Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/24/2000 . t iitANSPORTATION.ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Z (Meeting of January 24, 2000) ..)Z Members Present '� a� co ' '.0 / ( Chief Mike McCain Israel Ybarra � ' C'` 'L,. Orlando Noyola Clif Moss { ;,i)acr'-',],?),s 0 Don Davenport e! �/ Members Absent tsB`gS�,Z, Stuart Sher Anthony Alejandro CALL TO ORDER In the absence of Chairperson Alejandro and Vice-Chairperson Sher, Mr. Moss served as temporary Chairperson to preside over the January 24th meeting; called to order at 1:40 p.m. II. Approval of "Minutes" - Motion made by Mr. Noyola, seconded by Sr. Chief McCain to approve minutes as presented. Motion passed. III. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE/PUBLIC CONCERNS - None' W. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT - Mr. Moss inquired of Mr. Seiler regarding the presentation of program on traffic signals. Mr. Seiler responded that without more committee members in attendance, he was postponing the presentation. Mr. Ybarra questioned the presence of construction signage on both the expressway and construction since the work has been completed. Mr. Seiler stated he would bring this to the attention of the State. V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") - Capt. Wayne Tisdale stated that compared to 1999 there were 26 fatalities compared to 33 in 1998 in response to Mr. Moss's inquiry of a comparison. There has been a significant reduction in the alcohol related accidents from 70% to 52%. Pedestrian fatalities also showed'a significant reduction. He furtherstatedthat the Police Department has instituted programs to reduce fatalities. Two factors leading to fatalities, is speeding and driving under the influence.- A check into a funding source for DWI enforcement program from TxDOT revealed that the application was not fully completed, but was remedied and will be funded in 30-45 days. Concurrently, the Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) funding has been used to fill the void of funding the DWI program. Capt. Tisdale stated he had gone before the CCPD Board to ask for permission to reinstate an' intersection control program of the top 27 intersections to reduce incidents of accidents; along with school zone enforcement. A supportive decision was made and the new enforcement resulted in 82 citations the first date of inception. Enforcement focus was for red light violations and speeding citations in a 3-hour enforcement period in the morning and 4-hour enforcement period in the afternoon using only three (3) officers. Traffic enforcement signage is displayed to alert motorists of enforcement areas only one time in each area. In answer to Mr. Moss's inquiry of advanced notification to motorists, Capt. Tisdale responded this policy has not be implemented at the present time. Mr. Ybarra inquired of the emphasis placed on an motorist making a right,turn at a stop signor red light? Capt. Tisdale stated the present program will;be addressing this type of service call: Capt. Tisdale also noted that two (2) additional officers have been added to the force at the present time and two (2) more will be added in March, 2000. Mr. Ybarra also inquired of the "running message" aired on Channel 3 stating that Sgt. Judy Patton with the CCPD was giving her traffic report from a cellular telephone while driving. Capt. Tisdale responded stating that Sgt. Patton is with one of her traffic school crossing guard or reporting from her office. Mr. Ybarra feels this "message" is illustrating a"bad" message to motorists. Capt. Tisdale he would contact Channel 3 asking they change perhaps to read "via telephone". )CANNED Mr. Seiler,inquired of the difficulty of traffic enforcement at the' Padre Isla fon ' intersections without creating more congestion and obstructions. There was a cone Yn Capt. Tisdale's predecess r had voiced. Capt. Tisdale responded that every precaution is being taken _ j\ to avoid-accidents to pursue a red-light violator and will not endanger his officers or motorists. Capt.Tisdale also stated that the Department is also applying for grant monies from the State - specifically targeted for intersection control programs. Sgt. Leeton gave a briefing of the latest fatality occurring at NAS/Claride Drive. Mr. Ybarra inquired if the speed could be lowered at this intersection driving from the "fly-over". Mr. Seiler stated the State has the sole authority over the jurisdiction of speed limits on this street. Mr. Moss inquired what he meant by State. Mr. Seiler stated the local District Office of the Texas Department of Transportation. Mr. Noyola asked if there was any consideration of closing this portion of Claride. Mr. Seiler stated that is a very heavily traveled left turning movement and would lead to a circuitous way of getting back to Waldron Road. Mr. Seiler further stated that the Texas Department of Transportation, the Corpus Christi Police Department and the City will be continuing their study of this location. VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(December, 1999) (ATTACHMENT "B") - Not discussed this month. