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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/9/1995CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MARCH 9, 1995 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ortiz called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman Ortiz. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Chairman Ortiz, Vice Chairman Istik, Chavers, Leonard Excused: Gravdahl Staff: Senior Engineer, David Liu; Consultant Engineer, Michael Myers; Administrative Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Sergeant Rawlings; and Recording Secretary, Carol Dennis Chair/Ortiz welcomed Commissioner Joyce Leonard. C/Leonard stated that she has been a Diamond Bar resident for 16 years. She stated that she currently holds a Real Estate Broker's license and is affiliated with Re -Max Realtors. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Meeting of February 9, 1995. C/Chavers indicated he is abstaining from approval of the minutes due to his absence from the February 9 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. VC/Istik questioned the approval of the minutes of the December 8, 1994 Traffic and Transportation meeting. He stated he was a few minutes late and that was voted on 2- 0. He asked if 2-0 constitutes approval of the minutes. SE/Liu responded that three commissioners were present and that two constitutes a majority of those present. Regarding the February 9, 1995 Traffic and Transportation Commission minutes, VC/Istik submitted the following corrections: 1) Page 4, sixth paragraph, fourth line, change "adequate" to "advisable" so that the sentence reads: "Some streets should have been designed as Residential Collectors with no houses facing the March 9, 1995 Page 2 T&T Commission street and because of this he feels it would be advisable to tell people the grade of the street." 2) On Page 7, VII. Status of Previous Action Items, he stated that the discussion of why the item had not been before the City Council is close to what was discussed at that time. 3) Regarding Page 8, second paragraph, he stated that there was a discussion regarding receipt of the City Council packets and since that time, he has been receiving them on time. He indicated he also stated at that meeting that Commissioner Chavers had indicated that he was receiving his packet sometimes on the Wednesday following the meeting. He stated he indicated on February 9 that was not reflected in those previous minutes and ironically, neither was it included in the minutes of February 9, 1995 so he asked that the comment be added if it is something that C/Chavers said. C/Chavers stated that he received this week's Council Meeting notice in yesterday's mail. VC/Istick stated he received his the same day. It was postmarked Santa Ana and dated March 3. 4) With respect to the third paragraph on Page 8, VC/Istick stated that was somewhat summarized. There was nothing in the minutes besides a vote on his part on those two issues. He feels strongly about this and has talked to the representative of the Evangelical Free Church and two Commissioners who are present tonight about whether or not he had something to say and if they recall any discussion on that part and they do. So that goes back to his statement on February 9 about the minutes being condensed or summarized or are some parts being cut out and he objects to some parts being cut out. 5) Regarding Page 9, paragraph five, what he recalls is SE/Liu stating "Here are the rules that were forwarded by Mayor Papen" and he further asked the question, "would you want to receive the rules once a year or in every packet?" And in response to that, he stated that he didn't think it was necessary to include the rules in every packet. He 1 March 9, 1995 Page 3 T&T Commission stated he wants to leave in the question that was asked. A motion was made by VC/Istik and seconded by Chair/Ortiz to postpone approval of the minutes until the revisions are made. VC/Istik would like to see the revised minutes. The motion was approved with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Istik, Chair/Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Leonard ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl II. COMMISSION COMMENTS C/Chavers stated he was able to get one copy of a handout regarding the Chino Valley Freeway. He further stated that many are pinning their hopes that when the freeway segment is improved there will be improvements to traffic conditions in Diamond Bar. C/Chavers stated that he noted with interest that the traffic signals at Golden Springs Drive/Golden Prados Drive and Golden Springs Drive/ Prospectors Road and Golden Springs Drive/Carpio Drive were on the agenda. He asked if those were authorized by Council to be constructed. SE/Liu responded that Council has authorized these projects as this year's capital improvement projects. C/Chavers commented that the City is now looking at another fiscal year and he believes those particular signals were a part of the 1994/1995 fiscal year and since the City is now approaching 1995/1996 it is his understanding that the City Council will put money into the budget for more traffic signals in fiscal year 1995/1996. He stated he would like to see efforts expedited to get the upcoming signals that are programmed into the budget identified, get the Council to approve them, get the designs put together and move as fast as possible. If there are funds available for 1995/1996 he would like to see it spent early in the fiscal year and have the benefit of the new equipment. He asked staff to update the Commission on the warrant information available, the current rankings, and what new intersections are coming to light. He indicated that he had witnessed an accident at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Goldrush Drive. He believes there are some very real concerns regarding this intersection and wants them addressed and acted upon as quickly as possible. March 9, 1995 Page 4 T&T Commission SE/Liu responded that with respect to the traffic signals for the next fiscal year the City is currently conducting traffic signal warrant studies at 10 intersections. These are: Diamond Bar Boulevard at Tin Drive, Goldrush Drive, Silverhawk Drive, Acacia Hill and Palomino Drive; Golden Springs Drive at Calbourne Drive and Raquet Club Road; Pathfinder Road at Peacefull Hills Road; and Sunset Crossing Road at the southbound SR 57. The warrant studies should be completed in approximately three weeks and with the conclusion of the studies, staff will bring this back to the Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting as an agenda item. With the blessing from the Commission, this will be forwarded to the Council for budget approval. Chair/Ortiz asked for a report on bike lane striping. SE/Liu stated that one of the concerns raised by a resident is whether the bike lane line should be dashed when it approaches a private driveway. According to the CalTrans standard, "the bike lane line may either be dropped entirely approximately 200 feet in advance of the intersection or a dash line carried to the intersection or through the intersection". With respect to the definition of an intersection, staff believes that this can be interpreted to mean a public street. He indicated that at this time, staff is not aware of any specific requirements in the code. Responding to Chair/Ortiz, SE/Liu stated that the driveway opposite Montefino at Diamond Bar Boulevard is a private driveway. VC/Istik stated that the SR 57 Freeway southbound on/off ramp at Sunset Crossing is under the jurisdiction of and should be funded by CalTrans. He further stated that CalTrans would probably let the City go in and pay the entire cost but since it is used to a great degree for eastbound SR 60 access it might be appropriate to ask CalTrans to think about funding a portion or all of the project. He asked to see the warrant study for Prospectors Road at Golden Springs Drive. SE/Liu responded that he would include the warrant study as part of the April Traffic and Transportation Commission packet. VC/Istik stated that would be agreeable. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road, asked what the City's involvement is and how effective it might be in expressing its concerns to CalTrans. He is concerned with March 9, 1995 Page 5 T&T Commission sound walls and the type of construction and design pattern the soundwall might have. He stated he would not like to see all of the greenery removed from the Diamond Bar Boulevard and Pathfinder Road location just to accommodate a sound wall. Responding to Mr. Clute, SE/Liu stated that the City gets involved in the environmental process. Public meetings are conducted prior to the project approval. In response to Chair/Ortiz, SE/Liu stated that the March 8 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) meeting was a workshop dealing with the Long Range Transportation Plan. LACMTA is soliciting public input for the Los Angeles County plan. C/Chavers stated that the project Mr. Clute is referring to has been funded for several years and it was moved up through efforts by Mayor Papen. The design is near completion. The Project Development Coordinator is Lu Quan. The City can give its input, however, CalTrans is not obligated to ask for input from the City. CalTrans will meet the letter of the law when it comes to the Environmental Impact requirements and the Mitigation Measures. In order to widen the freeway and add the lane, sound walls were a necessary mitigation measure under the EIR and CalTrans will build them. If any City wants to coordinate with CalTrans the City must proactively seek a relationship with CalTrans. With respect to this specific sound wall, CalTrans is widening the freeway from south of the Diamond Bar Boulevard off -ramp eight to 12 feet and north of Diamond Bar Boulevard moving up and over the bridge and before it catches grade again somewhere around the Pathfinder Road interchange, pushing the freeway out. In order to retain the fill land they will install a retaining wall with a sound wall on top of it and the greenery will be destroyed. He anticipates the wall will be