TRAFFICCOMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 13, 2021
A. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:01 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson: Michael Beltran, City Engineer
Committee Members: Michael Hren, Planning Manager Designee Juan Olmos, Public Works Designee
Leon Pintabona, Police Chief Designee
Derek Parker, Fire Chief
Absent:
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Frank Klick states vehicles are passing traffic around the right side of the street on Yosemite Ave., speeding vehicles in the area, loud vehicles speeding in the area, and racing are occurring. He would like something done with the traffic issues in the area.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Traffic Committee Minutes of May 11, 2021
RECOMMENDATION:
Amend, approve, and file.
Hren Moved, Olmos Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
Clerk's Note: Staff recommendation approved.
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 1 of 11
E. REPORTS
1. Committee Member Reports
F. BUSINESS
1. Request #21-008 - Requesting Speed Humps Along Gardner Ave. Between Destiny Dr. and Dunn Rd. (Lawrence & Alice Pressley, Clarence & Colleen Eisberg, Navtar & Ranjeet Singh, , Christi. Workman, Vince & Sandra Clemons, Dulceney Zaragoza, Eric Perez, Paul & Robin Geyer)
(Citizens state there is excessive speeding in the area all hours of the day, racing, cars doing doughnuts, and several accidents have occurred.)
Committee Member Hren states speed humps are not something that the Planning Dept. is generally in support of based on the issues with emergency services, Chairperson Beltran agrees with speed humps not going in. Gardner corridor is going to be a collector road and is intended to move traffic. Enforcement is about all we can do in this area.
MOTION: Reject request for speed humps and recommend the area to the Police Department for additional law enforcement.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Parker Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
2. Request #21-010- Requesting A Speed Limit Sign to Be Posted in Both Directions on E. 20th St. Near Charles Wright Elementary School (Jennifer Fosgate) (Citizen states there aren't any posted speed limit signs on E. 20th St. near the school.) Committee Member Olmos states signs in the area were obstructed, trees were trimmed, and now the signs are visible. It is now up to code.
MOTION: Reject additional signage as it was requested.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 2 of 11
Pintabona Moved, Olmos Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
3. Request #21-012 - Requesting a Barrier Be Put in Place at The End of Cormorant Dr (Katelyn Mayo)
(Citizen states cars park in the area throughout the day, smoking pot, drinking, or engaging in other behavior, speeding and doing doughnuts, not allowing walking access to the path.)
Committee Members state that the blocking of the area is not suitable for emergency vehicles, from a public services standpoint. There is no real solution for the traffic in the area, except for Police enforcement. The Committee feels it is a City Council issue, possibly an ATP area for a bike boulevard.
MOTION: To continue this item to next Traffic Committee meeting.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Parker Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
4. Request #21-013 - Requesting Additional Traffic Enforcement, Narrowing of The Street With Chicanes, Putting Up a Sign To Slow Car Traffic-- "Bike Path Crossing" w/Picture And "Slow" At The Entrance To The Bike Path, Flashing Lights On Sign, 4 Way Stop Signs, Striping of The Street Along El Portal Dr., And Placing A Crosswalk By Chenoweth Elementary School (Jose & Mayra Lopez, Joe Brucia, Robin Donovan, Jolene Schadler, LuAnn Parson, Edwardo Zamora Sr.., Ben French, Ronald Ringstrom) (Citizens state there is no enforcement of the new speed limit, speeding/racing is still happening making it difficult to back out of driveways and cross the street to the community mailboxes. Regular flooding of the Rahilly Park bike path bridge causes pedestrians/cyclist to cross on the street.)
Chairperson Beltran states Public Works has done a round of striping, he would like to have this item added to the next round of striping that Public Works will do. Public Works will add a double line to the street so the Police will be able to site traffic issues.
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 3 of 11
Committee Member Olmos states there was a new pump installed at by the bike path so the flooding issues should be resolved in that area.
