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Public Works Commission Minutes October 10, 2001 -
Hermosa Beach
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2001
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1315 VALLEY DRIVE
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
Chairman Koch brought the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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Roll Call
Present: |
Commissioners Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo and
Winnek |
Absent: |
None |
Also Present: |
Harold C. Williams, P.E., Director of Public
Works/City Engineer
Richard Garland, City Traffic Engineer
Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent
Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works
Department
Homayoun A. Behboodi, Associate Engineer
Diane Cleary, Recording Secretary |
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Flag Salute
Chairman Koch led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Approval of Minutes
MOTION
by Commissioner Cheatham to approve the Minutes of the
September 12, 2001 meeting as written. Commissioner
Lombardo seconded.
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Selection of Officers
Director Williams advised that the Commission could either
rotate or accept nominations.
MOTION
by Commissioner Cheatham to nominate Commissioner Keegan for
Chairman. Seconded by Commissioner Winnek.
Ayes: |
Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Noes: |
None |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
Keegan |
MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to nominate Commissioner
Cheatham for Vice-Chairman. Seconded by Commissioner
Keegan.
Ayes: |
Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Noes: |
None |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
Cheatham |
Chairman Koch thanked staff, the Commission and the Public
for their help and support while he served as Chairman.
Commissioner Lombardo commented that Chairman Koch has
been an asset to the Commission and she thanked him for his
time served as Chairman.
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Public Comments
Chris Howell, Hermosa Beach, spoke on the following:
- The City of Manhattan Beach rescinded the prohibition
of eastbound turns into the residential area
- Congestion at Longfellow Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard
late in the afternoons
- Sketchers' development impacting Longfellow Avenue and
Hermosa Avenue
- Suggestion that the traffic study for the northeast
neighborhoods be done in conjunction with a business
development study
- Suggestion to study one-way on 30th Street and
Longfellow Avenue going east toward the highway
Vice-Chairman Cheatham suggested adding an agenda item in
the future for the Commission to meet with the Manhattan
Beach Public Works Department.
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Correspondence
City Traffic Engineers Association, Workshop Notice
Director Williams stated that the workshop will be held on
Saturday, November 10, 2001, at California Polytechnic State
University, Kellogg West in Pomona. He encouraged the
Commissioners to attend.
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Items for Commission Consideration
- Non-CIP Project No. 005-01 Corona Street and Prospect
Avenue Street
Improvements-Street Barrier
Director Williams gave a staff report and stated that
staff recommends that the roadway not be vacated and move
forward with the design as presented.
In response to Vice-Chairman Cheatham, Director Williams
informed that if the street were vacated, two parking
spaces might be gained due to the closing of Corona
Street.
In response to Vice-Chairman Cheatham, Director Williams
explained that the parking space in the wedge area would
not be lost under the new design.
In response to Commissioner Koch, Director Williams
stated that there would be enough room for Ms. Scelza to
back a car out of her driveway under the new design.
In response to Chairman Keegan, Director Williams
questioned how the land would be maintained once it was
vacated, and the problem of traffic turning in that area to
Aviation Boulevard would still exist.
In response to Commissioner Winnek, Director Williams
explained that by vacating the property, the project would
be slowed down due to further research, title search, etc.,
and staff believes the vacation would not be a benefit to
the public or the City.
- Brian Wilcox, 1401 Corona Street
- Mr. Wilcox stated he has not received any public
notice concerning this item and has not seen the plans.
He indicated that the wedge area is a public nuisance,
and he suggested that the property owners purchase the
green space area.
- Martin Moreno, 1636 Corona Street
- Mr. Moreno passed out material to the Commission and
expressed concern with safety issues and traffic impact.
He would like to see the green space remain and be
maintained.
- Jeff Jones and Patricia Scelza, 1415 Corona
Street
- Mr. Jones and Ms. Scelza expressed concern with
access, turning radius clearance and safety of the
street, and noted that the green space is not used that
much by the community and suggested that it could be
maintained privately.
The Commission took a recess at 7:43 p.m.
The Commission reconvened at 7:48 p.m.
Chairman Keegan suggested that the applicant's driveway
could exit on Prospect Avenue and the additional street
area would become greens pace to the City, which could be
taken care of by the applicant through an easement. Also,
the parking spaces could be picked up on the street.
