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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/8/1996CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 8, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Leonard called the meeting to order at 7:05 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 Commissioner Ortiz. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Vice Chair Leonard, Commissioners Ortiz, and Virginkar Staff: Deputy Director of Public Works, David Liu; Administrative Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Sergeant Rawlings; and Recording Secretary, Carol Dennis Absent: Chair Istik and Commissioner Gravdahl I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Meeting of January 11, 1996. C/Virginkar requested that the first sentence, paragraph 5, Page 11, be corrected to read: "C/Ortiz made a motion, seconded by C/Virginkar to deny staff's recommendation and approve the consultant's recommendation to paint "SLOW" pavement and a 30' red curb along the southwest corner of the intersection on Santaquin Drive to improve turning visibility for northbound drivers along Silver Hawk Drive." C/Ortiz made a motion, seconded by C/Virginkar to approve the corrected minutes. There being no objections, the motion was so ordered. II. COMMISSION COMMENTS: C/Ortiz requested Item X. Information Item B. be moved to item 1 on the agenda. February 8, 1996 Page 2 T&T Commission X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS B. Traffic circulation and congestion at Golden Springs Drive and Grand Avenue. Deputy John Steel, from Walnut Sheriff's Department, recommended the elimination of the northerly driveway on Golden Springs Drive for purposes of "entering traffic" into the Calvary Chapel area. Traffic entering the church parking area would use the southerly driveway on Golden Springs Drive and the driveway on Grand Avenue. He further recommended that the traffic entering the southerly driveway on Golden Springs Drive be directed around the southerly rear portion of the church and out on the north side of the church to be directed by the ushers to parking spaces in front of the church and beyond to the secondary lot. He proposed a manual control for the traffic -- signal at Grand Avenue and Golden Springs Drive which would allow the Sheriff's Department traffic control at peak church hours. Sgt. Rawlings stated 75 percent of the church traffic comes south on Grand Avenue and turns right at Golden Springs Drive. He recommended that the church encourage their parishioners to continue southerly on Grand Avenue (rather than turning right on Golden Springs Drive) and enter the church facilities from Grand Avenue. He further proposed that the Traffic and Transportation Commission consider the elimination of all left turn cross -traffic entry from Golden Springs Drive. Sgt. Rawlings responded to VC/Leonard that the proposed changes would not increase a backup in traffic on Grand Avenue crossing Golden Springs Drive because the driveway entrance from Grand Avenue is long enough to accommodate a heavy traffic flow. Scott Haus, Calvary Chapel Staff Pastor, stated the church is open to assisting the City with respect to traffic considerations. Deputy Steel responded to C/Ortiz that the two 1 February 8, 1996 Page 3 T&T Commission traffic deputies assigned for three Sunday morning services, one Sunday evening service and one Wednesday evening service provide adequate coverage. The problem is moving the traffic off of the street in a timely manner. The Operations Deputy coordinates only the number of deputies and the hours of service with the church. He indicated there is a safety concern for the deputies when the signals are flashing at night. The street lights tend to fade out putting the deputies at risk. Therefore, he recommends a manual traffic control to eliminate the risk to the deputies who must stand at an intersection with double left turn lanes for both northbound and southbound traffic. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Virginkar that the first step is to approach Calvary Chapel with the Sheriff's Department's recommendations and give Calvary Chapel time to respond. This item would then be placed on a future Traffic and Transportation Commission agenda with all concerned parties invited to participate. II. COMMISSION COMMENTS, Cont. C/Ortiz indicated there are approximately 20 to 30 construction vehicles illegally parked on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Shadow Canyon Drive (entrance to "The Country Estates") in the "Right Turn Only" lane on Monday through Friday from 6:50 a.m. until "The Country Estates" opens the gate. Deputy Steel responded to C/Ortiz that he will investigate the situation and respond with enforcement. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR C/Ortiz made a motion, seconded by C/Virginkar to approve the Consent Calendar, Items A through C. There being no objections, the motion was so ordered. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Roger Myer, 2634 Crooked Creek Drive, complained that there is a glut of street signs on Fountain Springs February 8, 1996 Page 4 T&T Commission Drive from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Crooked Creek Drive. DDPW/Liu responded to Mr. Myer that he will investigate to be certain that the City Council Resolution and Cal - Trans standards for signage are being followed. He indicated that he will report his findings to the Traffic and Transportation Commission as an Information Item. Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Drive, thanked the Sheriff's Department for their recommendations regarding the Calvary Chapel traffic flow. He indicated that manual controls are a common occurrence at these types of events. In his opinion, left turns onto the Calvary Chapel property should be allowed. He commented that it appears the signs on Fountain Springs Drive between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Crooked Creek Drive are too close together and redundant. In addition, he indicated he does not see the red curb marking which he feels will attract more attention than the signs. Mr. Clute stated that several street improvements that were scheduled to be in place by the end of January are not in place. He further stated that the City's January 17, 1996 letter to the residents did not mention the amended crosswalk at Castle Rock Road. He indicated that several residents have advised him they have not received mailings from the City. He questioned how the City Council will be able to review the progress if the improvements have yet been made. He recommended the City conduct through -traffic studies in his neighborhood with the funds left over from Phase I, Part 1 of the Neighborhood Traffic Study improvements. He stated he would like to see the "Park -N -Ride at the SR 57" and the "Country View Drive cul-de-sacing" reviewed by the Traffic and Transportation Commission. VC/Leonard responded to Mr. Clute that the Country View Drive cul-de-sacing issue is slated for the April 11, 1996 Traffic and Transportation Commission agenda. DDPW/Liu responded to Mr. Clute that the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommended to the City Council that a consultant be retained to conduct a Neighborhood Traffic Study with respect to the Country View�Drive cul-de-sacing issue. The consultant has 1 LJ 1 February 8, 1996 Page 5 concluded the traffic data study and is developing a mailing to the residents. scheduled for presentation T&T Commission collection portion of the survey questionnaire for The Traffic Study is to the Commission in April. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Ortiz that CalTrans has jurisdiction, with respect to on-site parking at the Park -N -Ride at the SR 57 and Diamond Bar Boulevard. CalTrans has proposed an expansion plan of 120 parking spaces for the site. The City enter into a joint cooperative agreement with the State of California. This item was presented to the City Council last year. Certain portions of the project, such as landscaping and on-site maintenance will have to be approved by the City of Diamond Bar prior to project advertisement and construction. At this time, CalTrans has not released a schedule for this proposed project. DDPW/Liu stated he will present an update of this project at the March Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Virginkar that the Park -N -Ride issue was passed to the City Council by the Traffic and Transportation Commission approximately three years ago. V. OLD BUSINESS - None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Walnut Valley and Pomona Unified School Districts' policy regarding student pick-up and drop-off locations at Diamond Bar schools. Clyde Evans, Director of Transportation, Walnut Unified School District, stated the School District's position is that this item is a City issue and they are responsible for the flow of traffic. He further stated the district would like a study of all schools conducted by City staff that includes input from the parents. Mr. Evans responded to C/Ortiz that school officers do not issue traffic citations and that they have no authority to do so. Ed Walsh, Administrative Director, Pomona Unified School District, introduced Gary Andreasen, Andreasen February 8, 1996 Page 6 T&T Commission Engineering. He indicated that the School District has retained Andreasen Engineering to study the traffic flow to and from all schools in the Pomona Unified School District. He further stated the goal is to resolve and better manage the traffic flow at the school campuses and to cooperate with City staff in this effort. Initially, the district has requested input from all school principals and from the parents. He offered the City the cooperation of.the district's consultant. Mr. Walsh responded to C/Ortiz that the district's officers are bona fide peace officers and have the power to issue citations. C/Ortiz thanked the school district representatives for attending the meeting and volunteered his services. He indicated he observed extreme traffic flow problems at Lorbeer Junior Middle School during peak hours. Gary Andreasen, Andreasen Engineering, stated he is available to answer questions. He indicated that his firm has consulted with the Pomona Unified School District on four schools in the past year. In addition, his firm called in a traffic engineer to study the problems. Proposed solutions have been implemented at various locations. In his opinion, the solutions can better be implemented through joint effort with the City. Kathy Nolan, PTA President, Golden Springs Elementary School, Health and Safety Disaster Preparedness, Lorbeer Middle School and Pomona Council PTA Health and Safety Chair, stated she is pleased this item is before the Traffic and Transportation Commission. The issue at Golden Springs Elementary School is the safety of the children. She further stated she is concerned with the student drop-off and pick-up at the rear of the school. The number of vehicles at this location has increased dramatically in the past year. She recommended student crossing at Palomino Drive and El Encino Drive. The PTA recommends that a crosswalk be installed on Prospect Valley Drive at the El Encino Drive T -Intersection. She indicated that the -" installation of the red and white zones in front of the school on Golden Springs Drive has been extremely helpful. A study found that installation of red and 1 February 8, 1996 Page 7 T&T Commission white zones at the rear of the school was not necessary. However, since the school is now an open campus, she would like the City to reconsider this option. She concurred with C/Ortiz regarding the horrendous traffic flow situation at Lorbeer Junior High School. She suggested a white zone to replace the red zone in front of the school. C/Ortiz concurred with Ms. Nolan that a loading/unloading zone should be reinstituted in front of the school. Sgt. Rawlings responded to VC/Leonard that during the years he has held his present position with the Sheriff's Department, he has reviewed numerous traffic studies that indicate crosswalks do not aid in the safety of pedestrians. In fact, they jeopardize pedestrians because the crosswalk gives the pedestrian a false sense of security. C/Virginkar stated he favors joint effort and cooperation between all parties. DDPW/Liu responded to VC/Leonard that he will check on the Stop Sign Warrant Study conducted at the intersection of El Encino Drive and Prospect Valley Drive and report to the Commission the conditions that existed at the time of the study and the conditions that exist since the school has become an open campus. DDPW/Liu reiterated to the Commission that a study is underway to investigate the traffic flow at all