HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 08/23/2004 ,„ 07,.10
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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OCT 2004
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(Meeting of August 23, 2004) �(4 ti• 'i
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CALL TO ORDER-Vice-Chairperson Sher called meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.
II. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON and VICE-PERSON- Mr. Davenport nominated Stuart Sher as
Chairperson, seconded by Mr.Torres. Motion passes. Mr. Seiler nominated Don Davenport as Vice-
Chairperson, seconded by Mr. Green. Motion passes.
III. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"-Chairperson Sher called for approval of minutes for meeting of July 19,
2004.Motion was made to approve minutes as presented by Mr.Green,seconded by Mr.Foster. Motion
carried.
IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") -In the absence Capt. MacDonald,
Sgt. Pena reported that there have been to-date twenty(24)fatalities,twelve(13)were alcohol related.
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT for(July,2004), (ATTACHMENT"B")
- Unavailable
Mr. Seiler asked if Staff could begin providing Accident Collision Diagrams (Top 5).
VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda.
VII. PUBLIC HEARING-Reconsideration of 20 mph Alameda Hospital Speed Limit -Presentation was made
by Kevin St. Jacques, City Traffic Engineer Consultant. He stated that in the Alameda Hospital Zone
there school zone within a Hospital Zone. The Hospital Zone runs from Texan Trail to Ropes Street at
a 20 mph speed limes from 8am to 5pm. The School Zone within the Hospital Zone is from Texan Trail
to Sinclair at a 20 mph speed limit with specific times of 7:15 - 8:15 am and 3:00 -4:00 p.m.
Proposed actions suggested were to modify the Hospital Zone limit to be 30 mph at all times in this
segment of Alameda; keep school zone as is; Enhance the safety of existing crosswalks by creating a
pedestrian refuge at: North of Ropes at Driscoll Children's main entry; Sinclair Street Intersection; at
main entry to Driscoll children's Hospital;Shift the existing crosswalk at the apartment driveway to a new
location at both corners of Rossiter Street and add one new crosswalk with refuge midway between
Rossiter and Texan Trail.
Install a 4-inch white edge line stripe at the edge of the outside travel lanes northbound and southbound,
designating a 10-foot wide travel lane; monitor performance of travel and crossing conditions: before
and after travel speed study;pedestrian crossing observations and interviews;"floating ca r"observations
of traffic flow.
These issues create delays to traffic; traffic safety; pedestrian crossing safety and traffic calming.
Public Hearing was opened for public comments:
Terry Orf, 3430 South Alameda -Appreciates the studies. Would like to keep as it is. Offices have very
few parking spaces. CCPD issues tickets 3-4 days a week to keep speeding down. Flashing lights have
an influence on passing motorists.
Lowell Kepp, 3435 South Alameda - Pediatrics Center-Increase in medical facilities; has traveled area
for over 30 years; travel speeds are disregarded; favors consistent speed limit; erect speed trailer so
motorists can observe speed they are driving. Agrees with pedestrian safety crossing zones.
SCANNED ]
Peter Torres-302 F r Drive-Hospital Zone has diverted traffic: Santa Feand increased speeders.
He and residents as', ._ an decrease of speed limit on South Alarneaa diverts motorists to Santa Fe.
Fred Bell,5201 Lamp Post-States that 15 years ago he came upon a child dying in a crosswalk. Stated
that the City's that the enforcement is a"joke"at the school crosswalks.
Don Tierce,333 Chenoweth-36 year resident. Traffic patterns on Santa Fe have changed-2 diversions
of traffic. Santa Fe is a residential street; not business street as Alameda Street. No"gap"to allow
motorists to exit businesses.
Rick Rogers, Driscoll Hospital - Maintain present"Hospital Zone"at 20 mph, with flashing lights. Also
speed trailer at Texan Trailer at Alameda. Travels Santa Fe on daily basis.
Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames-Public transportation is only form of transportation for disabled personnel.
Public Hearing closed at 3:50 p.m.
Don Davenport inquired how long after recommendation from TAC members, would the safety issues
be implemented? Mr. Escobar stated that approval from City Council would be required for any speed
limit changes.
Mr. Foster suggested installing the safety islands; then re-exam speed limit issues.
Mr.Torres inquired the number of Hospital Zone in Corpus Christi and feels that all hospitals should be
treated the same. Mr. St.Jacques stated that with the pedestrian designated islands,accidents should
decrease.
Mr. Green - Amount of traffic volume traveling on Santa Fe since Hospital Zone was installed? Will
pedestrian islands be in lighted areas for safety?
Mr. Davenport-Increase speed patrol on Santa Fe Street.
Mr. Seiler stated that Corpus Christi is not a pedestrian-friendly city. My concerns are for pedestrian
safety on Alameda Street within a unique hospital and abutting medical clinic area where children are
crossing with their parents. This crossing activity appears to be more frequent than on other streets.
Since the time the hospital zone has been implemented,there have been reduced traffic accidents and
probably fewer pedestrian accidents.
I do favor some of Mr.Jacques recommendations,specifically the refuge areas. However, I do not feel
a speed reduction is in the best overall interest of this particular area.
The traffic problems suffered on the adjoining neighborhoods are a separate issue,and should be dealt
with. But, not at the expense of lesser pedestrian safety on Alameda Street particularly since the delay
to traffic is only 30-35 seconds.
Mr.Sher:Has accepted temporary traffic delays as a safety issue. Install traffic calming devices and then
increase speed after another study.
Safety improvements do not have to be approved by Council before installation.
Motion made by Mr.Green, seconded by Mr. Sher to deny Staff Recommendation. Motion passes.
Mr. Foster made motion, seconded by Mr. Green to install painted safety islands in the Alameda Street
Hospital Zone,conduct study traffic patterns and then come back to the Committee with results and also
include traffic studies on Santa Fe Street. Motion passes.
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International Drieed Limits @ Corpus Christi Internal I Airport-This item is a preview
for the Transportati Advisory Committee for proposed speed emit changes. This item must be
presented to the Airport Advisory Board for recommendation and approval, back to the TAC members
for approval and then presented to the City Council for recommendation and approval.
VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Discussion Item:SMG/TAMU-CC Issue-regarding sale of alcohol at school-sponsored events-Mr.
Jorge Cruz-Aedo,with SMG Management, along with Michael Baker,General Manager with Centerplate,
the in-house food and beverage concessionaire at the American Bank Arena.
SMG entered into a Letter of Intent with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for both women's and
men's basketball games along with the Commencement Exercises at the Arena and other activities which
are appropriate for the University in its role as an institution of higher education. SMG will provide a
concession services during mutually agreed with the University. Not all events will be appropriate for
alcohol consumption. Every step will be taken to insure not to sell alcohol to under-age participants.
Mr. Green asked on the types of alcohol to be served. General Concessions will be beer sales; private
areas will perhaps serve wine. Mr. Foster stated he would like to hear from the.University.
IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT- None
ISSUES FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS/NEW CONCERNS- See attachment
XI. ADJOURNMENT- Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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