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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 05/21/2001 �191p 2122 Z`32 a TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE es MINUTES. �° ) (Meeting of May 21,2001) l`= UN 2001to CITYC IfED Members Present SECPE7AItP (. �� OFFICE Anthony Alejandro,MAC Karla Bennett,Don Davenport ''Q /*w Robbie Foster,Cliff Moss,Stuart Sher '`94:-9_941_0'‘‘ Members Absent Grace Marie Gonzalez,Orlando Noyola and Israel Ybarra CALL TO ORDER-Chairperson Alejandro called meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Motion made by Mr.Davenport, seconded by Mr. Foster to approve minutes as submitted. Motion passed. III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS — Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson — Mr. Sher nominated Mr. Tony Alejandro to continue as Chairperson for year 2001-2002. Motion seconded by Mr. Moss. Mr. Foster moved, seconded by Mr. Sher that Mr.Alejandro by elected by acclamation. Motion passed. Motion made by Mr.Davenport,seconded by Mr.Alejandro that Mr.Sher remain for another year. Motion passed. IV. COMMENTS BY Chairperson and/or Vice-Chairperson•Chairperson Alejandro stated that during the week of May 14, 2001, Mr. Sher, Mr. Moss and himself met with the Crime Control District and made presentation on behalf of the Corpus Christi Police Department requesting seventy-four(74)vehicles be installed with radar at a total of$1,750 each • for a total of approximately$125,000 for support of traffic enforcement. Mr. Sher iterated the Chairperson comments and stated that an assessment study would be made by the Crime Control Committee. V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT - Sgt. Lynch reported the Fatality Summary in the absence of Capt. Tisdale. Two additional fatalities bringing total to nine(9)for the year to-date. VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT- In the absence of Mr. Seiler, Mr. Walter Jarrin reported the Monthly Traffic Accident Experience Report. A total of 2938 accidents for the year to-date down 7%;A total of 87 Alcohol/Drug related accidents for the year to date down 31%; Injury accidents 1021 down 11%to date;total injuries down 11% year to date; fatal accidents down 31% and fatalities down 36% to-date. Five out of nine of fatalities confirmed alcohol is 55%. The Top 27 High Accident Location thru April, 2001 has indicated a slight change. Kostoryz/SPID has made the top this month. At the Saratoga/Weber intersection, protected left tum only signal had been installed at the beginning of April,2001;other left turn only signals will be installed at a later date along Saratoga Boulevard. VII. RECOGNIGATION OF AUDIENCE/PUBLIC CONCERNS ON MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED ON AGENDA—None VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. On-going Texas Department of Transportation—City of Corpus Christi-None b. Possible interest on the part of the Transportation Advisory Committee in uses of cellular phones by motorists while driving — Mr. Sher stated that he attended an conference in Canada recently and circulated an newspaper article illustrating basically the same issue that Corpus Christi and other cities are facing. SCANNED . OOO'4. • Mr. Moss commented that perhaps the Committee should pursue a hands-free held telephone ordinance. Mr. Alejandro stated that this issue is not going to go away and the Committee will at some point resurrect it if a need arises. c. Confirm membership of Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee—Mr.Jarrin informed the Committee that the BASC will be resurrected. The Sub-Committee was created by City Ordinance in June, 1996. Membership is represented by individual agencies. A committee member is appointed by each participating agency and are not subject to TAC approval. The BASC will begin once again to continue to complete the bicycle route plan. All streets have been completed with the exception of the parkway systems and the drainage easements. One of the objectives of the BASC is to approve the bicycle master plan for incorporation into the overall Transportation Plan for the City of Corpus Christi. In response to Mr.Alejandro's questions, Mr.Jarrin stated that there is committee member from the following_entities: Park and Recreation Committee, RTA, TAC, CCISD, TAMU-CC, Bicycle Committees (2); Medical Committee, CCPD and CCHOA totaling nine members. Mr. Foster will serve as the designee from the TAC. Mr. Jarrin stated that Mr. Seiler would approach all the other entities for individual membership. Chairperson Alejandro expressed concern that committee members would be approached and meeting date and time would be set up before next TAC meeting. IX. Ordinance amending the Code of OrdinancesSection 53-254, Schedule V-Increase of State Speed Limit to Certain Zones—as follows: 1. Hearn Road—Removed from Agenda 2. Up River Road -Extend the 35 MPH speed limit(decreasing from 40 MPH)from Hamey Road to a point approximately 2,500 feet east of Sharpsburg Road,in both directions of travel at all times— Mr.Jarrin stated that the City is currently proposing to lower the current speed from 40 mph to 35 mph on Up River Road. Studies were conducted were speed and traffic analysis studies to arrive at this conclusion. Up River Road is a very narrow two-lane road with numerous curves. Motion • made by Mr. Moss, seconded by Mr. Sher to approve Staff recommendation. Mr. Foster questioned the exclusion of the 2500'section of Up River Road. Motion passed. X. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT First,Mr.Jarring reminded Committee members of Reception on April 24,2001 and then addressed the following issues: Application for Bay Trail Phase 3 Funding—Application has been approved by City Council; Status of Street construction projects: McArdle Road,Phase 1—Completion:112003 McArdle Road,Phase 2—Completion:712002 Leopard Street Phases 1,2 and 3—Completion Phase 1 and 2—1212001;Phase 3—312002 Airline Road Phase 2—Completion:712001 Ennis Joslin Phase 2—Completion:712004 CrosstownlSPID Interchange—Bid Letting:May,2001;TxDOT—completion—approximately 3 years. JFK Causeway Elevation—Bid Letting;Fall,2001—Completion—3 years. Saratoga Weber Road Traffic Signal Operation Staplesllipes and StapleslTimbergate Traffic Signals — presently in process of being installed; SaratogalRodd Field; KostoryzlSunnybrookl CarancahualCooper Alley, Everhart/Shea Parkway; Ocean Drive Park — Completion — late summer,early fall 2000. Traffic Signal LED Conversion—high visibility;completion in 412002. Mr.Sher questioned the intensity of only two out of three signals in some locations. County Road 52—South of FM 624,Nueces County will be conducting this project. Mr. Moss stated strongly that the Contractor is too slow in completing the road work, especially on the Alameda Street project, and should be reported to City Manager. Committee asked that Mr. Seiler be notified of displeasure and bring information back at next month's meeting if Contractor is on schedule. Mr.Moss asked for definition of LED. Mr.Davenport answered it stood for LightEmitting Diode. 00005 44 Mr. Davenport questioned if Ennis'Joslin project includes Nile Drive(Pharoah Valley)to Ennis Joslin? Mr.Jarrin stated he was not sure,but would have an answer at the next meeting. Mr.Foster questioned the high priority of traffic signal installation at Staples/Lipes,as it is not an high accident intersection? Mr. Jarrin stated that the intersection warranted a traffic signal. Xl. ISSUES FOR JULY 23,2001 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Committee asked that street construction projects now under construction be placed on agenda for actual due dates of completion,status of project. Also would like to have terms of contract(work days) on projects shortened. Would like to hear from the Engineering Department,Mr.Seiler,or City Manager. XII. PREVIOUS CONCERNS/NEW CONCERNS: Mr.Foster: Suggests installing caution lights,before,during and after events at Waldron Road and Saratoga/Ranger to prevent any more fatalities. Mr.Moss: Airline Road—Change TLS(optimization). Was unable to travel the length of Airline Road without having to stop for at least two(2) red lights. Received call from citizen who travels Airline Road on a daily basis, stating that motorists had no protected left-turn at Airline/Saratoga intersection. Also there is no right turn signal at this intersection. Chairperson Alejandro asked that the Traffic Signals Division (Street Department)attend the next TAC meeting for clarification and discussion of these issues. Mr.Sher he felt that this issue had been addressed three(3)months ago. Exactly what do you want and what do you expect from them. Mr. Alejandaro stated that he wants to know the state of the traffic signal synchronization in the City. Chairperson Alejandro replied, 1. Graded as Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor?And, how often are problems checked and monitored? Is there a system in place to periodically monitor the situation? Last time the Street Department gave a presentation, it included video detection,cameras and fancy under the streets detection systems and other stuff that is so esoteric and still doesn't know if the Committee arrived at the"meat and potatoes"of the day to day operations with routine traffic problems. Mr.Jarrin stated that the Traffic Signal Department is under the jurisdiction of the Street Department and the engineering design is under the City Traffic Engineer. Mr.Sher stated that questions were answered by the Street Department three months ago,and a telephone number was given if the Committee has any questions or problems. Several of the construction projects have been placed on manual control and this would effect controls throughout the City and because of this throws everything"out of whack". I feel we are wasting their time and would rather have them perform what they do and correct the problems rather than repeating the same thing when they were here. Committee specifically stated no,when they asked if there were any more questions. Mr.Alejandro stated that he feels some of the problems are related to the State-maintained highways and remains an issue. Synchronization works great in other cities, but get"nailed"here in Corpus Christi every two blocks in the downtown area. The questioned put to Mr. Sher was is the Traffic Signals active or pro-active. Mr.Sher stated he heard both,but also reactive. With manpower being an issue, he is sure it is more reactive,but can understand the problem. Mr.Alejandro further stated that since it is a concern of this body, it wouldn't hurt to have them speak again before this Committee. Mr.Foster stated he thinks it is a big safety issue,because motorists get frustrated if they"hit"every light. If they know they drive the speed limit and travel through all the traffic lights,will not run as many red lights and will not speed,thus reducing the number of accidents. Chairperson Alejandro that Mr. Seiler would be contacted on how to address the concerns of the Committ?e relating to traffic signals. XIII. Meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m. • 000P6