plain concrete with a very plain masonry wall. CalTrans may ask the City to pay for anything additional to make the wall architecturally and aesthetically pleasing. There are never any public meetings for construction design. The public meetings were held during the Environmental Impact review which was done approximately six years ago about the time the City incorporated. C/Chavers suggested that Mr. Clute contact CalTrans in coordination with City staff to determine what they are doing for the landscaping, retaining wall and block wall. Mr. Clute asked if CalTrans has plans to widen the Grand Avenue ramps. SE/Liu responded that he has no information for March 9, 1995 Page 6 T&T Commission that location. C/Chavers stated that it is a separate project. CalTrans divides things into design and construction packages. The SR 57 south of the SR 60 split will be one package. What happens in the SR 57/SR 60 confluence and the SR 60 extending up over the hill into Pomona will be a second design and construction package. He offered his services to staff with regard to contacting people at CalTrans. SE/Liu provided Mr. Clute with a copy of the Executive Summary from the March 8, 1995 MTA Long Range Transportation Plan workshop. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: - None V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Neighborhood Traffic Management Study. SE/Liu reported that to resolve the traffic problems in a systematic areawide approach with the consensus approval of the community for the triangle area bounded by Pathfinder Road to the north, Diamond Bar Boulevard to the east and Brea Canyon Road to the west. DKS and staff have developed the proposed correspondence and the questionnaire that will be sent to the residents next week. Staff would like for the Commission to concur with the enclosures. There are approximately 500 residents in the area who will receive this mailing and they will have at least four weeks to respond. Staff is also requesting that the April Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting be a joint meeting and workshop with the neighborhood residents for this study. Responding to Chair/Ortiz, SE/Liu indicated that in addition to the workshop there are several items scheduled for the meeting agenda. Chair/Ortiz recommended two meetings for April with one meeting designated for the workshop only. C/Chavers stated he is comfortable with two meetings. As an alternative he would be agreeable to starting the meeting at 6:00 p.m. with the regular business being conducted in the first hour. The public workshop could be opened at 7:00 p.m. and a second meeting could be scheduled if needed. 1 March 9, 1995 Page 7 T&T Commission VC/Istik stated he would like to have one meeting. C/Leonard indicated she would agree with one meeting starting at 6:00 p.m. Chair/Ortiz stated the next meeting would begin at 6:00 p.m. as opposed to 7:00 p.m. SE/Liu asked for Commission input with respect to the mailer which will be sent out next week. VC/Istik stated that at the February 9 Traffic and Transportation meeting it was brought up under "Old Business" that this item would come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission for approval at this meeting. Responding to VC/Istik, SE/Liu stated that DKS Associates has completed approximately 25% of the study. The Diamond Bar Boulevard project has been completed and DKS Associates has completed a review of the existing data for the neighborhood traffic management study. VC/Istik suggested that the residents could be told the key issues the City is looking for and that these items could be highlighted. C/Leonard indicated that she approves of the question- naire as written. C/Chavers stated that Item #4 on the questionnaire seems to be a fairly technical statement. He suggested that the item be rephrased to encourage a layman's response. He feels the questionnaire might lead people to exaggerate and therefore not elicit real opinions and he encouraged staff to work with DKS to find a more open ended way to ask these questions. VC/Istik suggested that on Item #3 people could be encouraged to use a relative importance of 1 to 12. C/Chavers stated that if the residents are asked to rank the items in order of importance from 1 to 12 then they have been asked to provide a measure of importance. VC/Istik explained that he was involved with a study wherein some people listed all items as a problem and they put all 10's only to find out later when the responses were averaged there was absolutely no input to March 9, 1995 Page 8 TAT Commission the final result. Chair/Ortiz suggested that an example of how the questionnaire is to be completed should be included on the form. A motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Leonard to have staff work with the consultant to incorporate, where possible, the comments by the Commission and get the questionnaire out to the public. The motion was approved 4-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Leonard, VC/Istik, Chair/Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl Mr. Clute suggested