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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/10/1994CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MARCH 10, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Chavers called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman Chavers. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Istik, Ortiz, Esposito, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Chavers. Staff: Senior Engineer David Liu; Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra, Deputy Clark, .Walnut Valley Sheriff's Department, and Engineering Secretary Linda Smith. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Meeting of February 10, 1994 Chair/Chavers indicated that C/Istik and C/Ortiz would be abstaining from voting on the minutes of February 10, 1994. Moved by Commissioner Esposito, seconded by Vice Chairman Gravdahl and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of February 10, 1994, as presented. The Motion carried with the following vote: AYES: Esposito, VC/Gravdahl and Chair Chavers NOES: None ABSTAIN: Istik and Ortiz ABSENT: None II. COMMISSION COMMENTS C/Gravdahl reported that a. tree limb is obstructing the "right turn only" sign for the right turn lane to the condominiums on Grand Avenue (800 S. Grand). SE/Liu responded that staff would look into the matter and see to the necessary correction. C/Ortiz commented that he was glad to be a Commissioner again and welcomed C/Istik as a new member to the Commission. Chair/Chavers welcomed the new members to the Commission and welcomed C/Ortiz to a second term. Chair/Chavers then reported that there seems to be a parking problem at the Bowling Alley due to the nightclub and there have been reports of unruly behavior including a shooting at the site. C/Ortiz commented that the nightclub had been closed since March 7. March 10" 1994 Page 2 I C/Esposito questioned why the nightclub was closed and C/Ortiz reported that the reasons were as stated by Chair/Chavers. C/Istik expressed his appreciation to his appointment by Council Member Ansari. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR - None V. OLD BUSINESS A. List of Street Intersections Proposed for Traffic Signal Installation C/Gravdahl questioned the notation, "bidding" as to whether the improvements will be built as per the list. SE/Liu, in response to C/Gravdahl, stated that the traffic signal improvements on the list are being designed and constructed in accordance with the priority list as approved by the Traffic and Transportation Commission and the City Council. Chair/Chavers questioned the previous prioritization as to whether they included any discussion as to traffic signals close to one another or adjacent to one another. also he asked if the study considered the priority such that if one signal is completed is it necessary to complete another right away, or would it change traffic patterns so that it would change the need and does the criteria address this question. SE/Liu responded that of the two intersections on Diamond Bar Boulevard, the signal at Shadow Canyon Drive was previously included and presented to the Commission, and the signal at Fountain Springs Road subsequently addressed citizens" concern expressed at the City Council meeting. The warrant studies reflected that due to the number of accidents at these locations both intersections would have to be signalized ultimately. It was during the budgetary hearing process that Engineering was directed to construct the two signals concurrently. The Shadow Canyon Drive signal is also being subsidized by $25,000 from the JCC project in "The Country." The Commission agreed that they would like staff to bring to the Commission the warrant studies for the candidate intersections for traffic signal warrant studies so that they can be reviewed and compared with the three signals on Golden Springs Drive which are in the design process. SE/Liu responded that these traffic signal improvements along Golden Springs Drive have been approved and budgeted as capital improvement projects for Fiscal Year 1993-1994. March 10, 1994 Page 3 Furthermore, they are tentatively scheduled for construction in late summer of 1994. Moved by C/Istik and seconded by C/Esposito to accept staff's recommendation and request staff to conduct the warrant studies for the candidate intersections for traffic signal so that the studies can be brought back to the Commission for a comparison prior to approval of bids in the summer for the three intersections - Golden Springs Dr./Prospectors Rd., Golden Springs Dr./Golden Prados Dr., and Golden Springs Dr./Carpio Dr. The Motion carried 5-0 with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Istik, Esposito, Ortiz, VC/Gravdahl, Chair Chavers, NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Reorganization of the Traffic: and Transportation Commission 1. Moved by C/Ortiz to nominate C/Istik as Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Committee. The motion died for lack of second. 2. Moved by C/Istik and seconded by C/Esposito to nominate C/Ortiz as Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. Chair/Chavers pointed out that the Chairman and his appointee will need to attend the GPAC meetings and that in the future the Commission might consider rotation of Vice Chairman to Chairman for continuity. The Motion carried 3-2 with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Istik, Esposito, Ortiz NOES: Gravdahl, Chavers ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None 3. Moved by Chair/Ortiz, seconded by C/Chavers to nominate C/Intik for vice Chairman, of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. The Motion carried 5-0 with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Istik, Gravdahl, Chavers, Esposito, Ortiz NOES: None March 10, 1994 Page 4 ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None C/Chavers thanked staff and all those he has been working with as past Chairman of the Commission and Chair/Ortiz added that he will enjoy working with the Commission. B. Conceptual. Striping Pfau for North Side of Pathfinder Road Between SR -57 On and Off -Ramps SE/Liu asked the Commission to review the conceptual striping plan for the utilization of the 23' wide curb lane on both sides of Pathfinder Bridge between SR -57 On and Off -ramps. The concern is that vehicles are using the curb lane as two lanes of traffic instead of one and thereby eliminating usage of the pavement directly adjacent to the curb by emergency vehicles. The second lane of traffic forms as a result of motorists anticipating the right turn lane onto north bound Brea Canyon Road. The conceptual striping would consist of 1201 white diagonals at 20' intervals extending along the north side of Pathfinder Road between the 57 Freeway On and Off ramps, for a width of 10' and tapering to zero at the ramp curb returns. The southerly side of the bridge should also be taken into consideration at this time. VC/Istik and C/Chavers indicated that the proposed striping would not help in the transition of moving traffic over the bridge by narrowing the lanes of traffic and that the striping should be consistent with the usage. Deputy Clark commented that pulling to the right hand curb is required by drivers when an emergency vehicle is approaching. Also, emergency vehicles are instructed not to pass on the right. Oscar Law, 25011 Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar, stated that the Pathfinder Bridge is so congested during the peak commuter hours that emergency vehicles will have a difficult time getting across the bridge. His concern is that the response time of emergency vehicles could be delayed, therefore, he would like to see a dedicated lane on each side of the bridge for the usage of emergency vehicles only. C/Chavers commented that the design of the lanes should be consistent with standards and practical usage because of potential liability and recommended that the bridge be posted with 11No Stopping10 signs. �• Moved by VC/Istik and seconded by C/Chavers to deny staff's recommendation and staff is to investigate the benefit of a third westbound lane on Pathfinder Bridge between the northbound 57 on ramp and the southbound 57 off ramp. March 10, 1994 page 5 The Motion carried 5-0 with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Gravdahl, Chavers, Esposito, VC/Istik, Chair/Ortiz NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS - None VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS Chair/Ortiz commented that the parking at Heritage Park is a major problem with illegal diagonal parking on the street. The parking situation is generated mainly from the senior citizens and it is presenting a safety problem. SE/Liu responded that staff is aware of the problem and that there are two conceptual plans under discussion with the City Council. The frontage along Heritage Park is part of the segment of Brea Canyon Road being contemplated between Fountain springs Road and Cool Springs Drive. Of the two options, one is to maintain Brea Canyon Road as a two-lane roadway with a third lane option for right or left turns. The second option is full -width street improvements to accommodate a four -lane roadway. Either option will consider curb and gutter, parking and lighting as part of the improvements. This is a Capital Improvement Project which has been scheduled for Fiscal Year 1993-1994. Striping for diagonal parking will not be a recommendation at this time. Further suggestions to eliminate the problem of diagonal parking when the senior citizens meet were bagging parking restriction signs and hiring a traffic officer, as well as shuttle services. Safety of school children at the elementary schools was discussed in regards to parents parking illegally at the red curbs when dropping off their children. It was agreed that there are needs for traffic law enforcement in the area of certain schools in Diamond Bar including Lorbeer Junior High school. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF A. Diamond Bar Boulevard Rehabilitation project ( Between Brea Canyon Road and Grand Avenue) SE/Liu reported that the design services contract has been awarded to Nolte and Associates. The design will start soon and will take about three months. It is perceivable that construction activity could be starting in August or September. March 100 1994 Page 6 B. Traffic signals Construction on Diamond Bar Boulevard Fountain Springs Road and Shadow Canyon Drive SE/Liu reported that the bid opening is scheduled for March 22, 1994 and that construction period is estimated to begin in June, 1994 and be completed by the end of August, 1994. C. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Approval of HOV Lanes SE/Liu, as requested by Council Member Papen, reported that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has given full funding approval for 85 miles of HOV lanes in Los Angeles County. Two of these projects will offer traffic congestion relief to the Diamond Bar area. The first project is on SR -57 from Lambert Road to SR -60. The HOV lane will be approximately 4.5 miles long at a cost of $21.2 million. The second project is on SR -60 from Brea Canyon Road to the San Bernardino County line. The HOV lane will be approximately 7.5 miles long and estimated at a cost of $43.2 million. CalTrans informed Council Member Papen that the construction on SR -57 would begin in January of 1995 and that the grand opening could be in the summer of 1996. The HOV lanes on SR -60 will commence following the SR -57. D. Roster for All Commissions SE/Liu reported that a full list for all Commissions would be available at the next meeting. E. Citizen Concern SE/Liu reported that the concern is the motorists going eastbound on Golden Springs Drive to the SR -60 ramp tend to conflict with motorists traveling westbound making left turns into Gona Court. As part of the Landscaping Assessment District Improvements, there will be construction of landscaping medians between Gona Court and the westerly City Limits. Striping for proper channelization could be considered at that time to handle the conflict® however, the area will be observed before any final recommendations are made. In regards to other citizens, concerns, Chair Ortiz asked if anything had been done concerning citizen Jim Paul who had come to a City Council meeting regarding a request for a traffic signal on Golden Springs Drive at Calbourne Drive. SE/Liu responded that this intersection will be added to the list of candidate intersections for warrant study. c:\wp60\lindakay\U-94\tt-malO.94 L' 1 March 10, 1994 Page 7 Xe INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None XI. ADJOURNMENT Moved by C/Gravdahl, seconded by VC/Istik and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Attest: Tom Ortiz Chairman c:\wp60\Udakay\tt-94\tt-marlO.94 Respectively, ,btrOrl G. Liu Secretary