschenbaum asked if the task force members had been selected. Director Tai stated that the Commissioner representatives and the business association members have been chosen , but that at large members still need to be chosen.
G. O
THER ITEMS
12/01/22-4 Staff Updates
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided the following staff updates:
• Mall Updates – Culvert Construction
• Skechers Construction
• City-Wide Speed Survey
• Hotel Project
• Report to City Council to change Commission meeting times 12/
01/22-5 Commissioner Items
H. ADJ
OURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:08p.m. to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Regular Meeting on January 26, 2023 at 6:00p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers (1400 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) and via ZOOM Call.
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of December 01, 2022 Page 3 of 3