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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/24/1994 A C'sC , TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COEE MINUTES (Meeting of January 24, 1994) CALL TO ORDER Mr. Barry Pillinger, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Meeting of December 20, 1993) Minutes were approved as printed with motion made by Mr. DeVille and seconded by Mr. Routh. Motion carried. III. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr. Pillinger stated there would be a brief Chairman's Report since the only thing he had to report was the Post Office on Weber Street which will be later covered during the meeting. IV. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Upon Mr. Seiler's arrival to the meeting, Mr. Pillinger inquired as if he had recommended anyone to the position vacated by Mr. Ed Hecht a result of his election to the Corpus Christi Independent School Board. Mr.Seiler stated that two names that expressed interest in filling the vacancy were a Mr.Charles Brady and Mr.Grant Jackson who had expressed a verbal interest. Also, mentioned was Mr.Jim Lawhon. A motion was made by Mr.Walter DeVille,seconded by Ms.Joyce Hoist to defer to the City Council in making the selection. Motion carried. Mr.Seiler also mentioned the departure of Ms.Evelyn Vauthier,Recording Secretary and complimented her on reporting of the minutes and an overall job well done. Mr. Seiler briefly reported on the following agenda items: a) Livingston Park Subdivision Traffic Control - Stop signs have been placed on the designated streets for over a month now and traffic counts will be placed during the week of 7th of February for approximately 2 weeks. b) Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program- no notification has been received as of yet, hopefully word will be received in late February; c) Downtown Off-Duty Flash Operation - Tests are being undertaken over certain downtown intersections with low traffic volume to possibly eliminate traffic signals; d) Recommendation for Appointment to replace Ed Hecht on TAC, discussed at the beginning of Mr. Seiler's report; e) Status of Proposed Revisions to Responsibilities of the Transportation Advisory Committee - MPO, and City Staff are considering the development of a Citizen Advisory Committee with public involvement on metropolitan matters extending beyond the Corpus Christi boundaries including Portland and San Patricio boundaries. Mr. Ulkarim explained the Citizen's Advisory Committee aspects are based on Federal government guidelines. Mr. Seiler also mentioned the intersection of Shopping Way and McArdle Road was signalized first week after New Year's and traffic seems to be moving smoothly with the area being carefully monitored; f) Future Meeting Topics of Discussion/Workshop Sessions. Mr. Seiler stated that at the next TAC meeting the City's future Traffic Signal Capital Improvement Program will be recommended. Chairman Pillinger asked for questions from the Committee. Mr. Pillinger commented about two intersections that were signalized with authorization from the City Council,those being Shopping Way at South Staples and Alameda/Clifford intersection. The intersection of Cedar Pass/Everhart was also mentioned for possible signalization. Mr.DeVille questioned the downtown intersection signalizations being permanently changed to stop signs, but Mr. Seiler stated no decision has been made. SCANNEt f- V. TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (Attachment"A") Captain Byrd was called on to give her report stating that the first fatality of 1994 occurred on January 6, 1994 in the 3100 block of Gollihar. So far this year the Police Department has made 87 D.W.I. arrests. At this time last year, there had been 91 arrests. Also, for some unknown reason there was a high incident of pedestrians being involved in fatal accidents. VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT (Attachment"B") There were 718 traffic accidents, bringing the total to 8,513 traffic accidents thus far this year, as compared to accidents same time last year of an approximate increase of 2%. Injury accidents were up approximately 8%. Slight decrease in alcohol related traffic accidents. Fatal traffic accidents were up 36%; number of fatalities up 50%, 10 out of 3 alcohol related accidents were up 33% and a continued drop in alcohol related fatalities. The intersection of Everhart/SPID was the highest accident rate with a total of 90 accidents compared to 58 in 1992. Increase of 66% from 1992. Everhart/Staples frontage road zones also the same as last year; Staples/SPID Intersection had a 69% increase; Largest increase overall in the top 27 was Interstate 37/Nueces Bay Boulevard with 23 accidents compared to 10 in 1992 attributable to right angle collisions. Largest decrease of 56% in the top 27 was Baldwin/Staples. Also attached is the 1993 Accident Severity Index Report presented to the Committee on a quarterly basis. A more comprehensive report 1994 Traffic Accident Summary Report(complete with accident diagrams)will be presented by City staff next month. Mr.Seiler reported to the Committee that the City was found at no fault in a jury trial involving an intoxicated driver fatality lawsuit(Austin v. City of Corpus Christi). The Southside Transportation MPO Study is underway with completion scheduled in June, 1994. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. General discussion on possible revisions to the City's Street Lighting Policy(Attachment"B"). Mr. Seiler commented that the City's lighting policy needs to be updated with recommendations and considerations. The main issues involved are: existing policy,possible revision policy under consideration; additional lighting relating to traffic accidents, areas including park areas, conversions of residential mercury lights to HPSV luminaire, block spacing, arterial and collector conversions for more efficient and cost-efficient lighting. Also continuous lighting improvement and crime-ridden areas for safety of citizens. The bottom line is cost. This item will be brought back to the Committee in February or March after completion of a Statewide survey. VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL A. Recommendation to amend the City's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 53-TRAFFIC, Schedule 53-250, Schedule I - One-Way Streets and Alleys, by establishing a one-way, westbound traffic pattern on Mestina Street between Waco Street and No. Staples Street. (Attachment "E'). Mr. Pillinger stated that Mr. Len Brandup will abstain from voting because of RTA request. Mr. Seiler explained that this recommendation will facilitate a safer traffic movement in this area and benefit the public in general. The RTA facility and Texas Employment Commission generate a tremendous pedestrian activity and one-way streets have always shown to be safer than two-way streets. Official opening is scheduled for Monday, January 3, 1994. Motion made by Mr Routh, seconded by Joyce Ho1st, Motion approved by 6-0 vote. IX.. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS None. X. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM DECEMBER 1993 MEETING Mr. Robert Beggs.and SC Thomas Sidel(December 20, 1993 not regularly scheduled meeting)were excused from the December meeting. XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS Mr. DeVille questioned the SPID/Everhart signalization. Mr. Seiler commented on a different philosophy in the timing and coordination issues between the City and the Texas.Department of Transportation and the situation is progressing and should be resolved shortly. XII. NEW CONCERNS Mr.DeVille suggested that pages be numbered in notebook. Mr.Pillinger would like to see perhaps a quarterly or yearly report on DWI statistics and also a taxicab representative present at the TAC meeting Speed limits on expressway sections were questioned (55 MPH v. 65 MPH); Airline\McArdle intersection signal control vehicle detection system not working properly. XIII. ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. MinutesJan