Loading...
TC - Minutes - 02-02-17 Minutes for the ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING February 2,2017 The special meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chair Russell-Chavez at 7:04 p.m.in the Council Chamber,8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead,California, FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Hall INVOCATION: Commissioner Ornelas PRESENT: Chair Russell-Chavez, Vice Chair Masuda, Commissioner Quintanilla, Commissioner Ornelas and Commissioner Hall ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Director of Public Works Kathy Garcia,Karen Vigil from Transtech and Administrative Assistant Silvia Llamas 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 2. CONSENT CALENDAR Chair Russell-Chavez requested that Item E(Installation of Red Curb—Rockhold Avenue and Marshall Street) be pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion per resident, Brian Lewin's request. Vice Chair Masuda motioned, seconded by Commissioner Ornelas to approve Item A(July 13, 2016 minutes), Item B(December 8. 2016 minutes), Item C(Review of Red Curb Request on the East side of the driveway apron at 8849 Mission Drive) and Item D(Installation of Red Curb—Ivar Avenue and Glendon Way)from the Consent Calendar as presented. Votes resulted in: Yes: Masuda, Ornelas,Quintanilla, Hall,and Russell-Chavez No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Resident,Brian Lewin didn't have any issues with Item E(Installation of Red Curb—Rockhold Avenue and Marshall Street)proposal,but recommended looking into traffic mitigation measures to slow down traffic along Rosemead's portion on Marshall Street west of Walnut Grove Avenue. After hearing Mr. Lewin's recommendation, Vice Chair Masuda motioned, seconded by Commissioner Hall to approve Item E(Installation of Red Curb—Rockhold Avenue and Marshall Street)from the Consent Calendar as presented. Votes Resulted in: Yes: Masuda,Hall, Ornelas, Quintanilla,and Russell-Chavez No: None Abstain:None Absent:None Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 2,2017 Page 1 of 4 3. OLD BUSINESS A. REVIEW FOR REQUEST FOR 20 MINUTE PARKING ZONE (GREEN CURB) 8424 GARVEY AVENUE Business Owner,Sherman Rourman thanked the Traffic Commissioners for their consideration and asked if they can reconsider to reinstall the green curb he hand painted in front of his business that was removed by the City. He also mentioned that he keeps the gates closed to his business during business hours to avoid customers from driving on to his property because it is unsafe to exit out of his driveway when a vehicle is parked in front of his business. Mr. Rourman also mentioned that when the construction is completed and the new businesses come in they will be parking in front of his business and his customers will no longer have parking. Commissioner Hall visited the site and asked Mr. Rourman what the second driveway is used for. Mr.Rourman replied that he blocks the driveway because people don't read the signs and drive on to his property. Commissioner Hall mentioned that when she was at the location she notice a 2 hour parking signs posted near the second driveway of his business and questioned how the green curb got there. She also asked Mr. Rourman if he's made this request in the past. Mr. Rourman replied that he requested a green curb in the past but was denied, he appealed the denial and when the item was presented to the City Council they also denied it,so he didn't have any other choice than to paint the green curb himself. Commissioner Hall commented that within the time she was at the location she didn't see anyone utilize the parking spot in front of his business. Mrs. Hall also mentioned that Mr. Rourman currently doesn't have handicap or on- site parking for his customers and suggested that if Mr. Rourman were to rearrange the vehicles on his property he would be able to provide both handicap and on-site parking for his customers. Mr. Rourman replied that all his employee's park inside his property. Commissioner Hall mentioned that the area where Mr. Rourman is requesting the green curb only has enough space for one vehicle and doesn't think that will solve his problem. She also asked Mr. Rourman what he would think if the City were to paint the curb red instead of green. Mr. Rourman replied that it would affect his business because his customers won't be able to make payments if it's painted red. Commissioner Hall asked Mr. Rourman if he knew if the City has gone out to do a traffic study. Mr. Rourman didn't respond to Commissioner Hall's question and mentioned that it's unsafe pulling out of his driveway when vehicles are parked in front of his business. Commissioner Hall asked Mr. Rourman if he would rearrange the way he parked his vehicles on his property he will be able to provide on-site parking for his customers, because due to the information that he provided of only having his business open for 4 hours a day doesn't seem to justify having a green curb in front of his business. She also mentioned that she spent an hour and a half at the site and didn't see many customers stop by to make payments and noticed that there was one of his trucks parked in front of his business. Vice Chair Masuda asked Mr. Rourman if he has parking spaces available for his customers to park on-site. Mr. Rourman replied that his customers making payments or looking at cars aren't allowed to park on-site, but customers who are buying cars are allowed to park on-site but will need to wait for them to open the fence to allow them to enter the property. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 2,2017 Page 2 of 4 Vice Chair Masuda stated that depending on the type of businesses coming in they may need more than 20 minutes to conduct the type of service they will be offering and will not be able to use that parking spot. He also mentioned that with the safety concerns Mr. Rourman stated it would be better to have part of the curb painted red. Commissioner Hall mentioned that business owners are usually required to provide handicap and on-site parking for their customers and doesn't think it's right to give a business their own personal parking spot in front of their business. Mr.Rourman replied that he allows his employee's to park on his property so his customers making payments and looking at cars can park in front of his business. But now that the City removed his green curb it's inconvenient for his customers because people from other businesses can now park in his parking spot. Chair Russell-Chavez asked Vice Chair Masuda if he can clarify the concerns he mentioned will happen if they approved this request. Vice Chair Masuda replied that he really didn't have concerns because each request is handled on a case by case basis because every situation is different. Commissioner Quintanilla thanked Mr. Rourmen for coming to the meeting. Chair Russell-Chavez commented that there are similar traffic concerns throughout Garvey Avenue and it's usually the responsibility of the driver exiting a driveway to make sure and check that there are no pedestrians or oncoming traffic before pulling out of a driveway. Chair Russell-Chavez also mentioned that if the green curb were to get approved in front of his business he would need to understand that its not only for his use and enforcing the 20 minute parking limit may be difficult. Mr. Rourman agreed with Chair Russell-Chavez,but expressed that his concern is that the cars parking in front of his business will affect his business because people can't see the cars on his lot. Chair Russell-Chavez explained once again if the curb were to be installed in front of his business that doesn't mean he owns it and anyone can park in that spot. Mr. Rourman understand its not his green curb because the City took it away and now that it has been removed vehicles are parking in that spot for a long period of time. Chair Russell-Chavez asked if staff can ask code enforcement to monitor that area and also informed Mr.Rourman that the parking spot is there for everyone to use. Mr. Rourman replied that he understands that the parking spot doesn't belong to him. Karen Vigil from Transtech informed the Traffic Commissioner that they were able to obtain the information that was requested by the Commissioners;the plans submitted to the planning department where it shows the business owner will provide on-site parking,current pictures of the business and records of the citation history for the last 2 years on Garvey Avenue between Earle Avenue and Delta Avenue. Staffs recommendations remains the same, but due to the new information provided staff seeks further direction on how to proceed with the request. Chair Russell-Chavez expressed her pros and cons for the request. Her pros would be that it would benefit the car lot and it may also benefit the new businesses coming in, her cons would be that depending on the type of businesses coming in next door they may not be able to benefit from it and may cause problems in the future. She would like to be fair to everyone and doesn't just want to favor one person. Vice Chair Masuda stated that if they approve the green curb now and then see that the new businesses aren't able to use that parking they can remove it and replace it with something everyone can use. He also suggested if safety was an issue then it would be better to paint the curb red. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 2,2017 Page of Chair Russell-Chavez agrees with Vice Chair Masuda of installing a red curb instead of the green curb due to the safety concerns Mr. Rourman has expressed. Commissioner Hall expressed her concerns with what was said by Mr.Rourman of having to go out onto the street to stop oncoming traffic when someone is trying to exit his driveway because it is difficult to see the approaching traffic when somebody is parked in front of his business,and she would also prefer having a red curb instead of a green curb. Vice Chair Masuda motioned, second by Commissioner Quintanilla to approve staffs recommendation that the Traffic Commission proposed to the City Council that 30 feet of green curb be installed in front of the business at 8424 Garvey Avenue west of the driveway apron. Votes resulted in: Yes: Masuda,Quintanilla, Roderick, and Russell-Chavez No: Hall Abstain: None Absent: None 4. STAFF REPORT Staff provided the Traffic Commissioners with an update on current and upcoming city events and projects. 5. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Ornelas asked for an update on the installation of the white curb in front of Encinita School and Shuey School. Commissioner Hall asked staff if it would be possible to talk with the Post Office Manager and ask if they can install ADA accessible drive thru mailboxes,along with replacing the missing No Parking sign in front of the Post Office. Commissioner Quintanilla thanked staff for providing them with the extra information for the previous item. Mr. Quintanilla also asked for an update on the Safe Route to School Project. Chair Russell-Chavez asked if staff had any updates on the Jay Imperial Park Project and she was also glad that the City is moving forward on the signal improvements on Rush Street and Potrero Grande Drive. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 818 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for March 2,2017 at 7:00 p.m.,in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard. V onn t;D . uittzst t0 - Joanne Russell•Chavez Chair ATTEST: �11 /!c i w7;: LV(/✓� Kathy Gakcia Director of Public Works Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes of February 2,2017 Page 4 of 4