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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/14/2002CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MARCH 14, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Virginkar called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Virginkar led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Virginkar and Commissioners Vinod Kashyap, Roland Morris, Liana Pincher and Tony Torng. Also Present: David Liu, Director of Public Works, John Ilasin, Assistant Engineer; Kirk Phillips, Associate Engineer, Sharon Gomez, Administrative Assistant, Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Secretary and Deputy Mark St. Amant. I ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS OF OFFICE FOR TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS - Administered by Lynda Burgess, City Clerk. Il REORGANIZATION OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION: Commissioner Morris nominated Commissioner Virginkar to serve as Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. Commissioner Kashyap seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations offered, Commissioner Virginkar closed the nominations and Commissioner Virginkar was unanimously selected to serve as Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. Chairman Virginkar nominated Commissioner Morris to serve as Vice Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. Commissioner Torng seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations offered, Chairman Virginkar closed the nominations and Commissioner Morris was unanimously selected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Minutes of February 14, 2002. VC/Morris recommended that the minutes of the February 14, 2002 meeting be approved as presented. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION IV. COMMISSION COMMENTS: VC/Morris and ChairNirginkar welcomed the new Commissioners. C/Kashyap said he looks forward to working with his fellow Commissioners and community members. He welcomes residents presenting their concerns to the Commission. C/Pincher echoed C/Kashyap's thoughts. D.B. is a unique community and has unique situations that become the concerns of the Commission. She welcomes the opportunity and looks forward to working with the Commission and Community. Commissioner Torng said he is happy to have the opportunity to serve on the Commission and work with staff. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Art Sebastian, 235 S. Platina Drive, said that in order for motorists to avoid the traffic signal on Diamond Bar Boulevard they now use Platina Drive as a cut - through. He believes there needs to be some type of speed hump or stop sign on Platina. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - None Vlll. NEW BUSINESS: A. Speeding Concerns on Palomino Drive. AE/llasin presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public input, discuss the matter and direct staff as necessary. Jay Cook, 23929 Palomino, said his street is not safe. It is not unusual for motorists to travel at speeds of 45-50 mph. Almost all of the residents on the street have small children. He believes stop signs should be installed at all intersections in order to discourage motorists from using Palamino as a cut -through to the freeway. Albert Rodriguez, 23926 Palomino Drive, has lived in his home for 40 years. Over the past 10 years, traffic has become unbearable and unsafe on his street. James Meek, 23604 Palomino Drive, said there are no mitigation measures to deter the speed along a 3/a mile stretch of Palomino from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Ballena Drive. Last October a woman was killed across the street from his house while riding on a motorcycle. He believes that if there had been a stop sign on La Bonita Road she would be alive today. In the MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION past three years, three people have been killed on Palomino Drive and there have been numerous traffic mishaps at his neighbor's house across the street. Prank Luke, 209 La Bonita Road, lives at the corner house that intersects La Bonita and Palomino. Since he moved into his house two fire hydrants have been taken out in his yard by speeding motorists. Another motorist wrapped his vehicle around the tree in his neighbor's yard. He believes there should be a three-way stop sign at Platina and a two-way stop sign at La Bonita. Sandy Bettencourt, 23929 Palomino Drive, said she lives around the corner from the elementary school. She is most concerned about vehicles traveling close to the school. There is too much distance between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Elementary School without some type of mitigation measure to slow the vehicles. The students trust that people will watch out for them and sometimes fail to look both ways before crossing the street. Her daughter and friend were waiting at the curb to retrieve their cat from the middle of the street and a car came up the street so fast that he failed to see the cat, ran over it and killed it. That could very easily have been one of the girls that got hit. It is a very dangerous street. She and her neighbors stand out at curbside yelling at motorists to slow down — they pay no attention. Drivers race each other down the street. She believes it is just a matter of time until a child is killed. George Mayoral, 23565 Palomino Drive, has lived on the north side of Palomino close to La Bonita for 10 years. He requested two stop signs (one eastbound and one westbound) at the T -Intersection of Palomino and La Bonita. He presented photographs of a vehicle that collided with a tree in his parkway. When he works in his yard he has to place trash containers at curbside to deter the speeding vehicles. George Bettencourt, 23929 Palomino Drive, said when he travels at the correct speed on his street during peak hours; cars pile up behind him. He believes a stop sign should be placed at Platina. Palomino Drive is a major traffic problem area. He asked the Commissioners to spend