Public Works Commission Minutes MARCH 23, 2005

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

1. Roll Call

   Present:	Commissioners DiVirgilio, Marinelli, Winnek
   Also Present:	Richard Morgan, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Ennis Jackson, Administrative Review Officer Ray Abassi, Contract Traffic Engineer Rhea Punneo Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department
   Absent:	Commissioners Beste, Lombardo
   Also Present:	None

2. Flag Salute

   Commissioner Beste led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   February 16, 2005

4. Public Comments

   Mr. Guido Walter came forward with a request to discuss parking problems on 3rd Street. Mr. Morgan accepted Mr. Walter’s paperwork and advised he will review the information and follow-up with Mr. Walter by telephone. Mr. Morgan emphasized the critical need for parking and noted that he’ll bring the item back to the Commission for review.

5. Correspondence

   None

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   Please note that while items were presented out of order, they are presented in order for clarity.

   1. Request for Exemption from Sidewalk Requirement for Ava Avenue

      At this time Commissioner Winnek recused himself and joined the audience, as he is a resident of Ava Avenue.

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, noting that a letter had been received from Ms. Julie Oakes requesting that Ava Ave. the 17’ setback from back of sidewalk be waived along and that the property owners be exempted from the sidewalk completely. A petition containing signatures of 25 Ardmore/Ava/Springfield property owners accompanied the letter. The issues cited in Ms. Oakes’ letter included the cost of putting the sidewalk in addition to the desire to have the 17’ setback from back of curb rather than back of sidewalk – a difference of four to five feet.

      Mr. Morgan noted that he’d received a call from the owner of 2019 Springfield asking that Mr. Morgan report that the property owner is against exempting the street from the sidewalk requirement. He also noted that approximately 30% of the properties have sidewalk improvements at this time.

      Mr. Morgan advised that staff couldn’t support this request because of safety concerns. He pointed out that if the street is exempted, all those with sidewalk improvements could ask for encroachment permits and remove the sidewalks.

      Discussion among the commissioners included the following:

      • Seventeen foot setback was clarified – is either from back of sidewalk or back of curb – can add four to five feet to available property.
      • There is not a lot of vehicular or pedestrian traffic on this street.

      Public comments highlighted the following:

      • The street is a dead end, not a cul-de-sac – there is no room to turn around.
      • Narrowness and dips keep speeds slow.
      • Less access than other streets in the area.
      • Financial aspects include having additional square footage to build on, taking money from pockets of the residents (resale value) and the City (taxes).
      • Ava is similar to the 13 streets that have been granted the exemption.

      Additional Commission discussion included:

      • Supporting the request would continue the unique, eclectic look of the City.
      • Actually appears to be an alley, family living on that alley would certainly exercise more caution when driving there.

      MOTION by Commissioner DiVirgilio to support the residents’ request for the sidewalk exemption and direct staff to forward the request to City Council for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.

      AYES:	Beste, DiVirgilio, Lombardo, Marinelli
      NAYS:	None
      ABSENT:	None
      ABSTAIN:	None

      At this time Commissioner Winnek re-joined the commissioners on the dais.

   2. Red-Light Cameras

      Mr. Morgan presented Mr. Abassi, indicating that red-light cameras are an interesting option for reducing the number of times motorists run red lights.

      Mr. Abassi’s presentation highlighted the various uses of the cameras.

      Discussion highlighted the following:

      • All alternatives would be examined before installing
      • Some vendors may be willing to cover the cost of equipment, installation and maintenance in exchange for a percentage of the revenue
      • The cameras generally operate at a break-even point
      • Ability to enhance enforcement by allowing police to focus on other enforcement issues
      • Knowing some cameras are in place encourages drivers to stop at red lights even those without one
      • Would have to discuss with Sgt. Thompson/Police Department, Caltrans, etc. with regard to need and locations.
      • Need to identify hidden costs

      MOTION The Commission determined that they need more information to decide whether or not to send on to the City Council. They asked that the subject be brought back with a more detailed report

   3. Redline on 15th Place

      Mr. Morgan presented the report, indicating staff received complaints over a period of time. He noted that 15th Place is a narrow street without curb and no parking allowed on the south side. He noted that a private parking spot had been created in the encroachment area of 930 15th Place, out of the way of travel. Mr. Morgan advised that ticketing a parked car that extends into the roadway is difficult when there’s no clear-cut indication of the edge of pavement.

      In response to the complaints and in an effort to assist Parking Enforcement, staff began painting redline on 15th Place, as has been done in similar instances. Residents called, complaining that two of the driveways were not part of the problem and should not have been redlined; work was halted until the situation could be reviewed.

      Residents submitted a letter and petition saying they believed a public hearing should have taken place prior to painting – staff receives many similar requests for red paint application, reviews each situation and performs the work without public hearings. Painting redlines of this nature are usually complaint-driven.

      Mr. Morgan then presented Ennis Jackson, Administrative Review Officer, who advised that when there is no clear avenue to determine a violation, the redline aids officers. There is a violation when the rear wheels extend beyond the red line. If only a black topped area, it is a judgment for the officers – without clear demarcation, can’t enforce. Red line makes a clear statement.

      Public comments included the following highlights:

      • Resident felt that if no one had called, there’d be 400’ of red paint down the street.
      • Property owners developed that spot, giving up lawn in the process.
      • The redline would create a negative impact on the area.
      • Neighbor regularly uses this spot with the owner’s permission.
      • If taken away, leaves one more car in the street.
      • Twelve of the 19 properties in the immediate area are represented on the petition.
      • Did just one resident and his inconvenience cause this?
      • If not permitted to park there, there will be one more car parking on the street.
      • Some feel should be a neighborhood issue, not a Commission issue.
      • One resident couldn’t leave his garage since had no notice of intended painting.
      • Red paint is an eyesore.
      • Please respect the residents’ wishes.
      • A much smaller vehicle has replaced the originally offending vehicle.

      Discussion among the commissioners highlighted the following:

      • In favor of redline removal but exception taken to negative comments about Public Works Staff.
      • While redline is preferred, if black only, black top can be used to technically determine a violation.
      • Without redline, violation determination is up to the discretion of the officer –redline is an enforcement tool.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to remove the red striping and ignore the written petition. Seconded by Commissioner Beste.

      AYES:	Beste, DiVirgilio, Lombardo, Marinelli, Winnek
      NAYS:	None
      ABSENT:	None
      ABSTAIN:	None

7. Commissioners' Reports

   No reports were presented.

8. Public Works Department Reports

   No questions or comments.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   No reports were presented.

10. Other Matters

    Commissioner Marinelli thanked the commissioners for postponing the meeting one week to accommodate his work schedule.

11. Public Comment

    None

12. Adjournment

    Commissioner Winnek adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. to the meeting of April 20, 2005.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and complete record of the action taken by the Public Works Commission of Hermosa Beach at the regularly scheduled meeting of March 23, 2005.