HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2006.07.13TRAFFIC, SAFETY & PARKING COMMISSION
July 13, 2006 Minutes
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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
Thursday – July 13, 2006
Commissioners Present: Eugene Condon, Chair
Victor James, Vice-Chair
Michael Bohnert
Stephen Warden
Dan Conway
Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works
Police Chief Jack Van Etten
Commander Mike Matteucci, Police Department
Traffic Officer Robert Boll
Visitors: Councilman Russ Cohen
Wade Bettesworth, Director Sales and Marketing Red Flex Traffic
Systems
Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa Avenue
Linda Abbey, 1415 Adeline Drive
Olen Creech, 1833 Castenada Drive
John Kevranian, 1241 Broadway Avenue
Nora Kevranian, 1241 Broadway Avenue
Barbara Zukowski, 1108 Capuchino Avenue
Tom Koros, 2225 Summit Drive
Farris Horak, 1332 Edgehill Drive
Rudy Horak, 1332 Edgehill Drive
AnnaMarie Daniels, 515 Howard Avenue
Norm Utigard, 1252 Paloma Avenue
Basim Azar, 245 California Drive
Jack Casey, 2525 Poppy Drive
Dr. Andrew Soss, 1159 Broadway
Gary Doss, 214 California Drive
Reiner Nissen, 721 Laurel
Carl and Debbie deQuant, 1232 Paloma Avenue
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July 13, 2006 Minutes
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Scheherezade Bharabianleu, 220 California Drive
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1. CALL TO ORDER
7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
5 of 5 Commissioners present
4. CURRENT BUSINESS
4.1 ACTION ITEMS
4.1.1 Approval of minutes June 8 meeting
Motion to approve June 8 Meeting minutes
M/S/C: Warden, James; 5/0/0.
Chair Condon asked his fellow Commissioners if there were any objections to moving
item 7.3.2.1 (Red Light Camera Enforcement Program Presentation) up as the first item
of business.
7.3.2 Traffic Sergeant’s Report
7.3.2.1 Red Light Enforcement Program Presentation
Police Chief Jack Van Etten explained the Red Light Enforcement
Program priorities are accident avoidance, increasing public, safety
and traffic calming. Any monies generated will be used to offset
administrative costs for this program. Chief Van Etten requested that
if the Traffic Commission thought this was a good program for the
community, that a staff report be submitted to the City Council for
their consideration.
Chief Van Etten then introduced Wade Bettesworth, Director of
Sales and Marketing for Red Flex Traffic Systems, who gave a
presentation for their Red Light Enforcement product.
Mr. Bettesworth went through the company profile, nationwide
installations, public education program, nation-wide installations,
how the process of photographing and timing at each intersection
installation worked, the impact of the program through traffic
statistics, and city renewals.
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Mr. Bettesworth demonstrated the online tracking by police officers
for citations using the web-based program and the process for
citation issuance through Red Flex.
Chair Condon stated that since this was just a staff presentation,
that comments and discussions from the floor could be done at the
City Council meeting, where the matter would be presented in a staff
report to Council.
Chair Condon asked who would be viewing the videos. Police Chief
Van Etten explained that if this matter went to City Council and was
approved by Council and implemented, that one of the Traffic staff
would work on the videos part-time and attending Traffic hearings.
Depending on how the Program was running, a part-time person
might need to be hired.
Commissioner James asked if warrant studies would be helpful in
determining the location of installations. Mr. Bettesworth explained
this had been done and they had determined and studied the top tier
(four) intersections using number of collisions and injuries.
Commissioner Conway asked how the Program would be funded by
the City. Mr. Bettesworth went through the fee structure stressing
that the City would not pay out in any one month more than they
generated in violation revenue.
Commissioner Bohnert asked what the top tier intersections were.
Police Commander Mike Matteucci explained the four (top tier)
intersections studied for installation were: Chapin/El Camino,
Broadway/El Camino (northbound), Trousdale/El Camino, and
Broadway/Rollins Road.
