Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of June 22, 2023 Page 1 of 4
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
June 22, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Parking and Public Improvements Commission (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 June 22, 2023 at the hour of 4:02pm.
B. PLEDGE TO FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners DaGiau, Kirschenbaum, Becker, and Marcy
Absent: D’Amico
Staff Present: Erik Zandvliet, Traffic Engineer
Clerks: Fel Cortez, Agenda Host
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
06/22/23-1 Regular Meeting – May 25, 2023
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (DaGiau/Kirschenbaum) to approve the minutes without corrections.
AYES: DaGiau and Kirschenbaum
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Marcy, Becker
ABSENT: D’Amico
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-minute Limit)
Vice Chair Kirschenbaum opened Audience Participation.
There were no speakers.
Vice Chair Kirschenbaum closed Audience Participation.
Vice Chair Kirschenbaum reopened Audience Participation.
Resident Kathy Clark suggested that the City of Manhattan Beach focus on Uber and Lyft and how other cities are monitoring them. She also requested more accessibility in the Lower South Beach Parking Lot and clearer signage for handicap/charging spaces.
Vice Chair Kirschenbaum closed Audience Participation.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
06/22/23-2 Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (DaGiau/Becker) to nominate Vice -Chair Kirschenbaum as Chair.
AYES: DaGiau, Becker, and Marcy
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (Kirschenbaum/Becker) to nominate Commissioner DaGiau as Vice-Chair.
AYES: Kirschenbaum, Becker, and Marcy
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of June 22, 2023 Page 2 of 4
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6/22/23-3 Consideration on Draft Living Streets Design Manual Traffic Engineer Zandvliet summarized the staff report. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided an overview of the Living Streets Design Manual. It was created for the South Bay area through a Caltrans Transportation Planning Grant. A consultant was hired to customize L A County Living Streets Design Manual for beach c ities. Three community outreach sessions were conducted and co ncept plans for Aviation Boulevard were created. Each city would need to approve the manuals on their own. The work started in 2017.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet presented some prior milestones of the Draft Living Streets Design Manual:
Survey of Existing Policies and Conditions
Parking and Traffic Study
First Community Workshop (7/17/2017)
Draft Living Streets Design Manual for Public Review
BCHD “Streets for All” Workshop (January 2018)
Second Community Workshop (1/31/2018)
Third Community Workshop (4/23/2018)
Mobility Plan Update Adopted (5/15/2018)
Tri-Cities Council Workshop (10/18/2019)
Aviation Blvd. Conceptual Design
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared the elements of living streets, including:
Sidewalks
ADA accessibility
Bike lanes or other bike signage
Comfortable/accessible bus stops
High visibility crosswalks
Bulb-outs and medians
Roundabouts
Green space and street trees
Outdoor dining
Integrated land uses
Street furniture
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that living streets contribute to the economic vitality of a city and how they emphasize different kinds of travel modes. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet further explained the goals of living streets are to promote health, improve safety, spur economic growth, lower emissions, raise property values, provide choices , and reduce traffic congestion. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet briefly summarized the 17 chapters within the Living Streets Manual.
As Traffic Engineer Zandvliet discussed each chapter, the Commissioners asked follow -up questions.
Chair Kirschenbaum asked if 2011 was the last iteration of the County’s manual. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that there have been some amendments to the Coun ty’s manual. Chair Kirschenbaum asked what LOS means. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet defined LOS as level of service, which is a measurement tool used to rate how well a street is operating on an A to F grade scale. Chair Kirschenbaum asked how these parameters are graded. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that there are different grading parameters depending on the road geometry. Chair Kirschenbaum asked the definition of scrambled crosswalks. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that scrambled crosswalks are intersections that allow pedestrians to walk in all directions such as in Downtown.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared the intended uses of the manual, which are:
Grant applications
Budget planning
Land use decisions
General Plan update
Street projects
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of June 22, 2023 Page 3 of 4
Capital Improvement Projects
Active transportation projects
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet discussed the potential funding for the planning stage of a Living Streets policy, including SCAG Sustainable Communities Program or the Caltrans Transportation Planning Grant Program. He shared the potential funding sources for construction phases such as the Infrastructure Investment Act, LA County Measure M, and LA Metro Call for Projects.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet discussed next steps, which is for the City Council to approve the Living Streets Design Manual. This Manual can be adapted and changed over the years if necessary.
