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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-03; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF : TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: March 3,1997 (Regular Meeting) TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers ~ CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Blake called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Allen, Blake, Green, and Courtney Absent: Gilfillan Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffk Engineer Sgt. Jim Byler, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: At the request of Commissioner Green, the following correctiodaddition was made to the Minutes of February 3, 1997: “Although absent at Roll Call and during the Approval of Minutes, Commissioner Green arrived at 3:07 p.m., and was in attendance throughout the remainder of the meeting”. On motion by Commissioner Allen, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 3,1997, were approved as amended. - AYES: Allen, Blake, and Green ABSTAIN: Courtney ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Commissioner Courtney was presented an award in recognition of his two year service as Chairman of the Traffic Safety Commission. NEW BUSINESS: A Pedestrian Action Plan - Information Item. Traffk Engineer Bob Johnson presented an update of the Sidewalk Construction Program, an element of the Pedestrian Action Plan, as requested by Thelma Hayes. March 3, 1997 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 Mr. Johnson stated that, in 199 1 , st&T completed the “sidewalk inventory” report which showed all of the missing sidewalks and road segments in the City where sidewalks were necessary and prepared the appropriate maps. From those maps, the Traffic Engineer’s office was able to prioritize the necessary sidewalks. He pointed out that school areas were very high on the list as were some other areas of the City. In addition to isolating the priority areas, Mr. Johnson reported that this “sidewalk report” was quite helpful in developing the work programs over the last five or six years. Mr. Johnson also pointed out that sidewalk construction generally involves widening of the roadways, construction of curbs and gutters, drainage improvements, etc., and the $300,000 budgeted each year goes to all of the elements of the sidewaWroad widening. Mr. Johnson reviewed.the completed sidewalkshoad widening projects, in addition to the sidewalks in and around the school areas, and used projection exhibits to show each more clearly. He added that handicapped ramps were recently installed in front of the La Costa Heights Elementary School. He also mentioned that the construction segments, on Magnolia from Pi0 Pico to Highland, is nearing completion. Mr. Johnson also reported that the # 1 priority project, the short segment on Tamarack west of Park Drive, has been completed and the children no longer are forced to walk in the bike lane. Later this year, after the necessary right-of-way acquisitions are made, Mr. Johnson stated that the sidewalks will be completed on Valley St., between Basswood and Oak, on both sides of the street. In addition, a vitally needed sidewalk on Chestnut, between El Camino Real and Monroe, will also be completed on both sides of the street. Mr. Johnson stated that future projects that have not been designed, but will be explored and design concepts developed for, will be Highland Dr. between Adams and Buena Vista, Laguna Ave. between Elmwood and Pi0 Pico, Jefferson St. near the Jefferson Elementary School from Chinquapin to Magnolia, Park Drive south to Tamarack and Tamarack west to link with the existing sidewalks. Also Adams from Tamarack to Magnolia, Buena Vista Way from Pi0 Pico to Highland and lastly, Alga Road to Cazadero. With respect to the beach areas, Mr. Johnson stated the department is anxious to begin the Cannon Road widening from Carlsbad Blvd. to the railroad tracks and lastly, Basswood at Donna Drive. Mr. Johnson concluded his presentation by briefly highlighting his remarks and the steps necessary to obtain approval and funding for traffic safety projects. Commissioner Allen asked if the funding process begins with the CIP or SANDAG? Mr. Johnson stated that the sidewalk program is placed in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and further explained that there is $3OO,OOO(annually) which has to be approved by the City Council. Commissioner Allen asked how much, as a general rule, does it cost to install a curb and sidewalk in a typical block. Mr. Johnson’s response was that there really is no “typical”, because of the many considerations that are involved. Commissioner Allen inquired as to the cost of the recently completed Highland to Adams on Magnolia project. Mr. Johnson stated that he did not have the exact figures but the cost was several hundreds of thousands of dollars. March 3,1997 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 Commissioner Courtney referring to sidewalks and road improvements required of developers, asked if the City Council has been able to implement a way.to finance the completion of the sidewalks and roadways