HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2007.06.13
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The City of Burlingame
CITY HALL - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD
CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Commissioners Present: Victor James, Chair
Dan Conway, Vice Chair
Michael Bohnert
Stephen Warden
Commissioners Absent: Mark Noworolski
Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works
Sgt. Dean Williams, Police Department
Joanne Louie, Administrative Secretary, Public Works
Syed Murtuza, Assistant Director of Public Works
Visitors: Rudy Horak, 1332 Edgehill Drive
Farris Horak, 1332 Edgehill Drive
John Dyer, 743 Winchester Drive
Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa Avenue
Bob Schoeppner, 751 Winchester Drive
Wendy Jentsch, 751 Winchester Drive
Judy Gum, 747 Winchester Drive
Alex Goldstein, 1121 Douglas Avenue
Leslie Maehlum, Burlingame Towers
Tonie Hertz, Burlingame Towers
Sharon Menicucci, 3021 Atwater Drive
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
Chair James acknowledged Syed Murtuza, Assistant Director of Public Works, in the
audience.
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5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -
Motion: To accept the minutes of May 10, 2007 as submitted.
M/S/C: Warden, Conway; 4/0/1 (Noworolski absent)
6. CHAIR’S PROLOGUE
Chair James noted that at last month’s meeting the Commission recognized Craig Horak for
his bicycle achievement. Chair James requests that this be reduced to a resolution from the
Commission and asks that perhaps Commissioner Bohnert could prepare this resolution as
this was within his quad.
7. CONSENT
None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Judy Gum, Bob Schoeppner, Wendy Jentsch and John Dyer, spoke of the unsafe nature of
Winchester Drive due to speeding vehicles, particularly by teenagers due to the close
proximity to the high school. Sergeant Williams stated that residents should report vehicle
license numbers to the Police Department of the offending individuals when possible. Farris
Horak inquired about situations where a license plate is not available. Sergeant Williams
responds that a description of the vehicle should then be reported (make, model, color, etc.)
Mr. Chou stated that he will follow up with Sergeant Williams to pursue a traffic calming
element which was previously being developed which he can share with the neighborhood
at a later date.
Rudy Horak advised the Commission of his concerns for pedestrian safety while crossing
Rollins Road with the new approved Peninsula Humane Society due to the volume of visits
and adoptions that are projected for this facility.
Sharon Menicucci spoke on the dangerous traffic within Burlingame and her idea to
consider and develop a Traffic Safety Awareness program which could include promotional
marketing material to educate an d bring awareness to the problem. Commissioner Warden
expressed his concern that he did not have faith that this would reach the people
responsible for the speeding and that perhaps local authorities could work with the high
school to take away the offending person’s ability to drive to school. Chair James
commends Ms. Menicucci for her creative and inspirational ideas and suggests coordination
with the appropriate Quad representative. Commissioner Conway suggests that perhaps
children should be making the request for safer streets as it may have a greater impact.
Pat Giorni stated that it appears more and more residents want to take back their streets
and perhaps citizens/neighbors can post “Neighborhood Traffic Watch” signs.
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9. CURRENT BUSINESS
9.1 Request from Commissioner Bohnert to have the issue of Hillside Drive/Balboa Avenue
crosswalks remanded back to the Commission for further evaluation.
Discussion occurred amongst the Commissioners regarding the wording, procedural
process and benefits of remanding back an item to the Commission for further
evaluation. Mr. Murtuza provided some details behind this request and suggests that
enhancements be made in incremental phases.
Motion: The matter of Hillside Drive/Balboa Avenue is remanded back to the
Commission next month for further consideration with the continuation of red curbing.
M/S/C: James, Bohnert; 3/1/1 (James abstained, Noworolski absent)
9.2 Discussion of Critical Minimum Street Width Policy for Managing Street Tree Impacts in
the Roadway.
Mr. Chou presented the staff report and a draft version of the Critical Minimum Street
Width Policy. He also presented overhead slides for further illustration and sought
Commission discussion/input and public comments.
Chair James sought public comments and there was none.
Commission discussion occurred and clarification was made regarding the alternates to
tree removal that should be taken into consideration.
Motion: Accept the staff report and endorse the Critical Minimum Street Width Policy for
Managing Street Tree Impacts in the Roadway.
M/S/C: Warden, James; 4/0/1 (Noworolski absent)
9.3 Commission consideration of the repeal of the Overnight Parking Permit ordinance.
Sergeant Williams presented the staff report and requested Commission direction and
public input.
