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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/20/2000CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION APRIL 20, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Virginkar called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Board Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Istik. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Vice Chairman Arun Virginkar, and Commissioners, Jack Istik and Joseph Kung. Chairman Roland Morris and Commissioner Joyce Leonard -Colby were excused. Also Present were: David Liu, Deputy Director of Public Works, Rose Manela, Associate Engineer; Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant; Linda Smith Development Services Assistant; Sharon Gomez, Administrative Secretary and Deputy Tim Perkins. I REORGANIZATION OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION: Continued to the meeting of May 11, 2000. H APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Minutes of February 10, 2000 and Minutes of March 9, 2000. Continued to the meeting of May 11, 2000. IH COMMISSION COMMENTS: None Offered. _i OV PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered. 20, 2000 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION V CONSENT CALENDAR: None VI OLD BUSINESS: A. Gold Nugget Avenue and Grubstake Drive Traffic Concerns. DSA/Joe presented staff's report. She notes that staff received a letter from Joe Cecala expressing his concerns related to the number of vehicles traveling at high speeds. He urged the Commission to take significant steps to slow down the traffic by installing a stop sign at the corner. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission review and discuss the proposed alternative mitigation measures at the intersection of Gold Nugget Avenue and Grubstake Drive. Nina Goncharov, 23631 Gold Nugget Avenue, reiterated her concerns about the speeding traffic on Gold Nugget Avenue and Grubstake Drive. She asked the Commission to help the residents resolve the problem and slow down the traffic. She again asked that the City paint the curb red in Is front of the fire hydrant at 23614 Gold Nugget Avenue. DDPW/Liu stated that if people are violating the Vehicle Code staff can go ahead and paint the red curbing. Deputy Perkins indicated that this particular fire hydrant is offset by a three or four foot wall and it is not seen from the street. Red curbing would be very appropriate in this instance. Stan Granger, 23800 Gold Nugget Avenue, said he is no longer able to let his grandchildren play or let them ride their bicycles in the street. From time to time young children run out into the street and speeding traffic presents a safety concern. VC/Virginkar suggested that the City begin mitigation by instituting the Neighborhood Watch program and distribution of educational flyers. If this does not solve the problem, more traffic enforcement could be requested along with the installation of traffic signs. If these measures are not effective stop signs could be installed. As a last resort, botts dots and speed humps could be considered. C/Intik said he favors Items 4 and 5 as a first step - traffic enforcement and education. C/Kuo concurred with VC/Virginkar and C/Istik. ,* C/Istik moved to adopt recommended measures 4 and 5, increased traffic enforcement and SPRIL 20, 2000 PAGE 3 adoption of the Neighborhood Watch and educational flyer program. T&T COMMISSION Deputy Perkins stated that during the past month the Sheriffs Department has increased enforcement and has issued only one speeding ticket on that street. He said he is concerned that perhaps his department is not catching the speeders during the weekend hours because there is a staffing issue that needs to be addressed. He suggested that the speed trailer be left on the street during the weekend hours and that he report back to the Commission at its June meeting with the results of that effort. DDPW/Liu stated that it will take some time for staff to implement the Neighborhood Watch and educational flyer program. He recommended that staff be directed to bring the resulting speed survey information back to the Commission at its June meeting. C/Kuo seconded C/Istik's motion. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, Kung, VC/Virginkar NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None 0 ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard -Colby, Chair/Morris VII NEW BUSINESS: A. Goldrush Drive/frontage road of Diamond Bar Boulevard U-turns. AE/Rose presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staffs recommendation to install "No U-turn" signs at the intersection of Goldrush Drive and at the frontage road of Diamond Bar Boulevard, and forward said recommendation to the City Council for approval. At the same time, staff will contact Los Angeles County to determine if the timing can be adjusted for the left turn phase. Martha Bruske, 600 Great Bend Drive, said she is not certain that a U-turn sign will help unless there is consistent enforcement in the area. If a U-turn sign is installed, drivers still have other options such as turning right and proceed down the frontage road, let their child off at the end of the frontage road, make a U-turn and make a left turn out or they can make a right turn off of Diamond Bar Boulevard and go further west on Goldrush Drive and turn around in the street. She asked if the City could consider lengthening the left turn signal at Diamond Bar Boulevard during peak school traffic hours. She suggested that some of the traffic at Lorbeer Middle School may be relieved by the opening of Pantera Elementary School. C/Kuo said he believes the best first step is to persuade the County to change the timing. &PRIL 20, 2000 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION DDPW/Liu reminded the Commission that a left turn light correction was made at the beginning of the school year. Any additional correction will be minimal and he is not certain that this correction alone will mitigate the problem. Without the signage a U-turn takes additional time away from the intended left turn and enforcement is not possible. C/Kuo moved, C/Istik seconded, to concur with stars recommendation to install "No U-turn" signs at the intersection of Goldrush Drive and at the frontage road of Diamond Bar Boulevard and forward the recommendation to the City Council for approval. