HomeMy Public PortalAboutStanding Committee_Minutes_2015-12-18_Las Tunas Downtown RevitalizationLAS TUNAS DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 18, 2015, 9:00 A.M.
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the Las Tunas Downtown Revitalization Standing Committee meeting to
order at 9:03 a.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember – Chavez and Yu
ABSENT: Councilmember – None
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Bryan Cook, Community Development Director
Michael Forbes, Assistant to the City Manager Brian Haworth, City
Engineer Ali Cayir, Consultant Greg Tung (via telephone)
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion on the Las Tunas Project
Mr. Cook discussed the City Council’s direction on December 1, 2015, to pursue Option
A, with the possible alternative of replacing the diagonal parking with parallel parking. He
presented Mr. Tung’s renderings showing the parallel parking option and noted that this
would allow for the sidewalks to be five feet wider on both sides of the street.
Mayor Pro Tem Yu stated that he thought a split City Council was not a good approach to
this project. He stated that one of the original 2012 alternatives that is similar to Option B
might be a good compromise to avoid a split City Council and split community, although
personally he still believed Option A was the best option. He recommended reversing the
lanes from Option B such that there would be one westbound lane and two eastbound
lanes, consistent with the option considered in 2012.
Mayor Chavez stated that he appreciated Mayor Pro Tem Yu’s effort to avoid a split
Council, but that he is willing to go with the majority of the City Council. Mayor Chavez
noted that Option B received no support at the December 1, 2015, community meeting
and said that while it is a compromise, he doesn’t know if that is a good solution.
Mr. Tung provided additional details regarding the alternatives considered in 2012 and
compared them to the current options. Mayor Chavez asked about lane widths as
compared with Rosemead Blvd. Mr. Cayir further discussed the similarities and
differences between the different options related to lane configurations and widths,
sidewalk widths, parking, and medians. In response to Mr. Cayir’s comments related to
diagonal parking, Mayor Chavez and Mayor Pro Tem Yu both stated that they believed
diagonal parking was off the table and would not be part of any option going forward.
Mayor Chavez further commented that changing the lane configuration over the length of
Las Tunas Downtown Revitalization Standing Committee Minutes
December 18, 2015
Page 2 of 2
the corridor as some of the original options proposed would be too confusing given the
relatively short length of the corridor.
Mayor Chavez discussed parking and said that losing a few parking places along Las
Tunas to enhance the streetscape would be acceptable, given the new parking lot
planned for 5800 Temple City Boulevard and possible additional off-street parking at
other locations.
Mr. Cayir explained the rationale for Option B of having two lanes westbound versus
eastbound, due to the higher traffic volume in the morning and shorter time frame of the
morning commute. Mayor Chavez commented that he believes there is a higher traffic
volume in the evening and supports having two eastbound lanes.
The standing committee discussed bringing the matter back to the full Council and the
need to have an additional standing committee meeting prior to consideration by the full
Council.
Mr. Cook presented a summary of the estimated project budget. Mr. Forbes clarified for
Mayor Chavez the costs of the different options and the General Fund contribution and
total City contribution for the different options. Mr. Cook clarified that the original Option B
was an economized option that reduced the overall project cost and would hence reduce
the amount of the Metro grant. Mr. Cook discussed the different funding sources for the
project.
The conversation returned to lane widths. Mayor Chavez stated that he is not certain
about 10 foot wide travel lanes. Mr. Cook recommended that the lane width issue b e
more fully flushed out in the design details.
Mr. Cook noted that he would soon be coming to the City Council with contract
amendments for additional funds for some of the consultants working on the project.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 a.m.
Councilmember
ATTEST:
Community Development Director