Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout072502 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULY 25, 2002 CALL TO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00 P.M., on Thursday, July 25, 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 Chairman Lanier. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Connerton, Katan, and Chairman Lanier. Absent: Commissioners Coe and Wedel. Also Present: Director of Public Works Hughes, Senior Engineer Moghadam, Associate Engineer Gonzalez, Fire Captain McBride, Police Lieutenant Pingel, Police Sergeant Lohman, Officer Larson, Officer Wade, Administrative Secretary Pyle, and Minute Clerk Hansen. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS Presentation of the Special Enfomement Team (SET) - Officers Larson and Wade Police Lieutenant Pingel introduced Officers Larson and Wade, who make up the Special Enfomement Team (SET), noting that Officer Larson just became part of the team today. Officer Wade provided an overview of his work history; with respect to the SET program, noted the primary goal to focus on street level narcotics enforcement in Temecula, relaying the avenues the team utilized to pursue enforcement including the development and utilization of informants; for Commissioner Connerton, advised that approximately ninety-nine percent (99%) of the individuals who are arrested by the team are ultimately convicted, noting that in one hundred percent (100%) of the cases, when a search warrant was issued, contraband was seized; relayed that when working on particular cases the team worked with the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) Unit which is a West County Task Force and was comprised of eight officers, one sergeant, and one civilian. Commissioner Connerton thanked Officers Larson and Wade for their efforts in the City. In response, Officer Wade thanked the City for its support. For Chairman Lanier, Officer Wade noted that marijuana was the most widely used illegal drug in this area, that methamphetamines were also used, and that cocaine was coming back into use; and confirmed that drug use ran more rampant in affluent areas. For informational purposes, Chairman Lanier recommended that if Officer Wade had any safety messages e.g., tips to make parents aware of the signs of drug use, that this information could be included in the Public Works news release, advising that Officer Wade could provide the data to Police Lieutenant Pingel who could e-mail the information to Chairman Lanier. In response to Commissioner Connerton, Officer Wade specified how the border checkpoint aided in the process of narcotics enforcement, Commissioner Connerton noting his experience while attending border control checkpoint classes, and in particular when he witnessed the canines (which were trained to find drugs in vehicles) in action. Commissioner Connerton noted the current legislation being proposed to shut down the border checkpoints. Officer Wade relaying that the Board Patrol Officers keep records of the contraband seized at the checkpoints. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 1.2 Approve the Minutes of April 25, 2002. Approve the Minutes of May 23, 2002. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1.1 and 1.2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Katan and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioners Coe and Wedel who were absent. COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. Electronic LED Speed Limit Advisory Si.qn Installation Policy RECOMMENDATION: 2.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission: Approve the Electronic LED Speed Limit Advisory Sign Installation Policy; and include the use of Electronic LED Speed Limit Advisory Signs in Stage 1 of the Neighborhood Calming Program. Senior Engineer Moghadam provided an overview of the LED Speed Limit Advisory Sign Installation Policy (of record), advising that one of the initial requirements for implementation was that there be a neighborhood request (i.e., a letter or a petition) for traffic calming for a specific street filed with the City; specified the additional requirements for installation of the signs, as follows: the roadway should be a minimum of one-half mile in length, the average daily trips (ADTs) should significantly exceed the expected volumes (the minimum being 1,000 vehicle trips per day), the average 85th percentile of speed traveled must exceed the speed limit by 5 MPH, the street should not be designated on the City's General Plan Circulation Element, streetlights must be located on the street due to the devices requiring 120 volt power which is provided from a streetlight, the sign should remain at a specific location for a minimum of 30 days, neighbors within 150 feet should be notified of the installation, as well as provided a copy of the policy; noted that the elements which would be investigated by staff for determination of an exact location of the sign would be the alignment of the roadway, visibility, aesthetics, neighborhood input, and professional engineering judgment; advised that the installations would be approved by the Director of Public Works; and relayed that if for any reason the Director of Public Works or the Commission deemed that a street should receive a sign installation which had not met the requirements, the installation could be implemented. For Commissioner Katan, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that with respect to the first installation which was removed due to a residential complaint, that no before- or after-installation studies were conducted, noting hopes of conducting these studies when the guidelines were adopted and approved; and specified that the first sign was removed after a resident's complaint due to the policy not yet being developed. In response to Commissioner Katan, Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that the 150 feet noticing of residents was for advisory purposes rather than consent. Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that when residents have the opportunity to view the actual speeds traveled via the sign display it would provide a more accurate perspective of neighborhood speeds; for Commissioner Connerton, noted that the street was not required to be straight; that the speeds on a roadway were determined via the analysis conducted; and that the sign devices were plugged into the streetlights. For Commissioner Connerton, Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that staff would delete the word sound in the phrase sound professional judgment for clarification purposes. In response to Commissioner Connerton's recommendation that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission approve all the installations (in lieu of the Director of Public Works/City Engineer or a designated representative) in order to provide staff with a helpful tool, Director of Public Works Hughes advised that although the Public/Traffic Safety Commission could revise the approval process, it would create a much more timely process if every installation was brought before the Public/Traffic Safety Commission prior to installation; and noted that it was staff's expectation