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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/1993CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 14, 1993 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chavers called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Ury. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Ury, Cheng, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Chavers. Also present were Senior Engineer David Liu, Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra, Sergeant Rawlings, and Contract Recording Secretary Liz Myers. MINUTES: Sept. 9, 1993 Motion was made by C/Ury and seconded by VC/Gravdahl to approve the Minutes of September 9, 1993 as presented. COMMISSION VC/Gravdahl suggested that the meeting be adjourned in COMMENTS: memory of Mr. John Beke. The Commission concurred. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Deborah Reneger, residing at 1386 Rolling Knoll Road, inquired if Mountain Laurel Way at Diamond Bar Boulevard could be striped with left turn lanes to ease the traffic flow. Chair/Chavers requested staff to investigate the appropriateness of striping Mountain Laurel Way, and to determine which striping method is best, a shared through right or shared through left. Kathy Bandak, residing on Fallowfield Drive, stated that employees from the First Mortgage Building are still parking on the street despite the 2 -hour parking restriction. It seems that there is little the Sheriff Department can do since vehicles are moved a few feet at the end of the 2 hours. She suggested the installation of "No Parking 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m." in the neighborhood. She requested direction as to what is needed to start the process of eliminating parking. Chair/Chavers explained to Ms. Bandak that the Commission has been reviewing the parking issue on Fallowfield Drive for the last year. The City will not install "No Parking" signs unless there is concurrence from the neighborhood. Residents have expressed their opposition to "No Parking" signs. The dilemma with "No Parking" signs installed in front of just a few October 14, 1993 Page 2 homes, perhaps 100 feet from First Mortgage Corporation, is that the employees will then begin parking 101 feet from the - business. It is statistically shown that people will walk up to a quarter of a mile from the place they have parked, which would pretty much encompass the Fallowfield Drive/Pasco Court neighborhood. He suggested that Ms. Bandak keep in contact with staff for the appropriate steps in the process. Chair/Chavers requested staff to place the item on the next agenda, and to bring back a summarization comparing the parking problem existing today with the problem existing last year. Deborah Reneger suggested that the First Mortgage Corporation be required to construct a multi-level parking structure. Chair/Chavers explained that the Commission considered many options; including structured parking. However, it was determined that the site plan precludes any kind of structured parking. Ken Anderson, residing at 2628 Rising Star Drive, requested the Commission to revisit the issue regarding the location of the driveway on Fountain Springs Drive of the Country Hills Towne Center. He also requested further review regarding the inadequate parking of the Professional Building, located at 2707 Diamond Bar Blvd., (next to Country Hills Towne Center). Much of their overflow parking must go to Country Hills Towne Center, which also has inadequate parking. OLD BUSINESS: Evaluation of AA/Aberra reported that, per Commission direction, Austin Crossing Guard Foust Associates, Inc. reevaluated, in late September of 1993, Services the nine (9) existing street intersections that currently have crossing guards, as well as four (4) additional intersections. Based on the study, as shown on Table 1 of the staff report, only two of the nine existing intersections were warranted for adult crossing guard services, however, all nine have been "grandfathered in" in order to continue crossing guard services. It is recommended that the Commission. 1) continue current crossing guard services through the remainder of the school year; 2) reconsider this matter in April or May of 1994; and 3) for future years, recommend crossing guards only at intersections that meet current warrants, based on Austin Fousts, study, '-yrs w 77. 7 October 14, 1993 Page�`� C/Ury pointed out that part three of the recommendations would preclude the issue coming back before the Commission for review. If the current warrants are not met, then the automatic recommendation would be that they be discontinued. The statement "based on Austin Foust's study" should be eliminated, and the warrants should be based upon the new study at the time. VC/Gravdahl inquired if grandfathering in the existing intersections with crossing guards commits the City to crossing guards during summer school as well. SE/Liu stated that the City would be committed, however, only two schools currently receive crossing guards during summer school. Motion was made by VC/Gravdahl and seconded by C/Ury to accept staff's recommendation, omitting the statement "based on Austin Fousts' study" in item #3, with direction that the issue come back to the Commission with updated figures at the end of May, 1994. Chair/Chavers suggested that the City consider committing to providing a crossing guard to each Elementary School, if it is financially feasible. The crossing guard can be used in the manner best suited for each school's need, based upon the review of the Commission. Removing any traffic control measure, which includes crossing guards, particularly those that people have become accustomed to, creates a potential liability for the City. Furthermore, this community has a standard and an expectation, which may differ from the set State-wide standards. The community may perceive the removal of a crossing guard as detrimental. If there is a desire for more than one crossing guard, then it would require that the intersection meet the warrants based upon the community standard. He pointed out that if the City chose to lower the standards to justify the existing crossing guards, then a problem