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08-20-2024 MinutesItem # 1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CYPRESS TRAFFIC COMMISSION August 20, 2024 3 p.m. A regular in-person meeting of the Cypress Traffic Commission was held at the Community Center, Garden Room, 5700 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ajello called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commission Chair Ajello Commission Bestian Commissioner Harper 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 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER The City Engineer introduced and welcomed Joy Harper as a newly appointed Commissioner. Ms. Harper is looking forward to working with staff and others on the Commission. 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) 1 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 City Council Candidate Blaze Bhence (Dist. 4) spoke on behalf of residents at Ovation at Floral Park that he had spoken with on the campaign trail who would like him to bring up concerns regarding both Lexington Drive and Enterprise Drive. As for Enterprise Drive, Mr. Bhence indicated that when residents of Ovation at Floral Park approach Katella Avenue southbound, they can only go left and there is no left -turn from eastbound Katella Avenue onto Enterprise Drive. He understands that only one lane of Katella Avenue is in the City of Cypress and that most of the street is located in the City of Los Alamitos. He was wondering if the Cypress Traffic Commission could speak with the City of Los Alamitos to see if they can allow drivers to at least make left turns out of Enterprise Drive onto Katella Avenue heading eastbound. The Traffic Engineer responded that City staff regularly meets with staff from the City of Los Alamitos to discuss this issue and other traffic matters. He has nothing to report at this time, other than staff discussions are continuing. As for the Lexington Drive and Katella intersection, Mr. Bhence indicated that motorists are not allowed to travel southbound through the intersection but are required to turn right or left onto Katella Avenue. He reported that frequently motorists violate the signs and drive straight through the intersection posing a safety concern and he requests on behalf of residents of the area that something be done before a crash occurs. The Traffic Engineer responded that the intersection and its traffic controls are the responsibility of the City of Los Alamitos. As for Lexington Park, Mr. Bhence reported that residents across Cerritos Avenue have shared with him that it is very dangerous out there because when people exit Lexington Park on to Cerritos Avenue they are supposed to turn right; however, many turn left instead. He indicated that some residents have requested that the City install a median to remind drivers they cannot make an illegal left turn. The Traffic Engineer and Commission Bestian also provided some observations about traffic flow in and around the park. Finally, Mr. Bhence reported that the residents north of Cerritos Avenue have also complained about the annual 5K/10K street closure and being trapped in their neighborhood from early in the morning until the afternoon. He indicated that the residents are asking if the City can create traffic breaks or somehow to allow the residents to come in and out during the closure period. The Traffic Engineer responded that the 10K race was eliminated last year and the remaining 5K race only runs in the northern part of the City so this shouldn't be an issue moving forward. MINUTES Commissioner Bestian had a question on the minutes. He asked Sergeant McBain for clarification on when the motorcycle accident on Valley View Street happened and he also asked if that accident was a fatality. Sergeant McBain responded that the accident occurred in 2023 and it was a fatality. 2 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 After the clarification provided by Sergeant McBain, a motion was made by Commissioner Bestian and seconded by Commissioner Youngerman to approve the minutes of May 21, 2024, as presented. The motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Bestian, Harper, Shakespeare, and Youngerman NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT:0 COMMISSIONERS: None NEW BUSINESS 2. Reorganization of the Traffic Commission Nominations were opened for Chairperson. Commissioner Bestian nominated Ajello and Commissioner Youngerman seconded. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 4 NOES: 0 ABSENT: 0 ABSTAINED:1 COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: Bestian, Harper, Shakespeare, and Youngerman None None Ajello Nominations were opened for Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Youngerman nominated Commissioner Bestian, and Commissioner Harper seconded. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 4 NOES: 0 ABSENT: 0 ABSTAINED:1 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Harper, Shakespeare, and Youngerman COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS: Bestian 3. Proposed Red Zones on Enterprise Drive The Traffic Engineer provided a verbal report on this matter. He indicated that he had received multiple requests from residents of the Ovation at Flora Park Community for the installation of no parking zones in the vicinity of the housing complex's two driveways along the eastside of Enterprise Drive. The requestors indicated that it is difficult to see approaching traffic when exiting the driveways if vehicles are parked close to the driveways. Based on field reviews of the situation, the Traffic Engineer recommended that various red zones along Enterprise Drive north of Katella Avenue be installed to keep motorists from parking too close to the five driveways on the block. These new red zones should provide 3 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 enhanced visibility of conflicting traffic flows for motorists exiting the various driveways. The onsite property manager for the Ovation at Flora Park Community was informed that the Traffic Commission would be taking up this matter at the Commission's August meeting. Chair Ajello invited members from the audience to address the Commission on this matter. Mr. Bruce Foat, a resident of Ovation at Flora Park, expressed his concern with cars speeding and residents having