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MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2022
SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THE TRAFFIC
SAFETY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF
PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
A Teleconference meeting of the Palos Verdes Estates City Council was held via Zoom videoconference only in order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and pursuant to AB 361 and the County of Los Angeles Public Health Officer's recommended measures to promote social distancing. Members of the public were provided with the following information to provide public input:
BY COMPUTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89583954831
MEETING ID: 895 8395 4831
BY TELEPHONE: 1 669 900 9128, Enter Code 895 8395 4831# CALL TO ORDER 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
• City Council
• Traffic Safety Committee
• Present: Council Members Murdock, Kemps, McGowan, Mayor Pro Tern Roos, Mayor Lozzi
Traffic Safety Committee Chair Unno, Vice-Chair Rosenkranz and Committee Members Fitzpatrick, Windman and Lee
• Also Present: Interim City Manager Papa, City Attorney Cotti, Chief of Police Best, City Engineer Jonasson, and City Clerk Chaney
Marlena Perez, Carla Dietrich and Eric Spangler of Michael Baker International
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
NEW BUSINESS
(1) Presentation and Discussion: Palos Verdes Drive West Corridor Project Phase 1 and Initiation of Public Meetings
City Engineer Tim Jonasson presented background on Phase one of the Via Carta/ Palos Verdes Drive West project, which includes environmental review and design.
The feasibility study presented two options which include a two lane roundabout and a signalized intersection.
Eric Spangler, along with Marlena Perez and Carla Dietrich presented the options and alternatives for the project. These included a roundabout, a traffic signal, and no build.
He presented a timeline of next steps, noting that the next step is to make this presentation to the public to obtain public comment and input on the different build alternatives and on the project, then the city would then select the preferred alternative in April, June 1 would be the funding application deadline that would go to Metro for the construction dollars, and then they proceed to final design.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick provided his comments, stating concern about the roundabout option, based on traffic and safety. He also noted concerns about parking, specifically for the Malaga Cove businesses.
Committee Member Lee echoed the comments of Committee member Fitzpatrick. He listed safety concerns associated with the roundabout option and stated that the traffic signal may alleviate many of those concerns. He also mentioned concerns related to lighting. He asked the project consultants for clarification about the traffic signal option.
Eric Spangler explained that traffic speeds will differ based on the option, with roundabout speeds being slower than a signal. Marlena Perez provided clarification on the crosswalks and pedestrian traffic.
Vice Chair Rosenkranz provided her comments and concerns with the speed of traffic through a potential signal, noting she is more impressed with the roundabout option.
Committee member Windman asked for a topographic map of the area, noting concerns with a roundabout and uphill driving approach of the road, and also concerns with the makeup of the area including businesses and residential. He provided safety concerns associated with the crosswalks and pedestrian traffic. He asked about the modeling in the presentation.
The consultants provided some clarification on the modeling, noting it was a PM Weekday traffic pattern.
Committee Chair Unno presented her concerns with pedestrian safety, the aesthetics of a potential traffic signal, parking, and potential unanticipated costs associated with the project.
Councilmember Kemps asked about emergency vehicle access to and from the existing location, and potential future changes to the existing property.
Marlena Perez shared the truck turn templates which provided the preliminary plan for access to and from the current facility.
Councilmember Kemps also asked about the potential traffic flow problems with the left turn heading west at the intersection.
Councilmember Murdock asked about the current green space and path at Malaga Cove Plaza. The consultant responded that the path would go through the grass area to preserve the mature trees.
Councilmember Murdock asked about the parking along the inner barrel in front of the police station. Eric Spangler noted that they would review potentially minimizing the loss of on-street parking.
Councilmember Murdock asked if there was a study of an option with no signal, but the increased lanes. The consultants explained the feasibility study process and that the through a traffic signal warrant analysis, based on volumes, a signal would be warranted.
Councilmember McGowan asked questions about the costs and funding for this project, and what the ultimate cost to the City would be. The City Engineer stated that typically roundabouts are more expensive going in but operational costs are lower as compared to the traffic signal.
Eric Spangler stated that they would be preparing cost estimates over the next month.
His understanding is that the City can request 100% of the cost from Metro.
Mayor Pro T em Roos asked if there was consideration of the impact that the new configuration would have on the approach that people would take. The consultants noted that they did develop projections using demand volumes and changing patterns with cut-through traffic. There was further discussion about volumes and traffic patterns, and diversions. The consultants described other scenarios and alternatives that they studied and decided were not feasible based on operations and safety.
Mayor Pro Tern Roos asked about the additional crosswalk and the multi-use paths.
Mayor Lozzi asked the Michael Baker consultants to review the traffic patterns due to the increase in traffic over the last two years.
The following individuals addressed the City Council: Karen Logan, Phil Solomita, Steve Friedrich.
City Engineer Jonasson asked for direction to conduct public meetings with this presentation and presented a draft timeline.
The City Council and Traffic Safety Committee scheduled a joint meeting to follow up on March 16, 2022.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
APPROVED:
ayor