HomeMy Public PortalAbout03) 7A1 CC MIN 2015-06-10 Las Tunas Drive1. CALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL
TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 10, 2015
AGENDA
ITEM ?.A-1.
Mayor Chavez called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:19p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
Councilmember-Man, Sternquist, Yu, Chavez
Councilmember-Fish
City Manager Cook, City Clerk Kuo, Assistant to the City
Manager/Economic Development Manager Haworth,
Community Development Director Forbes
Mayor Pro Tern Yu made a motion to excuse Councilmember Fish. Seconded by
Councilmember Sternquist.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Frank Ruedel, Temple City resident, led those present in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A REVIEW OF LAS TUNAS DRIVE SAFETY ENHANCEMENT AND
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
In February 2015, the City Council reviewed the proposed design of the Las
Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project and the traffic
impact analysis that was prepared to analyze the potential traffic impacts
resulting from the project. The City Council directed staff to prepare an
improved and more cost effective project design. Per City Council direction,
the revised design would incorporate certain elements of the previously
proposed design and be consistent with the original design concept. Staff
has accordingly prepared a revised design for City Council consideration.
City Manager Cook gave a brief introduction and overview of the Las Tunas
Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project. He stated the five
goals of the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project:
revitalize Downtown, provide new public amenities, repair aging
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June 10, 2015
Page 2 of 6
infrastructure, create safe access for all users (i.e., complete street), and take
advantage of grant funding.
Community Development Director Forbes gave a brief history and update on
the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project.
Councilmember Sternquist left the meeting at 7:53 p.m. and returned at 7:55
p.m.
Mayor Chavez opened public comments.
Joe Yobaccio, Temple City resident, spoke against lane reduction on Las
Tunas Drive.
Charles Greninger, Temple City resident, expressed his concerns regarding
lane reduction on Las Tunas Drive and the impact it will have on residential
side streets.
Mike Palmieri, Temple City resident, expressed concerns regarding
installation of bulb outs and the reduction of travel lanes on Las Tunas Drive.
Ray, Temple City resident, spoke against changes to Las Tunas Drive. He
requested additional street lights for the City.
John Nahas, Mobil gas station owner, expressed concerns regarding lane
reduction and the effect this project will have on the businesses along Las
Tunas Drive during construction.
Bobbie McGowan, Temple City resident, spoke against the project.
Tom Disalvo, Temple City property owner, expressed concerns regarding
increased traffic for residential side streets if lanes on Las Tunas Drive are
reduced.
Marlene Stohr, Temple City resident, expressed concerns regarding
possibility of increased traffic and would like Las Tunas Drive to remain
unchanged.
Dale Case, Temple City resident, expressed his concerns regarding the
reduction of lanes on Las Tunas Drive. He commented that he would like to
see better street lights throughout the city.
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June 10, 2015
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Michael Rosenberg, Temple City resident, commented on the Traffic Impact
Analysis and streets that were not considered in the study. He also
commented regarding the proposed landscaping.
Elizabeth DeClue, Temple City resident, commented that it appears the City
is allowing the available funding to lead the change. She expressed concerns
for increased traffic and proposed landscape.
T.K. Washuta, member of the public, commented regarding the buses that
travel on Las Tunas Drive and the elevated curbs along Rosemead
Boulevard. Spoke against lane reduction on Las Tunas Drive.
Bhanu Topani, Temple City resident, expressed concerns that reduction of
lanes on Las Tunas Drive will increase the response time for emergency
vehicles.
Conrad Unquidi, Temple City resident, spoke against bicycle lanes and
reduction of lanes on Las Tunas Drive.
Henry Ransons, Temple City resident, commented regarding the increase of
traffic on Encinita during the Rosemead Boulevard construction project and
that the concrete median is causing problems for emergency vehicles. He
also spoke against bicycle lanes on Las Tunas Drive.
Patricia Hendrix, spoke in favor of new lighting and new stores on Las Tunas
Drive. She spoke against reduction of lanes on Las Tunas Drive. She shared
that she has observed emergency vehicles stuck on Rosemead Blvd due to
the concrete median.
