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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 05/23/1994 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES (Meeting of May 23, 1994) - CALL TO ORDER Mr. Len Brandrup, Vice-Chairman called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. H. Roll Call- Absent members: Mr. Bert Quintanilla. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Meeting of April 25, 1994) Motion made by Mr. Walter DeVille and seconded by Mr. Ray Madrigal to approve the minutes as presented. IV. ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS (Chairperson/Vice Chairperson) Floor was opened for nominations for the Chairperson. Mr.DeVille nominated Mr.Len Brandrup, seconded by Ms.Hoist. There being no further nominations,Mr.DeVille moved that Mr.Brandrup be elected by acclamation: Motion passed unanimously. Nominations were open for Vice- Chairperson. Ms.Hoist nominated Mr.DeVille by acclamation,seconded by Mr.Madrigal. Motion passed unanimously. V. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT . Mr.Brandrup gave a brief Chairman's Report stating that he would like tosee the Committee take the following action: . 1. Take unresolved issues from the previous year's term, present issues before the Committee with a status report. 2. Have the Engineering staff update the Committee on the Signal Systems responsibilities and legal standings: 3. Address the Committee members present concerns relating to transportation/traffic issues. VI. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Seiler briefly discussed the following items: 1. Street lighting policy revisions. 2. 'Gateway Project Concept Approval support by all 4' committees.: Staff and Downtown Management District are in the process of refining the plan and the TAC will be kept informed of progress of concept. 3. Traffic Signal Operations Workshop 4. TAC responsibilities - in,clarification as related to long-range transportation planning. ... - 5. Southside Infrastructure Study - The contract to carry out the study has been approved by the State, and FHWA has approved release of the plan. Involves Traffic Engineers Inc., Naismith.Engineering and Tom Stewart, P.E. 6. Spur 3 Project-Ennis Joslin/Ocean Drive- Ocean Drive/Alameda Intersection and Holly Road Projects. SCANNED i.,. VII. TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (Attachment "A") Capt. Byrd briefly summarized the details of the two (2) fatality accidents in Corpus Christi during the past month bringing the total to 6 fatalities for 1994. The Police Department has made 464 D.W.I. arrests so far this year. Last year at the same date there had been 443 arrests, an increase of 4.7%. Capt.Byrd reported that the"Beach to Bay Marathon"from the CCPD perspective proceeded better than in the last two years in the reduction of delays and traffic congestion. No accidents or injuries related to the marathon were reported. VIII. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT (including Quarterly Severity Index Report, (Attachments C") There were 761 total traffic accidents during the month of April, 1994 showing a 2% increase. Injury accidents totaled 303 up approximately 11% compared to the same time period last year. Mr. Seiler stated that about 75% of the City's accidents showed possible injury. One out of 6 fatalities has been confirmed alcohol related. This shows a total of 17% compared to 33% in 1993 and 41% prior to 1992. Staples and Weber remains at the top of the Top 27 High Accident Locations list. Everhart and SPID zones show a decrease in accidents. Intersections of Airline and SPID and Saratoga and Weber along with Twigg/Water have shown an increase. IX. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Trial Residential Parking Permit Program (Reference: ATTACHMENT"C") Mr. Seiler briefly explained the operations of the trial Residential Parking Permit Program and explained further that this program is primarily used to control non-residential parking in residential subdivisions occurring next to a school/college or university, hospital, etc. This can be controlled by a time limit restriction or no parking except by permit. Citations may be given and vehicles may be towed away. This is strictly a trial program and will be implemented on Topeka Street adjacent to Incarnate Word Academy School for the next school fall semester. B. State Prima Facie 30 MPH Maximum Limit for Urban Districts Mr. Seiler presented this agenda item to the Committee for informational purposes as to whether the committee would consider recommending that Council endorse a resolution to the TML to reduce the State's prima facie speed limit for urban districts to 20 or 25 MPH. He stated that Texas is one of the states in [he minority that still has 30 MPH prima facie speed limits. Most states have either 20 or 25 MPH with the majority having 25 MPH speed limits. The Staff will be conducting residential speed surveys to determine usage of speed limits in residential areas. He also informed the Committee in order to reduce the speed limit on a residential street presently, an ordinance must be passed and signage would be provided. Discussion followed with interest expressed. Staff will bring more information back to the Committee. X. ACTION ITEMS A. Amending Code of Ordinances Chapter 53-TRAFFIC, Article V - OPERATION OF VEHICLES,Section 53-120(LEFT TURNS RESTRICTED)and Section 53-121(EMERGING FROM OR ENTERING ALLEY, PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, BUILDING, etc.) (Reference: Attachment "D") Mr.Seiler summarized the proposed revision to Section 53-121, emphasizing that the general subject of left turn restrictions has been periodically discussed by the Transportation Advisory Committee, and generally by some Council members interested in reducing congestion on certain streets through increased restrictions. As presently worded, the existing ordinance 2 restricts left turns (emerging from or entering driveways) at the vast majority of arterial and collector streets adjacent to commercial development, during all hours of the day, and without consideration of the presence of center turn lanes. The present ordinance is not well understood by the public and is not actively enforced. Also,no regulatory signage is required by the existing ordinance,further contributing to lack of knowledge of the restrictions of the existing ordinance. The proposed revisions essentially would authorize the city traffic engineer to enact left turn restrictions at specific locations based on a traffic engineering study and analysis. Left turn restrictions could be posted at certain hours of the day, and would require informative sign posting of the regulation. Mr.Seiler also explained proposed revisions to Section 53-120, which is the ordinance covering motorists' use of center continuous left turn lanes. Mr. Seiler indicated the changes were necessary to provide more flexible use of center turn lanes for merging movements with the main street traffic stream. Motion made by Mr. Routh, seconded by Mr. Beggs to support the Staff recommendation. Motion carried. XI. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS None XII. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM APRIL, 1994 MEETING Motion was made by Mr. Beggs, seconded by Ms. Hoist to excuse Mr. Brandup's and Mr. Routh's absence. Motion carried. XIII. PREVIOUS CONCERNS Mr. DeVille inquired about signage for pedestrians on Staples between McArdle and SPID. Mr. Seiler stated that in Texas pedestrian has right-of-way. Discussion followed. Suggestions were made to educate both the pedestrian as well as the driver with informational inserts in the newspapers. XIV. NEW CONCERNS None XV. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Mr. Beggs to adjourn meeting at 3:45 p.m., seconded by Mr. Brandrup. Minutes.May i 3