MINUTES

The Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

Mr. Williams welcomed the new Commissioner, Chris Howell.

1. Roll Call

   Present: Commissioners Howell, Koch, Lombardo and Winnek
   Commissioner Cheatham was excused.

   Also Present: Harold C. Williams, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
   Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent
   Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department
   Kenneth Kim, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department

2. Flag Salute

   Chairman Winnek led flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the January 16, 2002 minutes were approved as written.

4. Public Comments:

   None.

5. Correspondence

   Letter from Robin and Bob Moore of 846 18th Street voicing support for paving 18th Street and noting they are in favor of undergrounding the utility wires in their area.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Temporary Closure of the First Alley South of 21st Street Between Ardmore Avenue and Ava Avenue

      Chairman Winnek recused himself, as he is a resident of Ava Avenue; Commissioner Lombardo became acting Chairman.

      Mr. Williams presented the item, noting that streets and alleys are not treated equally in the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code. He stated that since there is a sight-distance problem at the location for all vehicles used to test egress from the alley onto Ardmore, Staff's recommendation would be for the Commission to support permanent closure of the alley to vehicular traffic.

      Public comments followed Mr. Williams' presentation.

      Riley Suggs, 2017 Ava Avenue

      Mr. Suggs stated that he'd moved to this location with his parents in 1946 and that the alley under discussion has been open to traffic since that time. He added that there've been no accidents there during those 55 years. He noted that he's tried to use Springfield via the alley but there is traffic both ways. He feels he cannot "escape" if necessary.

      Terry Cook, 2022 Springfield

      Mr. Cook suggested that a study should be done to find out how permanently closing the alley would effect the area. He noted that there'd been one hit and run accident so far. He feels that even if nit is an alley, it's been used as a street and there is a stop sign at the end. He said he feels they are being deprived of a way out of their cul de sac and would like to know what would be done to improve the area - would it be just a large barricade at the end? He asked if it could be made one-way to Ardmore.

      Mr. Cook continued, noting that the new wall at the alley is 5-6 feet high and you can't see oncoming traffic. He asked if the developer would be required to repair the alley where it was damaged by trucks. He also asked about dead end, slow, and no outlet signs being put up. He said he wants the best solution for safety in the neighborhood. He wanted to know what the City planned on doing for this location.

      Gary Powell, 1940 Ava

      Mr. Powell said that he is a recent addition to the neighborhood and that getting in and out of Ava was of concern when he bought the house - that he thought the alley was the perfect access route. He noted that when the cars belonging to the tenants of the apartment buildings park on the street, there is no way to leave the area. The alley at least allows for a way out of the area. He feels that their access is being permanently taken away.

      Julie Oaks, Ava Resident

      Ms. Oaks noted that she'd contacted Sol. Blumenfeld (Community Development Director) before the wall was up - Mr. Blumenfeld responded that since the alley was not wide enough to be considered a street, they did not have to normal requirements.

      Ms. Oaks suggested that making the alley a walk-street or leaving it open to vehicular traffic and also suggested that the City could impose upon the property owner to cut back and cut down the wall. She noted that whoever got the original approval would probably sue the City. Or could become something pedestrian friendly with turn- arounds for vehicles. All they want to do is make it better.

      Ms. Oaks also noted that emergency vehicles never could get up there so that that was not an issue.

      Diane Norocea, Area Resident

      Ms. Norocea stated that she is in favor of making it a pedestrian area - their street is full of young children and there is a definite safety issue here. She feels that it is not really a street. She noted that she'd also like to see the alley between Springfield and Ava as an extension of the Ardmore to Ava walk-street.

      Rick Heidner, 1936 Springfield

      Mr. Heidner agrees that everyone will have to think this all the way through. He believes that unless there is a barrier, skateboarders will end up getting hit eventually. He believes that apartment parking is getting more and more serious.

      Vic Winnek, Ava Resident

      Mr. Winnek stated that his property abuts the alley at the northernmost area. He noted that in legal terms it is not an alley, it is a culvert to take water runoff, adding that by definition, an alley is less than 25' wide (the alley under discussion is approximately 10' wide) and its primary purpose is to allow entrance to property. At this time neither of the properties abutting the alley have access.

