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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032599 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 25, 1999 CALLTO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:04 P.M., on Thursday, March 25, 1999, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Connerton, Edwards, *Markham, Telesio and Chairman Coe Absent: None Also Present: Acting Director of Public Works Hughes, Senior Engineer Moghadam Administrative Secretary Pyle, and Minute Clerk Kelley *Commissioner Markham arrived at 6:15 P.M. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Connerton led the flag salute. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. COM M I SSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of March 11. 1999 MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve the minutes of March 11, 1999. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards and voice vote reflected unanimous approval with the exception of Commissioner Markham who had not yet arrived. COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. Traffic Circulation Improvement Proiects RECOMMENDATION It is recommended by the Public Works Department that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission review and provide comments on several short- and long-term traffic circulation improvement prt~iects. r:\trafflc\commissn\minutes\99\032599/ajp With the use of overheads, Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (of record) for the following projects: Winchester Road at Jefferson Avenue In response to Commissioner Connerton, Senior Engineer Moghadam replied that a dedicated right- turn lane will not be possible until eastbound Winchester Road is widened. He mentioned that the southwest corner property owner has indicated an interest in donating right-of-way for the right-turn lane. Commissioner Markham remarked that it would be necessary to internally modify the southwest parking lot to prevent cut-through traffic. In response to Commissioner Connerton's question regarding low right-turn volumes, Senior Engineer Moghadam stated that it was his observation that cut-through traffic does not substantially affect the volumes, but that may change when Overland Drive is opened: and at that time, the situation could be restudied. Acting Director Hughes stated that acquisition of right of way for a dedicated right-turn lane would be a Category 3 project. Commissioner Markham recommended that signs stating that the curb lane is the northbound and southbound freeway-designated lane. be installed on Winchester Road, west of Jefferson Avenue. [n response to Commissioner Telesio's concern about stacking on Jefferson Avenue, Senior Engineer Mughadam reported that since eastbound right turns are allowed during the northbound green phase, during westbound left-turn movement, and whenever an opportunity arises during a red cycle . the right-turn wait time is about 2 to 3 minutes at peak hour. Additionally, he stated that it is anticipated that traffic at that intersection will be eased when Overland Drive is constructed. MOTION: Commissioner Markham moved that a project to acquire the right-of-way and to construct an easthound dedicated right-turn lane on Winchester Road at Jefferson Avenue be added to Category 3. C,mmissioner Connerton seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. Winchester Road at Ynez Road In response to Chairman Coe's question regarding noahbound on-ramps to 1-15, Acting Director Hughes stated that a change order is being pursued through Caltrans to add a second right lane which will allow full stacking of both northbound left lanes on Ynez Road. Winchester Road - Jefferson Avenue to Ynez Road In response to Commissioner Connerton's concern about the estimated costs listed for signing, Senior Engineer Moghadam stated that the costs will be corrected. Rancho Calitbrnia Road - Vincent Moraga Drive to Front Street Acting Director Hughes stated that the City has the right-of-way for the westerly realignment of Diaz Road and since a grant for rehabilitation of Jefferson Avenue has generated an additional $800,000, the realignment will be added to the current CIP program at the request of the City Council, and requests tilr design proposals are being prepared. 2 r:\traffie\commissn\minutes\99\032599/ajp In response to Commissioner Markham's proposal regarding obtaining Flood Control creek property to construct a dedicated right-turn lane at Rancho California Road and Front Street, Senior Engineer Moghadam replied that at this time traffic volumes do not justify another lane, but such a project could be considered tbr Category 3. He added that to improve the road alignment, major restriping is required. which will be completed whenever the road is repaved. In response to Commissioner Connerton's question regarding time length, Acting Director Hughes stated that it would probably not take long to obtain the property since it would be designated for public street purposes, but there are physical constraints as the bridge abutment is very close to Front Street and if the western shoulder were widen, there would be inadequate turning radius which impact the project. He added that widening a southbound designated right-turn lane should be considered with the widening of the Rancho California Bridge, which is an identified future project although it is not in the CIP. Senior Engineer Moghadam mentioned that with only one lane through Old Town, the benefit of another lane would be marginal. In response to Commissioner Edwards' question regarding the Diaz Road connection to Vincent Moraga, Commissioner Markham replied that there is more stacking room on Rancho California Road and Vincent Moraga will ultimately be a secondary access road to the Western Bypass. Rancho California Road at Northbound and Southbound 1-15 Ramps Acting Director Hughes presented the staff report (of record) and reported on the following proposed change orders: · adding double left-turn movements from westbound Rancho California Road to southbound 1-15. · widening the northbound on-ramps to receive traffic from the two Ynez Road left-turn lanes and the second right-turn lane on Rancho California Road will be widened to Ynez Road. He pointed out that these change orders are not funded through the current CIP; therefore, City Council approval would be required; and that the City Manager is reviewing excess sales tax revenues which may offset the cost. Acting Director Hughes mentioned that a separate project to widen the southbound Rancho California Road off-ramp is currently under design, but will not happen in the near future. Rancho California Road at Ynez Road Acting Director Hughes mentioned that when the westerly crosswalk is removed, there may be complaints from businesses as it is a convenience to pedestrians; however, he stated that the improvement in traffic circulation outweighs any inconvenience. In response to Commissioner Connerton's concern about jaywalkers, Senior Engineer Moghadam stated that a barricade will be installed to dissuade crossing. Acting Director Hughes stated that the crosswalk at Front Street and Rancho California issue could be revisited as conditions have changed since it was last before the Commission. 