HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 05/22/2000 6.70 2C.2
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ®4
MINUTES
(Meeting of May 22,2000) t,ECFVFr)
CITY SECRETARY'S CO
Members Present OFFICE
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Israel Ybarra Clif Moss Stuart Sher Orlando s+' i �'
Anthony Alejandro Don Davenport Robbie Foster = l •
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Members Absent
Chief Mike McCain
CALL TO ORDER-Chairperson Alejandro called to order at 1:35 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Ybarra to approve minutes as presented. Motion
passed.
III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS-Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-Chairperson Alejandro opened floor for election of both
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Mr.Sher made motion,seconded by Mr.Moss to re-elect Tony Alejandro as Chairperson.
Motion passed. Mr.Ybarra motioned,seconded by Mr. Moss to re-elect Mr.Sher as Vice-Chairperson. Motion passed.
IV. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE/PUBLIC CONCERNS -None
V. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT-Chairperson Alejandro read a letter of resignation from newly appointed member Michele M.
Trevino due to her new job responsibilities and time conflicts.. Mr.Robbie Foster was introduced and welcomed by Chairperson
Alejandro. Mr.Sher expressed concern about the numerous accidents and unsafe driving presently occurring within the City
and wondering what the Transportation Advisory Committee as a group could do to educate motorists. Mr.Moss agreed with
Mr. Sher and has observed the same in other cities he has visited. Mr. Ybarra asked Sgt. Leeton about the emphasis on
ticketing motorists turning right on red lights or at stop signs. Sgt. Leeton stated that the Police Department under the Crime
Control Grant Fund was targeting red light violations at major intersections. Presently, the Department is in the process of
obtaining another grant for overtime for officers targeting red light violators. Mr.Ybarra further stated that in his findings as a
drivers instructor, 200-1 speeding tickets are being issued vs motorists tuming left at stop signs or at red lights. Mr.Alejandro
acknowledged that problems existed and only until motorists take responsibility for their own actions,the City will continue to
have these traffic problems.
VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (ATTACHMENT "A") - In Capt. Tisdale's absence, Sgt. Leeton informed the
Committee four(4) fatalities were recorded in April bringing the total to thirteen(13)for the year.
VII. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(April,2000), (ATTACHMENT"B")-Mr.Seiler stated that 820
accidents were recorded last month,down 1%;alcoholic/drug related 35 up 22%;injury accidents 306,down 3%,total injuries
503,down 3%,fatal accidents 12 up 50%and total fatalities 13 up 63% compared to same time last year. Five out of 13 for
year 2000 confirmed alcohol accidents. Mr.Seiler discussed further the top 27 high accident locations stating that the City in
conjunction with the State is planning to change the permissive left turn to"protected left turn only"on Saratoga Boulevard.
The Staples/Curtis Clark intersection, an unsignalized intersection, is now of the highest traffic accident locations. This
intersection shows increased traffic arising from an apartment complex along with several new businesses on the dead end
of Curtis Clark Drive. Studies are being undertaken by Staff in conjunction with the Planning Department to determine if right-
of-way acquisition should be undertaken to connect the street with Williams Drive. Mr.Alejandro inquired the method used to
arrive at the top 27 high accident locations. Mr.Seiler stated that Staff has always listed the top 25 locations and several years
ago committee asked to add two locations, Everhart/SPID Zone and Staples/SPID Zone. Mr. Ybarra noted that at
Saratoga/Everhart intersection left turn signal does not cycle correctly. Also at Yorktown/Cimmaron,he had concerns about
increased traffic due to opening of new school. Mr.Seiler stated that Staff along with Corpus Christi Police Department have
both agreed that this location will have to be looked at very carefully and will be meeting with the new school principal when
assigned.
VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Presentation by the City's Emergency Management Office on the planning for IH 37 northbound lane reversal by
the Texas Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety-Mr.Seiler introduced Mr.Juan Ortiz,
Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator with the City of Corpus Christi and Mr.Ismael Soto,Texas Department
cA ED of Transportation Mr.Ortiz noted that hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 30th. Steps are being
take to educate the public about hurricane preparedness. Mr.Soto informed the Committee that City St ;the
Texas Department of Transportation met with the Texas Transportation Institute for recommendations of-the IH-3
reverse flow traffic operations. The study's main objective was to determine the location to terminate the IH-37 reverse
flow lanes. Issues that needed to be considered were bottlenecks and queuing,the volume of traffic processed,driver
expectancy,and management. Mr.Soto stated that the study recommended terminating the reverse flow lanes at State
Highway 97 and FM 3006 because that alternative offered the best overall operations, was one of the easiest
alternatives to implement,and it had several options for upstream diversion and contingency plans. Mr.Ortiz stated
that fourteen(14)altemative routes were initially discussed and these routes were narrowed to the top five(5). In the
event of an impending hurricane,co-ordination between the City Staff,CCPD and TxDOT will immediately need to be
placed into action,closing and re-stripping IH 37 lanes on both north and south end of IH 37. It is proposed sixty-three
hundred vehicles can be evacuated if everything runs smoothly. Residents will need to be prepared to leave sooner
if at all possible.
