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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/13/2002CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION JUNE 13, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Morris calledme�t Centeg Hearinto g rBoa d Room, 21865 E�Cop ey Driveir Quality Management/Governr Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Kashyap led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Vice Chairman Morris and Commissioners Vinod Kashyap, Liana Pincher and Tony Torng. Chairman Virginkar was excused. Also Present: David Liu, Director of Public Works, John Ilasin, Assistant Engineer; Kirk Phillips, Associate Engineer, Sharon Gomez, Management Analyst and Deputy Diane Dodd, Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Department. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Minutes of May 9, 2002. C/Torng said he found a significant amount of discussion on the speed hump policy was not included in the minutes. There was a long discussion on the speed hump policy. What he said and why the Commission came to its conclusion was not included. DPW/Liu responded to C/Torng that staff would review the tape. C/Torng asked that the minutes be continued until the next meeting. C/Kashyap agreed that the meeting notes reflect the Commission's decision, not how it got to its conclusion. He asked that a paragraph be added to explain "how we got there." In addition, he wanted his specific comments about drag racing being a specific issue and that the Commission wanted feedback from the Sheriff's Department about what they had done about it (Page 2, Item 1) included in the discussion. He said he was looking for an answer and he does not see any reference to that at all. If a Commissioner makes a recommendation that he expects feedback on, the feedback should be given at the following meeting. The minutes should state clearly what was said, staff should listen to the comments, and if the minutes do not state clearly what was said, correct it. He did not believe it was fair to keep referring to them as new Commissioners. This is June 13, 2002 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION their fourth meeting. If a recommendation is made by a Commissioner the recommendation should be stated in the minutes. DPW/Liu responded that the matter of drag racing has been brought back by staff this evening as an informational item (item G). Typically, non agenda items are brought back for discussion at a future meeting when the matter is scheduled as an agenda item for discussion so that the public can be informed and participate in the discussion. He had compared the minutes with his notes. C/Kashyap said that he believed the Commission should be very cognizant of the fact that there are people in this City for whom this is very important. They take the time to come here and make a point and then we make certain recommendations. If they don't get any comment or feedback, and they have a right to expect it, then it is a reflection on the Commission. They leave believing that the Commission will address their comments and recommendations. He wants the Commission to be a positive reflection in the community and that the concerns of the citizens are addressed. If we say we're going to follow up on something we should follow up on it. VC/Morris announced that approval of the May 9, 2002 meeting would be continued to the July 11, 2002 meeting. III. COMMISSION COMMENTS C/Pincher was sorry ChairNirginkar was absent this evening because she was now prepared to comment on the packet containing suggestions about returning power back to the neighborhoods in order to help control speeders. She particularly liked the LAPD method of incorporating training of citizens to man radar guns and to be part of the solution. She did not know the duties of the City's Volunteer Patrol but they should obviously have the training and expertise to help. She felt this was a neighborhood problem and should be addressed by the neighborhoods in conjunction with the City and law enforcement. C/Kashyap said he would like to reserve his comments until he sees changes to the meeting notes and he would like to agendize that they would revisit these changes again. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Martha Bruske, 600 South Great Bend Drive, thanked the Commissioners for what they have said so far this evening. She spoke to them on item XI. C regarding the gate at the Ortiz home. She does not believe there is anyone in the City who is more concerned about and in favor of code enforcement than she. She believed motor homes should be in storage lots, not on the street and perhaps not in people's back yards. This is a code enforcement issue. It looks like this Commission is being suckered into some type of vendetta of selective enforcement. She did not believe it would help the City (to engage in this type of enforcement) when there are so many other problems in the City. At 8:00 a.m. June 13, 2002 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION and 2:00 p.m., it is a "death trap" in and around Lorbeer Middle School. Has that fact been reported to this Commission? Does the Commission have data, pictures or such indication? This is a very serious problem. Tonight she went to Sav-On. The far right lane on Diamond Bar Boulevard was blocked because cars were waiting to pull into the gas station. C/Kashyap asked Mrs. Bruske to elaborate on "personal vendetta." Mrs. Bruske said the personal vendetta is on behalf of the code enforcement officer against this particular individual. She also believed that if he had the opportunity, he (the code enforcement officer) would find something wrong at her house and at the home of every one of her friends who ever speak out against what's going on in this City. C/Kashyap asked Mrs. Bruske if she was saying that the Code Enforcement Officer had a vendetta against Mr. Ortiz. Mrs. Bruske said "yes", I think I would say that. VC/Morris said that there has been no action taken on