The meeting was called to order at 7:08 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

2. Flag Salute

   Chairman Winnek led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the meeting of September 20, 2006 were approved as amended by Commissioner Winnek.

4. Public Comments

   Roger Bacon

   Said at 9/19/06 of Planning Commission Mr. Morgan said Queen Palms would be planted in a couple of weeks and Mr. Bacon hoped they would be planted soon; could commission consider adding electrical access near trees so property owners could have beautiful lights on Aviation Boulevard like Palm Springs and downtown; would be happy to pay for some of that.

   Jim Lissner, Hermosa Beach

   Said lights are nice but don’t forget basics like shortage of restrooms like downtown; Prop C money rules apparently liberal; suggested use funding to put restrooms near bus stops; do experiment with portable units as was done with Pier Avenue.

   Patty Egerer, Hermosa Beach

   Said much discussion about traffic on 16th Street when signalization at PCH came together; said Winnebago legally parked on street on north side but narrows street creating hazardous condition squeezing street; said will have to block eastbound traffic on 16th Street for safe turning onto PCH; said traffic count methodology discussed at last Council meeting was not accurate; said on Ardmore at 16th is terrible flooding – said no effective way of shedding water into storm drain.

   Howard Longacre, Hermosa Beach

   Brought 10/16/06 article from Daily Breeze discussing the new El Segundo shopping center at Rosecrans and PCH; spoke about 1.9 million sq ft corporate campus also being complete; said El Segundo is becoming a major problem to all of the South Bay; said Hermosa has to see where traffic problems coming from and do something about it; thanked Mr. Flaherty for fixing lights the next day after he’d mentioned they were out at the last commission meeting.

   Commissioner Beste

   Advised that he’d heard that Caltrans was looking at removing parking on PCH in Hermosa, Redondo, and Manhattan; asked Mr. Morgan if he could check into this; advised he heard it at City Managers’ meeting.

5. Correspondence

   None

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Redesign of PCH/Aviation Boulevard Intersection

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, noting that was put together quickly in response to an MTA Call for Projects for regionally significant projects; competitive process; said has been called to the intersection as has Caltrans since seen as major bottleneck; wanted to put to commission before responding to Call for Projects; used picture form to show what had in mind; said would work so could benefit adjacent property owners as well as adjacent commercial businesses; noted problems aware of which include the left turn from southbound PCH to eastbound Aviation; pedestrian safety crossing northbound PCH to Aviation – very fast traffic uses the parking lane as a fast lane when no parking is permitted – added pedestrian crossing signs but still not made as safe as would like; noted letter from Mr. Talbot regarding losing parking and said appreciated concerns for safety; wants solution that works for everyone; all would have to be analyzed – would go for design study and design, not for project; there are so many options but wouldn’t want to lose parks but could many be cut corner with a sensitive realignment and could require vote of residents.

      Discussion among commissioners included:

      • Number of accidents at this location has been a long standing concern
      • Realignment of intersection could be appropriate time to ask for addition beautification funding
      • No electrical or trenching included in Aviation Street Tree Project but could always be added
      • Will be re-striping and slurrying Aviation and Prospect shortly
      • Aviation Boulevard is a major arterial out of Hermosa Beach
      • Good to improve capacity on major streets so don’t increase traffic on smaller streets
      • Previous study indicated that traffic on Prospect was servicing the neighborhood

      Public commentary at this time included:

      Roger Bacon

      Noted Caltrans did not sanction banners along PCH; topic of relinquishment was discussed along with necessary changes – could be premature to make changes now; heirs-at-large own Greenwood Park and there is deed restriction and can’t take part of park; said he hasn’t seen many accidents at this location; said would like to see radar enforced tickets on PCH; wants to see access to his shopping center viable; reminded all that Caltrans is still considering giving up this highway.

      Howard Longacre, Hermosa Beach

      Using same handout borrowed by Mr. Bacon, noted over-development of El Segundo how should be advised to add parks; pointed out history of traffic in the South Bay; said he has followed cars on Prospect and they went straight through – traffic counts contain flawed data; Redondo Beach gave Caltrans nothing; said problem is coming from El Segundo; said changing the lanes is all about moving traffic between El Segundo and Palos Verdes; said getting traffic from all directions traveling south on Prospect; ended with please don’t tinker with intersection then added that need lower light for vehicles turning north onto PCH from Aviation because it is difficult to see when is green.

