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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/14/1991CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MARCH 14, 1991 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ortiz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Library, 1061 South Grand Avenue, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Ortiz. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Chavers, Commissioner Beke, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Ortiz. Also present were City Engineer Sid Mousavi, Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra, Engineering Administrator Deborah Murray, Sergeant Rawlings, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. APPROVAL OF Commissioner Beke requested the Minutes of February MINUTES: 14, 1991 be amended on page 1, last paragraph to read as "traveling public.", page 3, first paragraph, to read as "easy right turn", page 9, eighth paragraph, to read as "succession", and page 11, sixth paragraph, to read as "County's Board". Vice Chairman Gravdahl requested the Minutes of February 14, 1991 be amended on page 2, fifth paragraph to correct the spelling to "requested". ' COMMISSION VC/Gravdahl noted the poor conditions of the COMMENTS: streets in San Clemente and inquired of the possibility that the same circumstance would occur in Diamond Bar. City Engineer Sid Mousavi stated there is adequate funding for resurfacing streets. It is not foreseen as an immediate problem for the City. C/Chavers requested staff to include the Commission in the involvement of determining how funds are established in the budgeting process. DISCUSSION: Center line CE/Mousavi reported that staff investigated the striping on request for striping of Barbi Lane at Cold Springs. Barbi Lane Staff requested authorization from the Commission to stripe a center line on Barbi Lane for a distance of 80 feet from Cold Spring Lane to improve the delineation circulation within the area. Motion was made by C/Chavers, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff's recommendation. On Street Parking Engineering Administrator Deborah Murray reported Saint Denis that Saint Denis Catholic Church requested on - Catholic Church street parking to accommodate it's members during March 14, 1991 Page 2 Easter. Staff recommended that the Commission approve the request to park on Diamond Bar Blvd. from 6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 1991 and authorize staff to cover the "No Parking" signs within the vicinity of the church. It is recommended that St. Denis Catholic Church cover the costs associated with the management of traffic flow during the period requested. Sgt. Rawlings stated that there is a legal mechanism to go through to obtain additional law enforcement, other than what is provided by through the present contract. He noted that there may not be a need to require additional law enforcement. There is a possibility that it could be accomplished by the on -duty traffic enforcement deputy in personnel. Chair/Ortiz asked if it was possible to instruct on -duty deputies to maintain a special watch to observe the flow of traffic. Sgt. Rawlings stated the on -duty personnel would be -- advised that it is occurring and they should make every effort to address the problems that may arise from the additional cars. C/Chavers asserted there should be a more systematic approach to the matter in which the request is considered on a yearly basis, as opposed to having the church make the same request before each holiday. He questioned if the term "within the vicinity" refers to both sides of the streets and for what length. He suggested indicating the limits with cardboard placards. C/Beke inquired whose responsibility it would be to bag the signs. C/Chavers suggested, after CE/Mousavi stated that it would be staff's responsibility, that rather than recurring the costs of bagging the sign each time, it would be better to have temporary small signs to be stored at the church. C/Beke indicated that staff would be the best judge of deciding the parking limits. He concurred that the present deputy personnel should be enough maintain the area. CE/Mousavi stated that staff will contact the church and discuss temporary signs and bagging. He requested, from Sgt. Rawlings, the sample form used to obtain additional law enforcement. I l March 14, 1991 Page 3 Chair/Ortiz requested the east curb line be maintained with the normal no parking enforcement. Motion was made by C/Chavers, seconded by C/Gravdahl and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff's recommendation. Parking Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra presented the Restrictions request to restrict parking to one side of the on Montefino street and enforce a 30 mph speed limit on Boulevard Montefino Avenue. Staff recommended the Commission direct staff to further study this matter in order to develop mitigation measures. Chair/Ortiz requested the causes of the accidents reported. AA/Aberra stated that the three (3) accidents in 1989 were due to intoxication, loss of control, and one is undetermined. The accidents in 1990 were due to a loss of control and one was undetermined. C/Chavers wondered if staff would have sufficient time necessary to compile the appropriate data by the next monthly meeting. CE/Mousavi explained that the residents are invited to express their concerns to verify that the complaint is not singular. Also there appears to be areas that seem to have visibility problems. C/Chavers suggested counting the homes that normally access that street, and count cars during the peak a.m. and p.m. hours. He stipulated that there should be the additional data at the time the residents address the Commission. C/Beke inquired how much on -street parking will be eliminated. CE/Mousavi stated that probably "pockets" of on - street parking will be eliminated because of the visibility problem. Chair/Ortiz requested a vehicle