that owners and renters and the Country Hills Town Center Management Company, the school district and the school crossing guard company should be invited to the meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Request for multi -way stop sign warrant analysis on Palomino Drive between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Ballena Drive. AA/Aberra reported that the Department of Public Works continues to receive complaints about speeding on Palomino Drive. In the past, the Commission has discussed the feasibility of installing stop signs on Palomino Drive. Staff is requesting input from the Commission and asking that the Commission concur with staff's recommendation to conduct a warrant study for a three-way stop sign on Palomino Drive at Ballena Drive and Platina Drive. VC/Istik stated he would concur with the recommended action. C/Leonard stated she would also concur with the recommendation. C/Chavers indicated that there is a traffic signal warrant study being conducted on Diamond Bar Boulevard at March 9, 1995 Page 9 TAT Commission Palomino Drive. The information would be beneficial to have as part of this study and he is concerned that a three-way stop is treating the symptom rather than curing the disease. He is concerned about even considering a traffic signal at Palomino given how closely it is spaced to the SR 60/Diamond Bar Boulevard interchange. Perhaps the Palomino Drive/Diamond Bar Boulevard intersection should be viewed as to how the problem is fixed as opposed to putting stop signs down on Palomino Drive at Ballena Drive and Platina Drive. He suggested maybe there are geometric configurations where the access could be limited at the Diamond Bar Boulevard intersection. Perhaps it could be made a right-in/right-out only. Perhaps it could be made left -in and not allow left turns out. Some of those things would start to change the traffic pattern fairly dramatically. He stated he supports the idea that the warrant analysis be done but he would like for an accompanying analysis to be done of the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive to see if there isn't another option. A motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by VC/Istik to approve staff's recommendation to conduct multi -way stop sign warrant analysis on Palomino Drive at Ballena Drive and at Platina Drive and that staff concurrently investigate ways to improve the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard/ Palomino Drive. The motion was approved 4- 0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: C/Chavers, VC/Istik, C/Leonard, Chair/Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: C/Gravdahl B. Request by Jones Intercable to remove the existing red curb on both sides of their second driveway on Brea Canyon Road. SE/Liu stated that at the February Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting the Commission requested that staff work with the business owner to see ' if there might be any alternative solutions for the loading/ unloading condition that exists. Staff has determined that the Jones Intercable business office and March 9, 1995 Page 10 T&T Commission the auto body shop are part of the same structure. The Jones Intercable facility is approximately 19,400 square feet of floor area. Jones Intercable has 31 employees on an average daily basis and 34 employees who work outside the facility for a total of 65 employees. The auto body shop employs two people. According to the City's Planning and Zoning Code, the parking requirement for the structure is 48. There are currently 34 parking spaces in a parking lot which is accessed from Lycoming Street and an additional 22 spaces are provided in the parking lot which is accessed from Brea Canyon Road. This gives a total of 56 parking spaces which exceeds the requirement of 48. Staff has been in contact with several people at Jones Intercable and tonight their representative is present with a suggestion for resolution to this situation. Staff suggests that until the on-site parking facilities are fully utilized the City should not grant any further consideration. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission deny the request and continue to work with Jones Intercable to assist them in better utilizing their on-site parking facility. Janet Spatz, General Manager of Jones Intercable and resident of Diamond Bar, stated that she fully expected the Commission to deny their request based on prior comments by the Commissioners. She indicated that due to the shifting during the day, the current parking facility is empty part of the day. What the company has done is to identify certain spaces in the parking lot that are not used until the afternoon or evening shift by painting them with different striping so the trucks will be able to use those spaces in the morning hours. She stated they are not certain how effective this will be, however, they are trying to use this method to solve their own problem. She indicated they would like the opportunity to return to the Commission if this solution is not workable. She stated