The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present: Commissioners Applebaum, Beste, Cheatham, Lombardo
   Commissioner Winnek arrived at 7:07p.m.

   Also Present: Richard Morgan, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
   Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department

2. Flag Salute

   Commissioner Lombardo led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes of May 19, 2004

   Minutes were approved as published with the following correction: Page 5, 'Terry Bose'.

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   None.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Proposed Green Space on Bard Street (PDF File)

      Mr. Morgan explained that this request came from the business owners of Mrs. Dryclean USA, 519 Pier Avenue, to facilitate quick drop-offs by patrons and to reduce the impact of the new parking meters on Pier Ave. The original request was for two green spaces, but staff recommends only one be approved at this time. Mr. Morgan noted that each business on that block was issued a notice of the public hearing and Public Works did not receive any calls or correspondence opposing this request.

      Commissioner Lombardo opened the floor to public comment.

      Sandeep Patel, 519 Pier Avenue (Mrs. Dryclean USA)

      Mr. Patel suggested that the best monitoring of the area for their business would be on Saturday between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays.

      Highlights of the discussion among the Commissioners:

      • Metered parking may also be problem for others and Commission should be looking out for interests of smaller businesses.
      • It was suggested that two short-term parking spaces, one on the east side and one on the west side of Bard to help other businesses in the area.
      • Metered parking may actually help ease the parking situation by limiting the amount of time cars spend in the parking spots.
      • Agreement with Staff for one green space in this location, phased approach is the best.
      • Is Bard the best location for green spaces? (Mr. Morgan stated that this is the appropriate choice, as Bard is not metered.)

      Mr. Applebaum asked Mr. Patel where customers were parking at the present time. Mr. Patel replied that they parked in the space behind the store as well as on Bard. He noted their concern for a possible drop in business due to customers unwilling to put a quarter in the meter - that is to pay for a quarter of an hour for a 5-minute transaction.

      Mr. Morgan noted that the City was looking into the possibility of putting in smart meters. These meters are capable of the following: Zeroing-out when vehicles pull out leaves a space, and/or have built into it the ability to allow the first 10 minutes in a spot to be free. The meters are based on a profit-sharing agreement with the City; the company would install them free of charge with a guarantee that profits will increase over the year. These meters could help the parking situation and Mr. Patel was encouraged to stay in touch.

      Additional comments by Mr. Patel: He is satisfied with one space at this time. Advised that the original request was due to the other businesses in the area - such as the locksmith, post office, etc. - even though there are currently spaces for these businesses, the post office parking can become very busy.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to accept Staff's recommendation for the installation of one green parking space on Bard St. Commissioner Applebaum seconded. Commissioner Winnek asked for clarification that the motion would be for the approval of one space.

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

      Mr. Morgan confirmed that the green space would be the one closest to Pier Ave.

   2. Proposed Green Parking Space on 4th St. at PCH (PDF File)

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, making the correction that the recommendation should read 20 minutes (as a standard, green spaces are 20 minutes), not 15 minutes as written. The owner of Triangle Hardware, 403 PCH, requested two 20-minute parking spaces in front of his business. It is the understanding of the department that green spaces on Pacific Coast Highway require the permission of Caltrans. Similar requests have been made over the years and have been consistently denied by the City due to the right parking lane becoming a travel lane during peak commuter hours. For this reason, Staff could not support the request, but does recommend one green space be provided on 4th Street, adjacent to the business. An aerial photo was provided highlighting the area.

      Discussion among the Commission members included the following:

      • Commission is aware of the parking problems on PCH.
      • Parking is provided behind the business but is usually full.
      • The lot is diagonally shaped and difficult for large vehicles to utilize.
      • Mr. Morgan noted that Mr. Flaherty agrees that it is difficult to use the parking area.
      • Clarification was made that the green spaces are not in effect during restricted, no parking times.
      • Are green parking spaces provided on PCH in other cities? Mr. Morgan advised that requests for green spaces on PCH in Hermosa Beach have been denied, at least three times in the past.
      • Commissioners possibly reluctant to approve without input from the business owner.
      • Would a green space provided on 4th St. alleviate the problem?
      • There was no response from the business owner one way or another when informed of 4th Street green space was suggested as opposed to PCH.
      • Staff should request permission for at least one green space on PCH from Caltrans.
      • Patrons of hardware store, in attendance at the meeting, confirmed that the diagonally shaped parking lot in the rear of Triangle Hardware is split between all tenants of the buildings at that location.
      • There are many businesses in area and no objections to green space being added to 4th St. were received prior to the meeting.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to install one 20-minute green parking space on 4th St. and request that Staff apply to Caltrans for a second green spot on PCH. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.

      Discussion of Motion prior to vote included the following comments:

      • Without owner's input, unable to agree to 4th Street green space.
      • Is 4th Street a good spot to load?
      • Intent of Motion is to grant request to Triangle Hardware and also to accommodate multiple businesses in the area.
      • Motion seconded because of need to challenge past denials by Caltrans.
      • Were the businesses adjacent to Triangle Hardware served notices? (Mr. Morgan advised that they'd received notices and that no responses had been received to date.)

