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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 10/25/1993 F' 1 • TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 25, 1993 CALL TO ORDER In Mr. Barry Pillinger's absence,Mr. Len Brandrup,Vice-Chairman,called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Meeting of September 27, 1993) Minutes of the September 27, 1993 meeting were approved by the Committee without any changes. III. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr. Brandrup commented that Mr. Pillinger asked to that the staff continue monitoring the prior ordinances that have been forwarded to the City Council. Mr.Seiler assured that the progress of the ordinances are being monitored and explained the status of several pending issues submitted for council approval (e.g., Vision Obstruction Ordinance Revisions, Special Event Permits, Everhart Barrier Petition,etc.). IV. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Updating the Committee on the Everhart Road barrier issue that was before this Committee in August, Mr.Seiler stated that the item should be going before the City Council on November 9th or 16th. An ordinance regarding Vision Obstruction has been tentatively identified as November 16, 1993 for that being on the Transportation Advisory Committee and the Special Events Ordinance should be up before the City Council on either November 9 or November 16. Mr.Seiler stated that because the Everhart Road barrier is a public meeting before the City Council that representation from the Transportation Advisory Committee is recommended at this council meeting. V. TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (Attachment"A") Fatalities: Captain Byrd summarized the details of Fatality #19 involving a motor vehicle/pedestrian. The City has had a 1005 persons arrested for DWI thus far this year,which is an increase of 11% over this time last year. The new 93-94 STEP grant has been approved which will allow the"Blue Lights" during the holiday season. VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT (Attachment"B") Mr.Seiler summarized the reported traffic accidents far September. Mr. Seiler reported there were 664 total traffic accidents. Compared to same time last year,this is a 2% increase. Alcohol and drug related traffic accidents increased to just under 7%. Injury accidents totaled 245, up 6% and total injuries were 402. (Mr. Seiler noted a correction to the 1992 fatal accidents which should read 19 instead of 16 as shown on the report.) Fatal accidents totaled 19 which is the same as this time last year. The confirmed alcohol related statistics has decreased for the third consecutive year. The Everhart/SPID intersection,which recorded only two accidents this month,remained at the top of the list. The Staples Street/SPID intersection was second on the list with 6 accidents. The highest total accident intersection was Airline Road/SPID. -1- SCANNED • Regarding the Traffic Accident Location Severity Index Report(Attachment"C"),Mr.Seiler reported that South Staples/SPID intersection is the highest of the intersections and the Gollihar/Weber intersection is the lowest. Several questions were asked of Mr.Seiler and Captain Byrd,i.e.,intersection of Weber Road/Tiger Lane, legality of stop sign located on utility pole at Science Museum (Chaparral/Mesquite),and turnarounds at expressway intersections. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Discussion of proposed "traffic safety tips" and other traffic safety related concerns to be submitted to the Caller-Times for public information. (Attachment"D") Mr. Seiler stated that a meeting had been held with Mr. Warren Weber, City Editor of the Caller-Times to discuss possibility of having a"street facts" column published in the newspaper on a weekly basis. Submission of items for publication would be handled through the City's Director of Communications. Mr.Brandrup asked Mr.Hecht and Ms.Hoist to work with Mr. Seiler on an article for the holiday season. B. Update on applications being received by the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program. (Attachment"E") Mr. Seiler stated that the Metropolitan Planning Organization would be meeting this week to make recommendations and prioritize the transportation enhancement projects that were included in the summary of projects you received in your packets. Mr. Seiler listed the projects: Sunset Lake, Hike and Bike Trail,USS Lexington Illumination and Preservation Project and downtown VISION project. Mr.Seiler stated that if there was any input that this Committee would like submitted he will take to the next MPO meeting. Mr.Brandrup asked for the Committee's input at prioritizing the projects. Mr.Beggs made a motion to prioritize the projects as follows: Hike and Bike Trail,VISION, Sunset Lake and USS Lexington. Mr. Hecht seconded. Motion_carried. Mr. Seiler stated that the recommendation would be taken to the MPO meeting. VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL A. Staff recommendation for revision to Code of Ordinances,Chapter 53-TRAFFIC,Section 53- 162--STANDING IN CURB LOADING ZONES LOADING OR UNLOADING PASSENGERS,by creating a time range from three (3) minutes to fifteen (15) minutes for permitted duration of loading/unloading activities. Mr. Seiler stated that a revision to this ordinance is needed to help in more realistic use and enforcement of passenger loading/unloading time limits. As it is now, the three minutes allowed by the City ordinance is unrealistic in the situation of parents in the school zones dropping off and picking up children. After questions from the committee regarding the request was being made for a range (3 to 15 minutes), application to commercial zones, and the airport having its own 5- minute limit, Mr. Braselton made a motion to revise the time limit for loading zones per staff recommendation. Mr. Beggs seconded. Motion carried. B. Staff recommendation for revision to Code of Ordinances,Chapter 53-TRAFFIC,Section 53- 111, MAXIMUM SPEED WHERE NO SIGNS IN PLACE,by fixing the maximum speed at 15 MPH on any public alley or marginal access service road, whether such alley or service road is signed or not. Mr. Seiler commented the ordinance now fixes the speed limits on streets that are unsigned at 30 MPH. Mr.Seiler stated that H.B.478 which went into effect in September 1992 established 15 MPH maximum speed limit on service alleys. The City's -2- intention regarding residential areas and service alleys is not to install speed signs on each and every street and service alley. In order for the 15 MPH maximum speed limit to be enforced, City staff is recommending the amendment of Section 53-111 to include this 15 MPH speed limit for service alleys and marginal access service roads adjacent to residential areas. Mr. Beggs made a motion to approve staff's recommendation. Mr.Hecht seconded. Motion carried. IX. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS None. X ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM SEPTEMBER 1993 MEETING None needed due to attendance for all members at September meeting. XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS Mr. Braselton queried into the possibility of constructing center median islands on Staples to keep motorists leaving Moore Plaza from turning left across Staples. Mr.Seiler stated there was a fine line between maintaining optimum access to_ commercial properties in all directions and balancing the needs of control for congestion. As part of the ISTEA, Mr. Seiler explained an element will have to be developed before December 1994 as part of the City's traffic management program to control traffic access to not only residential areas but to commercial areas. Mr. Brandrup inquired about the status of the MPO Southside Study. Mr. Seiler explained that meeting has been held with the consultant's (Traffic Engineers, Inc.) local team to work out the contract recommendations, the elements that would need to be worked out, and the studies that would be provided to the consultant. Staff is expecting the consultant's comments back shortly and will take the contract back to the MPO Transportation Planning Committee in November so that consultant will be able to do data collection before the Thanksgiving holidays. XII. NEW CONCERNS Due to the Christmas holidays,the December TAC meeting will be on Monday,December 20, 1993. Ms. Holst expressed two concerns: 1) are the times that lights for school zone for Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Saratoga "begin" correct? Mr. Seiler explained there are two sets of flashers: school zone for speed limit reduction flashers that start 45 minutes before the beginning of school and 15 minutes after school. The second concern is the sign on Louisiana and Alameda indicating. movement"on your green only." Mr. Seiler explained that this sign is maintained on the first set of traffic signals at median separated intersections. Signs appear where there is a traffic signal phase overlap where the second set of signals will turn green before the first set. XIII. ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. Miautes.00r -3-