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Home My WebLink About08-10-2006 Traffic Safety Commission AgendaCITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: August 10, 2006 TIME: 6:30 PM LOCATION: Saratoga Senior Center Adult Day Care Room 19655 Allendale, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order Roll Call: Ballingall, Biester, Bustamante, Kane, Guichard Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 4, 2006. Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. Oral &r Written Communication Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for February 9, 2006 Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for July 20, 2006 Old Business 1. Traffic Matrix #96 - Pam Roper Issue: Review implementation of Speed Lumps on Three Oaks Way Action: TSC will review and make recommendation if necessary 2. Removal of Pierce Road speed bumps until an alternate solution is determined at the August 24, 2006 TSC meeting Action: TSC will make recommendation New Business 3. Traffic Matrix # 150- Nancy Kirk Issue: Requests signal or 4 way stop at Big Basin and 4`h Street Action: TSC will make recommendation 4. Traffic Matrix # 151- Ramin Naimi Issue: Requests Wardell be closed to vehicles and open only to pedestrian traffic Action: TSC will make recommendation 5.. Traffic Matrix # 152- Christy Koz Issue: Speeding on Purdue Lane Action: TSC will make recommendation 6. Traffic Matrix # 153 - Ursula Anderson Issue: Requests return of left turn pocket for drivers making left hand turn from Kirkmont onto Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road Action: TSC will make recommendation 7. Traffic Matrix # 155 - Scott Whitman Issue: Several traffic concerns around Saratoga High School Action: TSC will make recommendation 8. Traffic Matrix # 162 - Paul Ginouves Issue: Speeding on 6`h Street Action: TSC will make recommendation 9. Traffic Matrix # 161- Mehdi Eslami Issue: Speeding on Martha near Kevin Action: TSC will make recommendation 11. Traffic Matrix # 156 - Lynn &r Joe Pinto Issue: Speeding on Glen Brae Drive between Scotland and Beaumont Action: TSC will make recommendation 12. Traffic Matrix # 163 - Bob Wallace Issue: Speeding at curve on Pierce Road at Foothill Lane Action: TSC will make recommendation 13. Traffic Matrix # 154 - Brian Frank, Dorothy Terrill Issue: Speeding on Pierce Road between Surry &t Houston. Requests "Children at Play" signs. Action: TSC will make recommendation 14. Traffic Matrix # 157 - KiranBhatia Issue: Would like mirror placed on pole to assist with making a left on blind curve on Pierce Action: TSC will make recommendation 15. Traffic Matrix # 158 -Joe Bagliere Issue: Speeding Pierce between Pike and Sarahills on Pierce, and request guardrail at creek crossing Action: TSC will make recommendation 16. Traffic Matrix # 160 - Dan Eastman Issue: Speeding on Pierce Road between Pike and Vista Regina Action: TSC will make recommendation 17. Traffic Matrix # 159 — Donna Guldimann, Mary Feinstein Issue: Curves on Pierce Road at bridge creek crossings are dangerous due to speeding and narrow lanes Action: TSC will make recommendation Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Adjournment to Special Meeting Thursday, August 24, 2006 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability - related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 408.868.1269 or ctclerk@saratoga.ca.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Kristin Borel, Administrative Analyst for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on August 4, 2006, at the office of the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. CITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Action Minutes DATE: February 9, 2006 TIME: 6:30 PM LOCATION: Administrative Conference Room City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order at 6:05 p.m. Roll Call: Ballingall, Biester, Bustamante, Kane, Guichard Absent: None Staff: Analyst Borel, Director Cherbone and Traffic Engineer Rashid Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on February 2, 2006. Borel Reports on Posting Accept Agenda Items and Order: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. Item 4 is to be continued to next meeting Oral & Written Communication Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a f uture agenda. One resident - speeding on Reid Lane Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Public Safety Commission Minutes for November 10, 2005. Approved 5 -0 New Business 1. Traffic Matrix #127 &r 128 Tom Clerkin, Manfred Schabes Issue: Trucks on neighborhood streets in El Quito North area Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: To replace 6 "NoTruck" signs with signs that use international symbols. APPROVED 5 -0 2. Traffic Matrix # 129 &r 134 - Aaron Katz &r Jeff Barco Issue: Traffic problems on Oak Street and Komina due to school traffic Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Accept traffic engineer's plan as noted with the exception of the elimination of parking on Oak Street. APPROVED 5 -0 MOTION: Recommend direct enforcement on Komina and Aloha Avenue for speeding and running of stop signs, and enforcement of the red curbs on Komina. APPROVED 5 -0 MOTION: To paint "KEEP CLEAR" in the intersection of Lomina and Oak on North side of street. APPROVED 5 -0 3. Traffic Matrix #131 &r 133 - Rosalie Price &z Alesa Stallman Issue: Request for safer crosswalk on Saratoga Avenue at Crestbrook Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Install burm on the northwest corner of Saratoga and Crestbrook; implement changes according to the traffic engineer's plan including the installation of a streetlight. APPROVED 5 -0 4. Traffic Matrix # 136 - Daniel Onn Issue: Requests traffic light at Herriman &r Saratoga Avenue, also light at Montauk Way and Fruitvale Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation THIS ITEM CONTINUE TO NEXT MEETING 5. Traffic Matrix # 137 - Marcia Fariss Issue: Wants bike lane striping changed on Saratoga Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: To place chatter bars at the south corner of Saratoga Glen Place on Saratoga Avenue to prevent cars from traveling in the bicycle lane, and to restripe the road more appropriately according to the traffic engineer's recommendation. APPROVED 5 -0 6. Traffic Matrix # 138 - Peggy Anastasia Issue: Requests crossing signs with audio signal for friend with limited vision Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend Staff investigate and develop a plan for audio signals and report back to the Commission. APPROVED 5 -0 Staff Report -John Cherbone A. Aloha Avenue- update given Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Commissioner's Term's of Office - Brigitte Ballingall &r Ken Biester's terms expire in April Election of New Chair - Michael Bustamante elected 5 -0 Adjournment at 9:20 p.m. to Next Meeting Monday May 8, 2006 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability - related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 408.868.1269 or cboyer@sarato ag ca.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Kristin Borel, Administrative Analyst for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Public Safety Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on February 3, 2006, at the office of the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. CITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Special Meeting Draft Action Minutes DATE: July 20, 2006 TIME: 6:30 PM LOCATION: Senior Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order Roll Call: Ballingall, Biester, Bustamante, Guichard, and Kane Absent: None Staff. Analyst Borel, Director Cherbone and Traffic Engineer Rashid Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on July 13, 2006. Borel Reports on Posting Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. No Changes Oral &r Written Communication Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. None Old Business 1. Traffic Matrix # 111 Issue: Review implementation of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Action: TSC will review and make recommendation MOTION: Take no action on speed bumps at this meeting APPROVED 5 -0 MOTION: Agendize this item for a special meeting in September [subsequently moved to August 24, 2006] to evaluate all options to improve the situation for all residents with the primary concern for safety. APPROVED 5 -0 New Business None Announcements by Commissioners and Staff None Adjournment at 9:10 p.m. to Next Regular Meeting Thursday, August 10, 2006 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability - related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 408.868.1269 or ctclerk @saratoga.ca.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Kristin Borel, Administrative Analyst for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on July 13, 2006, at the office of the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Traffic Matrix #150 Kristin Borel From: nancy kirk [nangeoirk @hotmail.com] Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 10:53 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: follow -up to TSC, 5/8/06 Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Green hope this works, now. Y From: 'nancy kirk" <nangeoirk @hotmail.Com> To: www.kborel @saratoga.ca.us Subject: follow -up to TSC, 518106 Date: Thu, 08 Jun 200618.'21:10 -0700 Kristin, Thanks for your email of 5/15/06. The new agenda item I mentioned was regarding safety of pedestrians and cars at the intersection of 4th street and Big Basin Way. There are only stop signs on 4th street. The concern is 4th Street by the Plummed Horse Restaurant, where traffic piles up from the densely populated area behind town (condos, homes, townhomes, hotel) and the visitors to Wildwood Park. And this part of 4th Street is very steep, which seems to have drivers going over the crossing area for pedestrians, who then go behind a car stopped at the intersection. It is especially difficult to turn left on Big Basin Way, during weekends, summer concert series, and before and after work hours. It seems like an accident waiting to happen not only for cars, but for those pedestrians trying to cross at all the immediate adjacent corners. I recommend either a traffic light or for starters a trial, 4- way -stop. Appreciate your concern. 7/27/2006 Traffic Matrix #151 Kristin Borel From: Ramin Naimi [ramin_naimi @yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 10:26 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Follow up to TSC Hi Kristin, Thanks for getting back to me. Here are the details per your request: I and several neighbors would like to recommend closing the Wardell Bridge permanently to automobile traffic. We'd like to see the bridge turn into a pedestrian bridge or completely closed. The concern we have about the bridge is of safety, and noise pollution. Over the past few years, the traffic over the bridge has increased, due to residence to the west of the bridge using the road as a shortcut to get to Sunnyvale- Saratoga Rd or to Cox. Safety: This increased traffic causes a safety hazard for pedestrians and bicycle riders on the bridge as the drivers rarely slow down to pass over the bridge. The bridge is a little wider than one lane. Since Wardell Rd (like most roads in Saratoga) is too wide, it's inviting for drivers to drive at above, and sometimes dangerous speeds. It has been our observation that a significant number of drivers do not stop at the stop sign at Carniel and Wardell Rd. I have noticed drivers speeding close to 40 or above as they cross over the bridge. Noise Pollution: The speeding drivers have increased the noise pollution significantly. The primary reason for the noise pollution is coming from their engines as they rev up and increase their speeds as they cross over the bridge. A secondary source of noise pollution is several man -hole covers (next to the bridge) that produce a large clunking noise as people drive over them (even in slow /normal speeds). I have been unsuccessful in getting Santa Clara Valley Water District to make the modifications to the man -hole covers to reduce or eliminate the noise. Calabazas Creek Flood Protection Project: Closing the Wardell Bridge would provide benefit to this project as it would remove a potential bottleneck in the flow of the water in the creek. This bottleneck is caused by any bridge and the box underneath the bridge, which is always narrower that the width of the creek. I have brought this up with Calabazas Creek Flood Protection Project planners and they would be very interested in working with the city if the city's plan includes removing the bridge altogether. I'd be happy to provide more detail if necessary. Thank you, Ramin Naimi From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 11:44 AM To: ramin_naimi @yahoo.com; nangeoirk @hotmail.com Subject: Follow up to TSC 5/17/2006 QQ d . Vivo ; CD a Ovoll Loll- IIIIIIIII�p I,, MINE 1�11111111�� _ Traffic Matrix x#152 Kristin Borel From: christi koz [kozinsiliconvalley @yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 4:05 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Traffic on Purdue Dr. Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Green Hi Kristin, Thanks for getting back to me. As I mentioned to you on the phone quite a few residents on Purdue are very concerned about the traffic speed on our street. We seem to get alot of through traffic from people who are trying to avoid the speed bumps that are on Baylor. We watch them come down the street and turn at the end to go off to some other block. There are a good number of children and lots of pedestrian traffic on the street, add to that the cars going by at what looks to be 40 mph. There was an accident just in front of my house last fall where a car was pulling out and making a U -turn on the street and was hit by someone going too fast and attempting to go around them. If there is anything I can do to make it easier to get some help on this please let me know. We have had residents on the street get in their car and follow some of these speeders to their houses out of frustration. Obviously anything to help the situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, Christi Koz 408 348 -1220 Traffic Matrix ##153 Kristin Borel From: City Hall Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 8:11 AM To: Uschi996 @aol.com Cc: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Left turn from Kirkmont Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Green Thank you for your email regarding your concern with Kirkmont /Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and the lack of a left turn lane. I have forwarded your message to Public Works Analyst, Kristin Borel for follow -up. You should be hearing from her shortly. We appreciate hearing from members of the community and it is always our intent to provide a safe environment. If there is anything else we can do to be of assistance — please let us know. Thank you. Ann Sullivan Executive Assistant to City Manager From: Uschi996 @aol.com [mailto:Uschi996 @aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 9:13 AM To: City Hall Subject: Left turn from Kirkmont Kirkmont runs into Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road. With the "Gateway Project", the turning lane for cars on Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road has been eliminated. Now, anyone trying to make a left turn from Kirkmont on to Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road is either putting their life in danger, since an accident is just waiting to happen, or has to turn right and drive to the Prospect traffic light in order to make a U -turn. Since it is planned to correct the Gateway project, please consider the possibility of returning the turning lane to the car driving public. U M Anderson 5/15/2006 Message Traffic Matrix #155 Kristin Borel . From: Scott Whitman [srwhitman @sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 9:53 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: traffic concerns Hi Kristen, I wanted to follow up on my phone call about my traffic concerns. I recently moved into Saratoga Legends, directly across Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road from the high school. I just moved in a few months ago and unbeknownst to me, there seems to be a problem with folks traveling from the northern part of Saratoga into the high school (i.e. traveling south along Saratoga - Sunnyvale). What happens is that they can't seem to make a left turn from Saratoga - Sunnyvale into Herriman. Partly its because there are so many folks and the length of the light but the real problem seems to be that the school does not manage the traffic pattern well hence people get backed up along Herriman and cannot make the left turn because there is no place for them to go. So, here is what they do. They turn right into my neighborhood and then essentially turn around and wait for the light to go across Herriman. This wouldn't normally be a problem if people just drove normally but a good portion of them do not. The right way to do it would be to drive in, drive around the tree (to make the turn back) and then drive back out. But what a lot of folks do is they pull into one of the first 5 houses' driveway, back up, then turn. If