The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Howell, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek

   Also Present: Harold Williams, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
   Richard Garland, City Traffic Engineer
   Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department

2. Flag Salute

   Chairman Winnek led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the March 20, 2002 meeting were approved with the deletion of the last line, of the sixth paragraph, of page 12.

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   1. Letter from Kevin & Susan O'Connor with signatures from the residents of 28th Street regarding modifications to 28th Street at Valley Drive.

      A response was sent to Mr. & Mrs. O'Connor by Harold Williams inviting them and their neighbors to attend the upcoming City Budget Workshop on Thursday, May 23, 2002, so they could request this project be added.

   2. Letter from Robin Rogers with attached copy of a letter to the Manhattan Beach Planning Commissioners regarding the Skechers Development for informational purposes only

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Valley Park Avenue Neighborhood Traffic Study (PDF file)

      Mr. Williams stated that Mr. Richard Garland, City Traffic Engineer, would handle this item, they would then receive input and the Commission would provide Staff with direction. Mr. Garland presented the item and advised that at their November 14, 2001 meeting, the Public Works Commission considered a request to install stop signs on 20th Street at Valley Park Avenue to create a three-way stop. That stop sign request was not approved and the Commission directed Staff to conduct a more comprehensive study of the neighborhood to provide additional information relative to traffic patterns and circulation issues in this area.

      Highlights of Mr. Garland's report include the following information:

      • Nine intersections were monitored during peak morning, afternoon and late afternoon periods.
      • Less than fifty vehicles per hour passed during the busiest times of the day.
      • Travel speeds were well below the legal speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour.
      • There did not appear to be any extreme traffic safety or operational problems in the neighborhood.
      • There did not appear to be a cut-through problem of this area.

      Public comments included the following:

      Susie Berens, 555 20th Street

      Ms. Berens stated that she just became aware that a stop sign was being considered and that she has a map of where the stop signs were being considered. Ms. Berens advised that most of the neighbors were opposed to a stop sign and that the stop sign would affect her house the most. Because of the way the curve cuts in the middle of her driveway, there is no place to put a stop sign and it would impede access to their driveway. She did not feel that a stop sign would be effective in their area and that the noise of people stopping would also be an annoyance. Ms. Berens also stated that several of her neighbors were not told about the proposed stop sign. Ms. Berens provided documents including a map and photographs, which were labeled 6a and given to Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant for the Public Works Department.
      
      

      Ken Miller, 553 20th Street

      Mr. Miller indicated that he was opposed to a stop sign and was more concerned about notification procedures since they weren't notified until today. Mr. Miller states that on weekends and evenings there is occasional speeding and wonders about the use of speed bumps.
      
      

      Krista Capo, 1948 Valley Park Avenue

      Ms. Capo stated that she is the one who initially raised the Valley Park issue. She said that speed humps had previously been turned down, as well as safety signs and lowering the speed limit. Ms. Capo said that the only venue left with legal recourse is a stop sign. Ms. Capo indicated that at 18th and Valley Park there is a stop sign which forces vehicles to acknowledge and at least slow down, even if they do roll through the stop sign. Ms. Capo stated that children play in the street and cross the street every day and the only thing available to help keep her autistic son safe is a stop sign. Ms. Capo had additional signatures from her neighbors and presented them to Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant for the Public Works Department.
      
      

      Commission discussion brought out the following information or comments.

      • Mr. Williams apologized because notice did not go out on this issue and stated that they usually attempt to notify everyone involved by posting the neighborhood, but there is no legal requirement to do so.
      • The general consensus of the Commission was that most neighbors were not in favor of the stop sign and they would not support a stop sign at this time. Since the stop sign was rejected, it was stated that the item should be disposed of.
      • The issue was raised as to the use of large caution signs as seen in other cities that indicate "Deaf Child Neighborhood" or similar circumstances. Mr. Williams stated that such signage is not recognized in the State of California as a legal traffic control device and have been shown not to help but to hinder the situation.

      MOTION by Chairman Winnek that no further action is needed following the survey, with the exception of additional school signs to be studied. Seconded by Commissioner Koch.

      AMENDMENT TO MOTION by Commissioner Howell that the City directs Staff to look into additional signage of school zone. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.

      Motion did not pass.

      MOTION by Chairman Winnek to install signage where possible, nothing more to be studied. Seconded by Commissioner Koch.

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

      Additional Commission discussion brought out the following information or comments.

