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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070998 PTS Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC]TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULY 9, 1998 A regular meeting of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission was called to order by Chairman Telesio on Thursday, July 9, 1998, at 6:03 P.M., at the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. PRESENT: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: Coe, Johnson, Markham, Perry, Telesio None Also present were Public Works Senior Engineer Ali Moghadam, Police Sergeant Rodney Crisp, Fire Captain Alan Black, Associate Planner Matthew Fagan, Administrative Secretary Anita Pyle, and Minute Clerk Pat Kelley. Commissioner Coe led the flag salute. PUBLIC COMMENTS Associate Planner Matthew Fagan reported on the Circulation Element Update. A draft document is planned to be available for the Commission in late October or November 1998. Mr. Fagan stated he will bring additional information to the Commission for their review and comment as they become available. Commissioner Markham commented the plan will cover Temecula plus its area of influence, which includes the City of Murrieta and some areas of the San Diego County and how they relate to each other. Chairman Telesio invited Mr. Fagan to attend the monthly meetings of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission to provide continuing updates on the progress of the Circulation Element.. Ray West, 31918 Corte Montecito, commented that semi-tracks park in front of Sam Hicks Park and museum from Friday night to Stmday creating a dangerous situation, are unsightly and asked if something could be done to prevent their parking. Commissioner Markham stated the problem is, parking is not allowed on any circulation streets and the new parking ordinance does not cover non-residential areas. Mr. Moghadam stated there is a City ordinance, which prohibits commercial vehicle parking on all City streets unless a permit is obtained from the hotel/motel and the Police Department. Sgt. Crisp reported no parking permits have been applied for. Commissioner Coe suggested educating hotel/motel operators regarding the ordinance so the trackers can be informed of the parking permit process. Commissioner Perry suggested a plan be developed whereby the motels could issue the permit and then notify the Police Department. Commissioner Coe requested the matter be agendized for the August meeting. Cynthia Johnson, 29429 Ynez Road, requested additional barricades at the end of La Paz Street where it intersects with Ynez Road. She thanked the Commission for the "Stop" signs at La Paz Street and Ynez Road as they have made a positive change in traffic. PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULY 9, 1998 Commissioner Markham requested the matter be agendized for the August meeting along with consideration of a southbound right-turn lane on Ynez Road at La Paz Street and warning flashers in both directions. Nelson Betancourt, 40835 Calle Medusa, requested closure of Calle Medusa due to high traffic volume and speeds. Commissioner Coe mentioned the process to close a street requires a petition initiated and signed by a certain percentage of homeowners which, when filed with the City, if accepted, requires a public hearing. Commissioner Markham inquired about traffic counts on Calle Medusa and/or the Walcott Bypass. Mr. Moghadam stated Walcott Corridor would be between 1,000 to 2,000 and Calle Medusa, a little over a 1,000. Mr. Betancourt stated the residents hired a person to set up a counter and the count was 1,800 on Calle Medusa. Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Betancourt to provide the Commission with his count documents. Chairman Telesio suggested Mr. Moghadam work with Mr. Betancourt on this issue. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of June 4, 1998 It was moved by Commission Coe, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the Minutes of June 4, 1998. The motion carried as follows: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Coe, Johnson, Perry, Telesio NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Markham ABSENT: 0 COMMISSION BUSINESS 2. COMMISSIONERS: None "No Turn on Red" Siey~ - Northbound Front Street at Rancho California Road Senior Engineer Ali Moghadam presented the staff report. Chairman Telesio emphasized the need to have a liberal warning period by the Police Department, right turns on a red light at that location has been an established practice for a long time. Sift. Crisp stated there would probably be a two (2) to three (3) week warning period. It was moved by Commissioner Markham, seconded by Commissioner Coe, to recommend the City Council adopt a resolution establishing "No Turn on Red 4:00 P.M. TO 6:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday" on northbound Front Street at Rancho California Road, and staff to bring the matter back to the Commission after the reconstructed intersection has been in operation as the right turn restriction may no longer be needed. PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULYg~1998 The motion carried as follows: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Coe, Johnson, Markham, Perry, Telesio NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Speed Limit - Various Locations Senior Engineer Ali Moghadam presented the staff report. Commissioner Markham asked if staff had the original design speed limits on La Paz Street as there is an unusual curve between Vallejo Avenue and Ynez Road. Mr. Moghadam stated he was unable to find the design speed documents. He noted that in most cases the determining factor to lower speeds are conditions that are not readily apparent to drivers, the study did not indicate any conditions other than the narrow road, which is apparent. Commissioner Markham asked about the length of the speed survey on La Paz Street and Mr. Moghadam replied approximately half-an-hour, which is the normal length, and also mentioned speed surveys are not done during peak traffic hours. Commissioner Coe asked about accidents in the area. Mr. Moghadam stated the accidents in the area were right-of-way violations, not speed violations. Carole Corazza, 44220 La