Chair James sought public comments.
Pat Giorni stated the ordinance should be removed from the “books” because it was
unenforceable. But, she also questioned when the city could get adequate enforcement
staffing.
Tonie Hertz suggested coordination with local businesses that have parking lots that are
vacant at night to allow night time parking for residents.
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Discussion occurred regarding the concept of the permits, lack of enforcement, current
process and outcome and whether there was enough citizen input at this time.
Motion: Accept the staff recommendation and repeal the Municipal Ordinance 13.32.080
(Overnight Parking).
M/S/C: Conway, Warden; 3/1/1 (Bohnert abstained, Noworolski absent)
9.4 Commission consideration of a Residential Permit Parking program.
Sergeant Williams presented the staff report and requested Commission direction.
Chair James sought pubic comments.
Pat Giorni stated that residents need to get rid of the idea of entitlement to parking on
the street in front of their property. However, amnesty could be conside red for
apartment dwellers.
Farris Horak inquired about people that park on the streets and use taxis to the airport,
thus leaving their vehicles parked for days at a time.
Leslie Maehlum stated that based on her knowledge and experience , parking was an
issue on the Peninsula and all the way down to San Jose , and was of concern whether
residents rented or owned. Ms. Maehlum stated that the issue was much larger than
just a permit, as it involved enforcement, staff, and administrative costs.
Discussion occurred regarding the concept of the permits. Clarification that two -hour
limited parking would still be available for vehicles without a permit. Concern was raised
about the portability of these permits.
Motion: Postpone Item 9.4 Commission Consideration of a Residential Permit Parking
Program to next month to gather more public input and discussion.
M/S/C: Bohnert, Warden; 4/0/1 (Noworolski absent)
10. STAFF REPORTS
10.1 Traffic Engineer’s Report
Mr. Chou reported that he received notification that MTC would be receiving the final
report and recommendations regarding the TDA Grants in July. The City would
receive approval in a letter sometime in August.
Mr. Chou reported that the residents using the storage containers on Edgehill Drive
had already received warning letters in the past, and that they were removed for a
while. He said that since they have returned, they would be receiving letters again to
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remove the containers.
Mr. Chou reported that in response to receiving letters from Wendy Gale on Mills
Avenue and Elisa Marcaletti on Carmelita Avenue about speeding vehicles, speed
counts have been conducted on Mills. However, there were problems with the
counters and data for Carmelita Avenue. He said after new data was collected, staff
would determine whether to bring stop sign requests before the commission at the
next meeting.
10.2 Traffic Sergeant’s Report
None.
11. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT
None.
12. PENDING ITEMS
None.
13. COMMUNICATIONS
13.1 Letter from Jacqueline Cooke Haggerty regarding concerns over speeding on Grove
Avenue at Laguna Avenue.
Commissioner Warden reported that he met with Ms. Haggerty and has already
asked that this area be on the selective enforcement list. Sergeant Williams reported
that he also communicated with Ms. Haggerty.
13.2 Letter from Jennifer Pfaff regarding concerns over obscured pedestrian crossing sign
on Peninsula Drive at Stanley Road.
No discussion.
13.3 Letter from Jennifer Pfaff regarding City Parking Lot V.
Mr. Chou reported that this matter was referred back to staff and that the Council was
also dealing directly with the matter at this point .
Commissioner Warden stated he was opposed to taking out a 15 -20 space parking
lot in light of what was discussed this evening.
13.4 Communication Sharon Meniccuci regarding TSPC establishing an annual Traffic
Safety Awareness Program (TSAP).
Discussed during Item #8 Public Comments.
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13.5 Copies of revised TSPC meeting minutes for March 8, 2007 and April 12, 2007.
No discussion.
14. COMMISSION & COMMITTEE REPORTS
14.1 Burlingame Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Commissioner Bohnert sought approval from fellow commissioners to begin the
application process to become a Bicycle Friendly Community. The Commission
agreed to provide their approval and support.
Commissioner Bohnert reported that beginning July 1, design and cost estimates
would begin for 24 “hoop” and 2 “wave” bike racks primarily for the Burlingame
Avenue area. Commissioner Bohnert said that he hoped to have this prepared for the
Commission’s August meeting and ready for presentation to Council at the end of
August.
14.2 Biannual Commission Report
Chair James stated that the report was completed and that it was being submitted
without editing of anyone’s report as requested.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.