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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Committee - 01/28/2013 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 28, 2012 I. Call Meeting to Order - Mr. Edd Price, Vice-Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of December 17, 2012 were approved. III. Presentations and Discussions - a. Scheduling of Bond Projects: Mr. Dan Bites said the City Council would vote tomorrow on all the street design contracts with a couple of exceptions. He stated this would get all the street projects started. The exceptions are the Yorktown Blvd. Project, which is already designed and is actually out for bid right now. In addition, the Holly Rd. and Williams Dr. Projects are both under design already. They were pre-funded in the past because they are Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) matches. The ADA Master Plan and Signal Improvements work would be coming forward later for design contract. Tomorrow, the City Council would be presented the first reading on a participation agreement for the ramp reversal project on SPID. Mr. Bites said this is where they are on the streets and the rest of the propositions and they are working towards getting those contracts to City Council in March or June. He said this is the schedule and the goal is to get all these under construction and have all streets under construction by November 2014. b. Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Capt. Gutierrez reported one (1) new fatality, which brings the total to twenty-nine (29) fatalities for year 2012. In addition, he reported three (3) fatalities for year 2013. Ms. Cudd talked about fatality number one, which occurred at the 3900 block of Ayers St. She said there were some comments made by the residents that live in that area about the crosswalk. Mr. Cardenas informed the committee of several things they are doing at this location on Ayers St. and Roosevelt. Ms. Cudd mentioned there were some comments made that this is a very unsafe place to cross. Mr. Villarreal asked if the improvements would allow the pedestrians to cross at the crosswalk rather than take the easier route and not use the signalized or improved crosswalk. Mr. Cardenas said they feel confident the improvements to this intersection are going to make a difference and will encourage the pedestrians to cross there and go another 200 ft. to use this crosswalk instead of crossing at mid-block. Capt. Gutierrez said this accident happened at La Armada II and believes the pedestrian was crossing as a matter of convenience because there is a crosswalk not too far from there. He said this is a matter of convenience because they do not want to walk that extra length to use the crosswalk. Mr. Price stated it does not matter how safe the crosswalk is if they are going to cross where they want. Mr. Jacobi brought up a question about the amount of information being received on the fatal accidents. Capt. Gutierrez said this was brought up at the last meeting. Mr. Jacobi inquired if all this information is needed. Capt. Gutierrez said the issue that has been brought up is that these accident reports contain a lot of personal information. He suggested doing a summary sheet with basic information and he can get the reports if further information is needed. Mr. Jacobi mentioned he would be in Page 1 of 5 favor of this. Mr. Price said it has been like this since he can remember; therefore, he is not for it or against it. Mr. Cardenas said that sometimes it is a matter of convenience to get the fatality report off the system. The fatality report did get additional information for this committee and all this is reflected on that report. Mr. Cardenas said there is a lot of personal information on the reports that should not be revealed to the public; however, there is some important information this committee should be aware of that is valid in these reports. Mr. Cardenas said he would come up with something and see what the committee thinks about it at the next meeting. c. Monthly bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report: Ms. Arnold mentioned the subcommittee did not have a quorum at their last meeting; therefore, she does not have anything formal to report. She informed the committee about an educational and informational bicycle ride they will be having in April. Ms. Arnold stated she does not know what day in April but will keep the committee informed. d. Police Department Traffic Enforcement Complaints: Capt. Gutierrez reported the majority of the complaints for the month were speeding complaints with one complaint for stop sign violations. In addition, he reported concerns at the Staples St. Construction Project. He said the left turn violations are something they found very