HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2014.06.121
The City of Burlingame
CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Special Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Commissioners Present: Howard Wettan, Chair
Mark Noworolski, Vice-Chair
Nick Akers
Jeff Londer
John Martos
Commissioners Absent: None.
Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Engineering Programs Manager, Public Works
Andrew Wong, Transportation Engineer
Corporal Brett Murphy, Police Department
Joanne Louie, Administrative Secretary
Kathleen Kane, City Attorney
Syed Murtuza, Director of Public Works
Visitors: June Kaufman
William Pollock
John Ward
Manito Velasco
Pat Giorni
1. CALL TO ORDER. 7:05 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
3. ROLL CALL. 5 of 5 Commissioners present.
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Chair Wettan thanked Syed Murtuza, Director of Public Works, for attending the meeting.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -
Motion: To accept the minutes of April 10, 2014 as submitted.
M/S/C: Londer/Akers; 5/0/0
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6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
June Kaufman expressed her concern for safety for pedestrians from vehicles turning right
from Primrose Road onto Douglas Avenue. Ms. Kaufman stated that she would like to see a
stop sign on Primrose Road in front of the library.
John Ward expressed the public safety concern of the residents of Neuchatel Avenue and
Willborough Road when attempting to make a left turn onto Oak Grove Avenue from
Neuchatel Avenue. Mr. Ward requested that the red zones be extended one car length on
Oak Grove Avenue due to an inadequate line of sight.
William Pollock expressed his concern for safety on Forest View Avenue due to vehicles
speeding up to Hillsborough. Mr. Pollock stated that he has personally used a radar gun to
record vehicles with speeds up to 45 mph.
Manito Velasco reported that his family also personally used a radar gun to monitor vehicles
on California Drive and found that the median speed was 37 mph. Mr. Velasco suggested
that, for bicycle safety on California Drive, perhaps there should be less focus on signage
but rather how the street is designed. Mr. Velasco also thanked the Commission and staff
for their efforts in the implementation of red zones at Mills & Highway, Capuchino & Grove,
Paloma & Lincoln.
Pat Giorni commented that speeding on Forest View Avenue is an endemic problem and
suggested that 2-way stop signs be placed on Forest View Avenue, westbound at Walnut
Avenue.
7. CURRENT BUSINESS
7.1 Staff Presentation – Capital Improvement Prioritization
Mr. Murtuza made a presentation as part of the City’s community engagement effort
around setting priorities for many unfunded infrastructure projects. Mr. Murtuza briefly
reviewed the various needs and provided information on how the public could provide
input via a survey. He concluded by saying that the City Council would use the results
to help them set funding priorities.
8. Information/Discussion Items from Commission and Staff
8.1 Engineering Division Reports – Reports and/or updates on Public Works project and
activities
8.1.1 Requests/comments/responses to public traffic concerns (stop signs, crosswalks,
speed control, parking)
- Burlingame Ave Downtown Parking Strategies
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Mr. Chou reported that there was a kickoff meeting on May 7, 2014. He said
that initial discussions occurred regarding primary goals and priorities. Mr.
Chou reported that Engineering staff would work in coordination with Police
staff on getting an occupancy study/survey for the parking lots. Mr. Chou also
reported that staff had some preliminary information on business parking
permits, but still needs to determine the number of businesses with potential
long term employee parking needs.
- Floribunda Traffic Calming Review
Mr. Wong reported that staff has had two meetings with the residents since
this issue was brought to the Commission. He stated that traffic/speed
counters were placed in three different sections of Floribunda Avenue and
found that one section closest to El Camino Real exceeded the speed
threshold. Mr. Wong said that addressing this issue has required it be broken
down into separate phases. Phase 1 was completed this week which was to
“refresh” the existing signs and adding radar enforcement signs. Phase 2 will
be procuring and installing smaller, less intrusive, driver feedback signs which
can remain for extended amounts of time.
Chair Wettan inquired if there was anything published as to why the City does
not utilize speed bumps because this is a common question from the public.
Mr. Chou responded that this was indeed a common question from the public
and suggested that this topic might be more easily addressed through the
traffic safety/information brochure project that staff is working on.
- Oak Grove Ave/Neuchatel Ave Parking and Red Curbs
Mr. Wong reported that the addition of red curbing would be considered as a
way to mitigate the sight distance concerns. Mr. Wong also noted that parking
was impacted in this area; and, a notice of potential red curbing was posted
adjacent to the space, and resulted in public comments about the need for
more parking spaces. Mr. Wong stated that he would report back to the
Commission after some more analysis and possible public noticing to the
residents of the area.
- Howard Ave/Victoria Rd Stop Sign Requests
Mr. Wong reported that this intersection would be evaluated in September,
when school has resumed.
8.1.2 Construction and Design projects
- New Bike Racks
Mr. Wong reported that the 32 bike racks from the Bay Area Air Quality
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Management District (BAAQMD) grant were in transit and should arrive
shortly. He added that the Public Works Corporation Yard staff would be
handling the bike rack installation.
- Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Project
Mr. Wong reported that the 1400 block should be open in the next two weeks
to traffic. He added that the work on the 1100 block would begin afterwards.
- Linden/Larkspur Intersection Temporary Traffic Circle
Mr. Wong reported that staff met with the neighborhood and shared the
temporary traffic circle design. He stated that there was also discussion
regarding the options for the traffic circle interior. Mr. Wong reported that the
residents were very supportive of this effort.
- 2014 Street Resurfacing Project
Mr. Wong reported that due to a clerical error, the project was to be re-bid on
June 17, 2014. He stated that the project was already re-advertised, and that
some additional work was added as well. He finished by saying that the project
should begin in late August or early September.
- US101/Broadway Interchange Project
Mr. Chou reported that Caltrans opened contractor bids on May 13, 2014; and,
that nine bids were received. He said that the engineer’s estimate was
$44,590,000 and the apparent low bid was $44,900,000. Mr. Chou also
reported that he had just learned that there might be a potential discrepancy,
and that the bid may be contested by the second lowest apparent bidder.
8.1.3 School Traffic Issues
- Hoover School Construction
Mr. Chou reported that he, along with other City staff and City officials,
attended a community meeting on May 10, 2014. He added that other
attendees included staff and Town officials from the Town of Hillsborough,
members of the public, Burlingame School District and their design team. Mr.
Chou reported that the meeting concluded with the decision to establish a
traffic working group made up of staff members from Burlingame,
Hillsborough, the school district, and the design team to filter out discussions
and work with the plans that were presented.
Mr. Chou stated that the traffic working group had subsequently met at the
Hoover site and went through the initial seven traffic plans but with more in-
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depth discussions, and also agreed to examine two additional alternative
plans. He said the process involved looking at and openly discussing the
positives and negatives of each plan. Mr. Chou concluded by reporting that
the working group would compile and share the comments at a future public
meeting.
Chair Wettan stressed the urgency of the Hoover School project and
expressed his concerns regarding the process of developing a traffic plan
design, the level of the City’s input, and the timeliness of the process.
City Attorney Kane reiterated that this matter was first, and foremost, a
Burlingame School District project; and, that they would ultimately accept or
reject the outcome of the public feedback. Ms. Kane stated that staff has been
proactive and forthcoming in working with the school district in trying to find
and offer viable solutions to the various issues concerning Hoover School. She
reiterated that the City Manager has always held a very strong position in favor
of facilitating the matter where ever the City is able. Ms. Kane also clarified
that a number of efforts have been offered to facilitate a resolution on all levels
of the City organization.
8.2 Police Department Reports – Reports and/or updates on Police Department program
and activities
8.2.1 General/Selective Traffic Enforcement Report
Corporal Murphy reported that the month of May was focused on the “Click It or
Ticket” program. He also reported that during the period of May 19th through June
1st, the Police staff issued 102-105 citations for this scofflaw.
Corporal Murphy also reported that speeding was still a concern; and, that some
of the “hot spots” on the selective enforcement list were:
- Carmelita Avenue west of El Camino Real up to Hillsborough
- 1500 block of Floribunda
- 400 block of Bloomfield
- Dwight Avenue between Rollins & Vernon
- Stop sign issues in the Easton area – particularly Cabrillo and Cortez
- Downtown enforcement
Corporal Murphy also reported that the Police Department applied for another
Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant; and, that the City should learn if its
application was selected in the next few months.
Commissioner Akers brought up parking concerns for the upcoming Billie Sue
Tournament at Ray Park. He said that, traditionally, this event has brought many
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out-of-town attendees who park blocking residential driveways. Corporal Murphy
said the Police Department would respond to these complaints.
8.3 Commissioners’ Comments and Concerns
8.3.1 Fresh/Farmers Market Event Calendar
Chair Wettan, Commissioners Martos and Londer reported that they each took
turns representing TSPC at the last Fresh Market, and they reviewed some of the
feedback and/or concerns received. The Commissioners decided they would
continue to have TSPC representation at the August and September Fresh
Markets. And, that future dates would be determined. Commissioner Londer
encouraged other Commissions or groups to participate as a means of community
outreach. He closed by saying that the third, fourth and fifth Sundays were still
available.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
9.1 Andrew Kenakin – Digital Payment Technologies (DPT) information
9.2 Joe Kavalaris – Floribunda Avenue Traffic Safety Efforts Update
9.3 Jeff DeMartini – New B/PAC member from Planning Commission
9.4 Todd Weller, Joan Constantino, Bernadette Canniffe, Abbi Eastburn, Christie Onoda –
STOP Sign request at Howard/Victoria Intersection
9.5 Amjad Hanif – Residential Parking Permit Program for Ray Drive
9.6 Other Communications - None
None.
10. COMMISSION & COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Burlingame Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory committee (B/PAC)
Commissioner Londer reported that B/PAC met earlier in the evening and discussed
a variety of issues including re-paving, bicycle lanes, Carolan Avenue, California
Drive with parking, the Carolan Complete Streets project design, bike racks, and
gaps on the Bay Trail. Commissioner Londer also reported that Planning
Commissioner Jeff DeMartini was now a representative at B/PAC.
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
11.1 Downtown Parking Strategies
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11.2 Cypress Avenue 2-Hour Parking Restriction & Residential Parking Permit Program
(1500 block)
12. ADJOURNMENT 9:38 p.m.