City of San Carlos
Traffic and Transportation Commission
September 20, 2006 7:00 PM
City Council Chambers, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA
Approved Minutes
Chairperson: Paul Spagnoli
Commission: Thomas Feledy, Jason Mansfield Gail McPartland, and Kavita Mehta
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call Commissioner Mehta was absent
3. Changes To The Order Of Agenda
None.
4. Approval of Minutes
M/S Feledy/McPartland to approve the minutes of July 19, 2006. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Commissoners Report
Chairperson Spagnoli reported meeting with representatives of the Planning Commission to discuss issues of mutual interest.
6. New Business
a. City of San Carlos Strategic Planning Document (for information)
Commissioners reviewed the city planning document and comments made by Parviz Mokhtari, City Engineer. Commissioners had no comments on the documents.
b. Consideration of elimination of “one-hour” parking on the west side of 1400 and 1500 blocks of El Camino Real
Mokhtari presented a proposal to eliminate the one-hour parking in this area to encourage commercial employees to park here rather than on residential streets. Signs were covered and then removed to test the concept. The test demonstrated the change would ease the parking burden to residential streets. Other businesses in the adjacent area would not have their parking compromised by the change. The parking on the east side of the street would remain two-hour to discourage car sales. Three complaints have been received by City staff regarding this issue.
M/S McPartland/Feledy to recommend to City Council that the one-hour parking on the west side of the 1400-1500 block of El Camino Real be eliminated. Motion passed unanimously.
c. Consideration of merging Traffic & Transportation Commission with Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC)
Mokhtari reviewed a proposal to consider merging the two groups to better facilitate city-wide transportation issues. The concept comes from several vacancies that need filling and the need to coordinate several upcoming activities. The newly formed commission would be created by merging the two groups and use attrition to reduce to the final working number. The concept has received “cautious support” from the B/PAC group.
Feledy asked for clarification on the total number of commissioners in the new group and raised concern that the group would be too large to work effectively. He was also concerned about the overall mission of the group. Mokhtari confirmed the initial group would be large, but would be reduced as vacancies occur. Also the city charter would be amended to define the new group, its charge, and membership requirements.
Spagnoli reminded members that the commission’s name was changed just a few years ago.
Mansfield attended the B/PAC meeting and suggested the merging would allow streamlining city process and help avoid delays. Also, the new commission might form a bicycle subcommittee as needed.
Mokhtari said revisions to the charter would be reviewed with both groups before being sent to City Council. The overall goal is to address all San Carlos “circulation” needs so decisions are made with the whole community in mind.
The Traffic and Transportation Commission finds consensus supporting the merger.
d. Review and consideration of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC) recommendations for a citywide survey
Mokhtari reviewed the B/PAC request for a citywide survey. Mokhtari recommends a survey of the public to identify problem areas in the city but without recommending solutions. The survey results will be analyzed by the City Engineer and will be presented to the commissions and, as needed, the City Council.
McPartland asked for clarification that this is a structured survey and not just a feedback form on the city website. Spagnoli also confirmed it will identify problems but should not be used as a complaint form.
M/S Feledy/McPartland to support the survey activity. Motion passed.
- Public Comment
Scot Marsters, San Carlos resident, thanked the commission for supporting stop signs in the Laureola neighborhood. He would like to bring the issue of pedestrian crosswalks along Old County Road to the attention of the commission. The crosswalks are not effective as traffic fails to slow or stop when pedestrians are present. Spagnoli referred the issue to city staff with the recommendation to review markings and enforcement options.
