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TC - 02-03-00AGENDA ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION 8838 East Valley Blvd. Rosemead, CA 91770 Regular Meeting February 3, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Chairperson Quintanilla, Vice-Chair Ruiz Commissioners Baffo, Herrera, & Knapp Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner Quintanilla Invocation: Commissioner Ruiz 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 6, 2000 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - This is the time reserved for members of the audience to address the Commission on items not listed on the agenda. (Maximum time per speaker is three (3) minutes; total time allocated is fifteen (15) minutes) 3. 4. 5. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR SPEED BUMPS ON MUSCATEL AVENUE IN THE VICINITY OF SCOTT STREET B. REQUEST FOR SPEED CONTROL ON STEELE STREET BETWEEN ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD AND ELLIS LANE STAFF REPORTS S A. UPDATE ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN ON JANUARY 25, 2000. 6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 7. ADJOURNMENT - Thursday, March 2, 2000, 7:00 p.m., Rosemead City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Blvd., Rosemead, IA 91770 ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION JANUARY 6. 2000 A regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairperson Knapp at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Knapp Commissioners: Ruiz, Quintanilla, Herrera Absent: Commissioner Baffo Ex Officio: Administrative Aide: Jessica Wilkinson Deputy Traffic Engineer: Joanne Itagaki CALL TO ORDER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Knapp The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Quintanilla 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Ruiz, seconded by Commissioner Quintanilla, to approve the minutes for October, 1999. Vote Results: Yes: Commissioner Ruiz, Commissioner Quintanilla, Commissioner Herrera Noes: None Absent: Commissioner Baffo Abstained: Chairperson Knapp Chairperson Knapp abstained her vote, because she was not present at the October meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Ruiz, seconded by Commissioner Quintanilla, to approve the minutes for December, 1999. Vote Results: Yes: Chairperson Knapp, Commissioner Ruiz, Commissioner Quintanilla Noes: None Absent: Commissioner Baffo Abstained: Commissioner Herrera Commissioner Herrera abstained her vote, because she was not present at the December meeting. II. COMMISSION REORGANIZTION FOR 2000 The secretary opened up nominations for the position of Chairperson. Commissioner Ruiz nominated Commissioner Quintanilla. There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed, and Commissioner Quintanilla was declared the new Chairman for 2000. Chairman Quintanilla opened up nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Knapp nominated Commissioner Ruiz. There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed, and Commissioner Ruiz was declared the new Vice-Chairman for 2000. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE- NONE IV. OLD BUSINESS - NONE V. NEW BUSINESS A. ORDINANCE REGULATING STUDENT LOADING AND UNLOADING Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki stated that at the direction of City Council, staff is bringing this draft ordinance to the Traffic Commission for review, consideration and return with a recommended action to the City Council. Beginning with the new school year, the City has redoubled efforts to improve traffic and student safety enforcement near school sites. Sheriff's Department personnel continue to focus on traffic violations while supplementing city parking control teams with parking enforcement. Some of the most troublesome examples of unsafe practices reported by Sheriff, city, school site personnel and residents are the loading and unloading of pupils from private vehicles. Children crossing streets unattended without a crosswalk or signal, and darting out from behind parked or double-parked vehicles is of particular concern. Other cities report similar unsafe practices. Efforts to address this unsafe condition are hampered by lack of a specific vehicle code reference against which to cite. The Sheriff's Department recommended the City adopt an amendment to the municipal code regulating the loading and unloading of children in school zones. This will allow traffic officers to more aggressively enforce this unsafe practice. The City Attorney has prepared an ordinance regulating loading and unloading of students for consideration. The proposed ordinance was reviewed with school district executives and school site management personnel. Their input and Sheriff's Department recommended changes have been incorporated into the ordinance. Our goal is to promote improved student and traffic safety, and provide the Sheriff's Department specific enforcement authority to cite violators who endanger students and other motorists. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Traffic Commission review the draft ordinance regarding addition of a new section to the Municipal Code establishing regulations for the loading and unloading of student passengers and recommend approval to the City Council for their January 25, 2000 meeting. At this time, Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki read the ordinance to the members of the Commission and the audience. Lt. Stu Heller stated that this ordinance is directed towards the drivers and the not the students. Commissioner Knapp would like to see this published in the Rosemead Report and have it as an insert in all the resident's trash bills through Consolidated Disposal, in addition to including this information with the existing pamphlet being produced regarding other issues concerning schools. Commissioner Knapp asked if any other city in the area are dealing with this issue. Lt. Stu Heller stated that the City of West Covina is currently dealing with this issue and it seems to be working for them. He also stated that the Sheriff's Department will be drafting a letter to all the school principals authorizing them to publish the letter and they will explain the ordinance and encourage the principals make as many copies as they can and pass them out to the students. TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY DATE: JANUARY 18, 2000 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SPEED BUMPS ON MUSCATEL AVENUE IN THE VICINITY OF SCOTT STREET REQUEST A letter, attached, has been received from Mr. William Boyd of 8712 Scott Street. Mr. Boyd is requesting speed bumps or "white button road caps" on Muscatel Avenue to slow down traffic in the vicinity of Scott Street. He indicates that vehicles are speeding through the crosswalk. CONDITIONS Muscatel Avenue is a 40-foot wide north/south secondary arterial. There is one lane of traffic in each direction separated by single yellow skip striping. On-street parking is allowed on both sides of the street except during street sweeping times. The posted speed limit on Muscatel Avenue is 30 mph. There is a 25 mph school speed limit sign for northbound Muscatel Avenue north of Valley Boulevard. Scott Street is a 36-foot wide east/west local street. There is no striping on the street. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street except during street sweeping times. Scott Street is stop controlled at its T-intersection with Muscatel Avenue. The prima facie speed limit on Scott Street is 25 mph. At the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street, a yellow crosswalk exists on the south leg. School crossing signs and markings exist on Muscatel Avenue in advance of this crosswalk. Figure 1 depicts existing conditions on Muscatel Avenue in the vicinity of Scott Street. DATA The reported accident history in the vicinity of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street was reviewed for the period from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1999. This review identified 2 reported accidents and are summarized on the following page. Request for Speed Bumps on Muscatel Avenue In the Vicinity of Scott Street Page 2 Location and Description Hovey Street @ Muscatel Avenue Northbound vehicle proceeding straight rearended a northbound stopped vehicle (PCF = driver alcohol/drug and unsafe speed). Muscatel Avenue 72 feet south of Lawrence Southbound vehicle proceeding straight rearended a southbound vehicle turning right (PCF = none stated). NOTE: PCF = primary collision factor Time and Date 11:05 p.m. Thurs. 8/6/98 2:30 p.m. Sat. 9/26/98 A 24-hour traffic count was conducted at the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street last year. This count indicated the following: 24-hour traffic volume Muscatel Avenue 5,820 (2,781 NB: 3,039 SB) Scott Street 1,626 (813 EB: estimated WB) DISCUSSION Field review of Muscatel Avenue in the vicinity of Scott Street revealed a yellow crosswalk on the south leg of the intersection. This crosswalk was identified with warning signs and pavement markings. The field observations were made during school hours but not during the beginning or release periods. However, approximately 10 pedestrians, during the field observation, used the crosswalk. Mr. Boyd has requested the installation of speed humps or rumble strips to slow down traffic in the vicinity of the crosswalk. Since the City's policy is not to install speed humps, the installation of rumble strips was considered. As we have found on Encinita Avenue, the installation of rumble strips has been helpful in alerting motorists in advance of the crosswalk. A similar rumble strip installation is recommended for the crosswalk on Muscatel Avenue at Scott Street. After review of the Caltrans guidelines, the warning signs for the crosswalk need to be relocated. The recommended changes to the signing on Muscatel Avenue are identified on Figure 1. Request for Speed Bumps on Muscatel Avenue In the Vicinity of Scott Street Page 3 RECOMMENDATIONS The installation of rumble strips north and south of Scott Street on Muscatel Avenue is recommended. It is further recommended that the school signing on Muscatel Avenue be revised as shown on Figure 1. All these