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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070899 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULY 8, 1999 CALL TO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:02 P.M., on Thursday, July 8, 1999, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. FLAG SALUTE The audience was led in the Flag salute by Commissioner Connerton. ROLLCALL Present: Commissioners Connerton, Edwards, Markham, *Telesio, and Chairman Coe. Absent: None. Also Present: Acting Director of Public Works Hughes, Deputy Director of Public Works Parks, Senior Engineer Moghadam, Fire Battalion Black, Police Sergeant DiMaggio, Administrative Secretary Pyle, and Minute Clerk Hansen. * (Commissioner Telesio arrived at 6:09 P.M.) PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Approve the Minutes of June 3, 1999 1.2 Approve the Minutes of June 23, 1999 The matter of approving the Minutes of June 3, 1999 was postponed until after Commissioner Telesio arrived at the meeting. (See page 3.) MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve the minutes of June 23, 1999, as written. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Telesio who was absent and Commissioner Markham who abstained. COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. Meadowview Area Circulation Study RECOMMENDATION: 2.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive and file a status report on the Meadowview/North City Circulation Study. Commissioner Markham advised that he would be abstaining with regard to this issue, and therefore left the dais. For the record, it was noted that Commissioner Telesio arrived at 6:09 P.M. Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (of record); and relayed that the issue was agendized in light of the City Council's recent decision to postpone funding for the Meadowview Study, and due to the Commission's deferment of consideration of Meadowview matters until completion of the associated study; and relayed that per the final prioritization of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by the City Council the Meadowview Study would not be funded for the first two years of the CIP. In response to the concerns and comments of the Commission, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes provided additional clarification regarding options for the Commission to consider in light of the study not being conducted at this point in time; reiterated the issues the Commission had determined to postpone action on, until after completion of the study; relayed that the Commission could move forward with action based on the provided analysis and existing facts on the particular issue being considered; for Commissioner Edwards, advised that the Meadowview area would most likely not be impacted by the mall opening, noting that analysis had revealed that the traffic impact associated with the mall would be from traffic coming from outside the City area and would not access the area of discussion; noted that primarily the Meadowview area is impacted by the residential traffic of Meadowview (documented by analysis); for Commissioner Connerton, relayed that the postponed matters could be agendized if it was the Commission's desire; and advised that whether or not the study was completed, certain facts and limited options remain resolute, listed as foIIows: 1) although the City has posted additional speed limit signs, installed undulations, increased enforcement, the driver's speed in the area appears to be incessant, 2) closure of one street would reduce the volume of traffic on that particular street while diverting the volumes to another, 3) adding additional streets does not seem feasible at this point in time, 4) consideration could be given to opening up Kahwea Road, and 5) consideration could be given to push forward North General Kearny Road to the north. Chairman Coe, echoed by Commission Connerton, relayed that due to the commitments the Commission made to the community his recommendation would be to begin to agendize the postponed Meadowview matters (as referenced in the staff report.) 2 Commissioner Connerton recommended that the traffic reports that have been completed in the adjacent area be provided to the Commission (i.e., the Campos Verdes traffic report) for informational purposes when considering Meadowview issues. Providing assurance to the Commission, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that although it was the Commission's recommendation for the Meadowview Study to precede action on the aforementioned matters, that staff could conduct specific studies in the area of discussion as requested by the Commission (i.e. street closures, speed undulations) in order to provide background information for the Commission's action; and relayed that if the mall opening was a major issue, that staff could conduct traffic volume and speed analysis on certain streets before and after mall opening. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to have the Commission move forward, addressing each particular Meadowview matter, after staff analysis and pdoritizing of the particular requests, proceeding then by agendizing the previously requested issues. Commissioner Telesio seconded the motion. Commissioner Telesio recommended that staff investigate to ensure that issues that have been heard and acted on by the Commission would not be revisited continuously unless there existed new factors or issues associated with a matter that further impacted the area. In concurrence with Commissioner Telesio, Chairman Coe suggested that the Council act to add finality to their recommendations in order to prevent the same issues coming forward to the Traffic Commission repeatedly. It was the general consensus of the Commission to hear any valid community concern in their realm, as was their desire and their charge. At this time voice vote was taken reflecting approval with the exception of Commissioner Markham who abstained. At this time the meeting continued back to Consent Calendar No. '1.2. '1. Minutes RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 1.2 Approve the Minutes of June 3, 1999 Approve the Minutes of June 23, 1999 Due to the arrival of Commissioner Telesio, the Commission took action on the minutes of June 3, 1999. MOTION: Commissioner Tetesio moved to approve the minutes of June 3, 1999, as written. Commissioner Markham seconded the motion and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioners Connerton and Edwards who abstained. Action on the minutes of June 23, 1999 was taken earlier in the meeting. (See page 1.) 3 At this time the meeting continued back to the regular order of the Agenda, and Agenda Item No. 3 was considered. Median Island Modification - Rancho California Road between Ynez Road and Via Las Colinas RECOMMENDATION: 3.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission review the feasibility of the Median Modifications on Rancho California Road between Ynez Road and Via Las Colinas and provide direction to staff. Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (via agenda material); relayed that since June of 1997, 39 additional reported accidents have occurred in the area of discussion, 26 of which were caused by left-turns in or out of the two uncontrolled driveways; for Chairman Coe, noted that there is not yet provision of analysis for the period since the installation of the new signal, advising that the signal would most likely not affect the number of accidents; and for Commissioner Telesio, specified the provision for U-turn movements at the signalization in the area. Ms. Cathy C. Kuper, representing GMS Realty, relayed that the owner of the Target Center was willing to re-configure the traffic pattern within the Center; noted that while the utmost concern was to maintain safety, that the tenants have expressed apprehension with respect to the impact of reduced access to the Center; and concluded her comments by noting that GMS Realty was anxious to resolve the safety issues. Mr. Robert A. Davis, representing GMS Realty, noted that the proposed modifications at the associated intersection should improve the operation of the intersection, providing additional capacity for outbound traffic; advised that the aforementioned improvements may affect the number of vehicles making left-turn movements at the uncontrolled driveways; and relayed that the area would be re-evaluated after the signal improvements are complete, and the on-site circulation issues have been addressed; for Commissioner Telesio, confirmed that the internal striping project at the site would be completed concurrent or immediately after the City's associated signal improvements; provided clarification with respect to the rationale of the proposed improvements in the area; and for Commissioners Markham and Connerton, relayed the internal circulation directives and considerations with respect to the proposed re-striping plan. Commissioner Markham advised that the internal circulation system needs to be extensively modified; relayed the past agreements with the Center with the previous owner; and for informational purposes, noted that the Center currently has seven driveways. Chairman Coe advised that if an additional lane were added on Rancho California Road, not only would the proposal provide provision for the aforementioned issue, but would provide a positive effect on traffic circulation for the general area. For Commissioner Edwards, SeniOr Engineer Moghadam provided clarification regarding the timing of the separate proposed median improvements in the area of discussion; for Commissioner Markham, provided additional information regarding the proposed median modifications; and for Chairman Coe, relayed that the crosswalk and associated median improvements were proposed to go out for bid on July 13, 1999. Police Sergeant DiMaggio (referencing page 3 of Exhibit "B" per agenda material) provided additional information on the specificity of the cause of the reported accidents; and for Commissioner Connerton, specified the accidents that would not have occurred if the median was closed. For Chairman Coe, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed the restrictions that would be created by installing delineators; for Commissioner Edwards, clarified the process of noticing this particular meeting, noting that since the matter was not an action item, the associated parties were not individually noticed; advised that staff is of the opinion that the current proposed improvements, and the onsite internal striping would not alter the number of accidents; and for Chairman Coe, relayed that the matter could be agendized for the August 12, 1999 Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting. The GMS Realty's representatives relayed that they were agreeable to agendizing the issue for the August 12, 1999 Public/Traffic Safety meeting. It was the consensus of the Commission to direct staff to agendize the matter for the August 12, 1999 Public/Traffic Safety meeting. 4. Protected/Permissive Left-Turn Phasinq RECOMMENDATION: 4.