to order. First thing is to uh please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
I aliance of America to the republic for which it
stands. One nation indivisible andice andice for all.
» All right.
All right. All right.
And then Kathy, whenever you're ready, let's do a roll call.
» Vice Chair Bran Con, >> present.
» Committee member Brennan, >> present.
» Committee Committee member Coer, >> present.
» Youth member Mansfield, >> present. Committee member Newman is not
present. Committee member Hyrick >> present.
» And Chair Lobinger >> present.
» Thank you.
» Let let the record show that committee member Deano and committee member Newman
are not in attendance. >> All right. Next, we're going to um go
get an approval for the agenda. Uh does anybody from the committee have any
changes to the uh to the agenda? Okay, seeing none, um
» make a motion. >> I make a motion to approve it.
» I got to do one quick thing and then we'll take a motion. Is there any uh
public comment just regarding the agenda itself? Nothing on the agenda.
All right. Seeing none, can we ask for a motion to approve the
agenda? There we go. I make a motion to approve the agenda.
» I'll second
it.
» Vice Chair Branone. >> Hi.
» Committee member Brandon >> here.
» Committee member Foster. >> Hi.
» Youth member Mansfield. >> Hi.
» Committee member Newman. pass. Don't know the issue.
» Um, approving the agenda.
» Yes. >> Committee member Wyrick.
» 10 time. >> Chair Love Singer.
» I. >> Thank you. The motion passes
unanimously. >> Okay. Caught up, Jay. All right. Um, at
this time, we're gonna At this time, members of the public may
comment on any item that does not appear on tonight's agenda. It is recommended
that you keep your comments to three minutes or less under state law. Matters
presented under this item cannot be discussed or acted upon by the traffic
safety committee at this time. For items appearing on the agenda, the public will
be invited to make comments at the time the item comes up for committee
consideration. Upon being acknowledged by the chair, please step up to the
podium and speak into the microphone and begin by stating and spelling your name.
Is there any public comment on anything that does not appear on the agenda
today? Okay, seeing none, we will move on to
the consent calendar. And are there any questions about the
consent calendar from um anybody from the committee?
Okay, seeing none, are there any uh is there any public comment regarding the
consent calendar?
Okay, seeing none, is there a motion to approve the consent calendar?
» I a motion to approve the consent calendar.
» I second.
» Vice Chair Branone. >> I.
» Committee member Brennan. I >> committee member Coster.
» Hi. >> Uh, youth member Mansfield.
» Hi, >> committee member Newman.
» Hi. >> You uh committee member Wyrick.
» I and Chair Lobinger. >> I
» thank you. The po the motion passes unanimously.
» All right. Um, moving on. We're going to receive the minutes from the last
meeting. >> That was part of the consent.
» Oh, that was part Sorry. Move on. We're going to move on to the regular
calendar. Sorry, getting ahead of myself or getting falling behind, I suppose.
Um, okay. So, now the um on the regular calendar, we're going to review uh new
traffic hazard reporting forms, and I'm going to turn it over to Ashley Carter
from public works. Ashley, >> thank you, Chair Lobinger. Um, so this
agenda item goes over new traffic hazard reporting forms that have received more
five signatures or more um, as part of the convention that was established in
the November 2025 traffic safety committee meeting. Um, so we did receive
a total of 10 traffic hazard reporting forms, seven of which we covered under
the consent calendar items. We will be reviewing the three traffic hazard
reporting forms that have been submitted with more than five signatures. Um, as
part of our standard process, we hosted a traffic engineering safety team
meeting on June 10th, 2020 uh that should say 2026 and um discussed the
Malay Street traffic hazard reporting forms, the 20 miles per hour speed limit
reduction as well as the temporary traffic circle plans with the fire and
police departments as well as the city traffic engineer. The 20 mile hour speed
surveys are currently ongoing and being evaluated, worked on by GHD. um the
presentation of those findings and the overall presentation for that will be at
the November 2nd, 2026 traffic safety committee meeting. Following the traffic
engineering safety team meeting on um we also had an ad hoc meeting to address um
the broader corridors that was formed at the February traffic safety committee
meeting and um we addressed the Malay Street traffic hazard reporting forms
and um at that point we had had the speed survey data come in from Malay
that was previously unavailable at the May um traffic safety committee meeting
and so we utilize that data to evaluate the um previous traffic has a reporting
form for speed bumps as well as the traffic has a reporting form requesting
a closure. Um the average speed for westbound traffic was about 16 miles an
hour and the average speed for eastbound traffic was about 15 miles an hour. The
speed survey was done in May to account for um tra cut through traffic from the
high school. So, it was done during school hours while school was in session
in order to get an accurate picture of um what was going on. Um the ad hoc and
the traffic engineering safety team reviewed this data and found that it
didn't meet warrants for speed bumps. Um and additionally regarding the Fire
Creek closure, um we did get a note from the fire department stating that the
fire fire creek subdivision was approved um with access and water supply were
evaluated together under the fire code. Um and the opening of of Malay for
through traffic was integral to satisfying the secondary access for that
subdivision. The road wasn't an incidental connection. It was part of
the approved access network the subdivision depends on. Because of that,
closing that road is not something the fire department would be comfortable
supporting, and removing that connection would reduce the subdivision back to a
condition that might not meet access requirements when it was approved under.
And so, for that reason, we're recommending that those two be closed
out. Um, after those meetings occurred, we did receive two additional traffic
hazard reporting forms. One regarding the substandard width of Vign Street and
the second regarding our traffic circle. The traffic circle will be evaluated
under a separate item tonight. So that won't be covered under this agenda item.
Um however, the Vign Street um traffic hazard reporting form was evaluated. Um
the resident had also um started a review process with the fire department
um in in um accompanyment of the traffic hazard reporting form. And so the fire
department recommended that the north side of Vigna be red curbed due to the
substandard width that to allow for additional um emergency access. So we're
um public works has forwarded that request to the city traffic engineer.
The city traffic engineer is in agreement and so per the Sonoma
municipal code um we are we can red curb um narrow streets for um
emergency access with the approval of the traffic engineer. fire department is
also in agreement. So, we're recommending that that be completed. Um,
and with that, those are all of the traffic hazard reporting forms that we
have received with more than five signatures. And as part of this, our um
this is our standard chart that we've used. Um, the committee
should be relatively familiar with this. This goes over all of our old traffic
hazard reporting forms that we have received and I have added some updates.
Um, CALR has gone through and striped 7th Street at um, West Napa. However, I
don't believe the signage has been completed yet. So, we um, have followed
up with CALR regarding that and are hoping for an update on when the
improvement plan will be completed in its entirety.
Um, a couple of these things have updates um or are pending other um
improvements like the overall citywide bicycle and pedestrian improvement plan.
Um, and then these are the new ones with the public works recommendations if the
committee has any questions.
Ashley, can you scroll back up? >> Yes.
» Right there just for one second.
Okay. Uh any um any questions from the committee about
this?
» Uh from the May meeting, we had discussed on Spain Street the
installation of the speed feedback sign. Has there been an additional speed
survey after that last item was completed?
» No, we have not conducted additional speed survey um after that was
installed, but we are in the process of conducting speed surveys throughout the
city for the 20 mph speed limit reduction.
» Okay. Thank you. >> And just so I can just so we're all
clear, the the three items we're looking at, Malay,
vignette, and then the traffic circle. So the recommendation is to close out
the Malay um traffic hazard reporting form and the other one is on Vignia
basically >> per the fire marshal traffic engineer
paint it red. >> Yes. And then just sorry I just realized
that the other Malay Street one is right up here. Okay. Um it just had been
received later so it wasn't marked >> but we do finally have the speed survey
data to process this one. So that's why it's being prioritized tonight. Okay.
And then uh one more question on the Spain street. Uh in the May 5th meeting,
Chair Lobinger had asked about sidewalks and in the in front of the state
property. You guys said you were going to look into that and see if there was
issues there with right away and things like that. Uh what's the report back on
that?
» We're still looking into that. We'll get back to you on that next next meeting.
Got it. And then I just wanted to clarify also that on Vigna Street there
we are doing limited red curb next to adjacent immediately adjacent to the
driveways on the street just so that people don't park too close to the
driveway based on the width of that street.
All right. Um is there any public comment regarding Malay or Vignya
Street?
Good evening everyone. My name is Elizabeth Rouse, but now it's legally
Phillips. After three years of being married, I went to Social Security. So
that's P I L L I S. And this is my prop for the evening, Emma, my eight-month
old daughter. I hope everybody had a really good summer. And I want to thank
everybody. Nice bangs, Ashley. I really like them. Um, I want to thank everybody
again for um, looking into the Malay speed bumps for us as well as closure,
which my fellow neighbors will be talking about. Um, I'm asking that you
do not close the door on this just yet. While you have the data that shows that
the average speed was 16 miles per hour, you also have the data that every
resident on Malay Street is in agreeance that we have a speed issue on our street
and that's per the signatures I collected towards the end of last year.
You also know that Malay is the only street in that entire neighborhood that
does not the only through street in that entire neighborhood that does not
already have speed bumps like the others. We are also a more narrow street
than the others. So, I think that poses a more an even larger safety risk.
And while I loved having this police speed radar in front of the house uh for
a few days, as I do believe it did help slow traffic down, I don't think it gave
an accurate representation of what we experience on that street every single
day. I ask that you attempt to install a more traditional survey equipment to
collect the data that you need. I know you repeatedly ran into issues, but if
we can still try to push for that um something that's a little bit more
hidden, that would be really great. Um possibly one that isn't designed to slow
people down when they see it. I want to thank the police department for sparing
that piece of equipment for a few days. Thank you very much. And I want to thank
you all for taking into consideration the safety of Malay Street. Thank you.
» Thank you.
Hello, my name is Raina. R A I N A last name Campbell will be speaking about VNA
Street. Before I begin, committee members, please look at the physical
packet I handed you. While I am happy the North Side Fire Lane is finally on
tonight's agenda, public works has shown no urgency to schedule it. Furthermore,
their plans completely leave out the critical southside curb pocket, which
remains a severe safety issue. Because my correspondence, photos, and blueprint
were emitted from your agenda packet, I provided this copy to ensure you have
the actual facts. My house is located right at the
intersection of Third Street West in Vigna, and my driveway sits on the south
side of Vigna. I am directly impacted by the severe safety hazard. I personally
identified this deficiency, initiated the fire department's investigation, and
filed a THRF. As a result, the fire chief officially
determined a fire code deficiency exists under Soma Municipal Code section
191230. While I am glad the fire lane is up for
approval, the committee must direct public works to paint the entire north
side hydrant immediately. In addition, we need a red curb on the south side
directly to the left of my driveway. Originally, staff wanted to paint the
south side right away as the designated fire lane instead of the north side
hydrant with no explanation, which residents had to object to stop. Yet,
when it came to painting the correct side and factoring in the rest of the
red curbs, public works has dragged their feet and failed to share their
layout and kept their engineering plans hidden. Even with the north side
painted, our safety crisis remains unless you factor in the unpainted
southside pocket. It measures exactly 26 feet 7 in from my driveway throat to the
ADA ramp corner. By California state law, vehicles cannot park within 20 feet
of a pedestrian ramp approach. That mandatory buffer leaves a mere six feet
of legal curb space. A standard vehicle cannot physically fit in there. Living
right at the intersection of Third Street West in Vigna, I see firsthand
how the reduced parking from the traffic circle forces overflow traffic from the
nearby dental offices onto our tiny narrow 24 street where drivers park from
nearby dental offices onto our narrow 24 ft street blindly without realizing the
hazard. Tonight I ask the committee to approve
the agenda items with specific directives and one ensure the entire
north side north hydrant side fire lane is painted red immediately. Paint the
entire 26 foot 7in curb on the south side to the left of my driveway. Three,
direct staff to give advanced notice and schedule the work after 10:00 a.m. so we
have sufficient time to enter and exit our driveways without obstacles. And
number four, guarantee no further construction or elements of the Third
Street traffic project connect to Vigna Street. Thank you.
» Thank you.
Hi there. My name is Daniel Sinat, spelled Si N O T.
Um, and I'm here to talk about the closing off of the end of Malay Street.
Um, I got the
message just now from um from public works about what the fire department had
to say and you know I've had this immediate response in myself like oh
well the fire department you know they're the you know they're the bosses
so they say no then no it must be but um I have a very strong sense that there
are practical workarounds to getting a fire truck or any other emergency
vehicle through there um as needed. And in fact, my vision for the closure of
the end of the street would be something that's somewhat permeable so that if
there's some reason, you know, good reason to drive a trash truck or a
18-wheeler or whatever, you know, odd moment comes that a vehicle, a big
vehicle can pull through there. Um, so, um, I would still like to keep this
possibility open and find ways to make a really beautiful solution to the we want
a walkable neighborhood with access as is needed, but to not compromise the
broader vision of creating a beautiful place for people to walk. And in fact,
in terms of surveys, I would love to see a walking survey because there's
probably 10 times as many people, 20 times as many people walking the street
every day as to live there. And it's a very big walking corridor. And it would
change the quality of the neighborhood if there were no if it wasn't so
trafficked. So that, you know, dogs are sleeping and, you know, old men are, you
know, meandering across the street. And it creates a very different social
moment if you're not looking for traffic because there is no traffic. So, I
brought a little show and tell. I don't know if you guys have like a projector
or something like that. Nope. Okay. Well,
trust me when I say that um there are barriers like um I've seen them in
Berkeley that are um low. The car can drive over them. Um, but you
would be nervous to, but your car will get over it. And we would certainly have
it engineered so that it's low enough for the cops to drive over and certainly
low enough for trash trucks and fire trucks to get over. And so it's it's a
wide birth for a big vehicle. Cars and bicycle, you know, cars can come up to
it. Big sign. No, not for you. Bicycles and pedestrians, you know, come on
through. And so we could have our cake and eat it, too. We could meet all the
security, safety, access concerns that we have. and still have a nice walkable
neighborhood. So that's my input. >> Thank you.
» Uh my name is Jamie Johnson, J A Mi Johnson. Uh, I live along with my wife
Karen Lulich at the north end of Mallay Street within a few yards of where the
roundabout is currently where Malet uh um and Frier Creek uh meet and I'll
present an opposing view. Um I'm pleased to hear the fire department identified
the bottleneck issue. Um obviously that's the primary concern. I think
there are other considerations though that are worth airing. Um the reduction
of two escape routes is significant. I'm sure that's part of the fire
department's deliberations. Other neighbors have raised the question
whether that would impact our insurance costs. Um, it's an unknown as far as I'm
concerned. Access for garbage, which uh a useful pointed out. Garbage, recycling
trucks, street cleaners, delivery vehicles, mail trucks, um, all I believe
would find it difficult to turn around in the at the junction as it's currently
configured. Um, we I would say suffered through over a year of noise from the
construction site at at uh Fifth Street West and MacArthur from the 5:00 a.m.
Monday morning arrival of construction vehicles through the reversing alarms.
And I have a concern that if um uh garbage trucks and the like were
confronted with a similar need to turn around in a short space in that area,
noise would become an issue for us as well. Um the increased traffic flows
which would result from uh a barricade at that mark would redirect traffic down
Frier Creek up Nukem and onto First Street West placing it in part in
conflict with traffic that comes off of uh the high school exit from Broadway at
Nukem there and on First Street West. Um, so there's an issue in terms of the
traffic impact for the local area and frankly there's an inconvenience factor
too for those of us on Frier Creek and Nukem. Uh, we can currently get to town
by driving one block. Uh, this would divert us the length of Frier Creek, the
length of Nukem and back down, increasing the cost, um, the time and
the environmental impact of every trip we would take to town to do simple
business or enjoy the amenities of the town.
Um, so, uh, I I I hear the points. There may be workarounds. Uh, we have no
objection to speed bumps on Malle. Sidewalks would be delightful on Malle.
Um, but I do think we should be allowed to continue to uh, drive up and down it.
And I think the costs of the proposed barrier are outweighed or sorry, the
benefits are outweighed by the cost to the neighborhood. Thank you.
» Thank you.
Is there any other public comment regarding Malay? There we go. We got
» Hi, Tom Conlin. Um, I'm here as an individual tonight. Uh, live just
outside the city limits. I just want to say how excited and happy I am to see so
many people out in Soma to talk about traffic safety. It's a good testimony to
the work that your committee does and staff. And I want to thank the police
department, fire department, our consulting engineer as well for the
input to tonight's agenda. I have reviewed this list um of projects. I
don't see any significant concerns. It looks like staff has been deliberative,
looked through all of the input provided by the community and uh I don't have any
concerns with this agenda item. I support staff's recommendations tonight.
I'm I do point want to point out I it's a little ironic that like with the Malay
Street there's many people asking for traffic calming measures on their street
later in your agenda you have people who actually have the opportunity of traffic
caling measures to be installed and and yet they're being opposed. So that's why
you guys make the big bucks. So thank you for your service tonight.
» We get we get a pay increase after tonight, right?
» Double it.
Hello. Um, my name is Katrina Wedell. I'm a resident of Frier Creek, right um,
two houses in from LA. Um, and I'm happy to see my neighbors so civically engaged
tonight. Um, I'm here to thank you for the work that you did um, surveying
speed. um what the assessment showed is is my experience, but safety is a
priority in the neighborhood. And so if speed bumps are determined necessary,
fine. But a blockade puts me and my family at risk.
