Transportation Commission Meeting

CITY OF ESCONDIDO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION July 10, 2014 The regular meeting of the Escondido Transportation and Community Safety Commission was called to order at 3:06 p.m., Thursday, by Chairman Blackstock, in the City Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, California. Commissioners present: Chair Blackstock, Vice-chairman Durney, Commissioner Dayani, and Commissioner Sarro. Commissioners absent: Commissioner Maes, Commissioner Leone, and Commissioner Berkstresser. Staff present: Ali Shahzad, Associate Engineer/Traffic Division; Beth Kassebaum, Department Specialist; Julie Procopio, Assistant Director of Engineering; Homi Namdari, Assistant City Engineer; Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer/Traffic Division; Sergeant Woodward, Escondido Police Department; and Ty Paulson, Minutes Clerk. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Joel Marino and Arturo Velasco, Escondido, members of CX3, provided updates on the progress of the crosswalks at Mission Middle School. They thanked the Commission and City for their support and efforts in making the area a safer place to walk and play. They stated that CX3's mission was to improve the health of the residents surrounding the Mission Parkway area and to support safe crosswalks throughout the City with special focus being paid to Mission Avenue. They noted that they had met with met with Councilmember Gallo regarding improving the crosswalks in front of Mission Middle School and the crosswalks throughout Mission Park, which he supported. They asked that the Commission continue to support their mission. Kathleen Ferrier, Circulate San Diego, noted that they had met with City staff to discuss creating safer crosswalks in the area of Escondido Creek, noting her concern with the City's crosswalk policy being from 1975. She asked that the Commission consider updating the policy and suggested looking at the City of San Diego's policy since they were updating their policies. 1 MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Durney, seconded by Commissioner Dayani, to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2014, meeting. Motion carried unanimously, CONSENT ITEMS: 1. Updated Striping Plan with bike buffers and additional eastbound lane on 9 th Avenue from La Terraza Boulevard to Redwood Street for pavement maintenance activity. Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and requested input. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Durney, seconded by Chairman Blackstock, to approve Consent Item 1. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: 1. School Zone Safety Projects Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the Commission approve the implementation of the added crosswalks at four locations and expanded sidewalk on North Broadway at Sheridan Avenue. Discussion ensued regarding a clarification of the phasing for the intersections. ACTION: Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Sarro, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Chestnut Street Traffic Calming Project Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the Commission recommend to City Council the installation of stop-signs on Chestnut Street at the intersection of 9 th Avenue and approve funding for traffic calming measures on Chestnut Street. Chairman Blackstock referenced the intersection of Chestnut and 9 th Avenue and asked if the vegetation could be trimmed so as to provide better sight visibility. Mr. Bandegan stated staff would look into this this. 2 Discussion ensued regarding a clarification of the traffic volumes on Chestnut and 9 th Avenue. Terry Poppins, Escondido, noted that she lived on Chestnut for 25 years, noting that even placing the trashcans on the street was hazardous. She expressed her concern with the speeds of vehicles jeopardizing the pedestrians and residents. She thanked the City for helping calm traffic in the area. Carol Rae, Escondido, President of Old Escondido Neighborhood District, expressed her concern for the safety of the residents in the area of Chestnut, feeling that the stop signs would help improve safety in the area. She felt a crosswalk was needed at 9 th Avenue and Chestnut. She thanked the City for their continued help in the Old Escondido Neighborhood. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Dayani, seconded by Commissioner Sarro, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Eucalyptus Avenue Traffic Calming Project Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended relocating the N/B Eucalyptus speed radar feedback sign and recommend to City Council the installation of stop signs on Hamilton Lane at the intersection of Eucalyptus Avenue and on Eucalyptus Avenue at the intersection of Shalimar Place. Commissioner Durney asked if the southbound radar unit could be relocated further away from the proposed stop sign. Mr. Bandegan and Mr. Shahzad noted that the data indicated that the southbound radar unit was very effective, noting staff could re-evaluate the location of this unit. Richard Conwell, Escondido, concurred with relocating the radar sign further down Eucalyptus Avenue, noting he had observed speeding further down the street. He also thanked the City for considering adding traffic calming measures to the area. Chairman Blackstock asked if enforcement was helping the situation in the area. Mr. Conwell stated that he had not observed additional enforcement. He also felt the subject area was inundated with cut-through traffic. Chris Hodge, Escondido, stated that he lived on the corner of Shalimar and Eucalyptus. He was opposed to adding the stop signs near his residence, noting he had never had an issue in 13 years entering or exiting his residence with his vehicles and trailer. He expressed concern for the health and safety of his son who suffered from auditory neuropathy. He did not feel a stop sign would be an 3 appropriate devise for reducing vehicle speeds. He was concerned with the noise and pollution associated with adding stop signs. He also stated that he was unaware of receiving notice about the subject stop sign installations. Chairman Blackstock stated that stop signs were easily relocated. He was in favor of staffs recommendation, feeling the stop signs would help the situation in the area. Commissioner Dyani expressed his view that once a stop sign was installed it should remain due to one of the factors of a stop sign being to change the patterns of motorists. He also stated that he could not comment on items related to Eucalyptus but as a resident he felt a stop sign at Shalimar was not a good idea. Mr. Bandegan noted that the purpose for the stop sign at Shalimar and Eucalyptus was to provide safe left and right turns, noting that it was not being installed for traffic calming. