HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 07-08-13 Special Meeting MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
JULY 8, 2013
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special Meeting at 6:02 p.m., July 8, 2013, in
the Downey City Library, 11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. Mayor Mario A. Guerra presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Mario A. Guerra Mayor
Fernando Vasquez Mayor Pro Tern
Roger C. Brossmer
Luis H. Marquez
Alex Saab
STAFF PRESENT: John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
Ed Norris, Deputy Director of Public Works
Lt. Loughner, Downey Police Department
Sgt. Miller, Downey Police Department
1. DISCUSSION AND COUNCIL DIRECTION REGARDING PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR
TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AND SAFETY IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS ADJACENT TO EAST
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Public Works.
Mayor Guerra advised that the proposed traffic signal at the location will not be installed; however,
— there are other safety options available which will be discussed tonight.
Council Member Brossmer advised that he does not have a conflict but out of an abundance of
caution disclosed that he is an employee of the Downey Unified School District. He further stated that
the City wants to make the right decision; thus, have reviewed other alternatives for consideration.
Bill Zimmerman, W.G. Zimmerman Engineering, Inc., provided a presentation on the Safety
Evaluation report on the intersection of Woodruff Avenue and Via Amorita. He noted the report is
comprised of background information, methodology, observation and data analysis, results, public
reaction and recommendations. In the presentation, Mr. Zimmerman addressed some questions raised
by residents regarding how the signal operates, adjusting the signal to coordinate with the Florence
Avenue at Woodruff signal, utility poles on the southeaster corner hindering traffic signal, adjusting
behavior of students and drivers, and on-site drop-off for the school.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Guerra opened up Public Comment.
Leo Gallegos, resident, addressed some of the items in the report, and commented on: a
passenger drop-off zone on the west side of the school; the proposed HAWK system; prohibiting left
turns during peak hours; and, installing a yellow crosswalk on Via Amorita.
Don Horsman, resident, asked for clarification on Mr. Gallegos' comment about restricting left
turns during peak hours.
John VerHalen, resident, stated it is a fairly safe crosswalk and suggested reducing the speed to 5
mph and also stated some of the speed radar signs in the City do not work.
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Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez stated unfortunately the City does not have jurisdiction over the school
district and requested responsible suggestions for the City.
Ron Roddey, resident, suggested the entrance to the school be changed.
Frank McDonald, resident, stated the parking lot use to be an on-site drive-through drop-off area and
asked is there going to be a wheelchair ramp constructed on the northwest corner.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked Sgt. Miller about enforcement and the pedestrian accident that
occurred earlier in the year. Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez stated that pamphlets in English and Spanish are
distributed to students for their parents and the City has not noticed a change. The 23 schools in the
City have experienced similar problems.
Sgt. Miller stated the Downey Police Department has issued many citations. He stated enforcement
is difficult because of pedestrian traffic,vehicles backing-up, and kids jaywalking across the street. Sgt.
Miller stated he liked the HAWK because it only operates when it is activated and creates more
enforcement action; it will provide an opportunity for proper enforcement and create gaps in traffic.
Ms. Miller, resident,stated crossing guards do an adequate job for creating gaps in the traffic but it is
not guaranteed that students will obey the guard.
Lt. Loughner stated that there must be multiple solutions or a combination of all suggestions: HAWK,
crossing guard, limited parking, and left-turns.
Art Gonzalez, resident, stated he believed the report was poor;the Police Department's enforcement
last for only seven days and wanted to know why the Police Department stopped.
AMMII
Sgt. Miller stated that there are 23 other schools in the City and the Police Department cannot use
all their traffic enforcement on one school.
Mayor Guerra stated the City acknowledges there is a problem. Once a problem is brought forward,
the Police Chief is then contacted and orders special enforcement. He further stated that no report by
the City Council goes unattended. The City needs to decide on a set of solutions. The City cannot tell
the School District what to do; we need to discuss what the City can do enforcement wise. Not one
single solution(HAWK, left-turn prohibited, crossing guard)is the best solution and not everyone will be
happy. We need to focus on what we can do together to solve the issue.
Art Gonzalez, resident, stated he just wanted to bring forward a problem he observed.
Leo Gallegos, resident, stated that a crossing guard may interrupt the HAWK's cycle. He stated if
the HAWK gets installed then the crossing guard can use the regulatory stop sign.
Ms. Skills, resident,asked if people would know how to use the HAWK;and suggested flyers can be
included in the summer mailers to educate residents.
Jennifer Alvarez, resident, stated she addressed this problem with the City approximately eight years
ago and was told the issue did not qualify for traffic control at that time. She was surprised to learn the
location of the traffic signal. Ms.Alvarez commented on the HAWK system;traffic calculations taken by
herself; a crossing guard at the location; and, aesthetics of the neighborhood.
Don Cotton, resident, stated he agreed with the drop-off zones, no left-turn either way,and the need
for a crossing guard. He also commented on the operation of the traffic signal at the intersection of
Woodruff Avenue and Florence Avenue.
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Pam Lee, resident,stated there needs to be a solution that fixes Woodruff Avenue; pressure needs
to be placed on the school district to provide a solution.
Mrs. Cotton, resident, asked if there can be a solution by requesting parents use streets other than
Woodruff Avenue. She expressed the need to orient parents to the parking options.
Council Member Marquez thanked the attendees for sharing their concerns. He stated the priority of
the City is the safety of the kids and flow of traffic, noting his decision is based on information and input
from the residents.
Mayor Guerra stated he is worried by the potential liability to the City. The Council will need to
obtain a legal opinion from the City Attorney on the options presented tonight before making a decision.
Mayor Guerra reviewed the options discussed: crossing guard, HAWK, education, and enforcement.
It was moved by Mayor Guerra, seconded by Council Member Saab and carried unanimously, to:
assign a crossing guard at the crosswalk located at Woodruff Avenue and Via Amorita; create
passenger loading zones on both sides of Woodruff Avenue during the peak hours of morning and
afternoon; improve operation of the existing traffic signal at the corner of Florence Avenue and Woodruff
Avenue; emphasize educating the parents and students that following the laws and regulations are
necessary; ask the City Attorney to provide an opinion regarding installation of a traffic control device at
the subject location; and, return to the City Council with the results.
ADJOURNED: at 8:35 p.m.
j �
JOH SKOUI, Assistant City Manager MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor
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