Loading...
02-06-2001 - Traffic Committee Minutes - 01/17/01City of West Covina h • • Memorandum AGENDA C-5 ITEM NO TO: Daniel G. Hobbs, City Manager DATE_ February 6, 2001 and City Council FROM: Thomas M. Mayer Public Works Director/City Engineer SUBJECT: TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES Attached are the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Traffic Committee held on January 17, 2001 Thomas M. Mayer' / /0- Public Works Director/City Engineer TMM:ct Attachments Z:\TRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 200NAGENDA TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES.doc SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE CITY OF WEST COVINA Wednesday, January 1.7, 2001 6:00 P.M. COMMUNITY ROOM PRESENT: Corporal Jim Witt, Police Department Thomas M. Mayer and Miguel Hernandez, Engineering Division GUESTS: Vernon Medeiras, Assistant Superintendent, Rowland Unified School District Bob Wigginton, Director of Transportation, Rowland Unified School District Steve Hansen, Principal, Giano Intermediate School Rick Genovese, Fire Marshall, West Covina Fire Department Gloria Coward, Resident, Gemini Street Jesse Ramirez, Resident, Gemini Street Jesse Iniguez, Resident, Gemini Street Honorio Lim, Resident, Gemini Street Hunberto Guillen, Resident, Gemini Street I. - REQUEST City initiated THAT A CUL-DE-SAC BE CONSIDERED FOR GIANO STREET NEAR GEMINI STREET. SUMMARY: Gemini Street and Giano Street form a "T" intersection. Gemini Street and Giano Street are both 40 feet wide curb to curb. Both streets are designated as residential collector streets. The intersection is controlled by a stop sign on Giano Street, the more minor street approach. The request was prompted by a resident's concerns with possible unsafe conditions caused by vehicle speeds and the volume of traffic on Gemini Street. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CUL-DE-SAC ON GIANO STREET AT GEMINI STREET IS NOT NECESSARY. THAT STOP SIGNS (RI) BE INSTALLED ALONG WITH STOP MESSAGES AND STOP AHEAD SIGNS (W17) ON THE EAST AND WESTBOUND APPROACHES OF WEDNESDAY DRIVE AT GIANO STREET BASED ON TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND RESTRICTED SIGHT DISTANCES. THAT STOP SIGNS (R1) BE INSTALLED ALONG WITH STOP MESSAGES AND STOP AHEAD SIGNS (W17) ON, THE NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND APPROACHES OF GIANO STREET AT YVONNE STREET BASED ON RESTRICTED SIGHT DISTANCE. THAT THE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON GEMINI STREET BE INCREASED IN SIZE, THAT PAINTED PAVEMENT SPEED LIMITS BE INSTALLED, AND THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INCREASE SPEED ENFORCEMENT AS FEASIBLE. THAT THE CONTINUED EFFECTIVENEES OF THE NEW TRAFFIC CONTROL ENHANCEMENTS ALONG GEMINI STREET BE MONITORED BY STAFF AND REPORTED TO THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE IN SIX MONTHS. i J=2001 Summary • I. REQUEST City initiated. THAT A CUL-DE-SAC BE CONSIDERED FOR GIANO STREET NEAR GEMINI STREET. FINDINGS: Gemini Street is 40 feet width curb to curb and 2600 feet in length between Shadow Oak Drive and Kimberly Drive. The 40 feet width provides for two 12 feet travel lanes and two 8 feet parking lanes. Also, there are sidewalks on both sides of the street. It is designated a residential collector street, that services neighborhoods zoned for low - density single family homes. Giano Street is 40 feet wide between curbs and is also designated a residential collector street. The 40 feet width provides for two 12 feet travel lanes and two 8 feet parking lanes and there are sidewalks on both sides of the street. Also, Giano Street is approximately 800 feet in length between Gemini Street and Wednesday Drive and then continues south through the City of La Puente to Valley Boulevard. Recent spot speed surveys of vehicles traveling.along Gemini Street, Giano Street, and Wednesday Drive reveal the following: Gemini Street Giano Street Wednesday Drive Legal Speed Limit 25 mph 25 mph 25 mph Spot Speed Survey (Average Speed) 34 mph 35 mph 35 mph Spot Speed Survey (85percentile) 39 mph 37 mph 40 mph The following table shows traffic volumes fora 24-hour period on the three streets: Location Northbound Souhbound Westbound Eastbound Gemini Street 2280 2339 ------ ----- Giano Street 1783 1327 ------ ------ Wednesday Drive ------ ------ 2004 1487 The request