Roll Call

Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Howell, Koch, Lombardo
Winnek arrived at 8:35 p.m.

Also Present: Harold Williams, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent
Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department

Flag Salute

Commissioner Chris Howell led the flag salute.

Approval of Minutes: May 15, 2002

The minutes of the May 15, 2002 meeting approved as written.

Public Comments

None.

Correspondence

None.

Items for Commission Consideration

1. Proposed Taxi Zone Change (PDF file)

   Mr. Williams presented the item with the recommendation that a new taxi zone on Hermosa Avenue be established.

   Mr. Flaherty presented the details of the report. He noted that the biggest problem with the current location of the taxi zone is the pedestrians jaywalking to get a cab. In addition, over 200 cabs have paid fees to work in the City - a situation the Police Department will look into at a later date. At any one time, there could be 10 to 12 cabs lined up waiting to get into the legal taxi zone which creates a dangerous situation on Hermosa Avenue.

   He said that the change with the least amount of negative damage would include moving the zone as noted in the report, adjusting/relocating the meters, and moving the green zone while accommodating the bank's ATM machine customers. He noted that an email had been received from the MTA supporting the proposal; they'd prefer to have far side stops vs. near side stops for safety reasons.

   Mr. Williams requested the following changes to the report:

   1. Page 2, under Alternatives, line 1, and please delete this sentence entirely.
   2. Attachment 3 - delete text (convert taxi parking to 4 metered parking spaces).

   Discussion of the item highlighted the following:

   • The area was a left turn pocket before the Pier Plaza was developed.
   • There is concern that cabs may be turning into the residential area as they leave the City with passengers.
   • Cab spaces are smaller than regular parking spaces because taxis park bumper to bumper and regular parking is not done bumper to bumper - the 5 spaces allotted for taxis would be 4 spaces for regular parking.
   • It is possible the new bus stop area could be shared with taxis - buses stop running after 10:00 p.m.
   • Taxi franchise does not go before the Public Works Commission, only relocation of the zone.
   • A review by the Chief of Police, 3 sergeants and Mike Flaherty determined that this plan was the least offensive to businesses in the area.
   • Signage for the area would be difficult and potentially difficult to enforce
   • Could put the taxi zone in the alley.
   • It is important the buses are able to swing in and out of the bus zone easily therefore relocated to the far side of the intersection.
   • Suggested use of 13th Court as area for stacking with a 15-minute green zone in front of the ice cream store - problem is some of it is no parking and there is 2-way traffic
   • Suggestion was made to use center median vacated by taxis as regular parking area - noted that this could become an accident prone area for cars leaving and/or backing into the spaces
   • There isn't enough room to install a railing along the sidewalk to prevent pedestrians from jaywalking to the taxis.

   MOTION by Commissioner Howell to support the change and request that staff obtain residents' comments resident/taxi comments. Comments to be forwarded with item when sent to Council. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.

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

   Motion failed.

   MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo revised to support the change, only after someone looks into widening the center median towards Pier and narrowing the 11th Street end, preserving the center median for parking.

   At this time Mr. Williams noted that a left turn pocket onto 11th could mislead a driver into thinking that the pocket is an open-ended left turn lane which could lead to rear-end collisions with cars parked in the median parking area.

   MOTION revised by Commissioner Lombardo to the following: Support staff's recommendation and look into the possibility of preserving or expanding center lane parking where taxis were located. Seconded by Commissioner Howell.

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

   Motion passed.

2. Review of Proposed Speed Hump Policies and Procedures (PDF file)

   Mr. Williams presented the item noting that concerns for speeding on residential streets in the City have prompted the request for speed hump policies and procedures. Staff is requesting that the Commission review and comment on the policies and procedures.

   There are many treatments that are available but most are not desirable in Hermosa Beach. It was noted that speed humps are very different from speed bumps. Speed humps are a road treatment, not a speed control device and have been effective in many areas.

