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TC- Minutes- 04-07-2022Minutes of the Regular ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING April 7, 2022 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chair Masuda at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Nguyen INVOCATION: Chair Masuda PRESENT: Commissioner Drange, Commissioner Escobar, Commissioner Nguyen, Vice Chair Quintanilla and Chair Masuda ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Director of Public Works Michael Chung and Commission Liaison Daniel Nguyen 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS None 2. PRESENTATIONS None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR Chair Masuda asked Traffic Commissioners if anyone would like to make revisions or additions to the minutes of March 3, 2022. Commissioner Escobar made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Nguyen, to accept consent calendar. Vote resulted in: Yes: Masuda, Quintanilla, Drange, Escobar, Nguyen No: None Abstain: None Absent: Nguyen 4. NEW BUSINESS None Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2022 Page I of 6 5. STAFF REPORTS A. CITY OF ROSEMEAD'S BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN REVIEW AND WORKSHOP Director of Public Works Chung provided a summary of the item and presented a presentation on the City of Rosemead's Bicycle Transportation Plan. This item was previously mentioned by Commissioner Drange during the February 3, 2022, Traffic Commission Regular Meeting and Staff was asked to bring back for open discussion with the Commissioners to provide recommendation and direction. Director of Public Works Chung explained the purpose of the plan, goals and objectives, existing conditions and analysis, safety and education, potential projects, and implementation and costs. Chair Masuda made a comment in response to the existing bike plan for Temple City that was mentioned in the presentation and asked if there were any changes done to Temple City Boulevard. Commissioner Drange replied that there use to be a bicycle lane on Temple City Boulevard, but it no longer exists. He recalled a street parallel to Temple City Boulevard that does have a bicycle lane. Director of Public Works Chung mentioned that the only lane for bicycles we have in Rosemead is the one that is part of the Rio Hondo wash. There are no actual bicycle lanes or infrastructure, aside from signage. Director of Public Works Chung explained that many of the recommendations on the project list have not been implemented, except for the bicycle carrying racks for Rosemead Explorer shuttles and creating educational brochure on safe bicycling. Commissioner Drange made a comment regarding the number of riders counted from the sample survey of Rosemead bicycle riders stating he avoids all the major streets that were part of the survey. Commissioner Drange recommended to add a shared bicycle lane along Grand Avenue between Rosemead Boulevard and Walnut Grove Avenue. He also suggested to add signage to make riders aware they can access Walnut Grove Avenue from Rosemead Boulevard. Commissioner Drange suggested to have a physical barrier between the bicycle lane and cars or to build an elevated bicycle lane along Walnut Grove Avenue, especially when passing through under the freeway bridge. Also mentioned when riding east on Garvey Avenue, it leads to the entrance to the Rio Hondo bicycle path, and to implement an elevated bicycle lane in that area. Director of Public Works Chung commented on the challenges the City faces, such as high volume of traffic and narrow roadway widths, when implementing bicycle lanes. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2022 Page 2 of 6 Commissioner Drange expressed interest to improve bicycle safety along Garvey Avenue and asked about how the project locations will be prioritized. Director of Public Works Chung replied staff and the commission can discuss about various streets and projects to prioritize if requested. Director of Public Works Chung stated the goal would be to add bicycle lanes with resurfacing projects, as it would be ideal and most cost effective. Director of Public Works Chung mentioned Valley Boulevard, San Gabriel Boulevard, Temple City Boulevard, and parts of Delta are planned to be resurfaced in the next two to three years. There are no plans to resurface Garvey Avenue, so a standalone project could be done to reconfigure the striping to add bicycle lanes. Commissioner Nguyen commented how bicycle lanes significantly increase safety for riders and asked if class one bicycle lanes could be prioritized, especially on Rosemead Boulevard from Rosemead High School heading up towards Temple City. Director of Public Works Chung replied there is a lot of challenges with Rosemead Boulevard, but we can look into implementing class one bicycle lanes at the other major arterial roads. Commissioner Drange asked where residents on the streets with class one bicycle lanes would place their trash cans. Director of Public Works Chung replied staff would take that into consideration for each project. Class one lanes are ideal for safety, however, roadway width, traffic conditions, and parking need to also be evaluated. Vice Chair Quintanilla commented about the public input and views on implementing bicycle lanes Director of Public Works Chung replied the projects mentioned would need to go through City Council for approval and the public would be able to provide input. Commissioner Drange agreed about the constraints when implementing bicycle lanes and how it could add additional safety