was prompted by a resident's concerns with possible unsafe conditions caused by vehicle speeds and the volume of traffic on Gemini Street. As indicated above, the average vehicle speeds on Gemini Street, Giano Street and Wednesday Drive are above the legal speed limits. The traffic volumes on these streets are normal if compared with other City residential -collector streets of similar size and neighborhood characteristics (see following table). California Avenue (Merced to Francis uito Vine Avenue Azusa to Hollenbeck Street Width 40 feet 40 feet Traffic Volume NB = 4669, SB = 2389 WB = 3035, EB = 3032 In an effort to garner input from the residents of the neighborhoods adjacent to Gemini Street and Giano Street, Staff initiated a postcard survey on November 9, 2000. The survey queried 551 West Covina residents regarding their use of the Gemini Street and Giano Street intersection (frequently, sometimes, and rarely) and whether they were in favor or opposed to the construction of a cul-de-sac on Giano Street at Gemini Street. As of January 41h, 2001, 218 responses were received with 86% opposing and 12% in favor of the construction of the cul-de-sac. The following table summarizes the results of the survey: Use In Favor Opposed No Opinion Frequently 10 176 2 Sometimes 7 9 1 Rarely 9 2 2 Totals 26 187 5 One Hundred fifty-seven respondents used the space for comments that was provided on the survey card. Some respondents that are opposed to the proposed cul-de-sac were concerned with access to and from Giano School and Valley Boulevard. They cited that this would increase travel time and distance when going to and from school/work. In addition, there were requests to install multi -way stop signs at the intersections of Gemini Street/Giano Street, Giano Street/Wednesday Drive, and Gemini Street/Jacqueline Street. The City's Police and Fire Departments were queried and both are opposed to the construction of a cul-de-sac on Giano Street at Gemini Street. By constructing the cul- de-sac, both departments' emergency vehicles would need to use alternate routes that will in turn increase response times to emergency calls. A multi -way stop sign warrant evaluation was done for the intersection of Gemini Street/ Giano Street, Gemini Street/Jacqueline Street and Giano Street/Wednesday Drive in accordance with the California Traffic Manual at the request of the respondents. Attached are the evaluation forms for each intersection. At the intersection of Giano Street and Wednesday Drive, the volume warrant was satisfied. In addition, because of the combination of the horizontal and vertical alignment of Wednesday Drive the sight distance from eastbound Wednesday Drive and northbound Giano Street is restricted. The safe stopping sight distance for a vehicle traveling at the critical approach speed of 40 miles per hour on wet pavement on level grade is 315 feet. On this segment of Wednesday Drive with a downhill grade of 7.0%, the safe stopping sight distance is 360 feet on wet pavement. Because of the nature of the horizontal and vertical alignment of Wednesday Drive at this intersection, the actual safe stopping sight distance is estimated at 266 feet. There was one side swipe accident reported at this intersection from January 1, 1999 to October 31, 2000. At the intersections of Gemini Street/Jacqueline Street and Gemini Street/Giano Street, none of the warrants for a multi -way stop are met. There was one side -swipe accident reported at the intersection of Gemini Street and Giano Street and one left turn accident reported at the intersection of Gemini Street and Jacqueline Street from January 1, 1999 to October 31, 2000. In further staff review of the area, the intersection of Giano Street and Yvonne Street was identified to lack the minimum safe stopping sight distance and evaluated for multi -way stop signs based on the safe stopping sight distance. On this segment of Giano Street with a downhill grade of 9.0%, the safe stopping sight distance for a vehicle critical approach speed of 40 mph is 380 feet on wet pavement. Because of the nature of the horizontal and vertical alignment of Giano Street at this intersection, the actual safe stopping sight distance is estimated at 300 feet. In accordance with the California Traffic Manual, stop signs should not be used for speed control, but can be installed at an intersection where a