Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of August 24, 2023 Page 1 of 3
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
August 24, 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 4:00pm.
B. PLEDGE TO FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair DaGiau, Commissioners Becker, and Marcy
Absent: Chair Kirschenbaum and Commissioner D’Amico
Staff Present: Talyn Mirz akhanian, Community Development Director and Erik Zandvliet , Traffic Engineer
Clerks: Carianne Chavez, Agenda Host
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
08/24/23-1 Regular Meeting – June 22, 2023
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (Marcy/Becker) to approve the minutes without corrections.
AYES: DaGiau, Marcy, and Becker
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: D’Amico, Kirschenbaum
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-minute Limit)
Acting Chair DaGiau opened Audience Participation.
Resident Junelea Ward (203 40th St) stated that in May of 2022, residents on 40 th Street submitted a petition to the City of Manhattan Beach requesting the speed limit be reduced from 25 mph to 15 mph.
Ms. Ward stated that they are re-submitting their request. She stated that in October of 2022, their request was denied on the basis of a traffic survey. Ms. Ward shared her concerns regarding the results of the survey and its analysis.
Acting Chair DaGiau closed Audience Participation.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
08/24/23-2 Discussion of Oak Avenue / Manhattan Village Shopping Center Neighborhood Traffic Management Study Initial Findings
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet summarized the staff report. He explained that the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) Study was conducted in the neighborhoods on the East and West sides of Sepulveda Boulevard between Rosecrans Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard. He further explained that these studies were conducted to determine if there was an increase in traffic diversion or additional traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods caused by the Manhattan Village Shopping Center expansion.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated City Council recently approved a variety of traffic calming measures on Valley Dr. between Sepulveda Boulevard and 27th Street. These measures included:
Double yellow centered line
Speed activated flashing speed limit sign
Painted center median on a trial basis
Road narrowing West of Sepulveda Boulevard
Bulb outs at Elm Ave and Walnut Avenue
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of August 24, 2023 Page 2 of 3
Stop sign at Valley Dr and Pine Avenue
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that the City conducted traffic volume and speed count studies before and after the construction of the Manhattan Village Mall. He stated that the goal of this meeting is to collect feedback from residents via a mailed -out meeting invitation and survey. The study area is Rosecrans Ave, Village Dr ive, the East side Magnolia Ave nue, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and Pine Avenue. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared the results of this study. He explained that the analysis found a 15% decrease in traffic volume from 2018 to 2022. He explained that when looking at the 85th percentile, the speeds along the street are about the same as 2018. He shared that the number traffic collisions were also studied. He explained the various types of traffic calming measures.
Commissioner Marcy asked for clarification regarding the timeline of receiving feedback from the public and implementing traffic calming measures. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that the initial findings are being discussed tonight. After public comments are received, a follow-up staff report will be drafted for a future PPIC meeting where the public can provide further comments through a survey. After the survey is complete, a list of measures will be drafted for the Commission to recommend to City Council.
Commissioner Becker asked if the closure at 30 th Street is barricades. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that there are three or four permanent concrete planters that prohibit a vehicle from driving through.
Acting Chair DaGiau asked if the gated community behind Manhattan Village was included in the NTMP study. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared that it was not part of the study as it is a gated community with its own isolated, private circulation.
Acting Chair DaGiau opened public comment.
Resident Denise Wandel (1812 Oak Avenue) shared her concerns regarding the location of where the study was conducted. Ms. Wandel explained that her two main concerns are speed and visibility of 19 th Street & Oak Avenue and 17th Street & Oak Avenue. Ms. Wandel shared her concerns regarding the lack of sidewalks on her street and recommends a four-way stop sign on 17 th Street & Oak Avenue and 19th Street & Oak Avenue.
Resident Wysh Weinstein (1817 Oak Ave nue) expressed her concerns regarding the vis ibility at the intersection of 19 th Street and Oak Ave nue. Ms. Weinstein recommended that the cars conducting the surveys should be unmarked vehicles instead of police vehicles. Ms. Weinstein also recommended that the surveys be conducted during the drop-off and pick-up hours of the nearby preschool.