Item XIG at this time. This item is being received as an informational item from staff this evening. Lorbeer Middle School was part of the School Traffic Safety Study. Because of the study the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is being paid overtime to conduct enforcement at the school and he has seen numerous citations issued at Lorbeer Middle School. This is a situation that occurs at every school in the community. Monitoring of the school traffic situation is an ongoing effort for the City and the Sheriff's Department. DPW/Liu pointed out that later this evening and at every Commission meeting, the Sheriff's representative presents an update on traffic enforcement. On Page 6 of the report the statistics indicate that 96 hazardous citations were issued at Lorbeer Middle School during the three-month period from January 1 through the end of March 2002. Daniel Wang, 787 Leyland Drive, is concerned about speeding traffic on his street. The stop sign installation on Benfield Place helps but it is not enough. He feels installation of a speed hump on his street would benefit the neighborhood and help to slow the traffic. A couple of times he witnessed low riders drag racing on Leyland Drive. There is a lot of cut -through traffic on his street from Grand Avenue to Longview Drive. He would like to have approval for a speed hump on his street so that the residents could enjoy a "good night" sleep and their children could play safely in their yards and driveways. Mr. Wang responded to C/Kashyap that Leyland Drive is a very straight street that slopes down from Summitridge Drive. People tend to forget how fast they are driving. June 13, 2002 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION Jian Tsai, 791 Leyland Drive, spoke about the speeding vehicles on Leyland Drive between Benfield Place and Highcrest Drive. This is a very serious problem although it is less of a problem than Goldrush Drive. He suggested that the Commission tackle this problem as a single item — combine Leyland Drive and Goldrush Drive as a single problem. Many cars travel in excess of 40 mph. Additionally, there is a lot of overflow traffic from other residential neighborhoods. He asked the Commission to study the possibility of installing a video camera on his street. C/Torng said that previously, residents asked to have a stop sign installed on Newbury Way between Benfield Place and Highcrest Drive. He asked Mr. Tsai if he thought such a mitigation measure would help. Mr. Tsai said he thought a stop sign would help a little bit. He and others signed a petition to install a stop sign and it was rejected by the Commission. C/Kashyap told Mr. Tsai that when this matter was discussed at a previous meeting staff was given direction to look at the whole package including video cameras, stop signs and other ideas for possible mitigation. Al Rumpilla, 23958 Golden Springs Drive, said that this Commission has been deceived as far as he is concerned regarding Mr. Ortiz's gate. This matter should have been presented to the Planning Commission and should not have been referred to the Traffic and Transportation Commission. He invited the Traffic and Transportation Commission to visit Mr. Ortiz's property from the street and then in their minds see if the Commissioners could write a citation for an illegal gate. He questioned the inspection of the neighborhood conducted by code enforcement and their contention that they just happened to go by Mr. Ortiz's property and found this violation. Before Diamond Bar was a City certain things were done in the community under county ordinances. One of these things was what Mr. Tom Ortiz had done. Mr. Tom Ortiz could not have put a cut driveway without Los Angeles County's permission. The problem is that no one can seem to find proof of what was done on Mr. Ortiz's property. Mr. Ortiz had to have a permit from the County to do the curb cut in 1978. Therefore, if he had a variance to do so, one would have to also assume that he applied for a gate permit under its current design. Since this was done prior to City incorporation, it should be "grandfathered" in. He does not understand why the City is going after Mr. Ortiz on this matter unless, as he believes, it is a vendetta by a Code Enforcement Officer against a man who ran for City Council. The City says it's a notice, not a citation. Whatever it is, it shouldn't have been written in the first place. He asked the Commission to grant Mr. Ortiz a variance under the grandfather clause and leave the gate alone. Secondly, he believed it would be the recommendation of staff tonight to refer this matter to the Planning Department. The Commission should recommend that this matter be referred to the Planning Commission and grant Mr. Ortiz time to conduct research into the matter. June 13, 2002 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION C/Kashyap stated that at the last Commission meeting staff was instructed to research the code to see if Mr. Ortiz could be granted the opportunity to maintain the current gate and arrange for supervised ingress/egress. Since the last meeting he has taken several opportunities to look at Mr. Ortiz's property. In his opinion, Mr. Ortiz's RV is in prison. He believed the entire situation was totally unsatisfactory and should be expediently resolved. He agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Rumpilla. In fact, he made the same point to staff during the last Commission meeting. There is no way that Mr. Ortiz could have had the access and gate without the drop curb Mr. Rumpilla referred to. He concurred with Mr. Rumpilla with one exception. He did not feel that it was right or fair to claim there was a vendetta against Mr. Ortiz until that fact is ascertained. Tom Ortiz reiterated the fact that he hired a contractor to construct his block wall and driveway. He obtained a permit from the County of Los Angeles. DPW/Liu has attempted to obtain a copy of the permit but has been unable to locate such a document. He, too, attempted to