combination of high speeds and restricted sight distance exists. In addition, the California Traffic Manual allows the use of a stop -ahead sign (W 17) when visibility is restricted and the stop sign is unexpected. Where speed of vehicles (85th percentile) exceeds the limit, the most effective control is enforcement. Although the Police Department has from time to time concentrated speed enforcement on Gemini Street, there have been only short term results. Also, the resident requestor indicates that school traffic and Saturday traffic are the worse as to speeding. The Police Department has limited staffing for speed enforcement throughout the City, but some adjustments may, be possible to provide more effective speed enforcement on Gemini Street. To assist the "reasonable driver" to properly recognize the 25 mph speed limit, the size of the existing speed limit signs can be increased. Also, the speed limit can be indicated through painted pavement messages. In a review of the accident history from January 1, 1999 through October 31, 2000 along Gemini Street from Giano Street to Shadow Oak Drive, there were three' reported accidents consisting of two left-tum and one sideswipe. In accordance with standards developed by Los Angeles County, this is 144% of the expected number of accidents. When accidents exceed 160%, the number is considered excessive and warrants further study with possible mitigation. The requestor has indicated that the travel distance is equal between the intersection of Gemini Street and Shadow Oak Drive and the intersection of Giano Street and Wednesday Drive under existing conditions and with the requested street closure. Based on actual measurements, the existing travel distance is 2,850 feet and the proposed travel distance is 4,230 feet. Other differences between both routes are: There are 32 driveways entering onto the Gemini Street route and there are no driveways on the Wednesday Drive / Stephanie Drive route. There is a mid -block school crosswalk.on the Wednesday Drive / Stephanie Drive route. There are seven intersections on the Gemini Street route and there are eleven intersections on the Wednesday Drive / Stephanie Drive route. In addition to affected City residents and City Departments being invited to provide input to the consideration, the Rowland Unified School District was also invited to participate. Their input is attached and reflects their opposition for several reasons to the street closure being considered. Based on past court rulings, the school district's opinion on the closure of a street adjacent to a school (as in this case) warrants significant weight in arriving at a decision. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE DISCUSSION: Several residents of the Gemini Street area were present and indicated that vehicle speed was their main concern. They indicated that speeding usually occurred during the late afternoon and late evening hours by residents of the area. Discussion regarding ways to alleviate the speeding problem occurred. Vernon Medeiras, Assistant Superintendent, and Bob Wigginton, Director of Transportation, for Rowland Unified School District and Steve Hansen, Principal, Giano Intermediate School were present and indicated that they were opposed to the street closure for two main reasons, access to the school for parents and emergency vehicles and safety of the children. They also indicated that District's transportation costs would increase. The Police Department discussed the department's new program, Service Area Policing, and how it would help alleviate the speeding problem by the involvement of the residents. In addition, the department indicated it would increase enforcement during the afternoon and late evening hours. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACUL-DE-SAC ON GIANO STREET AT GEMINI STREET IS NOT NECESSARY. THAT STOP SIGNS. (R1) BE INSTALLED ALONG WITH STOP MESSAGES AND STOP AHEAD SIGNS (W17) ON THE EAST AND WESTBOUND APPROACHES OF WEDNESDAY DRIVE AT GIANO STREET BASED ON TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND RESTRICTED SIGHT DISTANCES. THAT STOP SIGNS (Rl) BE INSTALLED ALONG WITH STOP MESSAGES AND STOP AHEAD SIGNS (W17) ON THE NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND APPROACHES OF GIANO STREET AT YVONNE STREET BASED ON RESTRICTED SIGHT DISTANCE. THAT THE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON GEMINI STREET BE INCREASED IN SIZE, THAT PAINTED PAVEMENT SPEED LIMITS BE INSTALLED, AND THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INCREASE SPEED ENFORCEMENT AS FEASIBLE. THAT THE CONTINUED EFFECTIVENEES OF THE NEW TRAFFIC CONTROL ENHANCEMENTS ALONG GEMINI STREET BE MONITORED BY STAFF AND REPORTED TO THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE IN SIX MONTHS. s CITY OF WEST COVINA MULTI -WAY STOP WARRANT Date of Traffic Count: 1/10/2001 Intersection of Gemini Street and Jacqueline Street E. VOLUME WARRANT SATISFIED 1 500 or more vehicles per hour (average) entering intersection from all approaches for any eight hours, and 2 200 or more combined vehicles and pedestrians per hour (average) entering intersection from minor street for the same eight hours , with 3 An average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour NOT SATISFIED X 198 < 500 5 < 200 N/A F. SEVENTY WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street exceeds 40 mph, the 39 mph (85%) minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements. N/A G. ACCIDENT WARRANT SATISFIED Five or more accidents of types susceptible of correction by multi -way stops within a twelve-month period. H. INTERIM MEASURE WARRANT SATISFIED Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed NOT SATISFIED X One left -turn NOT SATISFIED X N/A 11 CITY OF WEST COVINA MULTI -WAY STOP WARRANT Date of Traffic Count: 1/10/2001 Intersection of Gemini Street and Giano Street I. VOLUME WARRANT SATISFIED 1 500 or more vehicles per hour (average) entering intersection from all approaches for any eight hours, and 2 200 or more combined vehicles and pedestrians per hour (average) entering intersection from minor street for the same eight hours , with 3 An average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour J. SEVENTY WARRANT SATISFIED When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street exceeds 40 mph, the minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements. K. ACCIDENT WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X 346 < 500 154 > 200 N/A NOT SATISFIED X 39 mph (85%) N/A NOT SATISFIED X . Five or more accidents of types susceptible of correction by multi -way stops within a twelve-month period. One Sideswipe L. INTERIM MEASURE WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed N/A SAFE STOPPING 51GHT DISTANCE GIANO STREET *.WEDNE5DAY DRIVE.Ci�,• �hT Wednesday Dr �cT F� T /tiGD/S� �G �ti�F SAFE STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE GIANO STREET YVONNE STREET .... ................. ..... ............ Yvonne S EXISTING CONDITIONS GEMINI STREET � GIANO STREET i 5t 0 � Yvonne St. E • EXISTING CONDITIONS GEMINI STREET * JACQUELINE STREET 6em'n' 5to LJ �j ' CITY OF WEST COVINA-Memorandum Police Department TO : Thomas M. Mayer, City Engineer FROM : Mark Tedesco, Traffic Sergeant DATE : October 31, 2000 SUBJECT : PROPOSED CLOSURE OF GIANO AVENUE AT GEMINI STREET The traffic office has reviewed the proposed closure of Giano Avenue at Gemini Street. The disadvantages seem to outweigh the benefits as far as the response time for officers going to emergency calls in the area. By closing this street, officers responding to calls in the area south of the closure will have to take alternate routes. In addition, we have had no complaints regarding the volume of vehicles that travel on Giano or Gemini in the past. The closure would be more of an inconvenience to the residents that travel to Giano School and those residents that travel South past the school towards Valley Blvd. The traffic office does not recommend the closure of Giano Avenue at Gemini Street. WEST COVINA FIRE DEPARTMENT TO: Thomas M. Mayer, City Engineer FROM: Rick Genovese, Fire Marshal DATE: October 23,2000 SUBJECT: Possible closure of Giano Avenue at Gemini Street The West Covina Fire Department, in response to your communication regarding the closure of Giano Avenue at Gemini Street, would be opposed to a closure at Gemini and Giano. The closure would add unnecessary response times for primary fire and emergency medical assistance both by our department and the ambulance company serving the citizens living just southeast of that location. Additionally, it would also increase response time for secondary units on multi -unit fire/emergency related calls to Giano school and citizens served in that area, thereby