Transportation Commission Meeting

CITY OF ESCONDIDO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION January 8, 2015 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 Dumey, Commissioner Dayani, and Commissioner Spoonemore. Commissioners absent: Commissioner Leone, Commissioner Sarro, and Commissioner Berkstresser. Staff present: Julie Procopio, Assistant Director of Engineering; Homi Namdari, Assistant City Engineer; All Shahzad, Associate Engineer/Traffic Division; Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer/Traffic Division; Beth Kassebaum, Department Specialist; Sergeant Varso, Escondido Police Department; and Ty Paulson, Minutes Clerk. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Dumey, seconded by Chairman Blackstock, to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2014, meeting. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT ITEMS: 1. Citracado Bike Lanes 2. Pavement rehab Cross-Section ACTION: Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Durney, to approve Consent Items 1 and 2. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: I. Crosswalks on East Grand Avenue near Palomar Hospital 1 Ali Shahzad, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the following: 1) Remove the crosswalk at the emergency entrance at the apex of the hill at Palomar Hospital driveway and consider installing the crosswalk at 2 nd Avenue and Hickory N-S to the bus stop per ped counts and the Berkeley study suggestion and as also discussed with residents by the traffic staff meeting with the Villa Escondido senior housing residents; 2) Install "Right Only" R3-5 (R) out of Grape Street due to crest of hill sight distance; 3) Install pavement Legends for "Yield" at the approaches preceding the Saw Tooth Yield pavement legends at the proposed crosswalk. Bus Box and taper striping; 4) Revise the approach eastbound on 2 nd Avenue merge; and 5) Install senior speed limit signage SW 50 (CA) at all approaches with 25MPH signs. Commissioner Durney and staff discussed the proposed striping on East 2' d Avenue. Commissioner Durney felt the relocation of the crosswalk created a safer situation. ACTION: Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Dumey, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Beethoven Drive and Inspiration Lane Intersection Control Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended forwarding a recommendation of approval to install stop-signs on Beethoven Drive at the Intersection of Inspiration Lane. Chairman Blackstock expressed his concern with residents ultimately not stopping for the subject stop sign. He then asked if any accidents had occurred at the subject location. Mr. Bandegan stated that he was unaware of any accidents. He noted that the sight distance was the main warrant for the stop sign. Commissioner Durney asked if residents had been notified about the subject stop sign. Mr. Bandegan replied in the affirmative. Commissioner Dyani expressed his concern with potential rear end accidents occurring due to the lack of sight distance. He felt the stop sign would create more issues. Commissioner Durney felt the street had enough sight distance and straightaway so as not to create issues with rear end accidents. Chairman Blackstock concurred. ACTION: 2 Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Dumey, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried. Ayes: Dumey, Blackstock, and Spoonemore. Noes: Dyani. (3-1) 3. El Norte Parkway HAWK Evaluation at Bike Path Crossing Ali Shahzad, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the Commission approve the warrant analysis to support a pedestrian signal at El Norte Parkway creek trail crossing and direct staff to investigate the feasibility for its installation to assist in alerting drivers of a mid-block pedestrian/bicycle crossing. Commissioner Dumey and staff discussed the funding mechanisms and timing for the subject project. Commissioner Dayani and staff discussed the cost for the subject projects. Chairman Blackstock and staff discussed the cost crosswalk, the speeds for the area, and alternative options for the crosswalk. Ms. Procopio noted that staff was looking at possible grant funding this project. Chairman Blackstock suggested looking at wireless activated flashing signals as a possible cost savings as well as being able to relocate the devices if needed. Commissioner Dyani asked if any bicycle or pedestrian accidents had been reported for the subject area. Mr. Shahzad replied in the negative but noted that the subject area was slated in the Bicycle Master Plan to have a signalized crossing. Ms. Procopio noted that this item was before the Commission due to improving the bridge and something needed to be done for the crossing. Commissioner Dyani was in favor of staffs recommendation. He also felt this project lent itself to an Active Transportation grant. Commissioner Dumey concurred with staffs recommendation. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Dyani, seconded by Commissioner Durney, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Traffic Management Projects Initiation and Approval Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the Commission approve the policy on traffic management projects initiation and approval. ACTION: 3 Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Dumey, to approve staff's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Speed Surveys Citywide — New batch of speed surveys, including new speed limit. Beth Kassebaum, Department Specialist, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the Commission approve the 15 speed surveys, which included ten (10) new speed limits, one (1) increase in speed limit, and two (2) decreases in speed limits. ACTION: Moved by Chairman Blackstock, seconded by Commissioner Durney, to approve staff's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: 1. An overview of various projects involving the City a. New Striping including Bike Lanes on Ash Street and 9 th Avenue. b. MTS Rapid Bus TSP Project update c. Complaints of vehicular speeds in the area of Willowbrook Street and Shadyridge Avenue d. 2' Avenue and Quince Striping Received. SCHOOL AREA SAFETY 1. Intersection Crosswalk Striping near Schools Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, provided the update and noted that 17 marked crosswalks had been installed at Lincoln and Fig, Washington and Rose, Bear Valley Parkway and Citrus, and Citrus and Patterson. 2. LR Green and Bear Valley Middle School Beth Kassebaum, Department Specialist, noted that staff would be evaluating traffic flows during drop-off and pick-up activities at the two schools within the next month. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Future Agenda Items — A briefing of future agenda items proposed to be presented to the Transportation Commission. 4 All Shahzad, Associate Engineer, noted that future agenda items included more speed surveys, TMPL, striping plan for Second Avenue, and amending the truck route. COUNCIL ACTION: a. Alexander Stop Signs b. Chestnut Traffic Calming Stop Signs c. Eucalyptus and Hamilton Stop Signs d. Classical Academy School Zone Stop Signs e. Upas No Parking — Lighting Evaluation Received. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Dumey expressed his concern with the bus stop on Escondido Boulevard being cleaned regularly with water when the State was in a drought. Mr. Namdari noted that staff would inform NCTD of the situation. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Blackstock adjourned the meeting at 4:32 p.m. The next meeting of the Commission would be held April 9, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway, Escondido. .,...k- • All Shahzad, Associate Engineer Ty Pâylsoçl, Minutes Clerk 5