HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2016.01.06
Burlingame City Council January 6, 2016
Approved Minutes
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BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Special Meeting with Burlingame School District Board of Trustees to discuss
Hoover School Traffic Safety and Pedestrian Access
January 6, 2016
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed special meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the Lane
Community Room at the Burlingame Public Library.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The pledge of allegiance was led by City Clerk Meaghan Hassel-Shearer.
3. ROLL CALL
a. CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Keighran, Ortiz
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
b. BURLINGAME SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coskey, Drabkin, Intrieri, Luftman, Wong
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS, NON-AGENDA
There were no public comments.
5. WELCOME: MAYOR KEIGHRAN AND PRESIDENT COSKEY
Mayor Keighran explained that the purpose of the meeting was to update the public and collaborate with
Burlingame School District (“BSD”) on safety measures concerning Hoover Elementary School opening.
Mayor Keighran introduced the two new Councilmembers: Beach and Colson to the Burlingame School
District.
Board of Trustees President Coskey introduced the Burlingame School District trustees to the Council.
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6. PRESENTATIONS
a. BURLINGAME SCHOOL DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES
The Burlingame School District Director of Facilities Tim Ryan made a presentation entitled “Hoover
Progress Update” to the Council and Board of Trustees. He discussed the timeline of BSD’s decision to
reopen Hoover Elementary School. Tim Ryan stated that now that BSD received the necessary
encroachment permits, they were working with Public Works and the Traffic, Safety and Parking
Commission to identify traffic and pedestrian concerns.
Mr. Ryan reviewed the cost and plans for crosswalk and street improvements around Hoover Elementary
School. He stated that the estimated cost to make the necessary crosswalk improvements was $100,000 -
$300,000.
b. CITY OF BURLINGAME PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Public Works Director Murtuza made a presentation entitled “Hoover Elementary School Traffic Safety and
Pedestrian Access Summary of Needs Analysis” to the Council and Board of Trustees. DPW Murtuza stated
that BSD and the City were working together to ensure traffic and pedestrian safety around the school.
DPW Murtuza explained the anticipated vehicle and pedestrian flow to and from Hoover Elementary School.
He stated that during the peak morning hours staff estimated 125 inbound and 103 outbound trips, while
during the peak evening hours staff estimated 71 inbound and 79 outbound trips. Furthermore, he explained
that staff anticipates traffic congestion and parking difficulties during special events such as Back to School
Night. Accordingly, he strongly recommended that BSD develop a “Traffic and Parking Management Plan”.
In researching the traffic and pedestrian implications, DPW Murtuza explained that staff focused on 4
locations: (1) Easton Drive, (2) Summit Drive, (3) Hillside Circle and (4) Hillside Drive at Alvarado Avenue.
Easton Drive: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) new sidewalk as the
pathway is narrow and does not meet City and ADA standards; (2) additional signage; (3) painted crosswalk;
(4) ADA ramps; (5) removal of the stone wall; (6) relocation of the power pole that is obstructing the
sidewalk; and (7) the City would need to eliminate street parking. He estimated the total cost at $852,000 -
$1.3 million.
Councilmember Brownrigg asked if there were private property lines up to the street on Easton Drive. DPW
Murtuza replied in the affirmative. Accordingly, he stated, the City and BSD would need to work with the
homeowners to obtain easements in order to construct ADA compliant sidewalks.
Summit Drive: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) new sidewalks; (2)
traffic signage; (3) crosswalks; (4) ADA ramps; (5) relocation of a power pole and fire hydrant that were
obstructing the sidewalk; and (6) repair of a masonry wall at Culvert that restricts the pathway. Furthermore,
he explained that a traffic island was necessary in front of the school at the Easton Drive and Summit Drive
intersection. Accordingly, he estimated the cost of improvements at $1.5 - $2 million. DPW Murtuza
cautioned that a feasibility study should be done prior to any improvements on Summit Drive.
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Councilmember Brownrigg asked if the City was required to make sidewalks ADA compliant. DPW
Murtuza stated in the affirmative. He explained that under federal law if the City does any work to the
sidewalks the City must ensure that the sidewalks are ADA compliant.
Mayor Keighran inquired about the masonry wall and whether or not it could be removed. DPW Murtuza
stated if the wall was removed the sidewalk would then need to be widened and the street would become a
one-way road.
Trustee Luftman asked if the City/BSD would need approval from Hillsborough for improvements on
Summit Drive. DPW Murtuza replied in the affirmative. He explained that some of the improvements cross
into Hillsborough.