Paz Street, asked the speed limit not ever be set over 35 MPH because of the curve which limits sight distance and the horse trail located in the area. She stated the small horse trail sign is not easily visible and asked if the Homeowners Association could replace it. Commissioner Markham replied the Association could do anything outside the right-of-way. Ms. Corazza asked about the process of buying the La Paz Street sign on Hwy 79S when it is replaced. Commissioner Markham said sign replacement is in the CIP for the 1998/99 FY and suggested Ms. Corazza write the City Engineer or City Manager regarding the sign purchase. Commissioner Markham asked if the reflectors made a difference and Ms. Corazza replied they did, especially at the curve. She also mentioned the bend in the road is better than having it straightened because La Paz Street would then become a thoroughfare. Victor Jones, 3066 DePortola, representing the Los Ranchitos Homeowners Association (HOA), asked what triggered the speed survey on La Paz Street. Mr. Moghadam stated the Vehicle Code requires speed surveys be updated every five (5) years and the survey for La Paz Street had expired. Commissioner Perry added that residential streets, which meet the 25 MPH prima facia, do not need to be surveyed. Mr. Jones asked if a "Horse Crossing" sign could be erected either by the City or the HOA. Commissioner Markham suggested the issue be added to the other Los Ranchitos items that are to be brought back next month. PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULY9,1998 Mr. Jones asked if the monument sign was to be replaced or moved. Commissioner Markham suggested the HOA write the City Engineer and Mr. Donavan of Riverside County requesting the sign so the HOA can relocate it. It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to recommend the City Council adopt an ordinance establishing speed limits on the following roadway segments: 2. 3. 4. Amarita Way between Pit Pict Road and McCabe Road Montelegro Way between Pit Pict Road and McCabe Road . Nicholas Road between Winchester Road and Via Lobo La Paz Street between Ynez Road and Hwy 79 South The motion carried as follows: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Coe, Johnson, Markham, Perry, Telesio NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None TRAFFII~ ENGINEER S REPORT Mr. Moghadam reported as soon as computer system problems with the City Wide Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) have been worked out, he will provide a demonstration of the computerized signal tracking system either individually or as a group. Chairman Telesio suggested the demonstration be scheduled a half-hour before a regular Commission meeting. Mr. Moghadam stated he met with representatives of the Town Center regarding the improvements at Rancho California Road and Town Center/Hope Way. The Center has agreed to hire a consultant to design the two (2) left-turns out of the Center and the City will be responsible for the median and signal modifications. Chairman Telesio asked that the volunteer "No Left Turn" out of the Claim Jumper driveway be made a permanent condition. Mr. Moghadam announced the City Council has adopted the 1998/99 CIP. Mr. Moghadam reported he has received a request to bring the issue of widening Ynez Road from DePortola to Margarita Road back to the Commission. Commissioner Perry stated at the CIP Workshop Public Works Director Joe Kicak said ltwy 79 South ultimate improvements had been turned down by Caltrans and the City was looking at on/off ramps at Santiago Road as an alternative. Commissioner Markham stated the Santiago Interchange is one of the "wish" items in the Circulation Plan, and suggested the issue be delayed until traffic counts are done because the current counts are very different from the previous ones. Commissioner Perry stated he believes the time is here for Ynez Road to be widened to four (4) lanes all the way to Margarita Road. Commissioner Markham stated he believes that traffic will drop off on Ynez Road when Hwy 79 South is widened to six (6) lanes, in about a year-and-a-half. R:\tra ffic\commi~sn~nlnute.*\98 \070998 4 PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION JULY 9, '1998 Commissioner Markham commented that proposals to relieve traffic include: widening and straightening Rainbow Canyon Road to get to San Diego County, a bypass road going through tribal lands and widening of Pala Road to Hwy 76 in San Diego County. He stated it is difficnit getting the southern end of town traffic on the freeway at Hwy 79S as most go to San Diego, but there is no room on either side to have loop ramps so a non-standard solution must be considered. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT Sgt. Crisp stated he had nothing to report. Commissioner Markham asked about the time the four (4) motor officers devote to the City. Sgt. Crisp replied the motor officers do not have any other duties, hours have increased and are also patrolling on weekends. Chairman Telesio asked about the accident reporting process. Sgt. Crisp stated the data base is available and every accident that occurs in the City is forwarded to Mr. Moghadam. Mr. Moghadam commented all accidents are not reported to the police. FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT Fire Captain Black stated to had nothing to report. Chairman Telesio asked about the French Valley Fire Station staffing. Captain Black stated staff should be available in August. Commissioner Markham noted the City has budgeted their portion of the cost. COMMISSION REPORT Chairman Telesio asked about the legality of parking in the bike zones on Margarita Road between Pauba Road and Rancho California Road. Sgt. Crisp and Mr. Moghadam stated they would look into the matter. Commissioner Markham noted that Margarita Road was not included as a "No Parking" s~eet in the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. Chairman Telesio reiterated it should either be a bike lane or parking, not both. It was moved by Commissioner Markham, seconded by Commissioner Coe, to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission will be held on Thursday, August 13, 1998, at 6:00 P.M., Temecula City Hall Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. ~ ~John H. Telesio, Chairman