HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 08/27/2001 4
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
(Meeting of August 27,2001)
Members Present
C':f Moss Anthony Alejandro Robbie Foster
Israel Ybarra Orlando Noyola Grace Marie Gonzales
MAC Karla Bennett Don Davenport Stuart Sher
CALL TO ORDER- Meeting called to order at 1;37 p.m. by Chairperson Alejandro.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"-Vice-Chairperson called for approval of monthly minutes of July 23. 2001. Motion made by Mr.
Ybarra,seconded by MAC Bennett to approve minutes as presented. Motion passed.
III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON andlor VICE-CHAIRPERSON - None.
IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") -Capt.Bob MacDonald, presented the traffic fatality report
reporting a total of twenty(20)fatalities to-date.
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(July,2001), (ATTACHMENT"B")- Mr.Seiler briefly stated total
accidents for July, 2001,down 4%; Alcohol/Drug related accidents,down 32%; Injury Accidents ,down 11%;Total Injuries,
down 09%, Fatal Accidents and Fatalities,up 5%. Confirmed Alcohol Related Statistics-55%.
SPID/Everhart highest ranked intersection with a total of 78 accidents thru July,2001 compared to 40 accidents same time last
year. Protected left- turn only at Weber/Saratoga continues to be successful. Changes will also be occurring at
SaratogalEverhart and Saratoga/Staples in the near future. Collision Diagrams included in this month's package. A monthly
breakdown is illustrated along with a total for the year to-date. Also included are collision diagrams illustrating intersections with
average of one or more right-angle collisions which include Everhart/SPID;WeberSPID and Staples/SPID.
Mr. Ybarra asked for clarification of the acceleration and de-acceleration lanes on SPID Crosstown Expressway and was
advised that only Ayers/SPID westbound has an acceleration lane and the eastbound lane is considered an auxiliary lane.
Mr.Moss inquired of the media notification that the Corpus Christi Police Department having a patrolman monitor nine(9)SPID
intersections,and who in turn radios to patrolman in squad car to cite motorists running red light. Capt.MacDonald stated this
is possible through a funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. Mr. Davenport,on behalf of the Corpus
Christi Independent School District,extends a heartful thank you in patrolling the school zones.
Mr.Foster commented on the multiple rear-ends accidents and inquired if anything could be done to slow down speeders exiting
the freeway. Capt. MacDonald stated he would conduct a"shot-gun"enforcement cf traffic laws to see if this has any effect
on traffic accidents on the expressway.
Mr. Noyola inquired of Mr.Ismael Soto,TxDOT representative,on the probability of lowering the speed limit between Ayers and
Airline. Mr.Soto stated that the State posts the speed limit at or slightly above the average driver's speed.
Capt.MacDonald stated that all officers with radar-equipped vehicles will be issuing traffic tickets.
VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
(New)
A. Citizen comment to Transportation Advisory Committee regarding the concept presented to the City Council
on July 10, 2001 on parkway revitalization improvements and possible associated changes on Louisiana
Parkway. - Mr. S. M. Cowling, resident of 138 Southern Street, Corpus Christi, Texas spoke briefly
expressing his concerns regarding the construction of this very conceptual stage of this project developed
by some of the Louisiana Parkway residents.
SCANNED
B. Presentation by consultant firm of Wilbur Smith &Associates of the Parking &Traffic Study for the Corpus
Christi Convention Center Expansion and New Arena.
Mr.Seiler introduced Kevin St.Jacques,Engineer with Wilbur Smith&Associates,in charge of the parking
analysis for the Cornus Christi Convention Center Expansion and New Arena with the overall design team
in a master plan assessment.
Mr.St.Jacques briefed the Committee stating that the new arena will have 10,000 seats,expanded event
capabilities in adjacent to Convention Center,base planning to support usual events and worst case planning
for capacity,arena events and concurrent activity in adjacent venues along with planning for current street
system and for bridge relocation. Numerous parking locations were shown along the established route from
the convention and arena areas. Also shown were different traffic scenarios exiting the arena and convention
center.
(Continuances)
A. On-going Texas Department of Transportation -City of Corpus Christi issues
1. Accident Experience at Padre Island Drive signalized intersections
2. Yield requirements on frontage roads to expressway/exit ramps
3. Traffic Improvement Consideration on Padre Island Drive
B. Possible interest on the part of the Transportation Advisory Committee in uses of cellular phones by motorists
while driving
C. Confirm member of Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee
VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW
A. Recommendation by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for increasing the speed limit on S.H. 361
between Park Road 22 and Port Aransas.The City of Corpus Christi does not presently have an ordinance confirming
the State's existing speed limits on this street. Therefore, the Transportation Advisory Committee will be presented
possible actions in the August 27th meeting for (a) Supporting an ordinance consistent with the TxDOT's
recommendation; (b) supporting an ordinance to revise the existing speed limits with changes recommended by the
City Staff,or(c)supporting an ordinance maintaining the State's current speed limits. Note: Since the July,2001
meeting,the City Staff and TxDOT officials are still deliberating this issue and have yet to come into agreement
with a speed limit recommendation. Therefore,Transportation Advisory Committee action on this matter will
have to be postponed until the September,2001 meeting.
VIII. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT— Mr.Seiler stated that the new District TxDOT Engineer, David Casteel, along with
members with Texas Transportation Institute met Tuesday,August 21,2001 to discuss traffic issues conceming the Crosstown
Expressway and South Padre Island Drive.
Mr. Seiler stated he will send the Texas Department of Transportation construction time schedules regarding the Crosstown
Expressway.
IX. ISSUES FOR September 27,2001 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting-None
X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS- None
XI. NEW CONCERNS— None
XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjoumed at 3:22 p.m.
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