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TC - Agenda - 02-07-02AGENDA ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION 8838 East Valley Boulevard Rosemead, California 91770 Regular Meeting FEBRUARY 7, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Chairman Ruiz, Vice -Chair Knapp Commissioners Baffo, Quintanilla, Matsdorf Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner Baffo Invocation: Commissioner Quintanilla 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December, 2001 & January, 2002 2. COMMISSION REORGANIZATION FOR 2002 3. 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) 4. OLD BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS A. ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE VICINITY OF JANSON SCHOOL 6. STAFF REPORTS 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 8. ADJOURNMENT - To the next regular meeting of the Traffic Commission on Thursday, March 7, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., Rosemead City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA, 91770. Posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting at: Rosemead City Hall, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead; the L.A. County Library, Rosemead Branch, 8800 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead; and at other locations pursuant to RMC Section 1.08. ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2001 A regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairman Ruiz at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead. ROLL CALL Present: Ruiz, Quintanilla, Knapp, Baffo & Matsdorf Absent: None Ex Officio: Administrative Assistant: Jessica Wilkinson Traffic Engineering Deputy: Joanne Itagaki CALL TO ORDER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Knapp The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Matsdorf Commissioner Matsdorf stated that she spoke to her I" grade class about the meeting that evening and she would like to share a few words that the kids had to say for her invocation, they were as followed: ➢ ❑ Always be friendly to everyone, especially if nobody likes them ➢ ❑ Be nice, even when it's hard ➢ ❑ Don't make fun of and laugh at people ➢ ❑ If someone is sad, make them happy i ❑ Help others, don't boss and push people around ❑ Always do your best ❑ Share everything, even if it's your favorite ➢ ❑ Remember it's everyone's job to be caring ➢ ❑ Always make good decisions, even if someone tells you to do something bad ➢ ❑ Always try to be happy, friendly and caring I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Baffo, seconded by Commissioner Matsdorf, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes for November 1, 2001. II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - NONE III. OLD BUSINESS — NONE IV. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR STUDY OF TRUCK ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CITY Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki presented the staff report. Commissioner Knapp asked when was the last time there was a study done regarding truck routes. Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki stated that she does not remember any such study done in recent history. Commissioner Knapp stated that she would like to see the court decisions that were made in writing regarding truck routes. Commissioner Matsdorf stated that she would hate to expend staff time and valuable money if the court decision says we are unable to do anything. Chairman Ruiz stated that he is interested as to what this decision was based on, and why it was even brought up by the court. V. STAFF REPORTS A. UPDATE ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN ON NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki stated that at the last City Council meeting of November 13` , the Council approved the installation of red curb on Willard south of Garvey. VI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Knapp thanked everyone for helping "People for People" obtain plenty of turkeys for Thanksgiving. She also thanked the San Gabriel School District for allowing them to store the left -over turkeys in their freezer until the Christmas Holidays. In addition, she thanked the City for the barrels and barrels of canned goods that were collected from the various schools and centers. Commissioner Baffo asked if there was a cost breakdown for the signage at Village Lane and he wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 3, 2002 A regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairman Ruiz at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead. ROLL CALL Present: Ruiz, Quintanilla, Knapp & Matsdorf Absent: Commissioner Baffo Ex Officio: Assistant City Manager: Donald Wagner Traffic Engineering Deputy: Joanne Itagaki CALL TO ORDER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Matsdorf The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Knapp 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes for December 6, 2001, were deferred until February, 2002. H. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - NONE III. OLD BUSINESS A. REOUEST FOR STUDY OF TRUCK ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CITY Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki presented the staff report. RECOMMENDATION: It was recommended that the Traffic Commission file this report until further actions are made on the issue. Staff will be in contact with the City Attorney to keep informed on the issue. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO REMOVE ON- STREET PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON HELLMAN AVENUE AND STEVEN AVENUE — CITY OF ANGELS MEDICAL CENTER Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki presented the staff report. RECOMMENDATION: Based on the request from the Medical Center and observation of the conditions of the site, it was recommended that 100 feet of red curb be removed to provide more "unrestricted" parking on Hellman Avenue in front of the Medical Center. Additional "unrestricted" parking area may be recommended after discussions with Dr. Riley regarding the yellow curb. Commissioner Knapp asked if we were keeping 10' feet for visibility. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that it's more for maneuverability for them to make left turns going out. She also stated that the 20' foot driveway is only a one -way driveway at this time, and still providing 60' feet of one side and 10'feet on the other side, because of the curb. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki also stated that the street sweeper is scheduled for Mondays, but it is not being enforced at this time. There was previous agreement with staff that they would not enforce and that Ingleside would be responsible for cleaning the curbs and around the hospital. Commissioner Knapp asked that staff meet with Dr. Ripley for his thoughts and ideas. It was moved by Commissioner Knapp, seconded by Commissioner Matsdorf, and carried unanimously to approve the Traffic Engineer's recommendation. Vote Results: Yes: Chairman Ruiz, Commissioner Knapp, Commissioner Quintanilla & Commissioner Matsdorf Noes: None Absent: Commissioner Baffo, Abstained: None V. STAFF REPORTS — NONE VI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Knapp stated that she received a complaint from a resident stating that on Newmark between Pine and San Gabriel Boulevard there are "No Parking Anytime" signs there, for those people wanting to go to the Post Office. Commissioner Knapp asked staff to look at the timing of the signal at Valley and Walnut Grove, in both directions. Commissioner Knapp announced that she was a grandmother again, and has a brand new grandson, 3 weeks old. Chairman Ruiz stated that he arrived late to the meeting tonight, and wanted to know what the result was of the Truck Route item discussed earlier. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that the Traffic Commission voted to file the report and keep in contact with the City Attorney. Director of Administrative Service Bill Crowe stated that the City Attorney's Legal Department is still reviewing it. He stated that the lawsuit was very unusual with regards to a tow truck in Santa Ana that filed a lawsuit against the City stating local and state government agencies cannot pre -empt federal laws without congressional actions. At this point the State Attorney General is trying to evaluate how to appeal the decision. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. MEMORANDUM TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: JESSICA WILKINSON, ASSOCIATE PLANNER DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2002 SUBJECT: REORGANIZATION PROCEDURE The following procedure is suggested for reorganization of the Commission: 1. The incumbent chairperson turns the meeting over to the City staff representative for nomination and election of the new chairman. 2. The City staff representative calls for nominations. No seconds are required for nominations. 3. When no further nominations are heard, the City staff representative declares the nominations closed. 4. If there is only one nominee, a motion of his /her election may be entertained. 5. If there is more than one nominations, then the Secretary will call a roll call vote. Commissioners should respond with the name of the nominee they vote for. 6. The candidate polling a majority is the new chairperson. 7. The newly- elected chairman assumes the chair, then opens nominations for vice - chairperson. Staff Report Rosemead Traffic Commission TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY DATE: January 29, 2002 RE: Additional Traffic Controls in the Vicinity of Janson School REQUEST Janson School is currently undergoing construction to install new parking and circulation on school grounds. As part of this construction, School District officials met with City staff to discuss general concerns regarding the new circulation pattern. During this meeting, City staff identified concerns regarding the intersection of Bartlett Avenue /Olney Street and Bartlett Avenue /Loftus Drive. This report will address the concerns at these two intersections. CONDITIONS Janson School is located on Marshall Street between Bartlett Avenue and Walnut Grove Avenue. There is also access to the school on Olney Street. Bartlett Avenue is a 36 -foot wide north /south residential roadway with parking allowed on both sides of the street. Bartlett Avenue is stop controlled at its intersection with Marshall Street. There is no traffic striping on the street. Bartlett Avenue "T's" into Olney Street at its southern terminus. There is a "School 25 mph When Children are Present" sign for northbound Bartlett Avenue north of Olney Street. Olney Street is a 36 -foot wide east/west residential roadway with parking allowed on both sides of the street. There is no traffic striping on the street. The prima facie speed limit is 25 mph. Loftus Drive is a 30 -foot wide east/west residential roadway with parking allowed on both sides of the street. Loftus Drive "T's" into Bartlett Avenue at its western terminus. There is no traffic striping on the street. The prima facie speed limit is 25 mph. Exhibit 1 depicts the existing conditions of the subject streets. (The Exhibit will be available at the Traffic Commission meeting.) February 7, 2002 Traffic Commission Agenda Additional Traffic Controls in the Vicinity of Janson School Page 2 of 4 DATA The reported accident history on Bartlett Avenue, Olney Street and Loftus Drive was reviewed for the period from January 1, 1998 through June 30, 2001. The accident history revealed one reported accident summarized as follows: Location & Description PCF' Date, Day & Time Bartlett Avenue at Marshall Street Right -of -way 01/22/98, Thurs. & Westbound vehicle proceeding automobile 10:05 AM straight broadsided a southbound vehicle turning left. PCF` = Primary Collision Factor Traffic volume counts taken at the intersection of Bartlett Avenue /Olney Street approximately one year ago revealed the following: 24 hour Volume Peak Hour Volume Southbound Bartlett Avenue 804 93 (7:00 AM) Eastbound Olney Street 373 69 (2:00 PM) Westbound Olney Street 257 32 (7:00 AM) DISCUSSION As the Traffic Commission is already aware, the traffic circulation in the vicinity of Janson School has been an ongoing issue for many years. This school, unfortunately, was built fronting a collector street (Marshall Street) in the City. As population has increased, so has traffic volumes resulting in increased traffic volumes on Marshall Street. Several different traffic controls have been implemented to improve traffic flow in the vicinity of Janson School. Some of these include: parking restrictions on Marshall Street, addition of a crossing guard, and a change in traffic signal phasing at Walnut Grove Avenue /Marshall Street. The new circulation pattern the School District is constructing will provide a parking lot on the south end of the property with access from Bartlett Avenue. This new parking lot will be a one -way circulation pattern (westbound) that connects to the existing parking lot at the northwest side of the property. The School District has also requested the installation of "no parking" areas at and across from the new entrance. A full size plan of the new construction will be presented at the Traffic Commission meeting. The intersections of Bartlett Avenue /Olney Street and Bartlett Avenue /Loftus Drive are 3- legged intersections with no traffic controls. Therefore, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21800 (b) (1) governs the right -of -way for vehicles at this type of intersection. This Section states, in part, "any vehicle on a February 7, 2002 Traffic Commission Agenda Additional Traffic Controls in the Vicinity of Janson School Page 3 of 4 terminating highway shall yield the right -of -way to any vehicle on the intersection continuing highway." This means that southbound vehicles on Bartlett Avenue would yield the right -of -way to vehicles on Olney Street and that westbound vehicles on Loftus Drive would yield the right -of -way to vehicles on Bartlett Avenue. Caltrans guidelines indicate Stop control is usually established on the street with the least volume of traffic. Additional control, beyond the basic right -of -way assignment, is usually reserved for those locations where the volume of traffic exceeds 500 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day and where both streets having about the same amount of traffic, lends credibility to the higher level of intersection control. Without credibility, voluntary compliance is poor and without voluntary compliance, traffic safety is severely compromised. With the change in Janson School's circulation pattern, it is anticipated that additional traffic will travel through the intersections of Bartlett Avenue /Olney Street and Bartlett Avenue /Loftus Drive. Exhibits 2 and 3 (available at the Traffic Commission meeting) show the estimated traffic volumes for Bartlett Avenue /Olney Street and Bartlett Avenue /Loftus Drive. Though the estimated increase in traffic volumes may not meet Caltrans guidelines for the installation of Stop signs, it is recommended that a 3 -way Stop be installed at Bartlett Avenue /Olney Street and that a Stop be installed on Loftus Drive at Bartlett Avenue. This recommendation is based on previous experience with traffic circulation around Janson School and the need to control traffic especially during school start and release times. The School District's request for "no parking" areas was analyzed. The new driveway entrance is approximately 25 feet wide and is a one -way (inbound) circulation. The installation of red curb or no parking signs north of this driveway will help access to the driveway. South of the driveway, a "no parking" area would provide some additional clearance for northbound vehicles turning left into the driveway. However, very few vehicles are anticipated to make that left turn. As for "no parking" areas across the street, there is no reason with regards to traffic flow that such an area is needed. Field review of the subject intersections also identified needed changes /additions in traffic controls. These recommendations are included below. February 7, 2002 Traffic Commission Agenda Additional Traffic Controls in the Vicinity of Janson School Page 4 of 4 RECOMMENDATION The following recommendations are made and are depicted in Exhibit 1: 1. Install Stop controls with limit line and "STOP" legend on Bartlett Avenue at Olney Street and on Olney Street at Bartlett Avenue (3 -way stop intersection). 2. Install Stop control with limit line and "STOP" legend on Loftus Drive at Bartlett Avenue ( "T" stop intersection). 3. Install 15 feet of red curb from the new Stop controls "back" (against traffic) at each location (4 sets of red curb). 4. Install "25 mph" speed limit signs on Olney Street west of Bartlett Avenue and on Olney Street east of the west cul -de -sac (2 signs). 5. Install 50 feet of red curb on the west side of Bartlett Avenue from the new driveway access to the north. 6. Install 10 feet of red curb on the west side of Bartlett Avenue from the new driveway access to the south. 7. Install "Loftus Drive" and "Bartlett Avenue" street name signs on the existing street light pole on the southeast corner of the intersection. 8. Remove the existing "Not A Through Street" sign on Bartlett Avenue south of Loftus Drive and replace with a "No Outlet" sign. Attachments available at Traffic Commission meeting P: \06- 160 \JI1 \RSD\2002 Agendas & Documents \Feb - Janson School Add'I Conlrols.doc