HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-07; Traffic and Mobility Commission; MinutesCouncil Chambers
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Aug. 7, 2023, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Fowler, Penseyres, Proulx, Newlands, and Kohl.
Garcia – Absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 5, 2023
Motion by Commissioner Newlands, seconded by Commissioner Kohl to approve the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held on June 5, 2023, as presented. Motion carried, 6/0/1 (Garcia – Absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sonja Pratt spoke about the dangers of the intersection at Chestnut Avenue and Adams Street due
to lack of visibility and she shared concerns about speeding on Chestnut Avenue.
Scott Carcella spoke about the dangerous driving on Chestnut Avenue and he suggested adding
stop signs, roundabouts, or speedbumps to improve the road.
Jeff Pratt spoke about his concerns regarding speeding and dangerous driving on Chestnut Avenue.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Kohl to approve Consent Item No. 1.
Motion carried, 6/0/1 (Garcia – Absent).
1. TRAFFIC CALMING PLANS FOR VICTORIA STREET, HIGHLAND DRIVE, MONROE STREET, NUEVA
CASTILLA WAY, CIRCULO SEQUOIA AND CELINDA DRIVE – Support staff recommendations to
the City Council to approve the plans and specifications for the Traffic Calming Plans for
Victoria Street, Highland Drive, Monroe Street, Nueva Castilla Way, Circulo Sequoia and
Celinda Drive, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6070. (Staff Contact: Lindy Pham and
Miriam Jim, Public Works Department).
Scott Engle spoke in favor of the traffic calming plans on Victoria Street and Highland Drive but
questioned the number of features. He recommended traffic observations to be performed
after implementation of measures to see their effectiveness.
Aug. 7, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 2
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
2. POLICE REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC & MOBILITY-RELATED MATTERS DURING THE MONTHS
OF MAY AND JUNE 2023, INCLUDING NOTABLE NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – Receive a
presentation from a representative of the City of Carlsbad’s Police Department that will
provide an overview of traffic and mobility-related police matters during the months of May
and June 2023, including notable news for the month of July. (Staff Contact: Alonso DeVelasco,
Police Department).
Staff’s Recommendation: Receive the presentation.
Lieutenant Alonso DeVelasco presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Lieutenant DeVelasco.
In response to Commissioner Kohl’s inquiry about the possibility of placing motor units on the
intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Adams Street a couple times a week for strict enforcement,
Lieutenant DeVelasco explained that it is possible to request that officers be placed there to
increase enforcement. He further explained that since the school year is approaching,
enforcement around the schools is going to increase.
Chair Coelho requested that the Commission receive periodic updates on traffic speedbumps
such as those placed on Tamarack Avenue.
3. TRAFFIC CALMING PLANS FOR PARK DRIVE, BLACK RAIL ROAD, PLUM TREE ROAD, CARRILLO
WAY AND CARSLBAD RESIDENTIONAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EXCEPTION FOR
HUMMINGBIRD ROAD – 1) Receive the presentation based on the findings contained in this
report and the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program; and
2) Support staff’s recommendation for the proposed traffic calming plans on Park Drive, Black
Rail Road, Plum Tree Road and Carrillo Way; and
3) Support staff’s recommendation to approve Hummingbird Road from Batiquitos Drive to
Rock Dove Street as an exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management
Program. (Staff Contact: Lindy Pham and Miriam Jim, Public Works Department).
Staff’s Recommendation: Receive the presentation and support staff’s recommendations.
Associate Engineer Lindy Pham and Senior Engineer Miriam Jim presented the report and
reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the the PowerPoint presentation by Associate Engineer Pham and
Senior Engineer Jim.
Nichola Riggle spoke in favor of the traffic calming plans.
In response to Vice-Chair Fowler’s inquiry about the term “cost effective” traffic calming,
Senior Engineer Jim explained that it is used to distinguish between Phase II and Phase III when
Aug. 7, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 3
they implement traffic calming measures. She further added that Phase II starts with cost
effective solutions, such as speed bumps, features that can be implemented relatively quickly
and Phase III involves more complex solutions such as realigning intersections and turn
restrictions.
