CITY OF MURRIETA
1 TOWN SQUARE
MURRIETA, CA
JULY 19, 2023
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
MURRIETA TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Valdez called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Guillermo Valdez Vice Chair Wesley Burchartz
Traffic Commissioner Carlos Gallardo
Traffic Commissioner Gianni Limogiannis
Absent: Traffic Commissioner Mark Powers
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Chair Valdez.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Action: It was moved by Vice Chair Burchartz , seconded by Commissioner Limogiannis to approve the agenda of July 19, 2023.The motion carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Valdez, Burchartz, Gallardo, Limogiannis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Powers
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Arthur Ford spoke and requested a change from a two-way stop (side streets only) to a four- way stop at the Whitewood Road and Meadowlark Lane intersection due to the curve in the roadway and safety concerns. Mr. Ford also noted the recent fatality at Whitewood Road and Helebore Street, the next intersection to the north, which also has a curve at its intersection and is also currently a two-way stop (side streets only).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: It was moved by Vice Chair Burchartz , seconded by Chair Valdez to approve the March 15, 2023, Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes.
Ayes: Valdez, Burchartz, Gallardo, Limogiannis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Traffic Commission Minutes July 19, 2023
Absent: Powers
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
D1. Whitewood Road Traffic & Safety Concerns
Consulting Traffic Engineer Aida Edgington gave a brief Power Point presentation.
The Commissioners expressed support for staff’s first recommendation for the installation of a traffic signal at the Whitewood Road and Poinsettia Street, as that intersection met the peak hour volume warrant and was close to meeting the four-hour volume warrant per the Manual of Unified Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The installation will also benefit a high number of school aged children that currently cross at this intersection without a crossing guard present.
Although traffic warrants were not met for installation of a traffic signal at Whitewood Road and Mapleton Street in accordance with the MUTCD, the Commissioners asked if a traffic signal could still be installed. Consulting Traffic Engineer Aida Edgington responded to the Commissioners and shared the risks and concerns with installing a traffic signal that didn’t meet any warrants as outlined in the MUTCD. The Commissioners followed up and asked if a four- way traffic stop could be installed until such a time that a signal is warranted. Like the traffic signal request, Ms. Edgington responded to the Commissioners and shared the risks and concerns with installing a four-way traffic stop that didn’t meet warrants as outlined in the MUTCD. Mr. James Ozouf, Senior Civil Engineer, briefly discussed the Traffic Signal Prioritization list, and the process and timeline to get traffic signals installed. Several Commissioners asked if radar feedback signs could be installed along Whitewood Road to make drivers more aware of their current speed and further encourage drivers to slow down and obey the speed limits. Mr. Steve Whiddon, Traffic Sergeant for the Murrieta Police Department, responded that radar feedback signs could easily be installed along Whitewood Road and could be done within a few days time. Mr. Whiddon also noted that motor officers are also patrolling the area more frequently.
Action: It was moved by Vice Chair Burchartz and seconded by Commissioner Limogiannis to approve staff’s recommendations, with the addition that portable radar feedback signs be installed along Whitewood Road between Clinton Keith Road and Keller Road by the Murrieta Police Department. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Valdez, Burchartz, Gallardo, Limogiannis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Powers
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Nick Curtis spoke in opposition to the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Whitewood Road and Poinsettia Road and favors that the existing four-way stop remain in place. Mr. Curtis was neutral with staff’s recommendation to keep the current two-way stop at Whitewood Road and Mapleton Street. He expressed concerns about extended wait times to safely turn left from Mapleton Street to Whitewood Road and would like a four-way stop installed in lieu of the existing two-way stop (side streets only).
Traffic Commission Minutes July 19, 2023
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
Chair Valdez and the Commissioners thanked staff for their presentation. They also thanked Traffic Sergeant Steve Whiddon and Captain Matt Henry for attending the traffic commission meeting, providing their valuable input and for their hard work and dedication in patrolling the City of Murrieta.
STAFF COMMENTS
Senior Civil Engineer James Ozouf thanked all the Commissioners and the public for their input and reiterated that staff will continue to monitor and analyze the various intersections along Whitewood Road for future four-way stops or traffic signals as traffic patterns change and requests from residents come in.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Valdez adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
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James Ozouf
Senior Civil Engineer