Loading...
12-10-2024 Minutes (Special)Item # MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CYPRESS TRAFFIC COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING December 10, 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: Acting Director of Public Works/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) Cypress resident Linda Stock, a retired Cypress school teacher, addressed the Commission regarding Ebikes. Ms. Stock shared her concerns about the importance of Ebike safety and the need to have regulations in place. She also shared a near crash experience she had with an Ebike rider while she was riding her personal mobility scooter on the sidewalk. She provided a handout on an article in the SPOTLIGHT SCHOOLS publication entitled "The Issue with E - Bikes". 1 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes, Special Meeting December 10, 2024 MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Bestian, seconded by Commissioner Harper to approve the minutes of September 17, 2024, as presented. The motion was 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. Planned Traffic Safety Enhancements for Arnold Cypress Park — Verbal Report: The Traffic Engineer provided a verbal report and shared a proposed Crescent Avenue striping plan developed by City engineers. The proposed striping plan would modify the existing lane lines to install a two-way left -turn lane with pockets leading into and out of the two Arnold Cypress Park driveways on the northside of the park, thus enhancing access to the park and safety for all motorists traveling along Crescent Avenue. The proposed striping plan was reviewed by the City of La Palma and they have requested a few minor technical changes within their right-of- way that are acceptable to the City of Cypress. The Traffic Engineer requested the Commission's concurrence to move forward to implement the proposed design as a part of the planned street improvements for the park. Vice Chair Bestian commented that the proposed design should improve safety for motorists turning left into and out of the park driveways. Commissioner Youngerman asked if there will be a stop sign facing motorists exiting the park's parking lot. The Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer is to check the park plans and report back if a stop sign is included. Commissioner Shakespeare asked about the street lighting since the park will generate a lot of visitors/activities. The Traffic Engineer responded that the traffic signal at Watson is equipped with four safety lights and there are street lights along the north curb of Crescent Avenue. Additionally, the park itself is well lit. Motion was made by Commissioner Youngerman seconded by Vice Chair Bestian to concur with the Traffic Engineer's recommendation to proceed with the proposed traffic striping changes along Crescent Avenue in the vicinity of Arnold Cypress Park. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Bestian, Harper, Shakespeare, and Youngerman NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS None 2 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes, Special Meeting December 10, 2024 3. Moody Street and Marion Avenue Crosswalk — Student Presentation The Traffic Engineer introduced Cypress High School Senior Kalayarasan Thangamani (Klay) who provided a Power Point presentation in support of installing traffic safety upgrades to the uncontrolled crosswalk at the intersection of Moody Street and Marion Avenue near Cedar Glen Park. Mr Klay requested that flashing yellow beacons with high visibility signs and shark teeth markings be installed similar to those recently installed at the Moody Street and Newman Avenue crosswalk near Evergreen Park. The Traffic Engineer endorsed Mr. Klay's request indicating that the upgraded traffic controls would significantly improve visibility of the crossing and pedestrians during both the day and night and recommended moving forward with the design and implementation of the proposed enhanced crosswalk safety features. Vice Chair Bestian indicated that he fully supports Klay's findings and recommendations and asked staff for the construction cost of the Newman Street and Moody Street project. Engineering Aide, Eric Dong indicated the previously completed project cost was approximately $31,000. Commissioner Youngerman asked if there are sufficient funds left in the City's budget to cover the cost of the proposed crosswalk upgrade. The Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer indicated that there are sufficient funds available in the budget for the project even if prices have increased due to inflation. Vice Chair Bestian inquired if an engineering study was necessary before moving forward with the project. The Traffic Engineer indicated that there was no need to study this location beyond that which was just provided by Mr. Klay since the City would not be adding a new traffic control device, but merely enhancing the crosswalk traffic controls similar to those recently installed up the street at Evergreen Park. Commissioner Harper asked Mr. Klay if he had spoken with the neighbors in the area. Mr. Klay indicated that he surveyed many of the residents and that the vast majority he spoke with are in favor of a City project to enhance safety at the crosswalk. Chair Ajello asked about the installation timeframe for the shark teeth and other signage and beacon enhancements. The Traffic Engineer indicated that the project could take between six months to a year depending on bidder responsiveness and the acquisition of the materials. Motion was made by Commissioner Youngerman seconded by Vice Chair Bestian to concur with the request for enhanced crosswalk treatments at the Moody Street and Marion Avenue and the recommendations made by the Traffic Engineer. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Ajello, Bestian, Harper, Shakespeare, and Youngerman NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS None 3 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes, Special Meeting December 10, 2024 4. Citywide Traffic Collision Statistics — Verbal Report Sergeant Mike McBain provided an update on the Collision Statistics for the calendar year to date. The Sergeant reported that so far in 2024 there has been one fatal crash occurring on November 7, 2024. That crash occurred on Cerritos Avenue just west of Camden and is still under investigation. It was a single occupant vehicle that ran off the road and struck an Edison light pole. The Sergeant also provided additional crash information and trends on non -injury and injury collisions throughout the City and highlighted the most common types of crashes and the most common causes of those crashes. Commissioner Shakespeare asked if the small fender bender he had would be included in the traffic collision report count. Sergeant McBain indicated that it would only be a part of his record if a Police Report was filed, and a case number was issued. Sometimes reports are not taken for minor property only crashes and thus only an event numbers are provided, which simply documents that a police officer responded to the call or incident. Commissioner Harper asked for clarification as to who is at fault when there is a collision between a bicyclist and an automobile. She wondered if it is always the automobile driver that is considered at fault? Sergeant McBain indicated that the automobile driver is not always found to be at fault, the cyclist can be at fault as well depending on the circumstances of the crash. STAFF REPORTS (NO ACTION OR DISCUSSION REQUIRED): 1. Update on the Traffic Signal System Software and Components Project The Traffic Engineer provided a brief update on this project to upgrade traffic signal control equipment for all 61 City traffic signals. The new traffic signal controllers, software, and miscellaneous equipment has been purchased, and the first round of deliverables have been received. Installation is scheduled to start after the holidays. 2. Update on the Accessible Pedestrian Signal Project Engineering Aide, Eric Dong provided an update on the project to implement the wave touchless pedestrian buttons at all traffic signals in the City. A quote for the first phase of 24 intersections was recently received from the same vendor that supplied the equipment for the Denni and Ball intersection. That equipment has worked well; however, one of the residents that lives nearby has asked that the beeping volume be lowered at night. Mr. Dong indicated that he has recently discovered that he can program the units to lower the volume of the beeping by time of day, which is an excellent feature of the units the City will be deploying citywide. 3. Update on Various Street Resurfacing Projects The Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer provided an update on the on-going street improvement projects. The resurfacing project on Orange Avenue between Denni Street and 4 Cypress Traffic Commission Minutes, Special Meeting December 10, 2024 Moody Street, which was partially funded by the State, is almost complete. Resurfacing projects currently underway include Valley View Street from KateIla Avenue to Ball Road and Ball Road from Denni Street to Bloomfield Street. The Traffic Engineer added that the proposed bike lanes on all three projects are being implemented as were previously discussed with the Commission. Additionally, staff worked very closely with the contractor on the traffic control plans for Valley View Street to adjust work zones and closure days and times to minimize, to the extent possible, traffic flow disruptions for residents, commuters, and businesses. COMMISSION MEMBERS REPORTS AND REMARKS None ADJOURNMENT Commission Chair Ajello adjourned the meeting at 4:03 p.m. SECRETARY TO THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION 5