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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2007.01.11 1 The City of Burlingame California 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes – Approved Thursday, January 11, 2007 Commissioners Present: Victor James, Chair Dan Conway, Vice Chair Michael Bohnert J. Mark Noworolski Stephen Warden Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works Traffic Sergeant Dean Williams, Police Department Joanne Louie, Administrative Secretary, Public Works Visitors: Rudy Horak, 1332 Edgehill Farris Horak, 1332 Edgehill Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa Craig Horak, 1332 Edgehill 2 1. CALL TO ORDER. 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG 3. ROLL CALL. 5 of 5 Commissioners Present Chair James took a moment to welcome and introduce Commissioner Noworolski the Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission. Chair James expressed his gratitude for the Commission nominating him as the Chair for this year. Chair James also acknowledged Augustine Chou, Joanne Louie, the Police Department and Mr. Horak for their contributions. 4. CURRENT BUSINESS. 4.1. ACTION ITEMS 4.1.1 Approval of Minutes for October 12, 2006, November 9, 2006 and September 21, 2006 Motion: To accept the October 12, 2006 minutes as submitted. M/S/C: Warden, Conway; 3/0/2 (James and Noworolski abstained) Motion: To accept the November 9, 2006 minutes as submitted. M/S/C: Warden, Conway; 4/0/1 (Noworolski abstained) Motion: To accept the September 21, 2006 minutes as submitted. M/S/C: Warden, Conway; 4/0/1 (Noworolski abstained) 5. CONSENT Mr. Chou explained that this was new to the agenda format. He said that items which needed no discussion but merely full consent from the Commission could be moved to this part of the agenda for action provided it was agreed upon by all Commissioners. No items from this agenda were moved to Consent. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS Rudy Horak expressed the need for two pedestrian high-visibility posts for the Broadway/Chula Vista intersection. These posts needed to be at the bulb-outs on both sides of the street. He also mentioned that he recently saw a news article regarding Belmont’s use of a plainclothes police officer that posed as a pedestrian for enforcement issues. He added that citations were given out. Mr. Horak said that during this test period, Belmont issued 80 citations, each ranging from $180 to $250. Farris Horak provided a copy of the Belmont news article for the Commission and stated that this “sting” operation had also been used in Millbrae. She felt that this news article was well worth reading. Pat Giorni congratulated Chair James in his new role. She agreed that the previously mentioned “sting” operation was a good idea. Ms. Giorni also wanted to publicly thank the individuals that wrote letters of support for the TDA grant applications. She suggested that the B/PAC Committee try to utilize the press to attract the public for involvement. 3 Ms. Giorni also commented on the Easton Tree issue. She said it is her recollection that the Traffic Study was requested, but never occurred. She suggested that the study be taken up as New Business. Finally, Ms. Giorni suggested that the Commission also offer a second public comment period to the agenda as City Council has recently done. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1. 1821 North Carolan Avenue – Designation of 2-hr parking spaces Mr. Chou advised the Commission that this was a request from the Public Works Corporation Yard to change the on-street parking time limits of certain spaces in front of the facility. He also noted that the address noted might be incorrect and needed to be verified. 8. CURRENT BUSINESS 8.1. Bicycle Safety Issues 8.1.1. Transportation Development Activities (TDA) proj ect applications and letters of support Mr. Chou reported that three grant applications are being submitted for the January 12, 2007 TDA deadline. The grant applications were for three projects developed by the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC) and staff. Mr. Chou recommended that the Commission provide a formal letter of support for these projects. Motion: To move to action. M/S/C: Conway, Bohnert; 5/0/0 8.1.2. Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC) vacancy. Mr. Chou reported that there was a vacancy for the B/PAC. Chair James asked if Commissioner Noworolski would be interested in filling the vacancy based on his bicycling interests. Commissioner Noworolski agreed to fill the position left by former Commissioner Gene Condon. 