HomeMy WebLinkAbout062603 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR
MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA
PUBLICrFRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
JUNE 26, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00
p.m., on Thursday, June 26, 2003, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200
Business Park Drive, Temecula, California.
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Wedel led the audience in the Flag salute.
ROLLCALL
Present:
Commissioners Ramos, Wedel, Lanier and Chairman
Connerton
Absent:
Commissioner Katan
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of May 22, 2003
RECOMMENDATION:
1.1 Approve the Minutes of May 22, 2003.
MOTION: Commissioner Ramos moved to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1.
Commissioner Lanier seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval with
the exception of Commissioner Katan who was absent.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
2. Request to Remove Bike Lane and Parkin.q Restriction - Harveston Way
RECOMMENDATION:
2.1
That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission deny the request for removal of the
existing bike lane and parking restriction along Harveston Way adjacent to
Ysabel Barnett Elementary School.
Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report, as written; and requested comments
from the Commission.
In response to Commissioner Wedel's inquiry, Senior Engineer Moghadam clarified that there
were few parking spaces on the loop road itself; however, adequate on-street parking was
available on the adjacent internal residential streets.
MOTION: Commissioner Ramos moved to deny the request for removal of the existing bike
lanes and parking restrictions on Harveston Way. Commissioner Wedel seconded the motion
and voice vote reflected unanimous approval, with the exception of Commissioner Katan who
was absent.
3. Handicap Parkin.q Encorcement - Citywide
RECOMMENDATION:
3.1
That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive the report and presentation
and provide further direction.
Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report, as written; and introduced Lt. Pingel who
made a brief presentation outlining the Department's policy for the enforcement of handicap
parking. It was the recommendation of the Police Department that the issuance of citations for
violations of parking in a handicapped zone continue to be handled by sworn officers,
community officer personnel, and the City's code enforcement officers, primarily for two
reasons: (1) CAP volunteers lack the training necessary for their safety, and (2) the varying
schedules of CAP volunteers presents coordination difficulties in subpoenaed court
appearances.
In response to Commissioner Lanier's query, Lieutenant Pingel advised that the Department
typically writes between 100 to 120 citations per month.
MOTION: Commissioner Lanier moved to receive and file the report. Commissioner Wedel
seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval, with the exception of
Commissioner Katan who was absent.
4. Parkin.q Restrictions - Westside Business Park
RECOMMENDATION:
4.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission receive and file the report.
Senior Engineer Moghadam presented the staff report, as written; and requested that the
Commission receive and file the report.
Concerned about future complaints, Commissioner Ramos inquired about proactive plans for
the next tournament. Senior Engineer Moghadam clarified that adequate parking was not an
issue of concern; that the issue had been whether someone was inappropriately charging for
parking. As this was not the case, Senior Engineer Moghadam did not anticpate a future
problem with the upcoming tournament.
MOTION: Commissioner Lanier moved to receive and file the report. Commissioner Ramos
seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval, with the exception of
Commissioner Katan who was absent,
Chairman Connerton requested that the issue of unappreved "no parking" signs that have been
erected on the City-owned property/city streets be agendized for the review of the Public/Traffic
Safety Commission.
TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that he had nothing to report at this time.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
Lieutenant Pingel provided an update on the Temecula Citizen Corps Program, as follows:
· That the Citizen Corps is currently housed in the offices of the American Red Cross
on Jefferson Avenue.
· That an open house introducing the Citizen Corps to the public will be held in the
near future.
· That currently, personnel of the Neighborhood Watch Program are being integrated
with the members of the Citizen Corps.
· That recruitment of new members is still underway.
Sergeant Tyler provided an update from the Police Department for the month of May, as follows:
· That during the month of May, 1,250 citations were issued throughout the City.
· That there were 23 non-injury accidents, 56 injury accidents, and one fatality. The
fatal traffic accident occurred on June 17, at 2:15 a.m., and involved a bicyclist vs.
vehicle. The accident is still under investigation and more details will follow next
month.
· That there were 42 DUI arrests.
· That on Monday of next week, the Commission will be provided with the
Department's traffic plan for the 4th of July parade and fireworks events.
· That on July 2, a DUI saturation would take place in the City and the Commissioners
were invited to partake in a ride-a-long.
That on July 25, a DUI checkpoint will be conducted and the Commissioners will be
notified of the location at a later date.
That on June 14, graduation weekend, a very successful night of DUI saturation was
conducted which included the "Avoid the 30 Program." The Program includes 30
different agencies throughout the county which on a monthly basis saturate the
community with officers primarily searching out DUI drivers. The evening resulted in
five DUI arrests, the storing of 10 vehicles of drivers without licenses, implementaion
of 25 field sobriety tests, with a total of 37 DUI arrests from Temecula to Cabazon
within the County.
That on July 10, two accident investigative sworn deputy positions will be added
giving the Department a total of eight accident investigative officers and eight motor
officers.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
Fire Chief McBride noted the following:
· That the Balloon and Wine Festival was uneventful.
· That preparations are currently underway for the 4th of July events.
· That the Kaitlen's Law Campaign which educates the public of the hazards of leaving
children in locked cars is currently progressing.
· That the Fire Department will be partnered with the school district regarding the "Risk
Watch Program."
COMMISSION REPORTS
Commissioner Wedel received a complaint regarding the painted left-turn lane on
Rancho California headed eastbound in front of Temeku Hills which has a small
receiving area for vehicles, resulting in back-up traffic. Commission Wedel requested
that staff review the situation and perhaps take action by restriping the area.
Commissioner Wedel received a complaint pertaining to the issue of parking on lots with
"for sale" signs and requested that staff address the issue. Staff will contact Code
Enforcement and request that a weekend contact number be provided to the
Commissioners in order to address the issue in a timely manner.
Commissioner Wedel requested an update on the report of the Red Light Camera
Program. In response, Chairman Connerton advised that the report had been delayed
due to recent court actions; and that as soon as accurate information could be
disseminated, the report would be presented to the Commission.
J=
Commissioner Ramos queried as to whose responsibility it was to post speed limit signs
along SR-79 between the 15 Freeway and Red Hawk, noting that there currently were
none. Staff clarified that CalTrans is currently responsible; however, the City is in the
process of taking over the area.
Regarding the painted divider on SR-79 between the Home Depot/Albertsons and Ross
Dress for Less/IHOP, Commissioner Ramos expressed concern for traffic safety due to
witnessing numerous vehicles crossing directly through the divider from one side of SR-
79 to the other. Commissioner Ramos suggested contacting the business owners to
request that they paint directional arrows as a means of providing greater safety.
Commissioner Lanier stated that the 4"~ of July celebrations were a wonderful time for
both the Police and Fire Departments to shine; and he hoped that everyone would have
a safe 4th of July.
Regarding the two left turn pockets going eastbound at the intersection of Rancho
California Road and Ynez Road, Commissioner Connerton requested that staff review
the possibility of extending the left turn pockets by lengthening the median and/or
restriping the roadway in order to address the issue of traffic back ups on Rancho
California Road.
Commissioner Connerton requested that staff review the possibility of restriping the
roadway on Pechanga Parkway going northbound as you pass Rainbow Canyon Road
heading toward SR-79.
Commissioner Connerton thanked staff for the LED's that have been replaced so far;
however, there are approximately 90 percent that have at least one row of lights that
need to be replaced.
Commissioner Connerton requested that staff address the issue of a very lengthy,
perhaps faulty traffic light on Ynez Road as vehicles are turning left eastbound onto
Overland Drive.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:54 P.M. Chairman Connerton formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, July 24, 2003,
at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula.
Admini~'~e S~'~etary Anita Pyie