school signs shall be the new "chartreuse" color. Refer to Figure 1 for all the recommendations of this report. Attachment JI1Rsd\Muscatel at Scott TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY DATE: JANUARY 25, 2000 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SPEED CONTROL ON STEELE STREET BETWEEN ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD AND ELLIS LANE REQUEST During last month's Traffic Commission meeting, Ms. Suzanna Costa requested some sort of speed control on Steele Street. Commissioner Ruiz requested staff to review Steele Street for additional traffic controls. Ms. Costa did not specify her concerns. She expressed an interest in installing speed humps on Steele Street to slow vehicles. Staff indicated to Ms. Costa that the City's current policy is not to install speed humps due to exposure to additional liability. CONDITIONS Steele Street is a 36-foot wide residential roadway from Rosemead Boulevard to Rio Hondo Avenue. Between Rio Hondo Avenue and Ellis Lane, Steele Street is 40 feet wide. There is no striping on the street. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street except during street sweeping times. Steele Street is stop controlled at its intersection with Rosemead Boulevard, Hart Avenue, Rio Hondo Avenue and Ellis Lane. The prima facie speed limit on Steele Street is 25 mph. DATA The reported accident history on Steele Street between Rosemead Boulevard and Ellis Lane was reviewed for the period from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1999. This review identified 5 reported accidents summarized on the following page. Request for Speed Control on Steele Street Between Rosemead Boulevard and Ellis Lane Page 2 Location and Description 421 feet east of Rosemead Boulevard Eastbound vehicle backing collided with an eastbound parked vehicle (PCF=starting/backing and inattention). Time and Date 2:20 a.m. Wed. 3/17/99 500 feet east of Rosemead Boulevard 7:35 p.m. Sat. 1/25/97 Eastbound vehicle proceeding straight collided head-on with two westbound parked vehicles (PCF=driver alcohol/drugs and wrong side). 191 feet west of Ellis Lane 12:55 a.m. Mon. 11/18/96 Eastbound vehicle ran off the road and collided with a northbound parked vehicle and 3 westbound parked vehicles (PCF=unsafe speed and other). 33 feet east of Rio Hondo Avenue 7:45 a.m. Fri. 3/15/96 Westbound vehicle proceeding straight rearended two westbound stopped vehicles (PCF=unsafe speed and inattention). 538 feet east of Rosemead Boulevard (Rt. 19) 8:30 a.m. Wed. 6/26/96 Eastbound vehicle proceeding straight sideswiped an eastbound parked vehicle (PCF=not driver and brakes, other equipment). NOTE: PCF = primary collision factor The estimated 24-hour traffic volume on Steele Street is approximately 2,000 vehicles per day. This is generally considered the average volume of a residential roadway. DISCUSSION Field review identified no parking street sweeping signs and stop signs along Steele Street. A few vehicles were observed traveling on Steele Street. It is estimated their speed was approximately 25-30 mph. These observations were made during off-peak hours. As you are aware, the City's current policy is to deny the installation of speed humps on public streets. This is primarily due to the lack of approved standard designs for the speed humps. Other cities have installed speed humps on a "trial Request for Speed Control on Steele Street Between Rosemead Boulevard and Ellis Lane Page 3 or study" basis and have determined, under their own legal advice, whether their city is taking on additional liability. The installation of rumble strips was considered for Steele Street. However, the installation of rumble strips in the, City has been primarily to advise motorists in advance of a specific situation. For example, on Encinitas Avenue the rumble strips were installed to warn motorists of the yellow school crosswalk at Pitkin Street. The installation of rumble strips on Steele Street would be inappropriate, at this time. In addition, the noise from the rumble strips would be a concern on this residential street. There were no speed limit signs posted on Steele Street. Such a posting may serve as a reminder to motorists of the prima facie speed limit of 25 mph on a residential street. It is recommended that 25 mph speed limit signs be installed on Steele Street. Due to the similar roadway characteristics, it is further recommended that 25 mph speed limit signs be installed on Guess Street and Ralph Street. De Adelena Street is not included in this recommendation. De Adelena Street is currently being surveyed as an addendum to the City's Engineering and Traffic Speed Survey. RECOMMENDATIONS The installation of 25 mph signs on Steele Street, Guess Street and Ralph Street is recommended as shown on Figure 1. It is further recommended that the speed trailer be placed on Steele Street followed by selective enforcement. Attachment JI\Rsd\Steele Street s 0 z v d y d t x W a I (\!113 n 'any opuoH 0121 m U) U) U N O N L (6 (D O - (D Fo cl~ C N O_ Q 0 Z N c l C: W v N W 'x J W F •18 peawaso~A a_ N O O_ 3 m C C O C 0) .N N d' (0 N c 0 Figure 1