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive the report and provide further direction to staff. By way of overheads, Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (of record); clarified the concept of protected/permissive left-turn phasing signalization; relayed the circulation benefits associated with the signalization concept; noted the potential for increased accidents based on the analysis provided from alternate cities; for Chairman Coe, relayed that staff was not in favor of installing this particular-type signal based on the safety hazards; and noted that the matter was presented to the Commission for informational purposes. For Chairman Coe, Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that this particular type of signal could cause additional accidents. For the Commission, Commissioner Markham relayed that the City of Murrieta removed the protected/permissive left-turn phasing signalization in the City due to accidents; and further specified the confusion associated with this type of signalization. For the record per telephone correspondence request, Commissioner Telesio relayed Mr. Rennie's position of support regarding the protected/permissive left-turn phasing signalization. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT No comments. 5 POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that the 4th of July activities were a success, specifically with regard to improved traffic circulation, additionally noting that there were no arrests. Commissioner Connerton commended the Police Department for their diligent efforts associated with the improved circulation of traffic. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Battalion Black relayed with pleasure that the 4t" of July event was primarily uneventful for the Fire Department; and was available for questions regarding the Fire Department's information report (per supplemental agenda material.) COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Edwards noted the request from the Press Enterprise for information regarding the median issue; and relayed to the Commission the report she would provide due to their request. For Commissioner Telesio with respect to the flashing school beacons, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that staff has requested that the school address the malfunctioning lights. Cm For Commissioner Telesio, regarding the buses at Margarita Middle School, Senior Engineer Moghadam and Police Sergeant DiMaggio provided additional information with respect to the vehicle code law mandating the display of the red flags when loading or unloading students; and Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that he would address the red flag being displayed while the bus waits for the students to arrive (for 15-minute intervals.) For Commissioner Markham with respect to the remaining streetlight in the vicinity of the Santiago/Margarita Roads intersection, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that Southern California Edison has agreed to remove the pole; and noted that staff would follow-up on the matter. Em For Commissioner Markham, Deputy Director of Public Works Parks relayed that the General Plan update is in the process of Environmental review; and noted that the approximate date for bringing the update forward would be in September or October; and relayed that he could bring a more exact date and further update to the next Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting. For Commissioner Markham, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes confirmed that the CIP would be going to the City Council for final approval on July 13, 1999. Gm For the record, Commissioner Connerton relayed receipt of a letter from Mrs. JoElien Byrnes regarding her comments with respect to the Meadowview area, noting the provision of copies to the Commission, and submittal of the letter for the record, For Commissioner Connerton, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes further specified the City's efforts to address the dead landscape vegetation on the newly installed on-and off-ramps; noted that per contract agreements the landscape was still under warranty with the construction contractor; and relayed that at a future point in time the maintenance of the landscaped ramps would be transferred to Caltrans. By way of colored graphics, commissioner Edwards presented the data collected regarding the Staggered Work Hours Study, encompassing the measuring of the top 31 companies' shift schedules; relayed that the analysis revealed that the peak traffic is most likely impacted primarily be commuters (community members leaving the City in the AM peak hours and returning during the PM peak period); noted that seventy-seven percent (77%) of the major area employers are presently implementing staggered shift hours; relayed that at the 3:00 P.M. peak traffic period, only 1100 employees are impacting the intersections from companies within the area; advised that once the Overland Drive Improvements are complete, the provided access across the freeway would eliminate some of the traffic impacting the major intersections due to the commuter traffic; and commended staff for their diligent efforts associated with the thorough collective data. Acting Director of Public Works Hughes provided additional clarification regarding the data; and relayed the information was collected from businesses maintaining 50 or more employees. For Chairman Coe, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that there is data regarding the accident history with respect to the third Ynez Road unsignalized driveway accessing the Target Center, noting that if it was the Commission's desire, provision of that data could be provided at the August 12, 1999 Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT At 8:03 Chairman Coe formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, July 22, 1999 at 8:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula. Chairman Charles Coe Administ~/~retary Anita Pyle