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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 06/22/1992 TRANS-P-0 RTATI ON-ADVISORYOMMITT__EF - SCIANN MINUTES (for the meeting of June=22-,- 992) . Meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. Minutes of the May 26, 1992 meeting were approved with one correction. Mr.Pillinger abstained from the vote on a motion regarding proposed changes to Section 2-120 and 2-121 regarding the composition, organization, terms and purpose/duties of the TAC..and the revisions relating to Vehicles-for-Hire and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Minutes of the June 8, 1992 Special Session were discussed with no need for corrections voiced. Messrs. B. Routh, E. Hecht and R. Bosquez were absent. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr:Pillinger informed the Committee of a Metropolitan Planning Organization/Transportation Planning Committee meeting Thursday,June 25,1992 at 2:00 p.m.in the Council Chambers. Mr.Seiler explained that the MPO Transportation Planning Committee would be"discussing"elements of the 1992-95 Transportation Improvement Program but no action would be taken. TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT In the absence of Capt. C. H Byrd, Sgt. V.A. Pratt presented the Fatality Report. The Police Department has recorded two(2)fatal traffic accidents since the last Committee meeting. They have arrested 560 people for DWI in 1992 compared to 511 at this same time last year. Sgt. Pratt informed the Committee of a new STEP program to concentrate on seat belt enforcement and child safety seat laws. The program will run from June 16, 1992 through October 1, 1992,for four hours a day 7:00- 11:00 a:m Tuesday through Friday: MR. FRED BRASELTON ARRIVED AT 2:15 PM MAKING A QUORUM. Minutes of the May 26, 1992 regular meeting'(with one correction) and June 8, 1992 Special Session were approved at this time. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT - Accepted as presented by Mr. Seiler. DISCUSSION ITEMS FY 1992-95,Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) ° Mr. Seiler presented this discussion item. He reminded the Committee that the Transportation Improvement Program would not be voted on by the Transportation Planning Committee or the Technical Advisory Committee at the June 25th meeting,the item would be discussed for possible changes only. He further stated that the TIP was brought to the attention of the Committee to look at the 1992-1993 annual element and to review the State projects in the area of streets, highways and traffic signals. Mr. Pillinger questioned the lack of funding for the Nile Drive street improvements. Mr. Seiler responded that one of the omissions in the 92-93 Annual Element is the committeed funding for.the Nile Drive street improvements. The total estimated cost for the improvement is $474,000. Billboard Regulations/Traffic Safety.Related Concerns ° Mr. Seiler briefly discussed this item stating,that there are zoning ordinances that govern what type of signs can be used in different zoning areas, but the City of Corpus Christi does not have a sign ordinance. He encouraged the Committee members to read the sign code for the City Houston that was provided in the mailout packet. Also, Mr.Seiler stated he had spoken with Mr.Bob Payne of the City's Planning Department and they are very interested in establishing a sign ordinance to provide better control of over-proliferation of signs. Mr. Braselton questioned if this issue was brought before the TAC because it inhibits safe driving or because it is not pretty? If it is the latter,the TAC is not the right committee to deal with the problem. Mr. Seiler responded 2 that this issue was placed on the agenda in response to Committee member Mr.L.Brandrup's request for the Staff to look at the City of Houston's ordinance. Mr. Brandrup's opinion is that the number of signs/billboards in some areas of the city have reached a level that it has a distraction value and becomes a safety issue. He believes that this issue is the responsibility of several committees. He further stated that the sign code in the City of Houston is a good beginning but if a stricter code is required, the sign code for the City of Austin should be reviewed. After considerable discussion Mr. Pillinger suggested that the TAC come up with a statement to keep this issue from dying but for the TAC not to take on the responsibility. The Chairperson, Mr.Pillinger,stated for the record that the Chairperson and some of the members feel that there is an area of signage relating to rights of way, traffic control and to visual distraction affecting driver safety that might be dealt with and that the Committee continue to explore a means to control this situation. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING COMMITTEE APPROVAL Staff recommendation on revisions to the City's Code of Ordinances Section 53-100 (Certain Trucks, Trailers and other Large Vehicles Restricted to Through Streets). ° Mr. Seiler presented this recommendation explaining that the principal issue is oversized vehicles being parked on private property. The staff's preliminary survey of other cities' truck restrictions and enforcement practices revealed that other major cities have no significant difference in truck access restrictions for non-through streets. Staff also found that other cities are not in the practice of issuing citations for restricted vehicles parked on private property adjacent to restricted streets. Mr.Seiler discussed in detail each of the proposed revisions for the parking of certain vehicles upon a public street and within a specified distance from public right-of-way to improve enforcement capability and to establish a more reasonable limitation. Mr.Pillinger expressed his concern in regard to the definition of a"through"street and other terminology that might make this section of the Code difficult to understand. He also voiced his concern for moving vans/delivery vehicles being required to obtain a permit. He would prefer to have something simple that would define oversized vehicles and simply state what the restrictions are. Mr. Seiler explained that his interpretation of the intent of the ordinance is to restrict certain size vehicles from traveling as well as parking on the street. After further discussion motion was made by Mr. Brandrup, seconded by Ms. Hoist and passed unanimously to table this staff recommendation to make revisions to the City's Code of Ordinances Section 53-100. Mr. B. Pillinger recognized Mr. Ned Middleton, Texas Safety Association. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM MAY MEETING Motion was made and seconded to excuse Mr. Brandrup from the May 26, 1992 Regular and Ms. Hoist from the June 8, 1992 Special Session meetings. NEW CONCERNS Committee members discussed several individuals as a possible replacement for Mr. Ben Sley. Motion was made by Mr. Braselton,seconded by Mr. Brandrup and passed unanimously to recommend Mr. Grant A.Jackson,P.E.and Mr.Robert E. Beggs to the City Council to fill the vacancy. Mr. N. Middleton addressed the Committee updating them on (1) the "Safety Town" project (2) the redesignation of his office as a regional office and (3) becoming Manager of the Texas Safety Association for the Coastal Bend Region. ADJOURNMENT ° Meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. MInutes.Jui