this was an isolated thing, it wouldn't bother me. But several problems occur: - they back up without regard to whether any cars are already there (waiting for the light) - they back up and don't pay attention well to parked cars (my neighbor parks his car directly across from my driveway and I watched someone come within inches of his car) - they are very aggressive (typically kids, but sometimes adults too). My wife nearly got hit as someone drove fast to get to the light (by driving around her) rather than waiting - they try to accelerate to "make the light" - they come into our driveway when we are trying to pull out. I nearly hit someone as I wasn't expecting anyone to be there. Clearly, most of the reason for this is that they are trying to get to school and they have little patience. I understand one of the neighbors tried to get a petition passed to disallow right turns at certain hours in the morning into our neighborhood. For some reason, this was not approved. I'm not sure why as I didn't live here at the time. I see several possible solutions: - disallow right turns from 7:30 -9 (or whatever time) in the morning - have a policeman there to direct traffic - get the school to better manage traffic flow - have the left turn light into Herriman last longer (with a sensor) to let people go (but this only works if there is room on Herriman) If nothing else, in the meantime, the school should contact parents and kids and let them know that some of them are being an annoyance to the neighborhood. I have been tempted more than once to block my driveway but I need to get out myself. Some of these people are so aggressive that they are driving careless. Its not just that - its also the annoyance. I didn't pay a lot of money to move into Saratoga to be treated like this. Sincerely, Scott R. Whitman (15862 Mina Way) 5/17/2006 Speed control in Saratoga Traffic Matrix #162 Kristin Borel From: Ginouves, Paul [Paul.Ginouves @coherent.com] Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 5:02 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Speed control in Saratoga Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Green Dear Kristen, -- - I read the article in the Saratoga News about the proposed speed control measures on Pierce Road. Although I do not live on Pierce Road, this issue is of interest to me because I live on 6th Street, which has a similar problem. We typically see speeds on 6th well in excess the speed limit (which is not posted on the street, by the way). As night falls, it isn't unusual for the the speeds to climb even higher, despite the limited visibility. Given the narrowness of the road, and the young children living on 6th and Pamela, we think that this is a recipe for disaster. We have a 4 -year old, and there are children of similar age directly across the street. I would very much appreciate having a discussion with you about looking into this. Thank you. Paul Ginouves 14700 6th St. 408 666 7393 (mobile) 8/2/2006 Kristin Borel From: Mehdi Eslami (meslami) [meslami @cisco.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 1:45 PM To: Kristin Borel; Shaheen Sarwari Subject: Speed Bump Hello, Traffic Matrix #161 We live on Martha Ave toward the end right before it curves 90 degrees to the left onto Kevin. People to drive quite fast around this curve. This has always been a concern to us specially since we have 2 little kids who sometimes plays outside around the house. What is the process of requesting speed bumps at this location. Please advise. Best Regards, Mehdi Eslami - lli Traffic Matrix ##156 Kristin Borel From: JJPLAP @aol.com Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 3:22 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Speeding Traffic Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Green Dear Kristen, My husband and I live on Glen Brae Drive for 9 years between Scotland and Beaumont (spelling ?). The speed limit is 25 mph. People speed up and down this area daily. Families have children that play in their front yards or driveways and one day someone is going to get injured. The city needs to install another stop sign or put in speed bumps so the speeders will have to slow down. What can we do to get something done. Thank You Lynn and Joe Pinto 19877 Glen Brae Drive 7/17/2006 Traffic Matrix #163 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION — Traffic complaint Form DATE: 7/21/06 NAME: Bob Wallace ADDRESS: PHONE: EMAIL: DATE SENT TO F &P: DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR PSC MEETING: 8/10/06 DATE ADDED TO TRAFFIC MATRIX: DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC ISSUE: Wants to slow traffic down at curve on Pierce Road at Foothill Lane. Thinks the 3rd speed bump is too far away from curve, cars are already back up to full speed by the time they reach the curve, and they are speeding through it. The cars are not slowing down in either direction.. DIAGRAM IF NEEDED: Traffic Matrix ##154 Kristin Borel From: Brian Frank [BFrank @ariba.com] Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 10:26 AM To: 'Kristin Borel Subject: [SPAM EMAIL] per our conversation Importance: Low Dear Ms. Borel Thanks so greatly for your time today. As I indicated, there exists, and many of my fellow neighborhood residents would wholeheartedly agree with me, a very dangerous traffic speeding problem on Pierce Road between Surrey Road and Houston Court heading in the northbound direction. believe the reason for this is that this is the first place a driver can speed up after coming out of the hills. I've routinely watched cars pass by at over 60mph through this stretch, then slam on their brakes right before the sharp right hand turn. Many families in the area, including my own, have small children and animals. In addition, there are numerous pedestrians and bicyclists who frequently use this stretch. As you know, there are no sidewalks on in this area. Having lived at this location for two years, I have come to realize that there are several traffic safety remediations that would curb this dangerous situation. 1) Add speed bumps (and speed bump warning signs) on Pierce Road in the North bound direction. 2) Install "Children at Play" signs on the east and west sides of Pierce road in the above cited area 3) Sidewalks /bicycle paths would be tremendously valuable and would add greater safety Pierce road has an incredible amount of foot and bicycle traffic, in particular in the section between Saratoga /Sunnyvale Road to Surrey Road. Perhaps this is because there is no cut through back street. . 4) The mailbox locations on this stretch of Pierce Road are all located on the west side of Pierce Road, forcing residents to cross busy Pierce Rod to get their mail. This is simply a residue from the past when Pierce Rd (at least this stretch) was rural. It clearly no longer is. I have contacted the postal service about changing this and they have been very resistant. Support from the City of Saratoga would surely help in this regard. Again, thanks for your time and look forward to working with you in the future! Sincerely, Brian Frank 5/8/2006 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel 5-4 From: Dorothy Terrill [dotterrill @comcast.net] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 5:04 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road speed Lumps Dear Kristin: I have emailed you before. We attended the last meeting re. Pierce Road speed lumps but had to leave early due to another commitment. However, I am in favor of the current speed "lumps" on lower Pierce Road. I would like to see similar speed "lumps" on upper Pierce Road - -near our house at 13277 Pierce Road. I have written this to you before but the drivers gather speed after the second corner (after the current speed lumps) and accelerate past our property on their way up the hill. The drivers coming down the hill have already gathered speed and shoot past our house. I would say the average speed is well over 40 miles per hour - -I'm no expert on estimating speed but they are going too fast for safety. I want my voice to be heard. Unfortunately, we plan to be out of town August 10 and won't be able to attend the meeting. Thanks for your help in this matter. Sincerely, Dorothy Terrill 13277 Pierce Road 7/31/2006 Traffic Matrix #157 Kristin Borel From: kiran bhatia [kiran_bhatia27 @hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 1:53 PM To: Kristin Borel Cc: kiran_batia27 @hotmail.com Subject: Traffic Issues Hi Kristin, As we spoke earlier, I live at 13228 Pierce Road. I have a difficult time in making a Left turn into my driveway, because of the oncoming traffic, which can not be seen. My house is at the curve, so when the cars are going downhill to Sunnyvale Saratoga rd, I cannot see them. It would be a good idea to install a mirror at the pole in front of my house, to see the oncoming cars. Also, right in front of my house, there is a plate cover, either it belongs to City of San Jose Water co. or PG & E, I am not sure. But, when the cars are going downhill, each car runs over the plate and the plate makes a loud sound. This is particularly annoying late at night, when after the concert at the Winery, cars are speeding down late at night. Please have this problem corrected. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 849 -8579. Sincerely, Kiran Bhatia 7/27/2006 Kristin Borel From: Joe Bagliere Doe @emulation.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 3:05 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Citizen Complaint Hi Kristin, I understand completely the situation on the data. No problem. Traffic Matrix #158 If the goal for the present speed bumps is to reduce car speeds around the curve near the spead bumps to 20 MPH around the curve then I don't think 3 bump sets are necessary on the down hill side of the curve? I think placing one set on the uphill side before the curve and one set on the down hill side before the curve would be better since a car going to fast coming down the hill and rounding that sharp bend would still be able to lose control, cross over and run thru the front of that house on the other side of the street. Three bumps seems a little excessive for the people who live in front of the bumps. If the goal is to reduce the traffic on Pierce Road to just those who live on Pierce or off Pierce I would suggest the following. 1. Move one set of speed bumps before or after the bridge 1 mile up from Sunnyvale- Saratoga. At the bridge there is a narrowing in the road and a sharp curve on the down hill side where accidents have occured and people travel to fast after crossing the bridge to negotiate the curve and have a car coming toward them in the narrowing and curved part of the road. 2. Put a set of speed bumps on the down hill side of Pike Road and Pierce Road. This is also an area where people tend to speed including motorcycles going up and down and bicyclists coming down the hill who ignor the 25 mile an hour speed limit. With blind corners and cars pulling out of driveways this is very dangerous. 3. If you add the speed bumps on upper Pierce then you may not need the guard rail along the creek near the driveway of 13740 Pierce Road. Please let me know the results of the meeting as I will be out of town at that time. Thank you and best regards, Joe Bagliere 408 - 982 -0660 #212 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 2:19 PM To: joe @emulation.com Subject: RE: Citizen Complaint Joe, The Traffic Engineer is still compiling the data at this time, and will be discussing the results at the meeting. It is our usual policy not to release data before the Commission has seen it first. This way residents are not writing to the Commissioners about data they have not seen. I will be happy to forward any comments you have on the existing speed bumps at this time. Sincerely, Kristin - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Joe Bagliere [mailto :joe @emulation.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 200612:33 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Citizen Complaint Hi Kristin, Thank you for your message. I will be out of town on vacation that week. Is there any way I could get a copy of the data or analysis to look at before the meeting. I could then give you my comments by email. Thanks in advance, Joe Bagliere - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Wednesday, July 05,200612:01 PM To: joe @emulation.com Subject: RE: Citizen Complaint Joseph, We will be holding a special meeting about the speed bumps on Pierce Road. I have pasted in a letter that I sent out to residents on Pierce Road about the meeting this month. Please come to this meeting and voice your concerns. I will be forwarding all the emails to the Traffic Engineer and the Traffic Safety Commission. Sincerely, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 RE: Review of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Dear Resident: The City's Traffic Safety Commission will be holding a special meeting to review the implementation of the speed bumps on Pierce Road and to review speed data taken after the installation of the bumps. The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 20th at 6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room here at City Hall. I encourage anyone with questions or concerns to share their views with the Commission. If you cannot attend and want to send your comments to me at the email address below, I would be happy to forward them to the Commission. Traffic concerns regarding other sections of Pierce Road will be heard at the regularly scheduled Traffic Safety Commission meeting on August 10th. Please let me know if you have further questions. I can be reached at (408) 868 -1258 or by email at kborel @saratoga.ca.us. - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Brad Lind Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 5:05 PM To: Kristin Borel; Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Citizen Complaint Kristin, Can you help with this? RIM - - - -- Original Message---- - From: [mailto:joe @emulation.com] Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 3:47 PM To: Brad Lind Subject: Citizen Complaint Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (joe @emulation.com) on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 18:46:49 ------------------------------------------------------------------ - - - - -- Complainant: Joseph Baghere Address: 13746 Pierce Road HomePhone: 408 - 867 -9810 WorkPhone: 408- 982 -0660 #212 LocationComplaint: Pierce Road CrossStreet: Sara Hills Drive DescriptionComplaint: A number of people speed up and down Pierce Road.Whether they do it intentionally or not it is very dangerous from Sara Hills to Mount Eden Road as there are blind curves, children and pets living on this road. I have seen several accidents and near misses over the past 4 or S years and I think something should be done to stop people from speeding permanently. Many trees have been hit so there is a recorded history of the accidents. Also the creek between Pike Road and Sara Hills does not have a guard rail and a car drove into once. 1. Can you install speed bumps on this road to slow people down. The speed limit is 25 mph and putting a sheriff there from time to time is not the answer. Can you put a guard rail up along the creek undercrossing? Please let me know. I would be glad to show someone in the city government where the problem is and they can clock the cars coming up and down the road. Best regards, Joe Bagliere Traffic Matrix #160 Kristin Borel From: EastmanD1 @aol.com Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2006 12:00 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Rd Speed Bumps Hi Ms. Borel, Once again, thank you for your prompt return to my phone call and also for letting me air my opinion about the speed bumps on Pierce Road. In that regard: I am definitely not a safety engineer, but it should be obvious to anyone who has spent any time driving on Pierce Road between Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road and Big Basin Road, as well as observing other drivers, that the placement of the speed bumps on Pierce Road is in the safest, possible area and is, therefore, difficult for me to understand why this section was selected. Plus, 15 MPH bumps (that still jar your teeth even at this speed) in a 30 MPH zone is very confusing. I have seen a lot of speed bumps, but I do not recall ever seeing them built to reduce speed to less than the speed limit. In any case, the area of the bumps is flat, has visibility of at least a half a mile, has wide shoulders for walkers and bike riders, is where there have been few, if any, accidents and where it is conducive to using radar. I add this last comment because the last time we had an accident (of which there have been many) in view of where I live (above Sarahills, below Pike), I asked the investigating police officer why we never saw radar used in this area. He acknowledge that this was one of the worst sections on Pierce Road which also made it the most dangerous for police officers to pull people over (though it would seem to me that they could "tail" a speeder until they reached a safer area). Obviously this part of Pierce Road could be made somewhat safer if we cut down the trees and hedges, but this is