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HomeMy WebLinkAbout052302 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION MAY 23, 2002 CALL TO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00 P.M., on Thursday, May 23, 2002, 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, Katan, Wedel, and Chairman Lanier. Absent: Commissioner Coe. Also Present: Director of Public Works Hughes, Senior Engineer Moghadam, Associate Engineer Gonzalez, Police Chief Domenoe, Police Lieutenant Pingel, Police Sergeant Lohman, Administrative Secretary Pyle, and Minute Clerk Hansen. PRESENTATION IntroductionofDeputyTerry Scanlon-TemeculaPolice DepartmentTrafficTeam Member Police Lieutenant Pingel introduced Deputy Terry Scanlon who was recently hired as the fourth accident investigator within the Temecula Police Department, noting that with the six additional Motor Officers there were now a total of ten officers assigned to the Traffic Division. Deputy Scanlon addressed the Public/Traffic Safety Commission, providing a history of her training and experience, noting that she looked forward to serving the citizens of Temecula. PUBLIC COMMENTS It was noted that public comments were heard out of order due to a resident arriving late, while desiring to address the Public/Traffic Safety Commission; see page 4, under Public Comments, after consideration of Agenda Item No. 2. R:\t raffi cmin ut es\052302 1 COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Minutes of April 25, 2002 - Continued to the meeting of June 27, 2002. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to continue the approval of the minutes to the June 27, 2002 Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Katan and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Coe who was absent. COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. Proposed Capital Improvement Pro,qram for Fiscal Years 2003-2007 RECOMMENDATION: 2.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission review and discuss the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Circulation Projects for Fiscal Years 2003-2007. Director of Public Works Hughes presented the staff report (of record), highlighting the upcoming transportation projects included in the proposed CIP, advising that there were approximately 45 traffic/circulation projects being proposed in the five-year budget plan; and provided an overview of the circulation element projects which were completed during this past fiscal year, as well as various projects that will be worked on in the upcoming fiscal year, as follows: Various projects completed durinq the last fiscal year: · The Margarita Road Widening Project (near Pauba Road to Plo Pico Road), · The Pala Road Street Improvement Widening Project Phase I (which would encompass widening the road to four lanes), · The Neighborhood Sidewalk improvement Project which was completed in Starlight Ridge in the Southern Cross Road area, · The Pavement Management Program which rehabilitated many of the City's deteriorating streets, and · The Traffic Signal Installations Project (at Stone Wood Road/Margarita Road, Winchester Road/Diaz Road, Pala Road/Loma Linda Road, and at Pala RoadNVolf Valley Road.) The major projects, which will be in progress during the upcoming fiscal year: · The Traffic Signal Project at Rancho Way/Diaz Road (encompassing the design portion of the project), · The Traffic Signal Interconnect and Camera Monitoring Program Project, · The Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Citywide), The Bridge Safety Projects (which included improving the barrier-rail systems) on Enterprise Circle and on Rainbow Canyon Road, · The Realignment of Diaz Road (to the intersection of Rancho California Road) Project, · The Street Improvement Project in the area of Margarita Road, Solana Way, Ynez Road, and Overland Drive which would encompass specific widening and median construction to accommodate development to be constructed via a Development Agreement for an expansion at the Guidant site, The Pavement Rehabilitation Project, specifically on Jefferson Avenue, · The Pala Road Street Improving Widening Project Phase II (which would encompass widening the road to six lanes), · Several Community Facility District Projects inclusive of the Butterfield Stage Road/Murrieta Hot Springs Road Connection Project, and the John Warner District Improvement Project (which would be funded by the local properly owners), · The Rancho California Bridge Widening Project (over Murrieta Creek), Intersection Improvements Project at Winchester Road/Jefferson Avenue, and · The Design and Planning of the French Valley Parkway Interchange Project (which would be north of Winchester Road.) Addressing the queries of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission, Director of Public Works Hughes relayed, for Commissioner Wedel, the manner in which priority ratings were applied to projects, advising the Priority I projects typically encompassed projects which were needed from a capacity standpoint, mitigating existing congestion impacts, projects which were safety related, and projects which have been deemed Priority I by the City Council; clarified that resources were not available to complete all of the Priority I projects at the same time; advised that during the next fiscal year there were approximately $30 million in funding allocations for transportation projects; for Commissioner Connerton, noted that while the Winchester Road/Nicolas Road Overpass Project was included in the budget, the project was pending the outcome of the feasibility study; relayed