MOTION: Public Works to place center line striping on El Portal Drive from McKee to Joerg
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Olmos Moved, Hren Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
5. Request #21-015 - Requesting Red Curb around entrance and Exit of Driveways at 2651 Cooper Ave. (Conrad Noriega))
(Citizen states parking on the street overnight near the driveways is too close for incoming and outgoing semi traffic.)
Chairperson Beltran states they are request is for 30' of red curbing around the driveways for better access to the driveways for the semi-trucks.
MOTION: To approve installing 30' of red curb around entrance and exit of driveways at 2651 Cooper Ave.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: Yes
Hren Moved, Pintabona Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
6. Request #21-016 - Requesting Handicap Accessible Curbs on the Corner of Parsons Ave. and Teak Ave. (Lisa Dalrymple)
(Citizen states it is a busy school intersection, needs handicap accessible curbs.) Chairperson Beltran states we have a lot of areas in the City that do not have ADA ramps. We are looking at installing them around the city with some grant funding.
The Engineering department will be working with the school district to decide what areas need to be addressed at some point in the future.
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 4 of 11
MOTION: To reject request and refer location to the Engineering Department for the up-comping plans with the school district.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Pintabona Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
Request #21-017 - Requesting a Drop Off Zone (White Curb) in Front of the Merced Playhouse (Anthony Braxton)
(Citizen states he would like to make it accessible for people with accessibility issues or handicaps.)
Anthony Braxton would like to have a temporary white zone in place for a period of time during their show times for easier access for those with accessibility issues.
Chairperson Beltran states they have a Pilot program going on right now for the downtown area. It is something we can accommodate; we have an agenda item going to council to approve a contract with a consultant on August 2. We need to investigate how we could implement this in the area. We may need to have a conversation with the Economic Development Department to discuss what can be done.
MOTION: To move this item to the next Traffic Committee meeting. Engineering to bring this item to the Economic Development Department for discussion.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Pintabona Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
Request #21-018 - Requesting Speed Bumps and Speed Limit Signs on Bodie St. (Kimberly Vecina Farias)
(Citizen states people are driving through Brodie Street at unsafe speeds are distracted, making it unsafe for the residents to back out of their driveways and children walking tolfrom school.)
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 5 of 11
Committee Members discuss who are the vehicles causing the speeding in the area whether it the residence or traffic coming through the area. There is a lot of parking on the roadway which obstructs the area for backing out of the driveway. No amount of speed control devices or other traffic control devices will divert traffic issues from this area.
Chairperson Beltran states seems to be a neighborhood issue as it is not a street the flows through to somewhere.
MOTION: To deny this request.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Parker Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
Request #21-019 - Requesting Speed Bumps and Stop or Yield Signage on 6th Ave. & 26th St. (Jeff Bromfield, Jasmine Clark)
(Citizen states there have been several traffic accidents at this location because of excessive speed. There are no stop signs or yield signs, and there are many children in the area that need to be protected.)
Committee Members discuss that speed bumps do not stop the behavior of speeders.
The only thing that changes that behavior is Police enforcement.
Chairperson Beltran states we need to look at the crash data for this intersection, to see if the data warrants implementing a stop sign or a yield sign. He is requesting the Police department to pull warrants for this area.
MOTION: To move this item to the next Traffic Committee meeting. Police Department to check the crash data for this area.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Olmos Moved, Pintabona Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 6 of 11
10. Request #21-020 - Requesting "Keep Clear" Road Markings Around the 3100 Block of M St. (Sarah Boyle)
(Citizen states this area gets backed up with traffic blocking the intersection when people are trying to get into the left-hand turn lane.) Committee Member Hren states Resolution #3063 of the Planning Commission was for the Starbucks in the area. Condition #27 of the resolution states the developer will work with the Engineering department to design a stripping plan. The striping not go in prior to the completion of this project, at this point we are not able to have this implemented by the vendor.
Chairperson Beltran states he will approach the landowner on their resolution and try to have them put the striping. This gives the Engineering department the authority to put in a work order for Public Works to put in if necessary.