our only barrier to the incessant noise of the traffic. Besides, Kate Bear would not let us (thank you, Kate). If you can imagine, when we moved here 35 years ago my daughter and her friends road their horses on Pierce Road. Now, simply getting out of our driveway is a problem. So, while I appreciate the fact that some people in the area of the bumps were afraid to walk across the street to get their mail, I have only this to say, please talk to my neighbor. His mailbox is around a blind curve, with no shoulders on the road. Now, he's a guy who can tell you what's really tough about getting mail. Bottom line? If the bumps were installed in this area because it is a hazard to the residents, when and in what areas will the rest of them be installed? Hopefully, they will be where it is really dangerous. Dan Eastman 13745 Pierce Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070 408 - 867 -3354 Traffic Matrix #159 Kristin Borel From: Donna Guldimann [dguld @comcast.net] Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 8:38 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: pierce rd. Hi Kristin- I live off Pierce on Via Regina in Saratoga. I got your name and number form Steve Sneddon, who said you were the key person to communicate with about the speed bumps. I understand the concern of residents on lower 'flat' Pierce Rd. about speed. The problem actually for safety is not that area - for there, at least, you have visibility and more width. I live off Pierce where it is narrow and much more dangerous. There is a lot of truck traffic with all the new construction. There are bikers trying to negotiate the narrow road. This is the area that will, before long, be a deadly scene. The speed bumps address the problem in the wrong place. Have committee members spent time observing the traffic paternson the road, or responding to letters from lower Pierce residents? Thank you. Donna Guldimann 21891 Via Regina 408 - 741 -8433 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION — Traffic complaint Form 1 S� DATE: 6/23/06 NAME: Donna Guldimann ADDRESS: 21891 Via Regina PHONE: EMAIL: dguld(akomcast net DATE SENT TO F &P: DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR PSC MEETING: 8/10/06 DATE ADDED TO TRAFFIC MATRIX: DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC ISSUE: Unsafe conditions at curve on Pierce Road at bridge creek crossing. If traveling up the hill and entering the narrow creek area the cars coming down can't negotiate the turn due to speeding and the road narrowing The cars often end up in her lane. The road widens and narrows on both sides of the creek crossing and cars don't realize this and are often in the center of the roadway. DIAGRAM IF NEEDED: Kristin Borel From: Sent: To: Subject: Dear Kristin Thank you for your email. Mary Feinstein [mary.feinstein @comcast.net] Tuesday, July 18, 2006 8:26 PM Kristin Borel RE: [SPAM EMAIL] #- 1,59 Unfortunately I am not able to come to the meeting on July 20 re: the speed bumps on Pierce Rd. I have something I would like to add to my previous thoughts on the subject. The place for a speed bump would be on Pierce Rd. just before the bridge. Although there are several signs warning motorist of an almost 90 degree turn to the left, about five cars a minute do not make the turn, but screech into Quarry Road without reducing speed. So far nobobody as been killed, but there have been some near misses. Quarry Road is a popular walking trail. There are frequently groups of hikers entering Pierce Rd. from Quarry and one day there is going to be the worst mayhem at this point. The local residents have been asking for help for years. I don't know why we didn't think of this. f hope you can bring up this point for us. Yours etc Mary Feinstein. i& rl lie 1 h I N Nr ...: O - -0- cs v—c s' cs es n COs CAT OS / SAR, OG Sarat a 4 nt�r Y \ \ ? IL D t i RlaT _ M:T.: EDEN bEe � CT. PA'QMINO i" • I HOC `t -l._� . _ j \ � _ HEIGHTS • ¢¢ _ O �/ �% 12. SPRINGER CIT .3. VALD SERRY,LN. • ' / 1� / 1�� j �� .SYCaJdORE' GROVE I- _• \� -i •I The %! •IMountain • Winery J ss \ 1uIcL�� 1 0 G. • / e0aD l J •`Hak be • ZZO. ' oN�RESS sa �: •: �:-- OtJGRES �gFy� =` 1 • G ions CLAY M A WORKS o r p o r a tie d C. 001 BARCLAY MA WORKS iratoga 8�: • _ 32 It A FOOTHILL ELEMENTARY r ♦ P� ♦o ELEM. C PETUNIA MINA WY SARI IGHI�I. CT. L--" -- :ITT,QC,E� I 4 G V 4 G ( j ;/�' F ViIIaGMontalvo 'I \ L'i PaW Gnouves Augustlo,2006 = I • High speeds on nth endanger our children Young Ck -ll dre11 on 6th, Pa111eIa. and 111 condo complex foot and Ncycle traffic Maly parents w k tine it chi d1e11 to Saratoga sck1O0•I a OI1g `•to i and fit. Charles Limited visibi ity. narrow streets and lack of sidewalks exacerbates SltLlc•t10. 11 • Tendency for dn'vers to look Lap the steep hill and think. I better" plat some speed on so that I can get to the tope. • Tendency for dr"iver"s to freewheel down the hill and brake hard-on approaching Eg Basin i • Numerous 66S�O V1%y ChHdren UIIS May 99 Mgns • Posted speed Nm'�t of 15. mph • Occas'Mna� enforcement act'�'ons by Sherff 6th Street looking toward Oak I", r S4 -,14 6th Street looking toward BB St. Charles looking toward 6th City of Saratoga Public Works Department MEMO TO: Traffic Safety Commissioners FROM: Kristin Borel DATE: August 3, 2006 RE: Additional Emails Attached please find the additional emails that have arrived since the one's I sent on July 27th Kristin Borel From: Sherry Jaunrubenis [ s.jaunrubenis @worldnet.att.net] Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 10:41 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Speed Lumps Dear Kristin, Thank you so much for your letter dated August 1, 2006. We will make every attempt to attend the meeting. Our concern is that if the Lumps are removed the speeding will commence and it will take time to put in place a different type of speed bump. Could we keep the lumps, until such time that the new bumps are ready for installation? Thank you for your attention to this matter. With Regards, Sherry Jaunrubenis Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Ann Waltonsmith Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 12:01 PM To: John Cherbone; Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Pierce Rd. Speed Lumps Ann Waltonsmith Councilmember, City of Saratoga From: Julie Daniel [mailto:julie @matrixcable.com] Sent: Thu 8/3/2006 11:39 AM To: Nick Streit; Ann Waltonsmith; Kathleen King; Norm Kline; Aileen Kao; Dave Anderson; Cathleen Boyer Subject: Pierce Rd. Speed Lumps Dear Council Members, I feel the need to clarify the reason for my addressing the council at last nights meeting about the speed lumps on Pierce Rd. I attended the meeting on July 20 held by the TSC regarding the speed lumps on Pierce Rd. At the conclusion of the meeting the commission had scheduled a follow up meeting for the second week of September to hear the traffic engineers suggestion's regarding the possiblity of modifying the speed lumps or coming up with another solution. The meeting has been moved up to an August date. Is this because of pressure to resolve this issue? Did the council put this pressure on the commission? I realized that due to the councils summer schedule we would not have another chance to address you on this matter before the commission meeting at the end of August. Thank you for listening to us so patiently. Julie Daniel Pierce Rd. Q i1z io nM Kristin Borel From: happy2bliving @comcast.net Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 12:04 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: speed bumps Please remove the speed bumps until an alternative solution can be found. I must come to almost a full stop at each bump. I'm waisting gasoline and causing those behind me with better suspension, who can go over them at a faster speed., to go as slowly as I do. If I could continue to drive the SPEED LIMIT as I go over the bumps, I wouldn't mind them. Kathryn Kennedy 13180 Pierce Road Saratoga, CA Page I of 2 Kristin Borel From: Sheri Frank [sfrank @atmel.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 7:32 PM To: Kristin Bore] Subject: Pierce Road Speed Lumps Dear Kristin and Traffic Safety Commission, I would like to express my appreciation to the Commission for their serious attention to the Pierce Road speeding problem. After attending the meeting on July 20th, I now understand that the Commission has thoughtfully analyzed this problem for many years. I thought Mr. Rashid's presentation clearly detailed the speeding problem on Pierce Road, as well the considerations that influenced the Commission to adopt the speed lumps as a traffic calming measure. Based on the presentation, it is clear that the speed lumps have been. very effective to reduce the speed on that stretch of Pierce Road. Given the effectiveness of the speed lumps in reducing the speeding problem on Pierce Road, I hope the Commission will adopt the speed lumps (in modified form and placement, if possible) as a permanent traffic calming measure. While I sympathize with the folks who thought the speed lumps were a nuisance and /or inconvenient, I did not hear anything compelling enough to outweigh the legitimate safety issue due to speeding on Pierce Road. As for the form and placement of the speed lumps, I support any reconfiguration that reduces the noise and wear - and -tear on vehicles — of course, while maintaining the effectiveness of the speed lumps. I also support extending the modified speed lumps on the second stretch of Pierce Road. Finally, I support moving the mailboxes so all Pierce Road residents can retrieve their mail safely. Thank you, Sheri Frank Pierce Road Resident (408) 857 -7357 * ** Post Note: As I was writing this email this evening, I received a call from my husband, Brian Frank, regarding a threatening email he received from an anonymous neighbor. Apparently, in response to a letter my husband circulated in support of the speed lumps, this neighbor sent an email laced with profanity and suggestive violence to my husband and our house. This neighbor knows our address so I am concerned for the safety of my family and the security of our house. It certainly makes it difficult to participate in an open dialogue on this matter when certain individuals resort to threats and intimidation. I thought the Commission did a commendable job to ensure that the July 20th meeting was orderly and respectful. I hope the Commission will emphasize to the community that threatening communications are unacceptable and will be prosecuted to the full extent under the law. Thanks again. Outbound E -Mail protection by Barracuda Networks NOTICE: This e -mail transmission and any documents or files attached to it contain information for the sole use of the above - identified individual or entity. R /I /,)AM Page 2 of 2 Its contents may be privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under the law. Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender immediately if you are not the intended recipient. R/l /9006 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: nancyjow [nancyjow @sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 2:48 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: [SPAM EMAIL] Please let the Lumps Stay Importance: Low Kristin Borel et all; We live at 12841 Pierce Rd. We purchased our home in 1976 and have seen traffic increase year by year. We would like to thank those responsible for the installation of the speed lumps. The traffic has slowed to the speed limit and we feel safer when our Grand Children are in the front yard. Per the study, the majority of the traffic was speeding prior to the lumps and will probably return to the same habits if the lumps are removed. It appears that speeders don't want to pay attention to the speed limit so the lumps are the only reasonable solution. Please do not remove the lumps. Thank you in advance, Dave and Nancy Walb 8/2/2006 August 1, 2006 Mayor Norman Kline Vice Mayor Aileen Kao and Council Members Ann Waltonsmith, Kathleen King, Nick Streit City of Saratoga Dear Mayor, and City Council, My family has lived on Pierce Road since 1960, and over the years we have noticed that there has been an increasing problem with safety, and particularly speeding, on the straight stretches of Pierce Road particularly from the intersection of Saratoga - Sunnyvale road westward. This has been exacerbated by increased residential development along Pierce Road and in the hillsides along streets feeding into Pierce, particularly along Mt Eden Road, both within Saratoga City limits and on unincorporated County lands. In addition, there have been substantial increases in the amount of traffic to and from the Mountain Winery, which is likely to increase as both the concert series, and site expands. Although not the only route, these factors have left Pierce Road, particularly via Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, as the route of choice for most of the hillside and Mountain Winery traffic. The City has yet to address alternate traffic routes, alter traffic flow patterns through signage or restrictions, for example no left turns between certain hours, or provide new roads or access routes to alleviate traffic volumes. Pierce Road is a residential street, with at least 63 residences between Mt Eden Rd and the Saratoga - Sunnyvale intersection that facing and/or enters directly onto Pierce Road. Unlike Cox Avenue, which has few residences facing the street. As such, Pierce Road is a rural residential road with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. It is often used by bicyclist and pedestrians, and has increasingly become a neighborhood of families with small children. Residents along Pierce Road have been complaining about the increased amount of traffic, the speeding, the noise, and safety issues for more than 20 years. Yet each time a complaint is made to the City, we are told that the City is aware of the problems and is looking into it. However, little has been actually done to address the issues to the frustration of many of the long time residents. As a result, many residents have given up, no longer reporting property damage, accidents, or illegal traffic activities that have occurred. How many years must we wait for the City to conclude its investigation and implement a permanent lasting resolution to these safety and traffic problems? Some of the traffic related experiences my family and neighbors include: • Elevated noise levels, and increased traffic late at night because Mt Winery concert traffic is directed east on Pierce Road. Tour buses and concert traffic going to the Mt Winery for events throughout the day. • Increased construction traffic including cement trucks, large semis, and other equipment laden trucks with unsecured cargo starting at 6:00 AM or earlier and often continuing late into the evening. The result has been substantial increases in noise levels, speeding, gear changes, litter, and degradation of the pavement. • Speeding, illegal passing, and hazardous unsafe conditions that have resulted from traffic utilizing Pierce Road. We have been passed on the left as we turn left to enter our driveway, illegally passed both on the shoulder to the right and across solid double yellow line on the left by traffic coming off Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, honk at, received obscene gestures as we slow to turn into or exit our property, seen vehicles increase there speed when they notice our attempts to back out of the driveway. Speeding vehicles that accelerate above the 30 mph speed limit as they enter the straight stretch on Pierce from both directions, speeding as vehicles try to beat the light at the intersection. Loud noises and odors from screeching brakes and burning rubber as vehicles hit the brakes when they are unable to make the light, yelling, or honking horns when drivers encounter a vehicle going the speed limit. The mailboxes and front fence of ours and that of our immediate neighbors have been hit and damaged countless times as a result of illegal passing, the inability of vehicles to control their cars as they speed, or from cars turning in front of our properties. We have almost been hit as we cross the street to pick -up our mail, or as we maintain the City road right of way in front of our fences. A very positive move by the City was the institution of the Traffic Safety Commission. The men and women who serve on this commission have done an excellent job in trying to resolve traffic safety related issues throughout the City. They have based their decisions on facts and the advice of the City's traffic engineer and other professionals in an attempt to find permanent workable solutions. I hope that the City Council heeds their advice. According to the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission (Commission), they have received complaints from the residents about the unsafe conditions, in particular, speeding along Pierce Road since the Commission was instituted eight years ago. Three years ago, following the City's protocol, a group of residents residing along Pierce Road between Comer Drive and Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road met with the Commission to discuss the issues and seek their input to find a permanent solution. At that time, the Commission, instructed the City's Traffic Engineer to conduct as traffic survey on the east end of Pierce from the first curve to the intersection of Saratoga Sunnyvale Road. The study occurred in the fall /winter and did not include Mountain Winery traffic as the concert season had ended. The results showed that there were approximately 4500+ trips per day along this stretch of Pierce Road. Of those, 80% of the vehicles exceeded the 30 mph speed limit, and 20% exceeded 40 - 45 mph. Traffic volumes towards Big Basin Way were approximately 900 trips per day. The County Sheriff Captain stated that even exceeding the limit by 5 to 10 mph was illegal and unsafe for the type of road. There were discussions as to what could be done to reduce the speed of the majority of drivers on a temporary basis until a permanent solution could be found. This resulted in the Sheriffs office setting speed traps, and ticketing offenders. Unfortunately, due to staffing restrictions an officer could not monitor Pierce Road on a daily, and when the Officer was not present, the speeding resumed. The Sheriffs Department also placed the electronic speed monitor on Pierce on a short term rotating basis. Initially while the monitor was there, most drivers slowed down, at least until they passed the device. However, when drivers got used to seeing the device, it was ignored, and when it was removed, the speeding resumed and, in some cases, actually worsened. At a follow -up meeting, the Commission told us that we would have to wait at least two years to get onto the, now defunct, neighborhood traffic management study program. So we patiently waited, and heard nothing for two and a half years. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise when the speed lumps were installed. Almost immediately, the street, and particular my area, became quieter, and we neighbors noticed that the speeds decreased, and with it much of the illegal passing. We can actually back out of our driveways, walk across the street to pick up our mail, and no one has hit our front fences. As drivers have gotten used to the lumps, acceleration from the intersection to the first lump has somewhat increased, but for the most part the speeding has abated. Those drivers who do speed to the first lump, then hit the brakes, and accelerate again, are noisy particularly if they have noisy brakes, chassis, or gearboxes. The decrease in speed has been verified by the data collected by the Traffic Engineer subsequent to the installation of the lumps. The post -lump traffic survey showed that, while the volume of traffic did not diminish, the speed between the lumps was between 29 -30 mph, within the posted speed limit. Unfortunately there are those who have begun harassment and intimidation campaign aimed towards the residents, particularly those with the speed lumps directly in front of their property. I understand that there have even been attempted assaults on residents, and suspicious flat tires. I can personally attest to this intimidation as one driver swerved his car towards me as I was walking in front of my fence. Incessant honking, loud rude remarks, obscene and rude gestures have occurred and unfortunately become the norm, particularly as the offenders gain confidence that these tactics are having the desired effect and will result in the removal of the lumps. There have been additional noises created as vehicles, particularly those with unsecured cargo or trailers, go over the lumps, which has become an added point of irritation to some of the residents. Some of the local residents are adamantly opposed to the speed lumps because of the noise and harassing behavior of drivers. Others are complacent, and indifferent to the speeding or the unsafe conditions that existed prior, for them, the speed lumps are a nuisance. For those of us whose property is between the Saratoga - Sunnyvale intersection and the speed lump who have tolerated the acceleration and deceleration as cars approach the intersection, the constant speeding, the illegal passing, and the property damage, the speed lumps are the perfect solution. We find that the traffic related noise levels have dropped, we can leave and enter our driveways with some safety, and we can actually walk across the street to pick up mail without fear of getting hit. Until such time that the City can come up with a better permanent solution to the safety issues on Pierce Road, we want the speed lumps to remain. While the speed lumps may not be the ideal resolution to the problems, and may need to be re- configured to allow for a more easy transition across them, they have achieved their goal - that of reducing the speed of vehicles to within the posted limit and making the street a safer place. Installation of the speed lumps is the first consistent solution that has worked to resolve several of the safety issues, particularly the speeding, that occurs on Pierce Road. I can assure you that as soon as the lumps are removed the speeding will resume and likely worsen because those who are disobeying the laws and who have been harassing the residents will believe they have won. They will be secure in thinking that anything they don't like in the City, even if they are laws, can be changed through intimidation and harassment. We are not discussing an issue of aesthetics here but one of safety, and enforcement of the laws. Ultimately you, the elected City Council, will make the decision to remove the speed lumps, and /or to finally and permanently resolve the speeding and safety problems that occur on Pierce Road. We trust that that decision will be based upon a desire to provide the Pierce Road residents a safe, secure, and legal environment and not based upon the popularity of the issue. If the decision is made to remove the lumps before another permanent, and equally effective solution is implemented, than you, as our governing body, are giving notice that safety is not important, and that it is ok to break the laws in Saratoga. Regards, Antoinette Romeo and the Romeo Family Page 1 of 2 Kristin Borel From: Cathleen Boyer Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 4:32 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: traffic calming Pierce Road From: Susan Weber [mailto:webersusan @comcast.net] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 4:25 PM To: Norm Kline; Aileen Kao; Dave Anderson; Cathleen Boyer Subject: traffic calming Pierce Road Dear Sirs, I would like to thank the Traffic Safety Commission and the City of Saratoga for implementing traffic calming on Pierce Road. The city traffic engineer gave a very thorough, thoughtful, and educational presentation on the traffic safety on Pierce Road at the July 20, 2006 meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission. He addressed some of the issues involved in choosing an appropriate method to insure speed limit compliance along the lower stretch of Pierce Road. I am very pleased with the outcome in that 85% of the traffic is now within the speed limit providing for a safer environment. However it has come to my attention that there are many disgruntled travelers going over the lumps that have been placed in the first stretch of Pierce Road. Pleased be reminded: • It takes drivers who have lived in the area for a very long time, an adjustment period to learn and to accommodate for something new. Already the noise level has diminished and the flow of traffic has smoothed out as drivers have learned to accommodate the lumps. • For those who feel that there are mechanical issues with their cars, trailers and trucks, there are alternative routes out of the mountains that would bypass the area of Pierce Road where the lumps are. • Safety is of more importance than shortening travel time by a few seconds. Emergency response equipment has tested the lumps and deemed them feasible for quick access to the area. The safety of all of the drivers, passengers, bikers, and walkers is of utmost importance and we all must make personal adjustments to provide for the safety of all.. Respectfully, Page 2 of 2 Susan Weber 12885 Pierce road Saratoga, CA 95070 7/31/2006 Kristin Borel From: Cathleen Boyer Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 9:15 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Speed lumps on Pierce Rd - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Coleen Wagner [ mailto:irishcoleen @ comcast.net] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 9:19 AM To: irishcoleen @comcast.net Subject: Speed lumps on Pierce Rd I understand there will be a meeting this week to discuss the issue of the speed lumps on Pierce Rd. We live on the section of Pierce Rd that is affected by the speed lumps and the speeders. One piece of information I'd like you to have: I timed going from the beginning of Pierce up to Foothill at 45 mph before the bumps went in (an average speed during my 10+ years here). I timed it again after the lumps went in going 30 mph with slowing at the bumps. The difference was 10 seconds. I have to say that if someone hasn't got 10 seconds out of their day to be courteous and for other people's safety then they have bigger problems than any of us can deal with. The speed bumps have made a large difference in the safety and noise level on our part of the road. It no longer sounds like we live on a freeway and I can get in and out of my driveway without someone trying to run me over. I've seen my neighbors walk and not dart across the street to pick up their mail. I think once people learn how to drive the lumps a lot of the stop /start noise will abate. As for the honking - I do hope the tantrums abate as well. How can three small bumps and 10 seconds causes grown men to act like two year olds anyway? I certainly hope that the city council doesn't give in to a group of people who are concerned for a few seconds of their time over the safety of their neighbors. Thank you, Coleen and Joe Wagner Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Don Ichikawa [dichikawa1 @earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 11:10 AM To: Aileen Kao; Ann Waltonsmith; Kathleen King; Kristin Borel; Nick Streit; Norman Kline; John Cherbone Subject: FW: lumps letter copy of our draft for your computr To the Traffic Safety Commission & Saratoga City Council: We reside at 12289 Pierce Road, only five houses down from the intersection of Saratoga Sunnyvale Road. The speed lumps that were installed near our home have been a welcome deterrent to the speeding vehicles on our street. Even though we live such a short distance from Saratoga Sunnyvale Road, by the time traffic reaches our home, many vehicles are exceeding the speed limit making difficult to enter or exit our driveway. We have been tailgated, passed on the left, and even honked at as we slow down to turn into our driveway. Exiting our driveway can often be dangerous due to the speed of traffic. The speed lumps have now slowed the traffic in both directions making it much safer while driving, walking, or riding bikes. We request that the City of Saratoga keep the speed lumps as currently installed. If the City feels that they need to make some kind of change or compromise due to the concerns of others, perhaps a lower and wider speed lump could be installed. We have heard that the lower lumps would not bring the speed between the lumps to the desired 30 mph, but it seems that they would at least slow the traffic down to a safer speed. An example of this are the speed lumps on Elvira; those speed lumps are not as severe as the ones installed on Pierce Road. However, there may be issues concerning emergency vehicles with the lower and wider humps on our road since Pierce Road is more of a major throughfare. Whatever the city decides, something must be done to reduce the speed on Pierce Road. With the increase in traffic volume each year, the speeding problem becomes even more critical. We are hopeful that the City and neighbors can reach a solution that everyone can live with. Yours truly, Don & Jann Ichikawa 12889 Pierce Road Saratoga, CA 95070 7/31/2006 Kristin Borel From: Cathleen Boyer Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 9:26 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Speed lumps on Pierce Rd - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Norman Kline [mailto:kline @caspr.com] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 8:44 AM To: Cathleen Boyer; John Cherbone Subject: Fwd: Speed lumps on Pierce Rd Begin forwarded message: > From: Norman Kline <kline @caspr.com> > Date: July 31, 2006 8:43:10 AM PDT > To: Coleen Wagner <irishcoleen @comcast.net> > Subject: Re: Speed lumps on Pierce Rd > Dear Coleen and Joe, > Thanks for the email. I appreciate the time you spent > writing to me. > The staff and Traffic Safety commission is continuing to work > on this, but I'm pleased that you found their efforts > so far helping the situation. > Again, thanks for the input. It does make a difference. > Sincerely, > Norman Kline > Mayor, > City of Saratoga > On Jul 31, 2006, at 9:15 AM, Coleen Wagner wrote: >> Councilman Kline, >> I understand there will be a meeting this week to discuss the >> issue of the » speed lumps on Pierce Rd. We live on the section of Pierce Rd >> that is 1 >> affected by the speed lumps and the speeders. One piece of >> information I'd >> like you to have: I timed going from the beginning of Pierce up to >> Foothill >> at 45 mph before the bumps went in (an average speed during my 10 >> + years here). I timed it again after the lumps went in going 30 mph with >> slowing >> at the bumps. The difference was 10 seconds. I have to say that >> if someone >> hasn't got 10 seconds out of their day to be courteous and for other >> people's safety then they have bigger problems than any of us can >> deal with. >> The speed bumps have made a large difference in the safety and >> noise level >> on our part of the road. It no longer sounds like we live on a >> freeway and >> I can get in and out of my driveway without someone trying to run >> me over. >> I've seen my neighbors walk and not dart across the street to pick >> up their >> mail. I think once people learn how to drive the lumps a lot of the >> stop /start noise will abate. As for the honking - I do hope the >> tantrums >> abate as well. How can three small bumps and 10 seconds causes grown men to >> act like two year olds anyway? I certainly hope that the city >> council >> doesn't give in to a group of people who are concerned for a few >> seconds of >> their time over the safety of their neighbors. >> Thank you, >> Coleen and Joe Wagner Page 1 of 2 Kristin Borel From: Cathleen Boyer Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 10:24 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Pierce Road Speed Lumps From: Julie Daniel [mailto:julie @matrixcable.com] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 10:10 AM To: Nick Streit; Ann Waltonsmith; Kathleen King; Norm Kline; Aileen Kao; Dave Anderson; Cathleen Boyer Subject: Pierce Road Speed Lumps To the Saratoga City Council, I am a long time resident of Saratoga living on Pierce Rd. I am writing to let you know that I am in favor of the speed lumps installed on June 14. I became involved with TSC three years ago. I along with my neighbors we approached the commission to ask for help in the matter of the speeding along our stretch of Pierce Road. After speaking personally with many neighbors that I had never met before I learned that many of them had already met with the TSC for help in slowing traffic at the sharp bend at the end of the straight away in Pierce Rd. Because of the efforts of these neighbors we had white lines painted to create the feel of a more narrow road, more signage and bop dots. These solutions helped some. The TSC then helped us gain access to the speed trailer and the occasional Sheriff to write speeding situations. This helped temporarily. We were then recommended for the NTMP. We realized that to make any changes that were more then temporary we would need the formal program. It was very frustrating that.we would need to wait years for our turn in the cue considering that we had neighbors working with the TSC for a great many years. I realize that many people hate these speed lumps. I do think that the situation has been exaggerated greatly. I feel strongly that each of you needs to come out to our neighborhood and sit for ten or fifteen minutes and observe the flow traffic for yourselves. We are not experiencing the bottles necks occasionally created by a couscous few. I believe that most of our neighbors have adjusted their driving and figured out at what speed they can roll over the speed lumps. I have noticed that some drivers don't slow at all, they may take their foot off the accelerator, but they are not slowing. When we approached the TSC our observations were subjective, it felt unsafe and it seemed like people were speeding. The traffic survey .provided by the traffic engineer proved that is was in deed unsafe due to the high volume of excessive speeds. 4800 cars a day, many 0 11% innnc Page 2 of 2 traveling at 40 + mph. That information shocked all of us the meeting. At the meeting held on July 20 the traffic engineer reported that the follow up survey showed current speeds between the speed lumps at 29 and 30 mph. That is success, not subjectively but objectively. You all are welcome to come sit on our porch. We are at 12881 Pierce Rd, we are the fifth house on the right. Thank you for time and consideration in this matter. Julie Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Susan Weber [webersusan @comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 11:53 AM To: Nick Streit; Ann Waltonsmith; Kathleen King; Norm Kline; Aileen Kao; Dave Anderson; Cathleen Boyer Cc: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Traffic Dear Sirs, I am writing to you to express my support for maintaining the reduction of traffic speeds on Pierce Road that have been achieved by the recent actions of the Traffic Safety Commission and the city's traffic engineer. Speeds on Pierce Road were clearly excessive. The measurements made by the city contractor several years ago showed that there were approximately 4700 cars per day, with 15% of them exceeding 40 mph. This means that a car goes by every two minutes at a speed over 40 mph (often 45 -50 mph), the posted limit is 30 mph. This is a narrow, straight stretch of rural roadway with no shoulders, bike lanes or sidewalks and a lot of residential driveways and mailboxes. It is not safe to mix children, pedestrians an bicycles with cars and trucks going this fast. The city traffic engineer prescribed the currently installed "speed lumps" as a remedy. Subsequent to their installation new measurements show that the 85th percentile speed has been reduced to approximately 30 mph. It takes less than 15 seconds longer to reach the first corner at 30 mph than it does at 45 mph. Though I have no personal loyalty to this particular solution it has clearly achieved the desired result. Should some other residents find this solution inconvenient and desire a different remedy, I can accept that, providing the underlying problem is still addressed. It would be unconscionable for the city to remove the current solution (and reestablish a documented unsafe condition) without installing an alternative. Sincerely yours, Lynn Weber 12885 Pierce Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070 408 - 867 -6513 ellweber@comcast.net cc: Kristin Borel, Traffic Safety Commission Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Julie Daniel [Julie @matrixcable.coml Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 9:38 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Rd. Hello Kristin and Traffic Safety Commissioners, I think that it is imperative that you make a little time to visit Pierce Rd before making any further decisions. Chair person Bustamante did say at the meeting on the 20th that he had driven this section and turned around at Comer. I sit on my porch and observe that the flow of traffic is not coining to crawl as is perceived. I believe that situation is being greatly exaggerated. I realize that some people really hate these speed lumps but the reality is that they are working. The Traffic Engineer spaced these lumps perfectly to have achieved the desired speed along the street, 29 and 30 mph respectfully. We are at 12881 Pierce Rd, the 5th house on right and you are welcome to come by and sit with us and make your own observations. We can be reached at 867 -5017. Julie 8/2/2006 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Cathleen Boyer Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 9:12 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Pierce Rd From: MannDesign @aol.com [mailto:MannDesign @aol.com] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 4:45 PM To: Nick Streit; Ann Waltonsmith; Kathleen King; Norm Kline; Aileen Kao; Dave Anderson; Cathleen Boyer Subject: Pierce Rd Attn.: Council Members, As a resident and homeowner on Pierce Rd. I want to express my satisfaction for the slower traffic on our stretch of road. Where the solution may not be ideal, it is however doing what it was designed to do. I realize the inconvenience to some of the residents on upper Pierce, but that is not to the level of inconvenience and lack of safety for the residents on lower Pierce. The honking is not as bad as in the beginning, hopefully that will dissipate all together. I would like to reiterate that the street in Saratoga, Alba, has a perfectly designed speed bump. That may serve as a compromise to the situation. Please, lets not just return to status quo, that was not working.... Margeaux Mann Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Vita Bruno [vita_bruno @yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 9:54 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Speed Bumps Dear Ms. Borel, Please remove the speed bumps on Pierce Road. It does not make any sense to have 3 speed bumps in a 30 mile per hour zone on the straightest and widest part of Pierce Road. If anything, we need them near the Quarry Road Bridge where the road is narrow and windy. The damage that the bumps are causing to our cars (brakes and alignment) is unacceptable. Also, please cutback the trees ( or have the responsible homeowners do it) on the windy part of Pierce Road as it is very difficult to see oncoming traffic with all those overgrown bushes and trees. Regards, Vita Bruno 21970 Via Regina Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection. around http: / /mail.yahoo.com 7/31/2006 Kristin Borel From: Steven L. Mourning [slmourning @comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 8:55 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Speed Bumps Ms. Korbel: I am writing with respect to the speed bumps recently installed on Pierce Road. Because of my wife's ill health, I cannot attend the meeting on August 10th to discuss this matter and for that reason missed the earlier meeting on this subject. As a resident in the affected area I want to register my strong preference and desire that the speed bumps be removed as soon as possible. They are an obnoxious over - reaction to the problems we have experienced on Pierce Road and, as you would with any cure worse than its causation, they should be eliminated. Were.they not intentionally placed by the city, they surely would be considered an immediate danger to drivers and worthy of emergency repair! In addition to the general disruption and unnecessary inconvenience the bumps cause, they present a special problem for my family. Both my wife and I have health problems that cause us to have painful backs. Even at less than ten miles an hour and in a car renowned for its ability to reduce road irregularities into a smooth ride, going over those huge bumps causes both of us unnecessary pain. We simply don't need or want those bumps or any other impediment to our lawful transit of the street in front of our home. We recognize that there are speeders on Pierce Road as there are on any straight stretch of road at times when there is no traffic. Law enforcement would be a much more appropriate , constraint on those scofflaws than inconveniencing everyone and causing pain to those of us so situated. Those of us who drive within the speed limit should not suffer because some don't. Further, I would note that all the homes on the part of Pierce Road burdened with these inappropriate obstacles are set back from the road so that moderate speeders present no danger to the residents and any assertion to the contrary is, as are the speed bumps, an over - reaction. To my knowledge there are no young toddlers resident on the street and all the backyards are fenced offering protection for pets and children. Speeding should not be condoned, but without some actual evidence that it is a special danger to all of us, the constraint of speeding shouldn't cause us all so much annoyance and discomfort. Recently, my wife had to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The driver noted, as he left, that he feared — as a cause of pain for her — more than anything else on his way to Stanford Medical Center, the speed bumps on our own road. This is an intolerable situation and a government dedicated to our happiness and free transit would not continue to place such obstacles in our path. Thank you for being the person to whom we can communicate our thoughts on this matter. SLM Steven L. Mourning, FAHP 12929 Pierce Road, Saratoga, CA 95070 Phone: (408) 867 -3095 W Facsimile: (408) 867 -1820 slmourning(cD comcast. net Please Note: The information in this E -mail message may be legally privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the 1 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Hiniangtan @comcast.net Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 12:43 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Regarding the Pierce Road's 3 Lumps - What a Pain ! Dear Kristin: I missed the July meeting since I was traveling in and could not voted the " Opposed " vote to the 3 Lumps in Piere Road. . Not sure whose idea at the first place ? Live in Saratog for almose 20 years in Saratoga and all of sudden have those 3 Lumps in the Pierce Road - What a schocking road to drive through daily. If we don't want people Speeding then have the camera to take all the picatures or ask Policeman sit in the Pierce Road to give all the tickets what ever they wanted will be greatly appreciated. Now we need to find another Road to drive home in order to avoid the 3 Lumps in the Pierce road which is ridiculous to seek but that was our friends told us - Come to your house is such a painful experience now ! Our Family all voted " Opposed the Lumps 1. Hiniang Tan ( Helen Tan) 2. Ken -Sue Tan 3. Jackson Tan 4. Irene Tan 13405 Surrey Lane Saratoga, CA. 95070 Tel:(408)967 -6907 Cel: (408)666 -2498 I will try to show up for the August 10th meeting just need to know where is the meeting will be held will be great. Best regards, Hiniang Tan (Helen) E -mail address: Hiniangtan@Comcast.net Cell(408)666 -2498 7/31/2006 Kristin Borel From: Norman Kline [kline @caspr.com] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 8:49 AM To: Susan Weber Cc: Nick Streit; Ann Waltonsmith; Kathleen King; Aileen Kao; Dave Anderson; Cathleen Boyer; Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Pierce Road Traffic Dear Lynn, Thanks for the email regarding Pierce Road. The city staff and Traffic Safety Commission will continue to monitor and study the situation, but I am pleased that you think their efforts so far have helped the situation. Most residents I have heard from believe the speed 'lumps' have achieved their goal. Again, thank you for taking the time to email the council and I hope to hear from you in the future. Sincerely, Norman Kline Mayor, City of Saratoga On Jul 30, 2006, at 11:53 AM, Susan Weber wrote: > Dear Sirs, > I am writing to you to express my support for maintaining the > reduction of traffic speeds on Pierce Road that have been achieved by > the recent actions of the Traffic Safety Commission and the city's > traffic engineer. > Speeds on Pierce Road were clearly excessive. The measurements made > by the city contractor several years ago showed that there were > approximately 4700 cars per day, with 15% of them exceeding 40 mph. > This means that a car goes by every two minutes at a speed over 40 mph > (often 45 -50 mph), the posted limit is 30 mph. This is a narrow, > straight stretch of rural roadway with no shoulders, bike lanes or > sidewalks and a lot of residential driveways and mailboxes. It is not > safe to mix children, pedestrians an bicycles with cars and trucks > going this fast. > The city traffic engineer prescribed the currently installed "speed > lumps" as a remedy. Subsequent to their installation new measurements > show that the 85th percentile speed has been reduced to approximately > 30 mph. It takes less than 15 seconds longer to reach the first > corner at 30 mph than it does at 45 mph. Though I.have no personal > loyalty to this particular solution it has clearly achieved the > desired result. > Should some other residents find this solution inconvenient and desire > a, different remedy, I can accept that, providing the underlying > problem is still addressed. It would be unconscionable for the city > to remove the current solution (and reestablish a documented unsafe > condition) without installing an alternative. > Sincerely yours, > Lynn Weber > 12885 Pierce Rd. > Saratoga, CA 95070 > 408 - 867 -6513 > ellweber @comcast.net > cc: Kristin Borel, Traffic Safety Commission 12890 Pierce Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070 July 28, 2006 Mr. Norman Kline, Mayor Ms Aileen Kao, Vice Mayor Ms Ann Waltonsmith, Ms Kathleen King, Mr. Nick Streit, Council members Dear Mayor and Council members, I am writing in support of the speed humps on Pierce Road. In 2003, I became involved in the process that led to the implementation of the speed humps. In the 14 years that I have lived on Pierce Road I have seen an increase in the speed of the vehicles traveling this road, and a dangerous traffic situation developing. My neighbors and I approached the Traffic Safety Commission with our concerns. The Commission listened to our issue, and studied the traffic patterns on our street. They identified that a serious safety issue did exist: 85% of the 4000 plus cars were traveling at speeds up to 40 mph, in a 30 mph zone. Consequently, 600 plus cars per day were traveling in a residentially dense area in excess of 40 mph. For our children, the safe ingress and egress of our driveways, the recreational bicyclists and our pets and wildlife, this was a serious concern. The commission implemented several strategies to lower speeds. A police officer was stationed in front of our homes during busy traffic hours to cite offenders. A mobile radar trailer clocked the excesses of speed by the passing vehicles for weeks on end. A series of signs indicating road hazards and speed limits were posted. None of these implementations were successful in reducing the speed of the vehicles and a serious safety issue remained. Our neighborhood applied for the NTMP.program through the Traffic Safety Commission. As our neighborhood was third in cue for an intervention, we patiently waited. When the NTMP program was cancelled, we again approached the Traffic Safety Commission for assistance. After careful consideration of our situation again, they offered the speed hump implementation. These humps were carefully chosen by the City Traffic Engineer, to allow emergency vehicles to access the streets above Pierce Road. Similar humps are used successfully in Morgan Hill and along Monterey Road. The engineer's decision to place three, carefully spaced humps was based on speed, traffic patterns and other considerations. To the Commission's credit, a follow -up study showed that the 85% tile speed was reduced from 40 mph to near 30 mph. Volume was similar to the previous study, between 4000 -5000 cars in 24 hour period. The residents, recreational users of the road and others who value the safety of our streets commend the Commission for achieving the stated goal: compliance with the posted speed limit. It is clear that the traffic humps are not popular among users of the road. Safety, however, should not be a popularity contest. Seatbelt laws, helmets, crosswalk laws and other safety implementations do not exist for the convenience of a few, but for the safety of many. The Traffic Safety Commission acknowledged that modification to the humps is possible and achievable. They are committed to studying this design and recommending improvements. Any decision for modification should take into full consideration the Gateway improvements to Saratoga - Sunnyvale /Pierce intersection, and other possible interventions on the upper ends of Pierce Road. Pierce Road is an unusual street which will require further thoughtful, deliberate decisions. We urge the Council to support the Traffic Safety Commission in studying improvements to the humps while they remain in place. Removal of one or more humps at this point would be arbitrary and capricious. Replacing a successful intervention, albeit unpopular, with proven unsuccessful alternatives such as stationary radar and periodic police presence is regressive, irresponsible and dangerous. It would be libelous and morally reprehensible for the City to identify a serious traffic problem, take steps to successfully remedy it only then remove these safety precautions. As a physician, I have had the unfortunate duty of pronouncing a child dead following a traffic accident attributed to a speeding vehicle. With 600 cars traveling a densely populated area in excess of 40 mph, we should acknowledge the Commission's sound action before such a tragedy befalls our community. Above all else, our Council owes its constituents and citizens a safe community. Removal of any of the humps now is unsafe and unnecessary. I urge you to support the actions of the Traffic Safety Commission in studying modification options of the speed humps while they remain in place. Adjustment to any new change takes time, and we have seen a marked decrease in driver frustrations with the bumps over the past weeks. This is not the time to remove the humps or take drastic, reactionary steps. Traffic is currently flowing at the posted speed limit, and we are all becoming accustomed to their presence. I hope that the Council will respect the long history of speeding that the residents have endured, respect the patient processes in which we have sought change, and respect the Traffic Safety Commission's commitment