that the French Valley Phase I Southbound Offramp Project would be part of the ultimate interchange, advising that the Southbound Offramps at Santiago Road Project was solely a conceptual design study to analyze the viability of whether access could be provided at some time in the future, noting that any further work on this project has been postponed indefinitely. Relaying that when a Planning Commission/Public/Traffic Safety Commission Joint meeting was held a few years ago for the purpose of reviewing the Circulation Update, there were discussions regarding the necessity of the Santiago Road Overcrossing Project in the near future in order to address traffic coming from the southbound, west side of the freeway, traveling to the eastern side; and recommended that the City Council consider addressing the Santiago Overcrossing Project in the near future. For Commissioner Connerton, Director of Public Works Hughes confirmed that funding for the Meadowview North City Circulation Study has been postponed; additionally confirmed that the Intersection Traffic Monitoring System was funded at this time and was in the process of gaining Caltrans approval (Senior Engineer Moghadam noting that this particular project was expected to go out to bid at the end of June); clarified the timing of the Removal of the Left-Turn Pocket Project on Rancho California Road into the Target Center (which was included in the City's operating budget), advising that the Westbound Designated Right-Turn Lane Project (from Rancho California Road to Ynez Road) would be completed prior to the median project; relayed that the Ynez Road Widening Project between Ranch Vista Road, and Tierra Vista Road was not being actively pursued at this time due to the congestion impacting this section of the roadway R:\trafficminutes\052302 3 solely during the AM peak periods, and hopes that the adjacent property would be developed in the near future and that the costs of the project would be bore by the benefiting property owner and not the City. Commending staff for their efforts regarding the proposed CIP Projects Commissioner Katan relayed that it was an excellent proposal. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed circulation projects included in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2003-2007 subject to the recommendation that the City Council consider addressing the Santiago Overcrossing Project in the near future and that it not be postponed indefinitely. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wedel and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Coe who was absent. At this time the Public/Traffic Safety Commission heard public comments. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Danalee Bettis, 31308 Ashmill Court, inquired as to whether at any point in time in the future North General Kearny Road will be open between Nicolas Road and Margarita Road in order to alleviate congestion on Winchester Road and Margarita Road, as well as the traffic congestion behind the Lowe's use which is used as a cut-though path. For Ms. Bettis, Commissioner Connerton advised that when the Meadowview Cimulation Study was conducted it would be determined whether there would be any recommendations with respect to street openings and closures. In response to Ms. Bettis, Chairman Lanier confirmed that staff and the Public/Traffic Safety Commission were aware of these particular traffic impacts. 3. Multi-Way Stop Si,qns - Commerce Center Drive at Overland Drive RECOMMENDATION: 3.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution establishing a multi-way stop control at the intersection of Commeme Center Drive at Overland Drive. Providing the staff report (of record), Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that since the opening of the Iow flow crossing on Via Montezuma, the traffic volumes have increased on several streets in that particular area including Commerce Center Drive and Overland Drive, advising that staff was recommending the installation of a multi-way stop control at Commerce Center Drive/Overland Drive, as well as additionally recommending parking restrictions in the immediate vicinity to improve the flow of traffic. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Katan and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Coe who was absent. R:\trafficr~nutes\052302 4 MOTION: Commissioner Connedon moved to approve staff establishing restricted parking zones in the vicinity of the new multi-way stop sign installations. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Katan and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Coe who was absent. 4. Traffic Conditions - Honors Drive at Southern Hills Drive/Boq¥ Way RECOMMENDATION: 4.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive and file the report. Commissioner Wedel advised that he would be abstaining from this issue. Relaying that Commissioner Connerton had requested staff to investigate the visibility impacts at the intersection of Honors Drive at Southern Hills Drive/Bogy Way, Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (per agenda material), noting that during staff's investigation it appeared that the visibility to the east from Southern Hills Drive was somewhat restricted; noted staff's recommended improvements at the intersection, as follows: to remove some of the vegetation to the east of the intersection on the north side, to relocate the stop limit line approximately five feet towards the intersection in order to allow the vehicles to approach the intersection at a further point to increase visibility