The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present:	Commissioners Cheatham, Beste, Koch, Lombardo. Commissioner Winnek arrived at 7:35 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. Cheatham led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   Motion by Commissioner Cheatham to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2003 meeting as amended. Seconded by Mr. Beste.

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

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   None.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. "Infrastructure Improvements in Hermosa Beach" - Presentation by the Gas Company (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams introduced Marcella Low, Gas Company representative. Ms. Low indicated that The Gas Company has become the largest natural gas distributor in the United States since deregulation, and that the California Public Utilities Commission regulates the design, construction, and maintenance of gas lines. The Gas Company pays a franchise fee to local governments for the use of public right-of-way; for Hermosa Beach, this fee amounted to $59,700 in 2002. With Ms. Low were Mr. Bill Perry, District Operations Manager and Mr. Ben Pruett, Franchise and Fees Manager.

      The presentation and the following discussion highlighted the following information.

      • Most of the City is on a 3-year cycle - leads are repaired on a schedule determined by the degree of leakage.
      • Replacement work is done with polyethylene pipe.
      • Typical jobs include excavation, trenching and installation.
      • Most pipes in the City operate at 5 pounds of pressure and are getting quite old; the surrounding cities' pipes operate at 28 pounds of pressure. In the process of bringing the City to 28 pounds of pressure.
      • Concrete patches are used when working on concrete streets; patches should last as long as the street does, although newer (more recently paved) streets are easier to patch than older ones because the bonding is better.
      • Adding a slurry seal doesn't add structural integrity to the patch.
      • PVC pipe is designed to last 65 years or more-essentially indefinitely.

   2. Directive from City Council - Review Concept of In-House Construction Management (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams made the presentation, bringing to the Commissioners' attention a directive from Council to review the concept of in-house construction management. Council had approved agreement with Quantum Consulting for management of three projects (Project Nos. 00-410, 00-192 and 00-411) for a fee not to exceed $147,600 at their meeting of February 11, 2003. These are street and sewer improvement projects.

      Discussion of this item highlighted the following:

      • A copy of the scope of services for the previously noted projects will be provided to the commissioners.
      • Typical construction management includes daily inspection, daily reports, weekly meetings, log of events, etc.
      • The Hillcrest & Rhodes project does not have a construction manager and it should.
      • The construction manager reports back to the entry-level project manager at weekly construction meetings.
      • Software used is primarily to produce bar charts.
      • All construction management could be brought in-house if funding is available.
      • At this time, only entry level positions in Engineering.
      • Council has given the assignment to the Commission to determine viability of in-house construction management.
      • Utility companies are notified of projects during the design phase.
      • In-house staff would ensure higher quality while bringing with it higher costs.
      • Appears to be a question of cost vs. quality and while haven't dealt with cost in the past, the Commission is to deal with it now.
      • A survey of the area is needed, looking for data or reports, which could provide basis for cost/benefit analysis - include salaries, positions, retention rates, etc.

   3. Request for Speed Control on Gould Avenue between Valley Drive and Sepulveda (PDF File).

      Mr. Abassi made the presentation as a follow-up to his November report as requested by the Commission, offering several traffic calming alternatives for Gould Avenue. He indicated that a stealth speed survey revealed a speeding problem on Gould. The total number of cars over a three-day period was 39,405, which is consistent with an arterial street rather than a local street.

      Mr. Abassi stated that a traffic calming strategy must take into account the gradient of the street, sight distances, and the length and width of the street. Possible strategies without changing the alignment of the street include signage, striping, speed humps, and stop signs. Other traffic calming measures include closure (full or partial), median barriers, diagonal diverters, forced turn islands, raised crosswalks, raised intersections, textured pavement, traffic circles, roundabouts, and chicanes.

      To implement a strategy, Mr. Abassi suggested that field analysis and a public workshop should be used, along with utilizing experience from other cities.

      Traffic calming suggestions for Gould Avenue included:

      • Installation of a median and add landscaping; additional parking would be allowed which would cut travel width.
      • Employ a raised median, chokers, and a landscaped parkway
      • Installation of some type of temporary median to test the possibility of the additional median

      Mr. Beste inquired how reducing speed and volume on Gould Avenue would affect traffic on nearby streets and whether traffic calming on Gould made sense without complicated and expensive regional modeling. Mr. Koch asked about the impact on pedestrians or bicycles, and Mr. Abassi replied that current alternatives do not account for bike lanes, but these could be added later. Mr. Williams indicated that Gould Avenue was formerly classified as "arterial" but is classified as "local" by the City.

      Nora Herzberger. 666 Gould Avenue

      Told the Commissioners that traffic noise has become "unbearable" and presented a petition to the Commission. She said that speeds are excessive and create hazards for pedestrians as well as diminishing the quality of life for residents. The petition was read into the minutes however; Ms. Herzberger did not leave the petition for action by Public Works.

      Jim Lissner, Hermosa Beach

      Mr. Lissner also advised that speeds were excessive and advocated making Gould Avenue narrower. He suggested chicanes and the addition of a layer of rubberized asphalt to reduce noise.

      Mr. Winnek suggested that a balance must be struck between residents' rights to quiet enjoyment of their property and the traffic demands of the area; he noted that Gould Avenue acts as a connector artery despite its classification as a local street. Mr. Winnek expressed concerns that the grade of the street makes traditional traffic calming measures more hazardous; the grade leads to higher speeds in both directions and reducing sight distances can have a negative impact on safety.

      Ms. Lombardo noted that the medians on Artesia Boulevard haven't hurt the line of sight.

