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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins-PWC-02-20-14 MINUTES CITY OF DOWNEY - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE February 20, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Owens, Dist. 1 John Oskoui, Director of PW Marybeth Vergara, Dist. 1 Ed Norris, Deputy Director of PW Patricia Kotze, Dist. 2 Brian Saeki, Community Dev. Director Kent Halbmaier, Dist. 2 Councilmember Alex Saab Joan Frey, Dist. 3 Dan Muller, Principal Civil Engineer Donald Cuevas, Dist. 4 Desi Gutierrez, Sr. Civil Engineer Blanca Pacheco, Dist. 4 Judith Silva, Management Analyst Maria Lourdes Cotaya, Dist. 5 Gigi Rodriguez, Engineering Div. Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT: CITY COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Don Lamkin, Dist. 5 – excused City Councilmember Alex Saab Stephen Chu, Dist. 3 – excused OTHERS PRESENT: Jerry Andrews Brian Andrews Business Owners/Tenants on Downey Avenue between Firestone Blvd. and 2nd Street I. CALL TO ORDER: The Committee Chairperson, Patricia Kotze, called the meeting to order at 4:03 P.M. II. CONSENT CALENDAR: Committee Member Cotaya made a motion to approve the Minutes of the January 16, 2014 meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Frey. The Minutes were approved as written. III. OLD BUSINESS: None. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE February 20, 2014 IV. NEW BUSINESS: Request for 20-Minute Parking Time Limit on the east side of Downey Avenue between Firestone Boulevard and 2nd Street Staff received a request from the businesses on the east side of Downey Avenue between Firestone Blvd. and 2nd St. seeking a modification of the existing time limit parking from two hours to 20 minutes along this portion of the street. Therefore, Mr. Norris suggested that the Public Works committee not recommend or take action at this time but rather discuss the concerns of the business community who were present. Mr. Norris reported that staff received a petition from businesses on the east side of Downey Avenue between Firestone Boulevard and 2nd Street for a requested modification of the existing two hour parking limit to 20 minutes. There is currently insufficient parking turnover at this location and therefore, the customers of the businesses have insufficient opportunity to park. This condition has worsened by the fact that the parking lot (16 spaces) which previously existed behind the businesses is no longer in existence due to the construction of “The View” building on the south side of 2nd Street east of Downey Avenue. Therefore, the 16 vehicles that previously would be parked on that lot, have been displaced elsewhere within the downtown area, primarily on-street. Staff completed a parking survey on Thursday, February 13, conducted between the hours of 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM involving the collection of the license plate numbers of the vehicles parked along the east side of Downey Avenue between Firestone Blvd. and 3rd Street. The license plate numbers were recorded every 15 minutes. Based on the results, the average vehicle was parked for a duration of at least 40 minutes during the five hours of the actual survey; therefore, it was confirmed that there is currently insufficient parking turnover in order for the customers of several of the businesses to have ample opportunity to park on-street based on their needs. However, staff withdrew its recommendation to move forward with the time limit reduction to 20 minutes because of the nature of the feedback received since the businesses were notified on Friday, February 14, 2014. Staff would like to give the best recommendations as far as making any modifications to parking restrictions downtown and it might be sensible to look at the entire downtown just see what might be the best course of action would be to take. Also, staff received a supplemental petition signed by additional businesses along Downey Avenue requesting a one-hour parking limit. Staff suggested to the committee that the business representatives be given an opportunity to speak and then let the committee decide on what course of action to take. Discussion followed. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE February 20, 2014 The following comments were provided by the representatives of the business who were present at the meeting: Business Name Address Comments 1. Downey Hair Studio 11031 One hour is not enough. Farmer’s Market Estefan Trejo is using up their parking supply on Saturdays. 2. Joseph’s Bar & Grill 11030 Need at least one-hour parking. Can valet Robert Bosconian be provided? 3. One Day Cleaners 11120 Requesting an action by the committee sooner James Ong than later. Suggests one space for loading and unloading. 4. E & E Orthocraft 11108 In favor of 20 minute parking for his business, Emery Sipos but his tenant preferred two hours. Also suggested handicapped parking. 5. Bastard’s Sports Grill 11405 Suggests one space for loading and unloading. Nick Semi-trucks are parking on 2nd Street all day. Pays over $600/year for a parking permit– What is it for? Where is it going? 6. Mambo Grill 11018 Two-hour parking restriction is OK, David Llamas but it needs to be more diligently enforced. 7. Cartozian Associates Real Estate Kirk Cartozian 11027 Suggests the entire downtown parking be looked at, including the future. 8. Raj Waliat (owner of 3 Units) (Sports Goods Store/ Dry Cleaners/Hair Salon) 1114-11120 Allocate one space for loading and unloading. 9. Locker Room 11114 Plan for parking in the future. See how to Ivan alleviate parking problems. 10. Assistance League 11026 Suggests that the existing two-hour parking Charlene Roach limit on the block between Firestone Blvd. and 2nd Street remain and install a couple of 20- minute time-limited parking zones. Permitted parking spaces are being utilized by customers. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE February 20, 2014 11. Other suggestions More parking signage and valet parking V. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS Vice Chair Frey reported that the green arrow timing on Lakewood turning left on Gallatin is short. Committee Member Cotaya request staff to investigate the “KEEP CLEAR” pavement markings on Florence Avenue at Arrington Blvd. in order to make the markings more visible. VI. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Norris gave updates on the following: 1) I-5 Freeway Widening (Segment 5) Community Meeting held on February 19th 2) Firestone Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project 3) Relocation of Mock Shuttle 4) Firestone Boulevard Improvements Project 5) Lakewood Blvd. Phase 3B Improvement Project 6) Lakewood Blvd. Improvement Project (Lakewood Blvd. – east city limit) Vice Chair Frey inquired what it would take in order for the city to install protected left-turn arrows on Gardendale Street at its approaches (eastbound and westbound directions) to Lakewood Blvd. Mr. Norris replied that since this intersection is partially owned and maintained by Caltrans, that a request would need to be submitted to Caltrans to conduct an engineering study in order to justify the installation of protected left-turn phasing in the eastbound and westbound directions, which would be very time-consuming and there would be no guarantee that the request would be granted. In addition, Mr. Norris mentioned that the city is proposing to resurface Gardendale Street between Lakewood Blvd. and Garfield St. and that the eastbound left-turn lane on Gardendale St. at Lakewood Blvd. will be re-aligned through this project in order to enhance the visibility of westbound traffic on Gardendale St. which should improve the safety and operational efficiency of this movement. VII. NEXT MEETING: March 20, 2014 The Public Works Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:40 P.M.