Commissioner Warden asked about the time involved for video tape
review in the City of San Mateo where this Program is in use. Mr.
Bettesworth explained it took about 10-15 seconds to view the tape
of each incident which would equate to approximately f ive hours per
week depending on the number of violations.
Commissioner Warden commented with four systems this would
take staff about 1-1.5 hours per day with Monday being the busiest.
Commissioner Warden commented that three of the four
intersections studied for installations are Caltrans intersections and
where did the revenue have to be sent since these are not City
owned. Chief Van Etten explained that the revenue goes only to the
City and not to Caltrans. Commissioner Warden asked if the
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July 13, 2006 Minutes
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brightness of the flash units used at night in the program would be a
distraction to drivers. Mr. Bettesworth assured him that it would not.
Commissioner Warden stated that currently Burlingam e out-sources
the citation process to a company in Redwood City, and that
Burlingame did not see a great deal of revenue as a result. Mr.
Bettesworth explained the monthly flat fee program charge for
services provided by Red Flex and any revenue generated over and
above this amount would go to the City.
Commissioner Conway asked about the privacy issue. Mr.
Bettesworth stated they only kept images of violators for the City to
view, no other images are kept only for six months for adjudication
purposes.
Chief Van Etten then made a few closing comments. He stated that
other companies were considered and requested that staff bring this
matter to City Council. Commissioner Condon supports the project
and would recommend this be brought to City Council.
4.2 Discussion Items
4.2.1 California Drive/Highland Avenue Crosswalk enhancement or removal
Traffic Engineer Chou presented an aerial overhead and referred to two
options for considerations in the staff report.
The crosswalk to be removed if there was little or no traffic; or
The crosswalk to remain but with additional safety enhancements.
Gary Doss, 214 California Drive, spoke in support of keeping this
crosswalk. He stated that the new train station would bring additional
people to this area. He suggested a minimal enhancement would be well
placed Yield signs.
Basim Azar, 245 California Drive, spoke in support of keeping and
enhancing the crosswalk. He spoke about the pedestrian traffic to and from
the train station and that people will not use the controlled crosswalks at
either end of the street. He also offered pages of signatures of residents in
favor of keeping and the crosswalk.
Scheherazade Bharabianleu, 220 California Drive, spoke in favor of
keeping and enhancing the crosswalk. She stated she doesn’t see Traffic
Officers on California Drive to monitor the quick moving traffic. She would
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July 13, 2006 Minutes
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like to see enhancements to the crosswalk as well as signs posted to
reduce the driving speed.
Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa, spoke in favor of keeping the crosswalk. She
spoke about the hazard to bike-riders around the island by Highland and
that the crosswalk was a reminder to drivers to slow down for pedestrians,
which helped the safety issue for bike-riders.
Jack Casey, 241-243 California Drive, spoke in favor of keeping and
enhancing the crosswalk. He commented on the high speeds along
California Drive and suggested a stop sign.
AnnaMarie Daniels, 515 Howard, spoke in favor of keeping and enhancing
the crosswalk. She stated the distance between the two signals at either
end of the street was very long. The crosswalk in the middle was
necessary. Enhancements like the ones in San Bruno seemed very
effective. She also asked to add some knockdown delineators.
Olen Creech, 1833 Castenada Way spoke in favor of keeping and
enhancing the crosswalk. He stated that he was a senior citizen and using
the other crosswalks at the end of each street was too far for him to go.
Commissioner Bohnert spoke in strong support of keeping and enhancing
the crosswalk. He stated drivers were looking through this crosswalk to the
signals on either side, and were paying more attention to those. He felt
attention needed to be brought back to this crosswalk with strong
enhancements.
Commissioner Warden spoke in favor of keeping and enhancing the
crosswalk. He also supported knockdown delineators. Commissioner
James agreed with him.