      Mr. Beste suggested that traffic calming might not be appropriate for arterial streets since traffic would then shift to other streets. Mr. Koch pointed out that Gould Avenue is somewhat unique given the grade of the street and the narrowing from two lanes to one in each direction. Mr. Cheatham said that he would like to add a median where it is appropriate but doesn't like "bulb outs." Mr. Cheatham suggested that Gould Avenue be reclassified as arterial and let the residents and neighbors look at the options.

      Mr. Williams noted that staff wasn't asking for a definite action but for direction at this time.

      MOTION by Mr. Winnek to take no action. No second. Motion died.

      MOTION by Ms. Lombardo to recommend installation of another median at El Oeste immediately SE of existing median, and regarding other, additional aspects of calming for the area. No second. Motion died.

      MOTION by Mr. Koch to have staff develop further impact studies including effects on other streets, hold public workshops and give notice to all people on Gould and adjacent streets; also recommend that council approve funds for further study. No second. Motion died.

      MOTION by Mr. Cheatham to look at traffic calming measures along the median with programmed visibility, signal heads and reclassification of Gould Avenue. No second. Motion died.

      MOTION by Mr. Winnek to recommend to City Council reclassification of Gould Avenue from local to arterial. Seconded by Mr. Cheatham.

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

      Motion not carried.

      Discussion from the audience and among the commissioners brought out the following:

      • Mr. Lissner pointed out that if the street were reclassified, Council would have to raise the speed limit to 40 mph per new federal law.
      • The breakdown of street classifications is as follows:

        Local:	25 mph, residential
        Collector:	Doesn't change funding but will have signals, striping, etc. so can move traffic.
        Arterial:	Moves major amounts of traffic.

      • Classification can help in determining funding - a change in classification would probably need to be part of the General Plan. Should be part of a broader study.

      Mr. Winnek called for a point of order, asking that the matter at hand be resolved.

      MOTION by Mr. Koch to ask Council to provide guidance. Seconded by Mr. Beste

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

      Motion not carried.

      MOTION by Mr. Cheatham to recommend a public workshop for the community presenting the alternatives. Seconded by Mr. Koch.

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

      Motion carried.

      The Commission noted that Mr. Abassi would present the information at the workshop.

   4. Proposed Speed Hump Policies and Procedures (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams made the presentation, submitting the policy for the Commission's review. The City Council referred the matter of a speed hump policy to the Public Works Commission with the direction to streamline the policy which should include the provision that 67% of residents must sign a petition approving of any speed humps. Mr. Williams pointed out that according to the policy a representative of a local street must submit a request in writing to Public Works which will then consult with the police and fire departments to determine if the street is eligible. Mr. Williams also pointed out that funding is not guaranteed, and that residents can seek alternative funding. Residents who later want speed humps removed would, generally speaking, be expected to pay for the removal. The current policy requires that petitions for removal should include sufficient funds for the removal up to $1000; Mr. Williams recommended raising this maximum to $1500.

      This matter will be revisited at the March 19, 2003 meeting.

   5. Request for Speed Humps on Ninth Street between Prospect Avenue and Reynolds Lane (PDF File).

      Mr. Williams told the Commission that residents on 9th Street between the 800 and 1200 blocks have submitted a petition requesting speed humps on their street. Mr. Williams recommended holding the petition until the policy is in place.

      MOTION by Mr. Winnek to hold further action until the speed hump policy is in place. Seconded by Ms. Lombardo

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

      Motion carried.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Mr. Cheatham mentioned that the Newsrack Subcommittee was waiting for the report. Ms. Lombardo said that the Tree Subcommittee had met and Mr. Flaherty was present. Ms. Lombardo is joining the Garden Club and will have a fuller report at the next meeting. Mr. Winnek is working with the Gateway Subcommittee.

8. Council Agendas/Minutes -1/6/03, 1/14/03 minutes; 1/28/03, 2/11/03 agendas

   1. Monthly Activity Report - December (PDF File).

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

   These items are presented for information purposes only.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   Mr. Cheatham pointed out that there is a drainage problem with the 2nd Street paving project. Mr. Williams acknowledged the problem and said it was being addressed. Mr. Cheatham also inquired when the steam clean contract was up for renewal; Mr. Flaherty indicated that the current contract expires in approximately one and a half years (the contracts are for three-year terms). Mr. Cheatham requested a statement of work from the contractor. Mr. Cheatham also pointed out a water leak at Starbucks and the Coffee Bean; Mr. Williams urged the Commissioners to use a service request rather than e-mail when making maintenance or repair requests.

10. Other Matters

    Mr. Flaherty mentioned that the doggie bags placed on posts in the parks cost about $1000 - $2000 per year. Ms. Lombardo mentioned that one home at 34th Street and Hermosa Avenue was without a garage, and she inquired whether that household could have a green curb in front of their home. Mr. Flaherty indicated that Public Works could look into the matter, but zoning requires a directive from the City Council.

    Mr. Flaherty told the Commission that Public Works will have a truck in the Saint Patrick's Day parade and that all commissioners are welcome to participate.

    Mr. Koch announced that he was leaving the Commission because he is moving out of the city.

    Mr. Cheatham presented Mr. Williams a gift from the Commission in appreciation for Mr. Williams' service. It was announced that Mr. Williams will be leaving the Department of Public Works.

11. Public Comment

    None.

12. Adjournment

    The meeting was adjourned at 10:12pm. The next meeting will be on March 19, 2003 in the Council Chambers.