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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Committee - 02/27/2012Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, February 27, 2012 I. Call Meeting to Order - Mr. Curtis A. Rock, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of January 23, 2012 were approved. III. Presentations and Discussions - a. Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Capt. Vesely reported five (5) new fatalities for the month, which brings the total to seven (7) for year 2012. He said fatality three (3) happened at the 4100 block of Gollihar Rd. He said this accident was a single - vehicle accident; a 24 -year old female was driving recklessly. Fatality four (4) occurred at the 1600 block of Morgan Ave. and it was pedestrian related. Capt. Vesely said fatality five (5) happened at the 7300 blk. of McArdle Rd. and it was pedestrian related. He said this was a hit and run accident that has not been solved as of right now. He said a 24 -year old female was walking with traffic in the roadway because there are no sidewalks at this location. Capt. Vesely said that the young female was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle, which fled the scene. Ms. Beard inquired if the city is looking into adding sidewalks at this location. Mr. Cardenas responded that the city has a short -term, mid -term and long -term range term to remediate some of these issues. Capt. Vesely reported fatality six (6) occurred at the corner of Brownlee Blvd. and Caldwell St. He stated this is another hit and run accident. This 40 -year old male was probably heading northbound on Brownlee blvd., which is the access road next to SH286. The vehicle struck the bicyclist from behind. He said this is the first bicycle fatality in fifteen (15) months. Capt. Vesely said fatality seven (7) occurred at 214 Louisiana Ave. and Santa Fe St. He said this is another tragic case. This was a fifteen (15) month old male; he was outside in the driveway not seen by his grandparents when the vehicle backed over and killed him. There are no charges being filed against the grandparents. b. Monthly Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report: Ms. Beard inquired about the schedule for the "Safe Passing" ordinance to go to City Council. Mr. Cardenas stated March 20 would be the presentation, March 27 would be the first reading and April 10 would be second reading. Ms. Beard asked how certain he is on that. Mr. Cardenas responded he is about 85% to 90% confident. Ms. Beard asked if they are consecutive weeks. Mr. Cardenas answered that there is a gap between March 27 and April 10 because there is not a City Council meeting on the first week of April. Mr. Rock asked when the original anticipated date was. Mr. Cardenas said it was in December and the presentation was pushed back. He said city staff had requested a PowerPoint presentation for the briefing for the City Council before the first and second reading. He said it is a new procedure in any City Council item, whether it is an award of a contract, ordinance or a street closure. The City Council needs time for briefing before the first and second reading; therefore, if they have any questions there is a week's time to get questions from staff. The City Manager felt that there was too much time taking during the agenda items on Page 1 of 5 questions and answers. Mr. Cardenas stated it gives an informal week to do the questions and answers. Ms. Beard reported that Ms. Maricruz Cantu, Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee member, resigned from the subcommittee. Ms. Beard stated she is looking for a medical person to fill this position. Mr. Cardenas stated a medical person is a slot in the subcommittee. Ms. Beard said there are different of categories in their bylaws. She said this position has to be medical connected. Mr. Cardenas said he would like to remind Mr. Dudek that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee is a subcommittee to this committee. He said as Ms. Beard had explained, there are certain positions in the subcommittee; unlike this committee, those positions are more specific to fill in. Ms. Beard commented they want to cover all the areas of the community to make sure to get best representation. She stated that is why it was set up this way. Ms. Beard mentioned they are trying to work closely with TxDOT to get a list of their projects that are coming up over the next two or three years. She said they have work well with the committee on informing us where things are and changing it if possible, as far as what type of overlay they have put down. They are working with us as much as possible but some of it is out of their hands. Mr. Cardenas stated the City would be supplying the same type of list and the same candidate list for any potential bond type of program, if there is one. In addition, the candidate list of the streets, as well. Ms. Beard stated part of the goal is to extend some of the bike routes by communicating with each other. c. Police Department Traffic Enforcement Complaints: Capt. Vesely said he did not have the complaints available for this meeting. d. Top 20 Traffic Accident Locations for the Month: Capt. Vesely reported that Weber Rd. and Saratoga Blvd. is a new number one location with five accidents for the month of January. He said one of these accidents was driving while intoxicated (DWI). Capt. Vesely stated the next five locations are tied with number two with three accidents each. He commented it is amazing that we are starting to see a decrease in the number of accidents along SH358. He said particularly at Staples St., which it is one of our perennial favorites and it is not even in the top six. Capt. Vesely noted other than this; there is nothing out of the ordinary as far as the number of accidents and the locations. e. 1. Discussion of Proposed Northwest Area Collector with Possible Action Taken: Mr. Cardenas introduced Mr. Bob Payne and Mr. Andrew Dimas with the Planning Department. He said they would be given a short presentation on the amendment to the Urban Transportation Plan. Mr. Cardenas said this item was tabled last month. More information was needed by FM -1889 and County Rd. 69 in the Calallen area before a recommendation could be made on the Urban Transportation Plan. Mr. Payne discussed a map of the proposed area and noted that the TAC requested additional information at the last meeting. This is the second time this has been discussed before it goes to the Planning Commission and City Council. He informed the committee that a letter is attached outlining the development proposal and the concerns by the developer about the collector street. Mr. Jacobi inquired if the collector