Um the blockade would be between Fire Creek and Malay. And so it would mean
that if a block was there and there was an issue, it's minutes that would impact
my family. Um and that's not true for the residents on Malay. Um, and so I'm
here to strongly urge that you continue with the recommendation. Again, safety
is important. No problem with speed bumps. Um, and I also want to echo that
blocking that off cuts us off from the heart of Soma. And I'm a new resident in
Soma, but one of the things that I loved about this was the sense of community.
And so to put a blockade between our neighborhood and the high school and our
neighborhood and the town really does not um feel like the spirit that we love
so much about this town. So in addition to the risks, there's a a disconnection
that um hasn't proved necessary yet. So thank you for your time.
Thank you.
» Well, sir, you've already given your three minutes. I'll let you have one
minute of a rebuttal just in the spirit of
» um so the the the barrier that um barriers that I've seen barriers that
I've seen um are more like invitations to connect as opposed to barriers to not
connect. So they're planners with you know flowers and people on bicycles and
and people walking and it it invites a more social connection. It's not a car
centric connection. And it's a pedestrian centric connection. It's it's
a big invitation to connect.
» Okay. All right. Thank you.
» One comment. Um I uh am Karen Lolich. Um Jamie Johnson's wife.
» Could you spell your name, please? >> Sure. Uh L O L I C H. Karen with a K.
And I would also like to say this is my first city council meeting and I'm
pretty impressed with the process and the turnout and all of that. And um you
know I I kind of wanted to I I strongly um agree with the suggestion to close
out the Mallay um traffic forums. And I just would like to add a small thing
because I think we've covered a lot of the big points. I walk up and down
Mallay Street often two or three times a day and I've rarely have ever had a
problem or felt unsafe or you know occasionally there might be a little
traffic. It's very occasional. It's to me it's a lovely street and I know I
don't live on there but we would know we're right at the corner of where those
streets intersect and when we drive in we know we have to slow down because you
can't take that culde-sac fast. So I'm not dismissing what the people on
Malleet are experiencing. I'm just saying that it doesn't seem to be
chronic from the vantage point that that we have. So, thank you very much.
» Thank you. >> Hey, how are you? Uh Steve Stanfeld, 215
Mallay Street. It's S Tan Fel. And um I just again I'm up here kind of making
sure that we really look at the speed bumps on Mallay Street. It's it's not a
wide street. We do have a lot of traffic that do come through there at certain
times of the day. And um we do have a ton of walkers. Um I have a one and a
half year old that you know we're strolling around on that street every
day, at least three times a day. Um, so, um, to at least whatever we can do to
slow down the traffic, um, I'm in favor for, um, I don't know the results. I
don't know if the if the if the machine was out there at the right time of the
year, whether we got a lot of the high school activity on that survey or not,
but, um, I would certainly like to see us, you know, take another look at that.
Thanks. >> Thank you.
» Okay. Is there any Oh, do you have public comment? Oh, please come on up.
» Hi, I'm Katie D. Young, 190 Malay Street, and I just would like to
advocate for anything we can do to slow down traffic. If it's speed bumps, that
would be great. Um there are a lot of young families, a lot of new babies that
were just born in the last couple of years and it's really not safe. Uh there
are a lot of workers that a lot of people during the day that go through
really fast. The high school traffic is terrifying. Um we all know that we can't
change the high school students. We could ask them to go slower, this and
that, but I think we all know that they're probably not going to slow down.
So, anything we could do to make it safer for our community would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Is there any more public comment on Malay or Vignia?
Okay, seeing none, I'm going to throw it back to the committee for any comments
or questions.
Do you guys mind sharing a little bit about what the ad hoc was for Malay? I
mean, I'm I'm assuming you just went over the report for
the speed um speed tables.
Anything anything noteworthy for those that are here tonight?
Um it was essentially just the uh results from the speed surveys
that we discussed. Um no real indepth discussion on plans
or anything like that.
» So >> just for your discussion I'm just
pulling up the speed survey data for you guys now.
» What's that? I just pulling up the speed survey data
that was discussed at the ad hoc. This is attached to the agenda meeting. Um,
and it's not displayed on your computers if you'd like to use it for your
discussion. >> Just kind of tidbit a little bit off
that. We did talk about the 20 mph speed limit uh proposed to in different
various parts of Soma, which I'm in favor of.
And then I can't remember um Frank's program with the vehicle data. Had we
applied that to this area as well or was it just the speed survey data we had?
Maybe uh Frank could elaborate on that. >> Yeah, the uh the connected vehicle data
that I um have access to um really is was not definitive with regards regard
to results. it didn't have a lot of vehicles primarily because of the
anonymity. Um the anonym uh the process the data goes through to be anonymous
when vehicles are entering their home driveways or private roadways or things
like that. It truncates the data um which would be indicative that there is
maybe not a lot of cut through traffic that is of significant distance. Um,
it's just one of the ways. It's just some of the data doesn't show up because
we don't take it from the way that somebody comes out of their driveway. We
we have an anonymization process to preserve privacy. Um, other roadways in
town, it's been fairly significant. Um, you'll see some of the results when we
review the 20 mph speed limits um and other speed limits in town, but on this
roadway in particular, it wasn't viable. It did not produce any
statistically significant data. >> Thank you, Brick.
» So, I'm So, the people who are here tonight are saying speeding is
significant on Malay, but the survey says otherwise.
The times that I've been out there, and it's anecdotal, so there's I don't
see a lot of traffic. I can appreciate that high schoolers
could could make traffic. I I even looked at that today. I was out there
today looking and I take the neighborhood
uh at at their word. It does I don't understand why a teenager would cut
through there because it doesn't seem like it's going anywhere. But that's
again I don't live there. I'm not there 24 hours a day.
Um, the other thing I noticed about the street was
it has a lot of what I call the poor man speed bumps. It's really not very well
paved. Uh, and if it got paved, then that would certainly increase
traffic just by its own nature. I so how what with the measurement the traffic
you know the the traffic measurement the speed measurement versus citizens going
oh the traffic's horrible it speeds crazy how do we how do we sync those or
otherwise relate to that
» one of the parameters that you can reflect on for the speed surveys one for
each direction is the the miles per hour that were indicated and
police's speed radar trailer was out there. They left it out there. We did
not have anywhere to put our radar device because there's no telephone
poles to catch one direction of travel. So even though this the police trailer
was out there, it wasn't on it was just sitting on the side of the road. But we
did attach one of our devices to it and we put another device on the other side
where there was a pole because of the trees and the location of the poles. We
couldn't just attach two devices to two poles. The devices were out there for
three and a half days and recorded the speed during school of all vehicles that
went up and down Malay Street in both directions.
And the two the two speed limits average were 15 miles an hour and 16 miles an
hour. And that everybody remembers when we were doing the um
speed table location next to the Catholic cemetery on West Napa Street at
5th. Those speeds were 30 to 32 miles an hour on average. These are 16 and 15.
And so I understand that people are concerned
about cars driving too fast and I can accept that for people that live
there and walk there. But these are the numbers and hopefully they can help you
try to sift through it and the durations that we put the uh the devices out
there.
» Sorry. >> So um
just couple of thoughts that I have. I think um the person who brought up the
methodology of the speed survey, I think there is some validity there, right?
With it being attached to a speed trailer, whether the device is on or not
still grabs your attention um and could affect the data. So, that's just one
thought I have. And then the other thought was um the fact that all the
other streets that run the same direction in that neighborhood have
speed bumps. You know, it is something that definitely makes me want to take
into account the um desire to have uh speed bumps. And I'm trying to think of
the negatives that would come from it. It's not like we're talking about what
we did on East Napa and Fifth where it's a very welltraveled street. So, um, you
know, just trying to to balance the data versus what the community wants and,
um, the, you know, also putting in our
documents that we use to help guide this stuff. So, little bit of a balancing act
here because it doesn't truly meet the criteria, but you know, with almost
unanimous support and even the folks who are came here and spoke out against the
closure, um, nobody spoke out against speed bumps. So, um, just kind of a
couple thoughts I had. >> Yeah, I'm going to piggy back off of
what Mark said. Um, pretty much same thing what Miss Phillips brought up
about the the the methodology, but we created the the traffic calming handbook
as a guide, but not the end all beall. And in this case, you know, it's a guide
for us, it's a guide for the community. Um,
so based on the data, it says no to pretty much anything, but we're not data
driven alone. We're also very sympathetic to what the community wants.
Now, I for one, I walk down Frier Creek and Mallay quite a bit. Um
I I've gone during school, after school, during the summer, and I haven't seen a
lot of issues. Um but that being and and it would support
the data that I'm hearing tonight. However, the fact that it is a through
street to Frier Creek and high schoolers do have a tendency to be high schoolers
sometimes and delivery drivers tend to be delivery drivers sometimes. I would
oppose closing it at that at the culde-sac where Frier Creek meets Malay.
I I I I don't see the need for that. But I would be even though the data doesn't
support it, I would be in support of a speed bump. I think the community, the
the folks that live on LA Street, you see it more than I do. I just walk
through there every couple days. So, I'm of the opinion that a speed bump
would be feasible and worth trying. So I guess my question would be can we
install a temporary speed bump and see what the result would be and what and
more importantly what's the cost?
If the committee's done talking about this item certainly one of staff's tasks
for the next meeting would be to be able to look into this and either install
something or bring back something for the committee to review at the next
meeting.
The the other thing I was wondering about kind of relative to what you were
saying and it would be interesting to hear what you would find out traffic
cushions versus a speed table versus a speed bump. I think those are all the
speed bumps that are there permanent as permanent can be uh because they're
piles of asphalt, you know. So, what other options? What other arrows are in
the quiver? >> Yeah. And the other thing, too, I just
took a look on Google Earth and Clay and Nukem both have those speed bumps. Those
were put in prior to this committee being formed. And so, basically, what
sort of a an approval process they went through to install those, we we can't uh
elaborate on, but it's something that we could definitely look into.
» Um, just opinion here. Um considering that uh the community has talked about
Malay for I think this is what the second or third meeting I would I would
really like to push for us to make a decision on whatever we do next meeting
I think um to show that there's resolution um and would would like to
see the cost if if possible if we do if it's temporary permanent whatever what's
the the financial impact on the budget and what's the best option long term
Um before I forget, I don't want to leave Vignia off because I know we're
talking about Malay, but I know Vignia um is my comment with that would be as
long as the traffic engineer um and the fire department is as long as
everything's within code, I'm all for painting. Um you said that we've already
done we're starting some and I would just make the recommendation let's get
that area up to code and as soon as we can. That would be my first
recommendation. My second one, I agree with Shelby. Malay has been on the has
been on a topic for a couple times now. Maybe we don't act on it tonight, but by
next meeting, let's come up with a resolution. Let's have a couple options,
speed bump, whatever it might be, and we can make a final resolution on our next
meeting. That's >> two items on the item on the barrier.
» Um I I would my thought is to consider them. I know they're two separate items,
but consider them one and the same, but I don't hear a lot of
It doesn't sound like there's a lot of support for a full barrier. I would not
support that. I can say that right out the gate, but I'm definitely in favor of
some type of some type of traffic calming measure for cars passing up and
down Malay. >> It It seems we got three things here and
each one deserves its own vote and resolutions, right? So, do we
do we have a barrier or not? Do do we direct staff to come up with
uh research relative to speed bumps to satisfy
or to attempt to slow down traffic on the street. And then the third one is it
feels it just even geographically it's completely separate which is V Street
and and what to do about that. Um, so I I guess I'm making a recommendation we
take each one one by one and go from there.
» Do we need any formal motion? I don't think
» Yeah, I don't think we would need a formal motion for any of those three
items other than just the staff is obviously very aware of our
recommendations and then we'll come to final uh resolution at next meeting. Can
we um close out the because it's a separate line for the um barrier or the
closing uh on Malay versus the speed bumps.
» Yes, your recommendation. >> I would say that we should probably
close that out um pending the speed bumps and things. If somebody
wants to resubmit a traffic hazard reporting form at that point, then we
can do that. Um and then we'll leave that
um vignia. I I would agree with um Chair Lobinger that we need to get that done.
Um and then that can come back just as a report out item. Um I forget the color
code on that Ashley. I apologize. Um but if hopefully by I believe it's November
2nd, if that gets completed, you guys can report out that that's completed. We
can close it out at that point. Um and then come back with a couple of options
for Malay um as far as traffic calming whether it be speed bumps, cushions,
tables, whatever um Frank and the GHD folks might uh recommend and then uh we
can make a decision at that point on uh November second.
» So one one question about vignette. So I are are we suggesting then that there
are two locations, one on the north that gets red curved as well as a significant
portion on the south part by Third Street.
Is that what >> um so I believe the recommendation is
currently for the entirety of the north side to be red curbed and then a pocket
red curved on the south side to accommodate driveway access because it
is quite narrow and the street is narrow.
» Yeah, it so then the only the I've got no problem with it. It makes
sense to me but uh that's going to make parking there even
tougher for the residents because they mostly houses with car garages if
everybody's got two cars or more. >> Um we will also be noticing the
residents prior to the work being done. So um whether that's done mail or just
posting notices. Um we'll definitely be doing that to both the um residents as
well as the property owners if that differs.
» Okay. So I think it's Vignia up to code and try and make it a priority. What we
can't direct public works but we can make a suggestion to to get Vignia up to
code. And as for Malay, the two separate issues, I I don't think we see a need to
close the street, but we would definitely like some wrecks on um on
traffic cal the next meeting. So, we can close this item out for good. All right,
I think we're good. Anybody? All right, let's let's close this item out
and we will move on to item 4.2, to the review of the traffic circle on Third
Street West at Perkins. And I will turn it back over to Ashley.
Thank you, Chair Lobinger. So, today we have prepared a PowerPoint to go over
this. Um, So we will be addressing the overall broader citywide bicycle and
pedestrian improvements project as which of which the third street west bike
boulevard is a component of as well as the traffic circle element which is
included on the bike boulevard. So just brief road map. Oh I think I have the
wrong my bad. Let me turn that off for a
second. Sorry I have the wrong version. I'm
gonna go ahead and put the right version up. Apologies.
What happens when you have too many versions of the same thing?
Okay, this is right.
Okay, perfect. Is it
is not.
Okay. Okay. So, just a brief road mapap for
everyone. We're going to be going over all of the elements of the citywide
bicycle and pedestrian improvements project. the relevant background
information, public feedback perceived, just going over what a bike boulevard
is, the third street west boulevard elements, the temporary traffic circle
at Third Street West and Perkins, engineering analysis, renderings and
plans of the overall traffic calming elements that are proposed,
alternatives, as well as lining out next steps, and then we'll be open for
questions. So, this graphic we have here is a map
of overall project. This is supplied by Sonoma County Transit climate agencies.
And so this gives a very good representation of the overall project.
Um the temporary traffic circle is one element of a larger project. It's not a
standalone project that was initiated by the city. And so that is why we're going
to go over um spend a few minutes going over all of the elements so that we can
be totally on the same page about this. Um the citywide bicycle and pedestrian
improvements project is also known as CIP6 and it's funded by the goma tax
measure as a competitive project under the build bikeways and pathways program
with the Sonoma County Transit and Climate Authorities administering the
funds. The GOMA tax measure as a competitive project is funding 1.6
million of a construction allocation. The city match is 227,000 for
construction. Um, we are also fronting all of the costs for design.
There are constraints to this funding. It can only be used for projects that
are in the city's active transportation plan or comprehensive transportation
plan. The city recently adopted an updated active transportation plan in
January of 2025. The original purpose of this project when submitted in 2021 was
to create a high quality bicycle and pedestrian network, provide a safe and
well-maintained transportation infrastructure for pedestrians and
bicyclists, and focus on strategies that >> I'd like to close that door.
» Um that support a walkable community and prioritize funding for zero mission
transportation strategies. So the full scope of this project includes elements
that I'm going to call out on this map. So we've got a raised crosswalk at Nero
Sarah Drive bike path crossing crossing improvements at Fifth Street West. Bike
path crossing. Pedestrian upgrades at Fifth Street West and Studley Street.
Bike path crossing improvements at Fifth Street First Street West. Bike path
crossing improvements at First Street East. Bike path crossing improvements at
Second Street East. And then Seventh Street West and West Main Street
crosswalk improvements as well as the Third Street West by Boulevard.
So, the background and public process for this um we have one of the reasons
that we're we pulled this item out. We did get a traffic hazard reporting form
for this particular element. Um and again reiterating that the traffic
circle is not a standalone project but part of the larger project and the
larger project originally had a different scope. This was presented at
the October 7th, 2025 special traffic safety committee meeting as an amendment
to the overall project. Because the funds are administered through Sonoma
County Transit Agency, there was a process that we had to go through in
order to amend the scope to remove the Sasserini school trail, which was
originally what was included in the project scope. So, when we were looking
for replacements, we did review the active transportation plan by
facilities, multi-use paths, and crossing enhancements. And we had a few
criteria that we were evaluating this against. The pro the selected project
needed to have um no substantial rightway issues. Um not be a feasibility
or planning study as our um allocation was specifically for construction phase.
So the end of the at the end of all this we needed to build something. Um and
then the the proposed replacement for the project grant funding um also needed
to be commensurate with the scope of the Sasserini trail project and we also
wanted to avoid CALR rightway. The third street west bike boulevard is identified
in the updated 2025 uh trans ATP um as project 191 and is a tier three
priority. Tier one being the highest priority. This project is part of the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission regional active transportation network.