MOTION: Engineering Department to approach the developer to install the striping that they need to, if not the Engineering department will submit a work order to Public Works to place the striping.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Pintabona Moved, Hren Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
11. Request #21-021 - Requesting Short-Term Parking Curb in front of Mailbox Units (Sarah Boyle)
(Citizen states overflow from the parking lot ends up parking on Buena Vista causing residents to park down the street to collect their mail.) Chairperson Beltran states we do have a 10-minute parking zone in the Muni Code between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm any day except Saturday, Sunday, or holidays available.
Committee Member Hren states he believes would be alright to have the sign put in unless the problem is after 5 pm. Thinks it could help and doesn't see it hurting the situation.
MOTION: To approve the request for a 10 Minute Short Term parking zone.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: Yes
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 7 of 11
Hren Moved, Parker Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
12. Request #21-022 - Requesting Bike Lanes, Stop Signs, Crosswalks, Street Humps, Concrete Containers with Trees in the Middle of the Street, and Cameras (Dr. Eva Cadez)
(Citizen states she would like bike lanes on both sides of Pinnacle Drive, Twilight Avenue and Solstice Avenue. There is excessive speeding up and down Pinnacle Drive, and the pedestrian path is being used by vehicles at Solstice Avenue. Stops signs a every intersection would help with the speeding along Pinnacle Drive. Citizen states street humps along Pinnacle drive, Solstice Avenue and Twilight Avenue would help deter speeding vehicles. Cameras and any other measures that could help.) Chairperson Beltran state the plan is that Lehigh will connect to R. Street at some point when that development is decided.
Committee Member Hren states speed humps are generally not acceptable, cameras are beyond where our scope is, he is not opposed to the idea of a traffic circle, which is the most reasonable request. Bike lanes are not a precedent on local roads.
Chairperson Beltran states we need to look at crash data. We need to look at proper control methods.
Committee Member Olmos states he would be ok with placing a couple of speed limit signs to help with the speed.
MOTION:
Department wil pull chas data for the intersections of vigh ce Pinnacle and Solstice & Pinnacle.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Olmos Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
13. Request #21-023 - Requesting a Handicap Parking Space in Front of His Residence Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 8 of 11
(John Vierra)
(Citizen states vehicles are parking so close to the bus stop, it makes it difficult for the bus drivers to pull in, and the extra curb/sidewalk is needed for the passengers boarding through the rear doors.)
Chairperson Beltran states ADA requirements for a Handicap stall from an Engineering standpoint on a roadway, has many requirements. It is something we generally don't put in on roadways. We have quite a few in the city that are not in ADA compliance, and we are working on having them removed. We cannot paint a curb blue for a Handicap parking spot, there is a lot more that goes into being ADA compliant
MOTION: To deny the request.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Hren Moved, Olmos Seconded
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
14. Request #21-024 - Requesting "Motel Drive" Name Change to "Hotel Drive" (Edwin Kainth)
(Citizens would like to change the name of "Motel Drive" to "Hotel Drive" to upgrade the area to promote more tourism.)
Chairperson Beltran states he has checked the name registry, there is no other street with that name in the system. It is being brought to the Traffic Committee for review and evaluation request before sending this item to City Council, as this will need to be approved by council for the name change.
Committee members state there are residents in the area that will need to be notified of these changes and will need to sign off on this beforehand. We may need to d esearch on what the process is for updating the addresses, emergency systems, who is going to pay for this, and who else needs to be notified. This isn't really a Traffic Committee issue: it seems to be a Planning issue.
MOTION: To refer this item to the Planning Department.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED: No
Parker Moved, Pintabona Seconded
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 9 of 11
Vote: 5-0
Voting Aye: Michael Beltran, Michael Hren, Juan Olmos, Leon Pintabona, Derek Parker
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 10 of 11
G. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
By: Approved:
salts
Nicole Tabares Michael Beltran
Administrative Assistant/ City Engineer/ Chairperson
Recording Secretary
Traffic Committee Minutes July 13, 2021 Page 11 of 11