Commissioner Conway said he was also in favor of keeping and enhancing
the crosswalk. He spoke to the thoroughness of Mr. Chou’s traffic study
and his unbiased information showing liabilities and benefits of either
option. Commissioner James added that Traffic Engineer’s Chou’s report
was balanced.
Motion: To move to an Action item
M/S/C: James, Conway; 5/0/0.
Motion: To keep the mid-block crosswalk across California Drive, near
Highland; and enhance with knockdown delineators, paint and reflector
buttons.
M/S/C: Warden, Conway; 5/0/0.
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5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NEW ITEMS
5.1 Burlingame Avenue/Clarendon Avenue – Request for stop signs.
Traffic Engineer Chou stated the City received a request to consider making this
intersection 4-way stop. He said that staff would hold off doing any stop sign warrant
studies in the summer because of differences in traffic patterns due to summer
vacations. He added that when the City receives similar requests in the future, that
they be acknowledged, and that the studies be done in the fall when the data studies
would be more accurate.
5.2 Occidental Avenue/Howard Avenue – Request for an additional stop sign at the
existing 3-way intersection.
Traffic Engineer Chou stated this was a confusing non-standard 3-way intersection.
Commissioner Conway asked if there was a conflict of interest and if he could
participate in the discussion. Traffic Engineer Chou stated that, according the City
attorney, Commissioner Conway could participate as long as there was no financial
gain involved.
6. FROM THE FLOOR
Before opening the floor for public comment, Chair Condon clarified that a sub-
committee for the Broadway traffic/stop sign issue would be making a report back to the
Commission later on the agenda. However, he encouraged speakers to step forward
and each take three minutes to comment on the issue at this time if they wanted.
Farris Horak, 1332 Edgehill, stated that Broadway was not safe and a stop sign at
Broadway and Paloma to stop the traffic for pedestrians was needed. She asked that the
Commission make a motion for temporary stop signs.
Rudy Horak, 1332 Edgehill, stated that Broadway was a “killing machine”. He asked the
Commission to make a motion for a temporary stop sign for 90 days to begin August 1.
Tom Koros, 2225 Summit Drive, talked about the new businesses on Broadway bringing
an influx in pedestrian traffic and encouraged looking at the problem.
Dr. Andrew Soss, 1159 Broadway, commented on an incident where he prevented a
three year old girl from being hit on Broadway. He asked for stop signs on Broadway at
the Walgreen’s and Paloma crosswalk.
Norman Utigard, 1252 Paloma Avenue, agreed that crossing at Broadway and Paloma
could be hazardous, but felt that putting two stop signs would cause massive traffic jams
especially getting on and off Highway 101 at Broadway.
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Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa, wanted to know if there was going to be public involvement with
the Bicycle Committee and the Planning Commission, as monies are available to
municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian projects. She said that she wouldn’t want to see
Burlingame lose out because it did not have a strong Public an d City-oriented BPAC
(Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board).
John Kevranian, 1241 Broadway, spoke in support of stops signs on Broadway. He
asked that a motion be made for temporary stop signs. He stated that he spoke to the
City Attorney and a motion could be made tonight by the Commission to have a
temporary stop sign. He asked the audience by a show of hands who was in favor of
temporary stop signs.
Barbara Sukowsky, 1108 Broadway, spoke in support of 90 -day temporary stop signs on
Broadway. She spoke of her experience crossing Broadway and asked for the
Commission to vote for one.
Chair Condon explained that it is his understanding that no motion would be made at this
time regarding temporary stop signs on Broadway since this item was not on the agenda
as a discussion item, but as an update from the sub-committee.
7. INFORMATION ITEMS
7.1 Bicycle Safety Issues in Burlingame – Future sub-committee meetings and project
considerations.
Traffic Engineer Chou stated that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
would be open to the public to discuss issues. He added that the sub-committee
had met first to outline their responsibilities, especially with respect to possibly
having another subcommittee established by Council later. This committee wanted
to make sure that there would be no duplication of work or responsibilities. H e said
the September TSPC meeting would have agenda items that would be open to the
public for discussion about pedestrian and bicycle issues.