schools in the Walnut Valley Unified School District and the Pomona Unified School District as it effects the City. All concerns will be addressed and a unified study will be conducted. Once the cooperative study is completed, the results will be brought before the Commission for consideration. Staff's recommendation for this item is that the City receive input/comments from the Walnut Valley and Pomona Unified School Districts and request that the school districts provide specific traffic circulation issues pertaining to student pick-up/drop- off locations at all school sites. He stated that two months is a reasonable time to expect feedback to the Commission. He further stated he hoped the City would be able to work with the Walnut Unified School District with the same cooperation that the City enjoys with February 8, 1996 Page 8 T&T Commission VII. Pomona Unified School District. Mr. Clute thanked the Pomona Unified School District and stated they are "light years ahead" of Walnut Valley Unified School District with respect to cooperation and implementation. He indicated he is shocked at the response of Walnut Valley School District and will be following up with the school board. C/Virginkar recommended staff set a priority to coordinate with Walnut Valley Unified School District because they do not have a plan of action. He volunteered his time to assist in obtaining the cooperation of the Walnut Valley School District. VC/Leonard offered her assistance in obtaining the cooperation of the Walnut Valley Unified School District. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS DDPW/Liu stated the City Council approved the increase in speed on Chino Hills Parkway from 45 MPH to 50 MPH. The City Council awarded the construction contract for the left turn signals at three locations: Golden Springs Drive at Diamond Bar Boulevard, Diamond Bar Boulevard at Mountain Laurel Way, and Brea Canyon Road at Golden Springs Drive. The contractor will begin installation early March and should complete the work by the end of June, 1996. DDPW/Liu responded to VC/Leonard that the traffic light on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Goldrush Drive is under design. The design should be completed in April and construction should begin in June or July, 1996. VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS AA/Aberra responded to C/Ortiz that the principle of Placentia School was contacted. She indicated that they have striped three lanes into the curved driveway in front of their school. The inside lane (closest to the school) is a "bus only" lane, the middle lane is a quick stop lane, and the outside lane is a drive- through with no stopping. She indicated this striping has worked well for the school. The principle also 1 February 8, 1996 Page 9 T&T Commission indicated that there was no school board action and no intervention by the City of Placentia and that the school had taken the action to help solve its own traffic problems. Although the Placentia School has a frontage similar to Lorbeer Junior High School, it is in a residential area and not on a major through road. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF A. Appointment of an ex -officio youth member to the Traffic and Transportation Commission. DDPW/Liu stated Mayor Ansari requested this item be placed on the agenda for consideration. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission discuss this item and send its recommendation to the City Council. C/Ortiz stated he is opposed to an ex -officio youth appointment to the Traffic and Transportation Commission. He suggested that the City conduct an annual "Youth Day" and invite students to attend the Commission meetings. VC/Leonard stated she is opposed to an ex -officio youth appointment to the Traffic and Transportation Commission. She indicated she would prefer a "Career Day" approach and encourage a City official to participate. C/Virginkar stated he concurs with C/Ortiz and VC/Leonard. He suggested the students could be invited to participate in any Commission or City Council meeting as a member of the audience. Mr. Clute stated he would encourage participation by community members in any and all Commissions. He requested to know what agenda items are open to public comment. DDPW/Liu responded to Mr. Clute that the agenda includes public comment on non -agenda items. During the agendized items, the public can address any issues of concern. Public input is encouraged and appreciated. B. Citations issued for the month of January, 1996. February 8, 1996 Page 10 T&T Commission Sgt. Rawlings suggested his report be entitled "Monthly Enforcement Update". He stated his report is prepared the second week of each month. Due to the early Traffic and Transportation Meeting the statistics are not yet compiled. He cited two recent fatal incidents in the City. C. Future Agenda Items. March 14, 1996 1. Guidelines for installation of speed humps in various cities. 2. Pomona Unified School District's plans for transporting students to Diamond Ranch High School. April 11, 1996 1. Country View Drive Neighborhood Traffic Study. DDPW/Liu introduced Ana M. Gonzalez, District Manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California. The AAA recently opened its facility at the Country Hills Towne Center, 2843 Diamond Bar Boulevard. Ms. Gonzalez offered her support to the Commission. She indicated educational materials are available for Diamond Bar students. She invited the Commissioners to attend the AAA open house on March 14, 1996. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS, Cont. A. Traffic Signal Timing at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue. DDPW/Liu stated the left turn bay traffic signal timing cycle was revised on February 5 to allow ". for improved vehicle movement through the signals at the intersections of Grand Avenue at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue at Golden Springs LJ 1 February 8, 1996 Page 11 T&T Commission Drive. This is a temporary measure and will be observed by the County for the next two weeks. As a result, additional changes may be necessary. The ultimate goal is to increase the movements of all traffic and coordinate all signals along Grand Avenue through the City. XI. ADJOURNMENT VC/Leonard declared the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Attest: Respectfully, a id G. iu Secretary