05-23-19.pdf MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
TRAFFIC COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
THURSDAY, MAY 23,2019
1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Traffic Commission of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Chair
Wilson at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in the City Council Chamber, at City Hall, 2
Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Hawkins, Margeta, Virtue and Chair Wilson.
Commissioners Absent: Raine
Others Present: Elaine Jeng, City Manager.
Yolanta Schwartz,Planning Director
Vanessa Munoz, Traffic Engineer.
Arty Beckler,RHCA Maintenance Supervisor.
Deputy Tami Bouse
Deputy Johann Schloegl
Clint Patterson, 22 Georgeff Road
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC
COMMISSION.
Vice Chairwoman Virtue moved that the Traffic Commission approve the minutes of the regular
F meeting of the Traffic Commission held on September 27, 2018. Commissioner Hawkins seconded
the motion, which carried without objection by a voice vote.
OCTOBER 18, 2018 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TRAFFIC COMMISSION.
Commissioner Margeta moved that the Traffic Commission approve the minutes of the adjourned
regular meeting of the Traffic Commission held on October 18, 2018. Commissioner Hawkins
seconded the motion,which carried without objection by a voice vote.
4. PRESENTATION
NONE.
5. OLD BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF A REVISED DRIVEWAY AT 8 MIDDLERIDGE LANE SOUTH.
Planning Director Schwartz stated that this report is to memorialize the events at the field trip on
October 18, 2018. She reviewed the request and the history of the Traffic Commission consideration of
a new driveway at 8 Middleridge Lane South. She stated that the Traffic Commission visited the site to
view the proposed and staked driveway on October 18, 2018. During the field trip, the residents
f opposed to the location of the proposed driveway and members of the Traffic Commission concurred.
A different location was suggested, approximately 40' south of the of northerly property line of the
property, near where the access to the stable was staked. The Traffic Engineer stated that that location
would be acceptable.
Planning Director Schwartz stated that at the field trip Commissioner Raine made a motion to
recommend approval of the driveway in the location near the northerly property line and to place a
condition that it be screened from Middleridge Lane. Commissioner Virtue seconded the motion.
She stated that this report is to memorialize this action and to restate the motion for the record. The
motion was restated by Commissioner Hawkins, since Commissioner Raine was absent, seconded by
Commissioner Virtue, and it carried without objection by a voice vote.
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Planning Director Schwartz stated that the Traffic Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to
the City Council when the project is presented to them following Planning Commission decision on the
development.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL THE FY 2019-20
SUPPLEMENTAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT WITH THE LOS
ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
City Manager Elaine Jeng reviewed the supplemental agreement and stated that the current
supplemental agreement mimics the one from last year with no changes. She also pointed out that
representatives from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department were present to answer any questions that
may come forward. City Manager Elaine apologized to the Commissioners for not having a
presentation ready for the meeting. The reason behind it was because the statistics for traffic
enforcement were not available.
City Manager Elaine Jeng stated staff recommends keeping the agreement.
Chairman Wilson asked how it was possible that the City was able to attain the same fee as last year.
Deputy Tami Bouse answered the City requested the Fiscal price now but also noted that the Sheriff's
fiscal year does not start until July and therefore the new pricing was not available. She did point out
that when the new fiscal year starts the City might see an increase of three dollars per hour.
Commissioner Hawkins moved that the Traffic Commission recommend to the City Council to accept
the supplemental traffic enforcement plan, Commissioner Virtue seconded the motion, which carried
without objection by a voice vote.
B. RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO EVALUATE ALL EQUESTRIAN
CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, INSTALL SIGNAGE AND
STRIPING IF WARRANTED, AND ADOPT A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR
SIGNED/STRIPED CROSSING.
City Manager Elaine Jeng reported to have received a request from the Rolling Hills Community
Association (RHCA) asking for an evaluation of equestrian crossings. According to the RHCA
findings, there are a number of crossings that are currently striped. City Manager Elaine Jeng took a
look at past practices of how the City addressed these issues. Typically the request for striping was far
and few in between but when it did occur,the request would be brought before the Traffic Commission
and a decision would be made among the Commissioners.
City Manager Elaine Jeng stated she felt this process was not efficient and proceeded to ask the
Commissioners to look at the topic more broadly and requested the Traffic Commission to set policy
for a schedule of maintenance.
Chairman Wilson opened the item to public comment.
Clint Patterson, 22 Georgeff Road, stated there are several striped crossings that are so faded you
cannot see them. He mentioned a letter he submitted describing other striped crossings along with
photos he took. Mr. Paterson also suggested adding signage to crossings because he along with other
residents has experienced hazardous drivers.
