Roll Call

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

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

Absent: None

Flag Salute

Commissioner Lombardo led the flag salute.

Approval of Minutes of October 22, 2003

Minutes were approved as amended.

Public Comments

Commissioner Lombardo announced that the Gateway Project - Dewey Weber Memorial Statue Fund - had been approved by Council and was up and running. Commissioner Lombardo was the first to order the "Dewey Deal" of five bricks.

Correspondence

None

Items for Commission Consideration

Item b was heard first but Items 6a and 6b are presented in order for clarity.

1. Use of Non-Standard Paving Surfaces for parking and Sidewalk Areas (PDF File)

   Mr. Morgan presented the item noting that it was being presented due to the numerous requests from residents to use brick pavers or other surface treatments rather than standard concrete sidewalks or asphalt.

   At this time, there is a request from a property owner on Circle Court asking for permission to repave a substantial area above and beyond the two lots he owns.

   Mr. Morgan noted Mr. Flaherty's legitimate concerns regarding any sewer or other work that would require removing and restoring the non-standard pavers. Mr. Morgan suggested that the property owners would have to sign indicating full responsibility for street improvements with regard to the non-standard pavers.

   Discussion among the commissioners included the following:

   • Concern about potential visual nuisance and/or clutter later
   • Concern about new owner balking at replacing or paying for replacement of pavers.
   • City could indicate pavers and suggest those that may be readily available in for the long term.
   • Public Works is still interested in porous concrete.
   • Demonstration of porous concrete in Orange County wasn't impressive.
   • Eclectic look around City looks good where appropriate - not in areas where curb and gutter are established.
   • City will need to set criteria if non-standard paving permitted.
   • Parking is a curb issue - as areas are redeveloped, curb and gutter will be installed.
   • Department will attempt to come up with reasonable criteria - able to be sensitive to the specific areas.

   MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to approve supporting requests from development applicants to utilize non-standard paving surfaces for parking and sidewalk areas within the public right-of-way. Seconded by Commissioner Beste.

   AYES: Applebaum, Beste, Cheatham, Lombardo
   NAYS: None
   ABSENT: None
   ABSTAIN: Winnek

2. Pedestrian Safety Crossing Pacific Coast Highway At Pier Avenue (PDF File)

   Mr. Morgan introduced the item, noting that the subject was driven by numerous complaints from pedestrians crossing at this intersection. He presented Mr. Abassi who sent on to review the timing of the signal at that location along with the accident history. Mr. Morgan noted that two parking spaces will be removed from in front of the Community Center during the upgrading currently in progress.

   Discussion of the item included the following:

   • Changes have been discussed with Caltrans - they suggested changing from a five-station to a three-station light for traffic eastbound from Pier Avenue. Left turns have to be getting exclusive right-of-way.
   • Changes will include refreshing the crosswalks and lane striping at that intersection.
   • There would no great investment and would improve pedestrian passage.
   • Would change middle lane to left turns only.
   • The problem is with the dual turn movement (middle lane may turn right or left on green) - a concern held by residents as well as Caltrans.
   • It can be tested and put back after a test period - Caltrans that if there's an issue, they can extend the right arrow to clear the intersection but they aren't comfortable adding an extra 30 seconds of protected turn.
   • Now that aware, Caltrans wants to avoid possible accidents.
   • Caltrans is now looking at putting in the traffic signal requested for the intersection of PCH and 16th Street. Council has approved the request as well. Will then see more pedestrian movement at that location - may become major facilitator for school routes.
   • Probably no interruption of cycle through the corridor.

   MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to not modify the intersection but to send a letter to Caltrans stating the City requests the safest situation for pedestrians. There was no second to the motion.

   MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham to approve Staff recommendation to support Caltrans' suggestions to add five to seven seconds to the right turn arrow, reduce the number of parking spaces in the right lane on Pier Avenue and change the middle lane to left turn only rather than left and right turns. Seconded by Commissioner Beste.

   AYES: Applebaum, Beste, Cheatham, Lombardo
   NAYS: Winnek
   ABSENT: None
   ABSTAIN: None

Commissioners' Reports

Tree Subcommittee Update

Mr. Flaherty noted that he'd like to bring the report back to the Commission before presentation to the City Council.

Council Minutes - 9/23/03, 10/14/03, 10/28/03; Council Agenda - 11/12/03

Receive and file all.

Items Requested by Commissioners

None at this time.

Other Matters

Mr. Flaherty announced the tree lighting ceremony would be taking place on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 in the Pier Plaza. He added that Santa and Mrs. Clause would be there around 7:00. The Women's Club would be serving hot chocolate and cider. He also noted that the sled run would be twice as long as last year - 50-70' long.

Public Comments

None at this time.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. by Chairman Lombardo to the meeting of December 17, 2003