The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Howell, Koch, Winnek

   Also Present: Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent
   Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department

   Not Present: Commissioner Lombardo
   Harold Williams, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer,

2. Flag Salute

   Chairman Winnek led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the April 17, 2002 meeting were approved as written.

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   None.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Request to Remove Red Zone at 1107 Loma Drive (PDF file)

      Mr. Flaherty presented the item. He had taken pictures of the red zone area in question earlier that day, showing various angles revealing a 15-foot vehicle's bumpers exceeding both ends of the allotted space, designated by the painted T and L markings. The slopes and faces of the driveways meet all Public Works requirements and standards. Public Works crews put in all the other public parking spaces citywide.

      Discussion of the item highlighted the following:

      • There are no parking spaces in the City as small as this space
      • Many red zones throughout the City are similar to this one.
      • Mr. Flaherty noted the following:
        1. If the red zone is removed, the space would be left for whatever size vehicle fits safely
        2. Space will not have T and L markings
        3. Curb should be sandblasted so that color is clear, not painted over.
      • The only designated compact car spaces in the City are determined by width, not length
      • Staff has discussed the situation with the property owner to the north of the space who is willing to allow the red curb to be removed; the owner to the south wants it kept red
      • There are no ordinances at this time regarding motorcycling, only about one vehicle per metered parking space

      Public comments included the following:

      Richard Applebaum, 1106 Loma Drive

      Mr. Applebaum stated he has spoken to many neighbors and feels he represents them. He explained that due to the number of restaurants, businesses, and even a ball park located in the vicinity of 1107 Loma Drive, parking space is at a premium and people over time have never failed to squeeze their cars into the tightest of spaces, spaces not designated for parking, and even spaces smaller than the one in question, without ever being ticketed. So the logic goes that if these areas are safe and acceptable by parking enforcement standards for parking, the one in question ought to be as well.

      Mr. Applebaum claims the photos exhibited do not objectively show the true size of the curbside area, and that a compact car could easily fit. He insists that curbs are not standardized anywhere, particularly in this part of the neighborhood, and in his fifteen years there, cars have parked there without a problem. The people who purchased and built this corner unit had already taken three parking spots away. So if this spot were painted red, it would become the fourth potential parking spot taken away. As far as safety goes, the people who live there will have to back out, turn around, and be aware of cars coming down, just like every other resident on the street.

      Additional Commission discussion brought out the following information and/or comments:

      • There is no legal significance to the T and L markings in that a car that exceeds the markings is not necessarily in violation of parking laws. It's a judgement call and also depends on whether complaints are made.
      • The 18-foot parking length standard was issued standard based on measurements taken in Redondo and Manhattan Beach, though other lengths exist, as it is possible to deviate from the standard.
      • The owner of the property next to the red zone, who opposes allowing parking, had a mostly positive history with the space but ultimately ended up having to tow cars that presented a problem to the driveway.
      • In the future, more thought and planning should be put into the early stages of development of new spaces regarding making the most of available parking space instead of letting it go to waste, and realizing this after the fact.

      MOTION by Vice Chairman Cheatham that they allow a sub-compact space at this location, 13 feet long, stamped with "sub-compact only" markings. No second, motion died.

      MOTION by Commissioner Koch to remove red zone with the understanding that motorcycles can park there. Removal would include sandblasting the paint and removing the Ts and Ls. Seconded by Vice Chairman Cheatham.

      Aye: Cheatham, Koch
      Nay: Howell
      Abstain: Winnek
      Absent: Lombardo

      Motion passed.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Safety Sub-Committee

   Commissioner Howell reported that "Be Street Smart Hermosa" campaign pole banners were approved, will be going up around town.

8. Council Agendas - April

   1. Monthly Activity Report - March (PDF file)

   2. Project Status Reports - March (PDF file)

   Above items are presented for information purposes only.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   Vice Chairman Cheatham updated the statuses of three action items: the construction standards review action item is being handled by the infrastructure guideline subcommittee; the item for developing fair and equitable and consistent development standards is also being handled by the infrastructure guideline subcommittee; and there was a Council request that the Public Works Commission submit recommendations addressing concerns on curbs and gutters, also being handled by the infrastructure guideline subcommittee; these three action items can be combined and grouped as one.

10. Other Matters

    Vice Chairman Cheatham noted that National Public Works Week is coming up, and that there will be a barbecue at the City Yard for City employees.

    Vice Chairman Cheatham brought up as a potential agenda making the long red curb painted just outside the Coffee Bean on Hermosa Avenue a green zone, with two spaces to make it easier for customers to stop by for a quick coffee pickup, instead of being ticketed for risking a few minutes of parking.

    The following items were noted on this matter:

    • The curb was specifically painted red to facilitate the making of legally designated U-turns at the intersection where this red zone is located. Cars parking there would block the space needed to complete the U-turns safely.
    • The curb was painted red prior to the Coffee Bean being built.
    • Any changes would require Council approval, which would require an agenda item going to Council from the Commission recommending the change.

    Commissioner Koch requested an agenda item clarifying Council's speed hump policy explaining to the Committee what exactly is the current policy.

    Commissioner Howell suggested having as a future agenda item doing a study to see what the minimum possible size is for a safe parking spot, specifically inquiring about spaces for sub-compact cars and motorcycles.

    Commissioner Howell also suggested as a future agenda item for a subcommittee the issue of planting trees near public infrastructure. He's noticed many trees growing to the point where the roots are damaging nearby structures. He would like to make sure people plant appropriate trees near their buildings. The issue would be deferred to a street tree subcommittee.

11. Public Comments

    None.

12. Adjournment

    At 8:06 p.m. Chairman Winnek adjourned to the meeting of June 19, 2002.