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Proulx to support staff’s
recommendation for the proposed traffic calming plans on Park Drive, Black Rail Road, Plum
Tree Road and Carrillo Way and to approve Hummingbird Road from Batiquitos Drive to Rock
Dove Street as an exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management
Program. Motion carried, 6/0/1 (Garcia – Absent).
4. REVISE SPEED LIMIT ON SOUTHBOUND CARLSBAD BOULEVARD BETWEEN 1,400 FEET SOUTH
OF MANZANO DRIVE AND ISLAND WAY – Support staff’s recommendation to the City Council
to revise speed limit on southbound Carlsbad Boulevard between 1,400 feet south of Manzano
Drive and Island Way from 50 mph to 45 mph. (Staff Contact: Miriam Jim and John Kim, Public
Works Department).
Staff’s Recommendation: Support staff’s recommendation.
Senior Engineer Miriam Jim and City Traffic Engineer John Kim presented the report and
reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Senior Engineer Jim and Traffic
Engineer Kim.
In response to Commissioner Kohl’s inquiry about lowering the speed limit further to 40 mph,
City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that Assembly Bill 43 enacted changes in the California
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that allows local agencies more flexibility in
lowering speed limits. He further added that towards early next year staff should have
recommendations regarding the possibility of lowering speed limits based on AB43.
In response to Commissioner Kohl’s inquiry about performing another traffic study, if the 45-
mph speed limit were implemented, to see if the 85th percentile drops below 40 mph, City
Traffic Engineer Kim explained that engineering studies have shown that critical speeds do not
typically vary over time unless the conditions of the road have changed or traffic volumes
change. He further explained that if everything were to stay the same, there would be no
reason to believe that the roadway speed would change.
Motion by Commissioner Proulx, seconded by Commissioner Kohl to support staff’s
recommendation to the City Council to revise speed limit on southbound Carlsbad Boulevard
between 1,400 feet south of Manzano Drive and Island Way from 50 mph to 45 mph. Motion
carried, 6/0/1 (Garcia – Absent).
5. STATUS UPDATE ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM NO. 6028 COLLEGE BOULEVARD AND
PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM NO.
6034 MELROSE DRIVE AND PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD – Receive status update report on
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) No. 6028 College Boulevard and Palomar Airport Road
Aug. 7, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 4
Improvements and CIP No. 6034 Melrose Drive and Palomar Airport Road Improvements.
(Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Public Works Department).
Staff’s Recommendation: Receive the report.
Transportation Director Tom Frank presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Director Frank.
In response to Chair Coelho’s inquiry about the possibility of restricting U-turns at an
intersection during rush hour, Transportation Director Frank responded that staff would look
into it and provide additional information at a following Commission meeting.
Chair Coelho recommended further contemplation on not allowing U-turns at the intersection.
6. ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION MONITORING PROGRAM – YEAR TWO – Receive a presentation and
provide input to city staff on the Draft Active Transportation Monitoring Program Report. (Staff
Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works Department).
Staff’s Recommendation: Receive the presentation and provide input.
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt presented the report and
reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Planning & Mobility
Schmidt.
Chair Coelho recommended the addition of information on the costs associated with public
transportation, specifically for buses and the Coaster.
CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER COMMENTS:
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt commented that SANDAG has opened a
public response window where people can provide comments with specific locations on an
interactive map.
City Traffic Engineer Kim commented that the Tamarack Avenue expedited traffic calming project
is nearly complete with four of the five features completed.
In response to Commissioner Kohl’s question about the traffic signal time at Fire Station No. 2, City
Traffic Engineer Kim explained that staff have been working with the fire department to address
observed signal delays. He further added that they had either addressed it or will do so shortly.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
In response to Commissioner Kohl’s inquiry regarding the city’s status on the fiberoptic connection
network, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that he would ask Senior Engineer Mangohig to
provide a thorough presentation at a future Commission meeting.
Aug. 7, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 5
Commissioner Kohl commented that signal problems can be reported to 442-339-5331.
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt commented that general traffic issues can be
reported to 442-339-5332.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Coelho adjourned the Traffic & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting on Aug. 7, 2023, at 6:55 p.m.
Eliane Paiva
Secretary