Councilmember Brownrigg asked how many students would be coming from the direction of Summit Drive.
Mayor Keighran responded that it was approximately 30% of the school population.
The Council and Board of Trustees discussed whether or not Summit Drive could be made a one-way street.
DPW Murtuza voiced concern that it could create traffic problems.
Hillside Circle: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) upgrading the
crosswalks; and (2) ADA ramps. He estimated the cost of these improvements at $50,000 - $80,000.
Hillside Drive at Alvarado Circle: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1)
repairing the crosswalks; (2) stop signs; and (3) ADA ramps. He estimated the cost of these improvements at
$33,000 - $38,000.
DPW Murtuza stated that the total cost of the identified improvements is $2.5 - $3.4 million. As well, he
explained that he divided the identified improvements into short-term and medium to long-term
improvements. He stated that the major difference between the short-term and long-term improvements was
that prior to undertaking a long-term improvement, staff would need to first monitor the traffic patterns to
ensure that they were undertaking the correct course of action.
Councilmember Beach asked how long the City would observe traffic patterns prior to making a decision.
DPW Murtuza responded that staff would need 9 months to a year.
Trustee Luftman asked after the year of monitoring how long it would take to implement the improvements.
DPW Murtuza stated that the staff would have to look at the scope of work, finances, and the need for
easements. Accordingly, he couldn’t give an estimate of time.
In summary, DPW Murtuza explained the list of priorities that Public Works is currently working on (i.e.
101 Broadway Interchange, Broadway Grade Separation and Neighborhood Storm Drain Project No. 8 and
No. 9). As well, he outlined the 5-year general fund CIP needs at a total cost of $15.19 million and the
unfunded needs of the City estimated at $98 - $113 million.
7. DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES: HOOVER SCHOOL
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
Mayor Keighran opened up the discussion to the Council and the Board of Trustees.
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Councilmember Colson asked if BSD intended to have a 5th grade class the first year. Superintendent
MacIssac stated that the decision had not been made, but if they did it would only be about 15 students.
Councilmember Brownrigg stated that he appreciated the City’s need to monitor traffic patterns prior to
undertaking any long-term improvements. However, he was concerned that some of the projects (such as
Easton Drive) should be made a priority. He suggested creating a pedestrian walkway by making Easton
Drive, one-way during the AM and PM peak hours. DPW Murtuza responded that usually this was only
done for special events as it involved a high cost and a lot of man hours.
Councilmember Beach asked for a clarification on the estimated cost for the crosswalk near Hoover
Elementary School as the City estimated the cost at $30,000 but BSD estimated the cost at $80-95,000.
Director of Facilities Ryan stated that the City’s estimate did not include necessary shelving to flatten and
even out the road.
Mayor Keighran asked how many parking spaces were available at the school for parents during drop-off
and pick-up. President Coskey responded that there were none. She stated that during all other hours there
would be 8 visitor parking spots.
Mayor Keighran asked how many crossing-guards the school would use. Superintendent MacIssac
responded that pursuant to the MOU they would have one, but that they foresaw needing an additional
crossing-guard.
Mayor Keighran asked if BSD considered staggered schedules to alleviate traffic problems. Superintendent
MacIssac stated that BSD was concerned about parents needing to drop off their children at Hoover
Elementary School and BIS.
Mayor Keighran asked if there would be summer programs at Hoover Elementary School. President Coskey
replied in the negative. As a follow up, Trustee Intrieri stated that special events will be held at other schools
during the school year to minimize traffic congestion.
Trustee Luftman asked about the 50/50 sidewalk improvement program and whether that could be used for
repairing and creating ADA compliant sidewalks around the school. DPW Murtuza responded that no, the
50/50 program worked on repairing sidewalks on a 15 year cycle. He stated that the expenditures for the
new sidewalks around the school were outside the scope of the program.
Trustee Drabkin asked about the difference in pricing that BSD and the City had for the improvements on
Summit Drive. DPW Murtuza stated that it was his opinion that a traffic island was a necessary tool for this
intersection. He stated it would drastically improve traffic flow. Trustee Luftman asked what the earliest the
City could construct the traffic island. DPW Murtuza stated that it could be done quickly if there was
cooperation from Hillsborough.
The Board of Trustees and the City discussed the possibility of having a traffic circle for Easton Drive. All
seemed optimistic that this could solve some of the traffic flow problems.
Mayor Keighran opened the item up to public comment.