And the bike boulevard would connect the Frier Creek Trail which runs from Frier
Creek Drive over West MacArthur Street and dead ends at Aurora Way to Third
Street West and West Main Street at the entrance of General Blade's home where
the Soma bike path picks up. Um there is not currently a north south connector to
the two main bike trails which is why we um were looking at this. Additionally,
in September of 2025, the also received a final complete streets safety
assessment from UC Berkeley's safet program. Um, SAP had applied for this
program in 2024 and were selected in early 2025. This included a consultant
from the safe safet program visiting the city and exploring problem areas as well
as a comprehensive review of all planning and policy documents in place
including the ATP. The third street west bike boulevard was identified as an
ideal location. Um while it was ranked year three in the ATP, we believe that
this recommendation in the report rep prioritized it. This project had also
met the criteria we laid out. It was not on Calrance rightway. It is not a
planning or feasibility project and it is a commensurate alternative to the
Saster School Trail. There were no significant rightway issues that could
potentially delay this process. So as part of switching this out, this
included several county level meetings. So, we brought this to the special
October meeting for traffic safety. We then brought it again to the technical
advisory committee meeting on October 23rd. Um the citizens advisory committee
meeting on October 27th and then again final board approval for Sonoma County
Transit Agency board approval on December 8th, 2025. Um it was again
brought back to the traffic safety meeting February as a report out and
then May as an update with the traffic circle.
Um and then it was also brought to city council on April 15th as part of a
contract amendment with GHD, our design engineers. And then um after that the
the temporary traffic circle installation was completed on July 9th.
Public feedback received um the majority of the feedback we have gotten has been
um kind of contained within these three bullet points. safety and driver
behavior, vehicle access and maneuverability, as well as our overall
public outreach process as it relates to this temporary traffic circle.
Um the uh we have also received positive uh
supportive feedback. They've included support for additional traffic calming
on Third Street West. Um residents reporting that they feel more
comfortable walking on uh or bicycling with children along the corridor. Um and
interest from residents in other neighborhoods and similar traffic
calming treatments. Um the third street west bike boulevard and its elements
were considered through multiple publicly noticed meetings as we just
laid out and as the project uh progressed through planning, funding and
design. The project has also moved on a relatively expedited schedule associated
with grant funding design and anticipated construction timelines. Um
we addressed this I think at a couple other meetings but as you know our
construction allocation with SCTCA we are eligible to draw down from that this
fiscal year which essentially means we need to get this project out to bid. And
so that was part of why we had a criteria for evaluating the overall
replacements for the Sasarini school trail. Essentially, were we going to be
able to do something that was going to accommodate this schedule as well as
getting it through all of the publicly noticed meetings as well.
Um, feedback received following the installation of traffic's traffic circle
indicates that a number of nearby residents and other community members
did not feel that they had sufficient awareness of proposed improvement or the
opportunity to provide input before the temporary installation had occurred. We
recognize this concern and while the project proceeded through the applicable
public meeting and approval processes, the response to the temporary
installation demonstrates the value of a more direct project specific
communication when introducing transportation treatments that may be
unfamiliar to the community. And we will incorporate lessons from this experience
into outreach for future transportation projects.
And moving on, what is a bike boulevard? Um the overall bike boulevard is a
street designed to prioritize non-vehicle travel while maintaining
local vehicle access. The goal would be to um introduce traffic calming measures
to cultivate a lower stress environment for people who are walking, biking, and
rolling down that street. The it is a shared facility. So there are no shared
bike lanes. It um and in order if we did want to accommodate bike lanes, it would
result in a significant loss of parking. So, we wanted to prioritize that, which
is part of why we went um for a bike boulevard.
Um this again fits with the overall theme of the project, which was to
create a high quality bicycle and pedestrian network, provide a safe and
well-maintained transportation infrastructure for pedestrians and bike
bicyclists, and focus on strategies that support a walkable community, and
prioritize funding for zero emission strategies. Um bike boulevards are also
more ideal on a street with a lower average daily traffic volume. We're
estimating Third Street West is probably about under 2,000 average daily traffic.
Um, so this, you know, varies. A comparison would be West Bane, which is
in, you know, 10,000 to 15,000 average daily traffic. West Napa is probably
around two 20,000. Um, and so that was also taken into consideration with that
selection. So, we are also going to go over all of
the traffic calming elements that are in the Third Street West Bike Boulevard.
This is what was currently approved under the special October 7th traffic
safety committee meeting and has been approved by Snow County Transit Agency.
So this includes um painted curb extensions on Third Street West up to
West Napa Street. Painted and curb extensions. Um these are what we have
also installed on West Bain Street. So residents should be relatively familiar
with this traffic calming element. Um speed cushions on Third Street West
between Westbane Street and West Napa Street. Speed cushions on Third Street
West between West Napa and Robinson Street. Traffic Circle at the
intersection of Perkins Street and Third Street West. Painted curb extensions,
new crosswalks, and reversing straw control from Third Street West where it
currently is to the proposed on Andre Street. And then painted curb
extensions, new crosswalks and reversing stall control on Third Street West,
where currently is to Benton Court Street, which is proposed.
So all of this is supposed to work together in tandem to create an overall
traffic calming out feel vibe for this street in order for it to be a bike
boulevard shared facility.
So, the temporary Third Street West um and Perkins Street traffic circle. Um we
did this temporary installation to evaluate how the intersection functions
under everyday conditions while the project team finalizes the permanent
design. During this period, city staff, project engineers, public safety
personnel, and community all had an opportunity to experience the
intersection, and those observations are being evaluated alongside engineering
considerations to help inform the final design. The proposed um permanent
installation does differ slightly from the temporary traffic circle in that it
is going to be mountable, and we'll go over that with the AI renderings later.
Um, and I want to preface that though they're AI rendering, so this is not um
supposed to give you an idea of what it's supposed to be like. Um, and then
also just to clarify the roundabout versus a traffic circle. Roundabouts are
very heavily uti utilized in high congestion areas. An example is um what
we have outside of the valley on Arnold Drive and Boyce Boulevard or what we
also are the SCTCA and um CALR recently installed on 121 and 116. They are built
to convey um high volumes of vehicles and there are accommodations for that
like locating crosswalks. The traffic circles exhibit a similar stop control
to a four-way stop and it's not meant to alleviate congestion. I just want want
to highlight that because um a lot some of the public feedback is also kind of
questioning the placement for this and citing some higher volume streets and so
just want to clarify the difference between the traffic circle and the
roundabout.
So the engineering analysis um we did surveys before installation and after
installation. The temporary traffic circle is showing that
vehicles are slowing down. The 85th percentile dropped from 24 miles an hour
to 19 miles per hour. It's about a 5 mile per hour drop which is not
insignificant. Um the highest recorded speed dropped from 43 miles an hour to
32 miles an hour. Um and so this data al shows that it is meeting the traffic
caling goal. Um, but the permanent design should address how the
intersection functions for all users. So speed is not the only metric we're going
to be using to um review this and qualify whether or not it's successful.
So again, we're just going to go through brief roadmap refresher. We This is um
one of my lengthier presentations. So, just want to go over um what we've
currently covered, which are the project elements, background information, public
feedback received, um what a bike boulevard is, and the bike elements that
are elements that are included in the third street west bike boulevard. Now,
we're going to move forward through the renderings, plans that we currently
have, possible alternatives, and next steps.
So, this is the AI rendering that um chat GPT was super helpful in helping me
out with this. Um I Just want to have super disclaimer on this that the sign
is not to plan, but this was this was put together to give the traffic
committee and um residents an idea of what the permanent is going to look like
based on the plan set that we received from the project team. Um it is going to
be mountable. It does definitely differ from the uh temporary installation. The
temporary installation is not mountable. that can cause problems for you know it
can appear that it cause problems with larger vehicles because you they would
be able to go over this in the permanent. So just want to highlight
that that there is a difference between what's currently installed and this AI
rendering which also just take it with a grain of salt.
These are the traffic circle plans that we received from GHD as part of our
overall plan set. And then I just also want to highlight included in the agenda
item are the plan set for the entire bike boulevard. Um and so we are going
to call out element snippets of this but if you want a whole review of that that
is included in your agenda packet as an attachment in addition to the traffic
hazard reporting form that was submitted.
This goes over all of the elements that we have here. And I do want to highlight
that we have red curve here. Um the loss of parking was noted. Um, but also just
to highlight under the daylighting law AB413, there is no parking within 20 ft
of the crosswalk marked or unmarked. We did a presentation for traffic safety in
August of 24. This is what led to the midblock crossings on the plaza. So, um,
parking that close to the crosswalk is, um, citable for ticketable and
enforceable with or without the red curve. Um, but for the plans do call it
the red curve here. I just wanted to highlight that um, While this is
installed on the traffic circle plans, um residents actually should not be
parking there because it's not. And then um here's another AI rendering
of speed cushions. Again, this is not exactly to plan. This is just to give
residents, um kind of an idea or a feel of what the proposed improvement is.
And then we have that those proposed currently in two different sections. We
have those on Third Street West, between Spain Street and Napa Street, and then
between Banchero and Robinson currently in those snippets of the plants that are
included.
These are the speed cushion details and the markings leading up to the speed
cushions. Currently, they are modular rubber speed cushions.
The intersection improvements, we also discussed the painted bullouts on Third
Street West at West Napa, as well as West Andreas. This shows painted
crosswalks and reverse stop control.
And pretty much the same thing here on Bon Court.
So alternatives to consider um would be additional speed cushions
throughout the roadway. So the current proposal includes two. So, we would be
adding to that additional stop sign possibly at Perkins Third Street West, a
four-way stop at Andrex, four-way stop at Benton Court. Um, right now we're
reversing the the proposal includes reversing the um the stop control, which
is essentially going to create a throughway for West or Third Street
West. So, that's part of why implementing the traffic circle and
evaluating all of it as a whole um is important. But there are alternatives
that can um provide a similar traffic calming effect. Um various other traffic
caling elements, we can do ballards at the intersection improvements, painted
pullouts or um center lines driving which um can all be traffic caling
elements. And then next steps for our project u
we'll re reevaluate the third street west bike boulevard project elements
following traffic safety committee and community feedback incorporate lessons
learned and inform possible design alternatives. revise with the the design
with project engineers if needed and um get the project out to bid as soon as
design is finalized. The temporary traffic circle is going to be removed um
soon. The idea behind the installation was that it's only going to be up until
the slurry seal project started as part of our capital projects update. we do go
over um just kind of an overview schedule of that work is anticipated to
start in the next few weeks and so we the traffic circle is going to come out
um shortly and so um just want to highlight that that was addressed in the
initial plan but um just to reiterate the plan is for that to be removed
as per the plan that was lined out in May
question.
Thank you, Ashley. Um I have a
well at least one, not more, but um you mentioned uh Andrew and Bettton Court.
The uh part of the bike boulevard would be addressing those intersections as
well. Third West at Andrew and Bettin Court. Um there's been suggestions of
four-way stops, reversing the stops, or maybe leaving it alone. Is we haven't
landed on anything yet, have we? Or are we leaning towards switching the stop
signs? In other words, and people driving on Andrew and Bettton Court
would stop, Third Street would not. >> Yeah. And in the current plans,
which include the traffic circle, reversing stop control from third to the
side from the side streets to third was the plan.
» Now, if we take the traffic circle away, we would look at the intersections again
in conjunction with losing the ability to slow cars down at that intersection.
And so effectively, Benton Court and Andros are both
four-way stops when you take the dips into consideration. Cars traveling east
west have to really slam on their brakes or they're going to hit their oil pan.
So
» basically, um, putting stop signs out there will
probably have little effect on the east west traffic. And so if we turn it into
a four-way stop, one of the benefits of doing that is it gives bicycles
basically as much priority as cars because as you come up to a stop sign,
the car comes up to a stop sign, they're both going to recognize each other's
position and proceed properly. Whereas if you only have two-way stop control
there, it would it could be uh a a little pro semi-proatic for somebody on
a bicycle. So,
it all needs to be looked at in conjunction. And once again, um you
know, staff's presentation's concluded and I just want to emphasize that one of
the goals of the meeting tonight is to and Ashley's presentation appropriately
framed that. It's to let the traffic committee know that there are
alternatives that can be considered tonight. And we're going to be promoting
discussion and feedback. And feedback to staff is what we're hoping to get in the
form of taking all the results of what's talked about here tonight and um having
a a good discussion about it.
» Any any other uh questions from the committee?
» I just just a point of clarification. So this the money from the grant has to be
spent before the end of the year. >> No, that the money does not need to be
spent before the end of the year, but we do want to be mindful about how we move
this project forward because it's only one element of the overall project. Um,
and it's also takes a very considerable amount of time to process an amendment
to the scope. Um, so while the money doesn't necessarily need to be expended
this year, we do have a construction allocation this year and we would have
to justify not moving forward with that with Sonoma County Transit Agency and it
could possibly be a major grant amendment and reflect the timing and
process it took to remove the Sasarini school trail and add this in. So, no, we
don't have to spend it all this year. We don't anticipate that we're going to
spend it all this year. It's a big project. Um almost 1.8 million when you
consider the city match. However, we do have to timing into consideration. Um,
we do have all of the appropriate paperwork filed with Sonoma County
Transit Agency to draw down now. >> Okay. So, sorry, just want to clarify
this too. So, if if an amendment is made, is that like what what defines
that? Can we make small changes here or do you have to bring everything that we
are >> we have? Yes. Um, so it is a competitive
Let me just go back here. So, there's two different types of amendments that
you can make to this project. A major amendment, which is what we did with the
Third Street West Bike Boulevard, removing the Sasarini School Trail,
adding in the Third Street West Bike Boulevard, or a minor amendment. Minor
amendments do not have to go through the whole process. Unfortunately, that is
not up to us. That's up to Snow County Transit Agency as the administration of
the funds. The reason that the pol the the policy is um was is implemented is
because this is a competitive project and so we submitted all of this in 2021
and funds were selected based on the project um that was selected
essentially. And so um Sonoma County Transit Agency is implementing this in
order to make sure that the projects um that the board has some say over the the
major amendments. So the timeline for a major amendment is really kind of
dependent on one rescoping two um the process. So the process um depending on
if it's major which is again to county transit agency could either be approval
at the technical advisory committee meeting which happens monthly or if it's
a major amendment would follow the same process as what we currently did which
is three um publicly noticed meetings and I just also want to highlight that
we would not um bring an amendment for um a fully designed project if it didn't
get approved. Right? So that's part of it needs to be able to be put back on
track if that makes sense. They're approving the concept and we're not
going to approve a contract amendment for a design if the amendment isn't
approved by the administering agency.
» So I do have a question, maybe you've covered it and I just missed it. If the
traffic circle is on the dock to be potentially taken out, how does that
impact the rest of the plan since it's part of a larger
scope? Is there a domino effects like it's just going to start to affect
everything? >> No. Um, so this it was approved as this
particular project element. Um, so we would bring the update to Sonoma County
Transit Agency and given that we would have a replacement traffic calming
effect whether that's four-way stop signs or
what have you. Um hopefully they would treat that as a um a minor amendment
which I have every faith that they would because we're not removing the bike
boulevard. We're not drastically changing the project. Um but we are
removing a traffic element element would have to replace it with something that
could accommodate commensurate results.
So, if I'm hearing you correctly and I that this the the traffic circle would
we would think would be treated as a minor amendment. So, it wouldn't need to
go through the whole process. It sounds like major amendments are the entire
projects themselves for the most part. I'm sure there are plenty of major
amendments in larger projects. So, as a committee tonight, we're going to be we
it sounds like we're going to be exploring other options outside of a
traffic circle, but knowing that we're we assuming it's a
minor amendment, we wouldn't have to make a recommendation tonight.
» Correct. The action item that is listed on the agenda item is specifically to
elicit feedback. We'll incorporate the feedback into the design and then move
forward appropriately. Um, so everything would need to be vetted through the
project engineer as well as the traffic engineer which are both represented by
GHD but are different people. I also want to highlight that the project
engineer is on Zoom currently and is available for questions.
» Awesome. Um, Frank, would you be willing to just kind of give us an overview of
or maybe the project engineers the better person. But if we were to look at
removing the traffic circle as a component of the overall plan,
what the downstream effects are and what specifically
you would recommend as far as efficacy of slowing traffic
uh might be included in that. So whether that be more cushions or you know things
like that. Do we put the paddles in the middle of the road, four-way stops, you
know, all that. Just kind of your vision with this being in your wheelhouse of
take that component away. What the rest of the project might look like to still
have the same efficacy of slowing uh vehicular traffic.
» Yeah. Yeah. Excellent. Um and I will say that uh while the project engineer is on
the phone, we have conversed on this as well to be able to give you some some
thoughts. Um so the the entirety of the project as as Ashley had indicated from
Spain Street down to um Benton Court, actually a little further than Benton
Court, the next block. Um those elements, the the one that really was
kind of critical was the the traffic circle, right? it had a a big influence
especially as we were trying to change the condition at Andrix and Benton Court
to accommodate that that directional change in the stop signs. Right. So um
north of the traffic or north of uh uh u the traffic circle location
» Perkins. Thank you. I was just drawing a complete blank. I had the other two in
my head. uh north of Perkins, uh there's already two, as identified, two speed
hump arrays up in that portion. Um given the removal of the traffic circle, we
probably given the distance between Perkins and Napa, we'd probably put
another speed hump in that section, equally spacing those between Third
Street or Perkins and Napa. I think that will probably help slow the same way
that we saw the reduction in speeds with the third street traffic circle. We saw
that 5 mph reduction, leaving that speed bump so far away, I'd go ahead and add
an additional one. And then with regard the uh both the two-way stop
intersections, Andrex and Perkins, reversing those stop signs would not be
appropriate given not having the speed reductions that we were anticipating.
And as Ashley indicated, um, all of the elements people do slow having the
always stop at that intersection. And I did say, um, again, we've had many of
conversations about stop stop warrants. Um, there is addition and when that's
engineering judgment for the sanctity of the project and reversing given the
speeds that Andrex has because of the swale and the uh, it does cause a little
bit of indecision, right? cars are slowing where they would typically go
through that intersection at speed whatever that posted speed is. They
would be going through there and that would allow more gaps. Having everybody
slow doesn't create the adequate gaps that we would like for a bike boulevard.
So that's where I am with the allway stop condition. It gives not only
cyclists but everybody approaching that intersection the same bite at the apple
to cross it. um facilitating the bike traffic is the primary um recommend or
opportunity that exists. Um if you chose not to do those either changing the stop
signs to an all-way stop or even leaving them the way they are, that would again
not be as promoting of the bike boulevard. Um but probably look to try
and do some additional speed humps probably in the block south of Herkins
and then the south of Benton Court as well. We just we need to get those
speeds down and the traffic circle did that accommodate it, but again we we've
heard what what the concerns are. So we would look towards additional traffic
calming in the way of speed humps. the allway stop really in my opinion kind of
does everything we're looking for those intersections um the additional speed
hump does help um so that kind of pulls it together um
Mike what am I forgetting >> so just to clarify I think what I'm
hearing is that one of the potential recommendations
to circumvent the removal of the traffic circle and come up with commensurate
speedcomming measures ers would be to have four-way stop control potentially
at Benton Court and four-way stop control at Andros in addition to a speed
bump north of Perkins so that we're dividing those three speed bumps that
are currently shown on the project plans in three equal segments more or less.
» Yeah, it'd probably be somewhere in the vicinity of Vigna. um just if you look
at that distance and the reason is that the same thing happens between Napa and
West Spain is they're not full intersections. So T intersections do not
have as much of an impact on traffic, people going all the way across and so
we have that along the shopping center. So Third Street from Napa down to
Perkins. It's there's three T intersections, but we would equally put
in those speed humps in that area there as well between Perkins and
» and that would be significantly less expensive I would imagine
like four-way stop signs, things like that in replacement, which is probably
good. Reallocate this money somewhere else.
» Okay. Just one quick question. We were talking about four-way stops at Benton
Court, uh, Andrew, and additional speed humps or speed cushion. Did you would
there also be a four-way at Perkins? Just just to be clear,
» no. No. Okay. >> Um, I'm just I'm just curious with the
recent feedback from what's currently happened, do we have a report from PD,
um, chief cutting or fire on recommendations?
I don't technically have a recommendation. We received a lot of the
same uh feedback that I think you guys have seen. Uh we've spent a good bit of
time out there observing the the roundabout temporary roundabout that's
in there now. Um and we've seen some um confused driving is what I would say.
When we're present, the driving is is very different when we're present
because we're in marked cars. But um I've watched it in unmarked car as well
and I've seen the same circumstances. I don't have a a recommendation for what
the best is. I think I would support what uh what you've heard here tonight.
I think those are probably the best ideas.
» A question about the um the final uh traffic circle which you had the
picture of. How is that different or how will conceivably will it be different
than what is there now? I understand one of the things is that it's going to be
able to be passed driven over and was so maybe you could elaborate on that a
little bit.
» The temporary install is um using temporary material. So it was in it was
installed with the intention to be removed. That was the what we had
initially lined out and that was the goal in mind with material selected. So
the m the what's currently out there you cannot drive over. There are like um
sign poles basically um is essentially what they are which
differs from the permanent plan which is to create something mountable. Um, so
you you cannot currently drive over what is installed out there. And again, that
is because it was always meant to be temporary. It was not meant to be
permanent. The idea was to give people a chance to weigh in and let us know what
they think. And I think they certainly have. Um, but that's why it differs from
the permanent. >> And I mean, is that is that part of what
the problem is right now is that it is a temporary and people
are facing it and that you know with these challenges.
» Yeah, that could be leading to a little bit of the issue with the bigger trucks
and this will the temporary will be down very shortly and so it won't be a
problem for long but the permanent would not have that issue.
So, I was out there today and saw I've seen the videos.
I appreciate that. I was there for more than an hour and
there was a FedEx ground truck making his rounds out there. It's the largest
panel van FedEx has on the road and he easily navigated going northbound on
Third Street. He easily navigated going uh east on Perkins and then coming back
on Perkins, he made a left going southbound
on uh on Third Street. So, um and what I particularly appreciated
about it is watching UPS and FedEx trucks race through town. He was well
under the speed limit when he was doing the driving in the neighborhood. So, I
didn't see uh problems with with that. I saw a Sonoma County bus once northbound
and once southbound fine, you know, navigated that uh traffic circle fine. I
saw um uh there was there was a confused person
out of probably 250 cars in that hour. Uh and that person came out of the
» I'm sorry, I'm talking. Please, please, please. Public comments coming up next.
» Yeah, I'm talking and I know what I saw and you don't know what I saw. So, there
you have it. Um so so the
uh the what I don't understand generally is um how
the money is getting spent to to relative to that traffic circle and
relative to the $1.8 8 million and how is that? I think you you brought
up that it would be more cost effective for four-way. And then of course, Chief,
the question about a four-way is how often do people actually honor those?
» So, >> were you asking about how much the
permanent could cost? >> Right. Yeah,
» I could pull up the opinion um the opinion of probable construction costs.
Um it's it's minor in the overall um a fraction of the overall 1.8 or arguably
spending way more at Fifth West and subly on those intersection improvements
which is going to, you know, redo that intersection bouts. We're also repaving
that section of the road from um West Napa up to um Studley. And so there's
it it's not it's most certainly not 1.8 million. It's a fraction of that.
I have one last question. So, going back to the proposed change of or potential
proposed change of having some speed humps and potentially the four the four
stop signs. Um, how many speed humps would that be in to in total if you're
looking at Third Street West? Right. >> From Hurricanes, yes. Yes. To Napa
Street would be three in total. Right now there's currently two.
» Okay. >> Yeah, there would be one additional and
they'd be equally spaced more or less between Perkins Street and Napa Street.
» And have we consulted with fire at all over this? And
» fire supports them and they can be straddled by fire.
» Okay. Just want to make sure. Um just I'm I'm just curious if that's
excessive. I'm all for speed reduction, but I'm just curious if with the the
stop signs plus the speed humps, is that is that going to even create we already
have some issues with Fifth Street. Um and so is that going to create um some
safety issues there with people avoiding it and going around and stuff like that.
So just >> yeah, point that out. the speed tables
that we have on Fifth Street at the cemetery that are offset, you won't be
able to chicane around these speed table the speed humps that Ashley showed the
demo of. They're all in one line and they go into the parking stall.
So basically you can see yeah you can see on the cross-section there that
first I believe 8.5 ft is where cars would park and you could park right on
top of one of these >> straddling it and then basically you've
got your 11.5 ft section to the center line of the road and the same on the
opposite side. Yeah. So there's this the reason why we chose this design. Yeah.
And there won't be any chicaneing. >> Great. Thank you.
So one way or another, once these speed cushions are in, no matter how much a
car would try and avoid it, at least one side of the car is going to hit.
» Okay, that's So basically what we're looking at in
as a potential alternative, if I can just hopefully
summarize this as a potential alternative to the traffic circle,
we have two sets of speed cushions already. add one more set and then make
Ben Court and Andrew Street a four-way stop. That's kind of the alternative
we're looking at right now. Okay. Um I have a number of thoughts on this
specific issue, but I'm not going to voice them quite yet. Um is there any
other questions from the committee? Um there's no other questions from the
committee. I will open it up to public comment. Um, I think there will probably
be one or two public comments, maybe three, but please keep it to uh three
minutes, please. >> Hi, I'm Eris Weaver. I'm the executive
director of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. I also serve
» Could you Could you please give me your first name again? I'm sorry.
» Eris, E R I S. >> Thank you.
» Um, I also serve on the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities
Citizen Advisory Committee along with Mr. Conlin over here. So part of my job
in both of these roles is to understand and advocate for infrastructure
improvements that improve safety for all users, for cyclists, for pedestrians,
for drivers, because anything we do that makes it easier for our children to walk
to school or our elders to get somewhere makes it safer for everyone on the road,
including drivers. Um my staff spent hours involved in the city's uh active
transportation plan um making comments most of which were incorporated into
that plan and before this meeting I made sure to go out this weekend and check
out this whole corridor that's been being um discussed. Traffic circles are
a proven intervention for slowing traffic and improving safety. They
reduce head-on and t-bone collisions. They allow traffic to flow smoothly. I
prefer them to four-way stops. as a cyclist because then I don't have to put
my foot down. Nobody has to stop. Everybody can just keep going around. It
still slows the traffic without the stop and go, stop and go. Everybody just goes
around. Do my little dance here. I know that it's confusing if you haven't seen
one, right? Any construction uh road configuration changes um can be
discombobulating. I know I don't like changes in my routines. Um, now I
actually live in the only city in the US that had a voter-approved ordinance on
the books banning traffic circles and roundabouts within the city limits. Two
years ago, uh, my neighbors and I successfully uh, circulated um,
petitions, initiated an ordinance to rescend that ban and it passed with a
huge margin. So why did we spend all those hours wanting to bring this tool
back into our toolbox in Katady? And why did all the voters go for it?
There was a roundabout where they had a year of experience with a roundabout
nearby that everyone got to learn how to use it. Uh saw that the sky didn't fall
and that it actually uh improved everyone's experience through that
particular intersection. And so they got to see the benefits and
voted for it. So I urge you to keep the uh traffic circle in the plan and um the
project looks great. Thanks. >> Thank you.
» My name is Loretta Carr. L O R E T A C A R R. I live at 7053rd Street West,
exactly at the intersection where the roundabout is placed. I hope you've
watched the three videos that were sent to you showing the dangerous driving
conditions caused by that roundabout at Third West and Perkins. Video number one
showed numerous vehicles cutting across the intersection instead of going
around. Video number two showed numerous vehicles not stopping at the stop signs
on Perkins Street because signs with circular arrows were placed below the
stop signs, leading drivers to believe they were to proceed into the
intersection without stopping. Video number three showed large commercial
vehicles cutting across the intersection instead of going around because their
vehicles won't fit. This was proven by the large trucks driving up on the
sidewalk. The first two videos were filmed in
early July with an average of 15 to 20 traffic violations a day. The third
video was filmed in late August with an average of 14 violations a day. This
shows that it's not a matter of drivers getting used to the roundabout. The
problem is that the intersection is not large enough to safely accommodate these
commercial trucks, buses, fire engines, post office trucks, big pickup trucks,
big SU SUVs. I have witnessed all of those cutting across and not all
vehicles slow down. You may have been there for an hour, but I am there 24/7.
I don't understand how anyone could see this visual documentation of the threat
to pedestrians, wheelchair users, bicyclists, and other vehicles and still
think that this street obstruction is more important than the safety of human
beings. This is the hospital neighborhood with many walking elderly,
vulnerable individuals in wheelchairs, and caregivers from medical offices and
long-term care facilities, adults pushing baby strollers,
carts of infants from the nearby child care center, pedestrians have already
been hurt or killed on Broadway, Fifth Street West, Veron Bono Avenue. Let's
not contribute to another tragedy. The city knows the intersection is too
small. The bicycle boulevard plan states that there will be no bicycle lanes
because the street is too small. The plan also states that large vehicles
such as buses, fire engines, and delivery trucks can drive over the
roundabout if needed. So then what's the point of putting an obstruction in the
middle of the intersection? In addition, parking has been removed
from the four corners of the intersection because large vehicles will
not fit between the roundabout and the parked cars.
» Miss Car, I'm have to ask you to wrap it up, please.
This loss of parking causes hardship for elderly patients trying to access the
ramp to medical offices on the 600 block of Third Street.
I have one last point that I think feel is significant and it has not been
brought up yet. Instead of installing a dangerous street
obstacle, the city should be protecting this neighborhood.
Do you recognize the names Charles Perkins, Matthew Andrew, Robert
Bancherero, Raymond Barack, Lawrence Bettincourt,
Ross Hayes, Eugene Robinson, Joseph Figna. They are sons of Soma who served
and died in World War II. So in 1950, the city of Sonoma decided that those
Sonomans who had died during the war should be honored in a permanent and
substantial way. Wine maker August Sebastiani had developed housing on land
west of Broadway near the new hospital, the area we're talking about. He offered
to name the streets in memory of the war heroes selected by the city. a veterans
committee named the eight which the city approved. Their photographs are posted
in the lobby of the veterans building right across the street. Take a look so
you can put a face to the names. So besides the roundabout safety issue that
I have documented, it matters to me that Perkins Street named in memory of one of
Soma's deceased military is honored, not defaced. not the site of a traffic
catastrophe. It should matter to you, too. Keep the neighborhood safe and
remove the roundabout permanently.
Hi again, Tom Conlin, live outside the city limits. Um, as Eris Weaver
mentioned, I serve on the Sonoma County Trans Climate Transportation Authority
Citizen Advisory Committee, which is the body that recommends whether these
projects should be approved for funding. So, we've been watching this for at
least five years. Government moves slowly. We are finally in front of you
with a project. Um, but I'm here tonight speaking as an
individual uh in a personal capacity as a
grandparent of a 5-year-old who just got her training wheels off and she wants to
ride all over this town on a bicycle and you have to say you can't do it. It's
not safe yet. So, that's why I'm here is to try and make this community safer.
Following that last speaker, I c I cannot see how that speaker could say
that currently Perkins is a dangerous street or that this traffic calming
improvement that's been so rigorously studied and you have data to show that
speeds have dropped is going to create dangerous conditions.
I I just find that to be outside of the bounds of acceptable reality.
um your your data shows that the speed were was at a max of 43 and it's gone
down to 32 with that with that improvement.
Now, many community members in the comments submitted to you previous to
this meeting said that they see few cyclists on the route currently. That's
exactly the problem that we're trying to address is it's too safe, too unsafe to
ride a bicycle through many parts of Soma.
The other thing that was raised is that perhaps this tra perhaps this is not the
best location in the city for a traffic circle that there may be other locations
that are more deserving. I raised that concern myself back in October
because this is a significant amount of money. It's taxpayer money. We have to
spend it well. the but however at that October meeting I was convinced by this
staff's analysis by consultants analysis that this north south route connecting
to the uh creek trail all the way down to the south side of town this becomes a
major bicycle thoroughare a major pedestrian thoroughfare that's why the
um Tim Donner with the tourism board believes that this is an important
improvement for for the community as well. Um, and so I I have accepted that
this is an important project and it was worthwhile to take the funds as a major
project change from the Satarini class one bike lane and invest it in this
street. Now, if the alternatives you've discussed tentatively so far were to be
sub sub uh substituted for the traffic circle as designed, I personally do not
think that we would be hitting the threshold necessary to achieve the
traffic calming outcomes, the objectives. I don't think you're going
to get the uh mileage reduction and I don't think you're going to get the
level of traffic stress reduction for pedestrians and and cyclists. So, I
would probably be asking you to do more. And so, my alternative, it's not on your
list currently. >> Mr. Con, I have to ask you to wrap it
up, please. >> I'm sorry. I will try. My my suggested
alternative would be to put a class 4 cycle track along this condemning
parking on one side of the street because that would be necessary to
create the level of traffic stress reduction that you would otherwise be
achieving with the current design. >> Okay, I need to ask you to wrap it up
please. We have a lot of people online. >> Understood. Thank you for your
consideration my comments tonight. >> Thank you. And please once again please
try to keep your comments limited to three minutes.
Hi, my name is Christine Kuner. I'm an occupational therapist in the city of
Soma. I've only lived here about six years. Um,
I do driver training for seniors in an acute care facility in Soma. So, I know
we have a lot of senior drivers here. Um before that I did home health driving
many counties in the area and I saw a lot of other other traffic patterns
other crosswalks painting in other counties that seem to be done very well.
And since I've lived in Soma all I see are faded and missing crosswalks. I see
the kids trying to get across the street at Andrix and First Street West on their
bikes and it makes me really really sad that a little kid, a first grader, can't
even cross the street um to get to school. They're trying to get to school.
They don't know where the crosswalks are because the crosswalks are faded and
painted and not painted. Um, when I first moved in at Nukem and Broadway,
there were no crosswalks coming out of the high school. So, how are these kids
gonna stop? Um, so I started writing emails to a lady named Kathy Martindale,
and she would CC a lot of people saying, you know, we need more paint. We need
more paint. And I told her about the intersection at Andrix and First Street
West. It's these little kindergarteners are trying to get to Presswood. They're
trying to get us across the street. There are no crosswalks or they're so
faded you can't see them. Um, and that was a year ago and still no painting has
happened at that intersection. Um, it really upsets me because I have a
nine-year-old son who rides his bike in that neighborhood and I think you're
sitting on a time bomb. It's a matter of time before a senior with decreased
visual acuity and decreased reaction time. This city is
full of seniors. A lot of people come here to retire. I work with the seniors.
There are a lot of people who should not be driving in Soma who are driving um
because they don't want to give up their independence and it's a huge safety
hazard. I've complained to um Chief Cutting before about First Street West,
but my biggest problem right now is the paint. It's like we pay all these taxes,
you know, property taxes, and there's no paint on the street. Also, the blind
curbs. Um the red paint needs to go on the curb. You get a giant twostory van
on the corner. You can't see around the corner. Kid comes out with a bike. Boom.
done. So that's all I want to say. Please paint in Soma. Thank you.