difficult to enforce at this location. They are looking into the possibility of placing officers in the parking lots that people turn into so they can make the traffic stop in the parking lots. He said they have not had any problems with the other complaints as they have been able to go out and do traffic enforcement. Capt. Gutierrez stated they strongly focus on the complaints at the school zones to insure the safety of all the children. He said they have been paying a lot of attention at Garcia Elementary, which is a new school that just opened up about two weeks ago. They are trying to make sure that everybody complies with all the new laws that are taking affect. e. Top 20 Traffic Accident Locations for the Month: Capt. Gutierrez reported that for the second month in a row HWY 181 both northbound and southbound has not been the top location. The enforcement has finally started making an impact at this location and they have continued to monitor this area. Some of the other locations are along SPID. He said there were five accidents at SPID and Airline Rd. and four accidents at Everhart Rd. and Saratoga Blvd. Capt. Gutierrez stated they have been spending a lot of time on Everhart Rd. He commented as the top accidents locations come up they try to mold their enforcement efforts around the report. f. Urban Transportation Plan Amendments: Mr. Payne said the property owners are requesting to amend the Urban Transportation Plan by removing the proposed extension of Williams Dr. between Ennis Joslin Rd. and Paul Jones Ave. He mentioned this is designated on the Urban Transportation Plan as a C-2 collector street with 65 feet of right-of-way, two through lanes, and a center turn lane. The property owners wish to plat 15 acres for a new housing development. The property is located south of the Williams Drainage Ditch with frontage on Ennis Joslin Rd. and the future Williams Dr. Mr. Payne commented the purpose of Williams Dr. in this location is to relieve traffic congestion on SPID and neighborhood connectivity. He said if you live in the area, in the future you will not always have to go to the freeway, you will be able to get on Holly Rd. and you might be able to circulate internally. Mr. Payne said they met with the Page 2 of 5 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) staff, they have talked to them at length about the importance of the collectors paralleling SPID, and they recommended no change to the plan. Furthermore, Planning ft Environmental Services, Engineering Services and Traffic Engineering recommend no change to the plan. Mr. Payne mentioned they respectfully disagree with the property owners. g. Unified Development Code (UDC): None h. Discussion with Possible Action Taken on Speed Limit on County Rd. 69 between County Rd. 52 and FM-624: Item tabled for next month. i. Discussion on No Cell Phone Use While Driving: Mr. Jacobi discussed an article that involves the expansion of restrictions of cell phone use or electronic communication devices in the State of Michigan. He said in Michigan texting is already against the law. This particular article strengthens the law with respect to cell phone use in vehicles by teen-agers. Mr. Jacobi stated he is looking forward to the day when we get a chance to construct an agreeable ordinance. He encouraged everyone to read the other article called "Distracting Driving Gets Worse". He said this is a result of some studies done in the State of California that has very restrictive use of handheld devices. j. Status of Nile Dr.: Mr. Cardenas said the portion in question of Nile Dr. is where it T's with Ennis Joslin Rd. and starts over by Pharaoh Dr. He said Mr. Rock asked about the status of the Nile Dr. closure. This portion of Nile Dr. on paper belongs to TAMU-CC but is still open. Mr. Cardenas stated he would need to get an update from the university as to what their plans are with that portion of Nile Dr. The plan five years ago was to close it completely and have it part of their property. The baseball fields that used to be by the wastewater treatment plant were relocated to Paul Jones Dr. south of SPID. Mr. Payne stated when the 2010 Transportation Plan Amendments were done they looked at the contract between the City and TAMU-CC. He said the contract stated it would allow them or expect them at some point, if they exercise it, to close it. Mr. Payne said this is what he remembers about Nile Dr. Ms. Cudd mentioned she remembers when they gave the property to the university but does not know about the street and did not know if this was included. Mr. Cardenas said all the traffic studies were conducted. Mr. Price requested that Mr. Cardenas conduct additional research and update the committee next month. k. Stop Signs on Santa Fe St. and Del Mar Blvd.: Mr. Cardenas reported Traffic Engineering decided to place the stop signs on Santa Fe St. at Del Mar Blvd. They are monitoring the situation and the traffic flow at this intersection. He said they are getting calls, good and bad, whether people like it or dislike it. Mr. Cardenas stated he hopes this works as far as the accident rate is concerned. This was discussed at our last meeting and four days later, there was a horrific accident at this intersection. He said Ms. Arnold mentioned to him that she was riding by there that morning of the accident and saw the wreckage after it happened. Again, we have the numbers for the accident warrants for the stop sign. Is it permanent? It does not need to be permanent and hopefully when the road diet goes in we can remove the stop signs and have a safer intersection. Ms Cudd asked if there was a timeline of how long you will be looking at this before you make a decision whether to make them permanent. Mr. Cardenas responded the minimum is 6 - 12 months but more importantly is the timeline to see if and when the road Page 3 of 5 diet will be done. He said it is going from a four-lane section to a three-lane section with bike lanes. This will help traverse Santa Fe St. because now two- lanes of traffic are being traversed. The middle-lane is to turn left onto Del Mar St. Mr. Cardenas said they have been monitoring both the morning and evening peak traffic and the evening peak traffic is worse than the morning peak traffic. However, it is not to say that is traffic congested. Traffic has been behaving well and the rumble strips have been effective. I. Accident History at Del Mar Blvd. and Ocean Dr.: Mr. Cardenas reported now that Cole Park will be completed, there are many pedestrians walking to Cole Park from these residential areas. It seems that Del Mar Blvd. is where the pedestrians want to congregate to cross. There is not a formal crossing across Louisiana Ave. to Ocean Dr. There are medians there and it is an odd configuration. They are seriously looking at doing some kind of signalized pedestrian crossing at Del Mar Blvd. and Ocean Dr. He said they have also received some positive feedback on the Hawk System; this is on Staples St. by City Hall and the RTA bus station where it is only activated by a pedestrian. This is something they are considering at Del Mar Ave. and Ocean Dr. m. Discussion of TAC Vacant Positions with Possible Action Taken: Mr. Cardenas discussed the two vacant positions in the committee and said to look at the biographies of the two candidates. He said Mr. Scott Harris is in the audience; he is one of the candidates and has expressed interest in joining this committee. Mr. Cardenas said Mr. Scott Harris is a professional engineer with HDR Engineering. He has worked with Mr. Harris in the past on some projects and he does great work. Mr. Price asked Mr. Harris if he would like to say something to the committee. The committee recommended appointing the two candidates to the two vacant positions. The committee members motioned to recommend appointing Mr. Scott Harris and Mr. Bryan Hall to the two vacant positions. Committee members motioned to approve. Motion passed. IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations/ Actions a. Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-committee: None b. Request Denial to Amend the Urban Transportation Plan: Mr. Villarreal motioned to deny the request to amend the Urban Transportation Plan. Ms. Cudd seconded. Motion passed. c. Motion to Reappoint Mr. Chase Carlisle as Committee Member to the Transportation Advisory Committee with Possible Action Taken: Item tabled until next meeting. d. Motion to Reappoint Mr. Robert G. Jacobi as Committee Member to the Transportation Advisory Committee with Possible Action Taken: Ms. Cudd motioned to reappoint Mr. Robert G. Jacobi to the committee. Mr. Villarreal seconded. Motion passed. e. Request to Recommend "Speed Zone" on McArdle Rd. between Rodd Field Rd. and Ennis Joslin Rd. with Possible Action Taken: Item tabled until next meeting. Page 4 of 5 V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda • Discussion of Election of TAC Officers with Possible Action Taken • Discussion of Agreement between the City and TAMU-CC Regarding Nile Dr. VI. Public Comment - • Mr. Scott Harris introduced himself to the committee and said he is a professional engineer and has a background with respect to transportation type projects. • Mr. Brown talked about the request for removal of Williams Dr. from Ennis Joslin Rd. to Paul Jones Ave. from the Master Transportation Plan. • George Clower discussed the request for removal of Williams Dr. • George Clower spoke about the closing of a certain portion of Nile Dr. VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m. Page 5 of 5