Chair Condon stated the sub-committee was working to identify projects that would
qualify for funding. Mr. Chou added that there were six potential designs to present
at the public meetings. He also said that these public meetings were a good place
to see if there were other projects that might the public might want added.
7.2 From Council to Commission/Staff
None.
7.3 From Staff to Commission
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7.3.1 Traffic Engineer’s Report
7.3.1.1 Peninsula Ave/101 Overpass Status Report
Traffic Engineer Chou said that the City of Burlingame and the City of
San Mateo were working on a contract agreement to hire a traffic
consultant to do some studies. He said these studies would include
Burlingame’s interests.
7.3.1.2 Broadway/US 101 Overpass Status Report
Traffic Engineer Chou stated that this project was with the San Mateo
County Transportation Authority - Strategic Planning and Finances.
Plans and specifications were ready to go and they were in the
process of planning how the money would be allocated.
7.3.1.2 Radar Speed Zones – Analysis
Traffic Engineer Chou explained that after an in-depth review of all the
accident reports, staff determined that the speed limits on California
Drive, Rollins Road, and Airport Boulevard should remain at 35 mph.
He also reported that a portion of California Drive was re-surveyed in
order to create a new survey segment. He explained that past surveys
showed two segments for California Drive – Murchison to Burlingame,
and Burlingame to Peninsula. Mr. Chou said that there were
significant differences within the segment from Murchison to
Burlingame that it should be broken into two segments – Murchison to
Broadway, and Broadway to Burlingame. The remaining segment to
Peninsula was still valid. Mr. Chou said that since there would be no
changes to the speed limit, no action other than a report to Council
was necessary.
7.3.2 Traffic Sergeant’s Report
7.3.2.1 This presentation was done as the first item of business. (Refer to
page 2.)
7.3.3 Other City Staff Reports
None.
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7.4 From Commission to Staff
7.4.1 Commission Chairperson’s Report
Chair Condon re-iterated the important issues before the Commission and
sub-committees:
Railway Safety Study/Fencing with Cal/train
Broadway Pedestrian Traffic Safety Project
7.4.1.1 Caltrain Railroad Corridor Safety
Commissioner Conway reported that a sub-committee met to
discuss this on-going issue. He stated that the sub-committee was
not quite ready to discuss their findings yet, but that they were
looking at what might be involved with fencing; and, making sure to
communicate internally with the City Council on options and next
steps with Caltrains.
Chair Condon added that this sub-committee was also looking into
available outside funding.
Mr. Chou stated that one of the things that Sam Trans/Caltrain did
discuss at the May 11 public meeting was the evaluation of bus
stops and bus routes. Caltrain has contacted staff to coordinate re-
location of bus stops along Carolan. Three new stops were planned
along Carolan.
Carolan south of Oak Grove
Carolan at Morrell
Carolan south of Cadillac Way
Mr. Chou said that if these proposed stops are agreed upon, then
pedestrian pads would be poured for the stops. Mr. Chou said that
Samtrans was also asking if the City would consider a mid-block
crosswalk at the location on Carolan, south of Cadillac Way.
Chair Condon was concerned that the problem might be moved from
California Drive to Carolan Avenue. Commissioner Warden agreed
that the same problem existed for those people getting off buses,
because they would have to cross Carolan. He stated he had been
very specific in the special May 11 meeting that if they took the bus
route down Oak Grove, make the stop at Washington school and
then make the entire route run back northbound on Carolan , every
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stop would be on the east side of Carolan and no one would have to
cross Carolan Avenue at the time the high schools were letting out.
He asked that the City push Caltrain/Samtrans to look at this
alternative by next month.
Chair Condon asked Traffic Engineer Chou if Caltrain/Samtrans
responded back regarding any of their steps besides the bus stop.