to fine tune the situation with careful study and thought. Thank you for your time and consideration. Very truly yours, David K. Trager, M.D. Page 1 of 2 Kristin Borel From: John Cherbone Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 10:19 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Pierce Road Speed Lumps From: Nick Streit [mailto:NStreit @cpa- online.com] Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 5:41 PM To: John Cherbone Subject: FW: Pierce Road Speed Lumps From: Amanda McCollum [ mailto :giantsgirl4life @yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 7:12 PM To: Nick Streit; awaltonsmith @saratoga.ca.us; kk2king @saratoga.ca.us; kline @caspr.com; akao @saratoga.ca.us; davea @saratoga.ca.us; ctclerk @saratoga.ca.us Subject: Re: Pierce Road Speed Lumps Dear Council Members, I am a Saratoga resident living in the thick of the Pierce Road speed lump controversy. I cannot say enough about how helpful the lumps have been at slowing down traffic and giving our neighborhood a much safer feel. I am blown away by the selfishness of some of my neighbors in regards to the bumps (i.e. complaints about coffee spilling while driving over the lumps) and truly hope that their egotistical motivations will not result in the speed lumps being removed. Thank you so much for your effort in the much needed solution to speeding on Pierce Road. Sincerely, Amanda L. McCollum Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail Beta. Circular 230 Notice: IRS regulations, as well as many states, require us to advise you that, unless otherwise specifically noted, any tax advice in this communication (including any attachments, enclosures, or other accompanying materials) was not intended or written to be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax - related penalties imposed under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or any other applicable state or local tax law provision; furthermore,this communication was not intended or written to support the promoting, marketing or recommending of any of the transactions or matters it addresses. This message is intended for the sole use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Dave Stellman [dave. @paloaltoglass.com] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 7:56 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Pierce Road Speed Bumps Kristin, Thanks for the reply. This is good news; we are very glad to hear that the TSC will consider removing these temporary bumps at the August 10th meeting until a better solution can be determined. Am I correct in assuming that e-mail opinions being sent in are forwarded on to the TSC to help them decide what is in the best interest of the majority of homeowners on Pierce Road? If so I think it would be a good idea for us to inform our neighbors of your address so that they can voice their opinion before the August 10th meeting. Thanks for your time, Dave & Michelle Stellman Bump 3 - - - -- Original Message - - - -- From: Kristin Bore[ To: Dave Stellman Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 1:16 PM Subject: RE: Pierce Road Speed Bumps Hi Dave, At the August 10th meeting we will be discussing other sections of Pierce Road. The only decision on August 10 will be if the TSC wants to remove the bumps until the permanent solution is decided on August 24th Please call me if you have questions about this. It is confusing. Feel free to give my phone number to anyone who needs clarification. Sincerely, Kristin 868 -1258 From: Dave Stellman [mailto:dave @paloaltoglass.com] Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 8:24 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Speed Bumps Kristin, Can you clarify the August 10th traffic meeting? I am hearing conflicting reports from neighbors; some heard that this meeting is only to address upper Pierce Road issues, and other have heard that there will also be a decision made on modification / relocation of the bumps already installed. Am I hoping the latter is correct; it is starting to get a little ugly with the honkers and screamers. Dave & Michelle Stellman Bump 3 7/31/2006 City of Saratoga Public Works Department MEMO TO: Traffic Safety Commissioners FROM: Kristin Borel DATE: August 10, 2006 RE: Additional Emails Attached please find the additional emails that have arrived since the one's I nd sent on August 2 Kristin Borel From: John E. Keenan (john @ald.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 9:04 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Speed Bumps on Pierce Rd. Kristin, Thank you for the notice. I will try to be there. If you are counting noses, I still remain adamantly opposed to speed bumps. A couple of thoughts occurred to me after the meeting. 1) If you look at the houses on the north side of Prospect Rd., the configuration of their driveways, yards and houses are not much different from Pierce Rd and yet the speed limit is 40. Why is 40 OK there and so dangerous on Pierce. 2) The traffic engineer said that accident history on Pierce is no different than anywhere else and yet many of the locals testified about 'how dangerous' it was. That facts don't bear that out. The chairman of the PSC said they were being 'pro active' in addressing the safety issue. Is that political speak for 'we want to do it even though the evidence isn't there'? 3) When these concerned folks bought their houses on Pierce, what was the average speed? I've lived on Mt. Eden for 30 years and haven't noticed any significant difference in speed over those years. So if it was so dangerous then, why did they buy there? Thanks for listening to me rant and rave. john Kristin Borel wrote: >John, > I am writing to everyone who contacted me about the Pierce Road Speed > Bumps to tell them that the Traffic Safety Commission will be meeting > on August 24th, at 6:30 pm in the Senior Center, Adult Day Care Room > at > 19655 Allendale, to make a decision about an alternative traffic > calming option for Pierce Road. > I am sorry if this is redundant and you already received a notice in > the mail or a voice mail message. > Sincerely, > Kristin Borel > Public Works Analyst > 408 - 868 -1258 > - - - -- Original Message---- - > From: John E. Keenan [mailto:john @ald.com] > Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 20061:23 PM > To: Kristin Borel > Cc: John Cherbone; Dave Anderson > Subject: RE: Speed Bumps on Pierce Rd. > Kristin, > Thank you for keeping me informed and for this ad hoc meeting. I > would suggest that you include the people that use Pierce Rd. everyday > as well... > Mt. Eden and it's feeder streets. > I know that this might cost our city more postage, but I think it's > only fair to tell the people that must suffer with these things in > addition to those who benefit. Another suggestion would be to notice > this meeting with a sign in the area of the speed bumps. > I will be there on July 20th. > Regards, > John E. Keenan > Advanced Logical Design, Inc. > 12280 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Rd. > Suite 203 > Saratoga, CA 95070 > (408) 446 -1004 > (408) 446 -1079 fax > john @ald.com > www.ald.com > - - - -- Original Message---- - > From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] > Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 200612:03 PM > To: john @ald.com > Subject: RE: Speed Bumps on Pierce Rd. > John, > We will be holding a special meeting about the speed bumps on Pierce > Road. > I have pasted in a letter that I sent out to residents on Pierce Road > about the meeting this month. Please come to this meeting and voice > your concerns. I will be forwarding all the emails to the Traffic > Engineer and the Traffic Safety Commission. > Sincerely, > Kristin Borel > Public Works Analyst > 408 - 868 -1258 > RE: Review of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road > Dear Resident: Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: TresDudes [tresdudes @comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 12:27 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: [SPAM EMAIL] Pierce Road "lumps" Importance: Low Ms. Borel, In regards to the speed bumps that were installed on Pierce Road, would it be possible to have permanent ones made (like those by Reid & Canyon View)? Those would seem more suspension friendly and get the job done too. Thanks for everything you're doing on this headache. Regards, Kelly Berman 13360 Surrey Lane 0/1 A/,) nn,< CO-A Ctl� Kristin Borel From: cchidlow @att.net Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 10:59 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Hello Kristin, Thank you for the letters updating us on the developments relating to Pierce Road. We live at 13534 Old Oak Way and would like to add an opinion to your tally since we have to use pierce each day. First opinion: The speed bumps are posted as 15 mph however if our cars were traveling at that speed our heads would hit the roof. For us they are closer to a 5 mph bump. This is poor signage or speed bump implementation and appears to be making motorists more distracted to pedestrians. Second, as a runner and walker, I find that Pierce lacks shoulder space to accommodate bikes and pedestrians. This makes the speed of vehicles an issue however, I've seen close calls with slow vehicles too. Why not make some effort to cut back vegetation and perhaps add a little paving to the shoulder for the bikes and pedestrians. Having the street sweeping guys to do a better edge job would also help. If there was just an extra 1 -2 feet of consistent space, it would be safer for everyone. Finally, why don't you use the trailerable radar speed signs on Pierce? They seem effective on the Los Gatos Saratoga road. Thanks for attempting to make Pierce a friendlier road. Regards, Craig Chidlow Kristin Borel From: Frank Schneider [fchneider @ion.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 11:39 AM To: Kristin Borel Cc: nanpris @comcast.net Subject: RE: Speed bumps on Pierce road Dear Kristin: Thank you for the "heads up" notification of the 8/24 meeting. As of this moment, it is unclear if either my wife or I will be able to attend. We are long time residents of Pierce road. Our section of the road is relatively straight, but beyond that area where the speed bumps are currently installed. Traffic may be moving somewhat slower near my house and is not a problem. We appreciate the rural character of Pierce road and support the 30 MPH speed limit even though I occasionally find that I am exceeding that limit. I do not want speed bumps in front of my house, especially the type which are currently on Pierce road. These are an extreme and unimaginative way to control traffic only slightly better than closing the road completely. As I have previously suggested, a radar controlled camera set at 40 MPH would solve the problem with minimal disruption. If a camera is too high tech. for our current traffic commission, speed bumps like those on McFarland Ave., slow traffic but permit crossing the bump at. a more realistic speed than the "stop and inch across" that is required by what is now on Pierce road. We encourage our civic leaders, especially those on the traffic commission, to be practical and use common sense to address traffic control on Pierce road. The current speed bumps are an over reaction to a situation that was never a serious problem. Frank W. Schneider Priscilla B. Schneider 13291 Pierce Road Saratoga "Kristin Borel" <kborel @saratoga. ca.us> To "Frank Schneider" 08/09/2006 09:50 <fschneider@ion.com> AM cc Subject RE: Speed bumps on Pierce road Frank, I am writing to everyone who contacted me about the Pierce Road Speed Bumps to tell them that the Traffic Safety Commission will be meeting on August 24th, at 6:30 pm in the Senior Center, Adult Day Care Room at 19655 Allendale, to make a decision about an alternative traffic calming option for Pierce Road. I am sorry if this is redundant and you already received a notice in the mail or a voice mail message. Sincerely, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Frank Schneider [mailto:fschneider @ion.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 200610:11 PM To: blfrank @gmail.com Cc: Kristin Borel; nanpris @comcast.net Subject: Fw: Speed bumps on Pierce road Dear Mr. Frank: Today I received your letter of July 18 regarding changes you propose for Pierce road. I have been a long time resident of Pierce road, but I disagree with almost everything you propose. Pierce road is a rustic country road. If you wanted sidewalks, bike lanes, and same side mail delivery, you should have bought a home in a different neighborhood. I can't imagine children at play on or near Pierce road. Your comment that the speed bumps "has had an tremendous positive impact on traffic flow" is an interesting interpretation of the word "flow" as must be your definition of "safety" that is associated with stopping three times in a quarter of a mile and swerving so a low suspension doesn't scrape on the speed bump. The posted speed limit is 30 mph which is reasonable, and I wish it were obeyed. In my note to Ms. Borel (below), I have proposed two practical solutions to maintaining both the speed limit and the rustic character of the road. I hope you'll discontinue your efforts to make Pierce road look like most sub - division streets and adopt my proposals (especially the camera) which will address the excessive speed without disrupting the flow of traffic. Regards, Frank W. Schneider 13291 Pierce Road Page 1 of 3 Kristin Borel From: Deborah Williams [deborahwilliams @cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 12:14 PM To: Kristin Borel Cc: 'Phil Williams' Subject: RE: Placement of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Kristin, I will be in San Diego and cannot attend the August 24th meeting, however, I would like the following statement reflecting my assessment to be read, recorded, and counted as opposing any thing even remotely close to speed bumps on Pierce Road. STATEMENT: My husband and I have lived in Saratoga for over 17 years and over 10 in our current location. In all this time, I am unaware of any accidents along the first mile from Highway 9 (Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road) on Pierce Road where the speed bumps are being considered. I am aware of trees falling and blocking the roadway and blown transformers annually creating major problems for homeowners, but I am unaware of any problems speeders may be causing homeowners on Pierce Road. I have witnessed speeding cars along Pierce, but I have never seen any that pose any problems. The city (and complaining homeowners) seem to be spending a lot of time on a POTENTIAL problem, and not enough on REAL problems currently causing homeowner problems. Has the city considered raising the speed limit on Pierce Road? If that many drivers are speeding, this would tell me that perhaps the speed limit is set too low. If there have been automobile accidents, or automobile and pedestrian or bike accidents then perhaps the current speed limit needs to be enforced, however, I am not convinced this is the case. I personally have received one traffic violation on Pierce Road in my 10+ years living off Pierce Road, and I can tell you I was driving safely (5 miles over speed limit) and if there were other cars or pedestrians (I rarely see either) neither would have been in any danger of an accident. The events at the Winery are the only events that I see generating a lot of traffic on Pierce Road, and even these present no problem other than minor inconvenience. I personally live in a location (off Padero) where I must enter Pierce Road from an intersection where there is a blind curve. Even here, where speeding cars present the biggest danger or problem on Pierce, I have not heard of an accident or even heard a complaint from my neighbors. Even with this potential danger or problem, I am not suggesting the speed limit be lowered or speed bumps considered. The majority of these requests generally come from new parents with small children. I have never seen children other than teens even walking along Pierce, and if this is the reason the bumps are being considered, I respectfully ask that this be re- considered. Speed bumps are not substitute for good parenting or a substitute for pedestrian or bicycle safety. The temporary speed bumps that have been installed, are a real problem for me, and a major irritation and inconvenience. I have never talked to a reasonable or rational adult in any of my home locations that support speed bumps. I also have never seen speed bumps considered where they were actually justified, other than in parking lots, huge public gathering places with heavy walking traffic, or congested areas where other solutions are not possible. Rather than spend any more time on this issue, I would suggest putting it on the ballot and let all the homeowners, rather than just the current small special interest group, determine whether speed bumps should be considered. If there is truly a threat for pedestrians or bike riders, I would suggest that sidewalks and bike paths are a better and more suitable solution; regardless of the cost. Saratoga is an affluent community, and I suggest Saratoga should set a good example, and install a more permanent lasting solution that does not single out