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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-02; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: CALL TO ORDER: MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION April 2, 2018 5:00 p.m. City Council Chamber Chair Hunter called the Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Chuck Hunter Vice-Chair Mona Gocan Commissioner Jonnie Johnson Commissioner Pete Penseyres Commissioner Bill Fowler Absent: None Staff Members Present: Doug Bilse, Senior Engineer Craig Williams, Transportation Manager Jonathan Schauble, Associate Engineer John Kim, Associate Engineer Sergeant Matt Lowe, Police Department Jim Gale, Engineering Technician II Heidi Versteeg, Engineering Technician II APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 5, 2018 ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Gocan and seconded by Commissioner Fowler to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 5, 2018, as corrected. VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: 5/0/0/0 Hunter, Gocan, Johnson, Penseyres, Fowler None None None No meeting was held during the month of March, 2018. April 2, 2018 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT: Prior to opening the floor for public comments, Chair Hunter and Doug Bilse reviewed some parliamentary procedures and an overview of the recent training attended regarding the Brown Act and facilitation of public meetings. There were no public comments. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 1. TERRAMAR AREA COASTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT -Informational item reporting on recent activity related to the Terramar Area Coastal Improvement Project {Staff contact: Jonathan Schauble, Associate Engineer) Commissioner Johnson recused herself during this presentation due to possible perceived conflict of interest. Jonathan Schauble, Associate Engineer, presented the informational report that included a PowerPoint deck. Commissioner comments: Chair Hunter inquired about experience with multi-lane roundabouts. Doug Bilse explained that motorists need to get familiar using roundabouts because they are becoming more popular in California, including neighboring cities. Chair Hunter asked about possible traffic impacts resulting from the proposed lane reduction. Jonathan Schauble explained that studies have indicated that the roundabout option will not negatively impact traffic. Vice-Chair Gocan asked for clarification that additional parking was proposed for the east side of Carlsbad Blvd . Jonathan Schauble confirmed the addition of new parking spaces. Vice-Chair Gocan inquired about safety concerns relating to back-i.n parking. Schauble explained the proposed back-in parking has been proven to be safer, specifically for cyclists, and that the bicycle buffer area adjacent to the parking area increases safety for all. Commissioner Penseyres expressed concerns for possible vehicle/cyclist conflicts at the intersection at Carlsbad Blvd and Cannon Road caused by cyclists staying to the far right before trying to enter the roundabout from the right turn slip lane. Jonathan Schauble explained that this is a preliminary plan and that it does not show all the signing and striping (e.g., sharrows) that will direct vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians through the roundabouts. Commission Penseyres asked if any consideration had been given to installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Carlsbad Blvd and Shore Drive to eliminate the turning lane. Schauble explained that this was not considered since that intersection is not currently signalized. Commissioner Fowler asked for clarification as to how "cut-through" traffic is discouraged by curb bulb-outs at intersections. Jonathan Schauble explained how bulb-outs cause drivers to turn at a lower speed and the additional travel time di?courages the use of the road as a "cut-through" option. Commissioner Fowler also expressed concerns about April 2, 2018 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 northbound motorists making illegal turns and parking forward-facing in the back-in parking areas. Schauble explained that these spots would be appropriate signed and that this would be monitored and enforced as needed. Commissioner Penseyres suggested considering a median in lieu of the double yellow south of Cannon Road to eliminate this possible conflict. Commissioner Fowler also asked for some clarification about how roundabouts work and the assignment of right-of-way. Staff explained that vehicles entering the roundabout always yield to vehicles currently established in the roundabout. Schauble further added that additional informational slides about the project are available on the project website. Public Comments: There were no public comments regarding this item. ACTION: None. This item was presented for information only, Chair Hunter thanked Jonathan Schauble for an informative report. Commissioner Johnson returned to the dais for the remainder of the meeting. 