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, Kung, VC/Virginkar NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard -Colby, Chair/Morris B. Lemon Avenue (between Golden Springs Drive and the northerly City limits) "No Commercial Vehicles Parking" restrictions. DSA/Smith presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff's recommendation to install "No Commercial Vehicles Parking" restrictions on Lemon Avenue between Golden Springs Drive and the northerly city limits on the westerly side and on the easterly side from the northerly driveway of the shopping center to the currently posted "No Stopping" signs and forward said recommendation to the City Council for approval. Glenn Nieberle, 20541 Earlgate Street, (northwest corner of Earlgate Street and Lemon Avenue) said he agrees with staff's recommendation and that no parking of any kind be allowed in those areas. An injury accident occurred in the area last week. He also requested that an additional speed limit sign be placed on Lemon Avenue street between the railroad tracks and Golden Springs Drive. He said that not only do large commercial trucks park on the street but that they conduct major service work on the street. He presented photographs as evidence of his statements. He further requested that no parking be allowed on Earlgate Street. C/Kuo stated that unless the source of the problem is addressed the trucks will move from one public street to another public street. Therefore, it would be advisable for staff to check other areas in the vicinity and post signs in advance to prevent commercial parking on other public streets. DDPW/Liu stated that additional speed limits could be placed on Lemon Avenue as soon as possible. He said he believes that the speed limit in the commercial area is 40 mph. As indicated, Lemon Avenue is a designated truck route. APRIL 20, 2000 a 0 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION C/Kung said he would like for staff to talk with the truck owners to determine why they need to park on city streets and to determine whether there is a need for the city to help them find alternative parking. If these trucks are coming from the City of Industry and the City of Walnut, D.B. should strongly protest this infringement and ask the other two cities to provide for the needs of the trucks. DDPW/Liu responded to VC/Virginkar that currently, the City's Municipal Code stipulates that no commercial vehicles can park within the city limit for more than 30 minutes. In addition, designated routes are set forth or they may travel on non -designated roadways for purposes of loading and unloading as it relates to business. Most of the trucks seen parking on Lemon Avenue belong to independent truckers who exit the freeway to eat and sleep and do not originate from adjacent communities. Staff has been discussing this matter with SYSCO. Just last year Walnut prohibited parking along the north side of Valley Boulevard. Staff believes that commercial trucks parked on Lemon Avenue present a safety hazard concern. This is the only arterial within the city on which commercial parking is allowed. Therefore, if the Commission concurs with staff s recommendation the problem will be solved and there will be no further need to investigate. C/Kung suggested that the fine be doubled and the residents be advised that if they report an infraction and a citation is issued the resident will receive half of the fee as a reward. DDPW/Liu stated that the city is unable to return any portion of the citation fee directly to a resident. However, parking citation fees are a source of revenue to the city. C/Kung asked that residents and business owners be encouraged to report commercial parking violations. C/Istik moved, C/Kung seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to install "No Commercial Vehicles Parking" restrictions on both sides of Earlgate Drive and on Lemon Avenue between Golden Springs Drive and the northerly city limits on the westerly side and on the easterly side from the northerly driveway of the shopping center to the currently posted "No Stopping" signs and forward said recommendation to the City Council for approval. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, Kung, VC/Virginkar None Leonard -Colby, Chair/Morris PRIL 20, 2000 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION VIII STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS DDPW/Liu reported that on March 21, 2000 the City Council approved the Commission's recommendations for multi -way stop signs at Summitridge Drive at Thunder Trail, Presado Drive at Chestnut Creek Drive, Chestnut Creek Drive at the north Tierra Loma Drive and Bella Pine Drive at Cliflbranch Drive. IX ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS C/Istik said he believes that since the School Traffic Safety Study is two years old it is time to revisit this issue. He also asked that the Commission consider moving the meeting time back to 6:00 p.m. DDPW/Liu stated that staff is in the process of contacting all of the school principals to collect information about whether or not the circulation points have improved.. When all of the information has been compiled staff would like to schedule a joint session between the school principals and the Commission to discuss the effects of the study and any other matters of mutual concern. It is likely that this information will be available for the June or Julv meeting. C/Kung volunteered to videotape school traffic at eak hours provided the students could be utilized to P input the data and perhaps receive school credit for their work.. VC/Virginkar asked staff to provide a full package copy of the School Traffic Study to Commissioner Kung. DDPW/Liu stated that the matter of moving the Commission meeting time back to 6:00 p.m. can be placed on the May agenda for discussion. VC/Virginkar referred to a memo and attached Los Angeles Times article indicating that the City of Los Angeles has adopted a policy to use stop signs on residential streets which they have found significantly slows the traffic down. He also said he has observed a significant number of potholes on northbound Grand Avenue. DDPW/Liu stated that the area of Grand Avenue between Diamond Bar Boulevard to Golden Springs Drive has been deteriorating during the past three years. A major contributor to this deterioration is the increased traffic on Grand Avenue. In addition, there may be an issue of ground water. When the street was resurfaced it was done using a thin overlay rather than conducting a major rehabilitation project. Typically, an overlay lasts a maximum of five years. Grand Avenue has been identified as an arterial to receive more attention in the next couple of years through devices such as seeking regional funding and other funding resources. All City arterials are the subject of ongoing monitored. *_ PRIL 20, 2000 PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION C/Kung asked if in the future when the City is considering issuance of building permits that it could include plans to widen the corners of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue. DDPW/Liu stated that as a part of the Diamond Bar Boulevard/Grand Avenue intersection modification, two additional feet was gained from the business parkways which left the pedestrian right of way intact. The City is working to remedy the poor planning exercised by the Los Angeles County prior to incorporation. X ITEMS FROM STAFF: 1. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update the first quarter of 1999 versus the first quarter of 2000 presented by Deputy Perkins. 2. Future Agenda Items - as listed XI INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Joint Traffic and Transportation/Parks and Recreation Meeting - May 11, 2000 - 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. B. Future Agenda Items: 1. Discussion of Commission meeting call to order time. 2. Consideration of multi -way stops signs on Elder Tree Lane at Kiowa Crest Dr. VC/Virginkar asked for an update regarding the study of the Diamond Bar Boulevard/Grand Avenue intersection. XII SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS: As agendized. 0 20, 2000 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: C/Kung moved, C/Istik seconded, to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission Chair/Morris adjourned the meeting at 9:33 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on May 11, 2000. Respectfully, David G. Liu Secretary Attest: