1989 04 12 TTC MinutesDEPAR ENTAL REPORT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Ron Kiedrowski, City Manager
FROM: Frank Reynolds, Director of Public Works/
City Engineer
DATE: April 12, 1989
SUBJECT: Technical Traffic Committee
The regular meeting of the Technical Traffic Committee was held at
11:00 A.M. on Wednesday April 12, 1989 Present were:
Members: Sgt. Betty Byers, Sheriff's Department
Inspector Ron Friedli, Sheriff's Department
Roger Hirdler, City of La Quinta
Dick Barrera, Riverside County
Frank Reynolds, City of La Quinta
Gene Marshall, Caltrans, San Diego
Staff: Jerry Coffey, City of La Quinta
Guests: Debbie Asten, Sunline Transit
Frank Jones, Sunrise Media
Rupert Yessayian
OLD BUSINESS: Washington-Miles Intersection
Mr. Reynolds reviewed this matter, which was originally brought up at
the Committee's January meeting. At that time it wa:; decided to
table the subject for a two month period in order to get: a better
status on the development of tentative tracts in the: immediate
vicinity. Since the Committee didn't meet in-_March, it is now up for
further consideration.
Neither of the two tracts has moved forward as yet, although it
appears that the single family residential development. on the
northeast corner may be imminent. Should it proceed, a traffic
signal should be planned for. In the meantime, however, the
situation with the 4-way stop has not improved. Mr. Barrera stated
that the County has made an economic analysis which has shown the
costs to Washington motorists in having to stop at: Miles is
excessive, and that if a signal is not to be installed the stop signs
on Washington should come out. If this were done, however, at least
for a 2-week period flashing red beacons should be installed. on Miles
in advance of the intersection to warn that a 2-way stop er;fists.
Technical Traffic Committee-April 12, 1989
Page 2
Mr. Reynolds asked if the County has any money available in the event
a signal is proposed for fiscal 1989-90, since one half of the
intersection is in the County. Mr. Barrera said that he would check
on any funds that might be available in that traffic mitigation
district and get back to the Committee.
It was agreed however, that if it is the recommendation of the
Committee to remove the stops on Washington, direction to do so would
have to come from the two governing bodies. Mr. Barrera said the
proper procedure would be for the City to make the recommendation to
his office, and then it would go before the County's Traffic
Committee. If they concurred with the recommendation, the matter
could then go before the City Council and the Board of Supervisors.
The subject was tabled until the May meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Bus Shelters at Bermudas and Estado
Mr. Reynolds announced that the City Council had approved a shelter
design at its last meeting. Therefore it is appropriate to continue
with a review of the proposed locations as presented by Sunrise
Media, the installers of the shelters.
Since the locations within the City's jurisdiction at Washington and
Highway 111 had previously been reviewed and approved, the next two
requested are in the vicinity of Estado and Bermudas.
The Committee walked to the proposed site and concluded that any site
south of Estado along Bermudas near the Post Office and Bank is
unsatisfactory due to the narrowness of the street and general
congestion by existing vehicular and pedestrian traffic. An area
immediately in front of the bank was then investigated, and two
problems became apparent 1) the shelter would have to encroach
into the planter behind the sidewalk, and 2) a sight distance problem
for cars exiting from the alley would be created. There was some
discussion about placing the shelters near_ where the bus pickup
points currently exist south of Tampico, but Sunline feels that
they're too far from the post office and the bank, so that they still
will get flag-downs.
Sunline and Sunrise Media then asked that the matter be tabled until
the Committee's next meeting. Mr. Reynolds pointed out that this
Committee's review is strictly focused on traffic safety and that
when sites are found to be satisfactory from that standpoint, they
still will have to be cleared through Planning because of concerns to
conformance with the Village Plan.
The meeting adjourned at 11:55 A.M.
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled tentatively for
Wednesday, May 9, 1989.