to the east, and to install an "Intersection Ahead, ' sign going westbound on Honors Drive; advised that with these improvements it was staff's opinion that the sight distance would be adequate for speeds of 25 MPH; and clarified that since on the Bogy Way side of the intersection there were no visibility restrictions, staff was not recommending any improvements in this particular area. Noting that he had investigated this particular area, Commissioner Connerton relayed that with the improvements the visibility would be approximately 135 feet; advised that while watching seven vehicles exit Southern Hills Drive he had witnessed two near- accidents; and recommended that a flashing beacon be installed as well as the recommended Intersection Ahead signage. For clarification, Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that the streets in this particular area were not designed to City standards due to the initial plan for these streets to not be public; advised that in addition to moving the stop limit line five feet towards the intersection, the recently installed golf cart lane would provide an additional buffer area so that the vehicles would not have to enter the path of traffic; and advised that if it was the Public/Traffic Safety Commission's recommendation to install a flashing beacon in this area, staffwould forward the recommendation to the City Council; and noted that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission may desire to recommend the installation of the staff recommended improvements initially, to wait and evaluate the results of those installations, and to subsequently recommend the installation of beacon lights, if deemed necessary. Per his investigation of this area, Chairman Lanier noted that the only vehicles, which had stopped, were the vehicles making left-turn movements; and relayed that the residents in this area may be opposed to the installation of beacon lights due to aesthetic issues. R:\traffi~minutes~052302 5 Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that it would be staff's recommendation that the recommended improvements be implemented initially without the beacon lights in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the improvements; advised that typically when flashing beacons were installed in residential areas the residents were not pleased; and recommended that prior to the installation of flashing beacon lights that the proximate residents be notified. Commissioner Connerton relayed that if polarized lenses were placed on the beacon lights as well as longer sunshields there would be no residence impacted by the lights since there are no homes that face that particular portion of the roadway; and while recommending that safety be the primary focus of traffic installations and not aesthetics, concurred with staff's recommendation to initially install the staff recommended installations and to evaluate this area prior to the installation of beacon lights. MOTION: Commissioner Katan moved to approve the installation of the staff's recommended improvements at this particular intersection (as denoted in italics on page 5, under Item No. 4, in paragraph 2 of the minutes.) The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connerton and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioner Coe who was absent and Commissioner Wedel who abstained with regard to this matter. 5. Clarification on Public Comments Speaker's Time Limit RECOMMENDATION: 5.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission maintain the current speaker's time limit. Noting the concern of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission regarding residents not having an adequate period of time to present concerns at the last Commission meeting, Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report (of record); advised that while the City Attorney had not yet responded regarding an e-mail he had sent with respect to this matter, that it was his understanding that the Chairman had the authority to extend the speaker's time limit, if deemed necessary; and recommended that the current time limits be maintained and that the limits be extended as deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Wedel relayed his disappointment due to the lack of a legal opinion regarding this issue. For informational purposes, Minute Clerk Hansen relayed that per discussions with City Clerk Jones, the following information had been relayed: that the Chairman could extend the speaker's time limit, that the three-minute time limit was typical with respect to alternate cities, and that this matter was a policy issue, and not a legal issue; and noted that the difference between changing the time limit and maintaining the current limit was that now if it was deemed necessary the Chair could allow a longer speaker time, providing flexibility, but with an established increased speaker time, speakers could not be limited to three minutes at a future point (i.e., at a meeting with a large number of speakers.) R:~trafficminut e s\052302 6 Relaying that it had been an educational experience when he attended a City workshop regarding the Brown Act, Commissioner Connerton recommended to the Public/Traffic Safety Commissioners that if there was an opportunity to attend one of these particular workshops, that they attend. Advising that he had spoken with the City Attorney regarding this matter, Director of Public Works Hughes confirmed that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission has the legal authority to change the speaker time limits. Noting that he had granted flexibility regarding the speaker time limit in the past, and that no individual was mandated to stop speaking when the red speaker light went on, Chairman Lanier advised that now knowing he had discretion to extend the time he would feel more comfortable to do so. Confirming Chairman Lanier's comments, Commissioner Connerton relayed that he, too, had extended the speaker time as deemed necessary when he served as Chairman. Commissioner Katan queried the criteria which would determine which speakers were permitted to speak longer than three minutes, noting his concern regarding the inequitability of allowing various speakers to have an extended speaker time, and others not. Concurring with Commissioner Katan, Commissioner Wedel recommended that the time limit be extended due to the following: the inequitability regarding staff's unlimited time to discuss an issue and the residents' three-minute limit to articulate their comments on the same issue, the residents' requirement to state their name and address utilized an ample portion of the three minute limit, queried the rationale for the differential between the two (2) minute limit for non-agenda items and the three (3) minute limit for agenda items; and noted that he would not be opposed to extending the meeting time in order to provide residents with an opportunity to more adequately present their concerns. Commissioner Katan opined that it had been an effective time limiting tool when Commissioner Connerton (while serving as Chairman) had directed speakers (when there was a large number of requests to speak) to limit their comments to remarks that were not previously presented; and reiterated his desire that residents have an adequate time to express their concerns. Commissioner Connerton relayed that a Public/Traffic Safety Commissioner could request the Chair to extend the time on a speaker's limit. Commissioner Wedel relayed that it was reassuring that the Commissioners could request that a speaker's time limit be extended. In response to Commission comments, Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that the timer could be started after the speaker has stated their name and address if that was the desire of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission. Commissioner Connerton relayed that the time limit aided in encouraging residents to plan and organize their comments; and noted that additional information was typically obtained beyond the three-minute period when the Commission questioned the resident. FAILED MOTION: Commissioner Katan moved to extend the speaker's time limit to five minutes to be consistent with the City Council. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wedel. (Ultimately this motion failed; see below.) For Senior Engineer Moghadam, Commissioner Katan clarified that it would be his recommendation to extend the time limits for both agenda items and non-agenda items to five minutes. At this time voice vote was taken reflecting denial of the motion due to Commissioners Connerton's and Lanier's n._~o votes and Commissioner Coe's absence. FAILED MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to maintain the existing speaker's time limit with the understanding that the Public/Traffic Safety Commissioners could request the Chairman to extend a speaker's time, if deemed necessary. The motion was seconded by Chairman Lanier and voice vote reflected denial due to Commissioners Katan's and Wedel's n_9o votes and Commissioner Coe's absence. FAILED MOTION: Chairman Lanier moved to maintain the existing time limit regarding speaking on non-agenda items, and to extend the speaker's time limit for agenda items to five minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wedel and voice vote reflected denial due to Commissioners Connerton's and Katan's n._9o votes and Commissioner Coe's absence. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Updating the Commission regarding the recently purchased lighted vehicle traffic calming signs, Senior Engineer Moghadam advised that staff had installed the devices in a Chardonnay Hills neighborhood, and initially received positive feedback from the residents; noted that the devices appeared to be effectively slowing the traffic; and relayed that ultimately one of the residents had expressed strong opposition to the device. Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that the resident in opposition to the installation had stated that there were additional residents opposed to the device; advised that while staff clarified that the installation was temporary, the resident was concerned that property values would depreciate; noted that while staff was of the opinion that the device was effective, the installation was removed from this residential area due to the complaint; advised that the resident opposed to the device was in favor of installing stop signs in the area to slow speeds; and noted staff's desire for this new device to have a positive impact, relaying that prior to future installations staff would provide additional information to proximate residents. In response to Commissioner Connerton, Director of Public Works Hughes advised that this particular device was more of an educational tool than a safety device; and relayed that staff would refine the manner in which the devices were installed, specifically gaining input from the residents prior to installation. Commissioner Connerton noted his concern with regard to the device being removed due to one resident's complaint when it would have benefited the area. In response, Director of Public Works Hughes