HomeMy WebLinkAbout042403 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR
MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA
PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
April 24, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:02
p.m., on Thursday, April 24, 2003, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200
Business Park Drive, Temecula, California.
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Katan led the audience in the Flag salute
ROLLCALL
Present:
Absent:
Commissioners Katan, Ramos, *Wedel, and Chairman
Connerton
Commissioner Lanier
COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Certificate of Appreciation - Temecula Police Serqeant Mark Lohman
On behalf of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission and the Citizens of Temecula, Police
Sergeant Mark Lohman was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. Chairman Connerton
commented on his experience, professionalism, and commitment in serving with the Temecula
Police Department Traffic Division and, thereby, ensuring the safety of the City and its citizens
and noting that his participation, as a committed representative to the Public Traffic Safety
Commission, has been greatly appreciated.
Commending her on her continued service, enduring dedication, commitment, and
professionalism to the Commission, Administrative Secretary Anita Pyle was honored with an
Appreciation Award.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes of February 27, 2003
RECOMMENDATION:
1.1 Approve the Minutes of February 27, 2003.
R:~trafficrf~nutes\012303 I
MOTION: Commissioner Katan moved to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1.
Commissioner Ramos seconded the motion and voice vote reflected approval with the
exception of Commissioner's Lanier and Wedel who were absent.
It was noted that Commissioner Wedel arrived at 6:13.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
2. Tri Tunnel Express
RECOMMENDATION:
2.1 That the PublicFrraffic Safety Commission Receive and file the report.
Responding to the Commissioners' comments, Mr. Bill Vardoulis, President and Chief Executive
Officer of BV Engineering, provided a detailed presentation regarding the status and scope of
the proposed multi-purpose tunnel between central Orange County and west central Riverside
County to carry automobiles, trucks (carried on rails), high-speed rail transit, water (from Lake
Matthews), high-voltage transmission, fiber optics, and crude oil, noting the following:
· Private funding
· Municipal Water District of Orange County has endorsed the multi-purpose tunnel
through the Santa Aha Mountains between Riverside and Orange Counties
· Estimated cost
· Environmental issues
· Length of construction
· Safety- earthquakes and ventilation
· Disposal of fill by rail to the Port of Long Beach
· Potential obstacles - political will
The Public/Traffic Safety Commission received and filed this report.
3. Speed Limit- Various Locations
RECOMMENDATION:
3.1
That the PublicFFraffic Safety Commission recommends that the Council adopt
an Ordinance establishing the recommended speed limits as specified in Exhibit
Senior Engineer Moghadam provided an overview of the staff report (as per agenda material),
after which Public Works Director Hughes and Mr. Moghadam noted the following:
That the City could opt to retain the current speed limits but that speed limits are not
enforceable unless an engineering and traffic survey has been completed to support
those speed limits;
That the disadvantage of taking no action would be the inability of enforcement by radar
unless the driver is exceeding the prima facie speed limit as well as to ensure equitable
enforcement and, thereby, eliminating the possibility of a driver having a ticket dismissed
solely because of being aware of the process of which others may not be aware
That the advantage of taking the recommended action would be the ability to enforce by
radar.
Speaking in opposition to the recommended speed limit increases, Mr. George DiLeo, 32871
Rovato Street, commenting on continual increases of speed limits throughout the City and
public safety.
Having reviewed the evaluated and surveyed streets, Commissioner Ramos advised that the
proposal would have minimal impact on residences and, therefore, spoke in support of staff's
recommendation, noting that the proposed action would assist law enforcement.
For Chairman Connerton, Police Sgt. Tyler advised that complaints have been received with
regard to the Avenida De Missiones to Redhawk Parkway roadway segment; that as a result of
these complaints, enforcement was placed in the area; and that since such enforcement, no
additional complaints have been received.
Advising that he would not support any speed limit increases but relaying his understanding of
the dictating law, Commissioner Wedel described his understanding of the original intent of the
85th percentile rule and commented on his opposition to it.
MOTION: Commissioner Ramos moved to approve staff's recommendation. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Katan with the exception of Commissioner Wedel who opposed
and Commissioner Lanier who was absent.
TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
Senior Engineer Moghadam introduced Ms. Norma Childs, the City's newly hired Minute Clerk.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
Police Sgt. Tyler noted the following:
That on March 15, 2003 there was a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) check point
which netted 6-arrests, 96-traffic safety violations, and 15-towed vehicles of unlicensed
drivers;
That on the evening of April 25, 2003, in lieu of a check point, the Police Department will
be conducting a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) saturation where there will be
approximately 13 to 14 traffic units out on patrol from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.;
· Sergeant Tyler invited the Commission on a ride-a-long with the officers;
· That on the 16th was the triathlon and that all went well, no injuries, and no accidents
occurred as a result of the function;
· That another officer will be added within the next 30 days;
· That the department had implemented a pedestrian/crosswalk program as part of the pet
safety program;
· That a school bus safety program will be implemented which will enforce violators who
disregard flashing red lights of school buses, school zones and bus stop areas;
· That in the next coming month the Police will be targeting drag racing;
· That a traffic/complaint form was put together to track all incoming complaints to the
Police Department;
· That each motor officer was assigned to two schools to work with Administrators to
ensure the safety of the kids and school buses in that area; that complaints in the school
zone have gone down 80%.
Commissioner Katan commented on what a great job the Police Department had been doing.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
Sitting in for Chief McBride, Deputy Fire Marshal Neuman noted the following:
· That the Fire Department expanded there automated defibrillation program to various
locations throughout the City.
· That our program Coordination went through the bidding process to provide
defibrillators at various locations;
· That the intent of the program is to provide additional services to the community to
increase the chances of survivability;
· That a number of Fire Department personnel recently attended several training
conferences and seminars.
Councilman Pratt noted something about the forest.
COMMISSION REPORTS
Chairman Connerton reinforced a statement that was made at the City Council Meeting relaying
that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission is in favor of installing a radar trailer on Meadows
Parkway due to the excessive speed.
Sergeant Tyler noted that a radar trailer was set on Meadows Parkway.
Chairman Connerton noted that he would like to see his fellow board members make a list
where they would like to see radar trailers set.
Chairman Connerton also noted that he would like a summary report of all incoming complaints
with regard to speed problems.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:57 P.M. Chairman Connerton formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, May 22, 2003,
at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula.
Chairmah Darrell ~onnert'6~
Ad ministrat~ret~ Anita Pyle