HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 06/26/2000 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
(Meeting of June 26,2000)
Members Present
Clif Moss Orlando Noyola
Anthony Alejandro Chief Mike McCain
Robbie Foster
Members Absent
Stuart Sher Israel Ybarra Don Davenport
CALL TO ORDER-Chairperson Alejandro called to order at 1:30 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Orlando to approve minutes as presented. Motion
passed.
III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON -None
IV. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE/PUBLIC CONCERNS -None
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") - Capt.Tisdale stated that as of this date,June fatalities total
15. Chairperson Alejandro inquired of Capt.Tisdale if there are any grants available to address issues such as safety training,
public service announcements and/or added enforcement. Additionally, what grants have been given to the City? Capt.Tisdale
stated the City has applied for an intersection control grant,which is a speed motor vehicle/motor vehicle collision grant. In
regard'to a pedestrian fatality reduction,this will need to be handled as an educational aspect. Furthermore,STEP(Selective
Traffic Enforcement Program)grants are funded for three(3)operational avenues-occupant protection,speed enforcement
and DWI enforcement. Recommendation and applications were made to the Texas Department of Transportation to add FM
2444(South Staples Street),along with a proactive application for an additional grant for intersection control. With the Chief
of Police concurrence,warning citations are being eliminated. These grants cover the cost of overtime for traffic enforcement.
Mr.Moss asked how other cities in the State are handling the same problems. Capt.Tisdale informed the Committee that the
City has"borrowed"ideas from other cities which proved to be successful.A total of 196 officers are assigned to the uniform
division, and eighteen(18)are field officers on a full-time basis issuing tickets and investigating accidents. The City's Police
Department is moving to graphical command,which will step up traffic enforcement in a particular area. Mr.Moss inquired
the ratio of officers to 1000 citizens. Capt. Tisdale stated that the City is significantly lower compared to other cities. FBI
recommendation is 2.5 officers per 1000;the City is 1.5,which is significantly;under-manned for a City our size. Mr.Alejandro
asked Capt.Tisdale for a quarterly update of present/and pending grants for traffic enforcement.
At this time, Mr. Seiler stated that the City has received a$15,000 pedestrian grant for public education in form of a Public
Service Announcement and educational literature to be distributed in various locations throughout the City.
Mr. Noyola inquired on the funding source and locations for median pedestrian barrier fences on the expressways,with a
particular interest in whether this could be done along the Crosstown Expressway? Mr. Seiler stated that funding as well as
locations is determined by the Texas Department of Transportation. Mr. Noyola also inquired if Mr.Seiler knew the various
amounts grants were awarded. Mr.Seiler stated he did not.
VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(May,2000), (ATTACHMENT"B")-
Mr.Seiler stated that there were 839 traffic accidents for the month of May,2000 same as last year. Fatal accidents 14,up
56% and total fatalities 15,up 67%. Of the top 27 High Accident Locations,Staples/SPID leads the intersections for May,2000.
Saratoga/Weber has the single largest increase in accidents this year.
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Update report on the City's."2000"Bond Issue proposal-Mr.Seiler stated a copy of the 2000 Bond Issue is being
provided to the Committee showing the cost increase in the Street Improvements for Sidewalk Accessibility
Improvements for the Disabled. Chairperson Alejandro inquired if all the projects listed under the 1986 Bond Election
SCANbeen completed? Mr.Seiler stated not all projects have been completed,but all projects will be under contract before
N ED the scheduled bond election in November,2000..
000 .
B. Review of Spur 3 Phase 2 (Ennis Joslin Road) Street Improvement Project- Mr. Seiler gave an update to the
Committee of the projected work administered by the Texas Department of Transportation for$12,662,709, under
contract with Haas-Anderson Construction,projected start date of June 26,2000 for a projected duration of 42 months
or 700"working"days and projected completion of Fall,2003. This project will include a four-lane roadway with center,
raised median,continuation of Spur 3,Phase 1 (Ocean Drive)bicycle lanes,sidewalks on both side of street,median
left turn lanes,widening improvements to Nile Drive,re-alignment of Nile Drive to Ennis Joslin Road and Alameda to
Ennis Joslin,Re-configuration of Ocean Drive intersection and continuous street lighting,traffic signal improvements
at Nile,Alameda and Ocean Drive,sound-walls alongside residences with rear or side frontage onto Ennis Joslin,
landscaping,archeological issues and improved access to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW
Staff recommendation for revision of the speed limit on Cimmaron Boulevard south of Yorktown Boulevard adjacent to the
new Mireles Elementary School-Mr.Seiler stated that he along with Don Davenport,Director of Transportation with the Corpus
Christi Independent School District, have met with the school principal and the Corpus Christi Police Department to discuss
traffic controls necessary for the new Mireles Elementary School with opening August,2000. The illustrated area on enclosed
aerial map of Cimmaron Boulevard has been requested by the new school principal for a speed reduction from 40 mph to 30
mph alongwith a school crossing guard at Bison/Cimmaron Boulevard. Even though the street does not warrant speed
reduction,due to the proximity of thenew school,school zone safety takes precedence over policy and procedure. Mr.Moss
made motion,seconded by Mr.Foster to endorse reduction of speed limit from 40 to 35 mph. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
A. New Federal Courthouse and Related Traffic Issues-Moving on/or about September,2000. Issues related to traffic
signals and parking will be addressed at a future TAC meeting.
B. Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee Issues-Committee has been rejuvenated beginning in July,2000.
C. TxDOT's Harbor Bridge Study-TxDOT will be releasing requests for RFP for design of new Harbor Bridge relocation.
D. Bay Trail Phase 2 Project = Linear park project is not complete, but is being utilized, with final details such as
illumination to be added.
X.. COMMITTEE MEMBER ISSUES for FUTURE TAC COMMITTEE MEETINGS-Endorsement/Promotion of 2000 Bond Election.
XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS - None
XII. NEW CONCERNS-None
XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3.13 p.m.
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