that with the new policy (inclusive of the notification process and the provision of information) there would be a more positive public response. R:~rafficminutes~72502 3 Additional discussion ensued regarding Commissioner Connerton's recommendation to have the Public/Traffic Safety Commission approve all of the installations. For clarification, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that the majority of the streets where this device would be installed would be streets that have been brought before the Public/Traffic Safety Commission for traffic calming solutions, ergo traffic issues which have already been reviewed by the Commission. Commissioner Katan noted his support of Public Works' staff approving these installations in order that the implementation could be used as a tool to demonstrate responsiveness to the community. For Commissioner Connerton, Director of Public Works Hughes noted that with the adoption of the policy, the Public/Traffic Safety Commission would be demonstrating its support of the device. Chairman Lanier supported staff approval of the sign installations, and in response to Commissioner Connerton's comments, advised that if an individual or group was vehemently opposed to the device and the matter came before the Public/Traffic Safety Commission, or to staff, the device would most likely be removed. MOTION: Commissioner Katan moved to approve staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connerton and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Commissioners Coe and Wedel who were absent. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that the Right-Turn Overlap Project at Rancho Vista/Margarita Roads would be completed within the next few weeks. At the request of Commissioner Coe, who was unable to attend tonight's meeting, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed commendations to the Fire Department for their diligent efforts regarding the fire on the 1-15 Freeway, south of Highway 79. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Providing an update, Police Sergeant Lohman noted that Officer Pringle (who had been involved in an accident on July 24th while on duty and traveling on a motorcycle) was doing well, advising that while he was very sore there had been no broken bones. Commissioner Connerton requested that Police Sergeant Lohman give Officer Pringle the well wishes of the Commission. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT A. Fire Captain McBride provided an update regarding Fire Department staffing. Fire Captain McBride noted that the Laptop Installations Project was completed and had been installed in all the Fire Department's equipment with the exception of one bracket, providing additional information regarding the need to redesign the brackets; noted that if it was the desire of the Commission, the Laptop Installation Project could be agendized for the next Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting, and that he could provide a demonstration; and for Commissioner Connerton, relayed that the new mounting equipment isolated the majority of the vibrations. In response, the Commission noted its desire to agendize this matter. Apprising the Commission, Fire Captain McBride noted that the Fire Department had received a fity percent (50%) matching funds grant for a Reverse 9-1-1 Notification System Project which would allow public notification regarding hazardous material spills, lost children, etc. Fire Captain McBride advised that as of July 1, 2002, the new Medical Squad No. 73 was in service. COMMISSION REPORTS For Commissioner Connerton, Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that after extensive investigation (noting meetings held with City Manager Nelson and Mayor Pro Tern Stone), it would be staff's recommendation to re-agendize the Jefferson Avenue matter at a future date, noting that there does not appear to be an avenue for modifying the area of the July 24th Police Motor Officer's accident without impacting the private property owner's access, as well as redirecting unwanted traffic to other properties, advising that it was staff's opinion that traffic solutions on the entire block should be further investigated for a comprehensive analysis, rather than investigating just one driveway; clarified that based on staff's review of the matter, any revision which might be proposed would not be appropriate at this time due to the potential negative impacts; and advised that staff would further analyze the area and bring back a recommendation for the Public/Traffic Safety Commission's consideration. Commissioner Connerton noted that if any traffic solutions were determined appropriate for this particular area, it would be his desire that they be implemented expeditiously; and requested that the unique issues associated with this particular area be taken into consideration. For informational purposes, and for Commissioner Connedon, Director of Public Works Hughes noted that the installation of a barrier preventing left-turns into the site would not improve the overall traffic situation; advised that based on all the engineering criteria, sight distance was not an issue at this location; relayed that there were conflicting turning movements between the various driveways which was similar to alternate locations on Jefferson Avenue due to the plethora of driveways located on Jefferson Avenue; and clarified, for Commissioner Connerton, that the City does not have the jurisdiction to direct traffic that is utilizing one commemial site to another without the property owners' permission; and noted that this particular accident was caused by driver error, specifically the left-turn movement did not yield to the oncoming traffic, which could have occurred at numerous alternate similar locations. Commissioner Connerton announced that there would be a Town Hall meeting at City Hall with Congressman Issa on August 2, 2002, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.; and advised that Congressman Issa would provide an update regarding the Security Agency which is in place; and additionally noted that Mayor Roberts, Councilman Comerchero, and he have been appointed to serve on Congressman Issa's Transportation Advisory Committee. Commending the Police Department, Commissioner Connerton advised that at this year's 4th of July Event traffic control was better than ever, specifically applauding Officer Nelson for his efforts regarding the traffic plan. D. Chairman Lanier echoed Commissioner Connerton's comments, relaying kudos to the Police Department for a job well done with respect to the 4th of July Event. With pleasure, Chairman Lanier noted that he has seen increased enforcement throughout the City. For Chairman Lanier, Police Sergeant Lohman confirmed that two additional Motor Officers will be added to the Traffic Division, which would then be comprised of eight Motor Officers, four accident cars, and two Community Service Officers. ADJOURNMENT At 7:00 P.M. Chairman Lanier formally adjourned this meeting to Thursda¥~ Au,qust 22~ 2002 at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula. Chairman Scott Lanier Administ~/tC/'e Se~tCtary Anita Pyle R:~tr afficminu ~es~072502 6