Resident Jonathan Nichols (2100 Oak Ave nue) shared his concerns regarding the validity of the data collected from the surveys, specifically the number of collisions that occurred. Mr. Nichols stated that the drop-off and pick-up hours of the nearby preschool greatly affect the visibility. Mr. Nichols recommended speed bumps be installed to deter drivers from speeding.
Resident Steve Packwood (3113 Oak Ave nue) shared his concerns regarding the traffic surveys conducted in 2018 and 2022. Mr. Packwood stated that the surveys should be conducted again. Mr.
Packwood explained that the traffic calming measures implemented at Ardmore Avenue and Oak Avenue have not been successful. Mr. Packwood shared his concerns regarding the speed of drivers on Ardmore Avenue and the amount of parking on 27th Street.
Residents Melita Siemack and Tracy Hahn (2204 and 2201 Elm Ave nue) shared their concerns regarding the s peed and restricted visibility on 19 th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard. Ms. Siemack and Hahn suggested that a four-way stop sign be installed at Elm Avenue & 19th Street and at Oak Avenue & 19th Street.
Resident Todd Cogan stated that there should be a four-way stop sign installed at Oak Ave nue & 19th Street. Mr. Cogan shared his concerns regarding the restricted visibility at the intersection of Oak Avenue & 19th Street.
Acting Chair DaGiau closed public comment.
Commissioner Marcy asked if the public feedback from this meeting would be combined with the public workshop. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet concurred and explained that the surveys collect data on the actual traffic volume and speed. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the speed counts are aggregated over time. He stated that collisions must be reported to the Police Department for them to be counted in the collision history. Commissioner Marcy asked if the NTMP process can be expedited due to the safety concerns. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that Oak Ave is a priority neighborhood study area.
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of August 24, 2023 Page 3 of 3
Commissioner Becker asked if speed limit reduction is a possibility. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that legally the speed limits on local roads cannot be reduced lower than 25 mph except in very limited circumstances.
Acting Chair DaGiau asked if Public Works is responsible for maintaining traffic devices such as vegetation that grows over stop signs. Community Development Director Mirzakhanian stated that residents have the opportunity to report these issues through the GoReach service request system. Based on the conditions, the City will take the appropriate measures whether the vegetation is on private property or public property.
Discussion followed.
OTHER ITEMS
08/24/23-3 Staff Updates
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided the following staff updates on the following items:
Traffic calming measures on Valley Drive between 27 th Street and Oak Avenue are being implemented, including new stop signs at Valley Drive & Pine Avenue, re-striping changes such as a painted center median on Valley Drive, flashing speed limit sign, and painted crosswalks. The Community Center & Scout House Renovation project has approved by Planning Commission.
Public Works Construction –City projects include street resurfacing in Tree Section, including Flournoy R oad, 27 th Street, 29 th Street, and Marine Ave nue; Slurry Seal Project completion; Marine Ave and Cedar Avenue traffic signal improvements which includes two southbound left turn lanes from the mall to Marine Ave nue, and removal of crosswalk on E ast leg of the intersection; Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Peck Avenue traffic signal improvements; addition of flashing beacon at the fire station; and review of conceptual street reconfiguration at Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
Acting Chair DaGiau asked about the parking lot project on Parkview Ave nue. Community Development Director Mirzakhanian and Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that this project is ADA accessible ramp improvements for the adjacent parking lot and senior condominiums.
Commissioner Marcy asked if there are intersections with flooding issues. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the Engineering Division is currently finishing a project along 12 th Street between Rowell Avenue and Peck Avenue to resolve storm drain issues. He also stated that there is an upcoming storm drain infiltration project at the Bruce’s Beach Parking Lot.
Discussion followed.
Traffic Engineer Z andvliet shared that there will be an upcoming comprehensive City-wide parking management study. There will be parking counts conducted in downtown, the North End, and the east end of the City over a several month period.
08/24/23-4 Commissioner Items
Acting Chair DaGiau provided an update to the Commission on the Outdo or Dining Task Force meetingswith a PowerPoint presentation to the fellow commissioners.
G. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Regular Meeting on September 28, 2023 at 4:00p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers (1400 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) and via ZOOM Call.