01-16-2001 - Cameron Avenue Speed Limits (2)City of West Covina
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TO: Daniel G. Hobbs, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Thomas M. Mayer
Public Works Director/City Engineer
SUBJECT: CAMERON AVENUE SPEED LIMITS
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. C-6b
DATE January 16, 2001
SUMMARY: On October 17, 2000, the City Council requested an updated "engineering and
traffic survey" to determine if the speed limits on Cameron Avenue can be
reduced in accordance with Section 22358 of the California Vehicle Codec
BACKGROUND:
The speed limits on Cameron Avenue are specified in Sections 22-131 and 22-132 of the West
Covina Municipal Code as 40 mph from Pacific Avenue to Valinda Avenue and as 45 mph from
Valinda Avenue to Grand Avenue. The last "engineering and traffic survey" was 'done on
November 23, 1998 and justified the continuation of those speed limits. Section 22358 of the
California Vehicle Code provides that the local authority may declare a speed limit based'' upon an
"engineering and traffic survey" that differs from the State prima facie speed limit.
In addition, the State prima facie speed limit of 25 mph applies when passing school grounds while
children are going to or leaving the school. The City Council has requested an'p' updated
"engineering and traffic survey" to determine if the 45 mph speed limit adjacent to an elementary
school, a City park, and a high school between Valinda Avenue and Azusa Avenue continues to be
"reasonable and safe" (CVC Section 22358).
DISCUSSION:
An updated "engineering and traffic survey" was done on November 9, 2000 (see attached) and it
indicates that the speed limits on Cameron Avenue should be set as follows:
Limits Existing Limit Proposed Limit
Pacific Avenue to Orange Avenue 40 35
Orange Avenue to Valinda Avenue 40 40
Valinda Avenue to Azusa Avenue 45 40
Azusa Avenue to east City limit 45 45
Setting the speed limits as recommended will reduce the speed differential between the background
speed limit from Valinda Avenue to Azusa Avenue and the school speed limit from the present 20
mph difference to a 15 mph difference.
OPTIONS:
Due to the requirement within the California Vehicle Code to base speed limits on an
"engineering and traffic survey," the only viable option is to retain the current speed limits on
Cameron Avenue in reliance upon the November 1998 "engineering and traffic survey." A
survey is valid for five or seven years depending upon the training of the Police Officers in the
use of radar equipment.
Although another option to further reduce the speed limits beyond the recommended reductions
might be considered, there are legal and enforcement ramifications with arbitrarily establishing
speed limits. The attached memos from the City Attorney and the Police Chief address those
issues.
WUPITERMDE'S FILES\AGENDA - 2001\Cameron Avenue Speed Limit.doe
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Daniel G. Hobbs, City Manager
and City Council
Page 2 — January 16, 2001
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the speed limits are changed, there will be a relatively minor cost of approximately $660 to
replace six speed limit signs. This cost can be absorbed within the sign portion of the
Maintenance Division Operating Budget (124-320-2230-6254).
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Coun ' introduce he following ordinance reducing the speed
limit on Cameron Avenue from Pacific range Avenue from 40 mph to 35 mph and
reducing the speed limit from Valinda Avenue to Azusa Avenue from 45 mph to 40 mph.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION
22-132 OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO DECREASES OF STATE LAW MAXMUM
SPEEDS.
Thomas M. Mayer
Public Works Director/City Engineer
by:
Artie Fields
Acting Finance Director
Attachments: Ordinance
Engineering and Traffic Survey
Memos
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