Mr. Chou stated that they had not as of yet and that he was waiting
on the fencing issue.
7.4.2.1 Broadway/Paloma Avenue Traffic Safety Measures
Commissioner Warden reported that he and Commissioner Bohnert
met several weeks ago with four of the Broadway merchants (John
Kevranian, Ross Bruce, Dave Armanino and Gerald Weisl). They
agreed that the problem was pedestrian safety, not speed. He said
they also discussed the options for measures that needed to be
addressed. A recommendation would be made to the Commission,
via a staff report, next month. He added that staff should take a look
at temporary stop signs at Paloma and Broadway and come back to
the Commission with several added points:
The situation would be heavily monitored until the
Commission received Traffic Engineer Chou’s report on
possible traffic back-ups on Broadway to El Camino or on
Broadway to California Drive.
What impact temporary stops might have on surrounding
neighborhoods.
The sub-committee will be re-assembled to monitor what the
effects might be with traffic and pedestrians trying to cross.
The merchants will monitor this as part of the sub-committee.
The sub-committee should continue to meet over the next 60-
90 days and look into a signal light.
Investigate the possibility of using red-light camera
enforcement program monies from fines to partially fund a
signal light at this location.
Commissioner Bohnert stated that he was in agreement with the
sub-committee’s recommendation of a 60-90 day temporary stop
sign and getting feedback from the merchants and residents.
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Chair Condon asked the sub-committee to look into knockdown
delineators before considering stop signs. He also said that traffic
counts might be needed for Lincoln and Carmelita. He also
expressed concern that many surrounding residents might be
impacted and it would be best to begin with a study and staff report
rather than just installing temporary stop signs.
Commissioner Warden asked Mr. Chou if there was a way to tell
what would happen to traffic if the stop sign were put in without
actually installing them. Mr. Chou said there was not. He added that
if temporary stop signs were installed now, traffic studies could not
be done until the fall season.
Commissioner James asked if something could be done
immediately to control the traffic. He asked the sub-committee
members what the feeling was of the merchants regarding
crosswalk enhancements. Commissioner Bohnert explained that
the sub-committee met as laymen, and thought a temporary stop
sign would be a good idea.
Commissioner James stated that the problem was not about an
uncontrolled intersection; and, that enhancements would better
address the issue, rather than stop signs. Chair Condon stated that
knockdown delineators and enhancements could be done
immediately. Commissioner James concurred, and said that the
knockdown delineators would not have the negative impact that the
stop sign would have.
Commissioner Conway said that he would like to see delineators put
in immediately, while the sub-committee continued to review other
measures.
Commissioner Warden wanted to clarify that tonight was not the
night to vote for putting in temporary stop signs, but it was the
appropriate time for voting to put in delineators. He wanted to come
back next month, with a staff report on all the pros and cons of the
options discussed.
Chair Condon summarized that the stop sign issue was still open,
that there have been no ayes or nays towards the original question
of a stop sign within the Commission.
Motion To make this an Action Item.
M/S/C: Warden, Conway; 5/0/0.
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Motion: To install knockdown delineators and bots dots at Paloma
and Broadway; and for Traffic Engineer Chou to bring other options
before the Commission (including stop signs/stop lights) and for the
sub-committee to continue monitoring the situation.
M/S/C: Warden, James; 5/0/0.
7.4.3 Reports of Citizen Complaints or Requests
Commissioner Warden asked about the status of the No Over night Parking
signs on the 700 block of California. Mr. Chou stated that he would check
on the work order status.
7.5 Comments and Communications
None.
7.6 Next Regular Meeting - August 10
No expected absences were reported.
8. Inactive or Pending Items
None.
9. Agendum for Next Meeting – August 10
Item 5.2 Occidental Avenue/Howard Avenue 3 -way stops
Item 7.4.2.1 Broadway/Paloma Pedestrian Safety Measures
10. ADJOURNMENT
9:57 PM.