Gail Theilacker, Temple City resident, asked questions regarding the Traffic
Impact Analysis Report, shared her experience as a business owner when
City of Arcadia installed concrete medians along Huntington Drive (i.e., Santa
Anita and 2nd Street), and commented about installing bulb outs.
Rodrigo C., Temple City resident, spoke against reduction of lanes on Las
Tunas Drive and bicycle lanes on Las Tunas Drive. He also asked about how
the change to Las Tunas Drive would affect the special events in the City (i.e.,
Camellia Festival Parade, Light on Temple City Christmas Parade, etc).
Brian Keefe, Temple City resident, spoke in favor of no change on Las Tunas
Drive.
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June 10, 2015
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Don Hendrix, Temple City resident, spoke against changes to Las Tunas
Drive. He expressed concerns for reducing lanes and creating bicycle lanes
on Las Tunas Drive.
Bryan Matsumoto, former Temple City resident/Withers & Sandgren
Landscape Architecture, spoke in favor of updating Las Tunas Drive but felt
the redesign lacks charm.
Elizabeth Castro, Temple City resident, expressed concerns regarding traffic
from the 210 and 10 freeways if lanes were reduced on Las Tunas Drive.
Ann Baziak, Temple City resident, commented that instead of bicycle lanes
on Las Tunas Drive, City should consider adding bicycle lanes for north
/south bound traffic (i.e., Temple City Boulevard) for children to be able to
bike to school. She also spoke in favor of more street lights in the City.
John Rollofson, Temple City resident, spoke against changes to Las Tunas
Drive.
William Lopez, Temple City resident, spoke against reducing lanes on Las
Tunas Drive. Spoke in favor of adding more parking for businesses in the
City.
Mary Kokayko, Temple City resident, commented that there is not enough
variety of businesses in town to attract shoppers. She spoke in favor of
imposing a limit on allowing same type of businesses in the City.
Bill Green, Temple City resident, expressed concerns about reducing lanes
on Las Tunas Drive and how it might affect mail delivery service.
Min Wun, commented regarding the Traffic Impact Analysis and safety
hazards bulb outs will create. He also spoke against reduction of lanes on
Las Tunas Drive.
Jimmy Lao, Temple City resident, commented regarding accidents on
Rosemead Boulevard due to the bulb outs and expressed concerns that cars
might actually speed up instead of slow down due to the change to Las Tunas
Drive.
Hearing no additional request to speak, Mayor Chavez closed public
comment.
City Council meeting recessed at 9:21 p.m. and reconvened at 9:35 p.m.
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June 10, 2015
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City Manager Cook and Community Development Director addressed written
questions from the public (i.e., validity of the Traffic Impact Analysis; funding
driving the project; how the project will affect special events/parades in the
City; protected bicycle lanes on Las Tunas Drive; lost revenue during
construction period-phased construction; and loss of parking spaces due to
bulb outs).
City Council discussed regarding the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement
and Beautification Project.
Jimmy Law, Temple City resident, shared that bulb outs are being installed on
Las Tunas Drive between Rosemead Boulevard and San Gabriel Boulevard.
Linda, Temple City resident, shared that she has observed many accidents
on Fair Oaks in Pasadena due to the bulb outs. She feels they create unsafe
traffic conditions. She also spoke against reducing lanes on Las Tunas Drive.
City Council commented on the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and
Beautification Project and thanked the public for their participation and
comments.
City Council directed staff to meet with the Las Tunas Downtown
Revitalization Standing Committee and consider comments from the public
and City Council.
A future community meeting will be planned per City Council's request to
provide updates to the City Council and public regarding the project.
Mr. Lam, Temple City businessman, shared why he thinks the businesses are
not coming to Temple City. He also commented on the risks and liability of the
redesign.
A member of the public commented and suggested for the City to look into
why the businesses did not attend the meeting tonight. Maybe the meeting
time and day was not convenient for them.
A member of the public commented that residents are paying (i.e.,
maintenance) for people to use Las Tunas Drive. He also commented spoke
against reducing lanes on Las Tunas Drive.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA-None
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June 10, 2015
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6. ADJOURNMENT
City Council meeting adjourned at 11 :06 p.m.
Tom Chavez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Peggy Kuo, City Clerk