risk for the bicyclist such as being hit by an opening door from a parked car. Commissioner Drange commented on educating the public on bicycle safety and bicycle awareness for motor vehicles. Director of Public Works Chung mentioned the City Bicycle Plan focused on community outreach and education on bicycle operation and safety. Vice Chair Quintanilla asked about the bicyclists who are not Rosemead residents Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2022 Page 3 of 6 Director of Public Works Chung replied we would work with regional agencies and that the bicycle plan discusses networking with neighboring cities. Chair Masuda commented that parked cars within the city are a challenge for class two and class three lanes. Director of Public Works Chung commented that along Rosemead Boulevard from Temple City side, there are class two bicycle lanes that end once it reaches Rosemead due to no further implementation and Caltrans jurisdiction. Commissioner Drange suggested to make it legal for bicyclist to turn right on Rosemead Boulevard onto Grand Avenue to connect to Walnut Grove Avenue. Commissioner Drange asked if Hellman Avenue will be class three lanes Director of Public Works Chung explained the minor arterials including Hellman Avenue and Mission Drive will incorporate class three lanes. Commissioner Drange suggested to have the proposed class three lanes on Mission Drive continue down Rio Hondo Avenue to connect with Marshall Street. This would allow bicyclist to get to popular destinations, such as the Rosemead Plaza. Commissioner Drange also suggested to do the same with the class three bicycle lane on Walnut Grove Avenue to have it connect with Marshall Street. Director of Public Works Chung agreed and mentioned that many of the residential roads are good candidates for class three bicycle lanes. Chair Masuda asked what the plan would be to identify which streets to include the study. Director of Public Works Chung replied we would start with the major arterial roads that have been identified on the bicycle plan. Director of Public Works Chung explained the priority would be looking at the resurfacing projects and aligning the bicycle lanes identified on the plan with those projects. Chair Masuda asked if during the design phase of the Walnut Grove resurfacing project if there were initial plans to implement bicycle lanes. Director of Public Works Chung replied he was not involved with the design process, so he was unsure if bicycle lanes were made a priority with the prior Public Works. Chair Masuda commented he could not visualize other than class three lanes being installed on Walnut Grove Avenue. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of,4pril 7, 2022 Page 4 of 6 Director of Public Works Chung agreed on the physical constraints of the road, such as lane width, and explained parking spaces would likely have to be removed in order to install the bicycle lanes. Director of Public Works Chung explained that the bicycle plan is comprehensive, however, requires to be evaluated in further detail during the design phase. Director of Public Works Chung asked if the Traffic Commission would like staff to create a priority list based on the resurfacing projects. Chair Masuda agreed to the idea. Director of Public Works Chung mentioned he had proposed to identify projects to further the bicycle plan. Staff can present the scope of work at a future meeting once the project is finalized. Chair Masuda asked if the resurfacing projects are contractual and if there will be enough time to evaluate for bicycle lanes. Director of Public Works Chung replied that the resurfacing projects are not contracted yet and there is still time to evaluate and design for bicycle lanes. 6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Vice Chair Quintanilla asked for a status update on the City Council agenda item that was postponed due to COVID-19. The item was regarding Olney Street between Rio Hondo Avenue and Temple City Boulevard. It was recommended for partial street closure of Olney Street, closing eastbound Olney Street to the 1-10 Freeway WB on-ramp. Director of Public Works Chung replied he can look into it to discuss with staff and the City Manager. He recalled the agenda item being put on hold by City Council in order to have more public participation. Vice Chair Quintanilla stated the lights on the traffic light signals at the intersection where Rio Hondo Avenue, Mission Drive, and Valley Boulevard connect are difficult to see when the sun sets. Director of Public Works Chung replied staff can look into it. Chair Masuda asked about the repainting of crosswalks along Walnut Grove Avenue. Director of Public Works Chung replied as part of the Walnut Grove Resurfacing project, color concrete crosswalks will be installed along with adjacent striping on the edges for visibility. Chair Masuda asked about the pavement markers on the curve going north on Walnut Grove Avenue. Director of Public Works Chung replied that the pavement markers will be implemented. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes ofApril 7, 2022 Page 5 of 6 Chair Masuda asked if the work on the crosswalk will start from south to north or north to south. Director of Public Works Chung replied that the work will start from south to north. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at the Rosemead City Hall, City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard. Howard Masuda Chair ATTEST: 7Akcja'a 6!wz� Michael Chung, P.E. Director of Public Works Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2022 Page 6 of 6