11/20/18 – Transportation Commission Meeting Highlights
Present were: Ken Montgomery (Fox), Sandy Moody (Schott), Carrie O’Malley (Wagner) and Steve Greenerg (Shea); Rose Casey absent.
Following the progress of the Veterans Cemetery: Traffic evaluation for the Veterans Cemetery at the ARDA and Golf Course Sites
The Finance Commission position: Before the meeting Mark Linsenmayer, Director of Transportation, stated that the Finance Commission Meeting passed a motion requesting that staff find grants and funding resources and determine what the city can afford to pay towards funding the Veterans Cemetery after which the location and details of the project can be determined. During the Transportation Commission meeting Montgomery reported that the transportation commissioners preferred the golf course site as the cemetery at that site would be less expensive than having the cemetery at the ARDA site.
Transportation Commission Staff report
Staff reported that there are no significant traffic impacts on either the ARDA site or the golf course site. Staff reported that the ARDA site has one access road and the Golf Course site has 2 access roads. Staff recommended that care be taken not to have traffic interfere with bicycle and pedestrian traffic, particularly during school hours.
Public comments: All but one comment asked that the ARDA site be approved. One comment reported that the funding problem is largely due to the city council rejecting 30 million dollars for cemetery funding. Public comment also said that the staff report did not compare the difference between the traffic impacts on traffic with regards to the cemetery and residential development of the ARDA site.
Montgomery stated with Greenberg agreeing that he prefers the golf course site for the cemetery.
Montgomery said that the golf course could be given some acreage from the ARDA site. He further stated that he believed that the golf course site would be the best option for processional purposes. Montgomery later reported that he did not believe that Irvine needed another golf course as other golf courses in Irvine are not doing so well.
O’Malley stated that the parking plans and other amenities were not discussed in the report therefore it is difficult to determine actual traffic impact of the cemetery on either site. Staff responded that the plans could not be addressed until the site is designated and the cemetery plans are determined. O’Malley further stated that she felt that the commission is not being asked to make a decision on the site, and their purview is just to receive the staff report and provide input. She further stated that her concern is that the transportation commission may make a decision based on an opinion that would change after project information is provided.
Mark Linsenmeyer said that the commission could give an opinion which would then go to City Council.
Montgomery moved that the traffic evaluation was accepted and that the commission prefers the golf course site.
Vote: Montgomery and Greenberg approved, O’Malley abstained because the agenda item did not ask for an opinion, and Moody voted “no”
ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC CARS MAY BE COMING TO IRVINE
Staff report: Multiple cities are installing electric charging stations with varying fees per kilowatt hour and a connection fee. Staff recommended 50 cents a kilowatt hour and a 50 cent connection fee. Staff said that payment would be by network membership requiring payment in advance and fees deducted from the deposited amount. Staff said that it is possible to arrange for a credit card system.
O’Malley requested that staff search for grants.
Linsenmeyer reported that there are grants from Electrify America.
Motion presented to accept the report but that the fees be up to 50 cents a kilowatt hour and a 50 cent connection fee. Motion passed 4-0.
IRVINE MAY BE GETTING IRVINE CIRCULATION ONLY PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM
Staff report: There are various options with Federal, State and local OCTA grants. I Shuttle services could be expanded to multiple routes (OCTA Circulator Proposal). There is an OC Flex Van project being tried out in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo. The vans are an Uber/Lyft type system where vans with wheel chair accommodation can be called by means of phone aps. The cost is $4.50 per day. Irvine could have both the OC Flex Van system and an expanded I Shuttle system with special routes for events.
Public Comment recommended expanding I Shuttle to major shopping centers and theaters, hotels, Great Park attractions, and special events. Commenter cautioned that before money is spent on the project we should meet with residents to discuss the routes the public wants and to find out whether or not the public would use the transportation system.
Motion to look into the OCTA Circulator proposal and to monitor the success of the OC Flex program in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo: Passed 4-0.
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ASKS THAT THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF IRVINE STREET CROSSING SITUATIONS, PATHWAYS AND ROUTES TO SCHOOLS BE EVALUATED FOR SAFETY OF CHILDREN CROSSING STREETS AND WALKING TO SCHOOL AND THE SAFETY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN DROP OFF AREAS
Staff report: The staff reported that the 4 stop intersection at Summit Park and Lone Tree will be maintained.
Public comments: A number of people, both parents and children, reported that the traffic speeds in the area and crossing the streets places children at considerable risk when walking to the local schools. Parents also complained that once the street is crossed, there is no clear pathway to schools in the area.
Montgomery stated that he wanted a crossing guard at the intersection in question and wanted to explore getting more crossing guards for risky intersections.
O’Malley said that the safety of children is of utmost importance throughout the city. She stated that she moves to continue maintenance of the 4 way stop but also wants to amend the requested motion to include having the city evaluate safety of crosswalks near all schools, pathway routes children take to schools, and safety of school drop off and pick up areas and have results back to the Commission in 90 days.
Motion as amended approved 4-0.
O’Malley said that she wants the evaluation returned as an agenda item for the Transportation Commission.
