HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 06/25/2001 - ' �f %1'S192042
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TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ^��� � 2�0
MIUTES 4.1.2(Meeting fNJune 25,2001) 'JU�32001 at
RECEIVED
Members Present o CITY SECRETARY'S iuv
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Clif Moss Stuart Sher Robbie Fosters_ Cf°
Israel Ybarra Orlando Noyola Grace Marie Gon a- £z L—V-
Members Absent
MAC Karla Bennett Don Davenport Anthony Alejandro
I. CALL TO ORDER-In the absence of Chairperson Alejandro,meeting called to order at 1:36 p.m.by Vice Chairperson Sher.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Vice-Chairperson called for approval of monthly meeting of May 21,2001. Motion made by
Mr.Moss,seconded by Ms.Gonzales to approve minutes as presented. Motion passed.
III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON - None.
IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (ATTACHMENT "A") - In the absence of Capt. Wayne Tisdale, Sgt. Lynch
presented the traffic fatality report reporting a total of thirteen (13)fatalities to-date. Mr.Ybarra asked for an approximate
number of tickets issued to motorists for non-compliance of the seat-belt law. Sgt. Lynch stated that approximately 200 per
month. Mr. Ybarra also inquired about the date the car seat program promoted by the Texas Department of
Transportation(TxDOT)in conjunction with Driscoll Hospital will begin? Sgt.Lynch stated he was informed by two of his officers
that two(2)billboard signs have been installed within the City,advertising the"call-in"number.
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(May,2001), (ATTACHMENT"B")- Mr Seiler briefly stated total
accidents for May, 2001, down 6%; Alcohol/Drug related accidents,down 35%; Injury Accidents,down 10%;Total Injuries,
down 9%,Fatal Accidents,down 7% and Fatalities,down 13%. Confirmed Alcohol Related Statistics-61%.
Top 27 High Accident Locations thru May,2001. Reductions Weber/Saratoga,Staples/SPID,Everhart/Saratoga in the top 10.
The Weber/Saratoga intersection should be emphasized that a traffic signal phase change has been installed with a"left turn
only" at this intersection and has proved to be very effective. Traffic accidents have been reduced and the remaining
intersections on Saratoga Boulevard will have left turn signs installed in late summer or early fall.
Mr.Ybarra asked why was signage and a circular red signal indicator rather than a red arrow signal indictor installed at this
intersection? Mr.Seiler stated that the signage used is the City and State standard. Red arrow indicators,although allowed,
is not as commonly used and would be less familiar to motorists.
Mr.Foster asked why does Corpus Christi have"YIELD TO RAMP"signage on expressway and i.e.,Houston does not? Mr.
Seiler indicated it has to do with the lane configurations on the frontage road. He would also ask Mr.Soto with TxDOT to attend
next month's meeting and givea more definite explanation for the State's present expressway signage.
Mr.Moss asked for accident experience from other cities for comparison to Corpus Christi's traffic. Mr.Seiler stated about two
years ago,the Traffic Engineering Department researched and found it difficult to obtain similar statistics for comparison from
other cities.
VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
(New Concerns)
A. Process for planning and timetables allowed for construction of street capital improvement projects-Mr.
Seiler introduced the City's Engineering Department Design Engineer,Mary Frances Teniente,who works
directly with the Texas Department of Transportation for project formulation of detailed engineering work
SCANNEDduring construction projects
Ms.Tentiente gave a brief outline of steps involved taking a project from its inception to final construction.
There are many different elements involved in construction,i.e.,street re-paving. Sometimes extenuating
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circumstances exist such as water line replacement,etc. The project engineer first of all determines the
contract time for each specific project. Its a balance of not constraining the contractor too much,which can
lead to increased costs,also not allowing too many days to prevent any more inconvenience than necessary
to both residents and business along construction route.
Mr.Moss commented that he feels the Alameda Street project along with the Santa Fe project is taking way
too long. Ms.Teniente stated that the AlamedaANeber project was not a straight-forward project. It not only
included street work,but also utility extension and rehabilitations including sanitary trunkline replacement.
In response to Mr. Foster concerns regarding the Airline Project, Ms. Teniente stated had a number of
complicated elements, i.e., deteriorated concrete boxes caused delays in the project. Construction
Inspectors do monitor the various projects on daily basis. The Committee will be kept updated monthly on
the progress of each street project.
(Continuances)
B. On-going Texas Department of Transportation -City of Corpus Christi issues-None discussed
C. Possible interest on the part of the Transportation Advisory Committee in uses of cellular phones by motorists
while driving. Department of Public Safety is revising accident report form to include information on related
accidents-Vice Chairperson mentioned that the New York Senate approved a measure that would make
the State the first in the nation to ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones.
Committee agreed that there are many distractions for drivers. Mr.Seiler stated that NBC Dateline aired a
video regarding driving and the usage of the cellular phone and is in the process of ordering the video for
presentation to the Committee members that is very informative.
D. Request by Transportation Advisory Committee to the Corpus Christi Crime Control District for possible
funding for enhanced traffic enforcement capability in all Police patrol vehicles. Update by CCPD following
TAC's presentation to the Corpus Christi Crime Control District Board-Police representation was unavailable
to discuss progress.
E. Confirm membership of Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee-Process of renewing membership,will have a
more complete report next month.
VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW
A. Review of project proposals on the use of 2000 Bond Program funds for school area sidewalk improvements- Mr.
Seiler briefly explained that the 2000 Bond Program allocation of$450,000 for school sidewalks,pedestrian bridges
and guardrails. The City has been in receipt of two project requests from two (2)school districts (Tuloso-Midway
School District and Flour Bluff School District)preceding the development of the 2000 Bond Program. It is the intention
of the City Staff to undertake qualified projects requested by schools on a'first-come,first-serve'basis. Specific project
proposals will be addressed from other school districts as funds are available from the current program or future capital
improvement program. Other specific project proposals to this Bond Program category affect guardrails and pedestrian
bridges.
In the absence of specific project locations identified in the 2000 Bond Program for this category of improvements, the
City Staff wishes to use appropriate committees and commissions as"sounding boards"for consideration of requested
projects. The City Council will not review projects until bids are received and construction contracts are recommended
for award.
The Committee's review and approval is very important for these proposals to move forward. These new sidewalks,
if approved,will be constructed on Leopard Street between Rolling Acres and Warpath for Tuloso-Midway and on
Glenoak between Waldron Road and Debra Lane. Both projects would be for installation of sidewalks only,for a safe
walking area away from the street, and would involve no other street improvements (i.e., curbing, underground
drainage,etc.).
Mr. Ybarra inquired about the drainage ditch improvements on Glenoak Drive . Ms. Teniente stated that this is
preliminary report and not based on the engineering consultant under contract for this project..
Public Comments:
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Mr.Stephen Wadell,Superintendent of Tuloso-Midway Independent School District-9301 Moonlight Drive,Corpus
Christi -Requesting City building sidewalks on Leopard Street to Middle School between Charles Street and Warpath
Drive to augment safety of and for children.
Ty Hawthorne-President of Student Council at the Tuloso Middle School. Asks City for safe means of transportation
of new sidewalks would prove to be a necessary asset.
Peggy Banales-3134 Seven Trees,parent of children attending TMISD-Concern for students and community in
general.
Dale Micom,Flour Bluff Independent School District Maintenance and Transportation Director-Glenoak Drive services
numerous students for the FBISD. Will prove to be a very important project for the safety of the students.
Motion made by Mr.Noyola,seconded by Mr.Ybarra to endorse both projects. Motion approved.
B. Consideration of a recommendation by Del Mar College to close portions of Naples Street and York Avenue for the
purpose of expansion improvements on the Del Mar College East Campus.
Mr.Seiler briefly stated that the requested street closures on Naples Street and York Street are existing paved streets
that would be permanently closed. A small section of right-of-way requested for closing abutting Baldwin Boulevard
will not affect the existing street. Del Mar College owns the properties abutting these requested street closures. Del
Mar College will be constructing a Center for Early Learning adjacent to Del Mar's East Campus.
Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Noyola to recommend approval. Motion passed.
VIII. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT-.
1. Crosstown/SPID Interchange-Bid letting in May,2001,ground breaking in about 3 months.
2. JFK Elevation-November,2001 Bid Letting
3. Saratoga at Weber Road Traffic Signal Operation-Addressed Earlier in Meeting
4. Staples @ Lipes Traffic Signal and Staples @ Timbergate turned on June 13,2001,representing first project completed
under 2000 Bond Election. Others: Saratoga @ Rodd Field Road, Kostoryz Road, Kostoryz @ Sunnybrook,
Carancahua @ Cooper's Alley,Everhart @ Shea Parkway,Ocean Drive @ Cole Park
5. County Road 52-New route,parallel to FM 624,City and County working on joint project between HWY 77 and Hazel
Bazemore Park.
IX. ISSUES FOR August 27,2001 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting-None
X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS-None
XI. NEW CONCERNS-Mr.Moss-Airline Road -Please have.Traffic Signals check out light sequence.
XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
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