      Jim Lissner, Hermosa Beach

      Said if the project is done, hoped that they do a license plate survey or destination survey to see who is actually turning onto Aviation and going through; said that it’s difficult to stay in lane with large trailer and hopes this is fixed if project done; doesn’t understand why No Right Turn on Red put in – could make at certain times of day; said if in large vehicle, can’t make turn safely without using second lane; said mostly hopes project won’t be done.

      Greg Eberheart, Hermosa Beach

      Said lives one house off Prospect on 8th Street; was involved with lot mergers that are still ongoing; said primary issue was about adding one house and how would increase traffic; said Hermosa Hills is unique with lots of families, kids, grade changes and many stop signs; has problem turning left out of 8th St. onto Prospect; agreed intersection is a problem but said residents are not the people driving through on Prospect; asked that they think carefully about increasing traffic on Prospect.

      Patty Egerer, Hermosa Beach

      Said is deeply concerned about how Aviation from Prospect east will be developed on the north side of Aviation because she lives one block from Prospect; said have already experienced an increase in traffic since signal installed at PCH; said is robbing them in livability quality in their neighborhood; asked that they consider what would take place should changes be made to Aviation.

      Further discussion among the commissioners highlighted the following:

      • It was noted that this is only a design phase, impact to traffic should be looked at before anything done
      • Density of population and density of traffic no different in Hermosa than in other areas
      • Going for beautification aspects should be presented
      • If nothing done for widening PCH, traffic on Prospect will increase because traffic always takes the path of least resistance
      • Based on safety concerns, would be difficult to change thoroughfare – taking parking off PCH would change the dynamic of the City
      • If applying for money to look for options, will be impacted by outside forces because didn’t look at what could happen
      • Would gain ability to have commercial banners across PCH; Caltrans looking for ways to relinquish maintenance responsibilities
      • City is in process of relinquishment, working with Torrance and Redondo
      • Council will have to make final decision regarding taking over PCH – wouldn’t be part of grant review
      • Request has been made to Caltrans regarding adding signal at island where northbound PCH turns right onto eastbound Aviation which would allow for a pedestrian crossing cycle and will be pursued independently from the Call for Projects
      • If get into study, will look at every option

      At this time Mr. Morgan advised that at this juncture, he has the sense that this is not the time to go forward with pursuing the grant. He then thanked the commissioners for their input.

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Ms. Brittain noted that the commission was represented at the Extreme Makeover Show that took place in Redondo Beach.

8. Public Works Department Reports

   Mr. Morgan advised that Council determined they would support the Commission’s recommendation to return Pier Avenue to four lanes with necessary upgrades and repairs when do build outs; then announced 24 new waterless urinals had been installed throughout the city at no cost and that a total of 35 will be installed, saving 50,000 gallons annually; noted that there is lots of street repair happening plus the Aviation Street Tree Project and slurry of Aviation and Prospect. He noted that the clock barrier was overruled and asked that clock be moved closer to center of the Plaza.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   None

10. Other Matters

    Mr. Morgan advised that there was no agenda planned for the November meeting and the interviews for the new commissioners aren’t until the 28th of November. Commissioner DiVirgilio suggested discussion of the 16th St. issue; Mr. Morgan advised there was direction from Council to do another traffic study on 16th and that needs to be completed before bringing back to Commission. Mr. DiVirgilio suggested that the December meeting be utilized for establishing format for the workshop.

    At this time the chairmanship rotated to Commissioner DiVirgilio and Commissioner Marinelli became vice chairman.

    Also at this time the staff and the members of the Commission expressed their appreciation and thanked Commissioner Beste for his service on the Public Works Commission.

11. Public Comment

    Howard Longacre, Hermosa Beach

    Asked about the Aviation Street Project and when would be initiated; mentioned Caltrans trying to take back parking lanes; said perhaps channelization for right turns into the Ralphs parking lot from Aviation eastbound could be delineated with orange stick cones rather than concrete.

    Mr. Morgan advised the tree project has started and will be completed soon.

    Jim Lissner, Hermosa Beach

    Asked about installing flashing pedestrian crosswalk – when?

    Mr. Morgan advised cannot use flashing pedestrian crosswalks at regulated intersections – only Cypress and Loma would be eligible; said since Pier will be redone, they will definitely be included.

12. Adjournment

    Commissioner Winnek adjourned the meeting at 9:02 pm to the meeting of Wednesday, December 20, 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 October 18, 2006.