2. CADEN CIA STREET (UPPER) TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN-Recommend City Council approval of the Cadencia Street {Upper) Traffic Calming Plan (Staff contact: John Kim, Associate Engineer) John Kim presented the Cadencia Street (Upper) Traffic Calming Plan and asked the Commission to consider recommending approval to the City Council. Chair Hunter asked staff to review the reasons cited by the 20% of respondents that opposed the plan. John Kim stated that he did not recall each specific reason but that generally the opposition related to: 1) they did not perceive a speeding problem needing to be resolved or 2) there were specific issues with a proposed device/solution. Commissioner Penseyres inquired about previous traffic calming measures that may have been implemented prior to this plan . John Kim stated that the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Plan (CRMTP) is a multi-phase program. Phase I includes implementation of speed feedback signs, striping and signing modifications. When these measures fail to adequately calm traffic, staff proceeds to Phase II of the program (this item reflects a Phase II project). Commissioner Johnson explained that her neighborhood requested traffic calming many years ago and that, at that time, there was a limit to the number of streets included in the plan. She asked if there was still a limit on the number of streets included in the CRMTP. John Kim explained that the number of streets to be included in the program is only limited to those streets where the critical speed exceeds 32 mph. April 2, 2018 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: I Motion by Vice-Chair Gocan and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend City Council approval of the Cadencia Street (Upper) Traffic Calming Plan. 5/0/0/0 Hunter, Gocan, Johnson, Penseyres, Fowler None None None 3. POLICE MONTHLY REPORT: Informational item reporting on recent police activity related to traffic safety. Lieutenant Matt Lowe of the Carlsbad Police Department presented the report highlighting recent fatality/serious collision investigations and enforcement efforts. He explained that the traffic division expects to add five motor officers by the end of the school year. To cover the gap, the traffic division has coordinated with the patrol division and the senior volunteers. Lieutenant Lowe announced that there are now two accident investigators on staff. Commissioner Johnson asked how enforcement of parking of oversized vehicles is triggered and added that she has noticed an increase of RV parking along Avenida Encinas. Lieutenant Lowe explained that the only enforceable ordinance relating to parking of oversized vehicles in that area is the limited parking between 2 am and 5 am. Enforcement can only be done during these hours and is secondary to other types of calls. SENIOR ENGINEER COMMENTS: ·' Doug Bilse reminded the Commission that City Council is reviewing the Municipal Code regarding Council and Commission meetings and that changes may be forthcoming regarding the name, charge and meeting protocol for this Commission. He added that the changes will lead to a consistent experience by those that attend other public meetings in Carlsbad, and the format promotes public outreach and transparency in compliance with the Brown Act. He added that st"aff is allowed to answer very basic questions raised during the meeting that are not on the agenda, but that detailed explanations and dialogues should be avoided or brought back as part of a future agenda item. In response to a previous question about site distance at 7349 Alicante Street, Doug Bilse stated that the minimum distance for this street is 300 feet. Looking southbound, this line of sight is 430 feet and looking northbound it is 600 feet. Therefore, there is adequate line of sight at this location. April 2, 2018 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER MEMBER COMMENTS: Chair Hunter reiterated that commissioners should refrain from discussing issues not specifically on the agenda. Commissioner Penseyres requested additional training on traffic issues relating to the Carlsbad Boulevard I State Street roundabout. He specifically cited accident history, related injuries, and causes as well as an overview of how roundabouts work. Doug Bilse said he would gather the information and report back at a future meeting. Vice-Chair Gocan expressed concern about the traffic circle on Kelly Drive and asked if staff could review visibility issues. Doug Bilse stated that there is a pending Capital Improvement Program project to install a full roundabout and any visibility issues will be addressed. Vice- Chair Gocan also stated that the westbound signals on Cannon Road are difficult to see in the morning at Car Country Drive due to the sun and partially due to overgrown tree branches. Staff will investigate and take appropriate corrective actions Commissioner Fowler requested additional information regarding speed cushions and traffic calming devices. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, Chair Hunter adjourned the meeting of April 2, 2018 at 6:38 p.m. ~S_B..ectf 1 . submitteg.., / ~-;?~~L~~Y1 Heidi Versteeg d