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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2006.09.14TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 1 of 7 The City of Burlingame California 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes – Approved Thursday, September 14, 2006 Commissioners Present: Eugene Condon, Chair Victor James, Vice Chair Michael Bohnert Dan Conway Stephen Warden Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works Commander Mike Matteucci, Police Department Traffic Sergeant Don Shepley, Police Department Joanne Louie, Administrative Secretary, Public Works Visitors: Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa John Kevranian, 1241 Broadway Tom Crowes, 1425 Cabrillo Wade Bettesworth, Director Sales and Marketing Red flex Traffic Systems TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 2 of 7 1. CALL TO ORDER. 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG 3. ROLL CALL. All Commissioners present. 4. CURRENT BUSINESS. 4.1. ACTION ITEMS. 4.1.1 Approval of Minutes for August 10, 2006. Motion: To accept the minutes as submitted. M/S/C: Warden, Bohnert; 5/0/0 4.2. DISCUSSION ITEMS. Chair Condon asked the Commission if there were any objections to moving item 7.3.2.1 Red Light Camera Enforcement Program up as the first item of business. There were no objections. 7.3.2 Traffic Sergeants Report 7.3.2.1 Red Light Camera Enforcement Program Mr. Chou reported that City Council was seeking public comments and recommendations on this issue. Commander Matteucci introduced Wade Bettesworth, Director of Sales and Marketing for Red Flex Traffic Systems. Mr. Bettesworth presented a slideshow presentation demonstrating the Photo Enforcement System. 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. 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 opened the floor for public discussion. Mr. Crowes asked what the determining factor was in choosing the intersection of El Camino Real/Broadway; and, also with signage and knowledge that this intersection was photo enforced. He asked if there had been any studies to indicate if drivers would use other streets to avoid the system. Commander Matteucci responded that Redflex conducted a study at four intersections in May of 2006. Based on this study, Redflex concluded TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 3 of 7 that the intersection of El Camino Real and Broadway Avenue was the most feasible intersection due to the optimal number of violations and past history of collisions. Mr. Bettesworth stated that he is not aware of any study that wou ld indicate that vehicles would avoid a photo enforced intersection. Commissioner Conway asked about cost-neutrality and if the program had privacy protection procedures. Mr. Bettesworth explained that the system was cost-neutral and that any costs unpaid through the revenues would be forgiven by Redflex. Mr. Bettesworth added that Redflex had requirements, compliance, encryption, and met statutes as to how long the evidence s hould be kept. He also said that Redflex did not subcontract any of their services, so privacy was less of an issue. Commissioner James asks if there have been any Civil Liberty issues , as in “Big Brother” watching. Mr. Bettesworth stated that this was always a constant challenge, however there was no right of privacy on a public right-of-way. Commissioner Warden asked why only one intersection was considered, as opposed to 4 as in the original study. He also questioned whether one application was cost effective. Mr. Bettesworth replied that a typical installation was $100,000 and generally started with one application and enhanced with additional installations over time. Commissioner Warden then asked what provisions were in place regarding a mobile society in which a violator might not receive their citation within the 15 day time period. Mr. Bettesworth stated that there was a 30-day response period which the courts felt was adequate. Commissioner Bohnert asked if the indirect financial impact to the City would be staff costs. Mr. Bettesworth stated that staffing costs would be incurred to review violations, attend court dates, etc. He said that the staff performing the function of reviewing violations typically did not have to be a law enforcement officer. Commissioner Bohnert asked if Redflex wwas the system used in San Mateo, and if so, what type of feedback was received. Mr. Bettesworth stated that there were 8 applications currently in San Mateo with plans to add additional applications. He said San Mateo would be a good reference for Redflex. Chair Condon reiterated concerns regarding large overhead costs for just one intersection. Mr. Bettesworth stated it was a flat-fee for each system installed and the cost-neutrality condition would apply even to the one system. He added that the contract could include a not-to-exceed clause. Mr. Chou reiterated that Council would like the Commission to make a recommendation regarding the Redflex program. TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 4 of 7 Motion: To proceed with the next phase of evaluation and recommend that Council hear from Redflex on a Red Light Camera Enforcement program for Burlingame. M/S/C: Conway, Warden; 5/0/0 5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NEW ITEMS. None. 6. FROM THE FLOOR. None. 7. INFORMATION ITEMS 7.1. Bicycle Safety Issues in Burlingame – Future sub-committee meeting and project considerations. Mr. Chou reported that the sub-committee met at 6 p.m. this evening. The scope of the advisory committee meeting was to investigate bike plans and projects. The committee would like to see a dedicated bike lane on Carolan, between Broadway and Oak Grove. Additionally, they would like to see a webpage dedicated to their projects. Chair Condon added that the outreach for public participants was successful. 