hindering rescue and compromising safety procedures contained in our Standards of Operation. The Department and City works diligently to keep response times at a minimum to increase the chance of citizen survivability and minimize loss in the event of an emergency. This detour for Emergency response vehicles would not be conducive to emergency response procedures. Rick Genovese Fire Marshal BUILDING & FN�INEEPftI� .::., 1830 South Nogales Street + "- Governing Board Rowland Heights Gloria Burt-'= CA 91748' Roger Hernandez Mary Jo Maxwell (626) 965-2541 Paul E. Wafters (Fax) 854-8302 - Melody Yu Dr. RonaldJ. Leon, t•�nsr. s:nw�, nesrP�ct Mice of the ggu r' tendent Superintendent November 2Z, ZTRT Mr. Thomas M. Mayer City Engineer Public Services Department City of West Covina P. O. Box 1440 West Covina CA 91793 Dear Mr. Mayer: Rowland Unified School District has significant concerns about an issue before the City of West Covina to possibly close Giano Avenue at Gemini Street. Copies of these letters of concern, as presented by staff, are being forwarded to the City Manager and members of the Rowland Board of Education. As Superintendent of Schools, the issues of student and staff safety, access by emergency vehicles, impact on the district's transportation services and the likelihood of significant cost increases in busing are all reasons to oppose action to close Giano Avenue from vehicular access. Staff in Rowland Unified appreciate receiving notification of this issue; however, we see only negative impacts to Giano Intermediate and other district operations. We look forward to appearing before the City Traffic Committee to share our concerns and respond to questions, should that be necessary. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on this important matter. Sincerely, a Ronald J. Leon, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools RJL:ac Attachments c Board of Education Steve Hansen, Giano Principal Cabinet Bob Wigginton, Director of Transportation Dan Hobbs, City Mgr. Mission: To inspire and educate individuals to realize their dreams and fulfill their responsibilities to society. We proudly join the parents and community in preparing each generation to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. 1830 South Nogales Strea Rowland Heights CA 91748 (626) 965-2541 (Fax) 854-8302 www.rowland-unified.org November 21, 2000 Members of the City Council and Planning Department City of West Covina P. O. Box 1440 West Covina, California 91793 Ladies/Gentlemen: ROWLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Governing Board Gloria Burt Roger Hernandez Mary Jo Maxwell Paul E. Walters Melody Yu Dr. Ronald J. Leon, Superintendent It has been brought to our attention that some citizens of the City of West Covina are requesting that the City Council adopt an ordinance or resolution for road closure of Giano Avenue at Gemini Street. Please be advised that the Rowland Unified School District objects to the closure of Giano Avenue because the District's Transportation Department uses that street on a daily basis. Closure of the street would seriously impact the District's transportation routes and its ability to properly service the students of the District. While we are aware that the City of West Covina has some authority to regulate various aspects of traffic on their streets and highways, that authority is limited to Vehicle Code Section 21101. Pursuant to the Vehicle Code, a highway may be closed if it is no longer needed for vehicular traffic or the closure is in the interests of public safety and all the specified conditions under the statute are met including a public hearing and notice of the hearing to residents and owners of property adjacent to the street proposed for closure. The District's regular use of Giano Avenue is critical to its continued and efficient delivery of services. Therefore, the District is requesting that should the City Council consider adopting a rule or regulation by ordinance or resolution that impacts Giano Avenue at Gemini Street that the District be notified of a public hearing on the issue and provide any documentation regarding the City's compliance with the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA). Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Vernon Medeiros, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Administrative Services Division /VM:fn c: Ron L6on Mission: To inspire and educate individuals to realize their dreams and fulfill their responsibilities to society. We proudly join the parents and community in preparing each generation to meet the challenges ol+today and tomorrow. 1f r 1830 South Nogales Stree, Rowland Heights CA 91748 (626) 965-2541 (Fax)854-8302 www.rowland-unified.org November 21, 2000 Thomas M. Mayer City Engineer City of West Covina 1444 West Garvey Avenue So. P.O. Box 1440 West Covina, CA 91793 Dear Mr. Mayer, RQWLII"P rq•!n,n t"pnOl "pZ7pp:1 Governing Board Gloria Burt Roger Hernandez Mary Jo Maxwell Paul E. Walters Melody Yu Dr. Ronald J. Leon, Superintendent I am writing to you as the Director of the pupil transportation program for the Rowland Unified School District. I recently received a copy of a letter from you to the principal of our Giano Intermediate School. The subject of the letter is troubling to me. Many of our buses use Giano Avenue as a main transportation artery for bus routing from the south side of that area to the north side. The alternative is to use Nogales or Azusa Avenues, which would require our school buses to travel quite a distance out of the way to the east or west on some of the routes. It would cost precious route minutes and would cause our system to be far less efficient. It would probably cause several of our buses to be late getting students to school. The letter indicated that "one" resident was requesting the discussed closure. It's hard to imagine taking such a drastic action based on the concerns of one resident, when so many of the residents appear to be served by the access provided by that intersection. I don't know if it's the volume of traffic that's the problem through that area or vehicle speed, but it would seem that law enforcement should be able to resolve these concerns, without having to close the street. I would urge the city to consider other, less drastic solutions to mitigate the concerns expressed by the resident. Sincerely, Bob Wigginton Director of Transportation Services (626) 965-5719 Mission: To inspire and educate individuals to realize their dreams and fulfill their responsibilities to society. We proudly join the parents and community in preparing each generation to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. of �()M E �_s R1 A 1) 1 Alp 0 ono Intermediate school November 21, 2000 Thomas M. Mayer, City Engineer Public Services Department_ 1444 West Garvey Avenue South West Covina, California 97193 Dear Mr. Mayer, This is a letter in response to your notification of a proposal for the closure of Giano Street at Gemini Street. The Giano administration is strongly opposed to this proposal for the following reasons: Approximately 45% of Giano students live north of the school in the city limits of West Covina and many parents transport their students to and from school. Currently there are only two north/south routes approaching Giano School. One is southbound on Gemini Street to Giano Street the other is Wednesday Street to Giano Street. The closure of Giano Street at Gemini Street would reduce northerri access to the school to Wednesday Street. This would result in major re-routing of traffic and only one north side access to the campus. This would increase driving time for parents and would increase safety issues with more traffic concentrated on Wednesday Street on route to Giano Street and Giano School. District bus transportation would also be affected requiring re-routing of many buses that serve not only Giano School but other elementary schools in the Giano attendance area as well. A discussion with a number of parents including members of the Giano PTSA also indicates opposition to this proposal for the reasons listed above. Emergency services such as, Fire and Police Departments support for the school would also be affected by this possible closure. Response time from these emergency services would no doubt increase causing a delay in the delivery of these services to Giano School at critical times. In summary, the Giano Intermediate School administration opposes the proposal for a closure of Giano Street at Gemini Street on grounds of significant issues related to student transportation and safety to and from school. Sincerely, Steve Hansen Principal Mr. Steve Hansen. Principal Dr. Tracy Fella, Assr. Principal Mr. Bryan Hanamura, Counselor