HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 05/23/2011 RECEIVED'
Transportation Advisory Committee JUL 1 2 2011
Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 23, 2011 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
Call Meeting to Order - Mr. Curtis A. Rock, Chairman, called the meeting to order at
2:32 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of April 25, 2011 were approved.
III. Presentations and Discussions -
a. Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Lt. Sherman said
there are no new fatalities to report and the fatality total remains at thirteen (13) for
the year 2011.
b. Monthly Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report: Ms. Beard reported she was
aware some City Council members are against the "Safe Passing" ordinance because
the residents on Ocean Dr. are still upset over the "No Parking" issue on Ocean Dr.
Ms. Beard said they might not vote on this because we made some people upset. She
said we have to talk to them and try to;let them see this is a good thing. Ms. Beard
stated she had spoken with Chief Troy Briggs briefly and he would like to know the
City Attorney's opinion directly and not just Jay's. She stated she and Ms. Arnold are
currently working on getting an appointment with Carlos Valdez and the attorney that
assisted them with the final draft of the "Safe Passing" ordinance. Her guess is Mr.
Carlos Valdez will support Jay's findings but would like to find out where he stands on
it. She continued to report Mr. Freddy Ramirez had provided the subcommittee at
their last meeting the same presentation he had given to the TAC. In addition, Mr.
Victor Vourcos with TXDot gave a presentation on projects TXDot is working on
because some of their projects involve bicyclists and the roads they ride on.
c. Police Department Traffic Enforcement Complaints: Lt. Sherman reported they have
been keeping up with complaints but there is nothing significant to report. He said the
complaints would go down next month, since school is letting out. Lt. Sherman stated
many of them are school zone complaints. Mr. Jacobi asked why there is not more
speed enforcement on the school zones on Alameda St. by Driscoll Hospital. Lt.
Sherman responded that they address all complaints as they come in.
d. TXDot Construction Projects: Tabled until next month.
e. Moore Plaza/Staples St. Traffic Signal: Mr. Cardenas stated this item will only be
discussed today but next month he would bring some technical exhibits. He said this
signal has always been considered the "HEB" signal on Staples St., between SPID and
Williams Dr. It is a span-wire type of installation and it does not have any pedestrian
elements. Mr. Cardenas said it was a temporary signal from what he understands
when HEB was built. Mr. Cardenas said he would be in the process of re-warranting
the signal based on traffic volumes coming in and out of HEB and the bank across the
street from HEB. He said this signal in Traffic Engineering sense is a traffic flow
preventer and it is hindering traffic flow on SPID and Staples St. The traffic backs up
not just on the frontage road but also across on Staples St., between the mall and the
shopping center. Mr. Cardenas said this signal is too close to SPID to be effective. He
commented as far as the warrants are concerned, this is not part of the warrants. Mr.
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Cardenas said if this traffic signal is not,warranted, it does not necessarily go to City
Council. It is the call from Traffic Engineering or Engineering Services; however, he
would like the input and support of the TAC.
IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations/
Actions -
a. Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-committee: None
V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda -
• Pedestrian Crossing Flasher on Staples St. @ Ray High School
• Top Intersection Crashes for the Month
• Red Light Camera Update
• Yield Sign at Louisiana Ave. ® Ocean Dr.
VI. Public Comment - None
VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.
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