7.2 From Council to Commission/Staff Mr. Chou reported that Council had requested the Commission to present a Caltrain railroad fencing recommendation and plan back to Council by their November meeting. He said that a special meeting would be held to allow for public comments before the Council meeting. 7.3 From Staff to Commission 7.3.1 Traffic Engineer’s Report 7.3.1.1 Peninsula Avenue/US101 Overpass Status Report Mr. Chou reported that the City Council would be deliberating on the revised scope of work at their next meeting on September 18th. 7.3.1.2 Broadway/US101 Overpass Status Report Mr. Chou reported that Caltrans and the Transportation Authority were developing funding schemes for this project. 7.3.2 Traffic Sergeants Report TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 5 of 7 Sergeant Shepley presented the Selective Enforcement report. He also reported on the issue of large vehicles parking on the east side of California Drive, north of Oak Grove. He said that after reviewing the matter with the City Attorney the current signs could be changed to height-restriction signs. Sergeant Shepley also reported that the Police Department was able to secure various pieces of equipment such as radar guns and a pocket zone calculator through OTS grants. A county grant will fund a DUI checkpoint on September 19th. He reported that DUI’s had dropped significantly, resulting in Burlingame being a countywide leader. 7.3.3 Other City Staff Reports None. 7.4 From Commission to Staff 7.4.1 Commission Chairperson’s Report None. 7.4.2 Commissioner/Sub-committee Reports Chair Condon reported that the Caltrain Fencing sub-committee had been working with Caltrain to seek funds for safety measures. Regarding the fencing options, he said the Commission should make specific recommendations to the Council by their meeting on October 3rd. Mr. Chou presented an overhead illustrating the recommended areas for chain link fencing. He said the fencing options along Carolan were part of the original Broadway Platform Improvement plans. Commission Bohnert stated that the natural barrier beyond the 300’ of fencing along California Drive was not sufficient. Mr. Chou reiterated that the City’s recommendation be feasible and reasonable to Caltrain. Commissioner Bohnert stated that he did not consider the full-length fence on the California Drive side to be a large demand. Commissioner Warden stated that he observed people playing near the tracks just north of Oak Grove, on the California Drive side. He said that fencing should be considered there also. Commissioner James asked that a formal Staff Report with recommendations be presented to the Commission. Mr. Chou answered that he can provide this; however, a special meeting next week would be necessary so that a decision could be made at the October 3rd Council meeting. Commissioner Conway stated he was glad to see the process moving forward and that he was satisfied with a natural barrier for the area in question. Mr. Chou stated that the focus needed to be on real access points - many of which were walking trails, as seen on aerial shots of the area. Commissioner Conway said that he liked the visibility provided by chain link fences. TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 6 of 7 Chair Condon said that he firmly believed the natural barriers would be sufficient. Chair Condon added that another area of concern was the safety education aspect that Caltrain was to have provided to local schools. He said that outreach had not been made to Burlingame High School as of yet. Sergeant Shepley reported that the School Resource Officer had attended training to include railroad safety in their program, but that the School Resource Officer m ight not have reached out to Burlingame High School yet. Chair Condon recommended that the Commission hold a Special Meeting next Thursday, September 21st at 6 p.m. All the Commissioners, with the exception of Commissioner Bohnert who had a previous travel commitment, indicated that they would be able to attend. 7.4.2.1 Broadway/Paloma Avenue – Pedestrian Safety Measure at crosswalk Commissioner Warden reported that the sub-committee was not able to meet since the last TSPC meeting. He stated that the delineators were still be evaluated in regards to their location and type. Commissioner Warden said he hoped to coordinate a sub-committee meeting in two weeks. Mr. Chou added that the delineators were moved further out. Mr. Chou also reported that he received a letter from resident, Rudy Horak, who wrote that from his observations, the intersection improvements were heading in the right direction. Mr. Chou reported that a suggestion from Mr. Horak was to consider replacing the delineators with yellow reflective delineators and signage. Mr. Chou state d that other improvements such as eliminating redundant signage and restricting left-turns on northbound on Paloma would also be looked at. 7.4.3 Reports of citizen complaints or requests Commissioner Conway reported that there seemed to be remnants of the old crosswalk markings left at Pershing and Crescent. Commissioner Warden reported that there were numerous large metal shipping containers parking on streets. He was concerned that these containers stuck out farther into the street than a normal vehicle and that some of the containers were parked for extensive periods of time. Mr. Chou asked Commissioner Warden to provide the addresses so that he could follow-up on the matter and see if there were valid permits issued. Commissioner Warden also asked about the follow-up process for public complaints when brought to the Commission. Commissioner Warden stated that code enforcement should occur the following week on these complaints. Mr. Chou stated that typically staff would pass on the complaints to the appropriate city departments and divisions. 7.5 Comments and communication. None. TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION September 14, 2006 Minutes Page 7 of 7 7.6 Next Regular Meeting: October 14, 2006. Commissioner James may possibly be absent. 8. INACTIVE OR PENDING ITEMS None. 9. AGENDUM FOR NEXT MEETING – None. 10. ADJOURNMENT: 8:39 p.m.