PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2001
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1315 VALLEY DRIVE
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
Chairman Koch brought the meeting
to order at 7:04 p.m.
1.
Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Keegan, Koch,
Lombardo and Winnek
Absent: None
Also Present: Harold C. Williams, P.E., Director of Public
Works/City Engineer
Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent
Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department
Homayoun Behboodi
Ken Kim, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department
2.
Flag Salute
Chairman Koch led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
3.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Cheatham noted amendments he
would like added to the July 11, 2001, meeting
minutes.
4.
Public Comments
A member of the audience requested that item
6f be heard out of order; the request was granted.
It was agreed that the item would be presented
out of order. Item will be shown in agenda order for clarity.
5.
Correspondence
Fax from Chris Howell regarding the Northeast
Hermosa Traffic Study – Mr. Williams noted that Mr.
Howell’s requests would be included in the scope of work
for the traffic study.
6.
Items for Commission Consideration
a.
Request for a concrete swale at 520 - 24th Place for Street
Improvements
Mr. Williams presented this item with the
recommendation that the Commission deny Mr. Peha’s request
to be exempt from having to put in curb and gutter at his
development.
Discussion of this item presented the
following information:
- Per the City Code, curbs and gutters are required in this
area but not sidewalks
- This would be the only home on 24th Place with curb and
gutter – until the others are redeveloped.
Larry Peha, Hermosa Beach
--
Mr. Peha stated that he is building
his personal residence at this location and would like to point
out the following:
- Not putting in curb and gutter would be aesthetically
appropriate for this area
- The harmonious nature of the flow line would be destroyed
if curb and gutter were installed.
- Curb would be at only one location; 20’ out of
1000’ would be curb – disagrees with the curb
setting precedent. Would be the only curb on the block.
- Pulling the flow line in 3.5’ would create a
problem with his neighbor’s flow line.
- If this is being done for the future, he thinks it would
take 100 years for the change to happen.
Andy Clifton, Hermosa Beach
--
Mr. Clifton stated he doesn’t
feel the curb and gutter would be in keeping with the rural
character of the neighborhood.
Pete Tucker, Hermosa Beach
--
Believes the area would lose its
character and charm if curb and gutter are put in. He stated he
feels that until the City has a plan, swale would be fine. He
noted that Manhattan Village has swales only and it looks fine.
Suggested that the City step back and let the neighborhood keep
its charm.
Further discussion brought out the
following:
-
To determine the location of Mr.
Peha’s proposed swale, Staff would ask him to have his
engineers provide the design to Staff could see how it would
provide drainage, proving how it would work.
- Several commissioners like the idea of not adding curb and
gutter to the area, keeping the rural feel. Others feel that
residents should meet the City standards, allowing for
maintainable streets, which means putting in curbs and
gutters.
- Other remodels on 24th Place received exemptions from curb
and gutter requirements.
- Recommendation for denial of the exemption based on City
Standards and enforcement of same. Staff enforces policy; Staff
does not make policy.
- Storm drains put in as part of plan to put curbs and
gutters.
MOTION
by Commissioner Keegan to grant Mr. Peha’s request for
exemption from the City’s requirement of curb and gutter
subject to his bringing plan to Staff on how and where he plans
on putting the swale. Seconded by Vice Chairman Lombardo.
Ayes: Cheatham, Lombardo, Keegan
Noes: Koch, Winnek
Absent: None
Abstain: None
b.
Modification of Current Street Sweeping Restrictions and
Practices
Mr. Flaherty presented this with the
recommendation that the Commission support Staff’s proposed
street sweeping schedule modifications for commercial and
residential areas.
- This modification is an attempt to reduce the sweeping
window from 4 hours to 2 hours.
- This program has been successful in the southern portion of
the City.
- discussions with the Police Department indicated they would
be willing to bring in a person to assist with
enforcement.
- The cost of new signs would be $7,000 - $8,000, which has
been budgeted in FY 01-02.
