The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.

1. Roll Call

   Present: Commissioners Applebaum, Beste, Cheatham, Lombardo, Winnek

   Also Present: Richard Morgan, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
   Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent
   Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department
   Sgt. Thomas Thompson, Traffic Department, HBPD
   Ray Abassi, City Traffic Engineer

   Absent: None

2. Flag Salute

   Commissioner Cheatham led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   Commissioner Cheatham requested that his comments in Item 9, page 7, of the July 16 minutes reflect that he observed the shop owner, not that he spoke with the shop owner.

   MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham to approve the minutes of July 16, 2003 as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.

   Ayes: Applebaum, Cheatham, Lombardo, Beste
   Nays: None
   Abstain: None
   Absent: None

   Motion passed.

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   A letter was received from the "5th Street Committee" listing options they felt would be best for what they consider to be the problems on that street. Mr. Morgan advised that these issues could be dealt with apart from the street refurbishment. Commissioner Cheatham suggested special permits could be an aid for parking difficulties on 5th Street. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Flaherty advised that this was being done now with other projects.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Traffic Accident Review Intersections of 5th St. and Pacific Coast Highway, 2nd St. and Hermosa Ave. and 2nd St. and Manhattan Ave. (PDF File)

      Mr. Morgan presented an overview, noting the possibility of re-agendizing the item at for a future meeting. He then turned the floor over to Sgt. Thomas Thompson who presented the accident histories of subject intersections and noted his observations. Sgt. Thompson noted that the information presented was gathered from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS) from 7/1/01 through 12/31/02 and the HBPD accident reports 1/1/03 through 6/30/03.

      Discussion after Sgt. Thompson's presentation highlighted the following:

      • The Stealth Surveys indicate that at the intersections of 2nd St. and Manhattan Ave. and 2nd St. and Hermosa Ave. vehicles are travelling well below the speed limit.
      • Accident figures are based on what's been reported - figures could be double that since many accidents go unreported.
      • The intersection of 5th St. and PCH has one of the highest accident rates in the City.
      • Situation at 5th St. and PCH could be improved if signal reprogrammed as Caltrans did with the signal at 2nd St. and PCH.
      • Will need to request that Caltrans make the changes.
      • The intersection of 2nd St. and Hermosa Ave. could be helped if changed to a 4-way flashing stop.
      • Caltrans is responsible for programming costs on PCH; should approach the signal changes at 5th and PCH as a safety concern standpoint.

      7:22 Commissioner Winnek arrived.

      Suggestions/comments that arose during discussion of 2nd St. and Hermosa Avenue:

      • Removing the signal and putting in a 4-way stop could create a tremendous traffic jam.
      • Could keep it as is and split the northbound and southbound phasing.
      • Removal of two parking spots from each of the north and south bound approaches, add a left-turn pocket and modify the signal to allow for protected left turns - with arrow.
      • Make #1 lane on Hermosa Ave. a left turn lane with the #2 lane going through the intersection - wouldn't have to split the phasing and would require no geometric changes or loss of parking places. Could have to paint arrows to indicate the left-turn lane - would lose vehicle capacity on Hermosa Ave.
      • Traffic signal would be reprogrammed to allow for changes.
      • Northbound and southbound signals would both be changed for consistency purposes.
      • Traffic count not yet done at this intersection.
      • No intersection large enough to make a u-turn.
      • At one time this intersection was a 4-way stop with no left or u-turns permitted.
      • Traffic signal was brought in due to pedestrian complaints.
      • This is the single location with this these types of problems in the downtown area. Many different types of accidents in the other downtown intersections.
      • Testing a four-way stop at that intersection good idea. Most feasible idea financially.
      • Receive calls about 6th & Hermosa Ave. as being dangerous - could add four-way there.
      • Another intersection that could be looked at is 10th and Hermosa Ave - vehicles fly through the STOP at that intersection. Flashing lights would be beneficial.
      • Warning signs about STOP sign ahead could also be helpful along with checking visibility of the STOP signs themselves.
      • In-pavement flashers could be used to complement STOP signs - more useful at night than during the day.
      • Can look into possibility of MTA grants available since Hermosa Ave. is on a bus route.
      • There is some concern about cars pulling out from parking spots if intersection of 2nd & Hermosa Ave. is changed to four-way stop.
      • Eastbound/westbound stops installed recently at the intersection of 2nd St. & Manhattan Ave. and no accidents reported since.
      • Mr. Joel Daniel of 611 Porter Lane suggested that a NO RIGHT TURN ON RED sign be posted on the northeast corner of Herondo St. and Hermosa Ave.

      MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham to experiment with a four-way flashing STOP at the intersection of 2nd Street and Hermosa Avenue. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.
      Staff will confer with City Manager and City Attorney to ensure feasibility of test.

      Ayes: Applebaum, Cheatham, Lombardo, Beste, Winnek
      Nays: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

      Motion passed.

