HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 03/28/1994 v
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
(Meeting of March 28, 1994)
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Barry Pillinger, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:07 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Meeting of February 28, 1994)
Minutes were approved with the following correction: Item IV - City Traffic Engineer's Report -
"Livingston Park and Lamar Park blanket counts" should read"blanket traffic counts".
III. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
None.
IV. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
A. Status of Pending Recommendation by Committee:
The Rodd Field Speed Limit revisions and on Public Alley Ways were submitted by the
Transportation Advisory Committee have been forwarded and comments are being submitted
by the Legal Department on the status of the Vision Obstruction Ordinance and revisions to
format are needed of defense to prosecution. Mr. Pillinger inquired about the "Special
Events Ordinance". Mr. Seiler stated that this proposed ordinance will be further revised to
totally eliminate the "Parade Permit Ordinance" and will have to be brought back before the
Transportation Advisory Committee for additional text amendments; this includes
elimination of the Parade Permit and reconsideration of the fee for permits. No further
changes are necessary according to Mr. Seiler's statement which prohibits the usage of the
Harbor Bridge by pedestrians(crossing of the main lanes). The TAC recommendations have
been incorporated into the text.
B. Signal Coordination at TxDOT Interchanges (ATTACHMENT"A")
Problems are attributed to the lack of signal coordination between the City's signal systems
on these streets with the Texas Department of Transportation's signal systems at their S.H.
358 interchanges. TxDOT has been made aware of these problems and the City's concerns,
and the State and the City are moving forward with a plan for interconnection of the
interchanges with new timing plans, Everhart and SPID interchange being targeted first,
followed by Airline/SPID interchange.
C. Street Lighting Policy Revisions
Surveys have been received from other cities and the comparisons with the City's policies for
consideration of enhanced flexibility is underway at the present.
D. Texas Transportation Commission-Town Hall Meeting
Mr. Seiler stated that members of the City Staff met with Chairman David Bemsen of the
Texas Transportation Commission, Friday, March 25, 1994. He was updated regarding the
City's projects along with the City's Transportation Enhancement Projects which will be voted
on at the end of April by the Commission. The JFK Causeway Study consultant selection
and the extension of the Crosstown Expressway (frontage road construction phase) is
SCANNED
underway. The Spur 3 (Ennis Joslin Road) Project(first phase involving the Alameda/Ocean
Drive interchange) and the widening of Ocean Drive at the Texas A&M at Corpus Christi
campus) should be under contract this year.
TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (Attachment "B")
Capt. Byrd reported that there have been no fatality accidents in Corpus Christi during the past
month. The fatality count remains at 1. The Police Department has made 292 D.W.I. arrests so far
this year. Last year at the same date there had been 273 arrests. This year's arrests reflect a 7%
increase. There were 2 fatalities in Nueces County last month and 1 fatality on private property at
Wal-Mart.
VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT (Attachment"C")
There were 675 total traffic accidents during the past month of February. This presents a 9%increase
combined with January. Injury accidents were up 21%. There were 255 injury accidents during the
past month of February. Alcohol and drug related statistics are 63 to date compared to 91 for the
same time last year representing a 31% decrease. Traffic fatalities are down 25% and no alcohol
fatalities to date. Staples and Padre Island Drive Frontage Road was the highest accident location
during the month of February, 1994, totalling 8 accidents with predominate rear-end collisions. The
intersection of Everhart at SPID exit ramp Frontage Road had 7 accidents during the previous month
which is approximately 9% under the traffic experience rate during the same time last year. The
Gollihar/Crosstown Expressway Frontage Road has showed a large increase, along with Rodd
Field/Padre Island Drive showing 7 accidents this year; Airline/Ocean Drive showing an increase in
left turn traffic accidents. Staff has elected to eliminate the "Protected/Permissive Signal"phasing at
this intersection which has vision obstructions at speeds of 45 MPH. Carroll Lane/Holly shows a total
of.6 accidents during the previous month, due to right angle collisions. McArdle/Shopping Way (on
the unsignalized end of the connection) show a total of 5 accidents since opened in January, 1994.
Discussion followed on the number of increased traffic accidents experienced at a number of the
controlled-access intersections and Mr. Seiler noted that the State has converted the signal phasing
to full-traffic responsive interchanges which will be further discussed with the State. This information
will also be shared with the traffic consultant for the Southside study now being conducted.
