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TC - Minutes - 03-06-08ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2008 Final The meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairperson Knapp at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Recreation Center, 3936 North Muscatel, Rosemead. PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE Commissioner Masuda INVOCATION Commissioner Hunter ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Knapp, Commissioner Masuda, Commissioner Gay, Commissioner Hunter, Commissioner Lewin Absent: None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of January 3, 2008: Commissioner Lewin requested that under Approval of Minutes, page 1, "People to People" be corrected to read "People for People." On page 3, second paragraph under Lawrence Bevington, remove the extra period at the end of the sentence. On page 5, 2 nd complete paragraph, 2 nd sentence, change "an" to "on." On page 6, first paragraph under Robert Castillo, change "Applewood" to "Amberwood." Minutes of February 7, 2008: Commissioner Gay requested that "ROX be changed to "RYA" on page 6, last paragraph. On page 7, 5 1h paragraph, 2 nd sentence, the word "making" be replaced with "using." It was moved by Commissioner Gay, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to accept and approve the amended minutes of the January 3, 2008, and February 7, 2008 meetings. Vote Results: Yes: Chairperson Knapp, Commissioners Masuda, Gay, Hunter and Lewin. Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 kmec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Page 1 Final 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Speaking before the Commission: Jim Flournoy 8655 Landis View Rosemead, CA 91770 Mr. Flournoy spoke with the City Attorney this afternoon regarding the public comments for the Panda addition. Comments have to be considered and responded to prior to the action by City Council. Mr. Flournoy believes traffic issues need to be considered by the Traffic Commission before it comes before the City Council and there is time to do it. Subsequent to the EIR, an addendum requires either new information that could not reasonably have been thought about ahead of time or substantial changes in information that wasn't thought about when the original EIR was completed. Mr. Flournoy has requested that the City Manager assign to the Traffic Commission the responsibility of considering the traffic issues reported in the EIR. He would like to set a precedent here with other future projects that the traffic part come before the Traffic Commission. Right now the EIR traffic issues are not brought to the Traffic Commission. Chairperson Knapp suggested that the Traffic Commission probably should not sign the petition presented by Mr. Flournoy but that Mr. Flournoy has every right to present the petition to the City Manager and to give his ideas to the City Manager, who in time will decide if he wants to do this. Mr. Flournoy stated that after the meeting the Commissioners could individually sign the petition if so inclined. He'll send it to the City Manager and let him sort it out, and put it on the agenda for next time. Chairperson Knapp stated that he should present the letter to the City Manager and let him decide if it would be on our agenda the next time. Mr. Flournoy stated the Commission can decide to put it on the agenda. Any of the Commissioners can ask that something be put on the agenda and then discuss it. He believes a shot across the bow needs to be fired saying we've got a very able Traffic Commission and we need to utilize them because we do have people very upset about parking and traffic impact in the City. Commissioner Lewin stated he would support putting this on the agenda next time for discussion. Chairperson Knapp stated she's not sure how the Commission can do that. Commissioner Lewin stated he will make a request during the items from Commissioners portion of the meeting. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 2 Amec (06160)1677411002/Min03 Final Speaking before the Commission: Orawan Huttayasomboom 8513 Turpin St. Rosemead, CA (626) 286 -3549 Ms. Huttayasomboom has a building at 9102 Valley Boulevard. Requested that the red paint be removed and replaced with regular parking in front of the store. The store has been closed for at least ten years. It is a working store but no one wants to rent it because there is no parking. Every time she finds a renter and they learn there is no parking they do not want the store. There is parking in the back but there is no access because of the adjacent apartment. The driveway next to her store belongs to 'the apartment. She described the area around the store and how there is no access to the back. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated one of the things that will be looked at is access rights. She will try to place this item on the next agenda and Ms. Huttayasomboom will be notified. 3. OLD BUSINESS — NONE 4. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON MUSCATEL AVENUE NORTH AND SOUTH OF VALLEY BOULEVARD Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki presented the staff report and study findings. Recommendation It is staffs recommendation that the Traffic Commission recommends the City Council approve the following: • Install 50 -foot northbound and southbound left turn lanes on Muscatel Avenue at Valley Boulevard. • Install red curb on Muscatel Avenue north and south of Valley Boulevard as shown on Exhibit B. • Direct staff to obtain a modified traffic signal design plan of Muscatel Avenue at Valley Boulevard to include new traffic striping, traffic loop detector work and red curb parking restrictions. Chairperson Knapp asked for comments from the audience. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 3 Amec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Final Speaking before the Commission: Hari Alipuria 3949 Muscatel Ave. Rosemead, CA (626) 378 -9033 Mr. Alipuria reported that sometimes the Library parking lot is completely full and parking is a problem. Restricting the parking on Muscatel will cause more problems than it would solve. He believes the parking should be left as it is. On Wednesday morning with street sweeping it is difficult to find parking. The City should consider building a parking structure. Chairperson Knapp asked Mr. Alipuria the exact location of his residence, the south side next to the Chamber? He responded yes. That puts his residence across from the driveway into the library. Commissioner Gay asked Mr. Alipuria if he has a driveway access for his vehicle and if that's enough for parking. Mr. Alipuria stated he does but that sometimes he doesn't like to park in the driveway because it is a narrow driveway. He doesn't want to scratch his car so he doesn't use the driveway all the time. Commissioner Gay stated one reason for taking the parking is to have room for a devoted left -turn lane. If the spaces are not taken, it would not be possible to free up the traffic traveling north or south. Commissioner Lewin asked about the occasional difficulty Mr. Alipuria has getting out of his driveway. Mr. Alipuria stated the restrictions would affect parking and where residents have to park. Commissioner Lewin stated part of the restricted parking will improve the visibility for the residents and make it safer when exiting their driveways. Commissioner Hunter stated the whole reason for the changes on Muscatel is for safety purposes. Drivers can't see with cars traveling around the corner. Bill Ornelas, Field Services Manager, asked about protected left turn signals on Muscatel. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki, stated that even with a protected left turn signals, she would recommend a left turn lane. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that a good estimate for the cost of a left -turn phasing would be more than a detector installation. Split- phasing is a possibility, but that adds delay. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki explained the signal is not on an automatic cycle. It has detectors now that change the signal to green on Muscatel Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 4 Jl:mec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Final Commissioner Masuda asked if moving the line and curving it would cause a bottleneck? Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki responded there are different ways to stripe Muscatel to allow more cars to be there. To lengthen the left turn lane means more red curb and it might run into the residential area. There might be a way to adjust the transition to allow more cars through. Commissioner Lewin recommends straightening out the line to allow more transition space. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that could be done on both sides of the street. On the south side, Commissioner Lewin asked about the loading zone. He wondered why it wasn't made red. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that white is traditionally loading, this one could be for dropping off books or children. Commissioner Lewin asked if it could be repainted and a loading zone, no parking sign be added. Chairperson Knapp asked for further comments from the Commissioners. There being none, she requested a motion. Commissioner Masuda moved to accept staff recommendation with changes as recommended by the Commission. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki summarized the motion and changes to be voted on: 1. Create the left turn lane for both directions of Muscatel at Valley. 2. Modify the double yellow line to bring it more to the center. 3. Repaint the white curb and add a No Parking Loading Zone (R7 -6) sign. Commissioner Lewin seconded the motion. Vote results: Yes: Chairperson Knapp, Commissioner Gay, Commissioner Masuda, Commissioner Hunter, Commissioner Lewin Noes: None Abstain: None B. CITYWIDE BLUE CURB POLICY Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki presented the staff report. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 5 Jl:mec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Final Recommendation Staff is requesting direction from the Traffic Commission regarding a citywide policy on the installation of blue curbs. Chairperson Knapp asked for comments. Bill Ornelas, Field Services Manager, discussed the policies of the blue curb in the City of Norwalk. Chris Marcarello, Administrative Services Officer, also discussed the policy and problems. The request to consider a blue curb policy comes from the City Manager. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that what she likes about the two policies is that there is an appeals process. It provides the residents the opportunity to present the request for further review if the request is denied. There was discussion about how to go about reviewing this item. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated staff is asking for direction from the Commission; do they want such a program, and if so staff will work on it. Chairperson Knapp asked if all Commissioners were in agreement. Commissioner Lewin stated he is generally in favor of such a program, especially in residential areas, and there is likely to become a greater need for this over the years. He leans toward the Monterey Park model except for the annual review process; he prefers a case -by -case. If there is a short-term need for blue curb, there could be a review. It is his belief that having an annual review would be extra work. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated it is her understanding that in Norwalk a letter is sent to the resident for the purpose of re- gathering the required information and if that information is not provided then the blue curb goes away. Responding to a question asked by Mr. Flournoy regarding ADA, Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that the City of Monterey Park has a statement on their website that the City is not required to provide the program by ADA; it is provided as a special program by the-City as it does improve the quality of life. Cities are not required by ADA to make improvements to public roadways, even the ramps. Commissioner Hunter does not favor the blue curb. Chairperson Knapp requested a motion. Commissioner Gay motioned and Commissioner Lewin seconded to direct staff to look into the blue curb proposal utilizing the best of what will work for the City and come back with a proposal. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 6 Jl:mec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Final Vote Results: Yes: Chairperson Knapp, Commissioner Masuda Noes: None Abstain: Commissioner Hunter Commissioner Gay, Commissioner Lewin, C. UPDATE ON FIELD SERVICES ACTIVITIES — Oral Report Chris Marcarello introduced himself and stated the City is looking to work with the Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki and the City Engineer, as well as the Commission for improvements in the City. Mr. Marcarello also introduced Silvia Llamas who is responsible for the Commissioner's agenda packet. There is an emphasis on public safety and the City Manager has made a big effort to direct more money into the program. Mr. Marcarello requested Bill Ornelas, Field Services Manager, to attend the meeting and outline the programs being implemented in the City. Mr. Ornelas reported on the graffiti program and that 4 years ago his department received 30-40 calls per day concerning graffiti. Now the calls average 2 to 3 a day, which doesn't mean there is less graffiti because there is more. Graffiti removal is a 7- day -a -week operation and the reported graffiti is removed within 24 hours. Field Services has a staff of four. Field Services also handles regulatory sign installation /repair, pot holes and utility cuts; traffic signal maintenance (Republic is called). There is also a bulky item pickup program 3 days a week. They work with Edison for street light repair. Commissioner Lewin asked about water issues and told Mr. Ornelas of a location where a valve has been leaking. Mr. Ornelas stated they do handle water issues and that there are about 8 water districts in the City. Mr. Ornelas also discussed the process,and follow -up used in Field Services. Chairperson Knapp thanked everyone for the discussion. D. PROCESS FOR CONDUCTING TRAFFIC STUDIES Chris Marcarello stated he wanted to address the Commission about the process of traffic studies as it relates to the City's budget process. He is requesting that the Commission start the process of prioritizing special studies for next year's budget and share that list so it can be presented to Council during the budget process. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki stated that Mr. Marcarello is referring to the more extensive studies that require more staff time, not the more simple requests such as a red or green curb. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 7 Jlnec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Final Recommendation Staff recommends that the Traffic Commission receive and file this report and prepare a list of studies at the next Traffic Commission meeting. 5. STAFF REPORTS - NONE Chris Marcarello stated Garvey Bridge will be opening soon with a ribbon cutting on April 11 t " Regarding Rush /Angelus Delta, Council directed staff to go back out and do another traffic study at the location. That study was given to another traffic engineering firm and will be going on in the next month or so. That study will go back to City Council. The City is going out to bid for Engineering Services. RFP is on the website. Concerning Rush /Angelus Delta study, Commissioner Hunter stated she has spent a lot of time there watching traffic and people, and she is of the opinion there is no need for a traffic signal. It does need a stop sign. Commissioner Gay asked about the pedestrian flashing crossing. Chris Marcarello indicated that all the previous recommendations are being studied. The study will be going back to Council for action and the Traffic Commission will be kept informed. Commissioner Lewin asked if the study will include off hours? He also suggested a survey of residents with school children about walking to school. Chairperson Knapp suggested this be handled through the school. Jim Flournoy stated parents are not crossing the street because it is not safe. 6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Masuda thanked staff. Commissioner Hunter stated traffic is getting busy. Asked that more handicapped stalls be installed at City Hall. Commissioner Lewin had submitted an item regarding Temple City Boulevard and no trucks to be agendized for this meeting but it was not. He would like this to be on the next agenda. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki suggested this be an item on the priority special study list. Chairperson Knapp agreed; it is a big item. On the technical side, Commissioner Lewin asked what type of study would be done for possibility of introducing protected /permissive signaling. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki responded that the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices does not have any specific guidelines for protected /permissive left turn phasing, meaning there is a left -turn arrow (protected) as well as the ball (permissive, which means you have to watch for oncoming traffic). Willdan has developed guidelines Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 8 Amec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 Final that have been used in other cities. In general, going from fully protected left turn to protected - permissive is not encouraged but it can be looked at. This might be something to put on the study list. Commissioner Gay thanked staff. We're going through growing pains but the Commission is trying to do the best it can and staff input is always appreciated. Commissioner Masuda reminded Commissioner Lewin that he wanted to agendize the Panda project traffic study. Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki will talk with Mr. Marcarello on how best to do that. Chairperson Knapp had no report. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting is adjourned until April 3, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting March 6, 2008 Page 9 Jl:mec (06160)16774/1002/Min03 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS. CITY OF ROSEMEAD ) I, Gloria Molleda, City Clerk for the City of Rosemead, do hereby certify that the Traffic Commission minutes of March 6, 2008 was duly and regularly approved by the Rosemead Traffic Commission meeting on the 3 rd of April 2008, by the following .vote to wit: Yes: Knapp, Masuda, Gay, Lewin, No: None Absent: Hunter Abstain: None Gloria Molleda City Clerk