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TC - Minutes - 08-04-11Minutes of the Regular ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING August 4, 2011 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairwoman Hall at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Chair Hall INVOCATION: Vice Chair Wong PRESENT: Chair Hall, Vice Chair Wong, Commissioners Quintanilla, Masuda, and Russell - Chavez. ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Public Works Director Marcarello, City Consultant Hal Suetsugu, and Admin. Assistant Llamas 1. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE Sharon Esquivel, resident of Loftus Drive addressed the Commission and asked that "No Turn on Red" signs be installed at the corner of Rosemead Blvd and Glendon Way making it safer in all directions. Chair Hall asked staff if they can check with Caltrans to see if they have completed improvement work and to determine if it is feasible for additional signage to be installed at this location. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner Russell- Chavez motioned, seconded by Vice Chair Wong to approve Item A (July, 14 2011 minutes) from the Consent Calendar. Votes resulted in: Yes: Russell- Chavez, Wong, Masuda, Hall, Quintanilla. No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 3. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO INSTALL RED CURBING ALONG TEMPLE CITY BOULEVARD AT LOFTUS DRIVE Staff provided the Traffic Commission with a brief description on the item including several exhibits, including maps, photos and field observations. Commissioner Masuda expressed his support for staffs recommendation; he also asked that cat tracks be painted in the intersection and reflectors be added on to the steel guard railing. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2011 Page 1 of 4 Commissioner Russell discussed resident notification and confirmed that residents were sent notifications about the proposed red curbing installation. Staff informed the Commission that notification /outreach cards had been hand delivered to all residents adjacent to the proposed red curbing locations. Vice Chair Wong asked if any red curbing would be painted on the east side of the street. Staff informed the Commission that currently only the west side of Temple City is being considered for red curbing. Chair Hall informed the Commission and staff that the residents in the area have long drive ways and that may be the reason why they may not have a problem with additional red curbing. Commissioner Quintanilla asked staff if there was a specific time were the residents had more concerns than others. He also suggested that additional restricted parking be approved. Staff informed the Commission that there are currently "No stopping at any Time" signs at the location and people aren't obeying them. Red curbing should help to reinforce these existing signs. Commissioner Masuda motioned, seconded by Vice Chair Wong to amend staff's recommendation to also include cat track street striping through the intersection of Loftus/Temple City Blvd. and also install reflectors on the steel guard railing along the west side of Temple City Blvd. Votes resulted in: Yes: Masuda, Wong, Russell, Hall, Quintanilla. No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 4. OLD BUSINESS A. FEDERAL SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS (SRTS) FUNDING PROGRAM CYCLE 3 FISCAL YEAR 2001/2012 Staff provided the Traffic Commission with a brief update on the City's grant application. Sharon Esquivel, resident of Loftus Drive, informed the Commission that she likes the proposed improvements for Janson School. She would also like to suggest that staff install a "Stop" sign on Loftus Drive and Bartlett to slow down traffic. Ms. Esquivel also expressed concerns with cars not stopping at the corner of Marshall and Bartlett traveling east/west. Staff informed the Traffic Commission that the sign would be eligible for grant funding under this program. However, the sign was not included in this application. If funding is received, this area can be further analyzed to determine if a stop sign is appropriate. Staff will also talk to the Public Safety Department to see if they can conduct additional speed enforcement between Marshal and Bartlett. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Masuda expressed his support for creating a Parent's Guide to Driving Around Schools. With no further discussion, the Commission received and filed this report. B. LOWER AZUSA ROADIROSEMEAD BOULEVARD- WESTBOUND RIGHT TURN ONLY LANE Staff provided the Traffic Commission with a brief update on the creation of a new dedicated right turn lane at this location. Julio Repreza, resident of Ivar Ave. north of Valley Blvd, expressed his concerns with speeding vehicles on Ivar Avenue. He also informed the Traffic Commission that he has witnessed numerous accidents and near misses at this location. Rudolf Boecherer, resident of Ivar Ave. south of Valley Blvd. expressed his concerns with speeding vehicles speeding on Ivar Avenue south of Valley Blvd. Mr. Boecherer also provided the Traffic Commission with a hand out showing discussing speeding problems. Staff informed the Traffic Commission that in response to the Commission's request, research was done on speed cushions. However, staff recommended not pursuing their installation at this time. Instead, staff recommended that the Commission allow for additional time to develop a striping plan along both sections of Ivar Avenue. It is hoped that a narrower street width /additional striping will reduce speeds. Chair Hall expressed her support for the proposed recommendations and cautioned against installing addition signage in the area. Commissioner Masuda asked staff why they don't recommend speed cushions at this time. Staff informed the Commission that they would recommend that cushions if there was support from the neighborhood. However, at this time there is 1 resident representing the Ivar Avenue north neighborhood and 1 resident representing the Ivar Avenue south neighborhood. Commissioner Russell suggested sending out notices to the residents informing them of the proposed improvements. Chair Hall would like to go with staff's recommendation, assess their effectiveness, and if needed send out additional notifications for other traffic calming ideas. Commissioner Masuda asked for clarification on what steps will be taken by staff. Staff informed the Commission that they will prepare a striping plan to narrow the roadway and add speed feedback signs. Accident history data will also be pulled for both locations. Staff will bring it back the information to the next meeting. Commissioner Masuda would like for staff to provide a diagram on the proposed location of where rumble strips will be placed. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2011 Page 3 of 4 3. STAFF REPORTS Staff provided the Commission with an update on projects and events in the City. 4. COMMISSION REPORT Commissioner Russell expressed concerns with the intersections between Charlie Brown's, the gas station, Walnut Grove Avenue, San Gabriel Blvd. and the SR -60 freeway. She would like to discuss this area further and review adding "No Turn on Red" signs at the location. Staff will look for some ideas to improve signals and signs at that location without having to impact state -owned traffic signals and right -of -way. Chair Hall suggested that possibly adding cat tracks would help direct motorists. Vice Chair Wong informed the Commissioners that he's been researching speed cushions and after reviewing the cost, he recommends that it would be best to be made part of the City's Traffic Calming Tool Box. Commissioner Masuda concurred with Vice Chair Wong's recommendation on the speed cushions. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2011 at 7:00p.m. and will take place at the Rosemead City Hall, City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard. a ,all Chairwoman ATTEST: Chris Marcarello Public Works Director Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2011 Page 4 of 4