CITY OF MERCED Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
Minutes
MERCED
Traffic Committee
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 2:00 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson JORDAN called the Regular Meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: 5 - Member Juan Olmos, Member Casey Wilson, Daryl Jordan, Craig McKeeman, and Jonnie Lan
Absent: 0
C. ORAL COMMUNICATION
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
D.1. SUBJECT: Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2024 ACTION:
Approving and filing the Traffic Committee Minutes of November 5, 2024
ATTACHMENTS
1. Traffic Committee Minutes of November 5, 2024
A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member Olmos, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5 - Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
E. REPORTS
E.1. SUBJECT: Committee Member Reports
Clerk's Note: Members shared Member Reports at the conclusion on the meeting.
Member MCKEEMAN shared information following up on a previous CITY OF MERCED Page 1 Printed on 3/6/2025
Traffic Committee Minutes January 14, 2025
Traffic Committee item on Brookdale Dr and Nottingham Ave. Temporary barriers were put up for 5 weeks with no calls to PD about suspicious activity in this location during that time. There was a compliant about ADA compliance regarding the barriers, and they were removed upon City Manager's request. Neighbors were pleased with the closure and traffic in the area has decreased.
Member OLMOS shared that Public Works installed rapid flashing beacons at the intersection of Starlight Avenue and E Gerard Avenue after committee approval at the last Traffic Committee Meeting.
F. BUSINESS
F.1. 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 to avoid the traffic on Olive Ave and Bear Creek Dr. These vehicles travel at 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 MCKEEMAN noted that Sergeant McKinnon does not have new information to provide for this item. Overall, vehicles are generally traveling less than 10 miles over the speed limit of 25 mph.
Members discussed that there may be additional traffic calming measures to place on Northwood Drive such as speed bumps or speed table, given that residents sign a petition and gather funds to pay for it.
A motion was made by Member Jordan, seconded by Member Olmos, that this agenda item be approved upon the provision that residents provide funding for this work to be completed. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
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Absent: 0
F.2. SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-44 Requesting Painted Bike Lanes And 4 Way Stop Signs At The Intersection Of 15th Street And D Street And Before The S-99 Ramp Along 16th Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen is concerned about the bicyclist and vehicle traffic traveling on both 15th Street and D Street and 16th Street towards the S-99 on ramp.
Citizen explained that he has witnessed several near-misses of pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents. Adding a four way stop at both intersections and painted bike lanes could improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
Citizen shared concerns for this location as they have witnessed and helped with an accident, along with several other near-misses that they have seen. They also provided information about funding and ways to improve this corridor of concern.
Member OLMOS shared that the bikes lanes on Yosemite Parkway is owned by Caltrans and City of Merced does not have right of way.
Members agreed to have the planning and engineering departments review the Active Transportation Plan and the Local Roads Safety Plan to determine how to move forward. Members continued by discussing how the City of Merced would need to work with multiple agencies for work to be approved/completed in this area due to jurisdiction.
A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member Wilson, that this agenda item be continued to the next agenda so that the planning and engineering departments can review planning documents that have been recently adopted, and see if there are may be an opportunity to mitigate these issues through projects potentially geared off those documents. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
F.3. SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-49 Requesting Speed Bumps On Laurel Avenue Between Yosemite Parkway and Pine Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen shares how many drivers in the area speed through the neighborhood at all hours of the day. With this being a street full of families and children, the installation of speed bumps could deter drivers from CITY OF MERCED Page 3 Printed on 3/6/2025
Traffic Committee Minutes January 14, 2025
speeding meanwhile promoting safe driving in the neighborhood.
Members discussed that the data collectors showed the highest speed at 34 mph and the average speed was 27 mph.
Amnion a man by Mober imes sonded by Maniar Wilson, that this
Aye: 5 - Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent:
F.4. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-50 Requesting A Four Way Stop At The Intersection Of 18th Street And O Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen shares how there have been several accidents at this intersection in the past and it continues to be dangerous due to near-miss vehicle accidents that happen almost daily. Drivers tend to exceed the 30 mph speed limit. By adding additional stop signs and making this a four way stop, it could promote safety for all citizens in the area.
Members determined it would be best to continue the request to allow for proper data to be provided by PD.
A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member Wilson, that this agenda item be continued and request traffic data. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
F.5. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-51 Requesting Speed Bumps On 26th Street In Front Of Hoover Middle School And Installation Of A Crosswalk At The Intersection Of 9th Street And 26th Street.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen expresses concern for student and pedestrian safety as vehicles travel up to 50 mph along 26th Street. Due to the school zone and the number of children constantly in this area, adding speed bumps and a crosswalk along 26th Street next to Hoover Middle School can caution drivers to slow down and provide a safer environment to all in the area.
Clerks Note: 9th St should be listed as 9th Ave, as mentioned by Member
CITY OF MERCED
Traffic Committee Minutes January 14, 2025
MCKEEMAN.
Member LAN recalled that Officer MCKINNON previously mentioned that City of Merced PD was collaborating with various schools to determine better traffic safety strategies. She suggested there be an update on those conversations, as it could support this request and future ones that may be similar.
Members noted speed tables are more preferred than speed bumps, especially to support a faster response from emergency vehicles.
Members agreed to continue the request to so that they may obtain an update from PD's contact with schools on safety recommendations in addition to traffic data at this location.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
F.6. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-52 Requesting Red Curbing At The Intersection Of Meadows Ave And Loughborough Drive.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen requests red curbing at the intersection of Meadows Ave and Loughborough Dr to align with Assembly Bill 413. Citizen shares that it is currently quite difficult to see oncoming traffic due to the congestion of parked cars along this curb. Completing this work will result in better visibility for drivers who drive along Meadows Ave and approach Loughborough Drive.
Members discussed that it would be very costly to paint every curb red, however they would support painting the intersections that are visual hazards.
Member LAN mentioned that this specific area has been a re-occuring issue among citizens and residents who bring these concerns to the committee. She supported this request due to the frequent concerns.
A motion was made by Member Lan, seconded by Member Olmos, that this agenda item be approved and to paint the curb red at the intersection of Meadows Ave and Loughborough Dr. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
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Aye: 5 - Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
F.7. SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-53 Requesting Blue Curbing In Front Of 764 Taryn Ct.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Citizen is requesting blue curbing for handicapped parking in front of their residence. Resident shares that both her and her husband are disabled and utilize the parking space in front of their home, however their neighbors have several cars and frequently use this parking spot as well.
Members discussed how the installation of an ADA parking stall would require a lot more infrastructure to be ADA compliant, along with how the space could be used by anyone with a blue parking placard. The videos provided showed available spaces for the citizen and her husband on their driveway.
A motion was made by Member Wilson, seconded by Member Olmos, that this agenda item be denied. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5 - Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
G. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Member Olmos, seconded by Member Wilson, that this agenda item be adjourned at 2:36 pm. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Aye: 5- Member Olmos, Member Wilson, Member Lan, Chairperson Jordan, and Member McKeeman
No: 0
Absent: 0
APPROVED: T
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