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

1. Roll Call

   Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Koch, Beste, Lombardo. Mr. Winnek arrived at 7:13 p.m.

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

2. Flag Salute

   Mr. Beste led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   Motion by Commissioner Cheatham to approve the minutes of December 18, 2002 meeting as written. Seconded by Mr. Koch.

   Ayes: Lombardo, Cheatham, Beste, Winnek
   Noes: None
   Abstain: Koch
   Absent: None

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   None.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   Note: Item 6 d) was taken out of order to accommodate a member of the public who wished to address the Commission on this issue.

   1. Memorandum from Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams recommended convening a subcommittee to study the matter of gateway signs on Pier Avenue and provide direction to Staff. Mr. Williams noted that it will require substantial Staff time and hiring a consultant in signage. Mr. Winnek expressed interest in serving on such a subcommittee. Mr. Williams suggested that the Commissioners not concern themselves with costs and present the best looking sign in the best location to the City Council and let them set the budget. Ms. Lombardo suggested that the Commission could propose alternatives for additional funding.

      MOTION by Mr. Koch to form a subcommittee to study this matter. Seconded by Ms. Lombardo

      Ayes: Cheatham, Lombardo, Winnek, Koch, Beste
      Noes: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

      Mr. Winnek and Ms. Lombardo volunteered to serve on this subcommittee.

   2. Project No. CIP 00-140 11th Place On-Street Parking Improvements - Progress Report (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams made the presentation, saying that Public Works has been unable to locate documentation of a road access easement, and he suggested that a title search and record search would be undertaken to determine its status.

      In response to Commissioners' questions, Mr. Williams said that they had not considered making the street one-way to increase the number of parking spaces. The plans at this stage are conceptual, and they will be addressing the drainage issue at a later date however Mr. Williams did note that there would be cross gutters only. The intent at present is to keep the parking spaces free to the public, although the issue of metered parking could be addressed at a later time.

      MOTION by Ms. Lombardo to receive and file this report. Seconded by Mr. Winnek.

      Ayes: Cheatham, Beste, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
      Noes: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

   3. Request for All-Way Stops at the Intersections of 4th Street and Manhattan Avenue and 4th Street and Monterey Avenue (PDF File).

      Mr. Abassi made the presentation, stressing that the traffic situation at these intersections is not out of the ordinary for the City. Since the original presentation at the November meeting, a warrant study had been done and it indicated that the Manhattan and 4th Street intersection is not a good candidate for a stop sign. The 85th percentile speeds at 4th Street and Monterey Avenue were slightly higher, but not enough to warrant a stop sign either.

      In response to Commissioners' questions, Mr. Abassi indicated that these are typical intersections in a small city, and improving sight distances could only be achieved at the expense of parking spaces. Stop signs are in place on 2nd and 6th Streets because they are through streets and carry more traffic than 4th Street. Frequent stop and go traffic could increase traffic noise.

      MOTION by Mr. Winnek to deny the request for all-way stops at the Intersections of 4th Street and Manhattan Avenue and 4th Street and Monterey Avenue. Seconded by Mr. Beste.

      Ayes: Cheatham, Beste, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None

   4. Request for Safety Improvements at the Intersection of Ardmore Avenue and 3rd Street (PDF File).

      Mr. Abassi made the presentation, indicating traffic conditions at this intersection are not out of the ordinary for this city. A speed and volume survey revealed that approximately 2,800 cars per day pass through this intersection and the 85th percentile of speed is 25 mph. Mr. Abassi advised that a stop sign at this intersection was not appropriate.

      Public Comment on this issue:

      Patty McAvin, 645 3rd Street

      Ms. McAvin indicated that a stop sign might not be appropriate, but traffic has increased dramatically since the condominium developments have been built and the intersection is dangerous, saying people are "lucky if they don't get hit." She added that the problem has increased since the condominiums were built.

      Mr. Cheatham noted that the streets in the area are narrow, and traffic has increased since medium density development has been allowed. Average speeds are lower due to reduced visibility on the narrow streets, and a stop sign would set an unwelcome precedent for other intersections in the area. Mr. Williams noted that the proposed CIP project for widening Ardmore was not moved forward by the City Council.

      MOTION by Mr. Winnek to take no action at this time and to receive and file Ms. McAvin's request. Seconded by Lombardo

      Ayes: Cheatham, Beste, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
      Noes: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

   5. Request to Repave Tennyson Place (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams presented the item, noting that this presentation was in response to Commission direction to place the item on this evening's agenda.

      Mr. Cheatham noted that the condition of this street is bad but there was worse than many others and the City was repairing the streets in the worst condition first. He also advised that there would be a new Pavement Management Study this year and that will be among the guidelines used for the next recommendation to Council for street improvements. It was noted that he CIP subcommittee would be revitalized once the report has been completed.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Mr. Cheatham noted that he'd like to see another meeting between Staff and the subcommittee regarding an update on the current status of the newsracks. Mr. Winnek added that there is the potential for rust problems with the newsracks, asking what remedies were available to contain the potential problems.

   Ms. Lombardo indicated that the tree subcommittee plans to meet later this month. Ms. Lombardo visited the Garden Club, and noted that the members were anxious to help. She noted that she will be getting additional information from the Club and will report back to the Commission once received.

8. Council Agendas - December Minutes

   1. Monthly Activity Report - November

   2. Project Status Reports - November (PDF File).

   These items are presented for information purposes only.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   Ms. Lombardo indicated that she and former Commissioner Chris Howell were on the safety committee and the Police Department has obtained a grant for funding the safety program.

   Mr. Cheatham drew attention to the St. Patrick's Day parade and suggested that Public Works might wish to participate. Mr. Williams said that the department could work on that.

   Mr. Cheatham suggested that Commissioners put their names and email addresses on the city's website. Several Commissioners preferred not to post email addresses, as they prefer to communicate by phone.

10. Other Matters

    Mr. Koch inquired about the City's stand on the storm drain issue, referring to an article in the Daily Breeze. Mr. Williams responded that the City was not a member of the group in question and that the Public Works Department does its best to make sure the public is aware of the Best Management Practices. In addition, it was noted that the City's lines are unplugged every 12 hours.

    Mr. Williams distributed a memo from the City Attorney advising that new regulations require Commissioners to leave the room whenever a matter is before the Commission that raises a potential conflict of interest. An exception to this rule would be when a Commissioner with a personal interest wishes to address the Commission as a member of the general public.

    Mr. Williams also announced that the county is now ready to proceed with a pilot program to monitor the salt-water barrier to hold back seawater was put on hold in 1999. The system will be hardwired and will be located in existing conduit.

    Mr. Flaherty reminded the Commission of the Household Hazardous & E-Waste Round Up in the City on Saturday, January 25, 2003 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This county program now includes "e-waste" (electronic waste) i.e., monitors, keyboards, and other electronic equipment. Hermosa Beach was selected due to the high level of participation in past years.

11. Public Comment

    None.

12. Adjournment

    The meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm. The next meeting will be on February 19, 2003 in the Council Chambers.