some trucks will still be on the street somewhat, however, much more of the traffic will be off of the street. VC/Istik asked Ms. Spatz if Jones Intercable is withdrawing their request. Ms. Spatz responded "not permanently". She indicated that they are withdrawing their request for the time being but they might wish to return to the Commission if this solution doesn't work. March 9, 1995 Page 11 TAT Commission VC/Istik stated he felt strongly about the issue. Certainly with the testimony for parking and loading and unloading on the street on the east and west side, it is not something to set a precedent on if at all possible. Ms. Spatz stated she would withdraw the request for the time being. Chair/Ortiz asked that the minutes reflect Ms. Spatz request and all Commission comments be stopped. C. Request by a resident to install flashing beacons or pedestrian signal with a crosswalk on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Quail Summit Drive. SE/Liu stated that staff recommends that the Commission discuss this matter and concur with staff to conduct a warrant study on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Quail Summit Drive to ascertain if a pedestrian crosswalk with flashing beacon or pedestrian signal is warranted. VC/Istik stated that having tried to cross there he agrees with staff's recommendation. C/Chavers stated that he views these types of solutions with a great deal of trepidation and wonders if a signal might be warranted at that location. C/Leonard stated that at the minimum the location should have a pedestrian crosswalk. She indicated she feels a traffic signal might better serve the area and at the minimum she would vote for a warrant study. C/Chavers asked if it would be possible to do both warrants concurrently so that the Commission has all of the data available. SE/Liu stated staff would comply with C/Chavers request. VC/Istik stated he has been involved recently with two flashing beacons in Walnut and so far they have stopped the number of accidents on Grand Avenue. Chair/Ortiz stated that crosswalks are false barriers without educating the pedestrians and in essence, they are not safe. He suggested the City implement some kind of educational program to notify the proper method for using crosswalks. March 9, 1995 Page 12 TAT Commission Responding to Chair/Ortiz, Sgt. Rawlings stated that upon request of a school the Crime Prevention Unit will give presentations on traffic safety. In response to C/Chavers, Sgt. Rawlings stated that Deputy Bryant teaches the Traffic Safety program. His agenda does not include teaching children how to use crosswalks. The program includes substance abuse and gangs, etc. Chair/Ortiz suggested the Commission research a pedestrian safety education program for school children. A motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Leonard that the Commission concur with staff's recommendation to conduct warrant studies regarding a pedestrian crosswalk at Diamond Bar Boulevard at Quail Summit Drive with an amendment to include warrant analysis for traffic signal purposes as well so that the Commission has all of the available data to make its evaluation. VC/Istik asked if C/Chavers included flashing beacons as part of the motion with traffic signals as a third item. C/Chavers responded that to him, this is all a part of the pedestrian crosswalk analysis. The motion was approved 4-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Leonard, VC/Istik, Chair/Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN. COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS. A. Installation of stop signs at the Legs of residential T- - intersections (Cold Spring Lane at Barbi Lane, Cold Spring Lane at Ambushers Street, and Gold Run Drive at Running Branch Road). SE/Liu stated this item was approved by the City Council on February 7, 1995. The work order will be given to the County and should be installed in about a month. SE/Liu further stated that at the February 7, 1995 VIII.ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS C/Chavers commended staff on the Diamond Bar Boulevard Rehabilitation Project. VC/Istik asked for a status on the change of speed limits for some of the residential streets from 30 to 25 MPH. SE/Liu responded that this item will likely be agendized for the first week in April. He stated he has conveyed the wishes of the Commission and the City Manager understands this will be included in a future meeting. Staff is currently writing the report. He indicated he will attempt to have the item placed on the March 21 agenda, otherwise it will be on the agenda for April. VC/Istik stated that he favors going back to 25 MPH on the double loaded streets in the City that have a very narrow pavement in each direction. VC/Istik stated he had a handout for the Commission so that they could see what kind of report C/Chavers makes when he is making a presentation to another City's City Council. Chair/Ortiz asked VC/Istik to make a copy for staff. C/Chavers stated it clearly presents what kind of records can be kept in the way of meeting minutes. He