may occur because almost all intersections in the City may then warrant crossing guards. VC/Gravdahl pointed out that there should be a clearer picture of the City's budget around May of 1994. Not all schools ' need crossing guards, such is evident at Diamond Point Elementary School. Furthermore, a crossing guard can give a false sense of security. Other alternatives should also be considered to help with the traffic problems at the schools. October 14, 1993 Page 4 Therefore, a review of the issue in May of 1994 would seem appropriate. Chair/Chavers, concurring with C/Ury, noted that #2 and #3 of the recommendation are mutually exclusive. Perhaps item #3 should be eliminated. He also pointed out that, judging by the size of the audience, it would appear that the City has not notified the schools of our intent to recommend guards only at intersections that meet warrants. VC/Gravdahl and C/Ury withdrew the motion and the second. Motion was made by VC/Gravdahl and seconded by C/Ury to continue current crossing guard services through the remainder of the school year, and to reconsider the matter in April or May of 1994, eliminating item #3 of staff's recommendation. Chair/Chavers open the meeting to allow for public testimony. Nelson Vanderwall, residing at 20739 Lycoming Street #81, expressed his concern that even though the traffic at Lycoming Street is heavy, it did not meet the warrants and therefore, it will not be getting a crossing guard on Lycoming Street at Gienwick Avenue. Chair/Chavers stated that there is no need for staff to collect further data in April or May of 1994 because the data collected now will be the same in May since enrollment at the schools will remain pretty constant, and so will the traffic. It may be more preferable to reconsider this issue immediately while schools are in full swing and able to respond. The schools should be notified of the recommendation to consider eliminating crossing guards at intersections that do not meet the warrants. VC/Gravdahl amended his motion as follow: to recommend continuing current crossing guard services through the remainder of the school year, and to schedule the matter for review at the January 1994 Commission meeting, notifying the schools of the recommendation to consider eliminating current crossing guards at intersections that do not meet the warrants. Item #3 of staff's recommendation is to be deleted. It would be beneficial to have a representative present at the meeting who is able to define the needs from each of the school C/Ury seconded the motion. The Motion Carried by the following Roll Call vote. AYES: Ury, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: None. 11 1 1 October 14, 1993 Page 5 ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. SE/Liu stated that staff will provide all the necessary information to the schools so that they have enough data to respond back at the Commission meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Grand Ave./ SE/Liu reported that the Walnut Sheriff Station requested the Longview Dr. Department of Public Works to consider the modification of the Traffic Signal existing traffic signal on Grand Avenue at Longview Drive in order to provide better visibility for the westbound travelling motorists approaching from the east. Staff has considered the modification of westbound signal head via two alternatives: (1) welding a new mounting tenon (1" pipe) on the existing mast arm, or; the installation of a side -mount head at 15' elevation on the existing pole shaft by bolting. It is recommended that the Commission review the alternatives and provide further input regarding this matter. Chair/Chavers suggested that staff consider using an astro bracket instead of a welded tenon because it is less expensive and more easily adjusted. Motion was made by Chair/Chavers, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and carried to direct staff to install the signal head they feel is appropriate. STATUS OF A. Submitted a work order to the Los Angeles County PREVIOUS ACTION Department of Public Works to investigate current signal ITEMS: timing on Copley Drive at Golden Springs Drive. SE/Liu reported that the wait for the right -turn green time for the current signal on Copley Drive to Golden Springs Drive has been reduced from 60 seconds to 35 seconds. B. Conducting left -turn and opposing through traffic movement counts on northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard at Pathfinder Road. SE/Liu reported that staff will be proceeding with the counts in approximately two weeks. C. Creation of a right -turn lane on eastbound Pathfinder Road at Brea Canyon Road, the installation of five (5) parallel parking spaces with "No Stopping, 6-5:00 a.m. October 14, 1993 Page 6 & 4-6:00 p.m., except Saturday and Sunday" signs supplemented with "2 -Hour Parking, 8:00-4:00 p.m., except Saturday and Sunday" signs in lieu of the existing "2 -Hour Parking, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m." and appropriate red curbing on south side of Pathfinder Road between SR 57 off -ramp and Brea Canyon Road to be discussed by the City Council on October 5, 1993. SE/Liu reported that this work will not be done until the Bridge work is finalized, which is anticipated to be completed in November of 1993. ITEMS FROM SE/Liu stated that the contract for the signal at the intersection STAFF: of Pathfinder Road and Brea Canyon Road has been awarded to Macadee Construction. SE/Liu reported that 4 of the 5 City Entrance Signs have been installed. The fifth sign will not be installed until the medians are finished on the westerly side of the City limits on Golden Springs Drive. ITEMS FROM ChairOChavers reminded the Commission of the Commissioner's COMMISSION: workshop scheduled October 30, 1993. SE/Liu suggested that the Commission adjourn the meeting to November 18, 1'993 because the regularly scheduled meeting date of November 11, 1993 falls on a national holiday. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by Chair/Chavers, seconded by C/Ury and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. to November 18, 1993 in memory of Mr. John Beke< Respectively, David G. Liu Secretary /fittest: J. Todd Chavers Chairman