Transportation Commission Meeting

CITY OF ESCONDIDO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION October 8, 2015 The regular meeting of the Escondido Transportation and Community Safety Commission was called to order at 3:06 p.m., Thursday, by Chair Durney, in the City Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, California. Commissioners present: Chair Dumey, Vice-chair Spoonemore, Commissioner Simonson, and Commissioner Sarro. Commissioners absent: Commissioner Dayani, Commissioner Leone, and Commissioner Blackstock. Staff present: Julie Procopio, Assistant Director of Public Works; All Shahzad, Associate EngineerfTraffic Division; Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer/Traffic Division; Mark Peterson, Escondido Police Department; and Ty Paulson, Minutes Clerk. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Sarro, seconded by Commissioner Simonson, to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2015, meeting. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT ITEMS: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. FY 15/16 Traffic Management Project List - Gamble Street Traffic Calming Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended approving the Traffic Calming Plan for Gamble Street and authorize the use of the TCSC budget to fund the work. Commissioner Sarro and Mr. Bandegan discussed mitigation measures for limiting cut-through movements and the striping costs. 1 Commissioner Sarro felt further review was needed with regarding to reducing cut-through traffic. She was opposed to spending $20,000 on narrowing the street without reducing traffic. Chairman Durney asked how effective lane chokers were and whether staff had any studies showing their effectiveness. Mr. Bandegan noted that chokers were selected, noting that many other jurisdictions used them in their toolbox for traffic calming. Brian Eveland, Escondido, expressed his concern with the excessive speeds occurring on Gamble Street by cut-through traffic. He did not feel the lane chokers or striping would be effective. He felt that having an officer present would alleviate the speeding issues on Gamble Street. He also suggested utilizing radar signage with the ability to capture license plates for enforcement purposes. Gregory Blomberg, Escondido, concurred with Mr. Eveland's comments. He felt narrowing the road would not reduce speeds. He felt widening the road along with adding lighting and sidewalks would help make the street safer. Jason Koch, Escondido, expressed his concern for the safety of his children due to the excessive speeds on Gamble Street. He felt speed tables would help reduce speeds. He felt adding lane chokers and striping would be a waste of City funds. Alex Shepherd, Escondido, expressed his concern with the excessive speeds occurring on Gamble Street. He was opposed to narrowing Gamble Street, noting his concern for the loss of parking. He felt speed tables would help reduce speeds. Mark Loven, Escondido, expressed his concern with the proposed plan eliminating parking. He then questioned why the subject street could not be completed. He also felt the street needed curbs and radar signage. Commissioner Sarro felt further study was needed with regard to limiting the cut- through activity and reducing speeds. She suggested receiving public input with regard to prohibiting left turn movements from El Norte Parkway and Uncoln. She also stated that she was in favor of using speed tables. Chairman Durney was in favor of using speed tables. He noted there were many places where striping worked. He also expressed his concern with eliminating parking. Discussion ensued regarding the effectiveness of speed bumps. Commissioner Simonson expressed his concern with the excessive speeds on Gamble Street and waiting to do something. Mr. Bandegan suggested installing 2 the chokers and re-evaluating the situation in six months. He also noted that before prohibiting any movements staff would work with the residents. Commissioner Francis felt speed signs and radar would help reduce speeds. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Sarro, seconded by Commissioner Spoonemore, to approve the speed limit signage and pavement legends. The motion also included studying left turn movements on Lincoln and El Norte Parkway with residential input. Motion carried unanimously. 2. City of San Diego Crosswalk Policy Review. Suggestions to incorporate in COE Crossing warrants Abraham Bandegan, Associate Engineer, referenced the staff report and noted staff recommended the Commission review and provide recommendations on the proposed changed to the current City of Escondido Crosswalk Policy. Yazmin Lopez, Escondido, Member of CX3, stated that she attended Escondido High School. She indicated that she was advocating the use of high visibility continental crosswalks in Escondido around schools and the entrances for Escondido Creek for the safety of parents, students, and pedestrians. She stated that the City of San Diego had approved continental crosswalks in May of 2015. Munon Perrin, Escondido, Member of CX3, stated that she attended Escondido High School. She stated that the City of San Diego had approved using continental crosswalks in May of 2015. She indicated that Escondido had not upgraded its crosswalk policies since the 1970s. She asked that the City update its crosswalk policies to use high visibility continental crosswalks in Escondido. She expressed her view that this would create a sense of safety for individuals crossing the streets, especially in the area of schools. She noted that the Mission Park area had three schools that were in need of the subject crosswalks. ACTION: Moved by Chairman Dumey seconded by Commissioner Spoonemore, to approve staff's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Speed Surveys —Various Locations All Shahzad, Associate Engineer/Traffic Division, referenced the staff report and noted that staff recommended that the Commission approve the Speed Surveys. 3 ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Simonson, seconded by Chairman Durney, to approve staffs recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: 1. An overview of various projects involving the City a. North Bear Valley from Glenridge Road to East Valley Parkway — Traffic signal timing synchronization near schools - Complete b. Traffic Signal in Designs: El Norte/Fig & East Valley Parkway/Date — Work in Progress c. Traffic Signals — Private Development in plancheck: North Ash/Vista Avenue, North Ash/Sheridan Avenue, El NorteNista Verde Way and Hotel Traffic Signal on La Terraza Boulevard Under Construction: Harmony Grove/Citracado Parkway and County/City Signal on Boyle/Bear Valley Parkway. d. FY 15/16 TMPL Project Progress Received. SCHOOL AREA SAFETY 1. Escondido High School Pedestrian Ramps. 2. High visibility crosswalks at four intersections Received. COUNCIL ACTION: a. Centre City & South Escondido Boulevard and South Centre City & Citracado Stop Signs b. Ash & Sheridan Stop Signs c. Increasing 2-hour parking to 3-hour parking on Grand Avenue Received. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Veronica Paniagua, Escondido, expressed her concern with vehicles travel fast in the area of Escondido Boulevard and Lincoln where there were numerous pedestrians and there being no stop sign. She noted that she was aware of three accidents occurring in September. She asked that the City look into improving 4 the safety for this intersection. She then provided signatures of residents in support of improving the subject intersection. TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS: Received. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Durney adjourned the meeting at 5:16 p.m. The next meeting of the Commission would be held January 14, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway, Escondido. ...A • All Shahzad, Associate Engineer Ty son, Minutes Clerk 5