indicated in some instances City's he presents to will say "applicant presentation made by Todd Chavers" and he may have talked for 30 minutes and answered 30 minutes of questions. Other times he sees very complete meeting minutes like the one VC/Istik has handed out. He encouraged the Commission and staff to look at the handout from that perspective and get a feel for whether or not this is a direction the Commission might take. Chair/Ortiz stated that this is a further strengthening of VC/Istik's comments on meeting minutes that they should be complete and concise. C/Chavers stated that he would use the term "salient". VC/Chavers indicated that he had expressed some rather harsh March 9, 1995 Page 13 T&T Commission meeting the City Council awarded the construction contract to Macadee Electric, Inc. for the Golden Springs Drive traffic signals. Construction is scheduled to begin in April and should be completed by June. VIII.ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS C/Chavers commended staff on the Diamond Bar Boulevard Rehabilitation Project. VC/Istik asked for a status on the change of speed limits for some of the residential streets from 30 to 25 MPH. SE/Liu responded that this item will likely be agendized for the first week in April. He stated he has conveyed the wishes of the Commission and the City Manager understands this will be included in a future meeting. Staff is currently writing the report. He indicated he will attempt to have the item placed on the March 21 agenda, otherwise it will be on the agenda for April. VC/Istik stated that he favors going back to 25 MPH on the double loaded streets in the City that have a very narrow pavement in each direction. VC/Istik stated he had a handout for the Commission so that they could see what kind of report C/Chavers makes when he is making a presentation to another City's City Council. Chair/Ortiz asked VC/Istik to make a copy for staff. C/Chavers stated it clearly presents what kind of records can be kept in the way of meeting minutes. He indicated in some instances City's he presents to will say "applicant presentation made by Todd Chavers" and he may have talked for 30 minutes and answered 30 minutes of questions. Other times he sees very complete meeting minutes like the one VC/Istik has handed out. He encouraged the Commission and staff to look at the handout from that perspective and get a feel for whether or not this is a direction the Commission might take. Chair/Ortiz stated that this is a further strengthening of VC/Istik's comments on meeting minutes that they should be complete and concise. C/Chavers stated that he would use the term "salient". VC/Chavers indicated that he had expressed some rather harsh March 9, 1995 Page 14 T&T Commission words because he was upset. He does not think it is the place of the City Manager to stand between an advisory body and the Council that appointed that advisory body. He stated he has never seen anything like that reflected in the meeting minutes. He further stated that he is certain that his words were strong enough that they came through on the tape. He is troubled that some things that he thinks should be there and are salient are not getting included. He indicated he is not sure he has the answer as to how to do that but this is a good place to look at it and see if this is a better direction to go. He stated he thinks we do a good job, we can always do better. Chair/Ortiz stated he remembers the meeting. Chair/Ortiz inquired Sgt. Rawlings about the Sheriff's Department policy on stop signs. He asked if enforcement begins the minute the stop signs are installed or if there a grace period. Responding to Chair/Ortiz, Sgt. Rawlings responded that there is no written policy regarding stops sign enforcement. Under hazardous situations, enforcement should begin immediately for safety reasons. With respect to the recently installed stop signs on Brea Canyon Road at Cold Springs Lane, he stated the Sheriff's Department was asked to issue warnings for the first week. For non -hazardous changes in the law there is a procedure to give a grace period. Chair/Ortiz stated that during weddings and funerals there are usually about 20 cars parked along the red curb at St. Denis. Even though there are citations being issued by the Sheriff's Department, staff should generate a letter to St. Denis stating that when there are funerals or special events, they instruct the parties that are going to use the grounds that they will be cited for illegal parking. Sgt. Rawlings stated that the Sheriff's Department is writing citations there. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF SE/Liu stated that the Commission is required to elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for a term of one year at its first regular meeting of March. He suggested that this item be agendized for the April meeting. CE/Myers presented the Commission with a copy of the preliminary design report for the Golden Springs Drive Bike 1 1 1 March 9, 1995 Page 15 T&T Commission Lane project. He said the item will go before the City Council in April with a request for authorization to solicit bids. The item will then be returned to the Council in May with a request for authorization to award a contract. Construction is scheduled to begin the middle of May and to be completed the middle of June. This project and schedule is expending some third year SBA 821 fund before they are lost. At first blush the project seemed very straight forward. Upon detail study, some complications did arise. The parking as it exists in the northern end, particularly from Sylvan Glen Road to Temple Avenue, makes it very difficult if not impossible to fit all of the traffic lanes, bicycle lanes, parking lanes and turn lanes into a 64 foot roadway. Staff recommends and is proceeding to defer this portion to a second phase improvement project allowing more time for study. The first phase will be the introduction of the bicycle lane each side of Golden Springs Drive from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Sylvan Glen Road. Primarily this is a striping project. The portion of Golden Springs Drive from Platina Drive to Diamond Bar Boulevard is currently two to three hundred feet of posted "No Stopping". CE/Myers asked that the "No Stopping Any Time" on Golden Springs Drive from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Sylvan Glen Road issue be agendized for the April Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting and return to the April City Council meeting for recommendation for authorization to advertise. CE/Myers indicated he can anticipate the public concern about no -stopping because it does remove a number of parking spaces that are approximate to the school on Golden Springs Drive. The overall available supply of curb parking spaces would not be diminished below what is necessary to provide pickup and delivery, although there is some inconvenience involved. Most parents prefer to use the Golden Springs Drive frontage road and Ballena Drive for loading and unloading. All of the other immediately adjacent land uses do not take direct access from Golden Springs Drive and do not appear to have pedestrian or useable access but take access from the side streets or the frontage roads. C/Chavers asked why this was presented as an informational item rather than an agenda item. CE/Myers responded the design report was completed only over the last week and was not ready for presentation at the time the agenda was prepared for the Commission. C/Chavers asked if staff would intend to have a public meeting March 9, 1995 Page 16 T&T Commission in the hour prior to the public workshop at the next meeting. CE/Myers responded that that is his recommendation. C/Chavers asked if there has been a meeting scheduled with the principal of Golden Springs Elementary School. CE/Myers responded that prior to the next meeting he would do that. There are no prepared plans available at this time. That will occur over the next two to three weeks. C/Chavers stated that there are no separate left turn lanes at Golden Springs Drive and High Knob Road. Since there are two different street configurations on Golden Springs Drive will staff consider using what is at the north end as a template bringing that to the south end. He asked how badly does the City need left turn lanes and will that be a part of the analysis. CE/Myers responded that it has not been a part of the analysis on Phase I. The intention was to perpetuate the turning lanes that are currently in existence. The reason for Phase II is because there are many more issues to be dealt with than appeared at the outset of the project. C/Chavers stated that it is inevitable that someone will say, "rather than lose the parking in front of the school, why not do it like it is up north?". The Commission and staff need to be prepared to answer that question prior to embarking upon a public meeting or the Commission will look very foolish. He encourage CE/Myers to meet with the principal, Mr. Mangham and Kathy Nolan, the head of the PTA at the school. VC/Istik stated that the school district can use the streets for drop off and in so doing, it takes away the original use for which the street was intended and that is to move people. C/Leonard asked for clarification that the Phase I is primarily the "no stopping" issue and Phase II is for construction of the bike lanes. CE/Myers responded that Phase II is to primarily be able to construct a bicycle lane from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Sylvan Glen Road on both sides of the roadway. The most significant complication is the necessity to install "No Stopping Any Time" in areas which now enjoy parking and particularly in front of the school. Chair/Ortiz asked if funds were available for a bicycle safety program for the local schools. CE/Myers responded that he believes the funds are for constructing bicycle and pedestrian facilities and improvements. He is not aware of funds for educational programs. SE/Liu reiterated that the SB 821 funds are not available for educational programs. Sgt. Rawlings stated the Sheriff's Department could conduct educational ' March 9, 1995 