- parking stalls on 11th Street would be swept as well as
behind the Bijou.
- PCH, Artesia and Aviation are swept at 5:30 a.m.
- Adding any other 2-hour areas would need adding a sweeper
at an annual cost of $200,000, which would also require a
parking enforcement officer out in front of or behind the
sweeper.
MOTION
by Vice Chairman Lombardo to support Staff’s request for
modifications of the current street sweeping restrictions and
practices. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.
Ayes: Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
c.
Request for Vacation of the corner of Corona and Prospect
Avenues
Staff recommended that this item be referred
back to Staff for investigation, findings and
recommendations.
Brian Wilcox, 1401 Corona
--
Mr. Wilcox stated that he owns the
corner lot and that he’d like to suggest that two of the
property owners buy the area in question or that the City
vacate the area and offer it to the two property owners.
The item was tabled until the next meeting
with a notation that the vacation suggestion will be taken into
consideration when reviewing the entire project.
8:33 Meeting recessed.
8:48 Meeting resumed.
d.
Development of Construction Standards for Street
Improvements and Street Repairs
Mr. Williams introduced the item, reminding
the Commission that Council charged them with the development of
construction standards that could be applied throughout the City.
The Commission was provided copies of the existing documentation
for the street development.
The following points were among those made
during the presentation:
- Most of the issues presented to the Commission have to do
with the development of street improvement projects.
- Quite a bit of information had been provided, possibly
too much to review at this meeting.
- Material was provided so that the Commissioners could
become familiar with the information.
- The variations in the roadways and parking areas were
described.
- It was noted that it isn’t that there are no
standards, it is believed that the City Council wants the
Commission to develop what will be the ultimate
rights-of-way.
- Criteria should be developed so there is consistency
throughout the City.
- There are 43 miles of streets in the City.
- General review of current status of streets, roadway
size, aesthetic wants of residents –values, of
residents.
- Cities don’t usually widen streets with City funds
– usually use developer (resident) funds to put in
improvements – City is then responsible for maintaining
streets.
Discussion brought out the following:
- It was noted that streets being torn up due to cuts made by
new developments.
- There is a lack of consistency in requiring street
improvements at construction being brought out to the
centerline.
- Difficult to determine why some locations were required to
put in street improvements and others not required to do
so.
- One thing about Hermosa that is so well liked is that the
City is so eclectic.
- Public Works always sticks to standards unless instructed
to do otherwise.
- Code says if pavement is damaged or missing improvement
developer has to go out to the centerline or if curb and gutter
and sidewalk are missing.
- Commission is to develop the standards to be brought out
for discussion.
- Could add a section indicating which streets are exempt
from curb and gutter.
- City has many alleys named like streets.
MOTION
by Commissioner Keegan saying the Commission should take the
time to review and bring it back to the Commission at the
September meeting. Seconded by Vice Chairman Lombardo.
Ayes: Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
e.
Project No. CIP 00-172 21st St. Street Improvements
between Valley Drive and Power Street
Not enough comments received to date. Staff
asking that the Commission receive and file this report. A
complete report will be presented at the September meeting.
MOTION
by Vice Chairman Lombardo that the report be received and
filed. Seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.
Ayes: Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
f.
Project No. CIP 191 145h Street Landscaped Planters
Mr. Ken Kim presented the project noting that
the intention of the project is to reduce nuisance traffic in the
area of the northwest corner of Ocean and 14th and to make the
existing barricade at 14th and PCH more aesthetically pleasing
– to include planters and new barricades.
A brief history of the area included that:
- The planters were put in to discourage/deter people
trying to go through to PCH on 14th Street since it is not a
through street.
- Many make 3-point or U-turns at the end, using
residents’ driveways.
- The gate has been there for 20-25 years.
- Many complaints from residents and businesses.
- Fire Department likes the new gates.
