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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/13/2008CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Mok called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Pincher led the Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL: Commissioners Kevin House, Jimmy Lin, Liana Pincher, Vice Chairman Kenneth Mok Absent: Chairman Michael Shay Also Present: David Liu, Public Works Director; Rick Yee, Senior Engineer; Kimberly Molina, Associate Engineer and Marcy Hilario, Senior Administrative Assistant. ,ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS — Administered by Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. (REORGANIZATION OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORATION COMMISSION: C/Pincher nominated VC/Kenneth Mok to serve as Chairman and C/Lin to serve as 'Vice Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. C/ House seconded the nominations. There were no other nominations offered. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: House, Pincher, Lin, Mok NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Shay III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Minutes of the February 14, 2008 regular meeting. VC/Lin moved, C/House seconded, to approve the February 14, 2008 minutes as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: House, Pincher, VC/Lin, Chair/Mok NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Shay MARCH 13, 2008 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None V. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Received and Filed Traffic Enforcement Updates for: 1. Citations: December 2007; January & February 2008 2. Collisions: December 2007; January & February 2008 3. Street Sweeping: December 2007; January & February 2008 VI. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS — None VII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/House said he made an observation about northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard at Fountain Springs Drive and the large No -U -Turn sign in the median area. Due to the size and angle of the sign, the view of oncoming traffic is obstructed when one is approaching the intersection. C/House presented staff with photos. C/House also stated that during the last meeting, he brought to staff's attention the leaning pole at the corner of Pathfinder Road and SR -57. He noticed today that the pole is being replaced and said he appreciated staff's quick response. C/Pincher asked AE/Molina to share her recent accolades. AE/Molina responded that she recently passed the exam to become a licensed/registered engineer for the State of California. C/Pincher congratulated AE/Molina on her achievement. VC/Lin congratulated AE/Molina. He said that one of his neighbors asked him about traffic jams on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Grand Avenue in the morning hours. Eventually, the bike lane ends in a right turn at Grand. He asked if drivers could use the lane for a straight pass through the intersection in addition to a right turn. PWD/Liu said he believed that the bike lane is a Class II bike lane under California standards which limits use to bicyclists only. VC/Lin said he had never seen a bicyclist in that lane. PWD/Liu explained that bicycle lanes in Diamond Bar are a "quality of life" issue as well as our community standards. Grand Avenue is designated as a Class III bike route which means there is no dedicated striping for the bike lane. The signage on Grand Avenue designates a shared right-of-way. VC/Lin commented on the SR -60 Truck Lane Opposition letter to the Mayor of the City of Commerce. PWD/Liu responded that the letter copied to the Commissioners is one of many sent out by the City this week and wanted the Commission to be aware of the issue. PWD/Liu stated that currently, two regional planning documents are being circulated. One document is the Metro's goods movement document referred to as the Multi -County Goods Movement Action Plan. The second document is the SCAG Draft 2008 Regional Transportation Plan. The RTP is a planning document for the six -county region. The multi -county plan is a specific study that looks at all possibilities for addressing goods movement issues. Both documents ith more and more imports, identify the SR -p0 as being ro ec ed to beeveryferred demanding byv2030 and the issue he truck activity is projected needs t he ] MARCH 13, 2008 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION addressed. Currently, the route being studied is along the 710 and later, the study will include the SR -60 east to the 1-15. Already there are a lot of issues on the SR -60 with truck traffic. There is also a capacity issue with the SR -57/60 interchange. Chair/Mok asked if there were any cities worse off than Diamond Bar with respect to weaving, etc. PWD/Liu said that some cities would say they have their own unique situation. Chair/Mok said he was concerned that if other cities were not as greatly affected as Diamond Bar, they would be hesitant to get on board. PWD/Liu said that was precisely the reason for addressing all communities along the corridor — to determine their stance on the matter. VC/Lin shared as a daily commuter on the SR -60 to the 710 freeway, the worst congestion occurs at the 605 interchange and the City of Industry would certainly be a victim of this type of proposal. On the other hand, the City of Industry welcomes truck traffic. VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. Diamond Bar Traffic Management System and Interconnect Project— SE/Yee reported that there has been much discussion about this system. This is a lengthy process that involves coordination with L.A. County. It will be April 2008 before controller upgrades will occur and until that occurs, other traffic management implementation components are being delayed. 3. ACE Grade Separation on Brea Canyon Road — SE/Yee stated that there has not been significant or reportable progress since the last meeting. The Brea Canyon Road/access to Metrolink is still closed. Projected opening date for Brea Canyon Road is late summer 2008. C. Various Traffic Signal Improvements on Golden Springs Drive — SE/Yee reported that on Wednesday, March 19th the new signal at Golden Springs Drive at Racquet Club will go live. D. NTMP — Sunset Crossing Road at Prospectors Road —SE/Yee stated that the civil engineering and landscape designs are near completion. Staff expects to advertise the project sometime in April for construction. E. Industry's Grand Avenue Bridge Widening/Interchange Project— PWD/Liu said there had not been any further activity since staff's last report. F. Lemon Avenue On/Off Ramps Project — PWD/Liu reported that two public meetings were held. Five residents attended the first meeting and almost 30 appeared for the second meeting. Staff received comments and concerns from the residents. The two primary concerns were regarding school children and train traffic in the area. MARCH 13, 2008 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION VIII G. SR -57/60 Feasibility Study — PWD/Liu reiterated that three alternatives were selected for further study. Consultants are expected to finish the study by May/June 2008. H. NTMP/Palomino Drive — AE/Molina reported that the concept was overwhelmingly accepted by the majority of the neighborhood. Staff received a proposal from KOA Corporation for the design construction plans for the concept of a combination of speed cushions, raised crosswalks and either bulges or medians. Staff is reviewing the proposal and will present it to City Council on April 15t for consideration. With approval, staff will proceed with developing the designs and go out to bid in July/August 2008 with construction to follow. Chair/Mok said that a colleague mentioned to him that the City installed additional tubes on Palomino and wondered what they were for. AE/Molina said that staff would have to investigate the matter. I Prospectors Road Rehabilitation Project — AE/Molina stated that this project has been under construction since January 28th. Paving of the roadway was completed today, which opened the road to two-way traffic during completion of construction with installation of traffic loops on Saturday and timing on Monday. J. "Rocket Launcher" SCE Tower Relocation — AE/Molina reported that there remains substructure work to be completed on Grand Avenue and the Target/Chili's driveway. The permit is ready; however, Edison has not yet pulled the permit. Staff anticipates the permit will be pulled tomorrow or the beginning of next week. Pole relocation should take place in late April/early May from its current location diagonally toward Golden Springs next to Chili's. VC/Lin asked if there were any construction projects in the new budget. PWD/Liu explained that staff is working on the new budget and would not have the CI P list until next month. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS: As listed in the Agenda. PWD/Liu reminded the Commissioners about the Joint Commission Training Workshop that will be conducted by City Attorney Mike Jenkins on Wednesday, March 19th at the Diamond Bar Center. Also, the State of the City event is scheduled for Thursday, March 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Center. MARCH 13, 2008 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: There being no furfher business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chair/Mok adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this iday of Mzi L_ , 2008. Respectful y (Yvid G. Liu, Secretary Attest: r Cai man Kenneth Mok