[DRAFT] Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of December 5, 2024 Page 1 of 4
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
December 5, 2024
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Parking and Public Impr ovements Commission (Commission) of the City of Manhattan Beach, California was held in hybrid format (Zoom Call a nd in person at City Hall, 1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) on December 5, 2024 at the hour of 4:11pm.
B. PLEDGE TO FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Balla, Marcy, Kirschenbaum (remote), Chair DaGiau
Absent: None
Staff Present: Ryan Heise, Acting Community Development Director Erik Zandvliet, City Traffic Engineer
Clerks: Carianne Chavez, Agenda Host
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
12/05/24-1 Regular Meeting – August 22, 2024
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (Kirschenbaum/Marcy) to approve the minutes, with the revision of naming Chair DaGiau on the signature line since he was elected as Chair.
AYES: Balla, Marcy, Kirschenbaum, Chair DaGiau
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-minute Limit)
Chair DaGiau opened Audience Participation.
There were no speakers.
Chair DaGiau closed Audience Participation.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
12/05/24-2 Consider Traffic Calming Measures on Valley Drive between 1st Street and 10th Place
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet summarized the staff report. He explained that in 2002, the City approved the City-wide Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) which is a process that comprehensively analyzes a neighborhood and recomm ends traffic calming measures with the public’s support. In 2017, the City Council approved several traffic calming measures pursuant to the Valley Drive Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. The follo wing measures were implemented in 2017 and continue today:
1. Restrict traffic to one-way westbound on 4th Street between Valley Drive and Ingleside Drive;
2. Install three 15 mph speed limit signs on Ingleside Drive between 1st Street and 6th Place;
3. Install two 15 mph speed limit signs on 6th Place east and west of Ingleside Drive;
4. Install high-visibility crosswalk signs and markings on Ingleside Drive at 5th Street and 6th Street walkstreet crossings;
5. Install a stop sign for northbound Ingleside Drive at 6th Place; and
6. Increase enforcement of speeding and other moving violations on a regular basis.
He explained that since 2022, City staff have been in correspondence with seve ral residents who have requested additional traffic safety measures on Valley Drive between 1 st Street and 10 th Place. The City
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Minutes of December 5, 2024 Page 2 of 4
has taken a Three E’s Approach – Engineering, En forcement, and Education by utilizing the following measures:
1. Painted new STOP legends and enlarged the st op bar on Valley Drive for greater stop sign awareness;
2. Installed a larger stop sign in the southbound direction;
3. Conducted ongoing enforcement efforts and issued citations during a variety of hours; and
4. Deployed a changeable message board at the intersection with warnings to educate drivers.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared the existing conditions of Valley Drive. He explained that a traffic volume count was conducted in 2022 whic h concluded that there was a slight decrease in traffic volume from a previous count that was conducted in 2013. He shared that speed studies were conducted in June 2022 and in November 2024 which show that the 85 th Percentile speed is about 38 mph. He stated that there were four reported collisions in the previous eight years; however, these collisions were not speed related. The following are existing traffic calming measures on Valley Drive:
1. “Speed Limit” sign at 6th Street;
2. “Stop Ahead” signs and legends in advance of 6th Place and 1st Street;
3. Double wide stop limit line at 6th Street/6th Place;
4. Double stop signs at 6th Street/6th Place;
5. Pedestrian warning signs at 4th Street;
6. Bicycle “Sharrow” markings.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet shared the following staff recommendations to supplement continued enforcement of speeding and stop sign violations on Valley Drive between 1st Street and 10th Place based on his analysis:
1. Install speed limit sign on Valley Drive south of 10th Place;
2. Install a solar-powered flashing lighted stop sign on Valley Drive at 6th Place;
3. Initiate a capital project to construct sidewa lks and crosswalks on the north side of 6 th Street between Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue;
4. Initiate a capital project to construct crossw alks and accessible ramps on Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue at 10th Street to connect neighborhoods to Veterans Parkway;
5. Install a solar-powered speed awareness sign on Valley Drive between 6th Place and 1st St; and
6. Paint a white parking edgeline along the west side of Valley Drive between 2 nd Street and 10 th Place.
Chair DaGiau asked why speed cameras were not taken into consideration. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that speed cameras are not allowed in California.
Commissioner Kirschenbaum asked if bulb outs will be constructed on the crosswalks and accessible ramps at 6th Place between Valley Drive & Ardmore Avenue and on Valley Drive & Ardmore Avenue at 10th Street. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that bulb outs will be constructed as part of the accessible ramps for the recommended sidewalks and crosswalks , which also serve as a traffic calming measure to reduce speeds.
Commissioner Marcy asked for the proposed budget and timeline to implement the recommended traffic calming measures. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that all recommended measures excluding capital projects can be done with current city budgets. Chair DaGiau asked if these measures will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that if the recommendations are approved, the project will be programmed in June 2025 for prioritization in the next five years.
Chair DaGiau opened public comment.
John Kelly (871 6th Street) expressed his concerns regarding the intersection of Ardmore Avenue and 6th Place.
Holly Kelly (871 6 th Street) shared her concerns regarding the intersections of Ardmore Avenue & 6 th Place and Valley Drive & 6 th Place. She expressed her support for a flashing lighted stop sign at Valley Drive and 6th Place.