Public comments included the following:
Jeff Pieper, Bonnie Brae
--
With regard to the top barricade,
Mr. Pieper asked if the new barricade would take up another
parking space. If so, would they be able to park along the
diagonal? Parking is available on only one side of the street
at this time. He also asked that something be put in that
won’t grow to obstruct the view. Can NOT A THROUGH STREET
sign be put further into street?
Mr. Williams advised that island size could be
reduced to allow more space but feels parking on diagonal will
not be a problem, Staff will look at it.
Larry Hoskinson, 938 - 14th Street
--
Mr. Hoskinson asked about
elimination of 2 limit lines have been marked out on plan. Mr.
Kim advised that stop signs are not proposed for 14th Street.
He believes that the if the sign is placed where the palm tree
is indicated it would be more visible to traffic.
Mr. Hoskinson later noted that someone will probably run
through the new barricades at some point – can concrete
posts be put into the barricades to give them more substance?
Something nice to put sign on.
Aslam Amlani, 833 - 14th Street
--
Mr. Amlani has looked at the
City’s tree list – feels it is pathetic. He
suggested the City find a tree that looks good, is full and
green all year long.
Don Lorenzen, 830 - 14th Street
--
Mr. Lorenzen advised that he and
his neighbors feel that the NOT A THROUGH STREET signs
don’t seem to work. He does understand that putting the
center in the center will provide stop people coming down and
put them in the drivers’ line of vision. But, he asked,
is that the only sign that will keep drivers from jetting down
the street?
Mr. Williams explained that these signs are
traffic control devices for this type of street – advising
drivers there is a barricade at the bottom. In addition, placing
planters as shown will aid in blocking view of green light on PCH
just beyond the barricade. This, along with the trees at bottom
of hill at barricade will also be blocking the view of the
traffic signal.
Mr. Lorenzen
inquired about the use of DEAD END signs. He also noted that
the City of Manhattan Beach puts that in the street itself. In
addition, he complained about the taxicabs coming down the
street on weekends and holidays.
Mr. Lorenzen advised that his company will
be happy to donate the foliage for the barricades. Mr. Williams
thanked him and advised that Staff will be happy to bring his
suggested donation to Council.
Mr. Lorenzen made several suggestions for
the foliage – including slow-growing plants with no root
problems, which would be low maintenance drought tolerant and
still be attractive.
Lauren Amlani, 833 - 14th Street
--
Ms. Amlani advised that she was a
participant in the group that initially brought up the
situation in August of 1999. She reiterated that they want
something safe, aesthetically pleasing and something the will
keep people from wanting to drive down the street. She is
pleased with the plans and would like nice trees at the bottom.
Steve Strayly, 939 - 14th Street
--
Mr. Strayly asked about the height
of the planters – 6". He asked if the plants could be 36"
or something a bit higher to get the attention of the drivers.
He also asked about irrigation – suggesting that drought
resistant plants be put in. He noted that he’d really
like it if no parking spaces were lost.
Item was sent back to Staff for presentation
at September meeting and it will then go to Council for approval
to advertise.
7. Commissioners’ Reports
Five-Year CIP Plan Subcommittee
-
Commissioners Keegan and Cheatham
presented their comprehensive report for balance of the
Five-Year Plan (post FY 2001-2002) presenting new and revised
projects for fiscal years 2002-2006. The noted that one of
the biggest problems within the city is road degradation.
When asked for comments, Staff stated that this was a very
good presentation.
MOTION
by Chairman Koch to approve subcommittee’s report and
direct Staff to come back to the Commission with cost estimates
for the proposed new projects. Seconded by Vice Chairman
Lombardo.
Ayes: Cheatham, Keegan, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Commissioner Winnek advised that the
subcommittee was still in the process of working on logistics and
locations.
8. Council Agenda Items:
Items a-d were not discussed.
9. Items Requested by Commissioners
10. Other Matters
11.
Public Comment:
None.
Adjournment
At 10:06 p.m. Chairman Koch adjourned to the
next Commission meeting, September 12, 2001.