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HomeMy WebLinkAbout062603 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLICrFRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2003 CALL TO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 26, 2003, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Wedel led the audience in the Flag salute. ROLLCALL Present: Commissioners Ramos, Wedel, Lanier and Chairman Connerton Absent: Commissioner Katan PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of May 22, 2003 RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Approve the Minutes of May 22, 2003. MOTION: Commissioner Ramos moved to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1. Commissioner Lanier seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval with the exception of Commissioner Katan who was absent. COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. Request to Remove Bike Lane and Parkin.q Restriction - Harveston Way RECOMMENDATION: 2.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission deny the request for removal of the existing bike lane and parking restriction along Harveston Way adjacent to Ysabel Barnett Elementary School. Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report, as written; and requested comments from the Commission. In response to Commissioner Wedel's inquiry, Senior Engineer Moghadam clarified that there were few parking spaces on the loop road itself; however, adequate on-street parking was available on the adjacent internal residential streets. MOTION: Commissioner Ramos moved to deny the request for removal of the existing bike lanes and parking restrictions on Harveston Way. Commissioner Wedel seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval, with the exception of Commissioner Katan who was absent. 3. Handicap Parkin.q Encorcement - Citywide RECOMMENDATION: 3.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive the report and presentation and provide further direction. Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report, as written; and introduced Lt. Pingel who made a brief presentation outlining the Department's policy for the enforcement of handicap parking. It was the recommendation of the Police Department that the issuance of citations for violations of parking in a handicapped zone continue to be handled by sworn officers, community officer personnel, and the City's code enforcement officers, primarily for two reasons: (1) CAP volunteers lack the training necessary for their safety, and (2) the varying schedules of CAP volunteers presents coordination difficulties in subpoenaed court appearances. In response to Commissioner Lanier's query, Lieutenant Pingel advised that the Department typically writes between 100 to 120 citations per month. MOTION: Commissioner Lanier moved to receive and file the report. Commissioner Wedel seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval, with the exception of Commissioner Katan who was absent. 4. Parkin.q Restrictions - Westside Business Park RECOMMENDATION: 4.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive and file the report. Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report, as written; and requested that the Commission receive and file the report. Concerned about future complaints, Commissioner Ramos inquired about proactive plans for the next tournament. Senior Engineer Moghadam clarified that adequate parking was not an issue of concern; that the issue had been whether someone was inappropriately charging for parking. As this was not the case, Senior Engineer Moghadam did not anticpate a future problem with the upcoming tournament. MOTION: Commissioner Lanier moved to receive and file the report. Commissioner Ramos seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval, with the exception of Commissioner Katan who was absent, Chairman Connerton requested that the issue of unappreved "no parking" signs that have been erected on the City-owned property/city streets be agendized for the review of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that he had nothing to report at this time. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Lieutenant Pingel provided an update on the Temecula Citizen Corps Program, as follows: · That the Citizen Corps is currently housed in the offices of the American Red Cross on Jefferson Avenue. · That an open house introducing the Citizen Corps to the public will be held in the near future. · That currently, personnel of the Neighborhood Watch Program are being integrated with the members of the Citizen Corps. · That recruitment of new members is still underway. Sergeant Tyler provided an update from the Police Department for the month of May, as follows: · That during the month of May, 1,250 citations were issued throughout the City. · That there were 23 non-injury accidents, 56 injury accidents, and one fatality. The fatal traffic accident occurred on June 17, at 2:15 a.m., and involved a bicyclist vs. vehicle. The accident is still under investigation and more details will follow next month. · That there were 42 DUI arrests. · That on Monday of next week, the Commission will be provided with the Department's traffic plan for the 4th of July parade and fireworks events. · That on July 2, a DUI saturation would take place in the City and the Commissioners were invited to partake in a ride-a-long. That on July 25, a DUI checkpoint will be conducted and the Commissioners will be notified of the location at a later date. That on June 14, graduation weekend, a very successful night of DUI saturation was conducted which included the "Avoid the 30 Program." The Program includes 30 different agencies throughout the county which on a monthly basis saturate the community with officers primarily searching out DUI drivers. The evening resulted in five DUI arrests, the storing of 10 vehicles of drivers without licenses, implementaion of 25 field sobriety tests, with a total of 37 DUI arrests from Temecula to Cabazon within the County. That on July 10, two accident investigative sworn deputy positions will be added giving the Department a total of eight accident investigative officers and eight motor officers. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Chief McBride noted the following: · That the Balloon and Wine Festival was uneventful. · That preparations are currently underway for the 4th of July events. · That the Kaitlen's Law Campaign which educates the public of the hazards of leaving children in locked cars is currently progressing. · That the Fire Department will be partnered with the school district regarding the "Risk Watch Program." COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Wedel received a complaint regarding the painted left-turn lane on Rancho California headed eastbound in front of Temeku Hills which has a small receiving area for vehicles, resulting in back-up traffic. Commission Wedel requested that staff review the situation and perhaps take action by restriping the area. Commissioner Wedel received a complaint pertaining to the issue of parking on lots with "for sale" signs and requested that staff address the issue. Staff will contact Code Enforcement and request that a weekend contact number be provided to the Commissioners in order to address the issue in a timely manner. Commissioner Wedel requested an update on the report of the Red Light Camera Program. In response, Chairman Connerton advised that the report had been delayed due to recent court actions; and that as soon as accurate information could be disseminated, the report would be presented to the Commission. J= Commissioner Ramos queried as to whose responsibility it was to post speed limit signs along SR-79 between the 15 Freeway and Red Hawk, noting that there currently were none. Staff clarified that CalTrans is currently responsible; however, the City is in the process of taking over the area. Regarding the painted divider on SR-79 between the Home Depot/Albertsons and Ross Dress for Less/IHOP, Commissioner Ramos expressed concern for traffic safety due to witnessing numerous vehicles crossing directly through the divider from one side of SR- 79 to the other. Commissioner Ramos suggested contacting the business owners to request that they paint directional arrows as a means of providing greater safety. Commissioner Lanier stated that the 4"~ of July celebrations were a wonderful time for both the Police and Fire Departments to shine; and he hoped that everyone would have a safe 4th of July. Regarding the two left turn pockets going eastbound at the intersection of Rancho California Road and Ynez Road, Commissioner Connerton requested that staff review the possibility of extending the left turn pockets by lengthening the median and/or restriping the roadway in order to address the issue of traffic back ups on Rancho California Road. Commissioner Connerton requested that staff review the possibility of restriping the roadway on Pechanga Parkway going northbound as you pass Rainbow Canyon Road heading toward SR-79. Commissioner Connerton thanked staff for the LED's that have been replaced so far; however, there are approximately 90 percent that have at least one row of lights that need to be replaced. Commissioner Connerton requested that staff address the issue of a very lengthy, perhaps faulty traffic light on Ynez Road as vehicles are turning left eastbound onto Overland Drive. ADJOURNMENT At 6:54 P.M. Chairman Connerton formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula. Admini~'~e S~'~etary Anita Pyie