05-21-2024 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS TRAFFIC COMMISSION
May 21, 2024
3 p.m.
Item # 1
A regular in-person meeting of the Cypress Traffic Commission was held at the Senior Center,
Conference Room, 9031 Grindlay Street, Cypress, 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
Commissioner Bestian
Commissioner Shakespeare — ABSENT
Commissioner Youngerman — ABSENT
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)
No one from the public requested to address the Commission.
MINUTES
1. The Commissioners reviewed the minutes. It was moved by Commissioner Bestian and
seconded by Vice Chair Summers to approve the minutes of April 16, 2024, as presented.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Bestian, and Summers
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Shakespeare and Youngerman
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Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes May 21, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
2. Request for Traffic Signal Controls at Walker Street and Aspen Street
The Traffic Engineer provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Commission on this matter.
The Traffic Engineer's presentation provided an overview of the existing intersection traffic
controls, the request for a traffic signal, a summary of the study process, a review of the study
findings, and a recommendation for the denial of the request.
The request for a traffic signal was submitted by Ms. Terri Serate, a resident of Cypress, who
was concerned about the high traffic speeds on Walker, motorists failing to yield to pedestrians
in the crosswalk, and school traffic congestion. She suggested that a traffic signal would
improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists alike.
The Traffic Engineer conducted a traffic study in accordance with the California Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD), which outlines the criteria that a City should
consider when evaluating if an intersection should be signalized. The study findings revealed
that the existing traffic controls are appropriate and in good operating condition, the assigned
adult crossing guard provides enhanced safety during school arrival and dismissal periods, that
none of the nine CAMUTCD traffic signal criteria were met at the intersection, and that there
were no other remarkable physical or traffic conditions suggesting further consideration of a
traffic signal was warranted. Therefore, based on the results of the study effort, the Traffic
Engineer recommended denial of the request for a traffic signal.
It was moved by Vice Chair Summers and seconded by Chair Ajello to concur with the Traffic
Engineer's findings and recommendation to deny the request for a new traffic signal at the
intersection of Walker Street and Aspen Street.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
YES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Bestian, and Summers
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Shakespeare and Youngerman
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Five minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
Mr. Kyle Chang was present and addressed the Commission informing them that he was
running for City Council (District 3). He indicated that he was there to gain a better
understanding of what the Traffic Commission does and to thank the Commissioners for their
work and dedication. He also asked if the Commission dealt with transportation related issues.
Commissioners responded that they only address traffic related issues. The Traffic Engineer
then clarified/added that the Traffic Commission reviews and advises on items that are in the
purview of Public Works.
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Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes May 21, 2024
STAFF REPORTS (NO ACTION OR DISCUSSION REQUIRED):
Sergeant McBain provided the Commission with a verbal report on year-to-date citywide traffic
collisions. The Sergeant provided information on total crashes, types of crashes, crash times,
and other contributing factors. He also reported there has been a 21 % decrease in traffic
collisions over this same time last year and so far, there has been no fatalities. He also provided
general information on a significant motorcycle crash occurring earlier in the month, which was
determined to be the fault of the motorcycle rider.
The City Engineer indicated that there were no other reports or project updates to present to
the Commission this month.
COMMISSION MEMBERS REPORTS AND REMARKS
1. Commissioner Bestian asked staff how the City's crossing guard program is managed. The
Traffic Engineer indicated that the responsibility of determining where crossing guards are
to be deployed rests with Public Works and the administration and management of the day-
to-day staffing of the crossing guards is the responsibility of the Police Department.
Requests for crossing guards are evaluated by the Traffic Engineer based on established
State of California guidelines and deployment recommendations are reviewed by the
Commission. Sergeant McBain indicated that the Police Department oversees and manages
the staffing of the crossing guards through a contract with All City Management Services.
All City Management Services hires, trains, and pays the crossing guards and they also
perform background checks on all personnel that encounter students. Sergeant McBain also
investigates any and all complaints the City receives regarding individual crossing guards
and/or the way they perform their duties.
2. Vice Chair Summers asked about a possible new traffic signal at the Lutheran Church on
Cerritos Avenue to accommodate the proposed new private school at the site. Since the
street is in Los Alamitos and the school is in Cypress he wanted to know more about how
that would work. The Traffic Engineer responded that it is quite common for cities to
coordinate on the installation and operation of traffic signals on their common borders and
that in this case both cities are already in communications regarding the proposed new traffic
signal.
ADJOURNMENT
Commission Chair Ajello adjourned the meeting at 3:39 p.m.
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