Mr.Alejandro asked upon mandatory evacuation, if all IH 37 southbound lanes would be designated as northbound
lanes and motorists attempting to return to Corpus Christi will need to take alternate routes. Mr.Soto answered yes.
Mr.Alejandro thanked Mr.Ortiz and Mr.Soto for the presentation. Mr. Foster inquired on an estimate of the amount
of vehicles to be evacuated. Mr.Ortiz stated approximately 6300 vehicles per hour. Approximately twenty-five(25)
hours are needed to evacuate 80-85%of the projected residents. Mr.Ortiz stated it will take approximately six hours
to place the lane reversal in action in response to Mr.Seiler's inquiry. Mr.Moss thanked the group for their presentation
and stated that motorists should also look into using alternate routes if possible to alleviate the congestion on IH 37.
Mr.Ortiz also stated that evacuation would be handled in two tiers after receiving Category 1-2 advisory,all the low
lying areas will be asked to evacuate and after receiving an upgrade of Category 4, major evacuation will be
recommended.
B. Update report on the City's"2000 Bond Issue"proposed- Mr.Seiler informed the Committee of the proposed 2000
Bond Issue namely the Street Issues. The City of Corpus Christi will hold an election to consider a number of ballot
propositions to fund major capital improvements for the community. The City Council is conducting a public Monday,
May 22,2000 at the Bayfront Plaza to collect public input before finalizing the Bond Issue. The proposed package
includes$29 million in projects to be funded from property taxes(a General Obligation Bond Issue). The proposed
projects reflect the City's most immediate needs. They are designed to improve existing physical facilities,provide for
growth,and protect the City's investment in its infrastructure. This bond package will be financed by a cent property
tax increase.. There will be approximately$20,000,000 funding including sidewalk accessibility improvements for the
disabled, traffic signal improvements, City share of cost participation in State Highway Department projects and
neighborhood street reconstruction,street resurfacing and street improvements.
In addition,the General Bond Package,will include three sales tax propositions on the ballot for seawall repairs,multi-
purpose arena facility and economic development. The General Improvement projects are grouped under four
categories;Public Health and Safety, Park and Recreation;Public Facilities and Streets.
Mr. Davenport inquired about the traffic signal listed locations. Mr. Seiler stated that the locations shown on the
enclosed map indicates that the intersection satisfies the criteria for their installation both on the priority project and
candidate project listing. The priority project list has support from the City Council at a cost of approximately$500,000.
Mr. Seiler further stated that the Cimmaron Boulevard/Bison Drive area would have to be monitored very closely in
relation with the new school opening in August.
Mr. Moss stated that the Committee needs to support this 2000'Bond Issue.
C. Update report on current street capital improvement projects- Mr.Seiler stated it is important that the Committee be
kept abreast of the active projects which include Airline Road, Ennis Joslin, Leopard Street, McArdle Road,Cornette
Drive,Kostoryz Road and Crosstown Expressway Interchange. These project are the remnants of the 86 Bond Election
and show the bid letting dates and projected work schedule/completion.
IX. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW
No staff recommendations this meeting.
X. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
1. F.M. Highway 2444 Safety Concerns-TxDOT is presently studying speed limit for possible reduction and periodic
speed enforcement. TxDOT installed no passing zone.
2. Everhart/Congressional Signal Request-Likely location for signalization if 2000 Bond Issue is approved.
3. Driveway/Ordinance Revision-Revision is continuing,discussion in the near future for Committee's approval.
XI.. COMMITTEE MEMBER ISSUES FOR AGENDA ITEMS-None 511tr;fi'2.
XII.. PREVIOUS CONCERNS - Mr. Moss commented that the Staff needs to increase its efforts for city-wide traffic light
synchronization. Mr. Seiler commented that a more proactive effort is planned soon by the Traffic Engineering Staff in
coordination with the Street Department. This will involve best runs plus travel time-delay studies.
Mr.Alejandro reported that he has been appointed to ITS Committee by Mr. Ismael Soto with TxDOT and will report findings
regarding the ITS technology issues for the City.
XIII. NEW CONCERNS- Mr.Ybarra inquired about a request from HEB for a pedestrian crossing on Alameda/Texan Trail.
for shoppers accessing the bus stop.
Mr. Noyola thanked Mr.Seiler for quick action taken at the Airline/Saratoga intersection traffic signal.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3.20 p.m.
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