Commissioner Becker asked if the Living Streets Manual would be tried out on Aviation Blvd. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that it was a conceptual idea and stated that it is not the best street for a trial run.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Marcy asked if we are seeing more data regarding residents, how many vehicles are in the city, and the growth of golf carts. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the Living Streets Manual includes micro mobility users but there can be updates made to the document. Commissioner Marcy asked if there is any data regarding an increase in residents and how many vehicles are in the city. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that a citywide engineering and traffic survey was recently completed that determined that traffic volume s have not changed in 12 years and there has been a slight incre ase in pedestrian traffic as well as bicycle traffic.
Chair Kirschenbaum asked if we are seeing a change in the types of cars being driven throughout the city. For example, are people driving 4-door cars? Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that smaller SUVs are more popular now. He also noted the number of electric vehicles has increased to about 18% of all vehicles in the city. Chair Kirschenbaum asked if the City publishes documents to make residents aware o f these changes. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that the Community Development publishes a quarterly newsletter contain traffic related information. Chair Kirschenbaum suggested that this news be shared with the public through social media or the newsletter.
Vice Chair Da Giau asked what depart ments or agencies are responsible for electric vehicle charging stations. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that this is a multi-departmental responsibility but it is mainly the Public Works and Finance Departments. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that there are current discussions regarding how we charge for the usage of these electric vehicle charging stations. Vice Chair DaGiau explained that the public is concerned about the City’s strategy for EV charging stations and suggested that there should be a fee-charging model for them.
Chair Kirschenbaum shared his concerns regarding the date of the Draft Living Streets Manual. Chair Kirschenbaum explained that he would suggest a discussion of roundabouts and want ed to know if e - bikes and golf carts should be incorporated into the Living Streets Design Manual.
Commissioner Marcy asked if there are any grants or funding to incentivize adopting the Living Streets Manual. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that implementing the Living Streets Manual would provide us with the opportunity to apply for any upcoming grants.
Chair Kirshenbaum asked if there are any new topics that should be added to the Living Streets Design Manual. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that the Local Street s Network would help e -bikes get around by defining the preferred streets of travel. This could be added to the Living Streets Design Manual. The general concepts in the Living Streets Design Manual apply to e-bikes as well. It is a policy guidance document, not a regulatory document.
Vice Chair DaGiau asked if the Commissioners could provide feedback on the Living Streets Manual.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared that he would like to share this document with the public to receive their feedback.
Discussion followed.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared that this document will be going to City Council in the fall and there is a place on the City website for the public to share their opinion on the Draft Living Streets Design Manual.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Marcy asked if there is data regarding which crosswalks are better than others. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared that raised crosswalks can provide more safety to pedestrians. Commissioner Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of June 22, 2023 Page 4 of 4
Marcy asked if there are any raised crosswalks in Manhattan Beach. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared that there is a project in the Capital Improvements Plan to construct raised decorative crosswalks at the walkstreets along Ocean Dr. There are also raised crosswalks on Cedar Way in the mall plaza.
OTHER ITEMS
06/22/23-4 Staff Updates
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided the following staff updates on the following items:
Proposed Traffic Calming measures on Valley Drive between 27th Street and Oak Avenue will be discussed at the City Council Meeting on July 5, 2023
Joselyn Center Parking & Scout House Renovation project will be going to the Planning Commission and City Council
Public Works Construction Season –City projects include resurfacing in Tree Section, Slurry Project, pier railing, Manhattan Beach Blvd and Peck Ave traffic signal improvements, Manhattan Beach Blvd and Pacific Ave improvements, and crosswalks across Valley Dr. in front of Joselyn Center
06/22/23-5 Commissioner Items
Vice Chair DaGiau provided an update to the Commission on the Outdoor Dining Task Force meetings.
Vice Chair DaGiau provided a PowerPoint presentation to the fellow commissioners.
Chair Kirschenbaum asked if there is a monthly staff meeting where members of the Commission could attend. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded there is currently no meeting of this type.
G. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m. to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Regular Meeting on July 27, 2023 at 4:00p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers (1400 Highland Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) and via ZOOM Call.