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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-05; Traffic Safety Commission; Minutesr- MINUTES MEETING OF TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: June 5,1995 TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Anear called the Meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Anear, Blake, Green and Stachoviak. Absent: Commissioner Courtney. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Jim Byler Debbie Fountain, Senior Management Analyst APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Stachoviak, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 3, 1995, were approved as presented. AYES: Anear, Blake and Stachoviak ABSTAIN: Green Bob Johnson stated that there was no meeting in May, and the files will reflect that the meeting was cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: There were no requests to address the Commission on a non-agenda item. PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson stated that several months ago the Commission made recommendations for some speed zones for Rancho Santa Fe Road and Paseo Del Norte, and both items will be on the Council agenda tomorrow night. ” June 5, 1995 TRAFFIC SAFEPl COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: A. Citwvide - Request to establish Chapter 10 of the Caltrans Traffic Manual as the warrants, guidelines and criteria to be used by the City of Carlsbad for the placement of traffic control devices or Adult Crossing Guards in and around school zones. Bob Johnson gave the staff report, stating this was a recommendation from the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish a policy for school zones, and that policy would be based on Chapter 10 of the Caltrans Traffic Manual. He stated that over the last several years, staff has used Chapter 10 for school zones and pedestrian safety, and this manual is updated periodically by Caltrans. It covers warrants for school zones, traffic signals, etc. It also outlines the responsibilities of the school, the parents and the PTA. Mr. Johnson stated that California Vehicle Code Section 21372 indicates that a city should adopt some kind of policy that establishes the criteria, and since the language contained in the Caltrans Traffic Manual is clearly recommendatory and non-mandatory, it would not constitute a trap for the City by establishing instant liability for failure to follow the guidelines. Mr. Johnson stated that in order to formalize the use of Chapter 10, which staff has always used, City Council would need to adopt a resolution. A draft of that resolution is attached to today’s agenda. Mr. Johnson said that having this resolution adopted by Council would result in compliance with the California Vehicle Code and would also avoid other subjective material or criteria being presented by individuals or groups. In response to Commission query, Mr. Johnson stated that staff only uses the parts of the Manual that apply to specific situations in this City. He said the City Attorney had reviewed this matter and had recommended the adoption of Chapter 10. Mr. Johnson stated that the other agencies in the County do use this Chapter 10 and are now in the process of formally adopting the Chapter. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to present a draft resolution to the City Council for adoption of Chapter 10 of the Caltrans Traffic Manual as the warrants, guidelines or criteria for evaluation of traffic control devices and/or Adult Crossing Guards in and around school zones. AYES: hear, Blake, Green and Stachoviak B. Christiansen Way - Request to establish a TWO-HOUR PARKING limit between State Street and the alley. Bob Johnson gave the staff report, using transparencies to show the location of the businesses involved and the six parking spaces. He said that Bauer Lumber and West Coast Lawnmower Repair had initiated the request, since both businesses are concerned about long-term parking in those parking spaces, which then eliminates the six spaces needed by customers of their businesses. June 5, 1995 TRAFFIC SAF€fY COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Johnson stated that letters had been written to Debbie Fountain in the Housing and Redevelopment Department, requesting the two-hour limit on parking by the two businesses. He said that Ms. Fountain is present today to answer any questions the Commissioners might have. There are three spaces on each side of the street, with parking parallel to the curb. Mr. Johnson said the two owners of the businesses there are concerned with the commuters parking there to ride the Coaster to San Diego. Since there is only one Parking Enforcement Officer for the City, enforcing two-hour parking is difficult. However, staff feels that with posting the limit, this will deter most drivers from parking there for the day. Commissioner Green inquired about the cost of installing six parking meters in that area, and Mr. Johnson stated that he has no cost figures on parking meters, as the City does not have a parking meter program. He added that the initial cost would be very high and there is a problem with vandalism with parking meters. It really is a major endeavor. Debbie Fountain, Housing and Redevelopment Department, stated that parking meters would not be permitted in the Redevelopment Area. The merchants there have not wanted any type of parking meters to go in there and these two businesses would not want meters. She stated that two hours seems to be the appropriate time limit for parking downtown and these two businesses favor two-hour parking. Commissioner Green suggested that one-hour parking by these two businesses would be a benefit to them since there are only six spaces available. Ms. Fountain stated that the City wants to be consistent as far as businesses are concerned. If one-hour parking were to be instituted in this area, there would be requests for the same thing on State Street, and staff is very comfortable with the results of two-hour parking. In reply to Commission query regarding a complaint being filed on a person who violates the parking signs, Sgt. Byler stated that is the best way to get enforcement attention. He said that anyone seeing such a violation should call the City and the Police will go there and tag the car. Ms. Fountain stated that the parking lot at the Coaster Station is finished at this time, but there is still construction going on there. It is to be complete and open by this week or next week, and there will be a press release to inform the riders of the Coaster that they will be able to park in that lot with no problems with construction. Commissioner Anear asked about bike racks in the Coaster parking lot, and Ms. Fountain replied that there would be bike racks and bike lockers. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Green, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation to establish a TWO-HOUR PARKING time limit on both sides of Christiansen Way between State Street and the alley. AYES: Anear, Blake, Green and Stachoviak June 5, 1995 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Green stated that a couple of months ago he had asked about the parking on Glasgow in front of the park, and Sgt. Byler stated that the best solution to any particular parking problem during an event in the park is to call into the Dispatch immediately and someone will come out to enforce the parking. He stated the Police have issued some citations in that area since this was discussed. Commissioner Anear thanked Bob Johnson for the boundary map of the City in the La Costa Avenue area. Mr. Johnson stated that a City survey is needed to establish firm boundaries. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Mr. Johnson stated he had no report at this time, but he would like to know whether the Commissioners would be available on July 3 for a meeting, since the 4th of July is on Tuesday. Three of the Commissioners indicated they would be available. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of June 5, 1995, was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, A darriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk