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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 12/20/1993 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES (Meeting of December 20, 1993) L CALL TO ORDER Mr.Barry PiRinger,Chairman,called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m. H. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Meeting of November 22, 1993) Mr.PiRinger stated under New Concerns in the last sentence,the words"will be"needs to be inserted with the text reading"...new controller patterns will be established in early January." With no other corrections or additions,the minutes were approved as printed. M. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr.Pullinger stated there would be no Chairman's Report. lV. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr.Seller briefly reported on the following agenda items: a) Saratoga Boulevard/Rodd Field Road Street Widening Project; b) Traffic Congestion/Holiday Season; c) Livingston Park Subdivision (Aberdeen Avenue) Traffic Control; d) Angle Parking Project on Chaparral Street; e) Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program; f) STOP Sign at Mesquite/Chaparral; g) Everhart Street Improvements (Holly Road to Saratoga Boulevard);h) Traffic Signal Capital Improvements and i) Miscellaneous Traffic Studies. (At this time,Mr.PiBinger chose to move to the Discussion Items of the agenda to accommodate the members of the audience who were in attendance for the discussion items. The minutes will reflect the order which was shown on the agenda.) V. TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (Attachment"A") In the absence of Captain Byrd,Mr. Seller presented Captain Byrd's report including discussion-on the five (5) fatalities that have occurred since the last meeting. The Corpus Christi Police Department has arrested 1,178 persons for DWI as compared to 1055 arrests this time last year,which is an increase of 11%. The Blue Light program began December 17, 1993 and will continue through the New Year Holiday. VL MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT (Attachment"B") Mr. Seiler reported confirmed alcohol and drug related statistics(Attachment A) show on fatalities 10 out of 30 have been alcohol or drug-related. Regarding fatal accidents,10 out of 30 were shown as alcohol or drug-related. There were 703 traffic accidents, bringing the total to 7,795 traffic accidents thus far this year,as compared to 7,579 accidents same time last year. This is an increase of 3%. Injury accidents during the November were 240, up approximately 8%. The intersections of Everhart/SPID and Weber/SPID were the highest accident totals, 8 at Everhart and 9 at Weber. Comparative totals were: Everhart/SPID 63% above the accident totals same time last year,Staples/SPID 57% above;Weber/SPID 11% above. Mr.Seiler commented that the Texas Department of Transportation, the Police Department andtheCity need to have a meeting to strategize and brainstorm what can be done to reduce these totals at these intersections. -1- SCANNED VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Reported traffic problem on Weber Road at the U.S. Post Office (south of Saratoga Boulevard). Mr. Seiler commented that staff had made observation of the area and has talked to the post office officials concerning the problem. Comments made by audience members: Herb Kinard,4629 Donegal Road,commented that he uses the post office three or four times a day as part of his normal work assignment. Mr.Kinard defined the problem he is having with the traffic at the post office located at the corner of Weber Road and Oak Bay Drive. Although there is signage indicating proper traffic flow patterns,motorists are entering the exit only lane blocking the traffic trying to exit the parking lot. Also,to avoid having to make another stop on Oak Bay before getting to Weber,motorists are exiting through the entrance only lanes. Mr.Kinard is asking for help in correcting this traffic situation at the post office. Mr.Plunger questioned Mr.Seiler as to what can be done about this traffic problem at the post office parking lot. Mr.Seiler commented that staff can provide recommendation to any business regarding entrance and exit driveways,improved signage,markings on roadway to improve this traffic problem. Mr. Seiler suggested that Walter Jarrin, Capt.Byrd, and the Postmaster of the Weber Road location get together to resolve the problem without having to go through City Council. Mr.Plunger stated he would like to attend this discussion. Mr. Seiler will make arrangements for this meeting and advise Mr.Plunger as to time and place. VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL A. Amending the City's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 53-TRAFFIC, Article VIII - SCHEDULES,Section 53-252-PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES ON CERTAIN STREETS,with the prohibition of curbside parking on each side of Saratoga Boulevard and Rodd Field Road from Staples Street to South Padre Island Drive. (Site Map Attachment "C'). Mr.Seiler commented that there is no obsserved demand or situation where curbside parking should be occurring along this section on Saratoga Boulevard or Rodd Field Road. Staff is asking for Committee's approval to prohibit curbside parking along both sides of Saratoga Boulevard and.Rodd Field Road from Staples Street to South Padre Island Drive. Mr.Pillinger asked for a motion on recommendation Item VIII,A. Mr.Braxton Routh made motion to approve Staffs recommendation for prohibiting curbside parking along Saratoga Boulevard and Rodd Field Road from Staples Street to South Padre Island Drive. Mr.Hecht seconded motion. Motion carried. Mr. Pillinger stated that Item C of this section is being pulled from the meeting agenda and no action will be taken at this time. To accommodate the other members of the audience,Mr.Pillinger requested that Item VIII B be moved up for discussion next. B. Amending the City's Code of Ordinances Chapter 53-TRAFFIC, Article VIII - SCHEDULES,Section 53-252-PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES ON CERTAIN STREETS, with the prohibition of curbside parking on the south side of Everhart Road between Avalon Street and Staples Street (Site Map Attachment"D"l. Mr.Seiler explained why the City is requesting this change. This section of Everhart does not have a turning lane, and this street has unused curbside parking lane on the east side of Everhart Road. Staff is proposing to remove that curbside parking lane,and restripe the street to create a continuous left turn lane. A survey of the parking lane and a survey of the property owners along this section has been made. -2-- - Members of the audience were then asked to address the Committee: Ralph Cobb, 700 Everhart, Cobb-Lundquist Realtors, commented on the tenants of their building and expressed their approval of what the Staff is recommending be created along this section of Everhart Road. Jeannette Holloway, 700 Everhart, stated she too had no objection to what the Staff was recommending for Everhart Road. Upon clarification of the exact area to be used for the continuous turn lane, Mr. Pillinger asked for a motion. Mr.Len Brandrup made motion to approve Staffs recommendation to prohibit parking along Everhart Road between Avalon and South Staples Street. Mr. Ed. Hecht seconded. Motion carried. At this time,Mr.Pillinger asked Mr.Seiler to explain the reason that Item VIII C was being pulled from the agenda. Mr.Seiler explained that Item C was shown as a recommendation for establishing a new speed zone for FM 624. The purpose for this discussion item was to establish an ordinance. addressing the speed limit on FM 624. Staff also asked.the State Highway Department to do,an analysis of the existing speeds on FM 624,with these results shown on the enclosed strip map; Mr. Seiler stated there is a possibility that some traffic accident experience has not been included in the State's analysis and rather than seeking approval,from the Committee today, Mr. Seiler would like to get an accurate determination of the actual traffic accident experience,which may affect the Texas Department of Transportation's speed limit recommendation. Therefore,Mr.Seiler would like to pull this item from today's agenda. IX. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS Comments from the audience followed each of the discussion items. X. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM NOVEMBER 1993 MEETING Mr.Ed Hecht was excused for the November meeting. XL PREVIOUS CONCERNS Mr. Walter DeVille questioned when the coordination of SPID/Everhart signalization would:be implemented. Mr.Seiler explained that the local intersection improvements have been completed and the timing patterns are being developed by the Traffic Signals Activity. Mr. Seiler commented on a sensitive situation with the Texas Department of Transportation who maintains the signalization at the interchanges. A different philosophy in the timing and coordination has transpired between the City and TxDOT,and the State and City Staff are needing to work together to determine a mutually agreeable traffic signal timing and coordination policy. XII. NEW CONCERNS None. XIII. ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m. Mk .nom -3