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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 05/18/2009 RECEWFD FED 1 1 2001 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes CINSECRErAFin OFFICE Monday, May 18, 2009 Call Meeting to Order— Mr. Green, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 2:36 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes — Motion made by Karen Beard, seconded by Daniel Carrizales to approve the minutes for April 27, 2009. Motion passed. Ill. Presentations and Discussions — a. Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Police department representative was not present. Bill Green tabled the item. b. Mr. Cardenas discussion on: • Municipal Maintenance Agreement Update — Mr. Cardenas informs the committee that he would like to keep this item on the agenda. He goes on explaining that there are issues with the red light camera legislation and which has an impact on the Municipal Maintenance Agreement. Mr. Cardenas informs the committee that he has had meetings with the Legal and Storm Water Departments, regarding the street sweeping issues brought up at the last meeting; however there have not been any resolutions at this time. Mr. Cardenas also confirms that there will probably not be any significant updates to the MMA until mid-August or September, when the new fiscal year has started. c. Upcoming Transportation Advisory Committee members' appointments: Mr. Cardenas advises the committee that Mrs. Beard and Mr. Carrizales' names were initially left off the agenda roster because their time had expired. He explains that it wasn't brought to his attention until after the agenda was posted, that Mrs. Beard and Mr. 'Carrizales are still considered voting members of the committee until they are either re-appointed or replaced by the City Council. Mr. Green states that for the record Karen Beard and Daniel Carrizales are still members of this committee until re-appointed or replaced. The committee agrees to stay silent on any recommendations to the City Council for appointments to the committee. d. Recommending to the city that the use of cell phones while driving be made illegal in the city limits: Mr. Green uses a show of hands from the committee as to who did not use a cell phone to talk or text while driving as a demonstration as to how difficult a full proposal not to use cell phones will be embraced by this community. He believes that using a cell phone can SCANNED encourage poor traffic behavior, but it has become so common in our lives that it will be hard to make a dramatic change in the community without demonstrative performance. Mrs. Beard shares with the committee that House Bill 662 has made it thru the House then to the Senate that will restrict any cell phone use for anyone under the age of eighteen (18). Curtis Rock expresses that he doesn't believe that it is up to the committee to begin picking on distractions in the automobile. Mr. Rock believes that the committee would be taking it too far on this issue and although it can be a distraction, there are many other distractions in the vehicle that are not addressed. Mr. Jones conveys that this item is something that the committee needs to pursue, even if it is difficult to enforce. Sheila Cudd also shows a supportive view on pursuing this item. Mrs. Cudd and Mr. Rock agree to support providing better education on the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Mr. Green affirms that the city being a leader in this community ought to impose such a policy. Until the city and the committee are able to walk the walk, this item can be discussed month after month with no progress. He encourages the committee to continue refraining from cell phone use while driving, as well as encourages city staff to review with the city manager of such a policy. • Sheila Cudd advises the committee of perhaps having cell phone use while driving as a secondary offense with additional penalty. Mrs. Beard favors recommending to the city and businesses to move forward with such a policy, as well as making it a secondary offense. Mr. Cardenas explains that the city risk management department would be the department that reviews information to create such a policy. Mr. Green doesn't think the committee is ready to make any recommendation on this item, until the city knows whether a city cell phone policy is in place. He would like to have a formal presentation by senior city staff as to the direction the city staff wishes to go in this regard. Mr. Green would like to have this on the agenda within the next thirty (30) to sixty (60) days. e. Staples Delineator Project (Montana Mike's): Mr. Cardenas provides Mr. Carrizales the opportunity to further discuss this issue. Mr. Carrizales, on behalf of the MPO, explains that there are ongoing meeting with the state and business owners in this area. Continuing with this item may cause some conflicts. Mr. Cardenas assures the committee that there is already a plan to place medians in this area to begin next year and he foresees a good flowof traffic after this is done. Page 2 of 4 4. f. Long Meadow left turn onto Saratoga: Mr. Cardenas reminds the committee that right-of-way is limited in this area and putting an extra lane on the residential side would require residents to forfeit their on street parking. Mr. Cardenas advises the committee that he will begin working with residents on Long Meadow to see if there are any issues with a left turn lane. He will also model a left turn lane on the South side of Long Meadow to see how it. will affect the signal. Mr. Cardenas states that he will have something for the committee at the August meeting. IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations/Actions— a. City of Corpus Christi Residential Parking Permit: Committee was provided with the permit program from 1994. Mr. Cardenas states that no action was taken on this program when it was created. He goes into a memorandum stated back in 1996, from Mr. David Seiler that states that there is not specific ordinance on the parking permit program and the City Traffic Engineer does not have the authority to give out special permits for parking, which is outlined in the ordinance. Mr. Green expresses that what we have here is ambiguous signage and the committee can make a recommendation' - back to city staff to have the proper "No Parking" signage installed or removed. Karen entertains a recommendation that the decal component of the signage be removed and that the City Traffic Engineer to determine whether "No Parking" signs are needed to be replaced. Mr. Green seconds the motion. Motion passed. b. Appointments to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee: Karen makes a motion to accept Bridgida Gonzalez from the MPO, Victor Vources from TXDOT and Peter Gembol from Memorial Hospital to serve on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee. Glenn Jones seconds the motion. Motion passed. _ c. Amendment to the composition of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee: Karen would like to make a motion to add the TXDOT position as a component and voting member on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee. Mr. Jones seconds that motion. Motion passed. d. Establish a School Zone: • At Sands Drive adjacent to Flour Bluff High School — Mr. Cardenas spoke with CCPD and the school bus officials and would advise the committee to recall this issueand not put in a school zone. Mr. Green Page 3 of 4 expresses that there isn't a plan yet on this issue so there is no reason to further discuss or move forward with this item. • On Leopard Street in front of Oak Park Elementary School — Mr. Cardenas states that the extension of this school zone came from school officials and CCISD. He directs the committee to the exhibits provided, which show a three-hundred and ten (310) feet extension of the school zone on the west side to be placed on a power pole on the corner of Leigh Dr. and Leopard St. Mr. Cardenas does not want to extend the school zone on the east side because the distance is already past that recommended in the MUTCD. Mr. Green questions whether their recommendation and council's approval would get the school zone change in place before the start of the next school year. Mr. Cardenas confirms that yes this change would take effect before the school year starts. Mr. Green entertains a motion. Karen makes a motion to approve the extension of the school zone as represented by Mr. Cardenas. Mr. Jones seconds that motion. Motion passes with a recommendation that the school zone extension to the west by three-hundred and ten (310) feet on Leopard St. be presented to City Council. • On Park Road 22 near Bob Hall Road —After further reviewing this item, Mr. Cardenas states that Park Rd 22 is state highway but city maintained. Therefore a strip map needs to be sent up to the Traffic Division in Austin for record. This item needs a recommendation from TAC, and then requires council approval by city ordinance. No action taken at this time until the strip map is ready for review. V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda— • City Staff Cell Phone Usage Presentation • Appointment of Vice Chair • TXDOT re-striping on Saratoga at Staples St. • Traffic back up at crosswalk at Ray High School on Staples St. VI. Public Comment— • The Senate Bill 61 requiring children to be in booster seats under the age of 8 has passed House and Senate and is on the governor's desk. • A Bill is through the House to the Senate requiring all passengers in cars to wear seat belts. • A Bill prohibiting people to allow kids under the age of 5 to ride on motorcycles unless they are in a side cart. VII. Adjournment— Meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m. Page 4 of 4