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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121108 PTS MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The. City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2008, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Ramos led the audience in the Flag salute ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners: Hagel, Ramos, Curran, Youmans and Chairperson Arbogast Absent: None PRESENTATIONS: Expressing sincere gratitude for their exceptional professional effort in representing the Temecula Police Department, Police Chief Williams, on behalf of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission, presented Lieutenant Meadows, Lieutenant Price, and Lieutenant Tyler with Certificates of Appreciation. Accepting the Certificates of Appreciation, Meadows, Lieutenant Price, and Lieutenant Tyler thanked the Commission and Police Chief Williams for the recognition. The Public/Traffic Safety Commission thanked the Lieutenant's for their continued service and support to the City of Temecula. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments. COMMISSION REPORTS A. Commissioner Youmans gave kudos to the Police staff for their efforts in making Temecula a safe community to live. B. Commissioner Hagel advised that the TCC will be hosting a speaker that will be discussing Identity theft at the Temecula Library on Tuesday, December 16`h at 6:30 p.m.; also queried on the possibility of discussing open pit fires and fires and tiki torches during the Fire Chief's report as well as the consequences of fire hydrants running dry. R:\Minutes\PublicTrafficSafetyCommission 121108 C. Commissioner relayed his appreciation to the Chief and his lieutenants. Commissioner Ramos thanked the City for providing the Ethics training course at City Hall. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of October 23. 2008 RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Approve the Minutes of October 23, 2008. MOTION: Commissioner Youmans moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Commissioner Curran seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. 2. Traffic Conditions - Redhawk Parkway at Via Cordoba RECOMMENDATION: That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission recommend: 1. Maintaining the present level of control for the southbound free right turn movement at Redhawk parkway and Vail Ranch Parkway; 2. Maintaining the present level of control at Via Cordoba and Redhawk Parkway 3. Implementing the striping modification at Redhawk Parkway and Vail Ranch Parkway. By way of PowerPoint Presentation, Principal Engineer Moghadam along with Associate Engineer Gonzalez provided an extensive traffic simulation of the traffic conditions and visibility at the intersection of Redhawk Parkway and Via Cordoba (per staff report). Summarizing staff's report Director of Public Works Hughes noted that it would be important to not divert traffic to another route complicating other issues; that the site distance issues have been determined to be adequate and proper; that the results of the investigation will allow staff to correct issues, as stated in staff's report, creating a better situation for the area. At this time the hearing was opened. A. Mr. Charles Hankley, Temecula, stated that he would be in favor of staff's proposed changes but did request that the Public/Traffic Safety Commission consider adding two right-hand turn lanes on Redhawk Parkway, rather than one; that the median be extended; and would be of the opinion that there would not be true visibility when headed up the hill on Redhawk Parkway. Principal Engineer Moghadam stated that the traffic simulation map, as provided by staff, was not to scale, advising that the volumes and results are accurate. RAMinutesTublicTrafficSafetyCommission121108 2 A. Thanking Mr. Hankeey for his comments, Commissioner Youmans noted that he would be of the opinion that staff's suggestions to remedy the current situation would be appropriate. Adding some clarification, Director of Public Works Hughes stated that by not having the free right and by adding two controlled right turns at the intersection, would take away signal time from the intersection operation; that it would further complicate and add to the existing problem; that the simulation provided by staff was not meant to account for the curvature of the road, its simply to be used as a capacity instrument and tool; and that there would be more than adequate site distance visibility for the conditions at the locations. B. Also having had the opportunity to visit the site in question, Commissioner Hagel noted that the concern of Mr. Hankely with respect to the lack of visibility may be due to the angle of Via Cordova to Redhawk and the angle of the cars coming from Redhawk Parkway; and that he would also be of the opinion that the trees in the median might also contribute to the site distance concerns. Director of Public Works Hughes advised that the recommendations by staff are recognized as being appropriate and that landscaping will be remedied to improve site distance. C. Commissioner Curran thanked staff for the thorough staff report (of record), and noted that he would be in favor staff's recommendations; and queried on the safety issues of the 2nd left-hand turn lane (outside), as well as queried on the mail boxes and paper racks on the road; and that would be in agreement of removing the landscaping on the median in question. In response to Commissioner Curran's concerns, Principal Engineer Moghadam stated that lane-lines will be added along the intersection to guide drivers to the correct lanes; and can add red curbage in the mail box area. D. Commissioner Ramos also agreed that reducing some landscaping on the median would be helpful. He also concurred with staff's recommendation, and noted that perhaps a flashing yellow light may be helpful to help keep drivers alert. E. Also being familiar with the area, Chairperson Arbogast relayed her approval of staff's recommendation. MOTION: Commissioner Youmans moved to approve staff recommendation subject to staff exploring the landscaping issues. Commissioner Curran seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. Chairperson Arbogast thanked the Commission for allowing her the opportunity to serve as Chairperson for Calendar Year 2008. R:\Minutes\PublicTrafficSafetyCommission 121108 3 Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson RECOMMENDATION: 3.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission entertain nominations to elect a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson to preside through 2008 and 2009 calendar year. MOTION: Chairperson Arbogast moved to nominate Commissioner Youmans to serve as Chairman for Calendar Year 2009. Commissioner Ramos seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. MOTION: Commissioner Youmans moved to nominate Commissioner Hagel to serve as Vice-Chairman for Calendar Year 2009. Commissioner Curran seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval Commissioner Youmans and Commissioner Hagel happily accepted the nominations. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT No reports at this time. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Police Chief Williams relayed the statistic for November 2008 to be as follows: • 1823 Citations o Hazardous Citations 0 482 Non-Hazardous Citations 0 238 SLAP Citations • 66 Total Traffic Citations 0 49 Non-Complaint 0 15 Complaints of Pain 0 1 Injury Accident 0 1 Fatal • 23 DUI Arrests • 138 Cell Phone Citations Chief Police Williams advised that monthly criminal statistics- will be posted in Commission Agenda packets as well as 2007 and 2008 reports submitted to the FBI, per the request of the City Manager; and noted that the numbers would be reported crimes only and do not necessarily end up as a crime. Police Chief Williams briefly described an arrest in Murrieta with respect to the gang task force observing a possible kidnapping. With respect to the low amount of DUI arrests, Police Chief Williams noted that overtime for DUI checkpoints were cut down, and noted that the next check point is scheduled for Saturday, December 20th. Commissioner Youmans commended the minor's decoy program by the Police Department, and also commended the Chief on the writing of the Massage Ordinance. R:\Minutes\Publ icTraff icSafetyComm ission 121108 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT By way of handout, Fire Chief Fulcher provided the Public/Traffic Safety Commission with the year to date fire statistics with the exception of the month of December, 2008; and highlighted the following: 5,300 incidents within the City limits 0 36 Medical Aids 0 557 False Alarms 0 607 Traffic Accidents 0 485 students taught year to date Fire Chief Fulcher, by way of handout, provided information with respect to the Corona fire, noting that the loss of water supply was due to the loss of electricity and loss of their primary pumping facility. Chief Fulcher noted that it would be unlikely that the City would lose electricity during a fire because Rancho Water District carries multiple pumping and generator systems in the City. With respect to Commissioner Hagel's queries, Chief Fulcher noted that would not be a City or State regulation with respect to tiki torches being used in neighborhoods, and stated that open pits can be regulated by City Ordinance. ADJOURNMENT At 7:41 p.m. Chairperson Arbogast formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, January 22, 2008, at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, and Temecula. Chairp n Arboga9ti J-,'- Director of Public Works, William Hughes R AMi nutesTubl icTraff icSafetyCommission 121108