8.2. Traffic and Parking Issues 8.2.1. Broadway/Paloma – Traffic safety measures Mr. Chou reported that one of the projects submitted for TDA grants was LED lighted crosswalks for the Broadway/Paloma intersection. Mr. Chou said he would also verify with the Maintenance Division on the availability of high-visibility pedestrian warning signs. He said that an installation timeframe was for within the next week or so. Mr. Chou also recommended that the sub-committee meet once more with the stakeholders for full agreement on the various installations in order to clarify the work and ensure that there would be no conflicts with future installations. Commissioner Bohnert agreed that meeting once more was a good idea and expressed the need for the sub-committee to continue to move forward by coming up with some formality with consistent follow-up. 4 Commissioner Warden inquired about a meeting between Chair James and some of the Broadway/Paloma merchants. Chair James said that this meeting was the result of a request by the merchants to meet him. Commissioner Warden expressed his concern over the meeting without the sub- committee. Commissioner Conway stated that there were two issues: 1) it was the right of the Chair to meet with whomever and whenever it was necessary, 2) good form and lesson learned from this experience. Mr. Chou stated that the merchants may not have known the proper channels to voice their concerns. He added that there were lessons learned as new roles were being assumed. Chair James reiterated that there was no intent to undermine the sub-committee; and, that he was invited to meet with the merchants because he was the new Chair. Commissioner Bohnert asked Mr. Chou whether a Commissioner could expedite installations for work. Mr. Chou said that staff was responsible for carrying out installations. It was the responsibility of the sub-committee to filter and form ideas to bring to the entire commission. He said that any delay of installation would be due to staff resources and not the sub-committee, or the Commission. Commissioner Noworolski asked for clarification of the process in terms of inquiries to the Commission. He asked if items go from sub-committee to commission, and then onto City Council. Mr. Chou explained that smaller issues could be handled fairly quickly, but costlier work had to go through staff and Council because they would impact the City’s budget. 8.3. Staff Reports 8.3.1. Traffic Engineer’s Report None. 8.3.2. Traffic Sergeant’s Reports None. 9. ACTION Mr. Chou explained the Action area on this new agenda format. This area is for all items that are moved to “Action”. As opposed to the Consent area, these items include discussion. Having all the Action items in one section should make the process more expedient. 9.1 Transportation Development Activities (TDA) project applications and letters of support Motion: The Commission supports the projects submitted for the TDA grants and will provide a formal letter as such. M/S/C; Conway, Warden; 5/5/0 10. OLD BUSINESS None. 5 11. COMMUNICATIONS 11.1 Eucalyptus Tree at 1800 Easton Drive – Council Meeting Mr. Chou informed the Commission about a Council meeting Tuesday, January 16, at 7PM to discuss the Easton Drive eucalyptus tree issue. He suggested that a TSPC commissioner should attend to provide representation for the commission if questions arose. Commissioner Warden stated that he would be attending that meeting. Commissioner Bohnert asked for clarification and updating on TSPC involvement over this matter. Commissioner Warden explained that he, staff, and former Commissioner Cohen had inspected the area, surveyed the tree locations, and brainstormed over various options. A Traffic Study was discussed, but was put on hold since it was decided that the Beautification Committee still needed to consider a reforestation plan. Mr. Chou added that there was an informal discussion with Randy Schwartz, Director of Parks & Recreation, regarding traffic volume counts and the need to wait for a reforestation program. Pat Giorni asked, and received permission to speak. She stated that at the recent City Council meeting, the Council decided to cut down the tree but Councilman C ohen asked Council to perform a Traffic Study. She said that despite this, it was still voted upon to cut down the tree. 11.2 Minor/Miscellaneous Commission Comments Commissioner Warden said that he agreed with the idea of a second public comment period at the end of the agenda. Commissioner Warden reported that the lawnmower shop on California Drive had closed, and that the 700 block is doing well with signage. Commissioner Warden also commented on the signage on westbound Oak Grove and Carolan, just north of Burlingame High School. He thought there was no sign indicating that on-coming traffic did not stop over the railroad tracks. Mr. Chou explained that there was a sign on the northwest corner of the intersection. Commissioner Bohnert thanked Chair James for proposing his ideas for the upcoming year, and expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm. 12. ADJOURNMENT: 8:23 p.m.