      He said that Ava is not a true cul-de-sac in that there is nowhere to turn at the end. He is no longer able to use his garage or his driveway - he has to park on Ava. He also noted that reopening the alley would leave the City open for liability and if the wall were to be removed, there could be litigation for the City.

      He said that while is has been neighborhood access for years, it important to remember that its main purpose is strictly drainage.

      Michelle Waller, 1940 Ava

      Ms. Waller stated she believes it should be left open for vehicular traffic. The alley access would at least allow a way to get around the parking. She thinks it just may be a necessary evil but it should definitely be left open, perhaps one-way.

      Commission discussion brought out the following information.

      • In the City, an alley is defined as any roadway 20' in width or less, therefore Community Development could not apply street rules to this location and couldn't deny the developer a permit.
      • Mr. Williams made the decision to temporarily close the alley due to the potential for liability - only the City Council can make the final decision with regard to permanently closing the alley to vehicular traffic.
      • The issue is that there is a line-of-sight problem and that that passageway was not designed to carry vehicular traffic.
      • It was noted that the wall is on private property, not in the public right-of-way and meets the criteria for a rear yard as opposed to a front yard.
      • There would be no difficulty making the alley a walk-street; it could also be made one-way, eastbound.
      • Per the City Code this is not a street but does fit the definition of an alley.
      • Approximately 64 households would be affected on Ava and Springfield.
      • The passage way has been closed since July 3, 2001. No legal parking is permitted in the passageway.
      • If it became a walk-street, would look at closing it at Ava and at Ardmore. It would be closed so that pedestrian traffic could use the right of way. This would include bicyclists and skateboards would also be able to use it.
      • Twenty-two people signed the petition presented to the Commission, which is requesting that the first alley south of 21st Street between Ardmore Avenue and Ava Avenue be opened at the earliest opportunity and remain open permanently.
      • Ava is a dead end, cul-de-sac without a turn-around.

      Trudy Cook, 2022 Springfield

      She noted her concern that if anything happens at the end of the street at 21st Street, the residents are stuck on their streets.

      Mr. Williams noted that they would be recommending bollards with lights at the bottom so that in the event of the emergency, they could be unlocked - would be easier than trying to get past the vehicles that are parked on the street.

      Nick Norocea, Ava Resident

      Mr. Norocea stated that this is a dead end to a deadly exit; it unsafe to exit on Ardmore. He feels the reality is that it is an unsafe exit; access via Springfield is available as an alternative. He agrees that it was never designed to be a traffic street and that it was provided only for the collection of water. He thinks some pedestrian way with steps would be appropriate.

      Further Commission discussion prompted the following:

      • It might be a good idea to investigate other circulation elements or at least allow for space to turn around; possible trimming back some of the existing trees; would like to see something that would enhance circulation even if the alley is not reopened.
      • Parking could be eliminated if the ability to turn around is considered as an addition to the street.
      • Permit parking was suggested.

      MOTION by Commissioner Howell to leave the temporary closure in place and ask Staff to do a study on how could enhance circulation with the closure in place.

      Mr. Williams commented there are only two ways to provide more space:

      1. Take away parking on both sides of the street
      2. Take away property from both sides of the street

      There was no second to Commissioner Howell's motion.

      Further discussion resulted in the following motion:

      MOTION by Commissioner Koch to have further studies done before the Commission makes a recommendation to Council. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.

      Aye: Howell, Koch, Lombardo
      Nay: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: Cheatham

      Additional commentary from the public brought up the subject of parking permits and they were referred to the City Manager, Steve Burrell.

      It was also noted that included in the report from Staff should be structural suggestions, need to look at from the point of view of the whole neighborhood and look at it from a policy point of view, not just structural. Want the whole range of options available.

   2. Consideration of the Use of Pedestrian Signs in Crosswalks

      Mr. Williams presented this item, noting that the signs under discussion are not traffic control devices. It is felt it is a good idea but has some disadvantages - vehicles hit them when making turns and people have a tendency to stop even if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk which could result in rear-end collisions and they do restrict the turning radius of large vehicles. They do have a flexible base so do not get knocked off.

      If the City were to consider using them, he'd like to use the intersection at Pier and Bard with the west approach as a test intersection.

      Since they are not true traffic control device, not an item for Council at this time. Would have to speak with the City Attorney about potential for liability.

      Mr. Williams took this opportunity to advise the Commission that Council had approved the traffic signal for the intersection of Ardmore Avenue and 16th Street.

      It was suggested by the Commissioners that Loma and Pier and Cypress and Pier would also make good test crosswalks. It was noted that experience would be the decision maker for where the test signs would be located. Since it is not currently an approved traffic control device, there is the potential for liability, how much liability will be determined when discussed with the City Attorney.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to pursue the use of the pedestrian crosswalk signs at crosswalks. Seconded by Commissioner Koch.

      Ayes: Howell, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
      Nayes: None
      Absent: Cheatham
      Abstain: None

   3. Consideration of a Citywide Traffic Safety Education Campaign

      Mr. Williams presented the item noting that this was part of the Three E's - Engineering, Education, and Enforcement - in order to have traffic safety.

      Discussion of the item brought out the following information.

      • It's disturbing that people don't want their streets paved because they anticipate traffic problems.
      • Signs for safety programs might contribute to "sign pollution" and people may be "blind" to the important signs.
      • Funding would probably be from the General Fund unless it would qualify for grand monies. Grant monies would require traffic studies.
      • Money available would determine the size of the program and the funds would be determined by the City Council.
      • Cities to the north and south are utilizing the same kind of program.
      • No high-accident locations have been decided but speeding is everywhere.
      • The Police Department would have to get the information to the Commission regarding the speeding violations.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to direct Staff to pursue the development and implementation of a citywide traffic safety education campaign. Seconded by Commissioner Howell.

      Ayes: Howell, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
      Nayes None
      Absent: Cheatham
      Abstain: None

7. Commissioner Reports

   The Construction Standards Subcommittee met with Mr. Williams and Staff and is now more focused.

8. Agendas for January Council Meetings

   1. Activity Report
   2. Project Status Report

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   None

10. Other Matters

    Commissioner Lombardo and Commissioner Howell will be the subcommittee to look into the citywide traffic safety education program.

    Commissioner Cheatham, via Commissioner Winnek, asked if the problem at Ava and Ardmore was possibly indicative of the need for a Program Manager.

    Commissioner Winnek asked about the new cuts and construction being done on Ardmore since it has just recently been redone. Mr. Williams advised that the utility companies were out there in response to residential service requests. Slurry seal adds no structural support to the pavement - only seals the pavement. They will be returning the street to its original condition.

    Mr. Flaherty noted that it is as frustrating to City Staff as it is to the residents when the utility companies come in after work has been done on City streets and noted that the work is still being worked on to meet Staff's satisfaction.

    Mr. Williams advised that every utility is notified before a project is started. He also noted that they receive permits and that the Public Works Inspector is on all of them when they are working in the public right-of-way. Commissioner Winnek noted that the Public Works Inspector is quite diligent in his job. Commissioner Koch asked about the Hillcrest & Rhodes project and was advised that the project will be on the agenda at the March meeting.

    Commissioner Howell asked how to keep private developments from undermining traffic safety

    Required to conform to code and make certain improvements to the public infrastructure. In relation to item 6a, which had a negative impact on the community, he wondered if there is some way to see private developments not have that negative impact. Some way to see private developments not have that negative impact - maybe the commission could study that or have the commission make a statement. He noted that he wonders if they, as a commission, could study that or form some general statement that would support staff in dealing with private land owners in dealing with issues like this.

    Mr. Williams said Staff could bring ideas to them. Commissioner Howell said he'd like to know how to help avoid situations like this in the future sees the question coming up again and again. Would appreciate any information Staff could provide.

11. Public Comments: None.

12. Adjournment

    At 8:45 p.m. the meeting adjourned to the Joint Workshop with the Planning Commission on Wednesday, February 27, 2002.