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Burlingame resident Steve Duncan asked if BSD considered shuttle buses to transport students. Mayor
Keighran and President Coskey responded that it was discussed but that the decision couldn’t be made until
BSD studied traffic patterns and completed a survey of eligible students.
Traffic Safety and Parking Commissioner Howard Wettan discussed the two priorities that the TSP
Commission had: (1) crosswalk at Hillside Drive and (2) crosswalk at Easton Drive.
Burlingame resident and future Hoover Elementary School parent Monica McMillan asked about when the
Easton Drive sidewalk would be completed. DPW Murtuza stated that Easton Drive sidewalk improvements
would take time depending on financing, easements and contracts.
Michael Robinson, Joe Rosencrist, Adam Glick, Sandy Comarado and the next 3 speakers (who did not turn
in speaker cards nor state their names) expressed their concerns about traffic on the roads around the school
and urged BSD and the City to work together to improve the sidewalks.
Another speaker asked about the buses and why BSD was not using buses. Trustee Intrieri stated that the
School Board was thinking about using buses but that they need to first identify the school population to
understand who would be using the buses.
Mayor Keighran closed the public comment.
8. CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON SHORT-TERM IMPROVEMENTS AND NEXT STEPS
Mayor Keighran opened up the item by stating that BSD and the City should focus on identifying the next
steps. Mayor Keighran explained that it was her position that DPW Murtuza’s list of short-term
improvements was accurate. Therefore, she stated that this list should be the focus of BSD and the City.
The short-term improvements as outlined by DPW Murtuza are: (1) new traffic island in front of Hoover
School at the intersection of Easton Drive and Summit Drive; (2) new signs (stop signs, pedestrian crossing
warning signs, flashing beacons, turn restriction signs, etc.); (3) striping and roadway legends; (4) curb
painting for passenger loading zone and No Parking zones; (5) ADA access ramps; and (6) crossing-guards.
The estimated total cost of these improvements is $200,000 - $250,000.
Councilmember Brownrigg concurred with the list but stated that he would like to add a couple items.
Mayor Keighran responded that if items were added to the list then this would add to the cost.
Councilmember Brownrigg agreed but stated that he felt it was important to conduct a feasibility study as
soon as possible with respect to sidewalks on Easton Drive and Summit Drive. He stated that he wanted to
make it clear that he is not committing any funds to these projects but rather gathering a more detailed report.
As well, he said he wanted to see Easton Drive and Summit Drive turned into one-way streets during pick-up
and drop-off. DPW Murtuza stated that for now he agreed that Summit Drive should be turned into a one-
way street but until a study was done he didn’t think Easton Drive should be made one-way.
Councilmember Beach stated that she was in favor of approving the list of short-term improvements but had
questions about sidewalk studies on Easton Drive and Summit Drive and which should be done first. DPW
Murtuza stated that a study of Easton Drive should be done first.
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Councilmember Colson stated that she agreed with Councilmember Brownrigg but wanted to know how
much a feasibility study would cost. DPW Murtuza stated that he would need to get an estimate from
consultants but that it would be in the $100,000s and would take 5-6 months.
Mayor Keighran asked about the costs associated with turning Summit Drive and/or Easton Drive into one-
way streets. DPW Murtuza responded that it would be a minimal cost.
Mayor Keighran asked the Council if the Council was in agreement about the list of short-term
improvements not including the addition of the feasibility study. The Council replied in the affirmative.
President Coskey asked her fellow trustees for their feedback. Trustee Intrieri stated that he was in favor of
expediting the list of short-term improvements.
Mayor Keighran asked if BSD had determined what they could contribute to the cost of the short-term
improvements. Trustee Intrieri responded that BSD cannot use bond funds to improve items that are not
owned by BSD. Accordingly, he stated that his concern was that the further the traffic safety and pedestrian
improvements got from the school, the harder it would be to justify using the bond funds. However, Trustee
Intrieri stated that BSD budgeted $150,000 toward short-term improvements.
Mayor Keighran asked if BSD could use general funds for the necessary improvements. Trustee Intrieri
responded that BSD couldn’t because the general funds went towards the education of the students.
Councilmember Brownrigg suggested that BSD and the City split the costs of the short-term improvements
50/50 with a cap of $300,000.
Mayor Keighran asked the Council if they were in agreement. The Council responded in the affirmative.
President Coskey asked the Trustees if they were in agreement. The Trustees responded in the affirmative.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Keighran adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk