CITY OF MERCED Merced Civic Center
678W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
MERCED Minutes
Traffic Committee
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 2:00 PM
NOTICE TO PUBLIC
WELCOME
Copies of the backup material relating to each item of business referred to on the agenda are on file in the office of the City Clerk. Any person who has questions concerning any agenda item may call the Engineering Department at 209-385-6860. Prior to each regular Traffic Committee meeting, a complete agenda packet is available for review in the Civic Center, 2nd floor Engineering Department, 678 West 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340 and on the City's website at www.cityofmerced.org. Any documents provided to a majority of the committee members after this agenda is posted will be available for public inspection in the City Clerk's office during normal business hours.
PUBLIC COMMENT: OBTAIN SPEAKER CARD FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE CLERK
Members of the audience who wish to address the Traffic Committee are requested to complete a speaker card available at the podium against the back of the Council Chamber. Please submit the completed card to the Traffic Committee Clerk before the item is called, preferably before the meeting begins.
Material may be emailed to [email protected] no later than 1 PM on the day of the meeting. Please specify which portion of the agenda you are commenting on, for example, Report item # or Public Comment. Your comments will be presented to the Traffic Committee at the appropriate time. Any correspondence received after 1 PM will be distributed to the Traffic Committee and retained for the official record.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Accommodation for individuals with disabilities may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk at (209) 388-8650. Assisted hearing devices are available for meetings held in the Council Chamber.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
Present: 5 - Member Juan Olmos, Member Nathaniel McKinnon, Member Casey Wilson, Member Jonnie Lan, and Richard Maddox
Absent:
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C. ORAL COMMUNICATION
Isaac TORRES- asked for further traffic calming measures near schools.
He shared that he had experienced a couple of accidents that wrecked his home and vehicles from reckless drivers. Though there is a raised crosswalk and traffic signs to alert drivers, it is not enough. He requested speed bumps, flashing beacons, high visibility markers, and infrastructure improvements near all schools.
Isabel SANCHEZ- asked for further safety measures on the south part of Merced near Alicia Reyes Elementary School due to speeding/reckless drivers who put students safety at risk.
Ashley Marie SUAREZ- spoke on behalf of Monique Torres on the need for speed reduction in south Merced, specifically along 2nd Street between T St and S St. She added that multiple accidents have taken place in this area, and caused concern due to Margaret Sheehy Elementary School being fairly close by. She requested additional stop signs, speed bumps, and other traffic calming measures. She asked the committee members to look into alternate ways to enhance traffic safety within south Merced.
At this time, audience members who wish to speak on any matter not listed on the agenda, please identify yourself and city of residence, and if you intend on using technology for your presentation please leave a copy for the record.
Committee will not take action on an item that is brought to their attention at this meeting. If it requires action, it will be referred to staff and/or listed on the next Traffic Committee agenda.
Members of the public who wish to speak will be allotted 3 minutes. Avoid repeating what previous speakers have said. If two or more individuals are present as a group and wish to speak on one side of an issue, please select a single spokesperson to present your views.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the consent calendar are considered routine by the Traffic Committee and will be adopted by one action of the Traffic Committee unless a member of the audience or Traffic Committee member has a question, statement or wishes to discuss an item. In that event, the clerk will remove that item from the consent calendar and place it for separate consideration.
D.1 SUBJECT: Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes of July 9, 2024 ACTION:
Approving and filing the Traffic Committee Minutes of July 9, 2024
ATTACHMENTS
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1. Traffic Committee Minutes of July 9, 2024
A motion was made by Member McKinnon, seconded by Member Olmos, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 4- Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, and Member Lan No: 0
Absent: 0
E. REPORTS
E.1. SUBJECT: Committee Member Reports
F. BUSINESS
F.1. SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-07 Requesting Signage And Other Measures To Discourage Drivers From Turning Left Out Of The McDonald's/ Tractor Supply Parking Lot Onto Campus Parkway. (Corey Plagenza)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen states cars exit the parking lot and cross both the traffic lanes dirt median to make a left turn onto Coffee Street instead of making a right turn.
Member LAN suggested this item be continued for further review of the area and the original agreement made through the planning department.
Members discussed potential signage/barrier measures and to speak with the owner to possibly block the driveway.
A motion was made by Member McKinnon, seconded by Member Wilson, that this agenda item be continued. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, Member Lan, and Maddox No: 0
Absent: 0
F.2. SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-24 Requesting A Speed Bump/Bumps Along Bodie Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen and community states drivers are speeding past this street at fast and unsafe speeds. The area is close to the Weaver Middle School, and is CITY OF MERCED Page 3 Printed on 11/1/2024
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prone to pedestrians, children, and even pet traffic on a daily basis. The addition of speed bumps will help drivers slow down and obey the speed limit.
Members discussed how further traffic control measures are not warranted at this location. They agreed upon the addition of a few speed limit signs if it is determined that the ones already in place are not visible.
A motion was made by Member Olmos, seconded by Member McKinnon, that this agenda item be denied. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4- Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, and Member Lan No: 0
Absent: 0
F.3. SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-38 Requesting The Installation Of Speed Bumps And A Temporary Speed Trailer On Northwood Drive.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen explains many drivers use Northwood Drive as a throughway t avoid the traffic on Olive Ave and Bear Creek Dr. These vehicles travel al high speeds, causing safety hazards to residents of this area, many of whom include both children and elderly veterans who enjoy spending time outside frequently. The potential risk of an accident has led some fearful residents to discontinue the walks outdoors. The installation of speeds bumps could urge drivers to slow down and would allow for a safer environment for all residents and drivers in the area. A temporary speed radar would be beneficial until speeds bumps are installed.
Member MCKINNON shared that the data collectors showed over 13,000 cars traveling through this area over the course of 7 days.
Member OLMOS shared that crews installed additional signage and sidewalk grinding after concerns were shared at the July 9th meeting.
Member MADDOX shared that there is an upcoming project within this area that may benefit the neighborhood.
Members discuss traffic trailers going out to this street once again to determine vehicle speeds.
A motion was made by Member McKinnon, seconded by Member Lan, that this agenda item be continued. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5 - Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, Member Lan, and Maddox No: 0
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Absent: 0
F.4. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-41 Requesting Parking Spaces In Front Of New Life Church At 1129 P Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen expresses concern for the elderly of the church who must walk from further distances due to the lack of parking in the front of the church. Citizen adds that there is no available parking during the church's events because of other vehicles using the street parking.
Citizen shared that the elderly of their church have difficulty with parking in the area due to the numerous amount of cars in the neighborhood. She requested that they have a specific spot in front of the church for their services parking.
Members discuss timed parking spaces for the spots in front of the church rather than these spots marked as church parking only.
Clerk's Note: Requestor requested that this item be dropped after committee approval. Please see the attached email.
A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member McKinnon, that this agenda item be approved with the addition of two 2 hour timed parking spaces along P Street and engineering to determine the exact measurements. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, Member Lan, and Maddox No: 0
Absent:
F.5. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-42 Requesting Street Lights Between The 500 To 600 Blocks Of East 21st Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen is requesting streetlights in the 500 block of East 21st Street to deter speeding and racing drivers attempting to beat the red light at the intersection of 21st Street and Glen Avenue.
Member OLMOS shares he has been in contact with PG&E to add additional streetlights along this block of E 21st Street due to these light poles not being city owned.
Member MCKINNON says he will work with getting traffic data collectors to this area and will gather further information about this street.
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A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member McKinnon, that this agenda item be continued. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5 - Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, Member Lan, and Maddox No: 0
Absent: 0
F.6. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-42 Requesting A 3-Way Stop, Marked Crosswalks, and Parking Enforcement At The Intersection of Meadows Avenue And Loughborough Drive.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen is concerned about possible pedestrian-vehicle accidents in this area. Citizen notes there have been multiple accidents since the beginning of the year and with there being many children living in the area, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are requested. In addition, there are no markings for a crosswalk, which raises safety concerns for community members who walk to nearby businesses. Lastly, the vehicles parked on the street causes visibility issues for drivers approaching the stop sign on Meadows Ave and Loughborough Dr.
Clerk's Note: The request number was an error and should be marked as #24-43. Also, the attachments were not included within agenda, however each member was provided the attachments on the diaus and copies were placed in the back of the Council Chambers for the public to view.
Citizen shares concerns about the accidents that she has seen in this area considering there are a lot of children who reside in the neighborhood. She also added that cars speed as rapidly as 80 mph.
Citizen shares there is a lack of visibility with the crosswalk and infrastructure to alert drivers of pedestrians.
Member MADDOX shares there will be a streetlight upgrade in this area.
Members discuss further researching the data collision information and review it, and the possible traffic calming measures for this intersection.
A motion was made by Member McKinnon, seconded by Member Wilson, that this agenda item be continued. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member McKinnon, Member Wilson, Member Lan, and Maddox No: 0
Absent: 0
I. ADJOURNMENT
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A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member Wilson, that this Traffic Committee meeting be adjourned at 3:06 p.m.
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