a little peak - hour time observing the area first-hand. DPW/Liu stated that if the Commission approves an action this evening, staff would likely present this matter to the City Council for consideration on April 16. If the City Council approves the recommendation for some type of mitigation, the installation would take place within 30 days from the City Council's action. Ryan Rouse, 23939 Palomino Drive, said that between 10:00 and 12:00 p.m. cars race in and around the school areas. He tries to obey the speed laws and gets strange looks for driving too slow. MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION C/Torng thanked the speakers and believes something should be done to mitigate the situation in the most effective way. He asked staff to come up with the best solution and suggested that radar be used to catch the speeders. If two stop signs would help the situation, the Commission should recommend installation. C/Pincher said that when she drove Palomino on Tuesday, she was surprised at how long the street was and that there was nothing to stop her. People following her made it known that they were very unhappy that C/Pincher was driving the 25 -mph speed limit. In fact, one of the vehicles even attempted to pass her. She visited the street again this morning and saw someone run the stop sign. C/Kashyap said his first concern is for the protection of the residents and the city must do whatever is necessary to see that lives are protected. He will recommend installation of stop signs and speed humps. VC/Morris believed the problem is on Ballena, Platina and Diamond Bar Boulevard turning left onto Palomino rather than on Palomino. The problem is cut -through traffic and not the neighborhood traffic. He believes that the city should do whatever possible to make Golden Springs Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard better options for motorists trying to get through Diamond Bar. He recommended that a three-way stop be installed at the intersection of Platina and Palomino. He further suggested that staff review the signage in front of the school for ways to make it unattractive to cut - through traffic and that staff review the synchronization of the traffic signal between Kmart and the Von's Center to make it more traffic -friendly. ChairNirginkar said he sees a growing impatience when it comes to traffic in Diamond Bar This is a serious situation. To place a stop sign or stop light requires a warrant study. VC/Morris moved, C/Kashyap seconded, to recommend installation of a three-way stop at the intersection of Platina and Palomino. DPW/Liu said that in addition to tonight's speakers, staff received letters and e-mails from the following: Beverly Fleming, 2402 Prospect Valley Road, indicated the signs on Palomino are very confusing. When she attempts to drive at the posted 25 - mph speed limit, she is tailgated. Diane Howard, 204 Ballena Drive, is very frustrated with a certain red mustang that comes around the corner between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. She does not believe the stop sign at Palomino and Ballena is effective. It is "the worst thing the city could have done." She wants more police presence in the neighborhood and is asking the city to help her. MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION Howard and Marlene Knipple, 23720 Palomino, requested installation of a stop sign at Palomino and Platina. Chien Chang, 23726 Palomino Drive, recommended 1) more 25 mph signs on Palomino 2) set up a stop sign at the intersection of Platina and Palomino Drive and 3) more police presence. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kashyap, Pincher, Torng, VC/Morris, ChairNirginkar NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None VC/Morris moved to direct staff to evaluate the signage and take a closer look at La Bonita for its needs and make recommendations to the Commission at its next meeting. This motion died for lack of a second. In response to Commissioner Morris, DPW/Liu stated that staff will be able to prepare site specific information for the intersection of Palomino Drive and La Bonita as part of the staff report to the City Council. C/Kashyap moved, C/Torng seconded, to recommend installation of a three-way stop at La Bonita and Palomino. Motion failed by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kashyap, Torng NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Pincher, VC/Morris, ChairNirginkar ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Report on Portable Speed Hump Pilot Study AE/Phillips presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive staff's report, receive public input, discuss the matter, and direct staff regarding a formal policy for the installation of speed humps. Deputy St. Amant said that on the first pass over the speed hump he braked to a near stop. By the time he made a third pass he realized he did not have to slow down and took the speed hump at 37 mph with no problem. Speed humps, however, may be a real problem for low -rider vehicles. Ray Hallenbeck, 208 Navajo Springs Road, agreed that speed humps work (to slow vehicles). The resident at 416 Navajo Springs Road has had his house for sale for some time and he believes it might be part of the reason MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION that he opposes speed humps. He asked the Commission to allow permanent installation of speed humps on his street and the rubberized humps should be replaced with asphalt humps. He thanked staff for an outstanding report. Chery Cooper, 23826 Decorah, offered a 13 -page statement to the Commission as President of and on behalf of the 656 members of the Diamond Point Club Homeowners' Association that was entered into the record. She introduced Steve Granger, Vice President of the Diamond Point Club Homeowners' Association. All Homeowners' Association members are in support of the traffic calming measures and in particular, the speed humps. She agreed with Mr. Hallenbeck that the speed humps have proven to be extremely effective in reducing speed. They have