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TC - Item 2A - Minutes 2-7-13Meeting Minutes for the ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION February 7, 2013 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chair Hall at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Chair Hall INVOCATION: Commissioner Russell- Chavez PRESENT: Chair Hall, Commissioners Russell- Chavez, Masuda, and Tang. ABSENT: Vice Chair Quintanilla STAFF PRESENT: Public Works Director Marcarello, Vanessa Munoz (Consulting Traffic Engineer) and Administrative Assistant Llamas 1. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE Brian Lewin, resident of Rosemead, asked if staff would review the signal timing at the intersections of Valley Blvd, Rio Hondo, and Mission Drive to decrease the waiting time at night. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner John Tang motioned, seconded by Commissioner Russell- Chavez to approve Item A (December 6, 2012 Minutes) from the Consent Calendar as presented. Votes resulted in: Yes: Masuda, Hall, Tang, and Russell- Chavez No: None Abstain: None Absent: Quintanilla 3. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO REVIEW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON LOFTUS DRIVE Staff provided the Traffic Commissioners with a brief description on the item, along with recommended street striping improvements that can be used at the location. Commissioner Tang asked staff for clarification on the traffic issues at the location. Staff provided a brief overview of resident concerns and observations that were made at the location. After visiting the location, Commissioner Russell- Chavez agreed with the recommendation to add the installation of "Keep Clear" zones off of Strang and Brookline Avenue at Loftus Drive. Mrs. Russell- Chavez further noted that 10 ft. of red curb is not needed on Loftus Drive; instead she Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2012 Page 1 of 4 suggested that the red curb be added only at Strang Ave. because the street is narrow and visibility is difficult. Victor Ruiz, Rosemead resident, agreed with Commissioner Russell - Chavez's recommendations. He also informed the Commissioners that the major traffic problems occur between the hours of 7:00a.m. until about 10:00a.m. He also thanked staff for looking into solving the problem. Danielle Silva, resident on Strang Avenue; also agreed with Commissioner Russell- Chavez with the installation of the red curb on Strang Avenue. She informed the Commissioners that vehicles park too close to the corner at Loftus Drive /Strang Avenue and they make it difficult to see oncoming traffic. Chair Hall suggested that "Keep Clear Markings" should be added across the entire intersections at Loftus Drive /Strang Avenue and Loftus Drive /Brookline Avenue. She indicated that it seems that this problem occurs in both directions depending on the time of day. Chair Hall motioned, seconded by Commissioner Russell- Chavez to recommend that the City Council approve the installation of approximately 10 feet of red curbing at the south corners of Loftus Drive at Strang and Brookline Avenue; along with the installation of "Keep Clear' pavement markings with limit lines at the east and westbound travels lanes on Loftus Drive at Strang and Brookline Avenue. Votes resulted in: Yes: Hall, Russell- Chavez, Tang, and Howard No: None Abstain: None Absent: Quintanilla B. REQUEST TO REVIEW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON ROSEMEAD PLACE Staff provided a brief background and asked that this item be tabled to a future meeting. The resident that made the initial request to review the location was not able to attend the February meeting date. The Traffic Commissioners agreed to bring the item back to next month's meeting. Commissioner Russell- Chavez informed staff that the street sign north of Rosemead Place near the cul -de -sac is missing. C. DRAFT CITYWIDE ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY Staff provided the Traffic Commission with a brief summary on the Engineering and Traffic Survey that was completed throughout the City, along with a power point presentation summarizing recommended speed changes. Commissioner Russell- Chavez asked when the new speed limits would go into effect after approval. Staff informed the Traffic Commission that the survey still has to be approved by the City Council and then adopted as an ordinance, so it may not be adopted until late spring. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Russell- Chavez asked staff about how speeds are calculated and the factors that are determined when recommending a speed limit. Staff informed the Commissioners that there are several items that are considered, including street width, number of traffic lanes, the type of traffic, on- street parking, pedestrian traffic and land uses, among others. Every street is taken as a case to case basis. Ronald Esquivel, Rosemead resident, wrote a letter to the Commission requesting that the speed limit on Mission Drive from Rosemead Blvd to Valley Blvd be reduced to 35mph. Staff informed the Commissioners that they will revisit the location. Brian Lewin, Rosemead resident, requested that some streets be reanalyzed, including Mission Drive, Marshall Street, and De Adalena Street. After discussing these locations, staff summarized the alternatives available to the Commission, including revisiting some locations and approving the survey as -is. Commissioner Tang recommended that some of the street segments be re- evaluated and brought back and a future meeting. Chair Hall asked if staff was aware of speed limit changes that would be implemented after the completion of street improvements on Rosemead Boulevard. Staff informed the Commission that they weren't aware of any proposed speed limit changes along Rosemead Blvd. Chair Hall would like staff to bring back the item for further discussion. Commissioner Masuda asked that the speed limit on Walnut Grove Avenue (from Mission Drive to the north City limit) be reanalyzed. After discussing the alternatives, the Commission asked staff to bring back the item to next month's meeting for further review. Staff will revisit the recommended speed limits at the following locations: Mission Drive from Rosemead Blvd to Valley Blvd, Marshall to the East of Rosemead Blvd from Rosemead Blvd to Hart Street, Walnut Grove Ave from Mission Drive to Grand Avenue, and Temple City Blvd South of the railroad tracks. 4. STAFF REPORT Staff updated the Traffic Commissioners on current and upcoming events throughout the City 5. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Russell- Chavez asked staff for an update on the status of adding a traffic signal installed in front of the LA County Fire Station on San Gabriel Boulevard. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Staff provided a brief update that the sidewalk and driveway had recently been repaired, but due to funding limitations, a traffic signal was not recommended for installation. Chair Hall asked that staff talk to code enforcement officials to see if they can evaluate parking and traffic safety at the shopping center across the street from City Hall. She indicated that drivers do not obey signage and pavement markings and that there are serious traffic safety issues at the shopping center. Chair Hall also asked that staff talk to the property owners of the Rosemead Place Shopping Center to ask if they can relocate the disabled /blue crosswalk near the TGIF, because the current crossing location is unsafe. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2013 at 7:00p.m., and in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard. Jean Hall Chair ATTEST: Chris Marcarello Public Works Director Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2012 Page 4 of 4