      • Installation on private property of a sign by Ms. Capo is permitted. Installation of a sign on power poles or public property is not permitted. City Council has the authority to determine what is permitted; however these types of signs are not normally allowed and are not legally recognized - would be a departure from policy.
      • The Commission favored signage as a general policy, not as an individual one, and was concerned with the full implications involved. If this was passed on to the City Council as a test case, it could be studied and would help the safety program.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to recommend to the City Council to approve installation of signage for protection of autistic child in the vicinity of the intersection of 20th Street and Valley Park Avenue. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.

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

   2. Northeast Hermosa Beach Traffic Study - Presentation of Findings and Recommendations (PDF file)

      Mr. Williams stated that Joel Falter, Senior Transportation Engineer for Katz, Okitsu & Associates would give the presentation.

      Mr. Falter stated that this report was the result of the two community workshops and research in the study area. The three primary issues raised in the first workshop and then discussed in the second workshop were cut-through traffic, speeding, and failure to obey traffic laws.

      Existing cut-through traffic was not observed to be an issue. Cut-through traffic when the Skechers Project is complete cannot truly be determined at this time.

      Of the information extrapolated from residential input, no clear consensus was shown and it was believed that any decision should be put on hold until Skechers is complete and the actual impact can be observed.

      Public comments included the following:

      James Deutsch, 700 Block of 30th Street

      Mr. Deutsch stated that the meters were at the highway, no meters were observed on the 700 Block of 30th Street and he disagrees with Mr. Falter's statement that there were meters. Mr. Deutsch indicated that he is a retiree and is home every day and that he disagrees that only thirty-three cars cut-through in a twenty-four hour period; he believes there are at least thirty cars per hour. Mr. Deutsch feels there will be extreme traffic volumes from the Skechers Project, which is anticipated to have four hundred employees. He believes the traffic calming techniques are ridiculous and believes that street closures are feasible.

      Darlene Blaney, 702 Longfellow

      Ms. Blaney states that the traffic study was well done and that the calming affects can be used but that the study doesn't answer our questions or problems. She believes that Skechers and other Manhattan Beach projects will have an impact on 30th and Longfellow and that with 400 parking spots a two percent increase is unrealistic. Ms. Blaney believes that the traffic light should be removed and traffic diverted many different ways. She states that the Mayor-Pro-Tem of Manhattan Beach has stated that the traffic light can be removed. Ms. Blaney asks if the traffic light can be moved to Duncan and that we should get Cal Trans to move it or take it away.

      Dan Riley, 648 Longfellow

      Mr. Riley believes the census took a two-fold approach and considered only the Northeast Hermosa Beach section. He doesn't believe that they can take away the traffic signal because the impact on Longfellow would be too great. Mr. Riley also believes that moving or removal of the traffic signal will be a money issue where Cal Trans is concerned. He believes we should coordinate efforts with the City of Manhattan Beach to put demand on the developer for the costs of any issues that arise.

      Robert Wickwire, 2900 Amby Place - 32-Year Resident

      Mr. Wickwire states he is opposed to Options 1, 2 and, 3, and that he wouldn't be able to get out of his driveway if any of these options are put in place. Mr. Wickwire does not believe that the traffic is heavy on 30th Street and believes that we don't need to do anything. He states don't fix something that isn't broken.

      Butch Kuflak, 666 Longfellow

      Mr. Kuflak states that Longfellow is a thirty-foot wide street with parking on both sides and that only one car can pass through at a time. Any increase in traffic would be devastating and that while the study looked only at peak traffic hours, the real estate office works all hours. Additionally, Skechers will be an all day operation as the project provides for some retail.

      Robin Rogers, 712 Longfellow

      Ms. Rogers states she is concerned about Longfellow and that not enough attention has been paid to Longfellow. She believes the issue is with the size of Longfellow and the ability of only one car being able to pass at a time. Ms. Rogers feels they have been going from meeting to meeting and told they are either to early or to late, and they just want to be heard. Ms. Rogers states that they want support from the Commission when it is passed on to the City Council, and that the problems need to be pushed back to the City of Manhattan Beach.

      J. C. Agajanian, 2802 Tennyson Place

      Mr. Agajanian states that Manhattan Beach needs to take responsibility. He believes that the study is truthful, that he saw license plate numbers being taken, and that only a handful of vehicles were drive through. Mr. Agajanian does not believe that anything needs to be blocked off and that there is no problem. He indicates that he does not feel that 31 - 32 mph on a downhill grade is speeding. Mr. Agajanian states that his opinion and the opinion of his neighbors is that nothing needs to be done. He believes that people will complain if the Commission does some of the items proposed and that the Commission should wait and see what happens with Skechers.