automobile drivers as the problem on Pierce Road. I suggest it is rather poor planning and pedestrian and bike traffic were never considered or planned and speed bumps is not an acceptable solution for these issues. Respectively, 8/9/2006 Page 2 of 3 Mrs. Deborah Williams 21272 Chiquita Way Saratoga, CA 95070 deborahwilliams @cox.net From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 11:30 AM To: Deborah Williams Subject: RE: Placement of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Deborah, I am writing to everyone who contacted me about the Pierce Road Speed Bumps to tell them that the Traffic Safety Commission will be meeting on August 24th , at 6:30 pm in the Senior Center, Adult Day Care Room at 19655 Allendale, to make a decision about an alternative traffic calming option for Pierce Road. I am sorry if this is redundant and you already received a notice in the mail or a voice mail message. Sincerely, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 From: Deborah Williams [mailto:deborahwilliams @cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 1:47 PM To: Kristin Borel Cc: 'Phil Williams' Subject: Placement of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst City of Saratogga 13777 Fruitvare Avenue Saratoga, CA 92081 Dear Kristin: I received your letter indicating sppeed bumps that are being placed on Pierce Road. I have owned my property on Chiquifa Way for 13 years and have been a member of the Saratoga community for many more years than I've owned this property. I was unaware of the speed bump considerations until after a decision had been made. You asked if I have further questions, and I would like to know what other measures were considered? I would also like to determine if the people who complained about the speeding are representative of the entire Pierce Road community. Typically the squeaky wheel is seldom representing the community as a whold. I personally have to use Pierce Road to gain access to my home, and I am FIRMLY AGAINST any and all speed bumps on Pierce Road. Have there been multiple accidents on Pierce as a direct result of speeding? If not, then I don't feel these complaints are justified. Has anyone determined if possibly the speed limit should be increased? Were additional stop siqns considered before speed bumps? Page 3 of 3 Is the city going to be responsible for any damage to my car as a result of the speed bumps? As this impacts ALL drivers on Pierce Road all residents who live on Pierce Road, and all residents who can only access their homes by driving on Pierce Road, I believe the needs of the community would be better served by putting this type of action on the ballot and let the entire community take part in this decision. It is my experience that once these are installed, it will take an act of God an act of Congress, or more money than I have available to have the speed bumps removed. Unless there is overwhelmingg evidence indicating this is the only viable solution, I suggest the city should quit serving small special interest . groups and begin to address the need of the entire community. I'd be willing to bet if this were on the ballot, it would be rejected by an overwhelming majority of votes. Regards, 8/9/2006 Kristin Borel From: landpc [landpc2002 @yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 1:44 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Speed Bumps Thank you for the message. Could I ask a favor? You forwarded my thoughts to the last meeting. Could I add something new for the next meeting? I've noticed that people are not going over the bumps at 15mph as the sign says. Many are going over at much less than 5mph! Many come to a complete stop before creeping over. This causes a backup of many cars all creeping over the bumps. I am sure that an average speed of 10 -15mph for this stretch of road was not the original intention. Thank you, Kristin. - -- Kristin Borel <kborel @saratoga.ca.us> wrote: > Laurence, > I am writing to everyone who contacted me about the Pierce Road Speed > Bumps to tell them that the Traffic Safety Commission will be meeting > on August 24th, at 6:30 pm in the Senior Center, Adult Day Care Room > at > 19655 Allendale, to make a decision about an alternative traffic > calming option for Pierce Road. > I am sorry if this is redundant and you already received a notice in > the mail or a voice mail message. > Sincerely, > Kristin Borel > Public Works Analyst > 408 - 868 -1258 > - - - -- Original Message---- - > From: landpc [mailto:landpc2002 @yahoo.com] > Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 200610:15 AM > To: Kristin Borel > Subject: Speed Bumps > Kristin, > I can't make it to the meeting but I live on Pierce and these speed > bumps are a pain!! Thanks for taking these questions to the > Commission. Please have the Commission answer these questions: > 1) If the idea is to slow traffic why not put bumps on ALL streets in > Saratoga ?! Why just Pierce Road? Sure they'll say "Oh Pierce is a > speed zone, etc... "... > Then put a Cop there more often and increase City revenue!! > B)I can't believe that Pierce is that much worse than any other street > in Saratoga! Speeders are speeders! > If they can justify THREE bumps on Pierce then they can justify them > on many other streets! Cox, Saratoga Avenue, Highway 9, etc.. (Let's > become "Speed Bump City "! We'll become the laughing -stock of the > Valley... taking the title away from Cupertino!) > 3) Why 3 bumps in less than 1/4 mile ?! Why not 5 ?! > or > 7 ?! Slow everyone down to a crawl if that is the plan! > D) What about the extra pollution from slowing every car down to 5 > mph! Reducing gas mileage even a little on hundreds of cars a day! The > amount of extra pollution and reduced mileage per car is small but it > is not zero! Multiplied by hundreds of cars a day, > 365 > days a year,... This has to be a large problem! Has this even been > addressed? > Thanks, Kristin. > Laurence Clifford > 12985 Pierce Road > Speed Bump City, CA > 408 -507 -9553 > landpc2002 @yahoo.com > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http: / /mail.yahoo.com Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http: / /mail.yahoo.com Kristin Borel From: Suzanne Sullivan [suzannesullivan @mac.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 8:41 AM To: Kristin Borel Cc: Godfrey Sullivan Subject: Pls remove speed bumps Kristen, We are out of town in Tahoe this week, but wanted to send you our input for the Traffic Safety meeting on August 10. Our family lives at 13370 Pierce Rd. which is at the corner of Pierce and Surrey lane. We have lived here for 13 years and during that time have seen a significant increase in traffic along with the speed at which people travel on this road. For years we have been concerned with the speed that people drive on this narrow populated road. It is dangerous to walk or ride a bike when people are racing down Pierce road to get to school or work. We frequently pull a horse trailer and it can be treacherous to manuever around the speeding cars who come flying around corners into your lane. Basically, Pierce Rd. was not built to support the level of traffic that currently use it. We have always supported efforts to slow down traffic on Pierce. However, we are dismayed with the method chosen. The recently installed speed bumps slow down traffic on a small portion of the road and they are a very poor design and difficult to manuever. They cannot be good for a car's alignment and traffic backs up as you must slow down to less than 5 miles an hour to go over them. So for the stretch where they are located traffic comes to an annoying crawl and then speeds back up again. Our recommendation would be to remove the speed bumps and consider something that has more uniform applicability to slow traffic. We think the speed limit should be uniformly lowered to 25 mph and a speed camera that issues speeding tickets should be considered. Another option would be to install a machine that shows your speed (like the one on highway 9 before town) and what the actual speed should be. Sincerely, Suzanne and Godfrey Sullivan Kristin Borel From: Godfrey Sullivan [Godfrey_Sullivan @hyperion.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 8:46 AM To: Suzanne Sullivan; Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Pls remove speed bumps Hi Kristen, Please add my vote to Suzanne's suggestion below. A speed indicator or speed camera, along with a reduction of the speed limit to 25mph would solve things. As you probably know, lot's of folks take the Pierce Road "shortcut" from Big Basin to Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, and they are always trying to shave minutes off their commute from the mountains. The speed bumps don't fix this problem, while a speed camera most definitely would. Best, godfrey Hyperion Logo Godfrey Sullivan PRESIDENT &z CEO 5450 GREAT AMERICA PARKWAY, SANTA CLARA, CA 95054 408.496.7775 / 408.496.7810 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Suzanne Sullivan [mailto:suzannesulhvan @mac.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 8:41 AM To: kborel @saratoga.ca.us Cc: Godfrey Sullivan Subject: Pls remove speed bumps Kristen, We are out of town in Tahoe this week, but wanted to send you our input for the Traffic Safety meeting on August 10. Our family lives at 13370 Pierce Rd. which is at the corner of Pierce and Surrey lane. We have lived here for 13 years and during that time have seen a significant increase in traffic along with the speed at which people travel on this road. For years we have been concerned with the speed that people drive on this narrow populated road. It is dangerous to walk or ride a bike when people are racing down Pierce road to get to school or work. We frequently pull a horse trailer and it can be treacherous to manuever around the speeding cars who come flying around corners into your lane. Pagel of 2 Kristin Borel From: Lynn Weber [ellweber @comcast.net] Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 12:47 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Traffic Safety Commission meeting on Pierce Road Thanks Kristen, I think our points are relevant to both meetings and regret we will be unable to attend. We are particularly concerned that the commission would consider restoring an unsafe condition, even temporarily, as a reaction to complaints by residents that are merely inconvenienced. This would be a most unfortunate path to follow. Once the current lumps are removed we will again have an unsafe condition that could again take a very long time to correct. Lynn Kristin Borel wrote: Lynn & Susan, Thank you for your input. The Traffic Safety Commission will be meeting on August 24th at 6:30 pm in the Senior Center at 19655 Allendale, to make a decision about an alternative traffic calming option for Pierce Road. I will forward your email to the TSC and the Traffic Engineer. At the regularly scheduled TSC meeting on August 10th, the Commission will review whether or not to remove the speed bumps on Pierce until an alternative solution can be decided upon at the August 24th Special Meeting. (same time and location as above). Sincerely, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 From: Lynn Weber [ma i Ito: ellweber @comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2006 1:46 PM To: Kristin Borel Page 2 of 2 Subject: Traffic Safety Commission meeting on Pierce Road Hi Kristen, We received your recent letter regarding the Pierce Road situation and wanted to respond as prior commitments will preclude our attending the meeting this Thursday, August 10th. Please pass these thoughts along to the Traffic Safety Commission. • Clearly there are a lot more residents (and others) that use Pierce Road than there are residents that live along the stretch that is being discussed. Therefore, it is not unexpected that there would be a larger number of opponents to the traffic calming initiative. • The currently installed speed lumps have been in place for about 8 weeks. The traffic engineer predicted a three month adjustment period, though the level of angry response by passing motorists has already diminished greatly. Shouldn't a reasonable amount of time be allowed before reacting? • These changes were put in place in response to a documented, measured unsafe condition. It makes no sense to return to that unsafe condition prior to'being ready to install an alternative measure that is expected to achieve the same result. Thank you and best regards, Lynn and Susan Weber 12885 Pierce Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 867 -6513 el lweber@comcast.netroad Page 1 of 2 Kristin Borel From: WILLIAM BICKENBACH [will iambickenbach @sbcglobal.net] Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 2:30 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: [SPAM EMAIL] Pierce Rd. Speed Bumps; Input For 10 August Meeting Importance: Low To Ms. Kristin Borel, This letter is being written in response to a flyer I received in my mail box regarding a Traffic Commission Meeting on 10 August, specifically addressing the temporary speed bumps currently installed on the lower Pierce Rd. We have lived on Pierce Rd. for 30 years and I'm the first to acknowledge that we do have cars that exceed the speed limit, usually late in the evening. I believe that the people traveling at excessive speeds do not live on Pierce Rd or any of the connecting streets, they are passing through. The solution to speeding motorists is law enforcement. I assume that if the police do not patrol a particular road, they do not consider that road at risk from speeders. I haven't seen the police out on Pierce Road for some time. Do they think we have a problem? Initially I thought that bumps may have been a good solution, now I am not sure. Pro's for Speed Bumps Other than SUV's, bumps force everyone to slow down Con's against Speed Bumps 1. Bumps penalize everyone, a very small percentage of the cars exceed 40 mph on Pierce Rd 2. People try to avoid the bumps by driving off to the side of the road 3. Anger becomes a factor, which leads to irrational behavior 4. Bumps are a potential source for rear end accidents 5. Cars with low clearances run the risk of damage to mufflers, even at slow speeds I recommend that the bumps be removed and other alternatives be studied before considering bumps again. Possible Alternatives I. Have the police do their job, patrol and enforce the speed limit on Pierce Rd. 2. Consider changing the speed limit to 25 mph, reinforce with police enforcement. 3. Install a stop sign at Paramount 4. Use the "radar" signs on Pierce Rd that read out your actual speed compared to the posted speed limit 5. If you have to use bumps, install fewer sets of a short duration I'm not a big fan of another stop sign but would support that over speed bumps. Additionally, the CHP has basically said that they ticket when people exceed the speed limit by 10 mph (on the freeway). Page 2 of 2 Some carry this rule to residential streets. A posted 25 mph would potentially result in some cars traveling at 30 — 35 mph. Most of the lots on Pierce Rd. have large back yards for children; there is no reason why small children should be playing in the front of their houses so even 30 — 35 mph should be a safe speed. Summary Nothing that you do will make everyone happy, one thing is for certain however, your decision to install bumps on Pierce Rd. has made more people angry than ever before. Regards, W.K. Bickenbach 8/7/2006 Page 1 of 2 Kristin Borel From: Brian Frank [BFrank @ariba.com] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 11:23 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Aug 10 TSC Agenda Kristin: I wanted to drop you a note with the names of the people who could not be present at the July 20th meeting, but who wanted to indicate their support for keeping the speed lumps, in one form or another. We certainly do not think they should be removed between now and August 24th. Many of them may have contacted you directly as well: Brian and Sheri Frank Sylvia and Bill Bickenbach Steve and Robin Atherton Robin and Ken Koenig Dr. Michael and Ann -Thi Burry Devang & Sunita Shah Dorothy and John Terrill Jocelyn and Mike Osier Chin -Lang Jan Bill Thomas ....................... ............................... 0 0 0 0 a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0• Thanks for your continued support! Brian From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 11:14 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Aug 10 TSC Agenda Dear All, Here is a copy of the Agenda for the Traffic Safety Commission meeting to be held on: Thursday, August 10th at 6:30 pm Senior Center Adult Care Room 19655 Allendale Avenue There are a lot of items on the Agenda, so the meeting will take several hours. Please let me know if you have any questions. Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Dorothy Terrill [dotterrill @comcast.net] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 7:44 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Aug 10 TSC Agenda Dear Kristin: Thanks for the agenda. My name is on it but, unfortunately, I'll be out of town Aug. 10. However, Mr. Frank will probably be there. As long as I am writing you, I hope the TSC will NOT remove the speed lumps on Pierce Road. We need more of the same. This is our home the folks speed by. Maybe those living on cul -de -sacs or remote roads should think about how they would feel if they took their lives in their hands every time they put their foot, or car, outside the driveway. We like to go for walks - -it can be dangerous. (If it is possible, please quote me at the meeting Aug. 10) Could you recommend that the Sheriff put up the machines that monitor speed and announce how fast drivers are going? Dorothy Terrill Pierce Road Resident - - - -- Original Message - - - -- From: Kristin Borel To: Kristin Borel Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 11:13 AM Subject: Aug 10 TSC Agenda Dear All, Here is a copy of the Agenda for the Traffic Safety Commission meeting to be held on: Thursday, August 10th at 6:30 pm Senior Center Adult Care Room 19655 Allendale Avenue There are a lot of items on the Agenda, so the meeting will take several hours. Please let me know if you have any questions. Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 8/7/2006 Kristin Borel From: J. Michael Poellot O michael @poellotgolfdesigns.com] Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 9:31 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Speedbumps Kristin: I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to the speedbumps. There is nothing worse than getting behind 3 cars each of which stops to 1 MPH and then each driver gets out and pushes their cars over the bumps so as not to spill their mochas. Aaaaaaagh! Most drivers don't realize it, but the speedbumps actually work best at about 20 -30 MPH and they have less impact on the car, but rarely does one have the pleasure of that opportunity. Thanks for your efforts! Mike J. Michael Poellot Golf Designs 18860 Bella Vina Saratoga, Calif. 95070 Tel: (408) 867 -3260 Fax: (408) 867 -3534 e -mail: imichael @poellotgolfdesigns.com website: www.poellotgolfdesigns.com Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Beverly Poellot [bpoellot @gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 9:16 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road lumps Kristin, As a homeowner on a cul de sac directly off of Pierce (Bella Vina), I would like to see the speed lumps removed on lower Pierce. I agree that people drive too fast especially coming around the corner from upper Pierce right before Bella Vina. It makes it dangerous to pull out. However, I do not see that the present lumps are doing anything positive. People do not know how to drive over them and it is causing congestion and short tempers. Thanks for being proactive. Our 22 year old taxpaying daughter who lives with us is in agreement with us. My husband, daughter and I all live AND work in Saratoga. Good Luck, Bev Poellot 8/7/2006 Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Kristin Borel From: Bauer, Bennett [bennett_bauer @hp.com] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 1:23 AM To: Kristin Borel Cc: Bauer, Cynthia Lynn (AMA PSS - Oracle) Subject: RE: Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Kristin, Pagel of 3 I am in receipt of your letter dated August 1 that updates us on the Pierce Road speed bumps, and very much appreciate the information. It is good to see that others found the same issue with the bumps, that they are too abrupt as installed. In just the past 3 days, I've seen 2 relatively new cars at different times disabled right next to the first bump as drivers approach from Sunnyvale- Saratoga Road, presumably from damage caused by the severity of the bumps. In driving around town, it seems that different, less severe bumps have been installed with good results. The Bolt- on bumps on Three Oaks Way for instance feel more appropriate in height, or those on Austin Way work well. Another example is my old street, Elva Avenue. Wouldn't changing the height/contour of the bumps be a good next step? As before, I will appreciate your passing this input along to the Engineer and the Commission, and trust that this will be resolved soon. Best regards, Bennett Bauer 13492 Old Oak Way 408 - 741 -5012 - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Kristin Borel [mailto:kborel @saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 12:05 PM To: Bauer, Bennett Subject: RE: Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Bennett, Thanks for your input. We will be holding a special meeting about the speed bumps on Pierce Road. I have pasted in a letter that I sent out to residents on Pierce Road about the meeting this month. Please come to this meeting and voice your concerns. I will be forwarding all the emails to the Traffic Engineer and the Traffic Safety Commission. Sincerely, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 - 868 -1258 RE: Review of Speed Bumps on Pierce Road Kristin Borel From: Dick Holic [rjholic60 @yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 1:20 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Speed Lumps Hello Ms. Borel, I am writing to let you know of my strong opposition to the speed lumps currently installed on Pierce Rd. I am also very much opposed to the installation of additional lumps. An earlier letter from a lumps supporter claimed significant improvement in traffic flow and safety. Just how an impedement (a lump) can improve traffic flow escapes me, and the lumps can't possibly have been in place long enough to produce any measurable difference in safety. What constitutes a safety improvement anyhow? Yes, some people exceed the posted speed limit and I, too, "don't like" it. But their speeding is a condition, not in itself a problem. It's been going on for years, and it's difficult for me to believe that speed lumps would have contributed to a reduction in the rate of accidents had they been in place. The vast majority of Pierce Rd. users are not the drivers at which the lumps are aimed, and I do not care to essentially be punished for the bad behavior of others. Richard Holic 13305 Pierce Rd. Do You YahooP Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http: / /mail.yahoo.com Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Fred Goodfellow [foodfellow @comcast.net] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 3:14 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: [SPAM EMAIL] Replacing the Pierce Road Speed Bumps Importance: Low Dear Kristin Borel: I am a Saratoga resident On Old Oak Way who frequents medical clinics in Los Altos. At the intersection of Golden Way and Altos Oaks Drive in Los Altos there is a speed dip which helps to slow traffic going to and coming from the medical clinics into a residential neighborhood. The dip appears to be quite effective, and for me less annoying than the Pierce Road speed bumps. Perhaps you could consult with your peer in Los Altos as to its effectiveness. Also you might consider lowering the speed limit to 25 on the "speed bump" section of Pierce Road since the residences along the section are somewhat closer together than much of the rest of Pierce Road. In Mountain View and Sunnyvale they sometimes use electronic signs which calculate the speed of the oncoming traffic and warn drivers to slow down. Best of luck in your continuing pursuit of a workable solution. Regards, Fred Goodfellow Kristin Borel From: David Royse [droyse @earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 4:31 PM To: Kristin Borel Cc: eastmandl@aol.com Subject: Help needed on Pierce Rd Dear Kristin Borel, My neighbor, Dan Eastman, suggests you are the person who might best carry this note to the Saratoga TSC. I hope it can get a hearing, there, where past pleas on this subject, mailed to the city authorities, seemed to be ignored. Sincerely, Dave Royse -------------- -- - - -- August 04, 2006 To the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission I am a mature oak tree living along Pierce Road. Obviously, I can't come to your meetings, August 10, or September 10. And my owner cannot represent me there because of a year -old commitment. So he sends you this note. I am often battered by speeding, out -of- control vehicles. Especially in the wet season when the road is slick, northbound cars, vans, and trucks tend to slip off a descending blind S- curve, barely avoid dropping 20+ feet into the creek, and crash into me instead. This sometimes happens once or twice a season - -so often I have a huge scar that exposes my heartwood and doesn't get a chance to heal. I beg the commission to put a speed lump in the northbound lane before the S- curve. Otherwise, I may not survive the likely battering of the next few wet seasons. Or sooner or later there will be a crash that is fatal to humans. On my behalf (and that of people likely to meet me), my owner is David Royse 13730 Pierce Rd Saratoga Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: SPRB2 @aol.com Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 6:30 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: SPEED BUMPS KRISTIN: I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE LUMPS THAT WERE PLACED ON PIERCE RD. I HAVE VEHICLES, STOCK FROM THE FACTORY, THAT HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING OVER THEM. I THINK A BETTER SOLUTION THAN THE LUMPS CAN BE FOUND AND I WISH THEY WERE REMOVED. REGARDS, BRIAN BERNARD 13337 PIERCE RD. oi17innn< Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Julie Daniel [Julie @matrixcable.com] Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2006 12:36 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: [SPAM EMAIL] Pierce Rd. Importance: Low Kristin and the TSC, I would like to report that the traffic here on Pierce Rd. is indeed calming down. I have heard only one honker this morning and it was not until 10:30 am. This is a welcome change. The only have traffic backup is after the Winery concerts end at night. It really does seem that the people driving this stretch have made adjustments in their driving. I feel strongly that the commission needs to give the speed lumps a fair shot at success and leave them in for a three month period before removing or modifying them. I have to admit that the commission's immediate reaction to the complainers may have encouraged the back lash even more. The commission and the Traffic Engineer have done us a tremendous service with our safety concerns. Please hold strong and know that you have done the right thing with these speed lumps. If you waiver in the presence of the neighbors who question you, it allows them to over ride all the facts, time and work you have put forth in this situation. A number of us attended the recent City Council meeting to let the City Council know that we are happy with the speed lumps. We wanted them to hear from us directly and realized that they will not have another meeting until after the August 24th meeting you have scheduled. I will tell you what I told the City Council and that is that you are welcome anytime to come and sit on our porch or in our driveway and watch traffic for 10 or fifteen minutes and judge for yourself what the flow of traffic is really like. We are at 12881 Pierce Rd. My husband, daughter and dog will be here and would be happy to have any you of stop by. I will be out of town this week and will not be able to attend the meeting you have scheduled for August 10th. A number of my neighbors will be in attendance. Best Regards, Julie Daniel 8/7/2006 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Lynn Weber [ellweber @comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2006 1:46 PM To: Kristin Bore[ Subject: Traffic Safety Commission meeting on Pierce Road Hi Kristen, We received your recent letter regarding the Pierce Road situation and wanted to respond as prior commitments will preclude our attending the meeting this Thursday, August 10th. Please pass these thoughts along to the Traffic Safety Commission. • Clearly there are a lot more residents (and others) that use Pierce Road than there are residents that live along the stretch that is being discussed. Therefore, it is not unexpected that there would be a larger number of opponents to the traffic calming initiative. • The currently installed speed lumps have been in place for about 8 weeks. The traffic engineer predicted a three month adjustment period, though the level of angry response by passing motorists has already diminished greatly. Shouldn't a reasonable amount of time be allowed before reacting? • These changes were put in place in response to a documented, measured unsafe condition. It makes no sense to return to that unsafe condition prior to being ready to install an alternative measure that is expected to achieve the same result. Thank you and best regards, Lynn and Susan Weber 12885 Pierce Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 867 -6513 ellweber@a,comcast.n etroad Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Dave Stellman [dave @paloaltoglass.com] Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 8:04 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Pierce Road Speed Bumps To the Traffic Safety Commission; As I have informed you after just about every weekend since the speed bumps were installed at the lower section of Pierce Road, we have had another enjoyable weekend of listening to idiots honking their horns and yelling out their windows to let us know just how much they hate these bumps. This is getting ridiculous!!! Last night's concert at the Mountain Winery got out a little late; usually no big deal; but at 11 pm while I was trying to take out our garbage I had a line of cars about 10 long at each bump honking their horn, yelling at ME that these bumps "suck ", and graciously even giving me some extra cups and cans to put in my garbage. I have had it with this crap! This is not acceptable! We may have had a slight speeding problem before the bumps were installed, but how can anyone think that this is better or safer? At your August 10th traffic meeting I am asking you politely one more time; PLEASE REMOVE THE BUMPS UNTIL A BETTER SOLUTION CAN BE DETERMINED BEFORE THIS ESCALATES ANY FURTHER. Dave & Michelle Stellman, 42 year residents Bump #3 To the Traffic Safety Commission and the City Council; As a resident of Saratoga and affected neighbor of the speed lumps installed on Pierce Road I am in favor of a solution to the excessive speed on the lower section of Pierce Road. While the speed lumps may not be the perfect solution they are successful at slowing the speed of traffic from 40+ mph to 30 mph. Please leave the speed lumps in until another solution is available. Thank you. � v yo — C, 0 Dear Neighbor, I am sure you have noticed the increased traffic on Wardell Rd over the years. This increased traffic is a cause for concern for the neighborhood, especially those of us who live on Wardell or near it. The increased traffic over the Wardell Bridge poses a safety hazard for those neighbors who like to walk around the neighborhood and cross the Wardell Bridge on foot or bike. If you have walked or biked over the bridge lately, you've probably noticed that a majority of automobiles do not slowdown as they cross the bridge, even though there might be pedestrians on this narrow bridge. We have brought this issue up with the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission and we have proposed to close the Wardell Bridge to automobile traffic. The city will discuss this topic on August 10th. If approved, the Wardell Bridge will be turned into a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge. This should significantly reduce the through traffic on Wardell Rd. Those neighbors who live on the west side of the bridge would be able to use the appropriate roads to get in and out of their neighborhoods (e.g. Comer and Prospect). This proposal will make our neighborhood a much safer, cleaner and less noisy place, which benefits us all. Please help support this.effort by signing this petition. Name Address Date Zo 5 ci3 �sV&Lj l� Dear Neighbor, I am sure you have noticed the increased traffic on Wardell Rd over the years. This increased traffic is a cause for concern for the neighborhood, especially those of us who live on Wardell or near it. The increased traffic over the Wardell Bridge poses a safety hazard for those neighbors who like to walk around the neighborhood and cross the Wardell Bridge on foot or bike. If you have walked or biked over the bridge lately, you've probably noticed that a majority of automobiles do not slow down as they cross the bridge, even though there might be pedestrians on this narrow bridge. We have brought this issue up with the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission and we have proposed to close the Wardell Bridge to automobile traffic. The city will discuss this topic on August loth. If approved, the Wardell Bridge will be turned into a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge. This should significantly reduce the through traffic on Wardell Rd. Those neighbors who live on the west side of the bridge would be able to use the appropriate roads to get in and out of their neighborhoods (e.g. Comer and Prospect). This proposal will make our neighborhood a much safer, cleaner and less noisy place, which benefits us all. Please help support this effort by signing this petition. Name Address Date R 2-01b9 6 W .&ROEU_ RD . 71n lo to �-`-Io C(Lr'rl el t#ve K Ckt,,,3�1,r.e CGi' (i o7� / (1-- *,Y,*, ass 7 wwcc" no