accomplished what the homeowners wanted — to make the street safer for the children. Perhaps the city would like to use them on Palomino or some other street when they are replaced by permanent speed humps at their current locations. If traffic is proceeding westerly on Decorah, the only outlet is Platina. If traffic is re -directed to Platina it does force the traffic to slow down because traffic then encounters three intersections where there is cross -traffic. Decorah and Navajo Spring are straight-aways and traffic easily gains momentum. In the summary of responses provided to the Commission, in every instance where a resident made an additional comment, it has been so indicated. Those comments indicate concerns about speeders and racers especially on the northerly end of Decorah. She is certain the homeowners will be asking the Commission for more speed humps because they have been effective in reducing the overall vehicle speed. The members are extremely pleased with staff's assistance on this matter. Two stop signs were installed within a week of the City Council's approval and those signs have also been very helpful to the neighborhood. She lives at the top of Decorah between Briar Creek where it changes to Navajo Spring and her house is an equal distance between the stop signs at Del Sol and Platina. She asked that the Homeowners' Association be allowed to be involved in the finalization of policies and rules and regulations for the installation of speed humps. Randy Seagle, 209 Navajo Springs Road, appreciates the presence of the speed humps and believes they have had an effect on the reduction of vehicle speed. More especially, vehicles that travel at an excessive rate of speed have been dramatically deterred. He is concerned about placement of the speed humps and believes they should be closer to the curve. While he understands the concerns with the grade of the street, he feels this issue could be revisited. Mr. Hallenbeck thought that the grade of the curve was not that significant. He believed a 62 percent consensus among the homeowners was an overwhelming majority. He suspected that his motor home being parked on MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION the street was a deterrent and that if he moved it off of the street that the overall speed would again increase. Chery Cooper asked the Commission to consider centerline striping on Navajo Springs Road. VC/Morris pointed out that according to staff's survey, 22 of 27 cities do not allow speed humps; two allow speed humps, one suspended use, and another uses speed humps as a last resort. In addition, he would like to investigate the short and long term injuries and negative effects of speed humps. Consideration of speed humps is a major step for the city. He commended the homeowners' association for their efforts and due diligence. Following discussion, the Commissioners concurred to continue discussion of this matter to the April 11, 2002 meeting. C/Kashyap complimented staff on their significant effort in preparation of materials for discussion of speed humps and the incredible amount of effort put into this matter by Chery Cooper, the Hallenbecks and other community members. He has witnessed their effectiveness in other communities and believes they are a good idea for the growing community of Diamond Bar. IX. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: DPW/Liu reported that at its March 5 meeting, the City Council approved multi -way stops at Ritter and Golden Prados and Ritter at Great Bend as well as, the no parking on street sweeping days resolution. Currently, staff is preparing educational materials and flyers for distribution community -wide in the next couple of weeks. Following a grace period, enforcement will begin immediately after Labor Day weekend. The city's neighborhood beautification project is a top priority and Council believes the parking regulation program will enhance the neighborhood standards. DPW/Liu reported that the grading plans and specifications for the community/senior center project will be finalized tomorrow and site preparation work will be advertised next Monday with proposals expected to be received by April 4. If all goes according to plan, grading will commence in May and be completed in August with building construction commencing immediately thereafter. The grand opening is slated for pre -holiday season, 2003. X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/Torng said that when he accepted this position he began to listen to resident's concerns. C/Pincher said she is still concerned about the Palomino Drive area and hope this matter can be satisfactorily resolved. MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION C/Kashyap sincerely felt that the residents should be given a stop sign at La Bonita. Between now and the April meeting the Commission, there should be given ample data to present an informed decision to the Council. ChairNirginkar requested that a letter from Jerry Wood, 20801 East Rocky Point Lane, Walnut, (resident of Diamond Bar) dated March 14 regarding long-term parking of recreational vehicles on city streets be entered into the record. DPW/Liu stated that staff responded to Mr. Wood's January 11 letter that addressed the same concern. XI. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Traffic Enforcement Update. 1. Citations: February 2002 2. Collisions: February 2002. 3. Radar Trailer Development 4. Results of Radar Trailer Operations 5. Future Deployment of the Radar Trailer Deputy St. Amant reported on the above items. ChairNirginkar asked that Deputy St. Amant make a general presentation about the Sheriff's Department philosophy at the next meeting. XII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Future Agenda Items — as listed in the agenda. XIII. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS — as agendized. MARCH 14, 2002 PAGE 9 T&T COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, ChairNirginkar adjourned the meeting at 10:38 p.m. Respectfully, �—g D G u, Secretary Attest: 1 1 Chairman Arun Virginkar