» My name is Anna Morales. I live at Barach and Robinson and I'm all for
slowing down the cars on Third Street. They fly down Third Street. I try to
come out of Robinson and there's large cars parked there and I have to inch out
and they're flying down. So there are not a lot of bikes that go down that
street and probably for that reason. So I am for all slowing it down. I don't
think it's the traffic circle. I walk all day along with all of these other
people trying to cross Andrew. They slow down for the dip and you think it's safe
to step in front of them and then they gas their car. They're only slowing down
because they don't want to ruin the bottom of their car. They're not slowing
down for a pedestrian or a dog or a stroller. We need to stop the cars. If
you want bicycles to be able to go down Third Street safely because there's no
way that a traffic circle a block away is going to create that. They're just
going to pick up speed again. The bicyclists are going to pick up speed.
They're supposed to stop. Andrew keeps going. It's not doing anything. Also,
all the corners need to be painted red. Isn't it a law at all of the crosswalks?
No cars can be within 20 ft of the crosswalks. None of them are painted
red. Even we put up temporary signs that you couldn't park there. People turned
the signs around and parked right in front of those hospitals and everything
else. I understand they're elderly people dropping off other seniors and
stuff, but they ignored them. So those corners need to be painted red, not just
for this traffic circle, but for every corner so that people can cross. Cars
park all the way up and you can't see the pedestrian until you're out there.
And then the cars just look at you and go, "Oops, sorry, I'm running you over."
I mean, they just keep going. So yes, those speed bumps I think are a much
better idea. You know, some of them at Robinson than some of them again at
Perkins and some of them again at Benton Court. That's the only way you're going
to slow them down. Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Good evening. My name is Caitlyn Cornwall and I'm representing Sonoma
Valley Collaborative, uh, which you might not have heard of. Cinema Valley
Collaborative is a cross- sector coalition of the widest possible array
of uh sectors and interests in Cinema Valley gathered together around one
table to work on big issues facing the Cinema Valley community that are too big
and too complicated for any one organization or sector to take on. So
our membership includes um business groups like the chamber and several
small businesses, restaurants, hotels, etc. Uh health organizations like the
hospital and the health center. Um a lot of nonprofits that serve kids and
families, um environmental organizations,
uh health, faith, schools, um like I say, the broadest possible array. And a
lot of our work over the last nine years, which is how long the
collaborative has been in existence, has been working on um the issue of how to
increase housing affordability in Soma Valley. Uh which is an issue that is
causing a lot of pain across all sectors. But that's not what I'm here
about. I wanted just to tell you that in the nine years that the collaborative
has existed um consistently one of the issues that
has been of greatest interest to our members is the issue of how people get
around in Soma Valley and it's I just want to emphasize to you that leaders in
many of these different areas you know like I say the chamber of commerce the
visitors bureau the hospital the school district the faith leaders um people who
work with the schools and families, the Latino community, the moms, all of
across the board, the feeling that this is a community that could be a paradise
for walkers and bikers and rollers. And it it feels like something we just don't
quite arrive at. And so I don't have really specific commentary on the exact
design of this project because we didn't have I didn't have time to take this to
my members on the detail level. But in the broad sense, the idea of making Soma
and the valley better for people who are white biking and walking, kids, families
and small business owners who we want to attract to Soma and not have them move
away. We need to be designing our streets and trails and sidewalks for who
we want in the future to live here, not just for who's here now. And the idea of
change is hard, but we've all been in many, many, many towns where there's
lots of traffic circles and it works fine and people slow down and people get
used to change. And if this is a good change, which my membership thinks that
slowing traffic down and making it more possible to not just be in your car is a
good change, that's what we would recommend. Thank you.
First of all, thank you so much for caring caring about Sonoma. I know this.
» Can I get your name? Sorry. >> Lesie Lie E Karath. K A R A T H.
» Thank you. >> I'm nervous,
so I wrote things down. I wanted to thank you. first of all. When I grew up
here, there was one stoplight. So, I think we're doing pretty good. And
there's going to be more building and more developments. So, thank you for
thinking about this stuff. I live right on Third Street West in Perkins, right
where the roundabout is. And when I heard that it was going to be there, I
thought, "Good, this is going to be a good thing because it's going to slow
people down." It's been a cluster mess. And I know people will get used to it.
It's not the right corner for it. There are wheels chairs.
I should read my thing here. Oh. Oh, the the picture of the roundabout on the
poster for the Bike Boulevard project is beautiful, but it does not represent
reality. At first, I was happy about the
roundabout. Like everyone everywhere, I want people to slow down, especially on
the street that I'm on. Seems like Sonoma's going to have a bunch of speed
bumps everywhere. Um, from what I've witnessed, the
roundabout has made things worse, not better. I love roundabouts, but not
here. Um, it's a residential street. Think about your house being right there
where a bus comes right next to your living room. Um, the corner is not big
enough to accommodate pedestrians and vehicles. It's a residential street with
many medical offices. I see wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, much more than
bikes. I'm all for bikes. Let's get the bikes. But I think it's even dangerous
for bikes. Um we have trucks, buses, and by the way, not everyone slows down.
Like some maybe there are kids in their 20s, they speed up and go fast because
it's fun. Um I did hear that um buses and trucks could go over the over the
thing in the center, but it's like why why would you do that? That seems kind
of odd. Um I understand that there are grants and grant money to be spent on
projects. I've even heard it doesn't matter what we think, it's going to
happen anyway. Um, I think stop signs or speed bumps would make much more sense
and be a much safer and smarter choice. I really am worried about the
wheelchairs. There's a ton of them and walkers and like when a person's
walking, just the way it's configured, it's dangerous. I look at it 24 like a
lot right there. I I just I want to thank you though for doing your work. I
really want to thank you for for um helping us because we're going to need
it. We're seven miles across and 22 miles long and a lot of building is
going to be going on pretty soon. Like a lot. So, let's do really good.
» Thank you.
» Laura Farmer L O R E L E. Farmer like farmer in the Dell Donner Avenue. Uh,
the first time I encountered the so-called calming circle, which is
simply a roundabout, I was stunned by how close my car came to the curb at the
corner of the house at 7053rd Street West. My immediate reaction was, "How
can this possibly be safe for bicyclists and pedestrians? The space is so
constrained that a driver and a bicyclist cannot safely navigate the
roundabout at the same time." I raised this directly with Ashley Carter the
next day. I explained that drivers would be forced to stop at the roundabout
whenever a bicyclist or pedestrian was present because there was no safe way to
share that space. She agreed and assured me, and maybe I misunderstood her, that
signage would be installed within a few weeks to warn drivers. To date, I have
yet to see that signage. Not long after that, I finally encountered my first
bicyclist, and I've lived in Soma for over 50 years on Third Street West. The
bicyclist entered the roundabout just as I approached to my car. I stopped, of
course, but what happens at night when visibility is low and a driver doesn't
see the bicyclist soon enough? How is this design safer for anyone? Without
the roundabout, drivers and bicyclists can can simply continue along Third
Street West as they do any other part of the street. The roundabout forces an
unpredictable interaction in a space that is too small to accommodate it. No
driver wants to be in a situation where they might not see a bicyclist or
pedestrian until it's too late. And the gentleman talked about his little
5-year-old grandson or whatever. I would not want to encounter his grandson going
in that roundabout in my car or have somebody else who doesn't see him
because he's down low to the ground. Um,
the index commune article quotes that city planners say that transportation
networks must be built for future community needs. I heard the same
argument during the Broadway bike lane discussions. The bicycle coalition
promised, "Build it and the bike riders will come." Yet years later, I have not
seen an increase in bicyclist bicyclists on Broadway, Second Street East, or
Fifth Street East. Streets that have long been designated as bicycle routes.
The median age in Sonoma is 57.3 years. Among my friends and acquaintances, only
one woman I know occasionally rides her bike around the neighborhood. Why do we
continue planning as though half our residents over the age of 57 will
suddenly become daily cyclists. Everyone I've spoken to has said the
same thing. This roundabout is a bad idea in a location that is not big
enough. Not one person has said to me, "This is great. My friends ride bikes
all the time. In addition, bicyclists must come from somewhere to use Third
Street West. Are we going to be putting up roundabouts all around the city to
protect the bicycle rider? We all want safer streets, but safety requires
designs that fit the actual conditions of the neighborhood. This roundabout
does not make it any safer for a bicycle. In fact, and even the stroller,
we saw somebody in a stroller, my husband and I. In fact, it makes it more
dangerous. And I would like to know at what time you were on and saw 250 cars
because I would like to go the same time and see the 250 cars that you saw on
Perkins Street. >> This is for public comment. We're not
okay. >> Going to do a back and forth, but we
will have a chance to discuss later. Once again,
» good evening, Chair Lobinger and uh traffic committee. Thank you first of
all for the work you do on behalf of our residents. I appreciate it. Could I get
your name, please? >> Diane Thompson, 559 Barach. Um, I
support the concept of a bicycle boulevard and traffic circles in
general, but the reason I'm here tonight is because I have concerns that have to
do with the process of this project and the impacts on the neighborhood as a
whole. There has been no direct notification to the neighbors. It's not
necessarily required, but it would have been appreciated and or at least I
didn't receive any direct notification and my neighbors that I spoke to have
not and we would have appreciated it and it could have made this process go
smoother. Um, also there has been no final plan for the project available to
the public until the agenda was posted for tonight's meeting a few days ago.
And so that is a problem just in terms of informing the public of what's going
on. Um and also the engineering drawings that you're showing are not necessarily
the best way to communicate to the public. Simplified drawings would be
very helpful. Um there was no data online that I could find uh regarding
the project impacts or a feasibility study. And I wanted to mention in terms
of impacts, Third Street is our only exit from the neighborhood. And as has
been pointed out earlier and as you discussed about VNA, the visibility when
you're leaving those feeder streets onto third is really scary now with a car
because you're pulling out onto third and there are large vehicles, trucks,
SUVs parked very close to the corner. So you really don't know what you're up
against until you get out into the intersection. Um, and usually it's cars,
right? That's one thing. But when you draw bicyclist onto that roadway, um
that's a scarier situation than car versus car. So that has to be addressed
as you discussed with VNA on those other streets um that feed on to third. So my
request to you is please slow the project down. Don't rush into
construction this fall. Please conduct meaningful public engagement with direct
notification and consider impacts on the neighborhood as a whole. Thank you so
much.
» Thank you.
» Hi. >> Uh William Nuome. Um Nwso M. Um I live
on Third Street Third Street West. I'm actually Loretta's neighbor. Um I'm a
former engineer. I'm also a big advocate for bicycling. Uh, I love the project in
general, but uh, I'm very grateful for the temporary traffic circle because
it's demonstrated just how bad of a solution it is for that intersection.
Um, I know a lot of folks called it a roundabout and as I think Ashley pointed
out, it's not a roundabout. A roundabout would require a much larger
intersection. I think the engineering reports actually reference that you
couldn't fit a roundabout there and I think it's too small for a traffic
circle as well. um watching it every day. I do see a lot of bikes there.
Actually, there's a lot of folks on like tourists are biking around there all the
time. Hopefully, we'll get more bikes. Um but seeing like the buses, the Sonoma
County buses that come through when they come through, I don't doubt that they do
slow down. So, the data is probably right that we've gone from whatever it
is a high speed 40 to high speed of 30. But when the buses go through the
intersection around the circle, they're swerving almost into if we had really
good, you know, marked crosswalks, it would certainly be into the crosswalks
there. It just seems very dangerous. Um, you know, this is me speaking
anecdotally, but we have folks on wheelchairs,
bicyclists, we have lots of little kids, lots and lots of people walking their
dogs. Um, and it just seems like a very dangerous intersection with the traffic
circle. I don't really understand the mountable aspect of the permanent
solution and I don't really know how buses would I guess they would just
drive straight through and bump up. Um, but it it seems like a poor solution. I
would just suggest that as I think some of the folks here have discussed
get rid of the traffic circle, throw a couple speed bumps maybe on either side.
We talked about three sets of speed bumps, maybe make it four. And that
feels like a much more workable solution that would still slow things down. I'm
at Andreu and Third Street West. That's a bad intersection. I know you said it's
like close to a stop sign. We see and hear people blowing through that
intersection all the time. I love the idea of reversing stop signs or putting
in a four-way stop. I think that will really slow things down. Um so yeah, o
overall very much in support of the project, but the circle just doesn't
make any sense. Thank you.
Oh, the timer started. No, it's it's totally fine. My name is Joyce Carlson.
I live on Barachi Way and I too want to thank all of you guys. Ashley, your
presentation was very thorough. I didn't realize the scope of this project and
it's much bigger than I knew. Um, and part of that is because I don't feel as
a resident in that area that we were really communicated with. And that to me
is a big part of the negativity that you might be hearing is people didn't know
what was going on and then all of a sudden there was a traffic circle. So I
too agree with what the people have said prior to me. So I won't go into all of
that but I wanted to reference something that um this woman said. I'm sorry your
name is >> Eerys is she talked about Katad and
roundabouts and traffic circles. My sister lives there and there was they
put one on Myrtle Street and it was terrible. It was just like what's
happening on Third Street. And guess what they did? They took it out and
mitigated it with stop signs. So there's ways to satisfy the residents and still
achieve your project, which I also am in support of the project. So I have no
qual about that. I just want it to be safe because I don't feel safe when I'm
in that area of the traffic circle. It feels very dangerous and I am kind of
worried about the liability to the city, you know, to be aware of this level of
discomfort with the community and the potential hazards that are involved and
then to have something tragically happen. So, thank you guys all and I
just wanted to share that. Thanks.
Good evening. Uh Chris Woodcock, 235 West Spain Street. Um is it possible Can
I direct a question to the chair really quick? Um
» is it possible to not clap? I know that we can raise our hands or something, but
you know it just clapping is kind of encourages one belief just a personal
you know. Um anyways, I just wanted to speak about uh I overall well thank you.
I just appreciate you know you know we just respect each other and I think that
that's an important thing. Um and I have a slightly different uh take on it. I
I'm encouraged by the overall design I spoke about in October. I thought it was
clearly um presented to us like I I had all this information. and I saw the
design in the October meeting and I just um whether or not this is the right
design for this spot, I just really am encouraged by um what the engineers came
up with for this. Um I would really like to get away from stop signs and speed
humps if possible. And I think, you know, going through there, I ride a
bike, I drive, I walk through there. And um I think it's a great opportunity to
try something that we have not been able to do. And I've been pushing for this
since I was sitting on this committee for 10 years, chaired it for five and
also sit on the um cinnam county uh bike and pedestrian advisory committee. And
this is something that's happening in the county. And I think it's something
that we need to think about. Um I forget who it was. Ma Caitlyn was talking about
it, but we need to think bigger in terms of the different things. And I agree
with you guys totally that a temporary roundabout is like horrible. And I think
that that is resolved when we get to the actual design. And I I find that like
I'm really against what we've done on Spain Street by putting up signs. I find
that, you know, things like that don't really work. More signage not such a
good idea because with the speed sign there, you know, whatever that is, it's
a dynamic speed display. People slow down at first, but then they learn that
habit. And so I want to get away from um thinking about stop signs as an
opportunity. And to me, it looks like it'll fit. The designers or the um
everybody seems to think that it works in terms of the engineers. Um and I
would just encourage us to go with something like that. And there's better
I feel like the crosswalks are better lines of sight. People were talking
about safety there. I think it's improved safety overall based upon my
reading of it. Um and I think confusion a little bit where we have to question
what's going on. That's the importance of a traffic circle. Definitely not a
roundabout that we have to kind of question which way to go. Look to the
arrows for people that are new to this. But once we get this design in, it's
going to change and overall people will be comfortable with it. So I'd like to
maintain the design that we have um understand that, you know, how change is
really difficult and just want to encourage everybody on the committee to
uh take that into consideration when you guys are looking at this and bring it to
committee. So thank you very much. Thank you.
» Thank you for everything that you've been doing. Um, my name is Lori
Parmally. P A R M E L E. I live on Third Street West in the 500 block. There's
nothing calming about riding your bike through this traffic circle. I um I'm a
recreational bike rider. I do bike trails. I don't ride on streets. When
you go and ride around the bike the roundabout, it is very stressful. The
only time I felt calm tonight was when you guys said you were gonna take it
out.
All right, got up.
I'm Michael Karath. I live at 697 Third Street West. Um
I I also like the idea of the bike paths. I like what you're doing. Um, I
don't sit out there in a rock and chair and watch all day, but I have seen um,
there are some cars that just go through there like there's there's it's not even
there. And as far as I think the point that people will get used to that thing.
All it takes is one person that doesn't un you know is not familiar with that
because it's very confusing in a residential area
and it it's just it's not the right place for it. There is a lot of people
who aren't from the area. Those are the people are going to be u very dangerous
driving around the thing. And I'd like to know why wasn't the stop sign studied
first because I think you would find the same reduction in speed or the uh speed
bumps as well. Why did it go right to the roundabout? It seemed like the stop
sign of the, you know, the, you know, the bump sale would be a lot less
expensive to study first. And if you didn't get the the uh speed reduction
there, then you could go to the next step that would be more expensive. Maybe
I missed something on that. But but I would like to know why the speed signs
weren't studied for us or the bumps put down first. I think there's this big
rush for this roundabout. I've, you know, I don't want to, you
know, say the same things that other people have said. They work in some
places really great and sometimes they don't. And I don't think I've ever seen
in my whole life a roundabout or whatever you want to call it in a
residential area. And as far as those trucks, what I have
seen, and I'd also like to know where, if you're calculating the speed, where
is that speed bump? Is it before? Is it after? Is it right at the I don't know.
