The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present:	Public Works Commissioners Beste, Brittain, 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 Ray Abassi, Contract Traffic Engineer
   Absent:	Public Works Commissioner Winnek

2. Flag Salute

   Chairman Winnek led the flag salute.

   After the flag salute, Commissioner Winnek welcomed the newest commissioner, Janice Brittain.

3. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the meeting of June 21, 2006 were approved as written.

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   None.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Removal of Crosswalks on Pacific Coast Highway at Uncontrolled Intersections

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, indicating that removing crosswalks on PCH is a hot topic in the community since the unfortunate death of a young man at 16th Street just before the traffic signal was installed. Mr. Morgan advised that as a Public Works Director, he is always hesitant to install crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections because of the false sense of security pedestrians get when using a crosswalk. He noted that it is legal to cross in the middle of a block if there is no traffic control at either end of that block. He recommended that, if crosswalks are removed, signage would be put up prohibiting crossing at the corner. He said that notices were posted and the businesses notified in the areas of the three crosswalks in question – 1st, 3rd and 4th and PCH – so that public comments could be heard on the subject. Mr. Morgan then introduced Ray Abassi, City Traffic Engineer.

      Mr. Abassi said he looked at the crosswalks and took measurements and went on to say that the existing set up lends itself to removal however, since PCH is under Caltrans, not the City, the City must follow Caltrans’ procedures to remove the crosswalks. Noting that PCH warrants special attention, Mr. Morgan indicated that if the commission supports crosswalk removal, the item would go to the City Council before going to Caltrans.

      Highlights of the discussion among the commissioners included:

      • Mr. Morgan heard from several residents regarding crosswalk removal but staff generated the request
      • Staff hasn’t requested additional signals on PCH since they’re pretty close together as they are
      • In-pavement flashers that activate only when button pushed could be liked with the closest signal so that timing of red light allows for pedestrian crossing only when pedestrians present
      • Funding would be an issue but could get Caltrans involved

      Public comments on this subject included:

      Tony Canter, Hermosa Beach

      Is in favor of keeping the crosswalks; five years ago there were accidents everyday until Caltrans refreshed the striping – is sure insurance statistics would prove his point; there were four injuries in front of Rose’s in the last six months; people would cross if crosswalks there or not.

      Mr. Morgan noted that he’s been watching PCH closely and that since the 5th St. signal timing change accidents have dropped to nothing.

      Teresa Gordon & dog Nero, Hermosa Beach

      Agrees people would cross with or without crosswalks; likes the idea of the flashers in the pavement; begging that crosswalks not be removed, shortest distance for her dog, Nero, is with crosswalks in place.

      Armando Gutierrez, Gym owner in Hermosa Beach

      Asked that the crosswalks not be taken away; that’s how clients access his business; likes flashing lights in pavement; people are “arrogant” assume people will stop; would live to revisit 15-minue parking spaces on PCH.

      Further discussion among the commissioners highlighted:

      • Before removing crosswalks, should be reviewed by City Attorney with an eye to liability issues
      • This area is different than the intersection at 16th and PCH – small business access would be affected
      • There’s a longer area to build up speed southbound on PCH getting to 16th
      • Flashing crosswalks that are pedestrian activated would be more prudent way to go
      • Eliminating 1st St. crosswalk, could do warrant analysis to determine pedestrian rates

      MOTION by Commissioner Beste to leave crosswalks as they are and pursue study of pedestrian cross walks. Seconded by Commissioner Brittain.

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

   2. STOP sign controlled intersections on Hermosa Avenue

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, noting that several residents had requested stops be put in at 4th and 6th Streets. He said that when he first came to Hermosa, he was surprised at the number of STOP signs there are in the City but now feels that they work well in this community and accident rates are really pretty low. Huge numbers of pedestrians cross Hermosa Ave., especially in the summer and he feels STOP signs are for their benefit. They would also aid the drivers attempting to parallel park along Hermosa Ave. in the small spots on both sides of the street in each direction. The intersections at 4th, 6th, and 19th Streets and Hermosa Ave. are the only gaps in the control. Adding stops at all three locations would make sense. If supported by the commission, the item would go to Council for final approval.

      Highlights of the discussion among the commissioners included:

      • A STOP at 6th makes sense makes sense as it is approaching the downtown area
      • Possible a STOP at 4th and Manhattan would be better
      • No history of pedestrian related accidents
      • When there are too many STOPs, folks tend to do “California” stops
      • The “27th & Manhattan Speedway” may be an area more in need of traffic control

      Public comments on this subject included:

      Tom Hutch, Hermosa Beach

      Commented about Manhattan Beach where they put in STOP signs then took them out two months later due to noise issues.

      Further discussion among the commissioners highlighted:

      • There is a huge noise impact
      • This was brought to the commission as a master planning effort
      • Commissioners would like to see study of amount of noise generated; study of gas efficiency which can also be factor to consider
      • These signs are not a legitimate method of traffic calming – a liability is created when they do not meet warrants
      • Other areas are seen as needing calming more

7. Commissioners' Reports

   None at this time.

8. Public Works Department Reports

   1. Monthly Activity Report – May

   2. Project Status Report – May

      Items are submitted for information purposes only.

      At this time Mr. Morgan gave an update on the Pier Avenue striping project, advising that he’d sent out an email to those residents who had contacted him. Updates include the following information:

      • The median is to be reduced to 14’
      • The westbound merge moving two blocks to Cypress
      • Adding 4’ for diagonal parking
      • The trial period will run through the summer months, into the first few weeks of fall
      • There will be a Town Hall meeting to review the project, possibly a joint meeting with the Planning Commission

      Mr. Morgan also noted that the department’s intention is to complete the installation of the clock on Pier Plaza, the Aviation Boulevard Street Tree Project and the Clark Field Improvements before the September Fiesta.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   None

10. Other Matters

    Commissioner DiVirgilio would like to add email addresses to the web site for the commissioners – all but Commissioner Winnek agreed and Ms. Punneo will send the information to the City Clerk for posting to the web site.

    In response to a question from Commissioner DiVirgilio, the traffic counters on PCH are monitoring traffic at 16th Street.

    Mr. Morgan suggested that the commissioners take time to get list of items to generate discussions at the meetings.

11. Public Comment

    Tim Hutch, Hermosa Beach

    On Manhattan Ave., between 10th and Pier, parking signs were changed from rest of City, was parking with pass, 24-hours per day and without pass it was 1 hour during the summer and only residents during the summer after 10:00 pm; then changed so that drunks can park on Manhattan seven nights a week; requesting reevaluation so that goes back to old system.

    Pier Ave. – STOP at Bard is superfluous – study in 90’s didn’t realize growth Hermosa would see in the next decade.

    At this time Mr. Morgan noted that both Fire and Police want the STOP kept at Bard; access to Pier Ave. has improved with the addition of the STOP sign at Bard.

12. Adjournment

    Commissioner Winnek adjourned the meeting at 8:24 pm to the meeting of Wednesday, August 16, 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 July 19, 2006.