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Home My WebLink About9/25/1997CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SCHOOL STUDY PUBLIC WORKSHOP #1 SEPTEMBER 25, 1997 CAL TO ORDER: -on ard called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management Hearing Board Room CC -2, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Istik. CALL: Chair Leonard, Vice -Chair Virginkar, Commissioners Morris and Nice Commissioner Istik arrived at 8:07 p.m. Staff`. Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu; Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, Planning Technician Susan Cole, Administrative Assistant Tseday Aberra, Consultant Joe Foust and Cathernine Lawrence of Austin -Foust & Associates, Inc. and Superintendent Dr. Ron Hockwalt, Walnut Valley Unified School District. The ommission concurred to schedule a Brea Canyon Improvement Project Workshop on Thursday, October 16, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. VC/Virginkar indicated he will be unable to attend the workshop due to a s hedulina conflict. Dr. Ron Hockwalt responded to citizen's comments during the September 11, 1997 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting with respect to the School Traffic Study. He indicated he concurs with Mr. Foust's recommendation to relocate the crossing guard at Castle Rock Elementary School. He said he believes the traffic considerations for Quail Summit Elementary School will be consi erably different when the new school's construction is completed. The citizen's recon zrnendation for student dropoff in Paul C. Grow Park is not feasible. Dr I 1 kwalt continued stating he concurs with the recommended ingress/egress turn lanes for ;n Springs Elementary School. He indicated a possible bus schedule change is anticipated for 1, 1998 if the bill is signed by Governor Wilson. The bill calls for school buses to engage a SEPTEMBER 25, 1997 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION flashing red light while school buses are being loaded and unloaded which requires that automobile traffic stop during the process. Dr. Hockwalt said the bill passed the assembly and senate with no "NO" votes. I. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None II. PUBLIC WORKSHOP 41: I. Introduction U. Scope and Methodology of Study III. Discussion of Findings * Diamond Bar High School * South Pointe Middle School * Castle Rock Elementary School * Maple Hill Elementary School * Quail Summit Elementary School * Walnut Elementary School Dr. Hockwalt stated he feels there is no opportunity for additional on-site student parking at Diamond Bar High School. The portable units are added to accommodate the growing student population in areas where there is access to additional power and septic hookup. He indicated he concurs with recommendation No.s 3, 4 and 5. However, scheduling does not permit the opening of the bus ingress/egress to automobile traffic. Dr. Hockwalt responded to Craig Clute that at one time the school allowed automobile traffic to utilize the bus ingress/egress from Brea Canyon Road which led to a number of vehicular accidents. Responding to C/Istik's question regarding subsidizing school bus participation, Dr. Hockwalt explained that the issue of children riding buses is not a matter of financial consideration. Parents are concerned with their work and child care schedules. He indicated that due to the City's heavy traffic, school bus stops have been eliminated. 1 1 1 ER 25, 1997 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION In response to Mr. Clute, Dr. Hockwalt indicated that limiting school enrollment would result in sign ficant negative budget impacts for the school district. The cost per student for school bus transportation is approximately $140.00 per semester. Most parents feel it is more economically feasible to drive their children to school. Dr. Hockwalt stated, in response to C/Istik's comments, that staggered classes result in longer school day for students, teachers and school bus drivers. iding to C/Nice, Dr. Hockwalt indicated that approximately 800 of 14,000 students are from of the district. Very few of the 800 students attend high school. This school year the district away more students than at any time in prior years. V/Liu stated that the issue of diagonal parking and speed limit reduction along Brea Canyon was investigated by staff. Mr. Foust indicated that if roadway characteristics are changed, it is incumbent upon the city to resurvev the street. Mr. 'IClute asked if Walnut Valley Unified School District has considered granting school personnel citation authority. Dr. �Iockwalt responded that although citation authority has not been ruled out, it is a public relations nig} mare in this City. The school district is contemplating contracting for this service to an outside Dr. ockwalt stated it appears that on one hand the community is very sensitive to traffic issues and at the same time, it does not tolerate imposed traffic regulations. Mr. Foust explained to Craig Clute that adding a left turn lane to a traffic signal does not change the cap city of the street. The only way to add street capacity is to restripe or add lanes. IV. V. Discussion by Walnut Valley Unified School District/ Walnut Valley Sheriff's Department Format of Final Report DDPW/Liu responded to Debby O'Connor that all school principals were notified regarding the workshops. In addition, approximately 1200 residents within 500 feet of schools were also notified. SEPTEMBER 25, 1997 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION VI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chair/Leonard adjourned the meeting at 9:36 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on October 2, in the South Coast Air Quality Management Building's Hearing Board Room CC -2. Respectfully, a Secretary Attest: (1) lot upyj Jo ce YTonard Chair