You know, that's something that that I would definitely like to know. Um I just
think it would be a bad idea. And when I see trucks going up on the curb, you
know, particularly those trucks that have to, you know, I I I think one
speaker said, oh, you know, I think it was the chairperson who said he saw
trucks and it wasn't a big deal. But if they have to do that turn where it's
like you're turning past three streets, I mean, they're like those things are
like on two wheels almost trying to like navigate around. It's very dangerous and
the sightelines are really bad. That's all I have to say. I really hope you
reconsider this. It's not a very good idea. I'm I just think those other stop
signs and the bumps should have been studied first. Thank you.
» Thank you.
All right. Is there any other public comment before we turn it back to the
committee?
Okay, seeing none, we will close public comment on this issue. I will turn it
back to the committee for discussion and I think I will start on this one.
Um,
I'm all for bike boulevards and I'm all for traffic circles and I
think this traffic circle has achieved its
purpose of slowing traffic down. Um, so I believe all the data. I also
believe that it fits the specs. I trust the city that the specifications are
correct. I also walk down Third Street every day of my life. Sometimes
almost every day I've recognized a lot of the faces in the crowd. I'm the one
that's walking really quick with quickly with my dog. It's pretty much the only
exercise I get. Um
I think on paper it checks the boxes, but it doesn't pass the eye test. Every
time I walk down Third Street, I walk on the
east side. So I'm going to call it the Whole Food side. Um I walk back and
forth every like I said every day except for when I'm walking down um Mallet
Mallet and Frier Creek and um one thing that I noticed is that when I'm crossing
Perkins on the third street side I have to stop at the corner and Miss Farmer
said unpredictable interactions. So, I have to stop. I stop and I don't know
what the cars that are driving straight. I don't know what they're going to do
because no matter what, they're going to have to make a veering movement. And
anybody who's a police officer in this room knows that sometimes people don't
use their turn signal. So, you can't trust them. We can't prevent everything.
I know stop signs aren't always the solution. I do think traffic circles are
a progressive way of looking at this, but this one doesn't pass my test. I
want to trust the process and I want to see this come to fruition. I don't know
if this is it. Um I during the week I'm walking just
myself and my dog, but on the weekends it's my wife and my daughters. And
pretty soon my daughter's going to be going to school because we live right by
the hospital and they go to St. Francis and they're going to be walking and
riding their bikes. And just that intersection alone, I don't feel like
this is the perfect solution. Um so I'm all for alternative solutions. I'm not
completely out on it, but I'm fairly close to out on it. Um, I think there
are better options. Um, I do know what Mr. Woodcock is saying about stop signs,
stop signs, stop signs. We as a committee know that they aren't act the
the true solution, but maybe in this case it might be. And in terms of
people not seeing pedestrians, bicyclists,
part of the goal is to make this a bicycle and pedestrian more safe
corridor to get people off of Broadway, Second Street, whatever it might be. So,
I'm all for the project. I think the project is a great idea. I support it
completely. Um, but I don't know if the traffic
circle is the right answer, and I really really interested in alternatives.
And that's that's all I'm going to say for right now.
» I have to agree with you, Adam. I don't have a dog in a fight. I don't live in
the area. Um, but you have to listen to the neighbors. And I think an element
that hasn't been brought up is one, the key thing that jumps out at me is the
hospital. You're going to get people, regardless of what's their four-way stop
sign or the calming circle, they're going to rush to that hospital to meet
their loved ones who's in the hospital. they're going to speed no matter what.
Um, I kind of agree with you. I think we should slow it down a little bit and
kind of reconsider an alternative.
» I you guys have heard me, you guys haven't. No big deal. Um, the we've as a
community face really significant infrastructure challenges uh because uh
because we're just we grow more The state of California has legislated
that we have more housing. That's fair. Uh people who work in our neighborhood
deserve to try to live in our neighborhood. Uh but when there's a
restricted number of houses, the cost goes up. We see what happens.
um most of the infrastructure of Sonoma was
created
70 or 80 years ago uh Napa Street for example was probably 500 cars, 300, 200
cars a day when people were just going over to Thornsbury and Levelvel Valley
uh road. Um and and and we see that uh throughout as they added uh I think it's
15 houses by Denova on the corner of Fifth Street West. And you know, if you
give every house two cars, that's 30 more cars for that corner. There's
strong consideration for a project on Napa Road and Fifth Street East. 50 plus
homes plus potential uh businesses. So, you're
looking at a situation where there are going to be another at least a hundred
cars in that particular area. We're going to continue to have increased
traffic. Um, one thing that's obvious to all of us up here because we hear it
every time, people don't pay too much attention to
the stop signs. people speed in my neighborhood. It's a drag race when
people leave a stop sign. Uh the chief has explained to us that
people who live in the neighborhood take stop signs as suggestions. People who
don't live in the neighborhood tend to go quite fast through it. Um
my comment uh earlier this evening was that I was mesmerized by the traffic
calming effect that this traffic circle has on that intersection. Um
I know there are problems. I know there are traffic scoff laws. Uh when you look
at Fifth Street East and uh East Napa Street,
many people don't bother to worry about the the the traffic tables and they
drive through it like there are lemons and they only accelerate in either
direction. Um we we'll never eliminate scoff laws.
That's why we have police. Um,
I I saw a man pushing a baby in a wheelch in a in a wagon. I saw a woman
with a walker cross over Perkins. Um, I saw the the FedEx truck making its
deliveries. I saw Sonoma Transit making safe trans transit through the traffic
circle. Uh, traffic circles
have You can look it up. Traffic circles have
an astounding success rate on making traffic calmer.
We need collectively without any hesitation calmer traffic throughout
Soma. This is the first chance of that.
Uh, and I think when you look at on the east side,
there are 17 intersections on the east side that are controlled by a stop sign.
People don't stop at them quite frequently. On the corner of Second
Street East and Patton there in one of the concerns,
the traffic hazard concern, people just drive right through that. They don't
stop.
Um, I don't I don't have a horse in it
either. I don't live in the neighborhood. I see it as a really
valuable valid way to make
and it's proven just simply by the numbers. It's been difficult to see what
happens with other numbers, but if you've taken a top speed of 35 and
reduced it to 29, I think is what it was. about a 25%
uh reduction in in top speed. That's a terrific
number. Um is it
absolutely perfect? No. Nothing ever will be. We can go live on 10 acres of
of property and be by ourselves and that's it. But we live in a community.
Um I I hear you. You don't like it. you're you're outraged by it in many
cases. I feel you. Uh I I'm not convinced. In
fact, I'm certain stop signs are not an answer. Uh I'm not certain people are
going to be thrilled with a a third or a fourth set of bumps either. Um, but I I
think this is the first move the city of Soma has made to make our community
calmer with traffic. And I'm all about traffic calming, not
traffic stopping.
Um, I just I don't want to belabor this anymore. We have I just want to first
and foremost thank all of you for coming today. Um, regardless of your stance,
whether you're pro or con for what's happening. Um, it takes a lot for a
community to get involved and to voice your opinion and for the petitions and
whatnot. Um, so we hear you loud and clear on both sides. I also want to
thank the city. I know, Ashley, that presentation is extensive. Um, and so
the level of detail that you put into that today is very helpful. Um, I think
there's two things that I want to point out. One, we have a we have a bigger um
issue at hand. And I think this is what our committee is here to do is to really
take a look at how do we how do we address the issues of speed, right? And
and and the fact that people need to get around. I'm a mom of two kids. um both
of them just started riding bikes and I get nervous in certain areas of Sonoma
because I don't know if they're going to, you know, I I don't want to be the
one to receive that phone call. Um so I do think that there's things that we do
need to look at a higher level. Um I also am not a fan of putting stop signs
everywhere, but it does make sense in certain places. I don't support um the
traffic calming circle, not a roundabout, but I I'm not in support in
this specific location. I think that we should look into other alternatives, but
if it does make sense for other parts of Soma, clearly the statistics are there,
but it is it serves a purpose. Um so, I'm happy to look into other um
initiatives around that.
So maybe I'm a bit naive around this, but I'm wanting to believe that the
permanent circle will which look which is very different than the what's there
now. It's visually different uh structurally different um that
somehow that's going to make a difference. Um, I'm very familiar with
res traffic circles in uh residential neighborhoods. I worked in Berkeley for
35 years. You want to talk about trafficcoming measures drive through
Berkeley? Um, they've tried everything. Uh, some of it has worked, some of it
hasn't worked, but there's lots of traffic circles in Berkeley
neighborhoods and it's effective. And I don't I I guess what what I'm a little
confused about is the comments about vehicles not being able to traverse that
area. It seems like if it's been engineered that
that should be already have taken into a consideration that there would be
problems actually making the turns. I'm a little bit confused how that could be
if in fact there is enough area to put that in there. So, um, but I've heard
those comments and you I believe you know you've had you've witnessed it
happening and you've have videos showing it. But anyway, so that's where I'm at.
I'm not totally sure that it isn't the right
area because I think it's been studied and I think the argument for where it is
makes sense, but um I'm also open to to considering the fact that maybe it
isn't. Um so those are just my my thoughts right now.
I think the biggest thing that I'm taking into consideration here and
trying to kind of digest is the the difference of 34 miles an hour in
the 85th percentile to 29. Um,
sure it's 5 miles an hour different and we're slowing things down and that
likely would increase with the additional um cushions and things like
that, but adding the potential pedestrian
or um bicycle conflict at that intersection
um is pretty concerning to me. I've seen firsthand
all of the potential collisions that could occur. Um, and I don't think that
getting hit on a bicycle at 35 or 34 miles an hour versus 29 is going to make
a huge difference. Um, but increasing the potential likelihood of a conflict
at the intersection is what I see as the biggest um, threat. And uh as Chair
Lobinger said um just the unpredictability of is this person's
turning movement because they intend to turn right here or is it that they're
navigating the circle? um the the stuff that I've seen um intersections, whether
it be vehicle ped or what um or vehicle bike, um that tends to be where the
worst outcomes are for the pedestrians. Um and so I I that's what I'm kind of uh
struggling with on this circle is I think that it potentially introduces
conflict um where currently there is no conflict.
Yeah. What what what I'm getting is earlier I mentioned I don't know if it
was me, it could have been someone else. Um we're talking about Malay Street and
the and the the data does not support traffic calming measures, but when you
look at the non-data side, it does. this to me
the data does support having a traffic circle in here.
So, but the eye test it it's just not passing for me. And and I I know Mark
just kind of said the same said what I and I'm going to say it again. It's that
unpredictability because yeah, you get hit by a car at 35 versus
29. Okay, maybe there's a slight difference, but
it's you're trading the trade-off is you're increasing for a greater
likelihood of something going wrong. And that's whether minor or not. I don't
want any I I don't want any collisions right there. And um
I'm just I'm going to say it looks on paper it's working, but I don't think
this is the solution. Again, I'm not 100% out on it, but I think for our
committee for tonight, we're supposed to come up with some resolution or
recommendation, but I think we've all sort of landed on I think we should come
back next time with some recommendations because I would venture a guess that
we're going to lean towards not having a permanent traffic circle there. So, that
would be my recommendation for right now.
» Thank you, Chair Lozinger. Um I just wanted to quickly clarify that the um
recommendation tonight was to provide feedback. We'll take that feedback back
in informed design. This is um we are nearing nine o'clock and um there has to
be an agreement amongst all of you that to continue on. We do have two
additional items. One of which is a capital projects update with the 90%
plan set for this and it also gives the team an opportunity to form an ad hoc.
Um delaying it until November for the overall project. Again, this is one
element of the overall project is um not favorable. Just throwing that out there.
So just to clarify the if we were to look at alterations of the current plan
um probably the best route would be ad hoc and that can be an interactive
process with GHD both Frank and the project manager and then come up with
some potential options for uh November.
No, more along the lines of we've heard a couple of suggestions tonight.
We could have GHD draw something up, present that to the ad hoc, and if it
passes the test of basically what we heard tonight and the ad hoc favors it,
we're going to make the changes to design and keep moving the project
forward.
» Yeah, I'm keeping an eye on the on the clock, too. And I know that we still
have more items to go over. So, I'm all for um creating an ad hoc and
moving on to the next item. >> We can do that. Um just for as you guys
figure out who wants to be on the ad hoc, which usually would take place
after you establish the ad hoc within this item. Just please keep in mind it's
probably gonna we were going to want to have to have the ad hoc happen
» sooner than later. >> Yes.
» Yeah. >> Okay. Uh do we I forget. Do we need a
formal motion for an ad hoc? >> No.
» No. So you can just choose to and then volunteer.
» Okay. I'm choosing to do an ad hoc and I will be the first volunteer.
» Hobby two. >> Hobby three.
» So that was Adam, Greg, and Peter. >> Oh, I can I would be hobby two.
» Yeah, >> we can't have four. We can only have
three. >> So
» Okay.
Um, what's the easiest way to solve a We
want three people. >> Yeah, I'm I'm
» do it on Saturday. If you do it on a Saturday, I'm it. I just went back to
work full-time. >> Jay, don't
» I can't take days off for a year. >> Some of us are more relaxed about that.
I'm available anytime.
So, um, I'll just address like I I think that having the ad hoc make the final
decision on what the alterations would be, um, I think that is a disservice to
the committee as a whole and the process as well as uh the public.
um just in the interest of having an open meeting and um I think ad hocs are
obviously a great tool for getting things done, but um my concern is that
it defeats the purpose of open meeting and that kind of interactive process and
also shuts three of the committee members out of a very um
you know interactive item um probably one of the most that we've had in recent
time. So um that's my only concern um with with not bringing it back in
November. We're talking about you know a couple of months and we don't have to
spend the money right away >> as was said earlier but
If we're talking about a minor alteration,
» if I could jump in real quick. We've done it once with this issue already.
I'm happy to do it again. A special meeting
if because it seems like a lot of people want to be involved. Three might not be
enough. And it will will it be a final product with an ad hoc? I think we would
still have to vote on as a committee, but I would say a special meeting.
» Does it does it make a difference? I mean, we all want to be there. So, can
we all meet or does it need to be public here?
» It needs to be public. It needs to be public. So it's either ad hoc and advise
or special meeting among all of us. >> Um I think the the the reason in terms
of delaying the um Okay, let me go back. As we've discussed before, this is part
of a larger project, right? This is one element of one element of a project, an
overall project that is being funded by Sonoma County Transit Agency as
construction. Um and so that is the interest of moving the whole project
forward. Um, not being able to present and bid a final plan set puts us at a
disadvantage. Um, and so I'll just leave you with
that. Can >> Can we do an ad hoc and then come back
with a special meeting? >> Yeah, that can happen. uh regarding a
special meeting. One of the things that we could do is we
could put together a draft set of plans to present a couple of the alternatives
that have been discussed tonight, present that to an ad hoc and then
basically present that in a special meeting in the short term.
I mean, I would say if we're going to do a special meeting, I would eliminate the
ad hoc. I I don't know what kind of time the city needs for us to have a meeting
and I don't know how much time uh public works and the design engineers we to put
together a couple of alternatives but if we can do let's say it's a month you
know because time is of the essence I think an ad hoc and a special meeting is
a little too repetitive.
» Yeah. as part of um just throwing some different options around. We did put a
plan together tonight. We could present that plan. It's a draft, but it includes
a couple of the different options that we discussed tonight. And if we can get
consensus right now, we go ahead and do that.
» I'm okay with that. And as far as a nine o'clock thing,
that's if you guys agree to do any new things after 9, it's all dependent on
you guys voting on that. It's not like nine o'clock we're done. It's up to you
guys. But I also realize everybody's had a long day.
» H how long, Ashley? How long would it take to present these options?
» It's up right now, so no problem. This >> It's It's up on the screen. I don't
recognize that though. Can you go down? >> Yeah.
» Yeah. So, here's one of the alternatives that we discussed tonight, which was
four-way stop control at both Andros. On the bottom slide there, we've got the
Benton Court intersection with the crosswalk upgrades and a four-way stop.
And then the match line on the left hand side of that lower sheet connects with
the right hand side of the upper sheet. The next street up is Andros and there's
a four-way stop represented there along with Continental Crosswalks.
Then you have the Perkins intersection that's currently there. And I just want
to be really clear about the Perkins intersection. The red striping that's
shown there, that's not taking away any parking that isn't consistently already
taken away with state law AB13 413. And any cars that are parked there are all
sightable whether the curb is red or not. And if we painted all the red curbs
in the city where there was no parking, we'd have a guy full-time painting those
curbs all year round like the Golden Gate Bridge.
» So the the whole argument that we're taking away parking,
» there's no parking being taken away. >> Okay.
» Those red those red marked cars at Perkins and Third are no parking zones
by AB 413. And it's ticketable whether it's red striped or not. It's just we
don't have time to write tickets. And we also don't have time to paint all these
corners red and red stripe them and maintain the striping. So then as you go
up to the north, you're getting to Vna Street and that is where the third speed
cushion would be. And these plans haven't been 100%
vetted, >> but this concept has been vetted and
we've discussed it with the traffic engineers
and it is an alternative to the traffic circle.
» How many sets of speed bumps? >> Total of three currently in the plan
set. There's two right now. Right. And those two are shown uh actually
yeah one is shown they're at church in between Napa and Spain Street.
» No that's okay. And then the third one is south of Napa Street.
