HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-04; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; MinutesTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION
Minutes
Dec. 4, 2023, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Fowler, Penseyres, Proulx, Newlands, and Kohl.
Absent: Garcia.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF M INUTES:
Minutes of Regular Meeting held on Nov. 6, 2023
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Newlands, to approve the minutes of the
Regular Meeting held on Nov. 6, 2023, as presented. Motion carried, 6/0/1 {Garcia -Absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jim Powers spoke about a sidewalk that impedes the entrance at Amberwood Court that causes cars
to slow down and makes the entrance too narrow. He further added that the striping on El Camino
Real closer to Amberwood Court nearing Tamarack Avenue has made the lanes too narrow, causing
people who are turning left onto Amberwood Court to stop in the middle lane, blocking traffic. He
further spoke about concerns regarding the speed bumps on Tamarack Avenue, explaining that the
speed bump on Sunnyhill Drive, specifically, is too high in comparison to the other speed bumps and
recommends lowering it.
Commissioner Garcia joined the meeting at 4:05 p.m.
Neil Bradley spoke about the planned time-limited parking restrictions on State Street with the three-
hour parking limit and no overnight parking and he suggested that th~ residents should have a permit
for guest parking that would allow guests to park overnight or for a weekend. He further mentioned
his concerns regarding the amount of congestion and speeding on State Street.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. POLICE REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC & MOBILITY-RELATED MATTERS DURING THE MONTH OF
OCTOBER 2023, INCLUDING NOTABLE NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER -Receive a
presentation from a representative of the City of Carlsbad Police Department that will provide
an overview of traffic and mobility-related police matters during the month of October 2023,
including notable news for the month of November. {Staff Contact: Lieutenant Alonso
DeVelasco, Police Department).
Staff's Recommendation: Receive the presentation.
Dec.4,2023 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Page 2
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 regarding the Police Department's policy for selecting
which intersections to monitor and enforce, Lieutenant De Velasco explained that they do not have
a policy and confirmed that they will respond to intersections that received a high number of
complaints.
In response to Vice-Chair Fowler's inquiry regarding when a pedestrian would be at fault in a traffic
collision involving a vehicle, Lieutenant DeVelasco explained that pedestrians cannot impede the
flow of a vehicle already occupying the lane. He further explained that pedestrians still have an
obligation to ensure that they will not impede the flow of traffic.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the Police Department's ability to examine what
time of day the accidents are occurring and if there is an increase in collisions at different times of
the day after the time change, Lieutenant De Velasco responded that he and a crime analyst would
look into the data and see if there is any correlation.
In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry regarding the extent of the Police Department's
follow-up on non-injury hit and run to identify the drivers, Lieutenant DeVelasco explained that
the Police Department investigates hit and run collisions just like any other crime.
In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether the Police Department
requires drivers who damage city property to pay for the repairs, Lieutenant DeVelasco explained
that the city has cost recovery if it is Driving Under the Influence, or DUI, related and will prosecute
them for the collision. He further explained that the Police Department only focuses on the
criminal aspect related to the collision and another department oversees the cost recovery aspect.
2. SEMIANNUAL TRANSPORTATION REPORT -Receive the Semiannual Transportation Report.
(Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Public Works Department).
Staff's Recommendation: Receive the report.
Transportation Director/City Engineer 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/City
Engineer Frank.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the average economic impact of a traffic collision,
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt responded that he would be able to
provide further information.
Dec.4,2023 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Page 3
In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry regarding if the Transportation Department will
be providing post project results, Transportation Director Frank confirmed that the Transportation
Department would be providing results from recent projects at a later date.
Motion by Commissioner Newlands, seconded by Commissioner Proulx to appoint Commissioner
Kohl to represent at the Jan. 9, 2024, City Council Meeting. Motion carried, 6/0/1 (Kohl -Abstain).
Motion by Commissioner Newlands, seconded by Commissioner Kohl to appoint Vice-Chair Fowler
to be the backup representative at the Jan 9, 2024, City Council Meeting. Motion carried, 7 /0.
CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER COMMENTS:
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt commented that the SANDAG Vision Zero and
Regional Active Transportation Plan is out for public review and in the initial phases of collecting
preliminary comments.
Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt also spoke about the commission commentary
portion of the agenda and explained that, per the Brown Act, comments made during that time should
be brief and staff will respond briefly to avoid extended conversation about non-agenda items. He
further explained that if anyone would like to discuss the item more, to make a request to have it placed
on a future agenda.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry regarding the possibility of adding a permissive left
turn on Avenida Encinas and whether it will be brought to the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
for approval before it is brought to City Council, Transportation Director Frank explained that it is
park of a development project and he would have to confirm with the Traffic Division if they have
the opportunity to bring it to the Commission, or if it will even go to City Council, for any type of
approval.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Coelho adjourned the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting
on Dec. 4, 2023, at 5:12 p.m.
/I
Eliane Paiva
Secretary