Loading...
TC - Agenda - 04-11-02AGENDA ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION 8838 East Valley Boulevard Rosemead, California 91770 Regular Meeting APRIL 11, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Chairman Baffo, Vice - Chairman Quintainilla Commissioners Matsdorf, Knapp, Ruiz Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner Matsdorf Invocation: Vice- Chairman Quintanilla 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 7, 2002 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. OLD BUSINESS 4. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO INCREASE LOADING ZONE IN FRONT OF WILLIAMS SCHOOL 5. STAFF REPORTS A. UPDATE ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN ON MARCH 26, 2002 6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 7. ADJOURNMENT - To the next regular meeting of the Traffic Commission on Thursday, May 2, 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 MARCH 7.2002 A regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairman Baffo at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Baffo, Commissioner Knapp & Commissioner Ruiz Absent: Commissioner Matsdorf & Commissioner Quintanilla Ex Officio: Director of Administrative Services: Bill Crowe Administrative Assistant: Jessica Wilkinson Traffic Engineering Deputy: Joanne Itagaki CALL TO ORDER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Ruiz The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Knapp I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Ruiz, seconded by Commissioner Knapp, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes for February 7, 2002. II. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - NONE III. OLD BUSINESS A. ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE VICINITY OF IANSON SCHOOL - (CONTINUED) Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki presented the staff report. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki went on to say that Commissioner Knapp made a suggestion that the School District meet with the residents to discuss this item, which they did on Monday, March 4, 2002, and which Commissioners Baffo and Knapp and Traffic engineering Deputy Itagaki attended. Traffic Engineer Deputy Itagaki also stated that due to the future changes in traffic patterns, she would like to review the placement of a crossing guard at this location a month or two after the new entrance is open. She would also like to install yellow crosswalks instead of the limit lines across Bartlett and Loftus and another one on Olney (on one leg). In addition, install "No Pedestrian' crossing signs, to direct the pedestrians to go down to Olney or go up to Marshall. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Install Stop controls with limit line and "STOP" legend at 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 except at 8648 Olney Street where red curb shall be 10 feet (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. S. Remove the existing "Not A Through Street" sign on Bartlett Avenue south of Loftus Drive and replace with a "No Outlet" sign. 9. Install "Stop Ahead" symbol signs and "STOP AHEAD" pavement markings on Olney Street east of and west of Bartlett Avenue. Speaking before the Commission was: Veronica Pena 8648 Olney Street Rosemead, California 91770 Ms. Pena asked if all these recommendations tonight are final. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that all recommendations made at this meeting are forwarded to the City Council for their final approval. Ms. Pena stated that she would like to see if a "No Parking' sign could be installed for the hours of 7:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. instead of red curb. Ms. Pena stated that she would like to be at the City Council meeting when this is going to be discussed, and she stated that she and all her neighbors will be protesting, with a petition. In addition, she is speaking to a lawyer to have this stopped. Director of Administrative Services Bill Crowe stated that the Traffic Commission can handle the items before us that deal the public right -a -way (streets). The School Districts are sovereign entities, they are responsible of school facility planning decisions through the Rosemead School District's Board of Education. The City does not have a say as to how they design their facilities. Therefore, resident concerns about school construction matters need to go back to the School District, and through the Superintendent's office. Mr. Crowe went on to say that if Ms. Pena and the other residents have issues with the signage, crosswalks, markings, etc., those items will be discussed at the Traffic Commission Meeting and then forwarded to the City Council. At which time, the residents are always welcome to attend and voice their concerns. Commissioner Knapp stated that if the School District goes on with their recommendations/ changes, she feels the Traffic Engineer's recommendations will provide many means of safety for the children walking, and feels it necessary to have the stop controls. Speaking before the Commission was: Larry Luna 8608 Olney Street Rosemead, California 91770 Mr. Luna stated that their main concern is that they have a traffic problem that is getting worse everyday and feels that Traffic Commission should deal with these kinds of problems. Chairman Baffo stated that the Traffic Commission deals with items pertaining to traffic safety. Commissioner Ruiz stated that the streets are public right -a -way, the School District has every right to use the public right -a -way. The Traffic Commission deals with installing signs and curb markings, and these are installed for your protection, and that's why the Traffic Engineer has studied the situation and come up with these recommendations. Commissioner Knapp asked the audience if they would object to loosing 4 parking spots to install red curb or stop signs, in order to protect the children. Commissioner Ruiz stated that the Commission could drop the item on the red curb, but that the stop signs would still go up. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that she would prefer the stop signs be installed along with the red curb, but would not object to the Commissioners' revised recommendation. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki clarified the recommendations made by Commissioner Knapp. Commissioner Ruiz translated the recommendation to the audience in Spanish for the residents that did not speak/ understand English. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that she has spoken to the City Engineer regarding the installation of sidewalks. However, at this time there is no money allocated for sidewalks. The City Engineer will research funding options for the installation of sidewalks. After discussion regarding sidewalks, the Commission and Traffic Engineering Deputy agreed to not include the crosswalks or "No Pedestrian' crossing signs. It was moved by Commissioner Knapp, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, and carried unanimously to approve the Traffic Engineer's recommendation with the following changes: To delete item #3 (do not install the red curb adjacent to stop signs) Commissioner Ruiz translated the recommendation in Spanish to the audience. Commissioner Knapp stated that this item will come before the City Council on Tuesday, March 26, 2002. IV. NEW BUSINESS - None V. STAFF REPORTS - None VI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Knapp stated that on Sunday, March 30th (Easter Sunday), from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., there will be an Easter Egg Hunt @ Neighborhood Covenant Church on Graves Avenue, and is open to the whole community. In addition, to the City's Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23rd, at Zapopan Park. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m., with 24 people in the audience. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for April 11, 2002 (delayed by one week due to vacation by staff). APR.04'2002 15:27 TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY DATE: April 3, 2002 #3333 P.003/004 SUBJECT: Request to Increase Loading Zone in Front of Williams School REQUEST Commission Knapp notified staff of concerns regarding the pick -up /drop -off area in front of Williams School. Commissioner Knapp and staff met with the principal of Williams School, Ms. Elizabeth Silva, to discuss the concerns. During that meeting, Ms. Silva indicated that she felt there is too much yellow curb and confusion with regards to parking in front of the School. She also indicated the need to have a bus zone because the bus does not always have a curbside parking space creating a safety concern. Commissioner Knapp also had some concerns regarding the situation. Her primary concern was with regards to the flow of northbound traffic on Del Mar Avenue. Commission Knapp believes vehicles are often traveling towards the gutter and do not "merge" to the left hand side of the curb lane resulting in "close calls" with vehicles parked in front of the school. CONDITIONS Williams School is located on the eastside of Del Mar Avenue north of Graves Avenue. Del Mar Avenue is 64 feet wide with two lanes of traffic in each direction separated by a double yellow centerline. The posted speed limit on Del Mar Avenue is 35 mph. During school begin /release periods, however, the speed limit is posted at 25 mph with a flashing yellow beacon for both directions of traffic. There is a yellow crosswalk on the south leg of Del Mar Avenue at Highcliff Street. A crossing guard assists pedestrians crossing at this location. On Del Mar Avenue, there is a yellow curb painted in front, of the school (south of the yellow crosswalk). South of this yellow curb, there is a "No Stopping Any Time" zone which basically continues to the intersection of Graves Avenue. Exhibit 1 depicts existing conditions in front of Williams School (available at the Traffic Commission meeting). . APR.04'2002 15:27 DISCUSSION #3333 P.004/004 Field observations of the subject location confirmed the parking concerns of both Commissioner Knapp and Ms. Silva. The loading zone is minimal and the bus parking area is reserved only by the placement of cones by school officials. Traffic flow in front of the school is steady with speeds generally higher than the posted speed limits (25 and 35 mph). Northbound Del Mar Avenue traffic traveling in the curb lane does tend to travel close to'the curb for some distance after they pass Graves Avenue. This is primarily due to the lane configu ratio n "at the intersection which "forces" vehicles closer to the curb to. accommodate the left turn lanes on Del Mar Avenue. Beyond the left turn lanes, Del Mar Avenue returns to two lanes of traffic in each direction centered in the roadway. Based on field measurements, the extension of the loading /unloading zone in front of the school is recommended. This loading /unloading zone, however, will be changed to white to correspond to other similar zones in front of other schools. In addition, "Loading Unloading Zone 7:30 — 9:00 AM and 1:00 — 3:00 PM on School Days" signs are recommended, Due to the travel pattern of the vehicles adjacent to the curb, the addition of a 4 -inch white edgeline is recommended to guide vehicles away from the curb and parked vehicles. . A "Bus Zone" red curb is also recommended. This bus zone will provide an area specifically for bus loading /unloading. This bus zone will be located adjacent to the existing red curb for the yellow: crosswalk. The bus will not be allowed to park in the red curb for the crosswalk because that provides visibility of the crosswalk. These recommendations are depicted in Exhibit 1. Attachments m z x W J 8 Y V Y J Iz J C P ' 1� d 3 d 2 p d V j D, ili V f 3 t d 3t C+ f'g s u W Q V N