obtain a copy of the permit from the County and it appears to be non-existent. He believes this is a vendetta. C/Kashyap said he sees himself as an extension of the City. Mr. Ortiz said although it wasn't reflected in the minutes, he asked for due process when he spoke at the last meeting. Melanie Southard, 22932 Sunset Crossing Road, said that when she was here at the last meeting she mentioned the speeding and drag racing on Sunset Crossing Road by the baseball field. She was very happy that the Sheriff"s Department put a radar trailer on her street and she believed it showed the Sheriff's Department to be visible and that they recognized there is a problem. In listening to other speakers, there definitely is a citywide problem. It is not just her street. She heard C/Pincher mention about the LAPD packet and sending out letters. She thought it was a great idea. The City can't have a deputy on every street and every corner. Perhaps something like the letter would work. It is one juvenile who speeds up and down her street. She wasn't sure a stop sign would solve the problem but she thought a letter to his parents might help. This juvenile does not live in her tract. She is not even certain if he is a resident of Diamond Bar. She walks her dog every night and cannot cross the street at Old Trail Drive because cars come around the corner too fast. She would like to see a speed survey. The trailer helped but when it is gone cars speed up again. She would like to see a stop sign at Chaparral Drive and Prospectors Road. She does not want speed humps on her street because they cause too much noise. She feels the Sheriff's Department is doing all that they can do because as soon as she calls with a problem an officer is dispatched to her neighborhood hoping to catch the speeders. VC/Morris suggested Ms. Southard provide the Sheriff's Department with the plate number and description of the vehicle. He believed that Ontario passed an ordinance providing for an automatic impounding of vehicles when they are involved in drag racing. June 13, 2002 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION V. CONSENT CALENDAR None VI. ITEMS FROM STAFF A. Traffic Enforcement Update — presented by Deputy Diane Dodd. Deputy Dodd explained that more citations have been issued in the area of Lorbeer Middle School because the Sheriff's Department is aware of the problems in that area. The number does not include special operations such as crosswalk stings. Numerous citations are also given out on Leyland Drive. She offered to supply a count. Following the May 9 Commission meeting, the traffic trailer was placed on Sunset Crossing Road. The department has not been able to catch the perpetrator but they are aware of the problem and continue to monitor the situation. Deputy St. Amant would like to have block captains involved with the packet referred to by C/Pincher. Effective today, two dedicated traffic deputies are assigned to the p.m. shift. VC/Morris commended Deputy Dodd for an excellent report and the deputies for an excellent job. VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Speeding Concerns on Gold Rush Drive. MA/Gomez presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission received and file this report. B. Consideration of placing a Stop Sign at Woodleaf Drive/Golden Prados Drive. AE/llasin presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff to conduct and coordinate with the private property owners to remove or partially remove, where possible, the visibility obstructions. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff for installation of one (1) Side Road warning sign on Golden Prados Drive approximately 250 feet south of Woodleaf Drive. C. Consideration of Stop Sign at Cliffbranch/Roundtree Circle. Nick Guillen, 1728 Roundtree Circle, was concerned that about every third car ascending Cliffbranch Drive appears to be speeding. Traffic proceeding down the south side of Cliffbranch Drive is not really an issue because there June 13, 2002 PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION is good visibility. Driving east from Roundtree Circle sight visibility is bad. He was shocked that there had been only one accident on his street. Children play and ride their tricycles and bicycles on that street and he is concerned that one or more will be critically injured. Many people speed but the real concern is for the residential neighborhoods. Young people especially do not realize the potential damage that can be done by a speeding vehicle. Speed trailers really help the situation. In response to C/Kashyap, Mr. Guillen felt the Sheriff's Department was doing an excellent job in the City. He believed the speed trailer was a very good deterrent. He did not necessarily believe that sending letters was a good idea because he felt the practice might be abused. Stop signs are good deterrents and he suggested one could be placed on both sides of Roundtree Circle to slow the traffic. Karen Johnson, 1701 Cliffbranch Drive, said her street is like a speedway. She would applaud installation of a stop sign. There have been many instances when she was nearly hit. Jane Washeleski, 1709 Roundtree Circle (second house from the corner), favored installation of a stop sign. C/Pincher was very concerned that people have a sight visibility problem as well as speeding. C/Torng agreed and therefore would recommend installation of a stop sign. C/Kashyap felt that this was a two-part issue — one an issue of visibility and the other an issue of speed. If the stop sign would partially address the speed issue it would be good to address that issue now and address the visibility issue at another time. C/Torng moved, C/Pincher seconded, to recommend approval of a three- way stop at Cliffbranch Drive and Roundtree Circle. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Torng, Pincher, Kashyap, and Morris NOES: None ABSENT: None RECESS: VC/Morris recessed the meeting at 9:15 p.m. RECONVENE: VC/Morris reconvened the meeting at 9:24 p.m. June 13, 2002 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION IX. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: DPW/Liu reported that at its May 21st. meeting, the City Council approved the Traffic and Transportation Commission's recommendation to install three way stop signs at the intersection of Summitridge Drive and Softwind Drive. At its June 4 meeting, the City Council approved the plans and specifications for the proposed traffic signals at three locations: Diamond Bar Boulevard at Silver Hawk Drive; Diamond Bar Boulevard at Clear Creek Canyon Drive, and Golden Springs Drive at Sylvan Glen Road. Also that evening the Council approved the on -street parking request in the 700 block of North Diamond Bar Boulevard. At the Council's June 18 meeting, staff will recommend a five-year residential street name signs award of contract with Safeway Company. X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: VC/Morris felt there were some very good items in the packet. He suggested a community meeting with Deputy St. Amant. In November the Commissioners will have an opportunity aCalPol endtis anexcellent source of to commissioners meeting e sinformation and he traffic engineers group Y l strongly recommends all Commissioners to attend. C/Torng re-emphasized the Leyiand Drive issue. If the Leyland Drive problem is solved it may solve some of the Goldrush Drive problem. He strongly urged staff to give this matter priority and commence to study the issue as soon as possible. If there was an opportunity to install a speed hump on the street it would be a good beginning. He asked if the Commission planned to visit Mr. Ortiz. C/Pincher said she drove by Mr. Ortiz's house and observed the condition. ClKashyap had two main issues. He felt something should be done fairly quickly about the drag racing issue. He was also equally concerned about the fact that Mr. Ortiz had done absolutely nothing wrong and was a victim of circumstance. His issue should go away as quickly as possible. VC/Morris requested staff to find out what type of ordinance Ontario passed in conjunction with drag racing and to determine whether such an ordinance would be feasible for Diamond Bar. C/Kashyap asked DPW/Liu if he had an opportunity to discuss the Ortiz matter with DCMIDeStefano. VC/Morris referred ClKashyap to staff's report and upcoming Informational item C. XI. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: C. Resident Request for Encroachment Permit. June 13, 2002 PAGE 9 T&T COMMISSION DPW/Liu reported that he spoke with DCM/DeStefano about this matter. A letter dated June 12 was sent to Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz explaining that the City reviewed his request to obtain a variance/encroachment permit for the condition at his property. At this time the City has found no prior document that would permit the existing gate. Therefore, a variance would not be available for the gate nor would the City permit the gate to be opened at any time over the public right-of-way. The City Municipal Code specifically prohibits this type of condition. The City has given Mr. Ortiz until July 15 to correct the condition. in addition, this is an issue that is not and would not be a matter before the Traffic and Transportation Commission for consideration. C/Kashyap stated that common sense would tell you that you could not install drop curbs without obtaining a permit. It took the City 12 years to determine that Mr. Ortiz had done something wrong. Twelve years is a long time. Regardless of what was heard tonight, this is about a traffic problem within the public right-of-way. Anytime anything impacts the traffic it is very clear that it is a Traffic and Transportation Commission issue. if it is not, why has the Commission been debating this issue? How many other people in the City have been cited who have the same (situation). He has seen three or four violations on his street and he is not aware that other people have been cited or issued a notice. Mr. Ortiz, it seems to him, is the only person in the City of Diamond Bar who fits in this category and he wants to know why he has been singled out. If he has been singled out we need to know why. If there is a good reason for it we need to hear it. if there is no good reason to hear about it i suggest we go to the City Council with this. He recommended that staff go to the City Council with it and put it to an end. He further stated that he will start communicating with the City Council as a Traffic and Transportation Commissioner and he's going to take it to a head. DPW/Liu explained that there is a process in place at this time. The process began three months ago. For three months staff has worked very closely with and attempted to assist Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz on this issue. The City has followed up with a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz. There are options available to Mr. Ortiz. C/Kashyap stated his dissatisfaction with the procedures. VC/Morris asked for decorum and asked that staff be allowed to finish presenting its report. C/Kashyap said he does not consider this item to be finished. A. Adelphia Parking Needs on Brea Canyon Road — Report by AE/Phillips. June 13, 2002 PAGE 10 T&T COMMISSION B. Area 4 Slurry Seal Project C. Street Light Concern at Carpio Drive/Golden Springs Drive D. City Council Goals & Objectives E. Street Sweeping Parking Regulation Update F. Speeding Concerns on Sunset Crossing Road G. Future Agenda Items XII. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS — as agendized. In response to C/Kashyap, DPW/Liu stated that staff works with all of the Commissioners. More importantly, eauthor�ycts ovethe the waymeeting. the m'eea ng is rris is the Chair this evening and has complete conducted. XIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no Vice Morrisbusiness oad�ouenedithe meet ng at the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Vi 9:51 p.m. Respectfully, DWc� . Liu, Secretary Attest: d Morris Vice Chairman Rolan