difficulties getting out of the complex. He indicated that he was supportive of the recommendation; however, he would like to see 20' of red zone installed on each side of the main entrance. His reason for the 10 -foot extension of the proposed red zone is to address the parking of larger sports -utility vehicles and trucks. Mr. Moe Lee, a resident of Ovation at Flora Park, expressed his concurrence with Mr. Foat's comments. He also indicated that even an extra 5 feet of red zone at the main entrance driveway would be a lot better for visibility purposes. Ms. Mary Chen, a resident and Community Association Board Member of Ovation at Flora Park, expressed her concerns about visibility at both the entrance and exit driveways because she feels it is very dangerous trying to make a left turn out when cars are parked close on both sides of the two driveways. She also said that she is happy that the City is taking up this issue. Mr. Dane Harris, a resident of Ovation at Flora Park, expressed his safety concerns with exiting at the two driveways and he shared that he has had many close calls because the parked cars block all visibility. He also indicated that church patrons tend to infringe into the driveways when parking and they aren't being cited. He also expressed that he would like to see 20 feet of red zone on either side of the driveways. Council Candidate Blaze Bhence (Dist. 4) also addressed the Commission in support of the Ovation at Flora Park residents indicating that he would like to see the 20 feet of red zone on either side of the front exit and rear exit as requested. Vice Chair Bestian asked the Traffic Engineer about expanding the amount of red zone as requested by the residents and whether additional signs would be needed. The Traffic Engineer explained that typically the City do not install red zones and signs, it is typically one or the other and, in this case, he believes the red zone would be more effective at gaining compliance than signs. Commissioner Youngerman shared that the church often voluntarily closes the access gates to their parking lot. Additionally, she has seen significant parking on Enterprise Drive because it is closer to the church buildings than parking at the back of the parking lot. She also wonders if extending the red zone from 10 to 20 feet will be taking away parking spaces for the residents in Ovation at Floral Park. The Traffic Engineer expressed that extending the one red zone from 10 feet to 20 feet would not significantly impact the parking situation in the area. Generally,10 feet is the minimum amount of red zone installed to the right of a driveway, but extending the length to 20 feet is only about a half car length extra so it is unlikely to result in the loss of additional parking 4 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 spaces. Therefore, he supports the resident's request to extend the proposed red zone adjacent to the main entrance driveway from 10 feet to 20 feet. Commissioner Shakespeare asked if the extended red zone would only apply to the north side of the main entrance driveway. The Traffic Engineer responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Youngerman added that it would be good for the City to provide the extended red zone as requested. After some discussion it was moved by Commissioner Youngerman and seconded by Vice - Chair Bestian to concur with the Traffic Engineer's recommendation and to extend the proposed red zone at the main entrance driveway from 10 feet to 20 feet as requested by the residents. The motion unanimously carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Bestian, Harper, Shakespeare, and Youngerman NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Five minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission) None STAFF REPORTS (NO ACTION OR DISCUSSION REQUIRED): The Traffic Engineer shared that he will be bringing forward an item on speed limits at the next meeting. By law the City's speed limits are to be reviewed periodically and over the past few months staff has completed that review. Administratively, through a formal letter to the Police Chief, staff has extended the existing speed surveys for seven additional years. However, in conducting the review it was decided to resurvey Crescent Avenue to determine if the existing 45 mph speed limit should be lowered by 5 mph. Crescent Avenue has multiple speed zones with varying speed limits across the four cities of Lakewood, Cypress, La Palma and Buena Park. This is the same section of street where residents have complained of excessive traffic speeds and the Commission has discussed the possibility of reducing the number of travel lanes from four to two with left -turn pockets. The purpose of the current resurvey effort is to determine if consistent speed zoning can be established along this relatively short section of street. The Traffic Engineer indicated that the survey work is underway and that he anticipates bringing the results to the next meeting for discussion and concurrence. Commissioner Harper asked what would be the benefit of reducing the number of travel lanes on Crescent Avenue. The Traffic Engineer explained that the primary benefit would be to enhance safety by creating fulltime bike lanes, providing left -turn pockets, and calming traffic speeds. However, in order to implement such a project, the other three cities would need to 5 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 concur on the revised roadway design and make similar changes in their cities. Implementation of such a project will require significant coordination, effort, and funding. Consistent speed zoning along Crescent Avenue is a first step towards such a project. Commissioner Youngerman asked about the status of the Katella traffic signal study to coordinate signal timing between Cypress and its neighboring cities. The Traffic Engineer explained that there are multiple efforts to improve traffic signal timing underway. The first effort was OCTA's Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (RTSSP) to retime all the traffic signals on Katella Avenue from the 605 FWY to Tustin. That project is complete; however, the signal timing isn't completely synchronized in Cypress because Stanton chose not to implement the OCTA provided traffic signal timing. City engineers have been in discussions with Stanton and they have agreed to implement the new OCTA timing as long as Cypress helps them retime a couple of adjacent traffic signals. This brings us to the second effort, the City of Cypress' Citywide Traffic Signal Timing Project which is currently underway to update traffic signal timing safety parameters throughout the City. As a part of that project the City of Cypress is retiming two of Stanton's traffic signals so that the OCTA timing on Katella can be fully implemented. Which brings us to the third traffic signal timing effort, which is again another OCTA led project that has just begun to improve traffic signal coordination across jurisdictional boundaries. This third project is a more long-term effort that the City of Cypress and its neighboring cities are all participating in over the next few years. The Traffic Engineer indicated that he is encouraged by the focus on improving traffic signal timing throughout the City and the region and is looking forward to improved operations in the near future. Eric Dong updated the Commission on the installation of two speed feedback signs on Crescent Avenue between the west city limit and Sumner Place. The digital signs are up and running; however, the speed limit signs are pending based on a final determination of the appropriate posted speed. Eric Dong updated the Commission on the installation of the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at the intersection of Moody and Newman near Evergreen Park. The enhanced crosswalk signage has been in for some time and now the flashing beacons have been installed and are operating as intended. The Traffic Engineer provided an update on the latest round of pavement resurfacing projects on Ball Road, Valley View Street, and Orange Avenue. It was decided that since new pavement was being laid down that this would be a good time to adjust the roadway striping to improve traffic flow and enhance bike lane safety on all three streets. The Traffic Engineer then rolled out engineering plans for all three roadways and highlighted the various changes that were planned for all three streets. The most significant change is planned for Orange Avenue in the vicinity of Lexington Jr. High School, where the lane striping will be modified to provide full-time bike lanes and left -turn pockets leading to the residential streets to the north and the south. This change should not only enhance safety but calm traffic speeds on this section of road. Another key change will be on Valley View Street, where the City of Buena Park has agreed to allow the installation of a buffered bike lane on their side of the street to match a similar bike lane on the Cypress side of the street. This change will eliminate an existing gap in the bike lane connectivity along this street. The City Engineer indicated that 6 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 contractor bids were recently received for the projects and that he would be going before City Council on August 26 seeking to award the projects. It is anticipated that construction will begin in October or November depending on the weather. The Traffic Commission collectively indicated in their comments that they were supportive of the proposed striping modifications and the consensus was that safer bike lanes are a good addition. The Commission is also generally supportive of staff making such striping changes through resurfacing projects since implementation comes at little to no additional cost to the City since the roadway has to be restriped anyway. Commissioner Shakespeare asked about the limits of the Valley View Street resurfacing job and when the section of road north of Ball Road to Lincoln Avenue is scheduled to be completed. The City Engineer clarified that only the one -mile stretch from Katella Avenue to Ball Road was being completed this year. He also informed the Commission about the City's software -based pavement management program where streets are inspected every two years, and the software program assists engineers in determining the most appropriate streets to resurface each year based on available budget. However, in general most streets in Cypress are either slurry sealed or resurfaced every seven years, with most pavement overlays lasting between 15 to 20 years. Vice Chair Bestian asked what is going on with Oxford's parking lot. The City Engineer indicated that the school is installing solar panels in their parking lot. The school is working with City to use a portion of the Civic Center's parking lot in the interim and they are also using the church parking lot across Orange Avenue. The project is anticipated to take between three to four months to complete. Sergeant McBain updated the Commission on school traffic as schools in the area have begun the new school year. Although they can't be at every school every day, his team is providing a significant visible presence at locations where they have had traffic issues in the past. The Sergeant also provided a presentation on the latest crash statistics. He was again happy to report that there have been no fatalities yet this year. He went on to inform the Commission on year-to-date citywide traffic collisions, types of crashes, crash times, and other contributing factors. The Sergeant also reported there has been a 19% decrease in traffic collisions over this same time last year. Commissioner Youngerman asked about the swap meet at Cypress College on Saturdays and Sundays in that every single parking space in the surrounding businesses/neighborhood seems to be occupied. She indicated that some of the adjoining businesses are having trouble because they can't use their own parking lots on the weekend. She asked Sergeant McBain if Cypress College provides any type of traffic report that is provided to the Police Department. Sergeant McBain responded that he is unaware of any reporting that is provided by Cypress College and that the college enforces their own parking lots on their property. Parking on the streets surrounding the campus is enforced by the Police Department; however, there is little that can be done if the swap meet attendees are legally parked. 7 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes August 20, 2024 COMMISSION MEMBERS REPORTS AND REMARKS None ADJOURNMENT Commission Chair Ajello adjourned the meeting at 4:05 p.m. 8