Tom Williams (609 N Valley Drive) stated that based on his research and video evidence, the recommendations will not significantly reduce the speed of drivers. He explained that the only way to address this issue is to make physical changes to road’s infrastructure such as speed cushions, speed tables, bulb outs, and lane reductions.
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Julie Erich (613 N Valley Drive) stated that a flashing lighted stop sign at Valley Drive and 6 th Place will not stop people from speeding. She also requested more police enforcement at the intersection of Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Valley Drive, not just at Valley Drive and 6th Place.
Stefan Kampe (432 4th Street) shared his concerns regarding the intersection of Valley Drive & 6th Place and suggested measures that can be implemented quickly such as a 3-way stop sign at the intersection of Valley Drive and 6th Place or a stop sign at Valley Drive and 9th Street.
Evelyn L. expressed her concerns regarding the intersection of Valley Drive and 6th Place.
Nikki Voorhees (511 6 th Street) shared her concerns regarding the intersection of Valley Drive and 6 th Place.
Hasmig Derderian (609 N Valley Drive) discussed the two petitions Mr. Williams put together to support reducing the speed on Valley Drive. She stated that a flashing lighted stop sign at Valley Drive and 6th Place will not deter drivers from running stop signs . She also suggested that more crosswalks be implemented along Valley Drive.
Chair DaGiau closed public comment.
Chair DaGiau asked for clarification on the purpose and the scope of the Parking and Public Improvements Commission. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that commission handles items that are considered public improvements such as facilities, infr astructure within the City’s right-of-way, parking issues and traffic-related concerns. It is an advisory commission that makes recommendations to the City Council. Chair DaGiau asked what would be considered out of scope for this commission. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that land use changes or private property issues are not within the purview of this commission.
Commissioner Kirschenbaum suggested that narrowing the lanes along Valley Drive will help reduce the speed of drivers. He also s uggested that the Commission request that the City Council move these recommendations up on the capital improvements project list. He shared his support of the flashing lighted stop sign at Valley Drive and 6th Place.
Commissioner Balla asked if we could implement more cros swalks along Valley Drive and put this on the capital improvement projects list now. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the Pedestrian Enhancement Study reviewed as part of this NTMP identified future crosswalks throughout the city including locations on Valley Drive at 10 th Place and 6 th Place. He stated that there are no other areas along Valley Drive with an accessible path to the Veterans Parkway. Commissioner Balla asked if traffic signals were considered. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that traffic signals are not appropriate on Valley Drive based on specific State criteria that must be met.
Commissioner Marcy asked why speed bumps were not considered. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that this would be a Level Three measure, and that Level One or Two measures must be implemented first to determine if they are effective.
Chair DaGiau asked if reducing the speed limit could be considered. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained the purpose of these recommendations is to reduce the speed of drivers by other means to obtain driver compliance with the desired speed limit.
Commissioner Marcy asked if the recommendations excluding the capital projects can be pursued urgently. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that once the City Council approves these recommendations, they can be implemented quickly, minus the capital projects which will take longer.
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (Marcy/Kirschenbaum) to recommend all traffic calming measures proposed by the Traffic Engineer with a sen se of urgency, including the addition of a flashing lighted stop sign at Ardmore Avenue and 6th Place.
AYES: Balla, Marcy, Kirschenbaum (remote), Chair DaGiau NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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Minutes of December 5, 2024 Page 4 of 4
OTHER ITEMS
12/05/24-3 Staff Updates
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided the following staff update on the following items:
Lot 3 closure
o Demolition was completed on November 27, 2024
o Engineering Division is working on a surface level parking lot to put in its place, expected to open by May 2025
o Feasibility study on Lot 3 in progress to determine which land use will best suit the area o 90 new parking spaces have been implemented throughout Downtown City Parking Study
o Walker Consultants have c onducted two parking counts for the Downtown and North End Business Districts
o A comprehensive report will be compiled in Spring 2025
Commissioner Balla asked for clarification on the timeline of Lot 3. Acting Community Development Director Heise stated that the future planning for Lot 3 will be discussed at the City Council meeting on December 9, 2024. He explained this will be a multi- year process to develop the conceptual design, engineering design and begin construction.
Chair DaGiau asked about the status of Lot 4. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that Lot 4 will be the next lot to be reviewed after Lot 3 has been completed.
Commissioner Balla asked about the timeline for seeking financing options for Lot 3. Acting Community Development Director Heise explained that Finance is currently looking at various financing options.
Commissioner Kirschenbaum asked if there have been any co mplaints about the parking spaces implemented on Valley Drive north of 15
th Street. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that these spaces have been well received.
Commissioner Balla asked about the status of the parking code update that was discussed at the previous Parking and Public Improvements Commission meeting. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the next step is for this item to go to the Planning Commissi on and then bring the proposed parking code to the City Council in early spring 2025.
12/05/24-4 Commissioner Items
None.
G. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m. to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Regular Meeting on January 23, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at th e City Hall Council Chambers (1400 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) and via ZOOM Call.
____________________________ ___________________________
BOB DAGIAU CARIANNE CHAVEZ
Chair Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
_____________________________
ERIK ZANDVLIET
Traffic Engineer