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Home My WebLink About2025-05-05; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; MinutesTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 May 5, 2025, 4 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 4:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Newlands, Nicholes. Absent: Proulx, Kohl, Schuck. INVOCATION: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of Regular Meeting held on April 7, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Nicholes, seconded by Commissioner Newlands, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 7, 2025, as presented. Motion carried, 4/0/3 (Proulx, Kohl, Schuck -Absent). PRESENTATIONS: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: Joseph Nevins expressed concerns regarding daylighting intersections. CONSENT CALENDAR: None. PUBLIC HEARING: None. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 1. POLICE REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY-RELATED MATTERS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025: Receive a quarterly report from a representative of the City of Carlsbad's Police Department that will provide an overview of traffic and mobility-related police matters and notable news during the months of January, February and March 2025. (Staff contact: Jason_ Arnotti, Police Department) Recommended Action: Receive the report. Lieutenant Jason Arnotti reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Lieutenant Arnotti. May 5, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2 In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding how unsafe speeds are measured and categorized, Lieutenant Arnotti explained that the primary collision factor is determined by the investigating officer and is determined based on various factors. In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding whether there was a correlation between broadside collisions and narrow streets, Lieutenant Arnotti responded that he would be able to provide more information at a later date. In response to Commissioner Newlands's inquiry regarding Assembly Bill 2234, Lieutenant Arnotti explained that it is an assembly bill that would prohibit children under the age of 12 from riding e-bikes in the city. Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt further explained that an agenda item regarding the assembly bill will be brought to the Commission in the future. In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding how the primary collision factor is determined, Lieutenant Arnotti explained that if a driver is arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), it is often the primary cause, and the other associated factors would be listed on the report. He confirmed that there can only be one primary cause. In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether hit-and-runs that only result in property damage are investigated, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that all hit-and- runs are investigated. 2. UPDATE ON EL FUERTE STREET STRIPING PLAN MODIFICATIONS: Receive an update on the City Council's decision regarding the El Fuerte Street Striping Plans. (Staff Contact: Tom Frank and Nathan Schmidt, Public Works Department) Recommended Action: Receive the update. Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank. David Pierce spoke about the analysis of traffic operations data on El Fuerte. In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding the justification of the lane reduction, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that if traffic volumes do not necessitate two travel lanes in each direction, staff consider if the number of lanes can be reduced. He further added that there are multiple benefits of lane reduction, including providing wider areas for pedestrians and bicyclists between high-speed vehicles, allowing cars to turn right at intersections without being blocked which decreases delays and improves efficiency, and being the most cost-effective method of maintaining road infrastructure. May 5, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3 In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding whether El Fuerte was in need of a lane reduction, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that the lane reduction on El Fuerte initially began north of Palomar Airport Road and was later extended to the south section once staff confirmed that the resurfacing work extended further south and that lane reduction was feasible. He further added that staff would look into traffic operations near schools or other high-use areas before considering a lane reduction in the future and explained that the City Council approved a minute motion that requires staff to notify City Council of any planned lane reductions. 3. UPDATE ON INTERSECTION TRAFFIC CONTROL OPTIONS FOR THE CARLSBAD BOULEVARD AND TAMARACK AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT: Receive an update on the City Council's decision regarding the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project. {Staff Contact: Tom Frank and Nathan Schmidt, Public Works Department) Recommended Action: Receive the update. Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank. In response to Commissioner Newlands' inquiry regarding whether the city would have to return the grant funding that was already spent, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank confirmed that the city would not need to return the funding. In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the sidewalk width and if the vehicle travel lanes are 10-feet wide, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that the vehicle travel lane widths vary by location and that the lane configuration would remain the same. 4. FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 -TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION WORK PLAN: Review and approve the final Fiscal Year 2025-26 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Work Plan and appoint a commissioner to represent the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission at the City Council meeting where the work plan will be presented for City Council consideration. {Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works Department) Recommended Action: Approve the Work Plan and appoint a representative. Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). May 5, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4 The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt. Motion by Commissioner Newlands, seconded by Vice-Chair Penseyres, to appoint Chair Coelho to represent at the City Council Meeting. Motion carried, 4/0/3 (Proulx, Kohl, Schuck -Absent). Motion by Commissioner Newlands, seconded by Commissioner Nicholes, to appoint Vice-Chair Penseyres to be the backup representative at the City Council Meeting. Motion carried, 4/0/3 (Proulx, Kohl, Schuck -Absent). Motion by Commissioner Nicholes, seconded by Commissioner Newlands to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Work Plan. Motion carried, 4/0/3 (Proulx, Kohl, Schuck-Absent). COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether bicyclists are able to use the vehicle travel lanes if the bike lane is closed for construction, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that bicyclists can also use the vehicle travel lanes. Vice-Chair Penseyres expressed his concerns that the recommended detour on El Camino Real requires bicyclists to cross three lanes of traffic from the bike lane to the left turn lane in order to turn left onto College Boulevard. In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' request to take another look at the traffic plans, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt responded that staff would follow up. Vice-Chair Penseyres commented that the number of bikes at Sage Creek High School have appeared to decline after the barricades were installed, expressing concern about the potential impact on student mobility. ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may participate in. No announcements were made. STAFF COMMENTS: Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt spoke about the month of May being Bike Month. He further added that the city will be hosting a pit stop on the morning of Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the corner of Pine Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard for Bike-to-Work Day. ADJOURNMENT: 5:10 p.m. Secretary