clarified that it was the desire of R:\tr afficminutes\052302 8 staff that there be a positive response with the installation of this new device, advising that since this was the first installation and staff did not want negativity to be associated with the installation, the procedure prior to installation would be revised. For Commissioner Katan, Director of Public Works Hughes noted that while the device had been removed from this particular area it would be placed in an alternate location in the next one to two weeks; and advised that it was likely that the Chardonnay Hills neighborhood issue would be re-agendized, noting that it has been relayed that the residents would be submitting another petition requesting stop signs. Commissioner Wedel recommended that once staff has determined the procedure for making residents aware of the device (prior to installation) that the Commission be updated. In response, Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that staff would bring this issue back to the Public/Traffic Safety Commission, noting that it would be helpful to have the support of the Commission. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Updating the Commission regarding the Community Action Patrol (CAP), Police Sergeant Lohman noted that during the month (from May 2 to May 22) the volunteers worked approximately 12 days, averaging approximately six hours per day; relayed that the members aided in controlling traffic on three occasions, conducted 46 park site checks, 26 school site checks, 1 suspicious vehicle check, 2 vacation checks, and 18 business checks; advised that efforts are being make to obtain cellular phones as well as a scanner for the CAP program; and for Commissioner Connerton, relayed that one of the volunteers stayed at the Old Town storefront office in order to maintain communications. Providing additional information, for Commissioner Connerton, Police Chief Domenoe noted that the CAP volunteers have radios, and cellular phones; noted that with the volunteer at the base station there were communications between the units and between the base and the units, advising that they will also be able to listen to the Police radio correspondence; and specified that the Police Department uses AT&T cellular services at this time. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT No comments. COMMISSION REPORTS A. For Commissioner Katan, Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that at the intersection of Winchester Road/Jefferson Road, U-turns were restricted from Winchester Road when traveling westbound; and advised that staff was aware of the U-tums being made when traveling eastbound. Regarding the asphalt ramp located in the school loading and unloading area on Margarita Road, which was serving as a driveway for one of the water facilities, R:\t rafficmin u les\052302 9 and did not have a proper curb cut, for Commissioner Connerton, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that he would further investigate the matter. Commissioner Connerton noted that he had received a number of complaints regarding residents who are unable to cross Winchester Road from Margarita Road due to the vast number of vehicles running the red light at the left-turn Margarita Road signal (traveling from west to south.) For Commissioner Connerton, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that staff would install a right-turn arrow at the Ynez Road/Rancho Vista Road signal. Updating the Commission regarding the General Plan Update, Commissioner Connerton relayed that there would be a June City Council/Planning Commission Joint Workshop at which time the update would be presented. Commissioner Connerton relayed that the Balloon & Wine Festival would take place on June 7th, 8th, and 9th at Lake Skinner, advising that for those interested there were still volunteer opportunities available. With respect to weekend enforcement, for Commissioners Lanier and Wedel, Police Sergeant Lohman noted that the Stop Light Abuse Program (SLAP) was enforced on weekends, that when there were incidents occurring in neighborhoods on the weekends Accident Investigator Officers were deployed, that there was a Community Service Officer on duty eight hours on Saturdays, and an Accident Investigator on duty on swing shift Saturdays and Sundays. Providing additional information, Police Chief Domenoe relayed that while Motorcycle Officers were best deployed primarily during peak accident times which was Monday through Friday, from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., he would ensure that there was a Motorcycle Officer deployed for weekend enforcement; advised that if the budget proposal was approved there would be two Motorcycle Officers added to staff during the next fiscal year, anticipating that they would be deployed seven days a week; and concurred with Commissioners Wedel and Lanier that there was value in having Officers deployed on the weekends, in particular in the neighborhoods. Chairman Lanier commended Police Chief Domenoe for the comprehensive Police Departmental Report that was provided to the Public/Traffic Safety Commission. Chairman Lanier thanked Ms. Bettis (a resident who spoke during the public comment period) for taking the time to attend the Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting. R:\t~afficminu te s\052302 10 ADJOURNMENT At 7:31 P.M. Chairman Lanier formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, June 27, 2002 at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula. C~ier Administ~3ecr,C~/ry Anita Pyle R:\t rafficmin u t es\052302 11