      Mr. Abassi presented his findings for the intersection 5th and PCH. They included:

      • Problems at this intersection due to the offset nature
      • Split phasing of eastbound/westbound traffic or restricting left turns could be beneficial. There is a need to be sure circulation problems are not created.
      • It is a Caltrans controlled intersection and they would have to be contacted since it would change the traffic flow that Caltrans has been developing along State Route 1 (PCH).
      • There's no easy solution for this intersection.
      • A letter can be written to present suggested timing changes to Caltrans.
      • Changing to match the timing at 2nd and PCH would help for vehicles on 5th St. but wouldn't help the left turns onto 5th St. from PCH.
      • No obvious reason for the decline in accidents at this intersection since 2001.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to receive and file and allow Staff to continue their investigations. Seconded by Commissioner Applebaum.

      Ayes: Applebaum, Cheatham, Lombardo, Beste, Winnek
      Nays: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

   2. Proposed Newsrack Ordinance (PDF File)

      Mr. Morgan presented the staff report.

      Staff is currently bringing the draft ordinance to the Commission for review before taking it to Council. If there are no questions, there will be one more meeting with the publishers then it will go to Council for approval.

      The ordinance has been reviewed by both the City Manager and the City Attorney and is legally acceptable. There is no intent to regulate content. There will be a public lottery to determine which publications will be awarded spaces. The locations will be evaluated before the units are installed. It was decided that Hermosa Brown would be the color selection. It was noted that the new units will be bolted into place and only the newsracks in the public right-of-way will be affected.

      Discussion highlighted the following:

      • The subcommittee reviewed ADA access concerns at the post office location and determined that, with the anticipated reduction in the number of newsracks, sidewalk accessibility will not be a problem.
      • The ordinance will allow the City to control the locations.
      • The news racks can be moved and are only bolted down and easily modified. This ordinance regulates the public right of way only.
      • The ordinance does allow the publisher to request a new location and, at its discretion, the City may grant that request.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to approve the ordinance as is to the city council with addition that we use a Hermosa brown color. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.

      Ayes: Applebaum, Cheatham, Winnek, Lombardo, Beste
      Nays: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

      Motion passed.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Tree Committee

   Commissioner Lombardo distributed the tree rules and regulations for review and discussion at the next meeting. The Subcommittee, consisting of Ms. Lombardo, Pete Tucker of the Planning Commission and Bill Sigler of the Parks & Recreation Commission, would appreciate the commissioners' comments and suggestions.

   Coming forward to address the commission was:

   Joel Daniel 611 Porto Lane

   Mr. Daniel noted that eucalyptus trees are not native to the area and all should be removed and replaced. The existing trees are dying and should be replaced with something appropriate to the area.

   Commissioner Lombardo stated that there is a list of trees included with the new regulations.

   Gateway Committee

   The Gateway Signage Subcommittee is along nicely. Ms. Lombardo is anticipating a presentation at the September commission meeting.

8. Council Agendas - 7/22/03, 8/20/03

   Commissioner Cheatham asked if Council minutes could be provided in a timelier manner. Ms. Punneo advised that they were made available at the next meeting following receipt in the department.

   Commissioner Cheatham inquired about a water problem at 4th and Manhattan Ave. - was anyone aware of water difficulties at that location? Mr. Flaherty advised that there is a small catch basin with 30-year-old pipe at that location. Mr. Morgan noted that staff is looking at the possibility of filtration grating for a number of locations. Commissioner Cheatham noted that the basins at 3rd and Ardmore, 2nd and Valley also appear to be plugged. Mr. Morgan advised that that is the reason they are investigating the filtration grating.

   In response to Commissioner Cheatham's inquiry, Ms. Punneo advised that the Project Status Reports are submitted at the end of the month and prepared for presentation to the at the second Council meeting of every month.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   Commissioner Applebaum asked about maintenance of the volleyball courts between 6th and 7th on the Strand. Mr. Flaherty advised that the nets do not belong to nor does the City maintain them. On an annual basis, he goes to the various nets and posts notices regarding removal of the nets. The Parks and Recreation Commission must approve any new locations. Their decisions are based on a specific formula. The City does not own or operate any of these courts but does have the authority to remove them.

   As a point of order, Commissioner Winnek noted that the since the discussion could possibly be litigious, and it may not be in the City's best interest holding the discussion in a public forum.

   Chairman Cheatham concurred and the discussion was halted.

   Commissioner Lombardo announced that the Farmers Market will be moving into Clark Field on August 29th. This action was being taken in the interest of public safety.

   Commissioner Lombardo asked about adding "2-WAY" and "4-WAY" to the bottoms of STOP signs.

   Commissioner Winnek noted that a Mr. Arnhoff had contacted him several times by message regarding the Strand and bike path incidents. Mr. Morgan advised that he would attempt to obtain the information regarding safety issues on the Strand from the Fire Department.

10. Other Matters

    Commissioner Lombardo complimented the Public Works Department on the temporary parking on Valley Drive between 2nd Street and Herondo Street. Mr. Morgan noted that perhaps meters could be added after it is determined that the parking spaces will remain on a permanent basis.

    The commissioners agreed to postpone the September meeting until the 24th allowing for the absence of both Mr. Morgan, Mr. Flaherty.

11. Public Comments

    None.

12. Adjournment

    At 8:47 p.m. Chairman Cheatham adjourned to the meeting of September 24, 2003.