And those two speed cushions that are on Third Street that are north of Perkins
are about symmetrical to where you're dividing it up into thirds. What would
» in between Perkins? >> A fourth
» in between Perkins and Napa Street. >> Was there a fourth Christian? No.
» Suggestion? No. Okay. I thought someone >> Well, not not in this alternative.
» And this is this is an alternative that hasn't really been tested. I mean, it's
just we're not we we're not necessarily in the business of testing things that
we're about to implement. Okay. We put in temporary speed cushions on Napa
Street by the Catholic Cemetery at Fifth Street East. Those are still in today.
We're going to be finalizing the the keeping those in. But bottom line, we're
not going to spend a whole lot of time putting in temporary speed bumps. We're
going to vet the location and then we're going to put the speed bumps in. The
traffic circle was something completely different. And the reason that we put it
in was we wanted to give everybody the opportunity to see what it looked like
to test it out and to give comment. And I think it was super successful on that.
This is the most people we've had at a traffic safety meeting in a long time.
And and we appreciate that. And we appreciate all your time tonight and we
appreciate all your comments and all the time that you spent on that. And I mean,
we appreciate it. That's that's from the heart. And basically though, um, we're
not looking at if we put another speed circle in, darn right, we're putting a
temporary one in first because we want the input from the public. We want to
see how this thing works with our own two eyes. I've spent time out there.
I've watched the videos. I've read all the correspondence that's come in and
I've I've listened and I've heard and but the bottom line is that something
like a traffic circle, you have to put up a temporary. If we're going to
propose to put a speed bump somewhere, we're going to put it in
and we're going to vet the location prior to doing that
and it's going to be in response to people wanting it like on Malay.
So this this type of a scenario we have discussed extensively with the design
engineer and the traffic engineer that are both here tonight
and we can take further comments or questions about these and we've already
vetted the fact that we believe this is going to have a similar effect and based
on what I've heard tonight I think that Andrews is a candidate for a four-way
stop regardless of what because when you know people are going there and you're
not sure if the car stopping or slowing or going through the dip that that
that's an issue and I've heard that and we have a similar situation at Benton
Court and so um I feel like uh based on the
discussion I've had with the project engineers, the traffic engineer, the
design team at public works, I'm comfortable moving this forward as the
item for the traffic safety committee to approve or to make a recommendation on
or actually give me feedback. >> Uh, can you go ahead?
» Sorry. Um, can you show us the um Andrix and Bettton Court uh mockup in the this
proposed plan.
» This is Andrix. And then this is this is Benton Court, right? Yeah.
Can I ask why there's only marked crosswalk on Betton Court and Andrew are
only three and not four? Frank anticipated my question.
» Yeah. So, um that's because of the ditch itself. It's concrete and thermoplastic,
even paint doesn't stick to concrete, especially when it's going to carry
water. Um, so state law doesn't preclude
somebody from using a marked versus an unmarked crosswalk.
Um, not marking it doesn't mean somebody can't cross there. The preference would
be to use the marked crosswalks. As we've heard through public comment,
people want something that they can actually see and utilize. um if again
not fully you know vetted is do we need to put signs up that now say that is not
a crosswalk and and I'm hesitant to do that but that would be the alternative
is that it's not marked and it's not a crosswalk or it's not marked because it
would just fall apart and it is still a crosswalk. It's the allway stop that's
really we wouldn't uh for instance you don't mark for the crosswalk with
warning signs when it's an allway stop because the stop control is the control
you guys >> but there'll be a limit line
stop legend there'd be a sign yeah anything inside the limit line would be
the crossing area the cross well even think about this way the gutters often
look like a crosswalk right >> so what you're saying is if we move
forward with this I would have to walk on the west side of Third Street.
Um Frank, one quick question just kind of
with Ashley's presentation of the whole concept and trying to facilitate this
being a bike boulevard. Um, in your opinion, if Andrix becomes a
four-way stop, if there was an opportunity to put cushions between
Bettin Court and Andrix, would you see it necessary to have a
four-way stop at Bettin Court or could we do that reverse
um with the stop sign there to help facilitate that and make it only one,
you stop for the bicycles or you know
traffic in the north south in that area as opposed to you know just it seems
clunky from the concept point of it being a bike boulevard if you're
stopping at every intersection. >> Yeah. Other than the fact that the stop
sign itself is what's relegating an equal bite for the cyclist. Um, Eris,
uh, you know, with the work that we do from a bicycle perspective, it's at
least an opportunity. It's not the perfect opportunity, but it's a better
opportunity than the indecision of the vehicles slowly going through the
intersection because of the um the the swale. So, that's where it adds a little
bit of order to everything. Um, I think Mike was I saw Mike kind of squirming a
little bit because we uh not squirming. We discussed that. Could we do
potentially the other speed hump between Ben Court and H Andrix and not do the
allway stop? It's an option. That's that's one of the
things we we kind of went with the full because I knew I had this and we we had
this in hand. So that's where we kind of sat. That's the allocart. It's a sum of
parts. So if we don't do the allway stop or we reverse the stops at Benort, we
need to do something else and is it potentially one additional speed hub? Is
it a second one? Probably just the one, but you know holistically.
» Well, and we've got the project engineer on Zoom also. Roman, are you there?
» Yes, I am. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yeah, we can hear you just fine. Did you
hear the question that was just asked to Frank? And have you had the time to look
into additional speed bumps south of Andros and possibly in the Benton Court
area so that that stop sign could potentially be eliminated at Benton
Court. >> We've looked at it as a highle option.
Uh and by the way, just a quick introduction, I'm Roman Beltran with GHD
uh civil engineer of record for this project. Um so yeah, so we've looked at
it as a highle option. a agreed with everything Frank stated that if if we
eliminate the we abandon the option of allway stop control then we do need
another traffic calming measure either before or south of Benton Court or
between Benton Court and Andrix um from an engineering standpoint the
allway stop you know in addition to the order it's providing it's also providing
predictability you know it removes all ambiguity from from those vehicles that
are decelerating ating at the speed bump um and at the same time giving the
bicyclist an equal shot at crossing the the intersection. Um so
I'm a little torn between, you know, putting in that speed measure
but then allowing that ambiguity to to remain at the intersections with those
swailes there. Um, so, um, I think I have to sit on, you know, sleep on that
one a little bit, but I tend to favor the always stops versus the fourth
uh, speed cushion at this location due to that uh, the removal of that
ambiguity that that we're discussing. >> Okay. Thank you. the bikes. The
challenge with the bikes is as a bicyclist,
that's the stop sign is a suggestion because you don't want to take your feet
out of the clips. Uh you you'll slow, you'll pay
attention, but I've seen people not pay too much
attention. And and that's my concern about a four-way stop over at least with
the speed cushions. The the bicycle is still going to have
to pay attention as they go through the intersection, but
the ambiguity is actually to me less because there's
there's no stop sign. Is the guy going to stop? Is the guy not going to stop?
Yeah. And just if we did go without a four-way stop at Benton Court, we would
still do we would still reverse the stop control, meaning Third Street would have
a clear route for bicycles and cars. There wouldn't be any more ambiguity
with the dip. There would be a stop sign there. And if we come up with a a second
loca, a secondary location, fourth location for another speed cushion,
it's something to consider. I mean, my thought is if this truly is
supposed to be a bike boulevard, the bikes that are coming from the Frier
Creek Trail and in theory heading to Valo's home already have to stop at Bet
Court and Andrew Street. And really what you're doing is giving that added
protection for east west traffic to stop and making it um less am
getting rid of the ambiguity. Um so I think bicycles are going to have to stop
regardless if you're truly traveling down the bike boulevard.
Um, >> not if there's a stop sign on
» if there's a stop sign. >> I'm talking about the plan that that's
in front of us where Bettin Court and Andrew are four-way stops.
» Right. So I'm my thing is I'm liking to I'm trying to suggest you just do the
cross street of Bettin Court gets a stop sign and you get the speed cushions and
then that one four-way stop grudgingly that one four-way stop.
I would also say that we are running up on nine o'clock and so um there's a
couple things I think we are going to we do need to do the report up for um for
capital improvements. I think we might need a break in a moment, but in order
to bring this to a close because time is of the essence with the two options that
are presented in front of us right now at this moment, the two four-way stops
and an additional speed cushion versus traffic circle and as is if we need to
make a decision right now, I'm of the opinion I would favor what is on the
screen the two. >> What happened to cross street of Bett?
Why is that being considered? Why? I mean, I like it seems to me
there's three under discussion. And if we're going to make it a bicycle
boulevard, we open it up to bicycles better.
And that means not having a four-way stop at Bon Court.
I think a possible way to move this forward. The original intention of the
agenda item was to get feedback from the public, get feedback from the committee
and incorporate into that into the final design. I think it sounds pretty clear
that everyone for the most part majority is in favor of this particular
alternative. The nuances between the bet and court
always stop and possibly adding in a speed hump is something that we could
work through in design and would probably not impact. I mean it would
impact but things that we could work out in design if the overall you guys are
supportive of this pro concept. We could move forward and um hammer out the
minutia of the this
» uh because I know time is obviously the essence now. It really is. But here's my
question. I'm wondering if we just put it to a vote right now. The the plan
that's in front of us, the the two four-way stops and the three speed
cushions speed um traffic circle removed.
» Yeah, I'm that that's what I'm saying. the and we're not going to get a
consensus, but I'd say we're 90% there as a as a committee and that's why we
have these votes because they're never going to be they're not always
unanimous. So, >> just to clarify, the third and Perkins
in this plan has a four-way stop or no, no, it's essentially as is. We're
relying on the speed cushions to do the calming.
My question to public works because I know we have to go through the county
and um and speed this process up. Would it benefit public works and the city and
everybody here right now for us to come up with to land on an idea right now?
Ideally, if you could provide feedback, right? If and that makes it better for
us to update the design, right? From the county perspective, we could take that.
We have a technical advisory committee meeting on Thursday. We could do a
report out, let them know about um you know, the commit the community and
committee feedback, what the preference is, and then work out the amendment.
That would probably make things go faster. But we but we wouldn't have
until our next meeting in November to make a final decision.
» Correct. If you want if you Yeah. If you didn't make a decision, I just want to
clarify the overall >> there is no vote required from the
committee and that is not me discounting or public works discounting the feedback
at all. That is not We absolutely value the committee's feedback. We value the
community's feedback. That's a big reason why we did the temporary traffic
installation. However, um we do It would be great to
have your feedback in that um you are supportive of the alternative. It it
would be wonderful um but you don't necessarily need to it.
» So I guess to put it differently assuming we're removing the traffic well
assuming the traffic circle isn't a permanent aspect. Can public works move
forward without any vote from the committee whether it's tonight October
November or anything? >> Yes.
» Because you've received our feedback. >> Yes.
» Then I'm okay with that because our feedback has been given and then some.
Great. Thank you. >> Unless somebody is opposed to that,
» I think
» I'm saying no vote. The goal was for feedback. We've had plenty of feedback
and it also gives public we don't public works is not going to be is isn't going
to be bound if we don't make a recommendation tonight or at all.
» Correct. You're everyone's feedback is absolutely going to be included in the
design. The final design will probably be somewhat similar to what is front in
front. >> Okay, I'm okay with that.
» All right, let's close out this item. >> Yeah. And just just
» to be clear, so close. >> I just want to make sure that we do have
different opinions >> by the committee and we cannot
incorporate two different opinions into one intersection. So, we're going to
take it back to engineering. We're going to go through the process. We're going
to come up come up with a final design and move the project forward.
» Perfect. >> Thank you.
» All right, let's close this out. It's nine o'clock. Two things. We do need to
do the capital improvements. Is the committee okay with continuing to press
forward with the needed items? >> Yes. I'm going to say yes. Second, do we
need a water break, personal break, five, 10 minutes?
» Let's do a five minute break.
Yep. Exactly. All right, >> let's keep this going.
the route for the home. >> Okay. All right. Item 4.3.
» The >> Oh, speed tables at East. Oh my gosh. I
need to >> All right. I'm turning over.
» Um, so the current configuration of the speed tables on East Napa was approved
for installation at November 15, 2023 city council meeting. The meeting
materials presented at the city council meeting which is also conveniently
linked in your agenda item is covers the meetings where this was presented at the
traffic safety committee meeting on August 22nd 2023 and October 3rd 2020
23. Since the November 15th meeting the speed tables have been installed and
have worked to slow vehicles down. We do acknowledge that there is some issue
with chicaining. We have put down bots dots um there to prevent people from
doing that or discourage that. Um we have gotten two traffic hazard reporting
forms. Both have been submitted with less than five signatures and um have
been addressed on consent calendars. Um since the installation, we've also
worked with um the traffic safety committee ad hoc to adopt the
neighborhood trafficcoming toolbox with guidance from the city's traffic
engineer. This was adopted by the traffic safety committee on May 6, 2025.
Speed tables are an allowable intervention as part of this
neighborhood traffic caling toolbox. So, with this MA manual now in place, staff
is recommending that the traffic safety revisit the speed tables and if in
agreement, recommend them for permanent adoption.
All right. Uh, any questions from the committee about the speed tables?
Um,
all right. I guess I'll open up to public comment then.
» I speak in favor of making the speeds permanent.
» Noted. Perfect. Um
» do uh does chief cutting have any feedback on that?
» So um the speed tables were applied to slow down vehicles. I believe the uh
speed surveys that have been conducted um have shown pretty conclusively that
they were effective in slowing traffic. what we I I think we had some insight
into this potential of the chicaining around the uh speed tables. Uh we at the
police department get a significant number of complaints from drivers who
have observed it uh have seen the uh dangerous driving uh going around them.
We spent a good deal of time out there. I you're going to hear in a in a minute
when I give my statistics report. I I can't focus on just one area of the city
only. Uh but we do give it a good amount of time and I spent a good amount of
time out there watching uh in a mark car and and I observe it every time I go
there I observe multiple vehicles will chicane around them. Uh the way they are
currently designed I'm I'm not saying um make them permanent or not. Uh but what
I am saying is that the offset is going to create the chicane that we have and
that problem is not going to stop um without some engineering change in those
in that design. Uh outside of that uh we'll continue to police it. Uh we'll
continue to enforce it. We wrote, I believe, six or seven um citations last
week out there uh for that very incident. Um and as we have time, we
will give that area attention. But our attention is not the solution to the
chicane. That's all I have. Unless you have questions for me about
» Are we adding comment on this or no? >> Uh yeah, I mean it's back to the
committee at this point unless someone has question for Chief Cutting.
» Um I I live fairly close to these. Um and at the time when it was when we had
the meeting um I was in favor of it, but I am not anymore. I think it's my own
father who is visiting from out of town almost got hit. Um so I think we need to
look into other options um specifically from the chicane. So
» yeah I I I think we all know that this was kind of the first big issue that we
tackled and we didn't get pushed into it but I think we were I think we we came
to a decision quicker than we should have. I like the speed tables. I don't
like the offset speed tables. So I guess my question would be
can we make them even speed tables because I think the
chicane is going to be an issue and I completely agree it will keep happening
but I do think there needs to be something there.
» Yeah. And that's with no offset. >> No offset. They're right next to each
other. >> The reason we have the offset is
» the fire department I and all due respect to the fire department. I I
don't think it's going to slow them down that much. Um, but if that's something
that we need to check in with Chief Achre or anybody else from the fire
department, I'm happy to do that. But, um, I I I think the
chicaining issue is a larger issue than the fire department than the ambulance
getting out there needing to slow down, costing them 10 to 15 seconds of of
response time. So, the the speed tables are there right now. Would would the
existing ones become the permanent ones? And in terms of redesign and making them
not offset, having them next to each other, is that going to be again, it's
going to come back to the budget. >> Well, and just that
the reason they're offset is it was at fire's request. They did not want them
not offset. Yeah. So, you can take those speed
tables and you can put them adjacent to each other. Um, there might be there's a
driveway there, but I don't I think that that could be
dealt with, but I'm not as much worried about the engineering component as I am
the agreement that we made with fire to put them in offset. Yeah. What we could
do is we could, like you said, this was early on when our um traffic handbook
was just it wasn't even done yet and this was one of the first ones that we
did and so it and this is a tier three implementation.
So, you know, that's why they were temporary and we decided to come back at
a later date. Um, what we could look what we could do is we could look into
alternative design and do further discussion with the fire department and
see if we can't come back with a different alternative in November.
» Yeah, I' I'd be in favor of that one because I I like having something there,
but I don't know if that was the right answer.
» Yeah. And if that's the consensus of the committee, uh, staff could work on that.
» Yeah. it uh just the quality of life has improved. Uh
they've had a positive effect and I I think such a positive effect I'd
certainly encourage the city to deploy more of them throughout just just to
take the edge off. Again, what I said earlier tonight, it's we're just going
to get more cars just within it's, you know, within the city, the empty lots
that are available to build on. And they're going to put as many houses,
many front doors into an empty lot as possible. That's going to add more and
more cars. And I I think they do uh an adequate job
of of reducing speed. And what I've talked
about earlier too is the noise from traffic. Once that's once
the speed is reduced, the noise is concurrently reduced as well. So, uh,
God, whatever we can do to keep that something like that, make it better, I'm
all for it.
» Okay. Then I I mean, I'm I'm all for having something there, but maybe some
come up with some alternatives and talk more about it. November.
» Chief cutting. Uh just do you have any input if the if the sha canes removed?