Chairman Wilson inquired whether there is signage at horse crossings.
City Manager Elaine Jeng answered yes and proceeded to inform the Commissioner that in the past,
individual locations are taken before the Traffic Commission. The commission body would direct staff
to evaluate along with the input of the traffic engineer, and then decide based on stripage and signage
need,pointing out that there are variations on conditions.
Chairman Wilson inquired whether there is a policy of when a sign is needed andlor not needed.
City Manager Elaine Jeng answered that is a recommendation of the Traffic Commission depending on
the sight condition.
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Commissioner Hawkins pointed out that according to the municipal ordinance, one must yield the right
of way to designate horse crossing, and you must be code compliant with the Department of
Transportation Signage in order to designate a horse crossing. He also recognized that the community
of Rolling Hills does not like signage and stated that if there is going to be a horse crossing area,
proper signage should be posted, to enforce the municipal ordinance. Signage also reminds drivers to
slow down.
Chairman Wilson inquired if a sign is required for a driver to yield, as oppose to striping only.
Vanessa Munoz, Traffic Engineer answered yes because signs are what designate a crossing, otherwise
` you are not aware of the violation.
Chairman Wilson asked if there was an inventory of how many crossings call for signage.
City Manager Elaine Jeng answered no, what was presented to the Traffic Commission was just a
sma11 sample of crossings within the city. There is currently no citywide inventory of equestrian
crossings.
Chairman Wilson inquired on how the presented list was acquired.
Arty Beckler, RHCA Mairitenance Supervisor, stated he and RHCA staff put the list fogether by
driving through the city and determining what crossings needed to be roughed, painted, andlor does it
need a sign. They also added sites they felt needed a crossing.
Commissioner Hawkins stated that when he was assigned to Rolling Hills, he wrote many tickets
having to do with drivers and horse crossings. Stressing that without proper signage he could not have
been able to do so.
Chairman Wilson asked if the horse crossing signs are approved by the State Department of
Transportation.
Vanessa Munoz Traffic Engineer answered yes, but pointed out they are warning signs and not
regulatory.
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Commissioner Virtue asked if pavement warnings are valid.
Vanessa Munoz, Traffic Engineer answered no, it is not. She pointed out that even at a stop, what
regulates is the sign not the legend.
Chairman Wilson inquired about the fees. He asked if the fees include striping, roughing, and signage
of all the listed crossings.
City Manager Elaine Jeng answered no, and clarified that what was presented to the Traffic
Commission is the budget that has been dedicated for next yeaxs budget for overall striping and
signage for the entire city. She stated she was not sure if the Traffic Commission wanted to take action
on this item now or wait and set a policy and take inventory on what crossings in the city need work. If
the Traffic Commission decides on the latter, monies needs to be set aside for next fiscal year. City
Manager Elaine Jeng expressed it is more efficient to have a company come into the city and do all the
striping, roughing and signage all at once as oppose to piece by piece.
Chairman Wilson stated that not knowing the fiscal impact this project may have and the Traffic
Commission not meeting again soon makes it difficult to take action and therefore wondered what
options there were for the Traffic Commission.
; City Manager Elaine Jeng recommended setting aside a budget and if approved and incorporated into
next year's program, then staff can continue to "spend down that bucket". She would then report out at
the end of the year, state how much is left and at that point Commissioner Wilson can recommend to
Council to allocate additional money. She also recommends conducting a survey of all city's crossings
and suggest the Rolling Hills Community Association could do it on the City's behalf. Once that is
completed, an estimate of cost per unit can be done and allocating monies can be easily done. She also
suggested splitting the project into a two-year program if need be.
Clint Patterson, 22 Georgeff Road felt identifying the crossings that need immediate attention should
be easy and suggested looking for those that are not near Stop signs. He pointed out a particular one he
has come across with no stop sign and no signage located on a relatively blind curve.
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Chairman Wilson asked what could be done now prior to the City Council considering the budget.
City Manger Elaine Jeng recommended using only half of the dedicated budget for this phase of the
project.
Chairman Wilson asked if the Caballeros Club andlor the Rolling Hills Community Association to
prioritize some of the crossings. He does not feel the City Council should dictate which crossings take
priority but instead feels the Caballeros Club is more suited for this decision.
Chairman Wilson asked for the City Managers recommendation of how to best package the
presentation to the City Council.
