Loading...
08-15-2023 MinutesItem # 1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CYPRESS TRAFFIC COMMISSION August 15, 2023 3 p.m. A regular in-person meeting of the Cypress Traffic Commission was held in the Community Room, Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue, California. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ajello called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commission Chair Ajello Commission Vice Chair Summers — Arrived late at 3:12 p.m. Commissioner Bestian — ABSENT Commissioner Shakespeare Commissioner Youngerman STAFF PRESENT: City Engineer, Nick Mangkalakiri Traffic Engineer, David Roseman Cypress Police Sergeant, Michael McBain Engineering Aide, Eric Dong Commission Secretary, Norma Vera PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge was led by Commission Chair Ajello ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes —three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Traffic Commission) Mr. William Song was present but did not approach the commission. Ms. Yvette Sugino was present and spoke about her safety concerns at various intersections throughout the City where she has experienced close calls/near misses. The intersections she identified were Ball Road & Walker Street, Walker Street & Orange Avenue, and Orange Avenue & Moody Street. She also mentioned that there should be a stop sign on the southeast corner of Aspen Street and Graham Street because, although there is a pedestrian crosswalk, there is no stop sign. 1 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 15, 2023 MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Youngerman and seconded by Commissioner Shakespeare to approve the minutes of July 18, 2023. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Shakespeare, and Youngerman NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Bestian and Summers Commission Vice Chair Summers arrived at 3:12 p.m. NEW BUSINESS 2. Intersection Safety Review — Ball Road and Moody Street. The Traffic Engineer received two separate traffic safety inquiries from residents regarding collisions at the Ball Road and Moody Street intersection. Both residents indicated that they have witnessed multiple traffic collisions and thus are requesting that the City review the operation of the traffic signal to determine if something can be done to reduce the frequency of crashes. One of the residents suggested that perhaps fully protected left -turn arrows for north -south traffic may be a potential improvement. After a comprehensive review of the intersection's geometric and physical characteristics, the traffic signal's physical and operating attributes, signing and markings, and crash history it was determined that the intersection had an elevated crash rate that could be attributed to distracted driving. Therefore, it was determined that a focus would be placed on improving the traffic signal's prominence and visibility to approaching traffic. Additionally, it was deemed prudent to look at the safety aspects of the traffic signal timing to determine if programing adjustments could be made to reduce the likelihood of future crashes. Based on the assessment conducted, the Traffic Engineer developed a series of three actions to address the root causes of the elevated crash rate at the intersection. The Traffic Engineer is confident that the three actions; relamping of older LED indications which has already been completed, the addition of new nearside indications at three approaches in the next 60 days, and potentially revised traffic signal timing to be implemented in 2024 with the Citywide Signal Timing project will have a positive effect on reducing the risk of future crashes at the intersection. The Traffic Engineer directed the implementation of these various changes so the implementation could be expedited and requested Commission concurrence on the actions. It was moved by Commissioner Youngerman and seconded by Vice -Chair Summers to concur with the Traffic Engineer's findings and the following safety enhancement improvements for the Ball Road and Moody Street: 1. Relamp the eastbound and westbound vehicle indications; and 2 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 15, 2023 2. Install new nearside vehicle indications for northbound, southbound, and westbound approaches; and 3. Update the local traffic signal timing parameters as a part of the Citywide Traffic Signal Timing project currently underway. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: YES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Shakespeare, Summers, and Youngerman NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Bestian Commission Vice Chair Summers asked the Traffic Engineer: How often is a consultant hired to retime the traffic signals? The Traffic Engineer responded that typically, a citywide retiming is not performed, rather minor modifications are completed every so often as the need arises. However, a couple of years ago the City Council approved a citywide signal timing project to incorporate a variety of new safety standards into the traffic signal system. A consultant has been awarded that contract and they recently begun their work. It is anticipated that the new signal timing changes will be implemented citywide in the first quarter of 2024. STAFF REPORTS (NO ACTION OR DISCUSSION REQUIRED): The Traffic Engineer updated the Commission on the following: 1. Installation of the first radar speed feedback sign on Orangewood Avenue near Holder Street for the westbound direction is complete. As for the eastbound direction installation of the foundation should be completed later in the week with the pole and sign going up shortly thereafter. The Traffic Engineer also mentioned to the Commission that those are the same type of signs that the City is looking to install on Crescent Avenue and he encouraged the Commission members to drive by the new signs and provide any feedback they may have on the operation. 2. The pedestrian crosswalk and beacon upgrade project at Denni Street and Newman Avenue is underway. The striping modifications have been completed, the foundation for the new pole will be completed tomorrow, and the new beacons have been shipped from the manufacturer. 3. The new stop control for southbound Glenbrook Street at Hanover Drive has been installed. The Traffic Engineer informed the Commission that he has received two phone calls after the last Commission meeting. Those residents indicated they were in support of the new stop control, but they complained about large vehicles parking along the north curb of Hanover Drive impacting visibility of cross traffic and that they both welcomed the idea of red curbing that section of curb. Staff is looking into the matter and will be bringing an item forward at the next meeting. 4. The new "Keep Clear" markings on Orange Avenue have been completed. 3 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 15, 2023 5. The Cypress 5K run is coming up in October. There will no longer be a 10k run so the traffic control plans for the event need to be updated so staff will be working on that rush project over the next month. Commission Shakespeare reported he had asked the City Engineer if it would be okay to consider having a monthly traffic accident report from Police Department. He thought that it might be valuable information for the Commissioners so that they can be aware where accidents are occurring within the City. He indicated that perhaps a verbal report would suffice. Commissioner Youngerman asked if Commissioner Shakespeare was familiar with PulsePoint, which is a system that provides real-time information about emergencies. Commissioner Shakespeare indicated that he would prefer a monthly summary. The Traffic Engineer also indicated that the CHP maintains a publicly accessible database of crashes as a part of their SWITRS program. It was requested that the matter of a monthly report be brought back to the Commission for their consideration as long as Sergeant McBain is amenable to that request. Commission Shakespeare reported that at the Camden and Corporate intersection there is a stop sign for Camden but no stop sign for Corporate. He indicated that there are hedges on the side of the road that obstruct visibility and he wondered if a stop sign or some other measure is needed at that intersection. The Traffic Engineer responded that we have received an OpenGov request on that matter and that it is likely that the matter will be brought forward to the Commission at a future meeting. Commissioner Shakespeare reported that on Orange Avenue going eastbound in front of Oxford Academy that he didn't recall seeing a 25 mph school zone sign mandating that drivers slow down when children are present. He also asked if it is required to have one in front of the school. The Traffic Engineer responded by indicating that 25 mph school zone signs are required under certain circumstances, which it would seem are present at Oxford Academy. Staff will check to see if the appropriate sign is in place and if it is missing it will be reinstalled. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Five minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission) None. COMMISSION MEMBERS REPORTS AND REMARKS None. ADJOURNMENT Commission Chair Ajello adjourned the meeting at 3:58 p.m. 4