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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins-PWC-10-18-12 MINUTES CITY OF DOWNEY - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE October 18, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Martin Susnir, Dist. 1– Vice-Chair Ed Norris, Deputy Director of PW Bill Minasian, Dist. 1 Dan Mueller, Pr. Civil Engineer Patricia Kotze, Dist. 2 - Chair Kent Halbmaier, Dist. 2 OTHERS PRESENT Joan Frey, Dist. 3 Mr. Steve Perez Mr. Alex Gaitan, DUSD teacher and Chair of Stephen Chu, Dist. 3 Youth Services for Downey Kiwanis Carmen Vasquez, Dist. 4 Downey and Warren High School Students Marybeth Vergara, Dist. 5 Ernie Garcia, Dist. 5 MEMBERS ABSENT Agustin Duran, Dist. 4 - Absent I. CALL TO ORDER: The Chairperson, Patricia Kotze, called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M. II. CONSENT CALENDAR: Committee Member Joan Frey made a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 20, 2012 meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Martin Susnir. The Minutes were approved as written. III.OLD BUSINESS: Committee Member Bill Minasian inquired about the Columbia Way and I-105 freeway pavement repair problem. Mr. Ed Norris will raise the issue again with the Caltrans maintenance manager for District 7. IV. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Lakewood Boulevard Speed Limits Mr. Ed Norris reported that as part of the seven-year rotation for evaluating the posted speed limits within the City of Downey, Lakewood Boulevard from the north city limit to the south city limit was the next street to be evaluated. An Engineering Traffic Survey as required by the California Vehicle Code, was conducted by staff, the result being that the existing 40 mph posted speed limit should remain. One of the reasons was the th recent changes made to Lakewood Boulevard between 5 Street and Florence Avenue which included the widening of street from four to six travel lanes, the reconstruction of the median islands and all the amenities and enhancement features that were recently MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE October 18, 2012 Page 2 installed along this portion of the street. There were also previous phases of the Lakewood Boulevard Project that were completed between the past 3 to 5 years on south of Imperial Highway which included similar amenities such as the widening of the street as well as the construction of landscaped median islands. Therefore, staff recommends that the existing posted speed limit remain at 40 mph for Lakewood Boulevard. Committee Member Ernie Garcia made a motion to approve the staff recommendation of an ordinance of the City of Downey amending Section 3186 of the Downey Municipal Code relating to the speed limits for Lakewood Boulevard between Rosecrans Avenue and Telegraph Road which was seconded by Chairperson Kotze. The following vote was unanimous in favor thereof. 2. Firestone Boulevard Project Update Mr. Norris gave an update on the proposed street improvements along Firestone Boulevard between Old River School Road and Brookshire Avenue. Discussion followed. V. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Alex Gaitan, DUSD teacher and Chair of Youth Services for Downey Kiwanis, Mr. Steve Perez and students from Downey High School and Warren High School spoke to the committee about the campaign for bicycle lanes in the City of Downey. Discussion followed. Mr. Norris mentioned that the City is currently pursuing funding opportunities with Caltrans District 7 for the bicycle master plan per the suggestion of Mr. Lars Clutterham. A suggestion was made to include a discussion on bicycle signs at the November meeting. VI. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Norris reported on Mr. Minasian’s inquiries as to why the Chinese Tallow trees were removed along the east side of Bellflower Boulevard between Stewart & Grey Road and the driveway serving the Eclipse shopping center at Downey Landing. VII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Norris gave an update on current CIP projects. VIII. NEXT MEETING: November 15, 2012 The Public Works Committee was adjourned at 5:30 P.M.