City Manager Elaine Jeng pointed out four streets that the RHCA paved and completed in late-March
and stated that they were not striped yet, so she was hoping to get a pricing from Civic Center Striping
and lump it together with the work the city will be doing. She also stated she would prioritize whatever
crossing comes out of this discussion. The other option is having on-call qualified stripers come out as
an as needed basis. Once the Traffic Commission approves the process there will be no need to bring
back new trails crossings for approval but rather go through the process outlined earlier.
Chairman Wilson asked if the Traffic Commission should recommend a dollax amount to the City
Council along with approving a maintenance schedule for signage and striping.
City Manager Elaine Jeng answered yes.
Chairman Wilson moved that the Traffic Commission recommend to the City Council to evaluate all
equestrian crossings in the City of Rolling Hills, install signage and striping if warranted, and adopt a
maintenance schedule for signed/striped crossings, and request that the City Council consider a
$10,000 budget for the first year, Commissioner Hawkins seconded the motion, which carried without
objection by a voice vote.
7. OPEN AGENDA- COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Clint Patterson, commented he would like to support the efforts to increase the safety for animals.
8. MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
A. UPDATE: CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM COMMISSIONER ROGER
HAWKINS TO AMEND CHAPTER 10.36 REGARDING RIGHT OF WAY OF
HORSEBACK RIDERS AND SAFETY OF ANIMALS. (ORAL)
Commissioner Hawkins pointed out some oddities he found in the municipal code he felt are in need of
revisions. He stated municipal code 10.36.050, which talks about equestrian crossing, designated signs
and what one must do, talks about yielding to horseback riders. He felt the subsection C of the
equestrian crossing ordinance should be amended to read "this section does not relieve any horse
drawn vehicle, any ridden anirnal or any live stock from the duty of using due care" because he felt
that way it imposes a burden on the people that are riding or driving a horse drawn cart. He also stated
that Section 21055 of the California Vehicle Code which allows emergency vehicles to ignore traffic
laws when making an emergency call and Sections 21056 says 21055 read that yes,you can roll code 3
but you must still pay attention to the people, equestrians, and horse drawn carts. Commissioner
Hawkins feels this is inconsistent to one another and section 10.32.170 should be amended to take out
"authorize emergency vehicle" language in order to be consistent with the California Vehicle Code.
Chairman Wilson asked if adding the section of the California Vehicle Code would be better.
Commissioner Hawkins answered that could be another option and stressed that he felt this is
something that should be looked at.
City Manager Elaine Jeng pointed out that item 8A had more to do with giving the Commissioners an
update of past conversations staff has had with Commissioner Hawkins's proposal to change Chapter
10.36 regarding the right of way of horseback riders and safety of animals. She stated that in previous
meetings in September the Traffic Commission drafted/revised language that talks about animal
crossings. However, in conversations with Commissioner Hawkins it was decided that the changes
made by the Commissioners were no longer warranted.
Commissioner Hawkins asked if his recommendations could be reviewed during another meeting.
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City Manager Elaine Jeng suggested agendizing Commissioner Hawkins recommendations.
Commissioner Hawkins motioned that the Traffic Commission reconsider possible amendments to
municipal code ordinance 10.36.050 and 10.32.170, Commissioner Virtue seconded the motion, which
carried without objection by a voice vote.
B. UPDATE: COMMISSIONER HAWKINS QUESTIONED THE REASON FOR TWO
CONFLICITNG SIGNS; ONE SIGN REFERENCED THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE
CODE PLACED AT THE SERVICE ROAD LEADING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROPERTY AND ONE SIGN REFERENCED THE ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL
CODE PLACED AT THE CREST ROAD WEST GATE ENTRANCE. (ORAL)
City Manager Elaine Jeng gave a summary of the discussions held with Commissioner Hawkins
regarding the two conflicting signs. Commissioner Hawkins submitted two photos of the signs found
on the service road on the school districts property, at the Crest West Gate. One sign refers to the
California Vehicle Code, the other signs refers to the Rolling Hills Municipal Code, so Commissioner
Hawkins inquired about which one was the correct one to use. City Manager Elaine Jeng reached out
the school district and spoke to Superintendent Terry Kobayashi, who noted that this is a private road
and that the California Vehicle Code signage should not be posted and therefore he removed it. City
Manager Elaine Jeng confirtn that the sign was eliminated and now the Rolling Hills Municipal Code
will be the one to reference.
9. MATTERS FROM STAFF
NONE.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the Traffic Commission, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting at
9:55 a.m. to the next meeting of the Traffic Commission scheduled to be held on Thursday, July 25,
2019 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Rolling Hills City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2 Portuguese
Bend Rd., Rolling Hills, CA.
Respectfully submitted,
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Approved,
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Chair
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