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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/25/1998 i TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES (Meeting of January 25,1998) Members Present Anthony Alejandro Israel Ybarra Clif Moss Ray Mims Stuart Shet Members Absent Chief Michael W.McCain Orlando Noyola Sandra Stinson-Stout I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Chairperson Hailey at 1:40 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES(Meeting of December 21,1998) Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Ybarra to approve minutes of December 21, 1998 Motion passed. III. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE/PUBLIC CONCERNS None IV. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT None V. BICYCLE ADVISORY SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT None VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") Capt Byrd informed the Committee that Fatality#1 was recorded on January 21, 1999. VII. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(December,1998)(ATTACHMENT"B") Mr.Seiler briefly stated that were a total of 865 accidents for the month of December, 1998 (down 2%); a total of 33 alcohol/drug related accidents, (down 11%), 321 injury accidents, (up 9%);total injuries 517, (up 6%);fatal accidents-32(up 7%)and total fatalities-33, up(6%). For the 1998 year, 16 out of the 33 fatalities are confirmed alcohol related (48%). VIII. PRESENTATIONS A. None IX. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW A. Consideration of a request by Fannin Elementary School Administration for implementation of a one-way traffic pattern on Devon Street and Alexander Street abutting this school-(See ATTACHMENT"C")-Mr. Seiler briefly stated at the request of Fannin Elementary School, Staff undertook and has completed a study for converting Alexander Street and Devon Street to one-way �� I�® traffic patterns evaluation and taping of school zone traffic conditions, detailed traffic counts, driveway turning movement counts, and examination of related traffic accident experience. Three objectives for implementation of one-way school zone traffic patterns; improved student safety, 00001 reduction of school-related traffic congestion,and little or no impact of redirected traffic on abutting neighborhood streets. Mrs.Gloria Garcia,Principal,Fannin Elementary School-addressed the Committee and stated that the enrollment at Fannin is 639 students and with the exception of the severely handicapped students the remainder of the students are dropped off. With the increase in traffic it is very difficult for the students to cross the streets. Ava Darabia,Coach- Very dangerous situation and favors one-way traffic pattern. Joe Riojas,Parent- Volunteers on a regular basis at the school and observes the need for a one- way traffic patterns. Denise Riojas and Felicia Riojas,safety patrol students, stated the proposed one-way traffic pattern is very much needed. Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Sher to recommend to City Council to approve the requested one-way traffic pattern. Motion passes unanimously. X. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Continued discussion of Alameda Street Hospital Zone Speed Limit Reduction and possible alternatives - (See ATTACHMENT "D") - Mr. Seiler briefly stated that complaints about the Alameda Street hospital zone speed limit reduction,installed in August, 1997, has caused the City Staff and Police Department to reconsider whether the current 20 MPH speed limit is the most effective means to accomplish the original goal of improved pedestrian crossing protection. The Traffic Engineering Office and Police Department are considering other traffic engineering alternatives in lieu of present hospital zone control to achieve an equitable level of pedestrian crossing protection. These alternatives include: reducing the length of the speed limit reduction zone with a highly visible central crosswalk location; reducing the time duration of the speed limit reduction to times of the day that pedestrian crossing activity is most prevalent; eliminatingthe speed limit reduction, and installing two expanded width pedestrian crosswalks near Sinclair Street and Rossiter Street, plus pedestrian push button activated caution flashers at each crosswalk eliminating the speed limit reduction and installing two new traffic signals:at the Children's Hospital Entrance/Exit,or at Sinclair Street(coinciding with the entrance to the hospital's new 600 vehicle parking garage or at Rossiter Street. The latter would enable effective speed-controlled platooning of traffic on Alameda Street at 30 or 35 MPH and would include push button activated pedestrian crossings at each signal. It is important to note that a school zone speed limit reduction for St. Patrick Elementary School will need to remain for this school zone,which extends from Texan Trail to approximately 300 feet south of Sinclair Street. J.J.Rodriguez,Director of Engineering with Driscoll Children Hospital-addressing the Committee stating Driscoll Hospital supports the current Hospital Zone as is without any changes. Mr. Alejandro inquired as to the completion of the parking garage. Mr.Rodriguez stated that the garage is 95%complete and the first three floors of the office building will be finished February 15, 1999 and remainder of building being completed in Fall, 1999. Responding to Mr.Ybarra questioning,Mr.Rodriguez would affect the platooning of traffic on Alameda Street. Ms.Lisa Brunsbolt,Doctors Regional Hospital Campus Representative -Supports the Hospital Zone and 20 MPH speed limit. Dr. Billy Rios, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology-Continues to support the Hospital Zone now in place as Alameda Street is a high risk area. Committee discussion followed. Mr. Mims questioned the platooning of traffic on Alameda street in its present state. Mr.Seiler stated he did not feel platooning would be a problem. Mr. Rodriguez interjected stating that the adjacent to the Pediatric Center are apartment and retirement complex with no interconnecting driveways. Mr.Alejandro inquired about the timing of any improvements versus installation of the traffic signals. Mr. Seiler stated that a budget has not been established for this project, but a "ballpark"estimate for construction would be approximately 6 months to a year. Mr.Alejandro suggested 00002 Committee stay with status quo. Mr.Sher agreed but would like-to time adjustment from 7:30 am.to 5:00 p.m. and reduction in length to Ropes Street. Mr. Sher made motion to maintain the status quo with reduction of speed with two(2)modifications- (1)time change of 7:15-5:00 p.m. and (2) reduce length of zone 200'from its present location,seconded by Chairperson Mr.Alejandro Motion failed. Sher and Alejandro voting in favor. Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr. Mims to install two (2)fully-actuated traffic signals with pedestrian controls and resume the adjusted speed limit. Motion carries 3 vs 2. Mims, Ybarra and Moss voting in favor. . XI. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Seiler briefed the Committee members on the status of MPO-funded street improvement projects which have been publicized during the several weeks- Leopard Street, McArdle Road, ADA Improvements,Cornett Drive and Ocean Drive/Shoreline. XII ISSUES FOR FUTURE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS None - XII. PREVIOUS CONCERNS Committee members discussed the method of dissemination of previous and new concerns periodically brought to the Staffs attention for monthly update. After discussion, the Committee concluded to briefly discuss action taken by Staff and follow-up with other entities involved in resolving concerns. XIII. NEW CONCERNS None XIV. ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FUTURE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS None XV. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. OOOa.'3