movement video, if possible, to verify the parking issue. Motion was made by VC/Gravdahl, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff's I recommendation as long as there is appropriate supporting data to discuss it. Stop Control: AA/Aberra presented the request for a 3 -way stop on Ballena and the intersection of Ballena Drive and Palomino Dr. Platina and Platina Drive and Palomino Drive. Additional at Palomino stop controls are not recommended at this time. March 14, 1991 Traffic Movement Diamond Bar Blvd. at Grand Ave. i Page 4 Motion was made by C/Chavers, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve staff's recommendation. CE/Mousavi explained that the matter was placed on the agenda by Commissioner's request. He deferred discussion of the matter to the Commission. C/Chavers stated he and VC/Gravdahl have concern for the traffic problem on Diamond Bar Boulevard northbound approaching Grand Avenue. He explained that the queue in the right turn lane was sufficiently logged as the people in the right most through lane were unwilling to stay at the tail end of the queue. They would run up past the end of the right turn lane queue close to the stop line, and then attempt to cut in, destroying the operation of the two through lanes. The Commissioners have considered two alternatives on how to increase the flow of that right turn demand traffic: 1. To create a shared lane next to the right turn lane. 2. To put a turn arrow for the right turn that would run on a overlap with the left turns for Grand Ave. The problems with the two suggestions are that the shared maneuvers create a double right turn move which is unusual at a four leg intersection; and the right turn arrow would not permit "U" turns. C/Chavers recommended the use of establishing the right turn arrow to improve the movement. He does not have any difficulties eliminating the "U" turn capabilities for westbound Grand. VC/Gravdahl further observed that the second lane attempt to nose in the right hand traffic, creating pockets or vast spaces. CE/Mousavi stated that both alternatives would be possible. There may be an alternative for the "U" turn. He acknowledged the area needs some consideration. VC/Gravdahl noted that' if a shared turn is utilized, there will not be a need to eliminate the "U" turn. CE/Mousavi stated that there will be a need to have advance signing showing a right turn only for the right turn, and a shared lane for the second lane, with proper striping and marking on the pavement to give proper notification to the motorists. March 14, 1991 Page 5 C/Beke stated a shared turn would be confusing to the motorists. It would be better to have just the one right turn lane and facilitate the turn with an arrow. CE/Mousavi suggested that the Commission recommend a six (6) month period with a shared turn. If it doesn't work, then the arrow alternative could be utilized. Either costs would be nominal. Motion was made by C/Chavers, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to direct staff to prepare a preliminary design and cost estimates to present to the Council as a way to improve the movement at the intersection. The design should include a right turn arrow to allow the northbound Diamond Bar right turns to continue around the corner, and post the westbound Grand left turn, no "U" turn sign. INFORMATION: Letters of CE/Mousavi explained that the residents are response to responded to verbally by staff, as opposed to by 1 residents letter form. Sheriff's Dep't Sgt. Rawlings informed the Commission that Ms. response to School Rivera, Transportation Coordinator, was contacted Bus Regulations in regards to a request by a citizen for request information pertaining to seat belt regulation and proper seating spaces on school buses. She indicated that: 1. All students must be seated at all times and the aisles must be kept clear. 2. There may be more than two to a seat depending upon the age and size of the students. 3. Studies indicated that the use of seat belts are more hazardous on a school bus than without their use. Sgt. Rawlings further informed the Commission that Clyde Evans, head of the Transportation Committee of the Walnut School District, was contacted. He indicated that all bus drivers are duly trained and are aware of the regulations. He is not aware of any instances where children are sitting on the floor. Staff will forward the above information to the citizen who made the complaint. March 14, 1991 Page 6 LATE BUSINESS: Items from the VC/Gravdahl noted that the intersection at the Commission front gate of the Country appeared to be blocked by traffic. He suggested blocking a box out the intersection and marking it to keep it clear. C/Chavers stated there is an increasing agenda of traffic signals. He requested a list of the signals approved as well as their status for the purpose of prioritizing them on the basis of need. I CE/Mousavi suggested staff can establish a priority list of possible signals based on criteria that will be brought to the Commission for further input. once the priority list is established, the signals can be implemented as funding is received. Items from CE/Mousavi reported that there has been two staff meetings with the consultant of the circulation element (DKS). There has been a consensus to data collected within the City in regards to the volume of the traffic, the land use, the division of the City into different zones, and the area to do the license survey. The report will be brought to the !' Commission, when it is completed in a concise I format, in approximately two weeks. C/Chavers inquired if the modeling process has been initiated. CE/Mousavi stated that is the area that the consultants are behind with. We will be going with the SCAG model. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m. to the next regular meeting of April 11, 1991. ]Respectfully Submitted, Sid Mousavi Secretary/Traffic and Transportation Commission Attest: Thomas Ortiz Chairman