Page 17 T&T commission programs upon request. The Crime Prevention Deputy that the City has under contract could perform those duties. Chair/Ortiz asked staff to look into have this service performed at the local schools. C/Chavers asked if it changed the City's O&M and if the City has to sweep the bike lanes more often and keep them clean so that people will use them and does the street lighting have to be changed in any way to accommodate the bike lane users. CE/Myers responded that he is not aware of any requirement for additional street lighting. Responding to C/Chavers, Sgt. Rawlings stated that the Sheriff's Department has pamphlets that address bicycle safety and the text could be used in City publications. Responding to Chair/Ortiz, CE/Myers stated he needs no action from the Commission this evening and asked if the Commission wishes to agendize this item for its next meeting. C/Leonard asked if the agenda items could be accomplished in the hour preceding the workshop. SE/Liu responded that he believed it could be done. C/Chavers stated he does not believe an hour will be sufficient for the regular meeting agenda and would prefer a meeting the week prior to the workshop meeting. Chair/Ortiz stated he agrees with C/Chavers. SE/Liu suggested that the regular meeting could begin at 6:00 p.m. and the workshop could begin at 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. VC/Istik stated written comments could be accepted if people have plans to be out of town. SE/Liu indicated that the residents will have three and one- half weeks to give their responses. He suggested that the workshop could be moved to April 6. C/Chavers stated he thought there was more urgency with respect to the bike lanes. His preference would be to conduct the regular meeting on April 6 and have the workshop on April 13. C/Chavers indicated that he is concerned with the appearance March 9, 1995 Page is T&T Commission of bringing an unagendized item before the Commission so that the report to the Council can say staff ran it by the Traffic and Transportation Commission and feels this would put the Commission in a very embarrassing position. VC/Istik stated he would hope that reports handed out at the meeting are not forwarded to Council as reviewed items. C/Chavers stated that the process leaves him very uncomfortable. He indicated he can see people showing up for a meeting asking why the Commission is bothering to have a public meeting when the Council has already approved the item. CE/Myers stated that the authorization to bid could be moved to the April 18 City Council meeting and the award contract could be moved to the second Council meeting in May. C/Chavers stated the Commission could hold its public meeting on March 30 which would put the item ahead of the Council meeting. VC/Istik suggested that if the Commission is having a separate meeting and it is being done based on something the Council has already talked about he would rather not have the meeting or meet sooner. C/Chavers suggested March 30 for the public meeting. Without objection, the Commission concurred. CE/Myers responded that he would have substantially completed plans and specifications. VC/Istik asked if the 30 MPH to 25 MPH streets that the Commission voted on in December could be forwarded to the Council. He stated he is concerned with what was discussed at the last meeting about the item being put off until after the General Plan is adopted. CE/Myers responded that it might be appropriate for a member of the Commission work directly with the Mayor and reiterated the importance of putting this matter before the City Council. There has been a lot of businesses before the City Council. The agenda is created, set and published by the City Manager and the Mayor. SE/Liu reiterated that the City Manager is aware of this item and has given him direction to proceed and staff is compiling the information which will be forwarded to the City Council on March 21 or April 4. C/Leonard stated her willingness to speak with the Mayor March 9, 1995 Page 19 TAT Commission regarding the item. VC/Istik responded that he does not want to hang something on the timing of the General Plan. There has been testimony from Mr. Clute this evening and others have spoken regarding the item and there has been concurrence from Sgt. Rawlings to take the 30 MPH down to 25 MPH where it used to be. SE/Liu recommended that the meeting be adjourned to March 30, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Building and the room number will be determined. Chair/Ortiz requested that staff provide an updated list of all Commissioners with their names, telephone numbers, addresses and their appointors. SE/Liu responded since there will be a reorganization of the Traffic and Transportation Commission, the list will be provided following that meeting with the updated information. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None XI. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Ortiz declared the meeting to adjourned at 9:22 p.m. Attest: dlJ7 Mh Orti Chairman 1 Respectfully, avid G. Liu Secretary