3 r:\traffic~commissn\minutesX99\032599/ajp Rancho California Road -Ynez Road to Moraga Road Commissioner Connerton recommended that an angled crosswalk at Hope Way be striped as soon as possible in order to prevent pedestrians from walking in the street and crossing the Town Center's driveway; and to place a barricade and a sign "Cross Only" on the northeast side. Senior Engineer Moghadam stated that he would review the situation. Rancho California Road at Margarita Road It was the consensus of the Commission to eliminate the bicycle lane on Margarita Road to gain an additional left-turn lane onto westbound Rancho California Road. State Route 79 - Interstate 15 to Pala Road In response to Commissioner Markham's comments regarding the median and signal facilities at Bedti~rd Court, Acting Director Hughes stated that part of the reason for this project's rise on the priority list is because staff was directed to find all projects that can improve traffic flow and this project is a relatively low-cost item with a great benefit to traffic flow. He also mentioned that the signal takes away a large capacity of the on-ramps; thereby making the improvements on State Route 79 less effective. Acting Director Hughes stated that the issue will be brought back to the Commission tier further discussion in 30 days and if it were determined to be a viable project, the issue will be agendized. Commissioner Markham informed the Commission that Assessment District's 8159 project bid opening is April 9, 1999 and as part of that project, property owners on the north side are paying fi~r a street entrance and for signal poles, controllers and loops to be installed in the ultimate location. In response to Commissioner Telesio's question regarding list approval, Acting Director Hughes explained that if after detailed discussion of each project, there are no Commission concerns or all raised concerns are resolved, staff will proceed with implementation. Commissioner Markham suggested that the category and priority listing layouts be simplified as it is conli~sing, Senior Engineer Moghadam suggested that the projects could be listed as short-term and not-so-short-term projects. 3. Resulution Amending Meeting Dates of the Public/Traffic Safety Committee RECOMMENDATION It is recommended by the Public Works Department that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission approve the second and forth Thursday of each month as regular meeting dates. Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (of record). MOTION: Commissioner Markham moved to adopt a resolution entitled: RESOLUTION NO. PTS99-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. PTS98-01 ESTABLISHING THE SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AS REGULAR MEETING DATES. 4 r:\traffic\commissn\~ninutes\99\032599/ajp Commissioner Connerton seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Senior Engineer Moghadam reported that minor timing adjustments were made at the signals at the Winchester Road and Ynez Road and Rancho California Road and Ynez Road intersections which have improved traffic flow, but monitoring will continue. In response to Commissioner Telesio's comments, Senior Engineer Moghadam explained that in a coordinated system, signals automatically retime cycles after specific events; i.e., a pedestrian is given 30 seconds to cross a wide street when the normal phase is 20 seconds for through traffic; therefore, to make up the additional 10 seconds, other cycles are automatically shortened until signal functioning is returned to normal. He mentioned that emergency vehicle preemption also create adjustments for three (3) to five (5) cycles. POLICE CH1EF'S REPORT No report given. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT No report given. COMMISSION REPORT Com~nissioner Edwards mentioned that the lights at Margarita Middle School, Linfield School, and occasionally at the high school continue to flash at inappropriate times. Commissioner Markham passed out the prioritized list of present and future traffic improvement needs as approved by the Commission on May 22, 1997. Commissioner Markham mentioned that the Public Works Construction Updates published in the Caliti~rnian and Press Enterprise is unreadable because it is too small and suggested that the use of a 1/4 page on a monthly basis, and include minor and major projects under design, out-to-bid projects, use of graphs, plus referencing the website would be more effective in informing the citizens about projects staff is working on to improve the traffic situation. He added that the AD159, AD161, etc., joint projects should also be included since the City is assisting with funding in millions of dollars. Acting Director Hughes stated that the original purpose of the Public Works ad was to alert motorists iff routes under construction which might impact them, but that consideration will be given to adding other inti>rmation. In response to Commissioner Connerton's inquiry, Senior Engineer Moghadam stated that he had not heard any results regarding the additional presence of the police on Pina Colaria. MOTION: Commissioner Markham moved to schedule and notice the regular Public/Traffic Safety Commission meetings tBr April be held on April 15, 1999 and April 29, 1999. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connerton and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. 5 r:\traffi¢\commissn\minutes\99\O32599/ajp Commissioner Connerton thanked staff for their hard work and understanding. Commissioner Telesio stated that he and Commissioner Connerton will trade areas of responsibility; i.e.. Safety will be the responsibility of Commissioner Connerton, and he will take Maintenance/Installation. In respnnse to Commissioner Connerton's question regarding staggered working times, Acting Director Hughes stated that staff has been working with the City Manager's office and the issue will be on the April 15, 1999 meeting. Commissioner Telesio mentioned that Mr. Ouellette expressed creative ideas for the Pina Colada traffic situation in a letter to Mayor Ford and he would like it included in the Commissioners' packets when Pina Colada is on the agenda. Chairman Coe voiced his opinion that traffic is improving. In response to Commissioner Connerton's question about police and fire representation, Administrative Secretary Pyle stated that both departments had been notified of the meeting, but that emergencies, training sessions or other appointments sometimes prevent their attendance. She stated that she would ascertain if their attendance were required. ADJOURNMENT At 8:05 P.M., Chairman Coe formally adjourned this meeting to the next Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting to be held on Thursday, April 15, 1999, at 6:00 P.M., in City of Temecula City Hall Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Charles Coe, Chairman 6 r:\traffic\commissn\minutes\99~O32599/ajp