Obviously patrol cars are a little more agile than fire engines, but could have
an effect on the deputies. >> No, I I I said in the very beginning the
the impact on a patrol car is is negligible to any issue. So if they're
parallel to or alongside in a linear line across it would have no effect on a
patrol car. We don't chicane around them now. Not supposed to
» a little more fun the other way.
» Cuz cops treat patrol cars like they're their own.
» Okay. I I think I think uh for this item it's uh come up with some alternatives,
talk to fire and and revisit in November.
» We will reagendize this in November with some alternatives.
» In that case, I'm going to close the item and uh move on to 44, which is the
capital projects update. >> So the capital projects update um does
kind of touch on the traffic circle in that it does address the citywide
bicycle and pedestrians improvement project. Um so let me just start from
the top. Um we have previously brought the fire Nash rehabilitation project.
CIPT5, this is an evergreen project, but Frier Picket Nash neighborhood has kind
of been where our efforts have been circulating. Um that project was
substantially completed in May. It was awarded in March and so um we're happy
to report that that has been done. The citywide bicycle and pedestrians
improvement project has overall the project has met an important um
milestone 90% um that's part of why um the conversation with regard to the
traffic circle is geared towards making a decision being able to move it
forward. This is the overall project and the 90% plan set is comp is included as
part of your agenda packet. Um again the elements include the raised crosswalk
crossing improvements and then um the third street west bike boulevard.
The um all of the elements are accurately or all of the elements are
represented in the project plans. Um this does currently include the traffic
circle. We have not included the design revision, but we will work with
designers to implement the feedback we received um on the traffic circle item
before the project goes out to bid. And then um moving on to our citywide slurry
seal project. This was awarded to Sierra Nevada Construction at the regular
council meeting of July 15, 2026 and construction is expected to start um
midepptember is our current estimate from the contractor. This is also going
to apply slurry application um and well the map for slurry application is um
attached to this agenda item as well. So this is our our standard um slurry seal
maintenance that we do for road maintenance increasing our PCI every two
years. And then item number four is our safe router school. Um it's a key
strategy of um Sonoma County vision zero action plan. This is coming up because a
fiscal 23 grant that SCTCA had applied for is now available for funds and um
this is a a project that SCTCA is going to be driving in conjunction with city
staff. Um we are encouraged to look at corridors and identify improvements that
also align with the active transportation plan that we have
adopted. And um in looking at all of the city or
all of the school sites within the city and this um overall review period
happened in I believe 2024 2025. So when Presswood School was still Presswood
School and not MacArthur Charter um or MacArthur Park. Apologies for the
misnomer on that. But um so in evaluation of that we will be looking at
the high school and um what was previously Preswood Elementary and now
MacArthur Park Charter School. um they are planning on coming to the November
traffic safety committee meeting and they will be presenting um the corridor
as an attachment to this um agenda item and I'll just go ahead actually I don't
want to scroll through all the project plans but um can I just click on this?
There we go. >> Yeah.
» Okay. So this is overall the list of corridors that have been identified. Um,
I took a look at the active transportation plan and we also talked
about some um, you know, east side, west side connectivity, looking at like way
maybe possibly where students are actually living. You know, on my part
that's really just more anecdotal data. Um, but this um, is something that we
worked on with Sonoma County Transit or I'm sorry, SCTCA and um, they are going
to be working on with on this with their designers are presenting a much more
tailored version of this at the November meeting. The overall project allows for
about three miles of corridor improvements. As you can see here, we
have about 5.67. So, this is going to come down significantly. Um, and it it
that will be done in consideration with their design engineers. Um, this is a a
project heavier on the SCTCA side in terms of driving design, etc., but it is
intended to be a very collaborative process with city staff. That's part of
why they're coming in November. And we do anticipate having meetings with the
the Sonoma Valley Unified School District as well. So the intention of
this is to be very very collaborative and the end goal is to have a safe route
to school plan that we will be able to apply for future grant funding to
actually implement some of these improvements.
» All right. Thank you, Ashley. Uh does the committee have any um questions?
» I just have one quick question. This is amazing. I love this. uh did they take
into consideration each school and um headcount and allocate that
appropriately to the the um total mileage?
» I believe they did. Yes, there was a um a selection criteria that they worked
through in order to come to Sonoma Valley High School and um Presswood. and
I can pass along feedback to have them elaborate more on that at the November
meeting.
» But it's not going to be all 5.67 miles. >> No, it will be limited to three miles.
Um being totally honest, I beefed it up to six miles because I it basically it
covers a lot of um east west connection. Um I grew up in the broader Snow Valley,
not necessarily like you know city limits. And so, um, you know, trying to
figure out if they're going to focus more on like other areas of town, that
kind of thing. Um, but that's something that's going to be fleshed out with
their design engineer. So, they're going to be presenting a much more tailored
version. So, not all of this is going to be included because our budget's only
about three months. I >> I'm only asking just with the recent
changes of the school district. And so if this is old data, if they're
considering the new um headcount per school, you know, per elementary school,
etc. Um >> yeah, and that's a great point and we'll
emphasize that so that they're prepared to have a full discussion at the
meeting. >> Yeah.
» In November, >> we did let them know about the change
that would at at this meeting um to come up with these corridors. We did let them
know that Presswood Elementary had closed and it was replaced with a
charter school. >> I think with the charter I think it's
200 roughly 200 for enrollment right now and it I pretty sure was close to 300
and a lot of them have been moved to Sasarini
um or other schools and so from what I'm seeing here there's a lot focused on the
east side but I'm wondering if we should take a look at other areas um just a
thought. >> We can definitely pass that along and
make sure that feedback's incorporated. Not to belver the point, but I literally
right before this meeting spoke to the new director principal of MacArthur Park
and um I specifically asked about enrollment and while it's slightly
offset, they had they did move obviously a lot of students around, but they're
just over 200 and they anticipate coming back to around Prestwood levels. Um
they're they have applications for their school. Um they the biggest thing the
the ESN students from Prestwood are no longer there. They've been shifted
throughout the district, but the numbers will remain are anticipated to remain
relatively the same, probably down a little bit.
Anything else from the committee? I will open it up to public comment.
» Thank you, Tom Conlin again. Um, so I learned some things tonight. uh the
that are of relevance to this uh CIP going forward. Um I'm encouraged to hear
that the city's considering 16 miles per hour average speed as a threshold for
speed bumps if uh the community members actually
want it. So, that's something that I'll probably be encouraging more uh hazard
forms to recommend that solution because it sounds like it's a it's a viable
thing around the city. there's support for it even from the community that
doesn't want to see more aggressive more more um other kinds of measures in the
um
I I'll be talking with Aerys about whether the changes that you guys are
going to be going back to finalize on the uh Third Street West uh whether that
rises to the level of a major change. I don't think we consider it to be a major
change at this point and um I think we're probably going to be able to
support the minor adjustment at your TAC meeting upcoming this week. Um I'm a
little disappointed obviously I got a little emotional tonight. Um but
obviously the community came out and told you that they're concerned about it
and I I support the community and I support your judge good judgment in
making a a decision there. I do encourage the city staff and this
committee and council to keep moving forward, to keep moving people out of
their comfort zone and to make the city a safer place. And I think we're we all
making progress on that. specifically on the safe routes to school um opportunity
that's in front of us right now. My understanding is that the um the injury
network where the high injury potential is in the city is much closer to
Sasserini than it is to uh MacArthur Park or the high school even at this
time. So um and I also believe that the there are some equity related points in
the scoring for these projects. I may be getting two projects mis mixed up in
terms of the funding streams, but I think I'm hearing about the same
project. So I'd encourage you all to sure that if you're if it is a
competitive grant that we're setting ourselves up for that we are leaning
into the equity points as well as the injury network.
uh you know where we really need it the most and I believe I know we're making
some major improvements to Fifth Street West uh in the current CIP, but are we
are we going to be able to get all the way there with the money we have to
date? If not, we might want to look at this as another source of funding. I
know that Chief Brandon uh Chief Cutting has um
indicated that there are some problems at that uh crossing at formerly Press
Wood, but I think they put a stop sign in there or something and that has been
rectified already. So, um looking forward to more safe routes to schools.
Thank you. >> Thank you.
Okay, I think uh move it back to the committee. Any further discussion from
the committee? I also just wanted to clarify we did
give you the team the option to do an ad hoc for the 90% if you guys still wanted
to do that for the CIP the overall larger traffic the citywide bicycle and
pedestrian improvement plans kind of I feel like you maybe you passed possibly
passed on that in the traffic circle item but I just wanted to clarify that
you do have that option it would have to happen relatively quickly as I explained
um but I just wanted to bring that to your attention because that was called
out as a recommendation if you wanted
This would be an ad hoc for reviewing the 90% plan submittal for CIP6 the
entire project.
If some if if if someone wants to do an ad hoc on this one,
» I I I don't I don't think I can.
» Um I mean, would we would we need three people or
» you just have up to three? >> Yeah.
I I mean if Greg if you want to do it on your own that's I think I'm I have no
problem with that. I think >> is that
» Yeah. If you want to include Greg in it >> I say go for it.
» No that's fine. And we'll do an adop report out in November.
» Perfect. All right. With that, I will close out this item.
And um are there any reports or comments
from the traffic safety committee? No. Staff comments and announcements,
chief cutting. Oh, Mike
point.
I will speak quickly. Um and so if you need me to repeat something, just call
me back to it. Um, I was asked to give some statistics related to traffic
enforcement. Um, I'm going to give you a little bit more because I think it has
to have context into what all goes on in the city because it is beyond just uh
speeding and stop signs. Uh, so to to touch on it real quick, uh, Sonoma
Police Department is staffed with uh, two traffic safety officers specific.
However, they are dual purpose, meaning they answer calls for service. They are
a part of our patrol staffing. In 2020, uh we had to reduce uh one full-time
traffic enforcement officer uh based on budget. Uh that has not come back yet.
The only position that we have brought back um as a standalone uh position is
our community resource officer, which is focused on the schools. And in the
summertime, we usually appoint that person to uh handle calls for service so
that we can have our traffic enforcement focus on traffic. Uh this summer um I
selected uh to have that person focus on ebike safety and bicycle safety. Um it
you you guys haven't had a lot of the complaints, but I've received a
significant amount of complaints as has city council and city staff. So u that
was our focus and our emphasis throughout the summer. And our community
resource officer was actually on a bicycle um on the trails making contact
with students and adults alike. Um quite honestly a lot of the uh the bike
violations were more uh related to adults than they were to kids or youth.
Um but we did a lot of education. Um so those statistics are not represented
what I'm talking today. I'm just trying to give you an example of why uh our our
traffic enforcement is is focused on certain areas. So total traffic stops
and I when I did these statistics I went back to January of this year. So the the
numbers I'm giving you are from January 1st of this year till today. I ran these
these uh statistics just a short time before I came in here. Total number of
traffic stops year to date, 573 traffic stops by Sonoma Police Department. 60
written citations, 413 uh reprimand and release or verbal warnings. Um and then
in context, total calls for service for Sonoma Police Department, 2,913
year to date. So they handle those calls for service in addition to traffic
enforcement. So just to be clear, uh total number of reports written from
those calls for service of the 20 2,913 295 reports have been written. That does
not that's not citations, those are reports. Um total officer initiated
calls, 1438. So about 33% of the calls for service were officer initiated. Um
total number of arrests 77. And then accident data total number of non-injury
accidents 30 reports have been made. Uh possible injury three 13 on the minor
injury and I'll talk about that in a second. And then we've had we did have
the one fatality this fiscal year uh on Broadway. The uh differentiation between
possible injury, minor injury and no injury. Obviously no injury is pretty
self selfexplanatory. uh three possible injuries. Uh meaning
that when deputies were at the scene taking the report, somebody said, "I may
have an injury, I may get it checked out later." Uh we don't have a there is no
recourse for follow-up on that. So if they go to the hospital or doctor later
and have injuries, it's an insurance issue at that point. Minor injuries
sometimes are transports. Um sometimes are not. Sometimes they'll self
transport, but we have we document that there is some known injury at the time
of the accident. Uh we had 26 DUI arrests this fiscal year so far or this
calendar year so far. And I did want to make a note that uh Deputy Todd Stenis,
one of our assigned patrol officers, did receive the MAT award um just about a
month and a half ago. That was for uh the number of DUI arrests he personally
made, which was 30 in a in a fiscal year or in the calendar year for that
particular award. you as traffic safety are getting some
complaints about um traffic issues around town. We also receive them. The
city receives them. City council receives them. They all get funneled to
us in in more than one way. Um and I just kind of wanted to focus on or give
you an idea of the emphasis and the focus areas that we are working on. Um
it's beyond just the ones that are limited in here. And uh yes, Mr.
Brandon, beyond just uh East East East Napa Street.
I know. >> So, these are the areas that we spent a
lot of time on. Obviously, beginning of the school year, the the high school,
Broadway, First Street West, uh MacArthur, all around, uh and then also
um on Fifth Street West around Sasserini. Um but in the broader picture
um so Fifth Street West uh spanning from um West Spain uh north of West Spain for
speed um south of of uh Napa Street for stop sign viol or actually from uh Spain
Street south all the way to MacArthur for stop sign violations. Uh less of a
speeding issue there. Um Malay Street uh for speed issues. East Napa Street, uh
the chicaneing around the speed tables, Loel Valley from Fourth Street to 7th
Street East. Uh West Spain Street, almost the entirety of it. Seventh
Street West, uh stop sign violations. Um Highway 12 at the Maxwell Shopping
Center, speeding and red light violations. Broadway at Napa Street, the
intersection violation, stop sign violations. first street west at Napa
Street stop sign and actually wrongway driving because it is actually a right
turn only if you're southbound and a right turn only if you're northbound. Um
so a lot of that um we did a significant amount of time um on the short time over
the uh the uh traffic circle. Sorry I used the wrong word earlier. Um, we did
not do any traffic enforcement or citations over there as we were trying
to uh get an idea of whether or not it was intentional or unintentional. There
was not a lot in our presence because of the mark cars. Uh, Second Street North,
uh, Second Street West, north of Andrix, MacArthur from First Street West to
Fifth Street West. Um, and then the ebike stuff. So, just just bringing that
up because those are the areas that we're getting the most of our complaints
in. And so I have to give those areas attention as well as the ones that are
coming before this committee. And so I just wanted you to be clear that we're
not not giving attention to any specific area. We have to give it to everything.
And as I already stated, I have two daytime patrol officers. One who is
supposed to be uh traffic expert, but we can't just designate them for traffic
only. They have to handle calls for service. So, I kind of gave you that
volume so you understand they have to handle the the 911 calls. At the same
time, we're trying to do traffic enforcement on an intersection. We often
get pulled away from being able to be consistent in those locations. Bringing
it back to a lot of um the lawfulness of of driving around the city of Soma still
comes into a voluntary compliance. Drivers need to respect the laws. They
need to respect stop signs and they need to follow those laws. It it makes it
safer for all of us and it quite honestly um we can't police our way out
of stop sign and speed violations. Do you have any questions for me?
Next time I bring statistics, I'll try to give you some comparables yeartoear
so you have an idea. We are increasing a significant amount. I can tell you that
our our traffic enforcement stops are significantly higher than they were even
last year.
» Just real quick, how's the what's your success uh in movement to getting a
court down here? I think you talked about that at one point.
» Yeah. Uh so we have to we had to wait till the new courthouse opened which
just opened two weeks ago, I believe. Um so we'll reapproach it. I'll I'll bring
it back up again with the courts. Um there's a title for that person, but
I'll bring it back up again and see what kind of conversations we can have. I
have a lot of support from the CHP office out of Napa who covers our area.
Uh they are really requesting it even more so than we are.
» Thank you, Chief. >> Thanks, Chief. Um Mike, did you have
some >> Yeah, just a real quick report out two
items that have been discussed tonight. Um one is the 20 mph speed reduction
project that we've been working on. That's currently with GHD. They had to
come out and do speed surveys and they got to input all that data into the big
picture model. And we're going to come back with a recommendation
of the streets. Uh this is going to be something we're going to want to get
some input on. It's going to be something we're going to want to involve
the community in because basically why not my street is something that we
want to get out ahead of. We've talked to this group before. These are the
streets that we have been hearing about problems. They're near schools. They're
near hospitals. And so trying to get a nice focused um group of streets for
that will be the goal. The other one, Ashley already talked about it. It's
safe rout. They'll be here presenting next meeting. This is a big one and
getting out ahead of this. making sure that we've got some community support,
community buyin, comments from the community. We want to have a nice
opened, transparent, publicized process. That's going to be the goal and we'll be
bringing that forward at the November meeting for um some discussion and
hopefully we have a nice big audience like we did tonight.
Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Mike. Um okay, now
before we wrap it up, I need to point out two things. Uh, the first one, uh,
recognize Ashley for all the work she's been doing. I mean, I know Mike is the
director, but Ashley, you've been putting so much work into this. Um, I I
it's you've been wonderful, so thank you. The other one is, uh, now we're in
an empty room, but everybody may notice that U. Member Mark Deo isn't here. Uh,
we thought he would be here tonight, but I was told just before this meeting that
he no longer lives in the city of Sonoma, which means he cannot be part of
this committee anymore. Um, I was hoping he would be here so we could give him
some recognition. But Mark, if you're out there, thank you for your many years
of uh being part of this committee. We appreciate the input and everything that
he has done. So, a big thank you. And um >> I will be giving him his name plate,
too. >> Oh, cool. Well, there you go. Is that
what we get at the end? He asked for it >> set of steak knives.
» Yeah. >> Um and that was it. That's all I have.
» All right. Ajourned.
» Thank you guys.