Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Traffic Committee
2:00 PMTuesday, November 7, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson NELSON called the Regular Meeting to order at 2:00 PM B. ROLL CALL
Member MCKINNON absent from committee meeting.
Member Juan Olmos, Member Julie Nelson, Member Casey Wilson, and Member Mike Wegley
Present: 4 -
Member Nathaniel McKinnonAbsent: 1 -
C. ORAL COMMUNICATION
There were no public comments.
D CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Member WILSON, seconded by Member OLMOS, that this Consent Item be approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
D1. SUBJECT: Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2023 ACTION:
Approving and filing the Traffic Committee Minutes of September 12, 2023
E REPORTS
E1. SUBJECT: Committee Member Reports
There were no Member Reports.
F BUSINESS
F7. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-24 Requesting A Clear Crosswalk Or A Flashing Pedestrian Crosswalk To Alert Drivers Of Crossing Pedestrians On N Street And 16th Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
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Citizen states pedestrian’s cross 16th street without a clear crosswalk or a flashing crosswalk. Adding a form of protection will aid in pedestrian safety at this area.
Clerk's Note: Agenda Item F.7. was moved to be heard prior to F.1.
Member OLMOS stated that he would not support the addition of a crosswalk at N and 16th Street, noting that the safest place to cross was at either O street and M Street.
Member WILSON noted that through his own witnessing, adding a crosswalk can lead to a false sense of security and more accidents.
A motion was made by Member Olmos, seconded by Member Wilson, to deny the request and refer back to engineering. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F1. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-18 Requesting Stop Signs At San Jose Ave And W. Donna Drive, As Well As De Anza Avenue And W. Donna Drive. Citizen Is Also Requesting The Continuance Of The Double Yellow Line From R Street And Donna Drive To At Least M Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states that a curve in the road, along with the busyness of the street, makes this uncontrolled intersection (at San Jose Ave. and West Donna Dr.) prone to near misses. When school lets out, the intersection at Donna and De Anza is inundated with drivers trying to circumvent cars waiting to turn on M St. Along with the hazard that the uncontrolled intersection creates, students trying to cross are also at risk. Lastly, citizen is hoping the addition of a double line from Donna to M Street will remind drivers not to pass and create hazards for the neighbors, pedestrians, and children.
Member WEGLEY suggested the addition of the stop signs as requested.
Member OLMOS stated that if the data comes back and supports the addition of stop signs, he is in favor.
Member WILSON is in favor for the safety of divers, children, and pedestrians.
Members agree.
Motion to receive information to determine if there is a basis for stop signs.
Motion to approve striping along the two curves on Donna.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
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Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
Member WEGLEY recommended adding stripes only along the curves of West Donna Drive.
Motion to approve a double yellow line along both curves on West Donna Drive.
Motion passes unanimously.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F2. SUBJECT: Request #23-19 School Zone Signage And/Or Lit Up Crosswalk On 21st And Cherry Ave.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states that the intersection at Charles Wright School, on 21st and Cherry Ave. has become dangerous due to the influx of vehicles not stopping for the cross guard and pedestrians. Citizen is requesting a school zone sign and/or lit up crosswalk to prevent any danger to the crossing guard and students.
Members decide the area requested is not able to be considered a school zone.
Member NELSON also questioned the need for a lit up crosswalk when school occurs in the day time.
A motion was made by Member Parker, seconded by Member McKinnon, to deny the request. Motion to deny passed.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F3. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-20 Requesting A School Zone Sign, A Reduce In Speed, And A Two-Way Stop Or A Lit-Up Crossing At Charles Wright School At The 21st And Cherry Intersection.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states cars are going faster than 35 mph and do not stop for the crossing guard and students. She is requesting a school zone sign and a reduce in speed. She is also requesting a two-way stop or a lit-up
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crossing to prevent any danger to pedestrians.
Members discussed how the facts remain the same as item F.2 and there is no precedent to fulfill request. Additional police enforcement was recommended by member Olmos.
A motion was made by Member Olmos, seconded by Member Wegley, to deny but request additional police enforcement in the area. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F4. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-21 Requesting A Speed Bump From HWY 59 To Stonybrook Avenue.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states that there are speeders on the daily that put children and pedestrians in at risk. Citizen requests speedbumps to prevent future accidents.
Member OLMOS stated that he is not in favor of the addition of speed bumps but additional signage on Willowbrook he is in favor of.