   Discussion of the item highlighted the following:

   • The residents would request the speed bumps via petition.
   • Removal would be at the instigation of the residents who would pay for that removal.
   • Commissioners would like to review the applications for speed humps as they are received - possibly as a precaution for the first year.
   • Policy being put into place in an effort to speed up the process.
   • Speed humps would be installed on local streets as defined by the General Plan; streets would have to meet all criteria in the policy; speed humps would not be installed on streets with over a 5% grade.
   • Speed humps would not be installed on collector streets or were emergency vehicles frequently travel.
   • The first test case is on Hillcrest - council approved the installation of speed humps without a policy being in place. Any new requests will need 65% of the neighbors to sign the petition.
   • The Public Works Commission would hear appeals.
   • The requirement that the hump be at least 200' from an intersection would be flexible.

   MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham that the Commission support the adoption of the Speed Hump Policies & Procedures and add a paragraph to the procedures noting that the application be brought to the Commission prior to going to City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Lombard.

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

   Motion passed.

3. Summary of the Updated 5-Year Plan, 2002-03 through 2006-07

   Mr. Williams presented the item noting that it was not yet complete due to 02-03 budget preparation and the move back to City Hall.

   Discussion highlighted the following:

   • The CIP's still follow the original list as prioritized by the subcommittee.
   • Priorities change when the time comes for funding; the City Manager makes the final decision as to which projects get to Council for funding.
   • Projects may have moved back because there was no available funding in the current year.
   • Some new projects may be added (example: 02-147 Handicap Ramp Upgrades) because specific funding is available.
   • TyCom project is funded and will be added to the list.

Commissioners' Reports

Infrastructure Subcommittee

The subcommittee met with a member of the City Council to ensure they were on the right track. They will meet with staff to review their materials at a date yet to be determined.

Council Agendas - April & May Minutes, June agendas

1. Monthly Activity Report - April (PDF file) , May (PDF file)

2. Project Status Reports - April (PDF file) , No May Report

All received and filed.

Items Requested by Commissioners

List of updated action items (PDF file) presented.

Discussion at this time highlighted the following:

• The pedestrian sign at Pier and Bard was stolen - sign had been attached with epoxy. New signs will be bolted to the street.
• Commission would like to be involved in the development of the requirements for the PCH median enhancements being prepared by the Economic Development Review Committee (EDRC).
• Staff hasn't yet received a schedule of projects as a work item but once received, it will be made available for the Commission.
• There is no formal sharing of information with regard to projects being done at the City border streets.

Other Matters

Commissioner Howell said he'd like to see a Tree Sub-Committee that could develop protocol and update existing tree policies, procedures and the approved tree list. Is there a proposal to provide an up-to-date list of trees that are favorable with proper tree selections and added to the Tree Sub-Committee?

It was noted that this may actually be in the purview of the Parks & Recreation Department and perhaps this could be a joint subcommittee with that commission.

MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham that a Tree Subcommittee is formed. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo. Commissioner Howell will provide the current policy and procedure information with the currently acceptable tree list.

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

Motion passed.

Commissioner Cheatham noted that a television special would be on the Discover Channel on July 27 at 9:00 p.m. It is entitled "Deadly Crossings" and may be of interest to all Commissioners as it is about street crossings.

Commissioner Cheatham asked about the status of the newsracks and was advised that the department was having some difficulty obtaining the pricing information in writing from the manufacturer - Kjack. There had been some progress that day and it was hoped that some definite information would be available by the next Commission meeting.

Commissioner Cheatham asked in a deceleration lane had been considered for the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Pier Avenue where the new bank is being constructed. Mr. Williams advised that it had been considered but, if it was constructed, the bank wouldn't have had enough land to complete their project as planned.

Commissioner Cheatham asked about any improvements to the traffic signal at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street. Mr. Williams advised that the contract had been let and that Caltrans would be upgrading the signal heads, not changing the timing. Per John Hill of Caltrans, the overall coordination of the signals will not change. Second Street is the only location where the timing will be changed in order to assist with congestion at that intersection.

Mr. Williams requested that the date of the August meeting be changed as he and Mr. Flaherty will not be available. Ms. Punneo will coordinate rescheduling the meeting.

8:35 p.m. Chairman Winnek arrived.

Public Comments

None.

Adjournment

At 8:38 p.m. Vice Chairman Cheatham adjourned to the August meeting, date to be determined.