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TC - Minutes - 05-02-24Minutes of the Regular ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING May 2, 2024 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chair Drange at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Hermosillo INVOCATION: Vice Chair Nguyen PRESENT: Commissioner Chang, Commissioner Hermosillo, Commissioner Nguyen, Vice -Chair Lang and Chair Orange ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Engineer Leung and Commission Liaison Nguyen 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS None 2. CONSENT CALENDAR Chair Drange asked Traffic Commissioners if anyone would like to make revisions or additions to the minutes of April 4, 2024. Vice Chair Lang made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chang, to accept consent calendar. Vote resulted in: Yes: Chang, Lang, Drange No: None Abstain: Hermosillo, Nguyen Absent: None 3. NEW BUSINESS A. MIDBLOCK CROSSWALK REQUEST ALONG WELLS STREET, ADJACENT TO EMMA SHUEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chair Drange opened the public comment period. The City received a public comment via email from Sylvia Kwon expressing her concerns as a resident and parent in Rosemead, particularly around Shuey Elementary School. Ms. Kwon indicated the two crosswalks with guards are insufficient due to the large number of young children and adults jaywalking and cars making U-turns. Given the age of the children, many are hard to spot between parked cars. Ms. Kwon suggested additional reflective signage with solar -controlled pedestrian lights, possibly incorporating auditory signals, to mitigate the risks and discourage reckless driving behavior. Chair Drange closed the public comment period. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2024 Page 1 of S Associate Engineer Richter provided a brief description of the item and presented a PowerPoint presentation of the studies that were conducted. Associate Engineer Richter explained that the City received a resident request to evaluate the street segment of Wells Street parallel to Emma Shuey Elementary School and determine if the segment qualifies for the installation of a midblock crosswalk. The resident expressed concern for pedestrians jaywalking across Wells Street approaching Emma Shuey Elementary School, and stated that pedestrians jaywalk in the area despite the presence of crossing guards along Wells Street. In response to this request and on behalf of the City, engineering staff completed a traffic review to determine if a midblock crosswalk was warranted to be installed along Wells Street adjacent to Emma Shuey Elementary School, and recommended appropriate measures. After a thorough review of existing field and traffic conditions and per the guidelines in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD), California Vehicle Code (CVC), and based on engineering judgement, it was determined that the segment of Wells Street between Delta Avenue and Walnut Grove Avenue does not meet the requirements for the installation of a midblock crosswalk at this time. However, it was determined that this area along Wells Street would benefit from the installation of other traffic calming measures. Vice Chair Lang mentioned that it was identified in the review that there were a lot of pedestrians jaywalking and does not see much in the proposed recommendations other than the sign that states "Use Crosswalk" to prevent jaywalking. Associate Engineer Richter replied additional police enforcement was also proposed to enforce no U-tums in this area, vehicles stopping in the road to drop off students, and to help encourage pedestrians to use the crosswalks. Chair Drange asked if the channelizers would impede school buses. Associate Engineer Richter replied during their observations, there was a red curb area for buses to stop and the channelizers should not be an issue. Vice Chair Lang asked if the spacing of the channelizers was intended. Associate Engineer Richter replied they used the California municipal code as a guide for determining the distance between the channelizers and need to be 25 feet apart to allow residents living on the north side to be able to enter their driveways. Commissioner Chang asked if they it was observed if vehicles were using the parking lot in front of the school. Associate Engineer Richter replied the school places cones in front of both driveway entrance and exit during drop-off pickup hours. It appears to be for faculty staff access only. Commissioner Chang commented that he believes a majority of the homes attending this school are coming from the east side. Associate Engineer Richter replied they did notice many vehicles stopping and dropping students off in the middle of the street, which is why we want to have more enforcement and discourage parents from doing that. Rosemead Trak Commission Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Associate Engineer Richter explained the feasibility for a mid -block crosswalk is questionable given the significant length of the street segment, spanning approximately 800 feet between Earl Avenue and Walnut Grove Avenue. Analysis suggests that even if we were to install a mid -block crosswalk, historical data indicates that pedestrian usage may not justify its presence. Instead, individuals may continue to cross at various points based on convenience, disregarding designated crossings. Increasing enforcement measures could potentially address this issue. Commissioner Chang asked if it is possible to work with the school to allow people coming from the east side to use that parking lot to go around, instead of crossing the street mid -block. Chair Drange commented there are also issues with having parents drop off students in the parking lot due to all the pedestrians. Chair Drange mentioned in the school he works at, there is increased enforcement of vehicles stopping in the middle of the road to drop off students, and if there are any signages that specifically address that. Associate Engineer Richter replied to her knowledge there is not an existing sign for that, however, it could be possible to work with the school to come up with a sign that could be placed in front of the school. She reiterated that one of the proposed recommendations was to collaborate with the school to help educate parents on proper drop-off pickup and safe driving practices. This could be initiated through informational flyers or a community meeting. Commissioner Hermosillo asked if a flashing pedestrian crossing sign was considered as part of the proposed recommendations. Associate Engineer Richter replied that previous studies have been reviewed for similar requests at different schools and were looked at when considering Shuey Elementary School. In this specific case, the distance of where people are driving and pedestrians walking is very spread out from where the frontage of the school is all the way to the signalized intersection at Walnut Grove Ave. Since the street is a long segment, people will continue to stop and drop off students anywhere to avoid traffic, which is why enforcement and reminding parents of proper drop-off pickup procedures is important. It was also noted that they have a crossing guard close to the front of the school, and there were not enough pedestrians in the front of the school to warrant putting a mid -block. Vice Chair Lang asked why the recommendation for channelizers ended at the east end of the school and if it was observed during the field study of vehicles making U-tums further east of Wells Street. Associate Engineer Richter replied that is where the school boundary is, however, the placement of the channelizers can be extended. It was also observed that vehicles were making more U-turns farther west on the segment approaching Earl Avenue as opposed to closer to Walnut Grove Avenue. Vice Chair Lang commented he believes that it will make people U-turn earlier or at the intersection. Commissioner Chang commented that the channelizers function as a deterrent and are not intended to prevent them from doing it because they would still be able to maneuver in between the channelizers. Chair Drange asked if the vacant lot east of the school is Edison property Associate Engineer Richter replied she believes it is Edison property. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2024 Page 3 of 5 Interim City Engineer Leung asked to confirm if the channelizers are flexible and could be driven over without damage. Associate Engineer Richter confirmed that is correct. It was also commented that there needs to be adequate spacing between the channelizers to allow residents that live on the north side of Wells Street to access their driveways. Commissioner Nguyen asked if the additional police enforcement will have a set schedule. Interim City Engineer Leung responded the City has a good working relationship with the sheriff and will respond to our requests, however, they may not be able to or necessarily need to be at the school to enforce everyday. Chair Drange explained it would be more effective to make this a joint effort between the school, city, and law enforcement rather than just having the school educate and send out notices to parents. Vice Chair Lang made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Nguyen, to approve staff recommendations, and amend to extend the yellow channelizers to the east end of the Edison lot, and to recommend to City Council to collaborate with the school to develop a plan to educate on safety traffic practices. Vote resulted in: Yes: Chang, Hermosillo, Nguyen, Lang, Drange No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 4. MATTERS FROM STAFF Interim City Engineer Leung provided a brief update on an upcoming city project along Mission Drive for a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon System. 5. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Nguyen suggested an idea to involve the traffic commissioners to attend the school meetings regarding the education campaigns on school traffic safety. Chair Drange asked if we would need city authority to do so. Interim City Engineer Leung commented he does not believe the commissioners would need city approval to attend these school meetings as they are not only Traffic Commissioners, but also concerned citizens of Rosemead. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at the Rosemead City Hall, City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2024 Page 4 of 5 Mich I nge Chair ATTEST: Noya Wang Director of Public Works Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2024 Page 5 of 5