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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011101 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JANUARY 11, 2001 CALL TO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00 P.M., on Thursday, January 11, 2001, 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 Lanier. ROLLCALL Present: Commissioners *Coe, Edwards, Katan, Lanier, and Chairman Connerton. Absent: None. Also Present: Director of Public Works Hughes, Deputy Director of Public Works Parks, Senior Engineer Moghadam, Associate Engineer Gonzalez, Police Sergeant DiMaggio, Councilmember Pratt, Administrative Secretary Pyle, and Minute Clerk Hansen. * (Commissioner Coe arrived at 6:03 P.M.) PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Approve the Minutes of October 12, 2000. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Coe who was absent. COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. Via Sabino Traffic Concerns RECOMMENDATION: 2.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission recommend implementation of Stage 1 of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) on Via Sabino. It was noted for the record that Commissioner Coe arrived at the meeting at 6:03 P.M. Via overhead tract maps, Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (of record), noting that the Via Sabino residents had requested that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission consider the installation of traffic control devices to mitigate the perceived cut-through traffic affer a temporary access road was closed; clarified the purpose of the temporary access road; reviewed the data regarding the volumes and speeds in this area which revealed that the volumes were extremely Iow, and that the eighty-five percentile of vehicle speeds traveled at one end of Via Sabino was 26 MPH and at the alternate end was 33 MPH; and recommended that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission implement the NTCP in this area which would include the use of the radar trailer, and enforcement of the existing speed limits. For Commissioner Connerton, Senior Engineer Moghadam advised that these roads had been dedicated. Commissioner Connerton noted that Shooters Hill Road as denoted on the map was actually Elizabeth Road; relayed that he had visited the area, noting that the radar trailer was in place, advising that as he coasted down Via Sabino he reached a speed of 31 MPH by the time he reached the radar trailer; and queried whether there had been consideration to place signage indicating the steep grade of the road. For Commissioner Connerton, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that typically this type of signage was for the purpose of notifying trucks of the need to drive in a lower gear, advising that if it was the Public/Traffic Safety Commission's desire, staff could investigate appropriate signage. Commissioner Lanier, echoed by Commissioner Coe, noted the Iow volumes of traffic in this area. MOTION: Commissioner Coe moved to approve staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connerton and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. 3. Emerqency Traffic Circulation Plan (ETCP) RECOMMENDATION: 3.1 ETCP Subcommittee discussion of recent meeting. Chairwoman Edwards noted that at the last Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting the Commission appointed Commissioner Connerton and herself to the ETCP Subcommittee, relaying that since that time the Subcommittee has met on two occasions; noted the discussions regarding feasible solutions to the traffic circulation which included review of programs currently in place and exploring alternate concepts; advised that numerous measures recommended by Councilman Pratt were already in place in the City, advising that Assistant Manager O'Grady outlined these programs at the last Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting; noted that the Subcommittee focused its efforts in the following areas: 1) a potential ride sharing program, and 2) a community outreach program to promote ride sharing; and relayed that the Subcommittee recommended that staff investigate the current programs in place that were successfully promoting ride sharing in alternate cities, by the RTA, and by alternate City and County agencies, noting that once this data was compiled the Subcommittee would review the information and bring recommendations back to the Public/Traffic Safety Commission. Commissioner Connerton queried whether the Public/Traffic Safety Commissioners had any recommendations for the Subcommittee; and noted the entities that would be involved in the community outreach program (i.e., HOAs, the School District's Traffic Committee, service organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce). Commissioner Lanier rec(~mmended that the San Diego Ride Share Program representatives be contacted for information and to make them aware of the City of Temecula's interest in developing a ride sharing program; suggested beginning the education program at an early date; recommended obtaining data regarding the residents destinations in order to be able to better address the specific needs; and recommended noticing a meeting in the newspaper to discuss these issues. Commissioner Coe relayed the challenges associated with encouraging Californians to give up driving their own cars. Assistant Manager O'Grady reiterated the requests of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission in order to confirm the direction to staff; noted the request to have staff outline data regarding current ride sharing programs and transit programs in alternate cities and areas; relayed that for the community outreach program, if staff developed concepts for involving additional entities that this data would be provided to the Subcommittee; relayed that staff would explore possible survey methods to determine the origins and destinations of current trips; and advised that staff could provide this data in approximately 15-30 days to the Subcommittee. Commissioner Connerton noted that it was his understanding that the Subcommittee requested that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission provide recommendations in the form of a motion. For Commissioner Connerton, Councilman Pratt acknowledged that his original recommendation that solutions (for the ETCP) be provided in a 49-day period was not an adequate timeframe. Since no formal action was required regarding this Agenda Item, Chairwoman Edwards relayed that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission would now hear the Traffic Engineer's Report. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Senior Engineer Moghadam provided updates regarding projects currently under process, as follows: With respect to the City/County Signal Project at Butterfield Stage Road/California Road, noted that construction has begun and that in approximately three to four months this signal would be in operation. With respect to the Closed Circuit Television Project which was a traffic monitoring program, relayed that the consultant has progressed in the preparation of the plans and specifications, noting that subsequently these plans would be submitted to Caltrans for review and approval. With respect to the signals in the City seen recently on flash signal, noted that this was primarily due to power problems. For Chairwoman Edwards, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that if there was a degree of fluctuation in the power strong enough to trip the conflict monitor the signal would flash; relayed that subsequently staff investigates the signal, resets the conflict monitor, and ensures that the programming was not lost; and for Commissioner Connerton, noted that the signal equipment was designed to place the signal on flash during major voltage fluctuations for safety purposes. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Police Sergeant DiMaggio noted that the Police Department was preparing for the upcoming Rod Run Event which would be held in February. Police Sergeant DiMaggio advised that he was in the process of working on two Grants related to traffic safety, noting his efforts to develop a bicycle safety program in which bicycle helmets and bicycle safety education could be provided; and relayed efforts to obtain additional radar equipment, and portable breathalyzer equipment which would be utilized for DUI enforcement. With respect to New Year's Eve, Police Sergeant DiMaggio noted that DUI arrests in the City of Temecula were minimal. Due to the rainy weather, Police Sergeant DiMaggio noted that traffic collisions were occurring, advising that drivers needed to travel at slower speeds. With respect to the Via Sabino area, Police Sergeant DiMaggio noted that the radar trailer as well as an enforcement Officer were placed in this area, advising that the volumes were extremely Iow; relayed that it appeared that two vehicles were speeding in this area, noting that information had been provided to Officer Hughes regarding the description of these vehicles. With respect to the Via Cordoba area, Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that the majority of drivers were travelling within the eighty-five percentile range, driving between 31-33 MPH. Police Sergeant DiMaggio advised that a new Commissioner had been assigned to Lake Etsinore Court, relaying that at this time she was more likely to dismiss citations than the previous Commissioner, noting that the Officers were learning the information that this Commissioner desired to have provided onthe citation. Police Sergeant DiMaggio noted that two new Motor Officers would potentially be added to the traffic unit in the near future. Chairwoman Edwards requested Police Sergeant DiMaggio to relay to the Officers her gratitude for their great work in the City of Temecula. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT No comments. COMMISSION REPORTS A. Commissioner Coe noted that recently in his neighborhood during a bicycle accident, a child was not seriously injured due to wearing a helmet. Commissioner Coe recommended that staff investigate the feasibility of installing reflectors on various major roads, as well as on the freeway, in the City of Temecula. Commissioner Coe relayed that the lights are not flashing when children are present at the school beacon lights on Meadows Parkway proximate to Temecula Middle School. Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that the Signal Technician would investigate this matter. Noting that he was contacted by the members of an HOA, Commissioner Connerton presented the flyer the residents were distributing which stated the following: Please drive slowly, carefully along our street. We now have numerous small children at play. Don't be responsible fora horrible accident; and relayed the numerous HOA members that have expressed an interest in becoming involved with the community outreach program. E. For Commissioner Lanier, Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that the DUI checkpoint would most likely be held on January 21st or 28th. For Commissioner Lanier, Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that there was solely a 15-20% reduction in the cost associated with having a non-sworn technician handle minor traffic accidents in lieu of a sworn Officer. Per information obtained via discussions with Dr. Wedel, who resides on Temeku Drive, Chairwoman Edwards relayed that the residents in this area have purchased a radar gun; and requested recommendations for these residents. Commissioner Connedon recommended that the radar gun be calibrated and that the residents receive training regarding the use of the radar gun. Police Sergeant DiMaggio relayed that Dr. Wedel has stood next to the Officer while the radar gun was being utilized, and has been advised that Officers receive 32 hours of training regarding the use of the radar gun; and noted that the radar trailer has also been placed in this area. Senior Engineer Moghadam advised that the homes on Temeku Drive should not have been constructed facing this collector road, while noting that data has revealed that the speeding in this area was not excessive. ADJOURNMENT At 6:41 P.M. Chairwoman Edwards formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, January 25, 2001 at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula. C_~irwoma(n Maryann Edwards ~dmin~S'¢etary Anita Pyle R:\trafficminute$1011101 6