HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/8/2000CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
JUNE 8, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Morris called the meeting to order at 7:07 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 Chairman Morris.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners: Chairman Roland Morris, Vice -Chairman Virginkar, and Commissioner
Jack Istik.
Commissioners Joseph Kung and Joyce Leonard -Colby were excused.
Also Present were: David Liu, Deputy Director of Public Works, Frank Hess, Public Works
Supervisor, Rose Manela, Associate Civil Engineer; Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant, and
Sharon Gomez, Administrative Secretary.
I REORGANIZATION OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION:
Commissioner Istik nominated Commissioner Morris to serve as Chairman of the Traffic and
Transportation Commission. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Virginkar. Without
objection, the nomination was unanimously approved by Roll Call vote.
Chair/Morris nominated Commissioner Virginkar to serve as Vice -Chairman of the Traffic and
Transportation Commission. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Istik. Without objection,
the nomination was unanimously approved by Roll Call vote.
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Minutes of April 20, 2000
C/Istik moved, VC/Virginkar seconded, to approve the minutes of April 20, 2000 as submitted.
Without objection, the motion was so ordered with Chair/Morris abstaining.
2. Minutes of May 11, 2000. - Continued to the July 13, 2000 meeting.
3. Minutes of Joint T&T/P&R Commissions Meeting of May 11, 2000 - Continued to the July 13,
2000 meeting.
III COMMISSION COMMENTS: None Offered.
IV PUBLIC COMMENTS: ACE/Manela updated the Commission with respect to mitigation measures
for Golden Nugget Avenue and Grubstake Dr.
Nina Goncharov, 23621 Gold Nugget Avenue, thanked the Commission for their assistance with respect
to speeding on her street. She stated that the speeding has decreased.
Ignacio Covarrubias, 805 Windwood Drive, asked for the Commission's assistance with respect to
overflow Metrolink parking along Washington Street and in his neighborhood. There is no place for
residents and their guests to park and the street sweeper no longer visits his area because he is unable to
do his job. This excessive neighborhood parking presents safety hazards. He feels that he is a prisoner in
his own neighborhood.
DDPW/Liu stated that the matter of Metrolink overflow parking on Washington Street and adjacent
streets will be agendized for the July 13 meeting. He indicated that the southwest and southeast corners
of Washington Street will be red curbed on Saturday which will address the immediate site visibility
concern. In addition, staff will recommend the institution of a parking district in which residents will be
provided annual parking permits without fee.
Debbie Covarrubias, 805 Windwood Drive, stated that parking at their complex has always been a
problem. There is no visitor parking and no additional parking to that provided for each unit.
V CONSENT CALENDAR: None
VI OLD BUSINESS:
A. Comprehensive School Safety Study Update.
DDPW/Liu presented stafTs report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation
Commission review and discuss the updated information from the respective schools.
C/Istik suggested that the city's traffic consultant review the information and provide their input
for the Commission's consideration.
Chair/Morris pointed out that the Pantera School parking design is outstanding and is a model for
what school parking should be.
VC/Virginkar suggested that the school principals be invited to discuss this matter with the
Commission after the matrix is updated and resident input is received.
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DDPW/Liu said that staff is aware of residents' concerns. Staff is awaiting input from the
Sheriffs Department. His concern is about a very extensive outreach to the residents adjacent to
the 14 schools in the city.
VCNirginkar suggested that if staff has the information available, that a new matrix could be
prepared by school including residents' input.
Chair/Morris asked for information regarding crossing guard current and potential crossing guard
locations. He further suggested that a staff member or intern schedule 15 minute meetings with
each principal during July to discuss what has been done and request input as to what the principal
believes needs to be done.
VII NEW BUSINESS:
Proposed Multi -way Stop Signs at the Intersection of Eldertree Drive and Birdseye Drive.
ACE/Manela presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation
Commission concur with staff s recommendation to install multi -way stop signs at the intersection
of Eldertree Drive and Birdseye Drive and forward its recommendation to the City Council for
approval.
John Hoffner, 1504 Kiowa Crest (the intersection of Eldertree Drive and Birdseye Drive), said his
family is totally opposed to a three way stop at this intersection because the uphill traffic would be
stopped directly in front of his mailbox on Kiowa Crest. He said he has lived at this residence for
about seven years and he is very concerned about the safety of his five year old daughter due to
the traffic on Kiowa Crest and Birdseye Drive. The main problem is downhill traffic and the
visibility on Birdseye Drive from Eldertree Drive is very limited. However, the visibility on
Kiowa Crest from Eldertree Drive is quite adequate. He is concerned about the potential increase
in noise and exhaust pollution and that such a measure will decrease his property values. His
neighbor who lives across the street is also opposed to having stop signs at this intersection.
There is a problem of speeding vehicles. However, it is mainly downhill traffic that speeds. He
said he believes the city needs to gather more data before making this decision. He asked to
know how many tickets the Sheriff s Department has issue for downhill traffic from Birdseye
Drive on Kiowa Crest. He asked the Commission to consider other options such as caution signs,
speed hump and increased use of radar on Birdseye Drive. He suggested that the Commission
consider a two-way stop instead of a three way stop.
ACE/Manela responded to VCNirginkar that currently, there are no warning signs on Eldertree
Drive.
VCNirginkar suggested that warning signs be placed on the street and direct the Sheriff s
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Department to increase enforcement as a first step.
Chair/Morris said he would like to have data from Deputy Perkins regarding enforcement
statistics in the area. He asked staff to provide the advantages and disadvantages of a one-way
stop on Eldertree Drive and to provide a map that indicates existing signage and locations for
potential signage.
John Hoffner returned to state that when he moved into his house there was a stop sign on
Eldertree Drive.
Following discussion, the Commission concurred to request that staff provide additional
information on this matter for further consideration at its July 13 meeting.
Prospectors Road Speed and Traffic Concerns.
ACE/Manela presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation
Commission receive public testimony and discuss possible mitigation measures.
Brian Worthington, 216 Prospectors Road, stated his concerns regarding the speeding vehicles on
his street. He presented a letter to the Commission outlining his random sampling of 50 vehicles
on May 23, 2000 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and another 50 vehicles from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on
the same day. Many children live and play in the area and he is very concerned about their safety.
Chair/Morris asked staff to consider determining the counts of residential traffic and cut -through
traffic.
ACE/Manela stated that the speed trailer will determine this information. Staff has asked the
Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriff's Station to place the trailer in three or four areas on each side of
Prospectors Road during the next month.
VC/Virginkar asked staff to consider the option of striping the median to give the appearance that
the street is narrower.
Chair/Morris asked staff to review the signage on Prospectors Road.
VC/Virginkar asked for a map showing the distance between stop signs, placement of signage,
etc.
VIII STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS:
DDPW/Liu stated that at its May 16 meeting, the City Council concurred with the Traffic and
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Transportation Commission's recommendation for No U Turn signs at Gold Rush Drive and the
Diamond Bar Boulevard frontage road. The signs have been installed. Staff is observing the conditions
to determine the compliance rate and the timing of the traffic signal at the intersection. The City Council
also approved the Commission's recommendation to prohibit commercial vehicles from parking along
Lemon Avenue and Earlgate Street. The signs were installed two weeks ago and have been very
effective. The Council also approved the contract for Area 2 Slurry Seal, the area west of Diamond Bar
Boulevard north of Pathfinder Road and Golden Springs Road toward the northerly city limits. On June
6 the City Council awarded the construction contract to Sullivan Miller for the Brea Canyon Road street
rehab project between Pathfinder Road and Golden Springs Road in front of Standard Pacific's
development. The Council also awarded a traffic signal maintenance contract to Signal Maintenance, Inc.
Currently, the signal maintenance is being provided by the County of Los Angeles Public Works
Department. In addition, the Council awarded the construction contract for the San Leandro
Drive/Chinook P1aceBallena Drive/Covered Wagon Drive Neighborhood Drainage Improvements.
DDPW/Liu reported that on May 23d CalTrans held a public hearing on the SR 60 HOV lane project
between Interstate 605 and Brea Canyon Road. Tentatively, construction is slated for September 2004 to
June 2007. As a part of this project, sound walls will be constructed in Diamond Bar along Flintgate
Drive and Moonlake Street. On June I" CalTrans held a public hearing on the SR 57/60 Weave
Improvement and HOV Lane Connector project. An elevated structure will be constructed for HOV
lanes only beginning September 2002 and ending September 2005. CalTrans is proceeding through the
environmental document process at this time. On May 30th the City Council held a special meeting on the
proposed Industry East Project which he explained to the Commission. The Council has formed an
Advisory Committee with Council representatives Mayor O'Connor and Council Member Huff serving.
Council has asked for volunteers from the community to serve on the committee.
IX ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS None offered.
X ITEMS FROM STAFF:
1. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update: ApriUMay 2000.
2. Gold Nugget Avenue/Grubstake Drive Update.
Report presented during the Public Comments portion of this meeting. (See Item IV.)
XI INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
A. Future Agenda Items - as listed.
DDPW/Liu stated that in addition to the two items listed for July 13 the following four items have
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been continued to that meeting: 1) Washington Street parking issue 2) Comprehensive School
Study update 3) EldertreeBirdseye mitigation recommendations 4) Prospectors Road speed and
traffic concerns.
XII SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS:
As agendized.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair/Morris moved, C/Istik seconded, to adjourn the meeting to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2000. There
being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission Chair/Morris adjourned the
meeting at 9:21 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2000.
Respectfully,
'Davi' .I;i
Secretary
Attest: