Traffic Committee
City Council Chamber, Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340
Agenda — 28 items
- 1 NOTICE TO PUBLIC
- 2 WELCOME
- 3 Copies of the backup material relating to each item of business referred to on the agenda are on file in the office of the City Clerk. Any person who has questions concerning any agenda item may call the Engineering Department at 209-385-6860. Prior to each regular Traffic Committee meeting, a complete agenda packet is available for review in the Civic Center, 2nd floor Engineering Department, 678 West 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340 and on the City’s website at www.cityofmerced.org. Any documents provided to a majority of the committee members after this agenda is posted will be available for public inspection in the City Clerk's office during normal business hours.
- 4 PUBLIC COMMENT: OBTAIN SPEAKER CARD FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE CLERK
- 5 Members of the audience who wish to address the Traffic Committee are requested to complete a speaker card available at the podium against the back of the Council Chamber. Please submit the completed card to the Traffic Committee Clerk before the item is called, preferably before the meeting begins. Material may be emailed to contactengineering@cityofmerced.org no later than 1 PM on the day of the meeting. Please specify which portion of the agenda you are commenting on, for example, Report item # or Public Comment. Your comments will be presented to the Traffic Committee at the appropriate time. Any correspondence received after 1 PM will be distributed to the Traffic Committee and retained for the official record.
- 6 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
- 7 Accommodation for individuals with disabilities may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk at (209) 388-8650. Assisted hearing devices are available for meetings held in the Council Chamber.
- A. CALL TO ORDER
- B. ROLL CALL
- C. ORAL COMMUNICATION
- 11 At this time, audience members who wish to speak on any matter not listed on the agenda, please identify yourself and city of residence, and if you intend on using technology for your presentation please leave a copy for the record. Committee will not take action on an item that is brought to their attention at this meeting. If it requires action, it will be referred to staff and/or listed on the next Traffic Committee agenda. Members of the public who wish to speak will be allotted 3 minutes. Avoid repeating what previous speakers have said. If two or more individuals are present as a group and wish to speak on one side of an issue, please select a single spokesperson to present your views.
- D. CONSENT CALENDAR
- 13 All matters listed under the consent calendar are considered routine by the Traffic Committee and will be adopted by one action of the Traffic Committee unless a member of the audience or Traffic Committee member has a question, statement or wishes to discuss an item. In that event, the clerk will remove that item from the consent calendar and place it for separate consideration.
- D.1 SUBJECT: Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes of September 10, 2024 ACTION: Approving and filing the Traffic Committee Minutes of September 10, 2024 ATTACHMENTS 1. Traffic Committee Minutes of September 10, 2024
- E. REPORTS
- E.1. SUBJECT: Committee Member Reports
- F. BUSINESS
- F.1 SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-07 Requesting Signage And Other Measures To Discourage Drivers From Turning Left Out Of The McDonald’s/ Tractor Supply Parking Lot Onto Campus Parkway. (Corey Plagenza) REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen states cars exit the parking lot and cross both the traffic lanes dirt median to make a left turn onto Coffee Street instead of making a right turn.
- F.2 SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-38 Requesting The Installation Of Speed Bumps And A Temporary Speed Trailer On Northwood Drive. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen explains many drivers use Northwood Drive as a throughway to avoid the traffic on Olive Ave and Bear Creek Dr. These vehicles travel at high speeds, causing safety hazards to residents of this area, many of whom include both children and elderly veterans who enjoy spending time outside frequently. The potential risk of an accident has led some fearful residents to discontinue the walks outdoors. The installation of speeds bumps could urge drivers to slow down and would allow for a safer environment for all residents and drivers in the area. A temporary speed radar would be beneficial until speeds bumps are installed.
- F.3 SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-42 Requesting Street Lights Between The 500 To 600 Blocks Of East 21st Street. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen is requesting streetlights in the 500 block of East 21st Street to deter speeding and racing drivers attempting to beat the red light at the intersection of 21st Street and Glen Avenue.
- F.4 SUBJECT: CONTINUED REQUEST #24-43 Requesting A 3-Way Stop, Marked Crosswalks, and Parking Enforcement At The Intersection of Meadows Avenue And Loughborough Drive. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen is concerned about possible pedestrian-vehicle accidents in this area. Citizen notes there have been multiple accidents since the beginning of the year and with there being many children living in the area, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are requested. In addition, there are no markings for a crosswalk, which raises safety concerns for community members who walk to nearby businesses. Lastly, the vehicles parked on the street causes visibility issues for drivers approaching the stop sign on Meadows Ave and Loughborough Dr.
- F.5 SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-44 Requesting Painted Bike Lanes And 4 Way Stop Signs At The Intersection Of 15th Street And D Street And Before The S-99 Ramp Along 16th Street. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen is concerned about the bicyclist and vehicle traffic traveling on both 15th Street and D Street and 16th Street towards the S-99 on ramp. Citizen explained that he has witnessed several near-misses of pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents. Adding a four way stop at both intersections and painted bike lanes could improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
- F.6 SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-45 Requesting Speed Bumps On Esplanade Drive From El Redondo Drive To Catalina Drive. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen is concerned for the safety of all citizens in the neighborhood, many of which are children and elderly. Drivers are traveling at excessive speeds, posing a serious safety risk for those who spend time on the sidewalks. Installing speed bumps along this street can significantly increase safety for all citizens and will alert drivers to be more cautious of their speed.
- F.7 SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-46 Requesting A 3 Way Stop At The Intersection Of Ashby Rd And Cooper Ave. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen states this road poses increased traffic concerns during shift change and due to the bend in the road along Ashby Rd. Vehicles travel at high speeds, making turns onto Ashby Rd from Cooper Rd a safety risk.
- F.8 SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-47 Requesting A Crosswalk Traffic Signal At The Intersection Of Gerard Avenue And Starlight Avenue. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen shares concerns for the safety of pedestrians who utilize this crosswalk, many being children. Citizen adds that they witnessed a near-miss of a vehicle-pedestrian accident at this location due to the driver speeding. Adding signage with lights to add more attention to the crosswalk could support pedestrian safety.
- F.9 SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-48 Requesting Additional Traffic Calming Measures At The Intersection Of Olive Avenue And Austin Avenue. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen expresses growing concern about the intersection of Olive Avenue and Austin Avenue. She shares that she has witnessed three major vehicle collisions, amongst other near misses with pedestrians. Drivers constantly run the red lights and do not allow a safe space for pedestrians to cross the street. The following recommendations can support the safety of all of those within the area. Reducing the speed limit by 5 mph, installation of cameras at this intersection, increasing the time for yellow lights, improving the visibility of the traffic lights, additional signage on other streets such as Meadows Ave and Loughborough Dr, and increasing the fines for running red lights.
- F.10 SUBJECT: REQUEST #24-49 Requesting Speed Bumps On Laurel Avenue Between Yosemite Parkway and Pine Street. REPORT IN BRIEF Citizen shares how many drivers in the area speed through the neighborhood at all hours of the day. With this being a street full of families and children, the installation of speed bumps could deter drivers from speeding meanwhile promoting safe driving in the neighborhood.
- G. ADJOURNMENT