Member NELSON agreed.
A motion was made by Member Olmos, seconded by Member Wegley, to deny the request but add additional signage on Willowbrook. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F5. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-22 Requesting A Stop Sign At The Intersection Of Wildcat Drive And St Tropaz Avenue To Prevent Accidents From Occurring.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states cars speed past the intersection from both directions since there is no stop sign. This intersection creates many near misses on a daily basis.
Member NELSON states that more information is needed to see if the intersection warrants a stop/yeild sign.
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Member OLMOS agrees.
This Business Item was continued.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F6. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-23 Requesting A Speed Bump At The Intersection Of El Portal Drive & Joerg Avenue To Stop Cars From Speeding Through The Stop Sign.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states drivers are notoriously running through stop signs by either slowing down without a full stop or darting through the intersection. Very few come to a complete stop. This area becomes dangerous for people exiting the walking path located right at said intersection.
Member OLMOS recommended a larger police presence at this intersection.
Member WEGLEY noted that the stop bars are short and can be extended.
Painting or repainting can also help the intersection.
Member WILSON explained how a speed bump would still prohibit the speed of emergency vehicles and noted he was for police enforcement.
Member NELSON agreed.
A motion was made by Member Wilson, seconded by Member Olmos, that this agenda item be denied with the a request for additional enforcement, extending the stop bar, and repainting the intersection. The motion carried unanimously.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F8. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-25 Requesting A Designated Handicap Spot In Front Of 1368 Baxter Ct. For Both The Disabled Husband And Wife.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states there are more cars parking on Baxter Ct. and specifically in front of his house. Both him and his wife are disabled and if parking is not available, he must resort to his driveway. The slope of said driveway
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makes it difficult for him to get in and out of his vehicle.
Members cannot justify adding a handicap parking space.
Motion to deny request passes with the motion made by Wilson and seconded by Olmos.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F9. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-26 RV Parking Ordinance Guidance.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Council is requesting guidance on creating a RV Parking City Ordinance as already established by the City of Los Banos, Bellflower, Gardena, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Woodland.
Members discuss the Los Banos Ordinance and if this will work in the CIty of Merced.
Members described how beneficial this would be in terms of upkeep and availability.
Member WEGLEY offered the deletion of the proximity rule found in Los Banos Ordinance.
This Business Item was approved with the recommendation to create an ordinance like that of Los Banos with the deletion of the 50 mile proximity rule. A motion was made by Member Wegley, and seconded by Member Wilson.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F10. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-27 Request For A No Parking Zone On The West Side Of West Avenue From Eagle Street To Riggs Avenue.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Council is requesting a no parking zone on the West side of West Ave from Eagle Street to Riggs Ave due to an inundation of semi-truck parking.
Member WEGLEY offered an option to designate this area as a "no truck parking" instead of "no parking."
Members agreed with this recommendation.
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A motion was made by Member Olmos seconded by Member Wegley, to approve the request and designate West Ave.as a "No Truck Parking Zone" The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F11. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-28 Requesting Bike Lane And Pedestrian Walkway Improvements On G Street Between Cardella Road And Community College Drive.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states that more people travel this area daily after the completion of housing in this location. Without the pedestrian walkway and a bike lane, citizens will be in harms way.
Member NELSON states that there is planned development in the area that would be putting sidewalks and curb.
Member WEGLEY also states that development funds and grant money will also hopefully be available for these improvements.
A motion was made by Member Wilson, seconded by Member Wegley, that this agenda item be denied. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
F12. SUBJECT: REQUEST #23-29 Requesting A Striped Island West Of Mercy's Intersection With Mansonette Drive And Restriping Near The Hospital.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen is requesting a striped island west of Mercy's intersection with Mansonette Drive to help clarify proper lane alignment, as well as the consideration for new striping from the hospitals southern entrance to the easterly limit of the school.
Member OLMOS stated that the developer in the area is planned and should have the intersection completed.
Member WEGLEY stated engineering will follow up on its progress.
A motion was made by Member Olmos, seconded by Member Wegley, that this
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agenda item be denied but also referred back to engineering to contact the developer. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Member Olmos, Member Nelson, Member Wilson, and Member Wegley4 - No: 0
Absent: Member McKinnon1 -
G ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting was adjourned at 4:02 PM.
A motion was made by Member Wegley, seconded by Member Wilson, to adjourn the Regular Meeting. The motion passed unanimously.