      Skip Beall, 30th Street

      Mr. Beall indicates that a traffic count on 30th Street was done a year ago, a temporary blockage was installed and then another count was done. He indicates that he submitted a petition with seventy-five signatures and that the traffic count is wrong and he has a video, which proves this. Mr. Beall states that twenty-five times a day cars run the signal at 30th and Tennyson and that Remax has gotten the signal changed in favor of the flow of traffic out of Manhattan Beach and into Hermosa Beach.

      Commission discussion brought out the following information or comments.

      • When the issue of speed humps was raised, Mr. Williams informed the Commissioners that the City Council had made it very clear in their previous meeting that they were not interested in the use of speed humps in the City of Hermosa Beach.
      • It was stated that everyone affected had been noticed and that the required areas were legally posted.
      • The General Plan through the Circulation Element sets goals and policies for local residential streets, which currently are: 2,500 vehicles per day, or hourly volumes of 200 - 300 vehicles are acceptable.
      • Mr. Williams informed the Commission that Council directed Staff to bring the traffic study results to them on May 14th and to contact Caltrans to determine who has jurisdiction over the traffic signal at Longfellow and Pacific Coast Highway. Staff is in the process of doing that; the City Council will then take over the issue, and will take action. Staff has made a request to Cal Trans for removal of the light.
      • The Commission generally favored supporting the City Council in an effort to remove the street sign and for proactive measures to be taken since the anticipated two percent increase did not seem logical.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to recommend to City Council that they relocate or remove the traffic light at Longfellow and Sepulveda. No Second, motion died.

      MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham to establish a Joint Meeting with the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission to discuss traffic issues and to support the City Council in their efforts to address the traffic light at Longfellow. No Second, motion died.

      MOTION by Commissioner Howell for Public Works Commission to encourage and support the approach to Cal Trans by our Staff and give priority to reducing traffic in all neighborhoods. No Second, motion died.

      MOTION by Chairman Winnek to receive and file the traffic study done by Katz, Okitsu & Associates. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.

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

      MOTION by Commissioner Howell that the Commission as an advisory Commission to the City Council endorses their stated goal of approaching Cal Trans with a focus of relocating signal from Longfellow to another street. No Second, motion dies.

7. Recessed at 9:15 p.m.

   Resumed at 9:25 p.m.

8. Commissioners' Reports

   Safety Program (PDF file) Commissioner Lombardo and Commissioner Howell presented their proposal for the Hermosa Beach Safety Program. They noted that Hermosa Beach Police Chief Mike Lavin, police officers, and the Hermosa Beach School District all support the program. Light pole flags or banners would be hung with the message "Be Hermosa Beach Street Smart" and would have child-like figures representing various activities. Commissioner Lombardo indicated that immediate action need be taken, as the safety messages would be hung along with Mervyns' Beach Bash signs and that Mervyns would sponsor the banners. The flags will be hung from Memorial Day to Labor Day on light poles along Hermosa Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.

   MOTION by Commissioner Koch to forward the proposal to Council and to recommend approval of the proposed Hermosa Beach Safety Program. Seconded by Chairman Winnek.

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

9. Agenda for March Council Meetings

   1. Monthly Activity Report for February (PDF file) - Reviewed and Filed

   2. Project Status Reports for February (PDF file) - Reviewed and Filed

   Above items are presented for information purposes only.

10. Items Requested by Commissioners

    Mr. Williams stated that Staff had taken an item to Council recommending the temporary installation of speed humps on Palm Drive and advised that Council made it clear that speed humps are not an option and ordered the installation of a stop sign on Palm Drive at the exit of Lot D.

    Mr. Williams also indicated that, at the recommendation of the City Manager, at the next City Council meeting, Staff will request direction from Council as to what steps should be taken with regard to Hillcrest Drive between 18th Street and 21st Street where residents had requested speed humps. Due to Council's objections to speed humps, the survey of the affected neighbors as motioned by the Public Works Commission at their March meeting will not be performed.

11. Other Matters

    It was stated that a good job had been performed by the Public Works Department in regards to the slurry seals off Aviation Boulevard.

    Commissioner Lombardo, with the approval of the Commission, will miss the next two Commission meetings (May and June).

12. Public Comments

    None.

13. Adjournment

    At 9:45 p.m. Chairman Winnek adjourned to the meeting of May 15, 2002.