HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2013.11.141
The City of Burlingame
CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Commissioners Present: Nicklas Akers, Chair
Caroline Serrato, Vice-Chair
Jeff Londer
Howard Wettan
Commissioners Absent: Mark Noworolski
Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Engineering Program Manager
Andrew Wong, Transportation Engineer
Sergeant Jay Kiely, Police Department
Joanne Louie, Administrative Secretary
Visitors: William Jorajuric
Pat Giorni
Drew Dara-Abrams
Ann Wallach
Mark Haberecht
Chris Bush
John Martos
Anthony Azzollini
Steve Pariani
1. CALL TO ORDER. 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
3. ROLL CALL. 4 of 5 Commissioners present.
Commissioner Noworolski absent.
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
4.1 Commissioner Caroline Serrato – End of Term & Resignation
Chair Akers presented a proclamation to Vice Chair Serrato and thanked her for serving
on this Commission and her years of service to the community.
Chair Akers also acknowledged the presence of Captain Wollman and Officer Kempel
from the Police Department, and Planning Commissioner Nirmala Bandrapalli in the
audience.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -
Motion: To accept the minutes of October 10, 2013 as submitted.
M/S/C: Londer/Serrato; 4/0/0
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Drew Abrams explained that he was a recent Burlingame resident and wanted to speak
about the need to improve bicycle routes as well as pedestrian safety improvements in the
downtown area.
Pat Giorni spoke and addressed Mr. Abrams concerns regarding the City’s bicycle map. Ms.
Giorni said that the maps were printed in 2002; and, that more bike lanes will be installed
within the next year. Ms. Giorni also commented that getting to the Millbrae Caltrain/BART
station on California Drive has been much improved. She also wanted to encourage people
to attend the Caltrans meeting next Tuesday in the Lane Room to discuss El Camino Real
and Floribunda Avenue intersection.
Manito Velasco commented that he still struggles while travelling on California Drive. He is
concerned for safety and shared photos of four intersections with left-turn pockets where he
says drivers are swerving over those left-turn pocket lanes. Mr. Velasco stated that he
believes it is a design issue and questions the value of these left-turn pockets. He also
posed a question about what might happen if they were removed.
7. CURRENT BUSINESS
7.1 Balboa Avenue – 1400 & 1500 Block Traffic Concerns
Chair Akers and Commissioner Wettan recused themselves from this discussion.
Vice Chair Serrato opened the floor for public comments.
Mark Haberecht provided a recap of the traffic, speeding, safety and parking issues on
these blocks of Balboa Avenue. He also did not feel the radar trailer was placed at an
optimal location. Mr. Haberecht also spoke on behalf of Samantha MacPhail who
suggests a stop sign.
Ann Wallach was present to speak and concurred with Mr. Haberecht.
Pat Giorni stated that she agreed that these blocks on Balboa Avenue are a problem,
although she did not feel the conditions would meet the stop sign warrants. Ms. Giorni
expressed the need to look at permitted parking for these blocks.
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Public comment period was closed.
Mr. Chou stated that staff has been addressing this issue on an on-going basis; and,
that staff has also working with the Lincoln School administration regarding the traffic
situation on Balboa near the school.
Mr. Wong reported that stop sign warrant studies were currently being completed, but
that the accident history conditions did not meet warrants requirements. He added that
the collection of traffic volume conditions data was still pending. Mr. Wong commented
that another option to address the concerns on these blocks might be to have residents
volunteer for the Neighborhood Speed Watch Program. It was recommended that
interested residents should contact Mr. Chou for further information.
Vice-Chair Serrato asked the staff to provide follow-up with updates on the matter of a
radar volunteer program and a residential permit program.
7.2 Ray Drive/El Camino Real Intersection Safety – Discussion
Steve Pariani stated that this intersection wa s dangerous due in part to the high speed
of vehicles from Trousdale Drive. Mr. Pariani said he would like to see a crossing guard
at this intersection because of the number of children from Burlingame Intermediate
School and Lincoln School.
Tony Azzollini commented that he was concerned about how the traffic moves from
Balboa Avenue and Ray Avenue because there are all the “facets of cars” merging
together to get to the signal light at Ray and El Camino. Mr. Azzollini stated that he is
very interested in the Neighborhood Speed watch volunteer program and stated that he
knows 20 other dads who would volunteer.
Pat Giorni commented that the traffic signal light timing needed to be changed. She
said there was not enough time to safely cross for bicyclists and strollers. Ms. Giorni
stated that there was a need to time the signal for a 5-lane crossing.
Mr. Wong reported that the traffic signal at Ray Drive and El Camino Real is a Caltrans
maintained signal; and, that Caltrans has added some additional “green time”; however,
the all-red signal indication was not within their policy. He said that Caltrans would
continue to look at other options.
Mr. Chou stated that crossing guard locations are determined by the Burlingame School
District; and, that funding may be limited. Mr. Chou said that he would inform the school
district of this matter. He also added that another resource in the school district might
be Mr. Rusty Hopewell, who is the coordinator for Safe Routes to Schools program.
Ms. Giorni commented that she recalled the Safe Routes to Schools program being
tried two years ago, but that she has not seen any progress from this program. Ms.
Giorni suggested that the Department of Education be contacted to learn what the
current program entails and how it could be instituted in this city.
Mr. Wong sated that he would continue to work with the School District and Caltrans on
these matters, and report back what criteria might be required by Caltrans for them to
consider an all-red signal phase. Mr. Wong also noted that the Safe Route to Schools
is a grant program.