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Bicycle Safety Committee Presentation by Ms.Gretchen Arnold: (Attachment D)Ms.Arnold
requested the creation of a 'Bicycle Safety Committee'to address bicycle/traffic safety issues
in the community. Immediate issues needed to be addressed for special traffic ordinances,
coordination of bicycle safety programs, and other related cycle safety issues. Discussion
followed. Mr.Brandrup inquired if Council action is required. Mr.Seiler concurred,stating
the Council has adopted procedures that established committees cannot, appoint new
members to any sub-committees without their approval. Discussion followed. Traffic
Engineering feels that this committee would be helpful for receipt of public input for safety
concerns of the cyclist as a mode of transportation in the City. Suggestions made by a survey
conducted by the cycling community showed various concerns from the cyclist viewpoint. Mr.
Len Brandrup moved that the Committee continue the bicycle issue as an action item, and
seconded by Mr. Bert Quintanilla to have Mr. Seiler prepare a formal motion to present to
the City Council. Discussion followed. Motion carried.
B. Consideration for Transportation Advisory Committee recommendations to the City Council
for appointments for impending vacancies (three term expirations effective 4/30/94) on the
Committee: (Attachment E)Mr.Pillinger stated that Mr.Fred Braselton and himself are not
eligible for reappointment as they had served their six (6) consecutive years. Mr. DeVille is
eligible for reappointment. Several applications were submitted. Discussion followed.
Committee agreed to let City Secretary/City Council make recommendations for appointment
to board.
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C. Special Session Joint Meeting planned 4/18/94 with the Transportation Advisory Committee,
Park & Recreation Advisory Committee, Water Shore Advisory Committee, and Municipal
Arts Commission: (Attachment F) Mr. Seiler presented the following item: To consider
issues related to the proposed Interstate 37 Gateway Project and re-alignment improvements
to Shoreline Boulevard(between Peoples Street and Palo Alto Street being proposed by the
Downtown Management District and numerous downtown businesses. Informational
discussion followed.
D. Draft 1995-97 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): (Attachment G) Mr. Seiler
stated that the TIP is the planning document that is required of the MPO to show its three
year transportation improvement program for the following three fiscal years. The TIP also
has a financial plan showing funding of programs for Federally funded highway projects along
with State funded highway projects, locally funded regionally significant highway projects,
aviation projects, and port projects including financial plan indicating finances committed to
undertaking the projects. Approval and adoption is only required by the MPO Policy
Committee(Technical Advisory Committee) and then approved by TxDOT and the FHWA.
The TIP documents will be advertised for publication in various location throughout Corpus
Christi and San Patricio County for public input, along with 2-3 public meetings to discuss
the transportation program, after which time it will be taken to the Policy Committee and
endorsed. Mr. Seiler asked for questions, suggestions or input. Discussion followed.
VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL
No Staff recommendations.
IX. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
X. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM FEBRUARY, 1994 MEETING
Motion to excuse Ms.Joyce Hoist, SC Thomas Sidel and Mr.Robert Beggs from last month's meeting
was made by Mr. Braxton Routh and seconded Mr. Walter DeVille. Motion carried.
XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS
At this time,motion was made to change meeting time from 2:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. effective with the
April 25, 1994 meeting. Motion carried.
XII. NEW CONCERNS
Mr. Brandrup distributed an article published in the Corpus Christi Caller Times, March 13, 1994
titled "Signals in Sync" regarding the traffic signal synchronization program and suggested the
Committee seriously consider a presentation from the City's Staff to inform the members. Mr. Seiler
concurred and suggested a workshop could be set up. Mr.Pillinger made an inquiry regarding street
named LaRue off of Mitchell Drive which has become a"dead-end"street. Mr.Seiler stated he would
follow-up on the issue.
Mr. E. D. (Ned) Middleton, Jr., Field Director with the Texas Safety Association made two
announcements. Safety City is in full operation at the Calk Elementary School for kindergarten and
elementary school children. Also, a Coastal Bend Safety Seminar sponsored by the American Society
of Safety Engineers,Coastal Bend Chapter,Texas Safety Association,is to be held April 15; 1994 and
everyone is invited to attend.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
Minutes.Mar
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