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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTSC Packet 03-11-2010CITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: March 11, 2010 TIME: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM LOCATION: Administrative Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order Roll Call: Biester, Bustamante, Coulter, Guichard, Kane, Kirk, and Vita Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on March 5, 2010. Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. 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 future agenda Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for January 14, 2010 Sheriff's Report to the Commission New Business 1. Traffic Matrix #247 - Sabine Tremmel Issue: Speeding on Saratoga Creek Drive Action: TSC will make recommendation 2. Traffic Matrix #249 - Paul Wassem Issue: Speeding and safety concerns on Springer Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 3. Traffic Matrix #248 - Gibson Anderson Issue: Requests speed bumps and signage for speeding concerns on Farwell Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation Old Business 4. Traffic Matrix #96 - Pam Roper -Kaiser Issue: Review of speed data on Three Oaks Way Action: TSC will make recommendation 5. Traffic Matrix #240 - Shanthi Jayadev Issue: Review draft plan from Traffic Engineer of Dagmar / Saratoga Avenue intersection. Action: TSC will make recommendation 6. CIP - Review of project list Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Adjournment to Next Regular Meeting Thursday, May 13, 2010 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 ctclerldiPsaratoua.ea.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of material provided to the Traffic Safety Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the Public Works Department at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the Public Works office at the time they are distributed to the Traffic Safety Commission. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Kristin Borel, Public Works 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 March 5, 2010 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 Draft Action Minutes DATE: January 14, 2010 TIME: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM LOCATION: Administrative Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order at 6:32 p.m. Roll Call: Biester, Bustamante, Coulter, Guichard, Kane, Kirk, and Vita Absent: None Staff: Traffic Planner Church, Transportation Engineer Hervol, Director Cherbone & Analyst Borel Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on January 8, 2010. Borel Reports Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. Borel Reports Election of new Chair and Vice -Chair Kirk elected Chair and Coulter Vice -Chair 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 future agenda. No speakers Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for November 12, 2009. APPROVED 6-0-1 (Biester abstained) Sheriff's Report to the Commission (6:40 pm) Lt. Shervington reports Old Business 1. Traffic Matrix 11239 - Ray Cosyn (8:52 pm) Issue: Concerns with intersection at Herriman & Saratoga Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend installation of plastic delineator between the travel lane and the bicycle lane. APPROVED 6-1-0 (Kane opposed). 2. Traffic Matrix #233 - Mike Ziegel (6:45 pm) Issue: Review of crosswalk implementation on Kirkbrook at Kirkmont and Carol Lane Action: TSC will make a recommendation MOTION: Recommends upholding the original decision to install the crosswalk on the southside of Kirkbrook at Kirkmont. APPROVED 6-0-1 (Biester abstained). MOTION: Recommend keeping the crosswalk at Carol Lane and at next paving opportunity change the crosswalk to white paint. APPROVED 5-0-2 (Biester and Guichard abstain). New Business 3. Traffic Matrix #242 - Barbara Stock (7:30 pm) Issue: Speeding on Sobey Road Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend that Sobey Road speed limit be assessed at part of the next City speed survey and reviewed by the TSC. APPROVED 7-0-0. MOTION: Recommend use of the speed trailer and install a hidden road sign ahead. APPROVED 7-0-0. 4. Traffic Matrix #244 - Don Schmedik (8:00 pm) Issue: Concerns with speed limits on Quito Road Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend that Quito Road be evaluated during the speed survey with consideration of safety and flow of the road. Public comments should be included and also considered. APPROVED 6-0-1 (Kane abstained). MOTION: Recommend that the results of the speed survey be brought before the TSC for advisory approval. APPROVED 6-0-1 (Kirk abstain). 5. Traffic Matrix #245 - Larry & Lisa Pott (8:32 pm) Issue: Speeding on Mendelsohn Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend directed enforcement and use of the radar trailer. APPROVED 7-0-0. Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Adjournment at 9:20 p.m. to Next Regular Meeting Thursday, March 11, 2010 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@sarato a.ca.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of material provided to the Traffic Safety Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the Public Works Department at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the Public Works office at the time they are distributed to the Traffic Safety Commission. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Kristin Borel, Public Works 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 January 8, 2010 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. Kristin Borel From: Sabine Trammell [sabine_trammell@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 2:28 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Traffic Safety Commission Hi Kristin - Traffic Matrix #247 Thank you for talking with me the other day. As I mentioned, I live on Saratoga Creek Dr. - on the side toward Cox. Actually, we are the 4th house in AFTER the stop sign when you come into the neighborhood from Cox. Our address is: 12634 Saratoga Creek Drive. We have a speeding problem in our neighborhood. The streets are wide, but there are no sidewalks. Many people choose to walk in the neighborhood and dusk/dark is a popular time as it's after standard work hours. This provides for very precarious situation with the mix of elderly and young people in the neighborhood. Two sets of immediate neighbors have small children, and the neighbor next door to me is 88 years old and walks with a walker. The neighbor diagonally across the street from me has 2 small boys (ages 6 and 4). When the boys came into the house two weeks ago their dog ran out - and the parents didn't see it right away. This is a large dog - a ridgeback/boxer mix. The dog was hit by a car and the driver of that vehicle continued on without stopping. Thousands of dollars (and vet visits) later, the family is hopeful he will recover. I can't imagine what my neighbor in the walker would do (he's no longer as nimble as the dog) or what the one of the young children would do - they wouldn't be able to quickly dart out of the way of a speeding car either. As I mentioned, we are the fourth house down (on the right) after the stop sign. People usually slow down (some even stop) at the stop sign at Saratoga Glen - but then the immediately accelerate. By the time they get to our house, they are going too fast. After our house the street narrows slightly - and there is a blind curve. This is right in front of the house with the dog - and where we believe he was hit. To reiterate, they are already going to fast at my house, one more house (directionally toward Lawrence) & the curve begins; the speeders accelerate the whole time. I am afraid for the elderly people who frequently walk as well as the small children in the neighborhood. Many kids walk their dogs - and cars simply race too quickly (particularly in front of our house) thru the streets. My neighbors and I believe we need to add a few speed bumps down the street - particularly in the region of the curve - and around our house. Several neighbors talk about the difficult time they have getting out of their driveways in the morning because of the fast racing traffic heading toward Cox (undoubtably taking a short cut to highway 85). Please help us find a solution that involves keeping the people of our neighborhood safe. You (or anyone else) is welcome to call me at 408-568-1753 to discuss this further. Thank you so much - Sabine Trammell 12634 Saratoga Creek Dr. Saratoga CA 95070 2/24/2010 Traffic Matrix #249 REQUEST TO LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON SPRINGER AVE - 2/9/2010 PROBLEM: Vehicles driving above 15 MPH through a 100 -yard section of road between 14330-14396 Springer Ave., which is northeast of 4th St. at roughly 37°15'32.46"N latitude, 122° 2'11.41'W longitude, are dangerous to children, pets and pedestrians. This dangerous section of road is located between two blind comers at the ends of Wildwood Wy., which is a residential loop and gate to the park. Parents have complained that speeding vehicles have nearly struck the children in their front yards, and a car recently killed a local cat. Many drivers comply with the current 25 MPH speed limit, which we residents in this dangerous section believe is still too fast, but a few drivers who regularly go to and from a section of Springer Ave. near the end of the cul-de-sac excessively exceed the 25 MPH, sometimes at extremely high speeds of 50 MPH! Springer Ave. to the Northeast of 4`t' St. is not a through street, and is a one -lane road in most sections. SOLUTION: 1) Lower the speed limit to 15 MPH on this dangerous section of Springer Ave. 2) Post the new speed limit and "SLOW" warning signs below the existing "Not A Through Street" signs. 