7.3 TSPC Areas of Emphasis for 2013 – Discussion
7.3.1 Municipal Code Review and Update
• BMC Chapters 13.36 – Discussion
Discussion occurred regarding Chapter 13.36 with the following items possibly
needing further attention:
- 13.36.010 No parking at any time.
- 13.36.030 One-hour parking.
- 13.36.043 Ten-hour parking.
- 13.36.045 Angle parking.
- 13.36.047 Limited height parking zones.
- 13.36.049 Moving vehicles in public parking lots or facilities and use of
public parking lots or facilities for storage of vehicles.
- 13.36.065 Parking of commercial vehicles prohibited in residential districts.
- 13.36.070 Preferential parking zones.
7.3.2 Parking Policy Review
No report.
7.3.3 Traffic Studies and Collision Data
• Accident and Citation Data – Discussion
Sergeant Kiely and Officer Kempel presented a recently compiled map of
collisions involving injuries. The map indicated the “W here, When and Who”
(bicyclist, pedestrian, vehicle, fatality, DUI) of collisions. They reported that this
mapping system would allow traffic enforcement to focus in areas accordingly.
A member of the public offered to provide information on UC Berkeley
SafeTREC, a transportation injury mapping system, if relevant. Sergeant Kiely
informed the Commission that City’s six checkpoints are currently funded
through a grant from UC Berkeley SafeTREC.
7.3.4 Pedestrian Corridors
Mr. Chou reported that the City’s grant application for funding the El Camino Real
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sidewalk/pedestrian walkway (near the Mills/Peninsula Hospital and Ray Drive)
was evaluated but did not make the funding list.
7.4 Outreach Events – Discussion
Commissioner Londer sought input on the Commission’s continued participation in the
Farmers Market events. It was agreed that it serves as a great outreach event and
Commissioner Londer would follow-up with the City Clerk for dates.
Commissioner Londer stated that he would also like to have a future discussion about
having biking, pedestrian, and traffic safety workshops; possibly partnering with other
agencies, such as Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance or Parks and Recreation.
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)
• Electronic speed feedback display signs
Mr. Wong reported that the electronic speed feedback signs would be dynamic
and provide feedback at two locations each, on Trousdale Drive and California
Drive. He reported that the contractor has currently applied for an
encroachment permit with the City to do the final installation work.
• Non-standard stop signs along Trousdale Drive
Mr. Wong reported that the accident history data at intersections at Loyola
Drive, Marco Polo Way, Ogden Avenue and Toledo Avenue did meet stop sign
warrants; but, that staff is now examining the traffic volume conditions as a
next step in the process.
• Burlingame Avenue traffic/pedestrian safety concerns
Mr. Wong reported that at the September meeting, there was a request by a
resident regarding changing the speed limit on Burlingame Avenue from the
prima facie limit of 25 mph to 15 mph. Mr. Wong said that this consideration
would be deferred until the completion of the streetscape project so that staff
could do a comprehensive evaluation.
Mr. Wong reported that the crosswalk at Chapin Avenue and Primrose Road
will be repaved and repainted along with a high-visibility pedestrian sign.
• Streetline’s “Parker” App for Burlingame Parking Lots
Mr. Wong reported that the “Parker” Streetline smartphone app is now active
for all Android phones.
8.1.2 Construction and Design projects
• Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Project
Mr. Wong reported that the project is 40% complete. The 1300 block will be
completed by Thanksgiving and the entire street will be open during the
holidays.
• Bike Route Improvement Project
Mr. Wong reported that the striping work for the East/W est bike project is now
underway. Contractor, Chrisp Company, has laid out a number of locations
where the sharrows will be.
• El Camino Real/Floribunda Avenue Traffic Concerns
The Caltrans meeting on this topic will be on next Tuesday, at the Lane Room.
8.1.3 School Traffic Issues
No report.
8.2 Police Department Reports – Reports and/or updates on Police Department program
and activities
8.2.1 General/Selective Traffic Enforcement Report
Sergeant Kiely reported that the OTS county-wide grant event was kicked-off last
month. He stated that it was very productive and received great media coverage.
Sergeant Kiely also reported that another grant was submitted last month to State
Farm Insurance to equip the City’s speed trailer with fire and police dispatching
capability.
Lastly, Sergeant Kiely reported that the Police staff did data mining for the STEP
program. They were only able to sample 2012 Burlingame and San Bruno data
and found a 10% reduction in injury collisions since the start of the STEP
program.
8.3 Commissioners’ Comments and Concerns
None.
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9. COMMUNICATIONS
9.1 Manito Velasco
• Bike Safety Concern on California Drive
• Webinar on Urban Street Design Guide
9.2 Adam Arenstein
• Adding Bike Lanes on Bayshore Highway
9.3 Other Communications
None.
10. COMMISSION & COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Burlingame Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory committee (B/PAC)
Mr. Wong reported that the committee discussed the El Camino Real/Floribunda
Avenue issue. He also reported that the group discussed a grant application for new
bicycle racks; and, that the B/PAC members needed to help staff determine the
number and locations for these racks.
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
11.1 Howard Avenue Long-term and Short-term Parking (1400 block)
11.2 Burlingame Downtown Parking Structure Discussion
11.3 Electric Charging Stations
Chair Akers stated that as is not uncommon, and with his fellow Commissioners’
concurrence, the December meeting would be cancelled unless the Commission members
believed that a need might arise.
12. ADJOURNMENT 9:10 p.m.