road is an existence road today. Mr. Payne responded no there is no right -of -way at all. Mr. Cardenas stated there is no road; it is just a master plan. He stated this is a discussion with possible action; whether to remove this collector from the master plan or keep it in the master plan. He said if it is removed, do you have an alternative to that collector. Mr. Payne said no the only alternative would be County Rd. 52 extended 3/ of a mile to Page 2 of 5 the south from this intersection. Therefore, there is a neighborhood street that goes to the center of subdivision and there is going to be much more traffic. Ms. Beard questioned if the only reason this is being discussed is that someone wants to use this plot of land and is requesting to be removed. Mr. Payne stated yes and they would like to clear any obstacles. Ms. Beard mentioned that she does not see the advantage of giving up the right -of -way. She stated if it is removed, it could never be reconsidered. Mr. Payne responded if it is removed from the plan, then it is done. Mr. Payne said the recommendation was not to remove it but Mr. Cardenas has reiterated that there is going to be a lot of traffic and he has some concerns. The committee agreed to remove the right -of -way. 2. Discussion of Proposed Extension of Martin Street as a Collector with Possible Action Taken: Mr. Cardenas said this is also an amendment to the Urban Transportation Plan. He said Ms. Annika Gunning and Mr. Bob Payne with the Planning Department will be presenting this item. Mr. Payne presented a map of the proposed area. He said the alignment of Martin St. to Frio St. has been proposed to deviate from the current adopted Urban Transportation Plan. Mr. Payne stated that Martin St. should be extended to give us the connectivity we are looking for. He said this promotes smart growth principles, walking to your community or walking to schools in this neighborhood. Mr. Payne said extending Martin St. along this line would be beneficial to getting people to the school. Ms. Beard inquired what would be the reason not to extend Martin St. Mr. Payne stated that he does not think of a good reason not to extend Martin St. The committee agreed to approve the extension of Martin St. f. Unified Development Code (UDC): None to report. g. Discussion of No Cell Phone Use While Driving: Mr. Cardenas stated that since November of last year the City of Corpus Christi has implemented a policy of no talking on the cell phone while driving and included the use of any handheld electronic devices while driving. He said this is a city policy for city employees. Mr. Jacobi mentioned at the last meeting that he would check on these types of ordinances to see what he could come up. He looked up international ordinances and stated they are stiffer than we are in the United States. Mr. Jacobi said he also looked up ordinances in various states of the union and believes 26 or 27 states have significant ordinances. He said, nearly everyone, if not all, have the no cell phone use while driving in school zones. He said Texas is listed as a state that has cell phone laws; they are talking about no cell phone use while driving in school zones. He said they are talking about these types of things, not the things we have been discussing. Therefore, he decided to keep his focus to cities within Texas to see what they have come up. He found several things, the ordinances are very simple, and they are about two pages long. They all said the same thing. Mr. Jacobi stated only one of these ordinances mentioned talking of the phone and this was the City of El Paso. All the others have affirmative defense. Mr. Jacobi and the committee continued to discuss this item and a brief question and answer period ensued. h. Temporary Traffic Signal on Staples St. @ Moore Plaza: Mr. Cardenas reported this traffic signal would be placed on flash during the Staples Construction Project. i. Island Community Sidewalk Issues: Item tabled until next meeting. Page 3 of 5 j. Staples St. Construction Project: Mr. Cardenas reported a public meeting was held two Thursdays ago regarding this project. He said this project should start the middle of March. They are going to start at the Williams Dr. intersection and it is going to take four to six weeks. Once this intersection is done, they are going to stay on the east side going south. He stated this construction project is going to be tough. This project has 20+ phases; they want to do the intersections first, that way there is traffic flowing at each intersection. He commented there would be some detours and many delays. Mr. Cardenas said this project is scheduled for 18 months. Ms. Beard stated this stretch is getting the good concrete and no center medians. Mr. Cardenas said you are correct; it is a 30 -year life span. Mr. Carrizales said there is a website for this project and the name is drivestaples.com. Mr. Cardenas said this website would give progress of the construction project. k. Ocean Dr. and Sinclair St.: Item tabled until next month. I. Structure of TAC Agenda: Item tabled until next month. m. Discussion of TAC Vacant Position: Mr. Cardenas said this was a recommendation by the City Council. He said although this is a council appointment, lately they have been asking the endorsement from the committees on vacant positions. Mr. Cardenas stated that Mr. Erik Villarreal's biography is attached. He is a professional engineer with LNV Engineering; he has a degree in civil engineering and has a lot of traffic background and experience. The committee agreed with the City Council's recommendation. Mr. Cardenas said that he would inform City Secretary's about the recommendation of Mr. Villarreal to this committee. IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations / Actions - a. Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub - committee: None b. Request to Remove the Proposed Northwest Area Collector with Possible Action Taken: Mr. Price motioned to remove the proposed right -of -way. Mr. Carlisle seconded. Motion passed. c. Request to Extend Martin St. to Frio St. with Possible Action Taken: Ms. Beard motioned to extend Martin St. Mr. Carrizales seconded. Motion passed. V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda One -way Traffic Issues on South Shores to Montclair Elementary Update on Construction Projects VI. Public Comment Mr. Mark Johnson with Bury + Partners Engineering Solutions - talked about the proposed Northwest area collector. Bob Cartwright with Advance Housing Alternatives Corp. - agreed that Martin St. should be extended. • Freddy Ramirez - commented on the "Safe Passing" ordinance. Page 4 of 5 VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m. Page 5 of 5