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Discussion of final results of traffic signal study for Everhart/Congressional intersection - Mr. Seiler stated that Ms. Gildersleeve was advised that the intersection does qualify for installation of a new traffic signal and would be included in a future traffic signal improvement program.. B. [CONTINUING] Southside Retail-Area Transportation Study/Ramp Reversal Issues- NOTE: With the pending appointments of.two Transportation Advisory Committee members, further discussion'on this matter is being suspended until the Committee has - full membership strength. Mr. Moss inquired when these positions would be filled. Mr. Seiler stated that the City Council appoints new members at the.second meeting of the month. C. [CONTINUING] Crosstown Expressway Extension Interchange Project -The Texas Department is making some changes to their virtual reality presentation, and when completed with updates, a presentation will be made-to the Committee. D. [CONTINUING] - Traffic accident experience issues with other Texas cities - The Staff is continuing its research with other Texas cities. A partial report may be offered in the January, 2000 meeting - All information has not been attained to compile a report for presentation. - VIII. STAFF RECQMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW A. Amendments to the City's ordinance governingvisual and passage obstructions- Note: Since the Council's approval of recent revisions to this ordinance (in October),issues have surfaced with specific complaints which have caused the City. to consider further refinements to this ordinance - This subject agenda item was removed from the agenda, after Staff determined that an amendment will not be required, subject to further review by the City Council, related to the basis upon which the City Manager or his designee (City Traffic Engineer) is able to act on a property owner's appeal on a visual or passage obstruction notice. B. Amendment to the City's Code of Ordinances for establishing a one-way school zone on Kasper Drive in the direction of Lincoln Street (southbound) to McArdle Road. This request has been made by the administration of Central Park Elementary School, in coordination and with the,approval of affected residents on Kasper Street - Mr. Seiler briefly stated that the administration, of Central Park Elementary was requesting a one-way school zone on Kasper Street to improve safety and alleviate congestion. - 00002 A ;� Ms. Sally L€4..-.-G, Parent Facilitator with the Central Park Elementary School, spoke on b` behalf of theschoolstating that long-term construction on the 3600 block of McArdle will force a heavy traffic pattern change on Kasper Street; drivers as currently experiencing problems on Kasper Street as it is an extremely narrow street; the side parking lot next to Kasper Street creates a hazard with the increased traffic and will effect the loading and unloading of the school children and most importantly, a student was hit by a car on Kasper Street in December, 1999. Motion.was made by Senior Chief McCain, seconded by -Mr. Davenport to recommend approval of amendment to establish Kasper Street as a one-way street in the direction of southbound Lincoln Street to McArdle Road. Mr. Ybarra inquired if the traffic would increase on Concord Street? Mr. Seiler stated some diversion will occur on adjacent streets will be minimal during the proposed one- way school hours. Mr.-Noyola inquired if the school zone times were in unison with the other CCISD elementary schools. Mr. Seiler stated yes. There being no further discussion, Mr. Moss asked for a vote. Motion passed 5 vs 0. IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT A. Upcoming Street Improvement Projects 1. Leopard Street Phases. 1, 2. and 3 (Rand Morgan Road to Rehfeld.Road)- Bid- letting in 3-4 months with projected completion in 2002. 2. McArdle Road Phases 1 and 2 (Carroll Lane to Everhart Road)- Bid-letting in 3-4 . months with projected completion in 2002. 3. Airline Road, Phase 2 (Wooldridge Road to Saratoga Boulevard)- Bid-letting in 3- 4 months with projected completion.in 2002. 4. Spur 3/Ennis Joslin Phase 3 - (Ocean Drive to So. Padre Island Drive)- Bid- letting possibly in April and projected completion in two (2) years. B. Transportation Planning Projects with Metropolitan Planning Organization [Hand-Out] - Postponed C. FM 2444 South of Oso Creek- Letter sent to Ms. Lynne Lassig stating that the State is earnestly pursuing project funding for roadway widening improvements south of the Oso Bridge is included in the package for Committee's information. X. COMMITTEE MEMBER REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS - None XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS - None XII. NEW CONCERNS - Senior Chief McCain inquired of the possibility of a traffic signal at NAS/Claride.' Mr. Seiler stated that due to the current "fly-over'proximity to the southgate, and the heavy traffic demand, this issue needs to be addressed by the State since it is a State- maintained highway. However, Mr. Seiler added it would be extremely unlikely that a signal could be justified at this location. - Mr. Moss inquired of the traffic light synchronization on Staples, Weber and Doddridge. He emphasized that he was forced to make numerous "stops" at the traffic signals along this system. XIII. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m. 00003-