- Nina Barrett, 1401 Corona Street
- Ms. Barrett stated that children have not played in
the green space area and is essentially used by animals
and is not maintained. She expressed concern with safety
issues and believed that vacating the area would be
safer, giving the applicant access to Prospect
Avenue.
- Martin Moreno
- Mr. Moreno further commented that vacating the land
would not benefit the City.
- Brian Wilcox
- Mr. Wilcox further commented that he sees no benefit
to the property owners and neighborhood by vacating the
land.
Chairman Keegan closed the public hearing at 8:00
p.m.
Commissioner Koch noted concern with vacating the land
and the issues involved, and he believed it will not
benefit the City or neighborhood. He expressed approval of
the original design.
Vice-Chairman Cheatham would like to see as much open
space as possible be maintained, and he would like to see
consideration for an expansion of the land. He is not in
agreement with vacating the land.
Commissioner Winnek expressed support with vacating the
land with conditions to keep the area open. He suggested
that staff further investigate titles, substructures and
easements for vacating the property. Commissioner Lombardo
agreed.
Chairman Keegan stated that there are ways to create
easements and increase the parklands. He recommended that
the driveway be extended out to Prospect Avenue and have
the land be either vacated or to keep the green space
increased, removing Corona Street at that section above
14th Street.
MOTION by Chairman Keegan to recommend to staff that the
driveway be extended out to Prospect Avenue with the land
taken to the City for expansion with further study as to
its cost. Seconded by Vice-Chairman Cheatham.
Prior to the vote:
Director Williams pointed out that this would change the
scope of the project, with staff having to go to City
Council for additional funds to pay for the design.
Motion failed with the following vote:
Ayes: |
Cheatham, Keegan |
Noes: |
Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
None |
MOTION by Commissioner Koch to approve staff's
recommendation and to move forward to allow the project be
completed in a timely fashion.
Motion failed with no second.
MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to support the vacation
with the condition that the area be kept open with staff
further investigating titles, substructures and easements.
Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.
Motion carried with the following vote:
Ayes: |
Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Noes: |
Cheatham, Keegan |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
None |
AMENDED MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to support the
vacation with the condition that the area be kept open with
staff further investigating titles, substructures and
easements, and to keep the current project on hold until
staff comes back with recommendations. Seconded by
Commissioner Lombardo.
Motion carried with the following vote:
Ayes: |
Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Noes: |
Cheatham, Keegan |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
None |
- Request for Stop Signs on Longfellow Avenue at Highland
Avenue to Create a 3- Way Stop
Director Williams stated that a traffic study has been
completed indicating that it would be advantageous to
install stop signs on Longfellow Avenue at Highland Avenue
to create a 3-way stop.
Vice-Chairman Cheatham agreed that the stop signs would
be necessary at the intersection. Commissioner Lombardo
agreed.
MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to approve staff
recommendation. Seconded by Commissioner Koch.
Motion carried with the following vote:
Ayes: |
Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Noes: |
None |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
None |
- Proposed New Projects for the Five-Year Capital
Improvement Program - Fiscal Years 2001-02 through 2005-06
Director Williams gave a staff report and reviewed
Changes 2, 3 and 4 and the added new projects.
Vice-Chairman Cheatham commented on the following:
- CIP 02-190 - $1.6 million missing in FY 03-04
- CIP 02-188 - Repave only from Ocean to Prospect
rather than down to PCH
- CIP 02-189 - Check new estimate, as the project has
been significantly rescoped
- CIP 04-195 - Repave the entire stretch of 15th
Street
- CIP 05-103 - Check estimate and look at ways in
reducing the cost of the project
Commissioner Lombardo expressed concern with not having
the necessary funds if Measure 8 passes.
Director Williams pointed out that the CIP is a plan and
not a budget with any commitment in terms of dollars, and
would only move forward if the money were available.
MOTION by Chairman Keegan to approve the revised CIP
Budget Five-Year Plan with all corrections stated. Seconded
by Commissioner Lombardo.
Motion carried with the following vote:
Ayes: |
Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek |
Noes: |
None |
Absent: |
None |
Abstain: |
None |
- A User's Guide to the Ralph M. Brown Act
The Commission received this information.
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Commissioners' Reports
Newsrack Subcommittee
Vice-Chairman Cheatham noted he met with a representative
from Manhattan Beach Public Works and reviewed their newsrack
program. He said there is one action remaining, proposing
locations of establishing new newsracks, before bringing a
recommendation to the Commission.