3) Educate residents and enforce the speed limit, if necessary, with community service officers. Ind_Turn © Wddaood Ct L. 3 _ 14330-14396 Springer Ave., Northeast of 4th St., 37°15'32.46"N latitude, 122° 2'11.41"(41 longitude: SUMMARY: 25 MPH is too dangerous a speed limit for blind corners, park entrances and children at play. Cars and trucks driving to and from the area marked with an arrow sometimes hit speeds of 50 MPH in the area marked with yellow. Any speed above 15 MPH is dangerous between the blind corners marked with red. Cars parked on the street, trash cans, and children at play frequently turn Springer to a one -lane road. I have a 15 -month daughter who plays with me on our property and at Wildwood Park, like many of the families on Springer Ave. Almost every time we are outside near the street, at least one car drives by at excessive speeds within inches of my daughter. PLEASE MAKE THIS DANGEROUS ROAD SAFE!!! CONTACT: Paul Wassem, 14362 Springer Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070, 408-307-7725, paul@wassem.com Traffic Matrix #248 Kristin Borel From: Gibson Anderson [gibfand@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 4:03 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Speed bumps on Farwell Ms. Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95970 Dear Ms. Borel, Thank you for explaining the City of Saratoga process for approval of speed bumps. As we discussed Farwell Avenue is a "cut through" street between Fruitvale and Saratoga -Los Gatos Road. Many use it and many speed. I am concerned that we have three young (3, 4, 5) children in the first five houses on Farwell from Fruitvale. Today the severely autistic five year old somehow got out of his locked back yard and zig and zagged in an out of the street. I got him safely back home but that precipitated my visit and this email. My concern is only for speeding in the hundred yards or so from Fuitvale. I understand the next scheduled meeting to consider requests is sometime in March. I formally request that the "deciders" address this issue by the end of January at the latest. Let me know what I can do to make this happen. I think you understand my concerns. I hope you share them and will pass them on to the appropriate people. Sincerely, Gibson Anderson Gibson Anderson 19571 Farwell Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 zibfancl@gmail.com 408-981-1599 1/11/2010 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Gibson Anderson [gibfand@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 7:38 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Farwell Avenue poll Attachments: Speeding cover letter.doc; Survey side of card.doc Kristin, As promised attached are my poll document. On Saturday residents received the "Speeding cover letter" and a post card, "Survey side of card". The other documents, not included are mailmerged addressed envelopes and mailmerged post cards. Regards, Gibson Farwell Avenue Traffic survey Please indicate your preference and return this card. If you have questions or concerns, please call at (408-981-1599) or email (gibfand(fi>gmail.com) Gibson Anderson 19571 Farwell Avenue O Install four to six speed bumps or humps along Farwell Avenue. should greatly reduce traffic and speeding. O Do nothing and continue to have a "cut through" problem. O Take a middle course with stop signs and/or fewer bumps or humps. According a resident on Three Oaks Way, two bumps at either end of the street had little effect. Adding a stop sign at the "curve" and bumps or humps may help. 3/1/2010 Gibson Anderson 19571 Farwell Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 408-981-1599 gibfand@gmail.com Dear Farwell Neighbors, Many of you have expressed concern about the volume and speed of traffic on our street. It is well known that Farwell is a "cut through" street, between Saratoga -Los Gatos Road and Fruitvale Avenue.. I've spent two months researching this problem. I've talked to a number of professional traffic people, including the president of a local traffic consulting company. We have three options. We can completely solve the problem, do nothing or take a middle course. 1. Install four to six speed bumps or humps along Farwell Avenue. This should greatly reduce traffic and speeding. 2. Do nothing and continue to be a "cut through" street. 