where there is a gap between the developers project and private or city owned property. Also, he asked if there is a way to acquire an assessment against the properties where there are no improvements. Mr. Johnson stated that if the property owner is unwilling to pay for the improvements or grant an easement, the only way the City can acquire the property is to condemn it, pay the owner a fair market price, and complete the improvements at taxpayers’ expense. Another way would be to create an “assessment district”, which would have to be agreed upon by the property owners in the proposed “district”. He added that the reason for the aforementioned $300,000 (in the CIP) is so that the City can fill in those gaps and not have to wait (sometimes for several years) for the property owners to make the improvements. Commissioner Green, referring to Carlsbad Blvd., asked Sgt. Byler to comment on the ever increasing use of motor scooters using the bike lane. Sgt. Byler stated that there have not been very many complaints or issues raised with respect to motor scooters, but there is an ongoing conflict with pedestrians and joggers using the bike lanes instead of the sidewalks. He said that the Department gets complaints from pedestrians regarding bikes on the sidewalks and bicyclists regarding pedestrians and joggers in the bike lanes. Commissioner Green presented two (2) photographs of city maintenance vehicles parked on sidewalks while workers were performing their respective duties, showing how the sidewalks are blocked and forcing pedestrians to use the street. Chairperson Blake, referring to an area around Chinquapin and Highland, asked if the properties where the owners have built walls, planted trees, etc., is private property, city property, or an easement. Mr. Johnson explained that it is a combination of all three (throughout the City) and if the City builds the necessary improvements, the walls, trees, etc., that encroach on easements or city property, will be required to be moved or removed and destroyed. - Chairperson Blake then asked about if the city installed the asphalt pathways along the proposed route of improvements on Chestnut as well as along Valley from Basswood to Oak and beyond. Mr. Johnson stated that in those locations the asphalt has been there for many years and the he feels sure that the City installed them. Commissioner Allen asked if the City has been able to project the cost of all of the future projects that have been researched. Mr. Johnson stated that the projections are getting underway for this year’s projects and there is not estimate available at this time. He pointed out, however, that the expenditure will have to be kept within the $300,000 range, plus any money received from the TDA program, which would give them approximately $350,000. Any other projects that have been mentioned have not been designed and therefore there are no preliminary estimates. Commissioner Courtney stated that it would be wise to continue to concentrate on sidewalks and roadways around schools, as they are very much needed in those areas. Mr. Johnson agreed and stated that there are schools in the northwest quadrant that are in need of attention March 3, 1997 TRAEFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 and he hopes to get to them as soon as possible. Commissioner Courtney commended Mrs. Thelma Hayes in her diligence regarding the sidewalk program and the safety of all pedestrians. Commissioner Green agreed with Commissioner Courtney and commended both Mrs. Hayes and the City for having the ability to cooperated with each other and work together, over the years, for the betterment of the community. Thelma Hayes, 580 Laguna Dr., Carlsbad, thanked the Commission for their comments, and introduced several members of the “Pedestrian Action” group. She also pointed out that this is the 9th anniversary of the adoption of the “Sidewalk Plan’. Mrs. Hayes stated that she thinks it would be helpful if each principal of each school were to receive copies of the maps introduced by Mr. Johnson during his report, so they may be made aware of some of the problems facing their student pedestrians and perhaps be able to point out a different walking routes for them. Note: The above item is for information only and no other action is required. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Green took this opportunity to ask Mr. Johnson if the study, regarding the lane change markings at Tamarack and El Camino Real, has been completed. Mr. Johnson stated that the study is in progress and it will be on the agenda at the next meeting of this Commission, on April 7, 1997. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Traffic Engineer Bob Johnson, regarding the ITE Workshop to be held on Saturday, May 10,1997, in San Diego, asked the Commissioners who wish to attend, to please send in the notes indicating their intent before the middle of March. Mr. Johnson also announced that the annual Commission training meeting will be held on April 29,1997. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of March 3,1997, was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carol A. Cruise Minutes Clerk