TC - Minutes 12-04-08Minutes of the Regular
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING
December 4, 2008
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Vice-Chairman
Masuda at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Deary
INVOCATION: Commissioner Lewin
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Masuda, Commissioner Deary,
Commissioner Lewin, Commissioner Russell.
OFFICIALS ABSENT: Chairman Knapp
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello, Field Services Manager
Ornelas, Senior Management Analyst Hentabli, and Traffic Engineer Itagaki.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 6, 2008 - Regular Meeting
Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Deary, to approve the
minutes along with clarifications. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Deary, Lewin, Masuda, Russell
No: None
Abstain: None.
Absent: Knapp
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE - None
3. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS
A. JACKSON AVENUE/GARVALIA AVENUE - PROPOSED STOP SIGN INSTALLATION
SUMMARY
In September 2008, the Traffic Commission reviewed a request regarding speeding on
-Jackson Avenue between Fern Avenue and Graves Avenue. Residents also asked for the
installation of stop signs to slow traffic. Staff analyzed the intersection of Jackson
Avenue/Garvalia Avenue for the installation of a multi-way stop. The California Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) guidelines were not satisfied.
However, after discussion regarding the intersection of Jackson Avenue/Garvalia Avenue,
the Traffic Commission determined that vehicles traveling on Jackson Avenue could not be
seen from Garvalia Avenue. Based on those concerns staff concurred that there were
existing visibility constraints at the location and based on that finding, it was initially
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Minutes of December 4, 2008
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recommended that the stop signs not be installed.. These issues could not be addressed
through the installation of parking restrictions or the trimming of trees. Therefore, the
Traffic Commission recommended to the City Council the installation of STOP signs on
Jackson Avenue at Garvalia Avenue.
The City Council has requested that this item be brought back to the Traffic Commission.
Staff Recommendation
Based on the discussion made by the Traffic Commission and field observations of the
intersection in September 2008, the Traffic Commission recommended the City Council
install STOP signs on Jackson Avenue at Garvalia Avenue. City staff concurs with the
recommendation of the Traffic Commission.
Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell, to direct City
Staff to place an Intersection Advance Warning Signs near Jackson Avenue and Garvalia
Avenue; to talk to corner neighbors and ask them to trim down trees and shrubs; and to talk
to appropriate neighbors about parking on Garvalia Avenue instead of Jackson Avenue. In
addition the Traffic Commission asked that after the installation of the sings and trimmings
of the trees had been completed that Staff bring this item back for further review and
discussion. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Deary, Lewin, Masuda, Russell
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Knapp
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. HELLMAN AVENUE/RAMONA BOULEVARD AT WALNUT GROVE AVENUE -
STRIPING REVISION
SUMMARY
Commissioner Lewin requested staff review the striping at the intersection of Hellman
Avenue/Ramona Boulevard at Walnut Grove Avenue. Commissioner Lewin specifically
was concerned with the striping on the east leg (westbound traffic) of the intersection. He
indicated there appears to be a need to provide additional travel lanes on Ramona
Boulevard to allow right turning vehicles and through traffic the ability to travel around left
turning vehicles.
Staff Recommendation
It is staffs recommendation that the Traffic Commission concur with the proposed-change
in the striping on Ramona Boulevard to provide a westbound left turn lane and a shared
through-right turn lane at Walnut Grove Avenue. It is further recommended that staff be
directed to have the striping modification placed on the schedule for striping crews.
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Minutes of December 4, 2008
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Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Deary, to accept staff's
recommendation with the modification to add a Left Turn and Through Lane combined and
dedicate a Right Turn Only Lane with the appropriate signs posted. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Deary, Lewin, Masuda, Russell
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Knapp
5. STAFF REPORTS
Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello introduced to the Traffic Commission the new Associate
Engineer Rafael Fajardo.
Mr. Marcarello also mentioned to the Traffic Commission that the next Regular Traffic Commission
meeting was scheduled for January 1, 2009 and asked that the meeting be cancelled due to the
holidays. He suggested that the meeting be adjourned to January 14th or January 15th.
6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Deary advised the Traffic Commission of his visit to 4824 Earl Avenue and Mission
Inn and reported that the stories Sheryl Blum had told during a previous meeting were true. He felt
there was a lot of miscommunication between Mrs. Blum and representatives from the Mission Inn.
Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello stated he had spoken to Mrs. Blum and advised her that
the City was still working on this issue.
Commissioner Lewin wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Vice-Chairman Masuda advised the Commission that the pavement markers had been placed on
Walnut Grove.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. The next meeting will be scheduled on a later time and will
take place at the Rosemead City Hall, City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard.
Howard Masuda
Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Chris Marcarello,
Deputy Public Works Director
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Minutes of December 4, 2008
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Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
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a
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: CHRIS MARCARELLO, DEPUTY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 15, 2009
SUBJECT: STREET NAME SIGN COLOR OPTIONS
SUMMARY
On November 6, 2008, the Traffic Commission received an update on the City's street
signage replacement program. This program is part of the City's efforts to meet recently
adopted reflectivity standards through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The
replacement program includes developing an inventory of existing signs, determining costs
to replace these signs, and a creating a replacement plan and schedule for installing new
signs. Staff has developed sample street name signs for consideration and is looking for
input on colors for the new signs.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Traffic Commission review the street name sign options, select
a preferred sign color and forward a recommendation to the City Council for consideration.
DISCUSSION
As part of the Fiscal Year 2009 budget, the City Council included funding to conduct a
comprehensive audit and inventory of all existing City regulatory and street name signs.
Regulatory signs include stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, and pedestrian signs,
among others. Funding is also included to begin replacing these signs Citywide, with a
goal of replacing all existing signs over the next two years.
This sign replacement program is aimed at meeting minimum reflectivity standards as
required by the FHWA and the State of California's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD). New standards for reflectivity are fully described in the MUTCD. Most
of the City's signs do not currently meet these requirements. Replacement of existing signs
will help improve driver and pedestrian safety as well as enhance the City's aesthetics in
commercial and residential areas.
There are several steps involved in the sign replacement program. Staff is currently
evaluating vendors to conduct a GIS-based regulatory sign inventory program for the City's
existing signs. The GIS-Integrated inventory will allow staff to formulate a replacement
schedule, forecast budget needs, and monitor sign conditions. The inventory will also help in
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January 15, 2009
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future sign management and maintenance. It is estimated that work on the inventory will get
underway in January and be completed in February. Once ready, the staff will use this
information to develop a formal replacement plan for the City Council's consideration in late
winter 2009.
Staff has also worked with a local sign fabricator to develop sample street name signs.
These signs are all the same design; however, five color options have been fabricated to
offer different alternatives for the City's new street name signs. Samples of these signs will
be displayed at the Commission's January 15th meeting.
Staff is asking that the Commissioners review these color options, provide input to staff,
and develop a recommendation for the City Council's consideration. After the Commission
reviews this item, staff plans to forward this information to the City Council on January 27`n
Submitted by:~
Chris Marcarello
Deputy Public Works Director