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Berkstresser, seconded by Commissioner Sarro, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried. Ayes: Blackstock, Sarro, and Durney. Noes: None. Abstained: Dayani. (3-0-1) 4. Crosswalks on East Grand Avenue near Palomar Hospital Senior Citizen signage, additional signage and striping, and ALL-Way Stop at East Grand Avenue and Grape Street. Ali Shahzad, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted that staff recommended the Commission approve additional signage considered to assist in altering drivers of Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossings as following: 1) Install senior citizen signage SW 50 (CA) at all approaches with 25MPH signs; 2) update crosswalk signage by double facing the signs (W11-2 Ped Walking & W16-7 Ped Arrow pointing down) at crosswalks at the apex of the hill at Palomar Hospital driveway; 3) consider "Right Only" R3-5 out of Grape Street due to crest of hill sight distance; 4) Install a spring base "Yield to Pedestrians within Crosswalk" in the striped median at Grand and Hickory. Pavement Legends for "Yield" at the crosswalk approach if it could be accommodated; and 5) pavement legends for "Yield" at the approaches preceding the Saw Tooth Yield Pavement Legends at the 511 E. Grand crosswalks. Chairman Blackstock felt the proposed pedestrian signage near Hickory would be subject to being struck by a vehicle. Discussion ensued regarding a clarification for installing flashing beacons on the top of crosswalk signs. 4 Chairman Blackstock expressed his concern with motorists being unaware of pedestrians trying to cross the street at the apex of the hill on Grand Avenue due to the configuration of Hickory Street and Grand Avenue merging. He felt delineating the two streets to deter drivers from being able to cross over near the crosswalk would help provide additional safety. The Chairman directed staff to re-review based on the scheduled University of Berkley Pedestrian Safety Assessment and report back. Commissioner Durney asked how many individuals used the Grand/Hickory crosswalk per day. Mr. Shahzad estimated 20 to 25 individuals. Michael Dalton, Escondido, expressed concern with traffic speeding in the area of the crosswalk on Hickory and Grand Avenue jeopardizing the safety of the pedestrians. He felt flashing beacons might help advise drivers that there was a crosswalk in the area. Kathleen Ferrier, Circulate San Diego, encouraged the Commission to consider utilizing its toolbox to help calm traffic in the corridor of Hickory and Grand Avenue. She questioned whether the closing off of Second Avenue or constructing a traffic circle in the area of Second Avenue and Hickory would be a viable solution. Fan i Sayre, Escondido, expressed her concern with traffic speeding in the area of the crosswalks on Hickory and Grand Avenue jeopardizing the safety of the pedestrians. She felt flashing beacons might help advise drivers that there was a crosswalk in the area. She also noted that she had not been notified about today's meeting. Marcia Alem, Escondido, expressed her concern with the area of Hickory and Grand Avenue being very dangerous. She suggested installing "Speed Reduced Ahead" signage near Juniper. She felt the subject area also needed a flashing beacon. She also felt the subject crosswalk needed additional vehicle warnings in order to make it a safe crosswalk. Chairman Blackstock questioned whether closing off Second Avenue in the area of Hickory had been considered. Mr. Shahzad replied in the negative and noted that this could be reviewed. Commissioner Sarro concurred with staff conducting further review, noting her concern for the safety of the residents in the area. Mr. Namdari noted that Palomar Hospital had a master plan that would expand their footprint. He noted that staff could evaluate this further but suggested deferring any action until more was known from the hospital. He also stated that Berkley would be studying this area, noting this might provide further information. Discussion ensued regarding a clarification of the accident history in the area of Hickory and Grand Avenue. 5 Commissioner Dayani felt the main issue with the crosswalk on Grand Avenue near Hickory had to do with vehicular speed, questioning whether further studies were needed. Commissioner Durney questioned whether the subject crosswalk should be removed, noting his view that it might be too dangerous. Commissioner Dayani concurred. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Durney, seconded by Chairman Blackstock, to continue Item 4 to the next meeting for the purpose of obtaining more information. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Speed Surveys — Approve new batch of speed surveys, including changes to posted limits. Beth Kassebaum, Department Specialist, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended approval to the City Council of updated Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) for posted speeds on various street segments Citywide. ACTION: Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Durney, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Project Status Update — An overview of various projects involving the City a. MTS Rapid Bus deployment — San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) launched a new Bus Rapid Transit service called "Rapid" along the I- 15 corridor. All Shahzad, Associate Engineer, provided the updates to the Commission and requested input SCHOOL AREA SAFETY 1. Pedestrian Safety — Escondido Union School District — Nine (9) walk audits that were conducted by the school district All Shahzad, Associate Engineer, provided the update and requested input. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 6 1. Future Agenda Items — A briefing of future agenda items proposed to be presented to the Transportation Commission. Ali Shahzad, Associate Engineer, noted staff would be bringing back Item 4 to the next meeting. COUNCIL ACTION: No discussion. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Durney noted that the new hospital signage was working well. Commissioner Durney and Sergeant Woodward discussed Cruising Grand participants taking up street parking well before the event and impacting merchant parking and potential solutions. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Blackstock adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m. The next meeting of the Commission would be held October 9, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway, Escondido. - All Shahzad, Associate Engineer Ty Pa on, Minutes Clerk 7