CC - Item 4C - Ordinance No. 948 Authorizing the City Engineer to Regulate Turn MovementsROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JANUARY 13, 2015
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE NO. 948 — AUTHORIZING THE CITY ENGINEER TO
REGULATE TURN MOVEMENTS
SUMMARY
In November 2014, the Traffic Commission reviewed concerns and inquiries regarding
dangerous turn movements and the City's ability to regulate these turn movements for
the purpose of traffic safety. Most specifically, the community voiced concerns
regarding U -Turns being made midblock, as opposed to at an intersection, and the
safety hazards these turn movements create. California Vehicle Code, section 22103,
allows for U -Turn movements to be made midblock, provided there are no oncoming
vehicles within 200 feet. Although these movements are permissible in certain cases,
the City does have the ability to regulate turn movements, for safety purposes, by way
of ordinance. The Traffic Commission, based on discussion at the November 2014
meeting, recommends the introduction of an Ordinance that would allow the City
Engineer to regulate certain turn movements along specific segments of streets or at
particular intersections.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 948, adding section
10.04.060 to the Rosemead Municipal Code, authorizing the City Engineer to regulate
turn movements.
BACKGROUND
Traffic regulations within the City of Rosemead are included in the Municipal Code,
under Chapter 10, Vehicles and Traffic. Specifically, Section 10.04 adopts Title 15,
Vehicles and Traffic, of the Los Angeles County Code as an ordinance of the City of
Rosemead, which regulates traffic law within the City. Certain provisions continue to
be added to this chapter to regulate certain traffic and parking issues that are specific
to the City of Rosemead.
In November 2014, the Traffic Commission reviews and discussed concerns from the
community related to dangerous turn movements. Specifically, there was concern
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City Council Meeting
January 13, 2015
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regarding the City's ability to prevent vehicles from making U -Turns in the middle of
blocks, rather than at an intersection, and the dangerous conditions these turn
movements create. Although provisions of the California Vehicle Code permit these
turn movements to be made, the California Vehicle Code also permits local agencies
(cities) to regulate or prohibit certain turn movements at particular intersections or
along specific street segments within the City limits. Adoption of the attached
ordinance would authorize the City Engineer to restrict or prohibit certain turn
movements as necessary to protect the safety of the public. At any particular
intersection or along a specific street segment, where a particular turn movement is
restricted, appropriate signage would be installed to indicate the restriction. After a
waiting period of thirty (30) days from the time the signage is posted, vehicles that
violate the posted regulations could be cited accordingly.
The concerns of the community stem from traffic safety issues in the vicinity of some
elementary schools in the City. Often times vehicles have been observed making
unsafe U- Turns, after dropping off or picking up school children, in high traffic areas. If
adopted, the City Engineer and staff would review the conditions around all local
elementary schools, and restrict turn movements as appropriate. Future applications of
this ordinance would be reviewed and determined based on community requests and
staff observations.
Prepared by:
4��
Sean Sullivan
Acting Public Works Manager
Submitted by:
Rafael M. Fajardo, P.E.
City Engineer
Matt awkes o h
Assistant City Manager /Acting Director of Public Works
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 948
ORDINANCE NO. 948
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
AUTHORIZING THE CITY ENGINEER TO REGULATE OR PROHIBIT ANY TURN
MOVEMENT BY ANY VEHICLE AT ANY SPECIFIC INTERSECTION OR ALONG
ANY SPECIFIC STREET SEGMENT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS
WHEREAS, the City desires to regulate turn movements, including right turns,
left turns, and U- Turns, in order to promote the safe flow of traffic at specific
intersections and street segments within the City limits, and,
WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code, section 22113, local authorities may
prohibit or regulate turn movements at specific intersections and street segments
within the City limits, and,
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead Traffic Commission recommended that an
ordinance by adopted to allow the City Engineer to regulate turn movements throughout
the City as necessary to promote a safe flow of traffic within the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Rosemead hereby adds new Section
10.04.060 to the City of Rosemead Municipal Code to read as follows:
Section 10.040.060 — AUTHORITY OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO REGULATE TURN
MOVEMENTS
A. It is hereby determined and declared that the City Engineer is authorized to prohibit
or regulate any turn movement by any vehicle at any intersection or along specific
street segments.
B. The City Engineer shall have the power and duty to place, maintain and /or remove
official traffic- control devices where, when, and as required under this ordinance with
the approval of the City Manager.
C . Restricted Turns: The City Engineer shall determine those intersections or street
segments at which drivers shall not make a right turn, left turn, or U -turn and shall
cause to be placed proper signs at these intersections or street segments. The
making of such turns may be prohibited at all times or during certain hours or days
and permitted at other hours, provided this information is clearly posted on proper
signage.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF '2015.
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk
vvllllam Alarcon
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Rachel H. Richman
City Attorney