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

   3. Stop signs for Manhattan Ave. at 24th St. (PDF File)

      Mr. Morgan presented the item noting that a request from a resident requesting that stop signs be installed on Manhattan Avenue at 24th Street. The resident noted speeding and sight-distance problems as real problems. In his report, Mr. Morgan noted that Staff did not see any true sight-distance problems at the intersection. Mr. Morgan also noted that this particular intersection doesn't have the same traffic volume as found at other intersections along Manhattan Avenue. Mr. Morgan advised that Commissioner Lombardo's recommendation that 2-way and 4-way stop signs be posted had been implemented and this was a good candidate for these signs.

      Mr. Morgan had heard that residents might request a crosswalk be placed at this intersection. Mr. Morgan did say that if the residents want crosswalks, he'd re-think the issue because crosswalks should be located at controlled intersections.

      Coming up to address the Commission at this time were:

      Kisha Marie Brakel, 2410 Manhattan Avenue

      • She's lived here all her life.
      • There are at least nine children in the immediate area.
      • Completed drainage system, with dips, has slowed down traffic considerably.
      • There were crosswalks at this intersection before the City put in the new drainage plan.
      • Uses 24th to go to the beach. Always crosses before the children to ensure their safety.
      • Believes crosswalks do make people aware that pedestrians will be crossing.
      • Have petition signed by approximately 10 residents that do not want stop signs, but do want crosswalks.
      • Is opposed to the stop signs.

      Rod Oshita, 201 24th Street

      • Lives on the northeast corner of the intersection.
      • Appreciates work done for drainage in the area.
      • Agrees that dips and signs are reducing speed in the area.
      • There are four-way stops signs on 23rd and 25th.
      • Has a petition of approximately 20 residents who are opposed to the stop signs.
      • Concerned over additional traffic and noise generated by stop signs.
      • Believes the area is manageable with the stop signs on nearby streets and the dips as a result of the drainage work.
      • Believes there are many more children on this block than stated by Ms. Brakel.
      • Would like to have a crosswalk placed at this location.
      • Disagreed with the intersection being classified as uncontrolled since it is far superior to the same situation as down the block on Hermosa Avenue and where there is a crosswalk.
      • Believes sight distance is good on Manhattan as there are garages for parking.
      • Requested Commission to entertain possibility crosswalk installation.
      • Is opposed to stop signs at that intersection.

      Discussion among the Commissioners included the following:

      • Verified there is a crosswalk at 24th and Hermosa.
      • Advised by Mr. Morgan that crosswalks produce a false sense of security.
      • Aspects of warrant for a stop sign include large volume of pedestrian traffic; high volume of vehicular traffic (formulas used to calculate); and number of accidents.
      • Mr. Morgan advised that Sgt. Thompson had done a study and no accidents were reported for this intersection.
      • Warrant criteria for stop sign not met by this location. .
      • Mr. Beste advised that the "Slow Children" signs have been removed from Caltrans' list of approved signs.
      • Not all agree the sight distance is good on 24th Street.
      • Current stop signs seem to be appropriate for this area.

      Mr. Oshita's Question to Commission: Why do we have crosswalks?
      Answer from Commissioner Lombardo: We are not challenging what has been in place for a long time but addressing needs based on current conditions.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to take no action with respect to stop sign implementation at subject location and put in crosswalk as requested by residents attending the meeting. No second - motion died.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to take no action now with respect to stop sign implementation and direct Staff to add two-way and four-way stop notification signs to current locations at their discretion. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.

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

      Note:

      At this time Commissioner Winnek related the complaints he'd received about water in the City and thanked the Public Works Department for their research into the matter. California Water advised that it was a temporary condition that would disappear in about a week.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Tree Project for Aviation Boulevard: Commissioner Lombardo reported that the Chamber of Commerce has offered to help by providing a booth at the upcoming Fiesta over Labor Day weekend. The Tree Committee will meet next week to discuss implementing a tree adoption program for the residents of Hermosa Beach. The adoption program may consist of a plaque being attached to a tree, but the specifics will be addressed at the meeting. The tree list has not yet been approved, but should be done by Labor Day. Palm trees may have to be utilized due to the problem of being so close to the ocean.

   Mr. Morgan believes that there is $3,500 in the budget for Aviation trees.

8. Council Agendas - 5/18/04 5/27/04, 6/8/04; Minutes - 5/11/04

   Receive and file all.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   None.

10. Other Matters

    Commissioner Cheatham thanked the Public Works Department for removing the graffiti that recently hit the City. Mr. Morgan stated that the clean up took approximately 300 man-hours.

    Commissioner Beste requested that parking in front of Valley Park be agendized at a future commission meeting. It appears there is no control - parking should be for patrons of the park, not old car storage for nearby residents. Commissioner asked about availability of parking along the Greenbelt and Mr. Morgan advised that the cement areas are not for parking.

11. Public Comment

    None.

12. Adjournment

    Chairman Lombardo adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. to the meeting of July 21, 2004.