In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Koch,
Vice-Chairman Cheatham stated that graffiti would be
addressed when recommendations come to the Commission.
Vice-Chairman Cheatham informed that he received a notice
from Redondo Beach on the Heart of the City Project and the
EIR is currently ongoing. The City of Hermosa Beach has until
November 19, 2001 to provide comments to the draft EIR.
Director Williams noted that all comments would be
forwarded to Director Blumenfeld and that the Community
Development Department was handling the EIR.
In response to Vice-Chairman Cheatham, Director Williams
acknowledged that the City is establishing itself as an
impacted participant regarding the Heart of the City
Project.
In response to Chairman Keegan, Vice-Chairman Cheatham
informed that copies of the EIR are available in the City of
Redondo Beach's Planning Department, City Clerk's Office and
Libraries.
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Council Agenda Items - September
- Monthly Activity Report - August 2001
- Project Status Reports - August 2001
In response to Vice-Chairman Cheatham, Director Williams
explained that the deodorant blocks in storm drains are
used to alleviate foul odors coming from stagnant water and
are biodegradable.
Vice-Chairman Cheatham noted that there would be several
sewer rehabilitation projects to review in December.
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Items Requested by Commissioners
- Review of the Encroachment Regulations
Director Williams reviewed the encroachments presented
in the staff report.
In response to Commissioner Koch, Director Williams
pointed out that most businesses that are not in compliance
with the Encroachment Permit Ordinance were grandfathered
in prior to 1996. He further indicated that new businesses
in violation are notified but are difficult to police. He
also informed that an Encroachment Permit is not issued
until a business is in compliance.
Chairman Keegan expressed concern with a patio on 8th
Street near Hermosa Avenue on the north side of the street
blocking the sidewalk next to a fire hydrant. He would like
this item agendized and to have the sidewalk put in place
and the barrier blocking access to the north side of 8th
Street 50 yards above Hermosa Avenue be cleared away for
pedestrian walkway.
Associate Engineer Behboodi informed that the City
couldn't force the owner to remove the improvements unless
the City plans to spend the money to construct a wheelchair
ramp.
Chairman Keegan added that a wheelchair ramp be included
in his recommendation.
Commissioner Winnek pointed out that the installation of
a wheelchair ramp would be expensive, and urged the
Commission to be cautious in regulating individual
businesses.
In response to Commissioner Winnek, Director Williams
noted that staff would meet with the Police Chief regarding
possible misdemeanor charges.
- Review of Construction Standards - Please bring
materials previously distributed at August 8, 2001 meeting
Vice-Chairman Cheatham expressed concern with ongoing
construction in the City and its impact. He also noted
inconsistencies in the repair standards for roads. He would
like to see the standards supplemented to ensure that the
roads are adequately maintained and that new construction
does not significantly impact the roads. He recommended the
formation of a subcommittee to study this matter.
Commissioner Koch volunteered to serve on this
subcommittee.
Chairman Keegan suggested looking at standards for the
City to pay for a conduit for homes that may be future
developments regarding roads that may be repaved and a fee
added onto the permit.
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Other Matters
Chairman Keegan expressed concern with problems with curb,
gutter and sidewalk in the area of Loma Drive. He suggested
seeing better planning ahead of time.
Director Williams stated that projects are first designed
per standards and then deviate from this as directed. He also
said additional costs could be incurred. He said staff is
committed to residents' concerns without becoming a detriment
to the City. He also said what staff presents may not
necessarily be approved by City Council.
Chairman Keegan expressed concern with traffic flowing
into the City from the Sketchers project. He suggested that a
Commissioner attend the Planning Commission and report
back.
Director Williams pointed out that the traffic study would
address the traffic impacts regarding the Sketchers
project.
Commissioner Koch would further like to see parking saved
on Loma Drive and balance this against the other users of the
street. He would like to see a safe road for pedestrians and
drivers be designed.
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Public Comments
None.
Adjournment
At 9:07 p.m., Chairman Keegan adjourned to the next
Commission meeting, November 14, 2001.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and
complete record of the action taken by the Public Works
Commission of Hermosa Beach at the regularly schedule meeting
of October 10, 2001.
Michael Keegan, Chairman Harold C. Williams, P.E.,
Secretary
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