3. Take a middle course with stop signs and/or fewer bumps or humps. According a resident on Three Oaks Way, a bump at either end of the street had little effect. Adding a stop sign at the "curve" and bumps or humps on either end may or may not have an effect. I don't like speed bumps or humps, but I also don't like the problems that go along with being a "cut through" street. I am concerned for our wonderful children and pets. Two years ago I lost my dog to a speeding car. I am working with the City of Saratoga Traffic Commission. We need to know your preferences. Enclosed is a self-addressed postcard. Please indicate your choice and mail back to me. Individual preferences will be kept confidential. The next meeting of the Traffic Commission meeting is on Thursday, March 11. Please return the enclosed card by Thursday, March 4. If you have questions or concerns, please call or email. Sincerely, Page 1 of 2 Kristin Borel From: Shaheen Sarwari Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 8:42 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: FW: Requesting Advice from Public Works! Shaheen Sarwari Public Works Department City of Saratoga Tel: 408-868-1239 Fax: 408-868-1281 From: Suzanne Rivers [mailto:suzriv@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 2:17 PM To: Danny Swanson; Shaheen Sarwari Cc: andersongibson@yahoo.com; Robert Swanson; Sandra Thorpe; BRo1187050@aol.com; Iindasusie2003@yahoo.com; Marianna Samson; Cheryl Colman; Harriet Johnson; syl@katzperson.name; jrrivers@alumni.calpoly.edu Subject: Re: Requesting Advice from Public Works! I would like to support the position of the Swansons on this issue. (Danny, thank you for writing the email!) It appears that the largest volume of traffic that disregards the speed limit on Farwell is committed by non-residents who use Farwell as a shortcut connecting Hwy 9 and Fruitvale. They are not vested in our little "neighborhood" and therefor do not treat it as their own. It is a big problem. The temporary radar speed signs which have visited our streets in the past did seem to have an effect while they were here. Speed limit signs will not be a guarantee that people will slow down, but it is a permanent reminder that drivers will pass each time they drive Farwell. Danny's recommendation of making the posted speed an unusual number is good, but having a sign each way that registers the speed being traveled will probably be more effective. I know pets have been killed on Farwell. It is only a matter of time before it might be a person. Thank you for your consideration and action in resolving this matter. Sincerely, Suzanne and JR Rivers 14760 Live Oak Lane From: Danny Swanson <danny@rspartnership.com> To: ssarwari@saratoga.ca.us Cc: andersongibson@yahoo.com; Robert Swanson <bob@rspartnership.com>; Sandra Thorpe <sandythorpe@yahoo.com>; BRo1187050@aol.com; Suzanne Rivers <suzriv@yahoo.com>; Iindasusie2003@yahoo.com; Marianna Samson <marisamson@yahoo.com>; Cheryl Colman <cbcolman@comcast.net>; Harriet Johnson <harrietjohnson@mac.com>; syl@katzperson.name 1/11/2010 Page 2 of 2 Sent: Fri, January 8, 2010 11:20:16 AM Subject: Requesting Advice from Public Works! TO: City of Saratoga : Shaheen Sarwari in Public Works Good Morning How difficult would it be to obtain SPEED SIGNS for Farwell Avenue? As you no doubt know, Farwell is one of our busier streets, due to school traffic morning & evening. There is also an elevation change from Hwy 9 to Fruitvale, with a dramatic curve half way down Farwell. This creates speeding situations & requires managing a dangerous curve. There is a ground -swell movement among residents to add "speed bumps," which we'd frankly like to avoid....BUT we thought if we could get SPEED SIGNS up, perhaps it would help the situation. I walk the length of Farwell daily, and I know as well as anyone what the situation is like. We have lived here since 1967, (my husband since 1948), and it's true that traffic is increasingly worse, especially during the hours before & after High School, Redwood & St. Andrews are in session....not to mention West Valley College! Our traffic increased after speed bumps were added to Three Oaks Way! If SPEED SIGNS are available, I would suggest strange numbers, such as 22 MPH, with 19 at the CURVE! We probably also need a sign, asking for consideration of Children & Animals Please help us, before we have a tragedy along here! Thanks for whatever help you can give us! Bob & Danny Swanson 19616 Farwell Avenue, at Live Oak Lane P.O. Box 3466, Saratoga, CA 95070 408-867-0954 danny@rspartnership.com 1/11/2010 Traffic Matrix #96 Kristin Borel From: Bill Boller [bill.boller@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:44 AM To: properkaiser@comcast.net; Kristin Borel Cc: Boller, Bill; Boller, Holly; Kaiser, Brian; Kral!, Karen Subject: Re: Counts from December Hello Kristin, Thank you for the follow up. I appreciate your continued effort, but am greatly disappointed in the process which has introduced serious flaws in the conclusions drawn from the data. In addition to the necessity for through traffic to slow currently because of the significant construction activity these past months, the number of vehicles stopping, starting, turning, entering and exiting the construction site and turning on Baranga Street, etc. greatly skews the speed data. Even a casual statistical review must eliminate ALL proximate traffic considerations, including the routine egress of neighborhood vehicles that are slowing to turn onto Baranga and into immediate residences. This will make it more obvious what is evident from direct observation: namely that through traffic routinely goes substantially in excess of the speed limit and frequently is not even slowed by the inadequate speed bumps. In short, it is generally only the normal process of the street residents (and the current construction) that provides the slower data, which appears in the analysis to offset the through traffic which remains unaltered at excessive speed. Along with the other residents, I am looking forward to a more insightful, and intellectually honest discussion of the conclusions and remediation. With best regards, Bill Boller On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 9:19 AM, <properkaiser@comcast.net> wrote: Hi Kristin, cc: Bill, Holly, Karen, Brian (neighbors on Three Oaks Way) Thank you for sending me the Traffic Data / counts. I've been super swamped with volunteer work and haven't followed up with you. So what does the Traffic Engineer think about the results from November? Has he/she reviewed them? I think the data is not representative of the speed cars really do travel given the obstacle with the construction trucks parking on the street. For the two day measuring timeframe (indicated below) most driver's during the busy time of the day, had to slow down at probably the "2nd fastest" portion of the street to avoid the trucks. I plan to review the findings with the neighbors and a statistician. How do we schedule a meeting with the Traffic Safety Commission once we get our act together (our united front)? Are there any plans to do anything about the bumps (change them out)? Your thoughts appreciated. BTW: All the mph data collected is over the posted speed limit. Respectfully, Pam Original Message From: "Kristin Borel" <kborel@saratoga.ca.us> To: properkaiser@comcast.net 1/27/2010 Page 2 of 2 Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:02:51 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Counts from December Hi Pam. Here are the counts from December. I just realized that I had not sent them. Take care, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408-868-1258 Three Oaks Way Speed Survey (November 4-5, 2009) Daily Outliers (over 35 Direction Total mph) EB WB Daily Count Location (mph) (mph) Volume Daily # % of traffic between existing speed humps west of speed humps Source: Fehr & Peers, December 2009 1/27/2010 27.5 27.1 530 6 1.1% 29.1 28.0 505 7 1.4% C N 0 d to 7 a) ii N L a) C a) 'c D L E cn co G c co a) m c a) Q co co O 1 L 0) Cl) w O co c O F. :a c O 0 a) co O a O L 0 0 0 Capital Improvement Projects # t PROJECT PROJECT DESCRIPTION Balance Cost Estimate 1 Solar Powered Radar Feedback Signs: Provides funding for 4 solar powered radar • feedback signs. Location(s) to be determined by the Traffic Commission. 14,588 25,000 2 g ` Traffic Safety: Traffic safety funds for implementation of safety improvements approved by Traffic Safety Commission. 101,809 25,000 completed as partf City part of City paving project . Cox Avenue Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements: 1 a This project would provide crosswalk and other safety imrpovements on Cox Avenue between Saratoga Avenue and Paseo Presada Walking Path on one side of Komina adjacent 11 to Oak Street School. 75,000 Removed From CIP List PROJECT PROJECT DESCRIPTION Cost Estimate 1 Herriman Avenue Crosswalk Improvements: 1 Crosswalk enhancements located on Herriman Avenue @ Lexington and Saratoga Vista. 25,000 Will be completed as part of City paving project s... 2 Herriman Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Option 1: 'Asphalt sidewalk/pathway leveling course between AC berm and PCC Curb. 25,000 completed as partf City part of City paving project 3 Komina Walking Path: Walking Path on one side of Komina adjacent 11 to Oak Street School. 1 L. 100,000 Resolved as part of Oak St. Task Force 4 Driveway and Sidewalk Modification: Driveway and sidewalk modification to increase ; capacity of drop-off lane. I 50,000 Resolved as part of Oak St. Task Force 5 I Pedestrian Refuge Area at Quito/McCoy Intersection: j Center refuge area and crossing improvements on Quito Road at McCoy. 15,000 Completed 6 Glen Brae Avenue Median Choker: Concrete median choker on Glen Brae Avenue li for traffic calming. 15,000 Removed due to lack of neighborhood support a 7 i Montalvo Road Traffic Calming: This project would provide traffic calming by ii constructing a raised median on Montalvo Road. 15,000 Removed due to lack of neighborhood support 8 ' Aspesi Drive Traffic Calming: li This project would provide traffic calming by ' constructing a raised median on Aspesi Drive 12,000 Completed 9 Brookglen Drive Traffic Calming: This project would provide traffic calming by constructing a raised median on Brookglen I Drive. 25,000 Removed due to lack of neighborhood support 10 1 Cox Avenue Traffic Calming: This project would provide traffic calming by constructing a speed bump on Cox Avenue 1. between Paseo Presada and Quito Road. 8,000 Completed