City of San Carlos
Transportation and Circulation Commission
October 16, 2007
7:00 pm
City Council Chambers, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA
www.cityofsancarlos.org
Approved Minutes
Chairperson: Paul Spagnoli
Commission: Jack Baumgarten, Thomas Feledy, Jason Mansfield, Gail McPartland, Tony Panero and Margaret Pye
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Paul Spagnoli, Jack Baumgarten, Thomas Feledy, Jason Mansfield, Gail McPartland, Tony Panero, Margaret Pye.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a) Minutes of September 25, 2007 were approved with corrections. Motion made by Commissioners Pye/Panero; passed with Commissioner Feledy abstaining.
5.NEW BUSINESS
a) Proposed Shuttle Ordinance – Laureola Association request for Adoption of a Shuttle Ordinance.
Henry Louie, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer, presented a request to adopt a shuttle ordinance for the City. The request is a result of shuttles idling near residential neighborhoods on the east side of the CalTrain station causing increased noise and pollution. Shuttles are also using East San Carlos residential streets as shortcuts on routes to Redwood Shores that may be unsafe on the narrow streets. Residents have made complaints to the city. Informational signs are posted on the east side of the CalTrain tracks. To be enforceable the ordinance would have to be part of the municipal code. After much discussion, the commission made the following recommendations for staff:
1. City staff should identify the shuttle bus companies and their sponsoring corporations.
2. City staff should establish communications with the shuttle services and their sponsoring corporations to begin a dialog of the issues.
3. City staff should establish a complaint process for approaching idling drivers.
4. City staff should work with area residents to identify best routes for shuttles to take to avoid residential neighborhoods.
5. Commissioners would like a progress report at the next commission meeting.
Commissioners noted this issue should not be ignored long-term since future growth of San Carlos will bring increased use of shuttles.
Motion made by Feledy/Panero to not adopt a shuttle ordinance. Passed unanimously.
b) Consideration of conducting a field review and observation of Arundel School traffic by some members of the Commission during morning drop-off time. (Verbal report)
The City has received a request from Arundel School for a traffic observation by the city. The school reports cars are parking in places that block traffic, drivers are angry with each other, and adequate parking is scarce. Commissioners Mansfield and Spagnoli reported on a similar observation conducted several years ago. The commission recommends reviewing recommendations made at that time which may have included letters to the parents, school/parent education, no parking signs on Phelps, instituting school volunteers to assist with drop-offs, and a city police officer working with the school. Commissioners made the following recommendations to staff on this issue:
1. City staff and police should meet with school officials to review past recommendations and the current traffic flow situation. The meeting should consider whether past recommendations have been implemented and are working.
2. City staff and police should work with all schools to create best practices for drop-offs and pickups. Best practices may include suggested traffic patterns, cones, volunteers and staffing options.
3. Commissioners would like a progress report at the next commission meeting.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned.
