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

1. Roll Call

   Present:	Commissioners Beste, DiVirgilio, Marinelli, Winnek
   Also Present:	Richard Morgan, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department
   Absent:	Commissioner Lombardo

2. Flag Salute

   Commissioner Winnek led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   Minutes of February 15, 2006, approved with amendment to Page 4 submitted by Commissioner Winnek.

4. Public Comments

   None

5. Correspondence

   None

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   Mr. Morgan apologized for not having noticed the community regarding this agenda item. He asked that this issue be discussed at this time at the Commission level and, at the Commission’s discretion, hold a public meeting. The Commission agreed.

   Mr. Morgan presented the item, noting that Council had sent it to the Commission for review. There’ve been complaints from residents of Cypress Avenue regarding erratic parking which encroaches into the street, reducing vehicle clearance, which are considered unsafe for emergency vehicle access.

   Parking Enforcement has issued warnings to those parking along the street. Cars are often double-parked in addition to careless parallel and perpendicular parking.

   Cypress is a cul-de-sac with very little traffic and parking has been an issue for years. The top 100’ work well with the current markings, which allow parking only on the east side. Staff recommends that this section remain as is. Staff also recommends that the Commission consider painting a 4” solid, white edge stripe demarking the travel lane. The street is 28’ from curb to curb with parking on both sides, which narrows the travel lane to 14’. This edge stripe would be on the right-of-way at the edge of the travel lane and can be easily enforced by Parking Enforcement. Mr. Morgan has discussed this with the PD they believe this will be enforceable.

   Highlights of the Commission discussion included the following:

   1. Roadway isn’t wide enough to allow two cars at the same time.
   2. Painting the edge lines will stop parking from encroaching into the travel lane.
   3. A 30-day grace period will be recommended after the lines are painted and residents have been notified.
   4. This area is similar to Loma, striping will be white and parking will continue to improve with redevelopment. A red line would not be well received by residents.
   5. One option would be to eliminate parking on one side of the street as was done on Loma Drive.
   6. Marking large parking spaces with T’s and L’s could actually eliminate parking spaces.
   7. There is no continuous sidewalk in this area.
   8. There have been legitimate complaints from a small number of residents; there needs to be emergency access.
   9. This is a tool to assist residents in identifying the travel lane and Parking Enforcement in determining violations.
   10. Overall feeling is this is a positive move but a public meeting should be held before action taken.
   11. A STOP sign was suggested for the intersection of 8th St. to help egress from Cypress. Visibility is difficult due to the steepness of the street.

   MOTION by Commissioner Beste that this discussion be continued to the next meeting with public notice.

   At this time Commissioner Winnek noted his concern with the liability for the driver who does not know the street and a collision occurs. Confusion may come from determining if there is a one-way or two-way street. Is there some sort of signage? Mr. Flaherty stated that there is a TWO-WAY STREET sign. Mr. Morgan stated that the cars parked on the street would eliminate confusion about a one-way street.

   Commissioner Marinelli seconded the motion.

   Prior to the vote, Commissioner Winnek asked how much time would be needed to implement and if the stripe could be implemented temporarily to have time to study and bring feedback to the next meeting. Mr. Morgan stated that only thirty days would be needed, but does not want to implement until a public meeting has been held and residents were made aware of the plan. It was also noted that the installation of a STOP sign could also be included in the discussions.

   MOTION, as amended and restated by Commissioner Beste, to bring the Cypress Avenue parking issue back to the Commission with proper public notice and investigate installation of a STOP sign at the intersection of Cypress and 8th Street. The amended motion was seconded by Commissioner DiVirgilio.

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

   Commissioner DiVirgilio asked for clarification on the placement of the stop sign. Commissioner Beste responded that there is already a STOP sign on Cypress, but is suggesting a STOP sign on 8th Street, creating a four-way stop.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   None

8. Public Works Department Reports

   Received and reviewed with no questions from Commission.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   None

10. Other Matters

    Commissioner DiVirgilio gave an update on the 100 Acts of Beautification to be completed in conjunction with or in anticipation of the upcoming Centennial Celebration in January 2007. The committee for this project is compiling a list of acts and has been contacting the many community organizations with regard to their ideas and participation. A Centennial Celebration website will be up and running soon. Once active, the website will provide all the pertinent contact information for the committee.

    The Chamber of Commerce is interested in funding an initiative to acknowledge the men and women of the city over the last 44 years. A plaque would be purchased and placed in a location still to be determined on the Strand and would be completely funded. Mr. Morgan noted that the area under consideration is the eastern side of the Strand wall. The idea is one large bronze plaque stating that the Chamber of Commerce wishes to acknowledge and then smaller bronze plaques with the names of the recipients. If Commission has any questions or concerns he will take that to Council when he presents this item.

    Commissioner Beste inquired about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Flaherty stated that St. Patrick’s Day festival will take place over two (2) days, Saturday, March 17th and Sunday, March 18th.

    Commissioner Winnek asked about status of the newsracks. Mrs. Punneo advised that this program has been implemented billed annually and is on-going. There are approximately eight spots available in the City. Mr. Morgan added that this program is working well. All racks have been permitted and are being better maintained.

    Commissioner DiVirgilio asked about the status of the upper Pier Ave. project. Mr. Morgan said that the plan may not be heard by Council until April. After authorization is received, it would be in place May through July to get good feedback during peak and off-peak seasons.

    At this time Commissioner DiVirgilio advised that he felt, a disservice was done to residents and Council at the February meeting. He said he feels that the Commission could have deliberated longer and given clearer direction to Staff. He does support the final decision, however. Mr. Morgan stated that there will be more time given to this issue as Council has sent this matter back to the Commission with direction to seek mitigation options after the signal is in place. A traffic engineer has been hired to perform the studies. It is recommended that another public hearing regarding 16th Street be held with the collected data expanded to include 14th Street through 17th Street.

11. Public Comment

    Patty Egerer, Hermosa Beach, came forward to express concerns about the possible traffic on 16th Street once the signal is functional her thought that it would have been better suited at another location on PCH.

    Commissioner Beste clarified that the signal was placed as a result of an on-going study and Commission was never directed by Council to determine the placement. Mr. Morgan further explained that the installation of the signal at this location was a result of development in this area.

    Commission Beste asked if Mr. Morgan would analyze the signal operation and look into potential mitigation if necessary. Mr. Morgan agreed and indicated that residents would be included in the process. Ms. Egerer also noted that traffic in this area has dramatically changed the lives of the residents. She gave further examples of the different areas affected.

12. Adjournment

    At 7:50 p.m., Commissioner Winnek adjourned to the meeting of Wednesday, April 19, 2006.

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 15, 2006.