BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL. Approved Minutes

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1 BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting with Burlingame School District Board of Trustees to discuss Hoover School Traffic Safety and Pedestrian Access January 6, CALL TO ORDER A duly noticed special meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the Lane Community Room at the Burlingame Public Library. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG The pledge of allegiance was led by City Clerk Meaghan Hassel-Shearer. 3. ROLL CALL a. CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Keighran, Ortiz None b. BURLINGAME SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Coskey, Drabkin, Intrieri, Luftman, Wong None 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS, NON-AGENDA There were no public comments. 5. WELCOME: MAYOR KEIGHRAN AND PRESIDENT COSKEY Mayor Keighran explained that the purpose of the meeting was to update the public and collaborate with Burlingame School District ( BSD ) on safety measures concerning Hoover Elementary School opening. Mayor Keighran introduced the two new Councilmembers: Beach and Colson to the Burlingame School District. Board of Trustees President Coskey introduced the Burlingame School District trustees to the Council. 1

2 6. PRESENTATIONS a. BURLINGAME SCHOOL DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES The Burlingame School District Director of Facilities Tim Ryan made a presentation entitled Hoover Progress Update to the Council and Board of Trustees. He discussed the timeline of BSD s decision to reopen Hoover Elementary School. Tim Ryan stated that now that BSD received the necessary encroachment permits, they were working with Public Works and the Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission to identify traffic and pedestrian concerns. Mr. Ryan reviewed the cost and plans for crosswalk and street improvements around Hoover Elementary School. He stated that the estimated cost to make the necessary crosswalk improvements was $100,000 - $300,000. b. CITY OF BURLINGAME PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Public Works Director Murtuza made a presentation entitled Hoover Elementary School Traffic Safety and Pedestrian Access Summary of Needs Analysis to the Council and Board of Trustees. DPW Murtuza stated that BSD and the City were working together to ensure traffic and pedestrian safety around the school. DPW Murtuza explained the anticipated vehicle and pedestrian flow to and from Hoover Elementary School. He stated that during the peak morning hours staff estimated 125 inbound and 103 outbound trips, while during the peak evening hours staff estimated 71 inbound and 79 outbound trips. Furthermore, he explained that staff anticipates traffic congestion and parking difficulties during special events such as Back to School Night. Accordingly, he strongly recommended that BSD develop a Traffic and Parking Management Plan. In researching the traffic and pedestrian implications, DPW Murtuza explained that staff focused on 4 locations: (1) Easton Drive, (2) Summit Drive, (3) Hillside Circle and (4) Hillside Drive at Alvarado Avenue. Easton Drive: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) new sidewalk as the pathway is narrow and does not meet City and ADA standards; (2) additional signage; (3) painted crosswalk; (4) ADA ramps; (5) removal of the stone wall; (6) relocation of the power pole that is obstructing the sidewalk; and (7) the City would need to eliminate street parking. He estimated the total cost at $852,000 - $1.3 million. Councilmember Brownrigg asked if there were private property lines up to the street on Easton Drive. DPW Murtuza replied in the affirmative. Accordingly, he stated, the City and BSD would need to work with the homeowners to obtain easements in order to construct ADA compliant sidewalks. Summit Drive: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) new sidewalks; (2) traffic signage; (3) crosswalks; (4) ADA ramps; (5) relocation of a power pole and fire hydrant that were obstructing the sidewalk; and (6) repair of a masonry wall at Culvert that restricts the pathway. Furthermore, he explained that a traffic island was necessary in front of the school at the Easton Drive and Summit Drive intersection. Accordingly, he estimated the cost of improvements at $1.5 - $2 million. DPW Murtuza cautioned that a feasibility study should be done prior to any improvements on Summit Drive. 2

3 Councilmember Brownrigg asked if the City was required to make sidewalks ADA compliant. DPW Murtuza stated in the affirmative. He explained that under federal law if the City does any work to the sidewalks the City must ensure that the sidewalks are ADA compliant. Mayor Keighran inquired about the masonry wall and whether or not it could be removed. DPW Murtuza stated if the wall was removed the sidewalk would then need to be widened and the street would become a one-way road. Trustee Luftman asked if the City/BSD would need approval from Hillsborough for improvements on Summit Drive. DPW Murtuza replied in the affirmative. He explained that some of the improvements cross into Hillsborough. Councilmember Brownrigg asked how many students would be coming from the direction of Summit Drive. Mayor Keighran responded that it was approximately 30% of the school population. The Council and Board of Trustees discussed whether or not Summit Drive could be made a one-way street. DPW Murtuza voiced concern that it could create traffic problems. Hillside Circle: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) upgrading the crosswalks; and (2) ADA ramps. He estimated the cost of these improvements at $50,000 - $80,000. Hillside Drive at Alvarado Circle: DPW Murtuza explained the necessary improvements including: (1) repairing the crosswalks; (2) stop signs; and (3) ADA ramps. He estimated the cost of these improvements at $33,000 - $38,000. DPW Murtuza stated that the total cost of the identified improvements is $2.5 - $3.4 million. As well, he explained that he divided the identified improvements into short-term and medium to long-term improvements. He stated that the major difference between the short-term and long-term improvements was that prior to undertaking a long-term improvement, staff would need to first monitor the traffic patterns to ensure that they were undertaking the correct course of action. Councilmember Beach asked how long the City would observe traffic patterns prior to making a decision. DPW Murtuza responded that staff would need 9 months to a year. Trustee Luftman asked after the year of monitoring how long it would take to implement the improvements. DPW Murtuza stated that the staff would have to look at the scope of work, finances, and the need for easements. Accordingly, he couldn t give an estimate of time. In summary, DPW Murtuza explained the list of priorities that Public Works is currently working on (i.e. 101 Broadway Interchange, Broadway Grade Separation and Neighborhood Storm Drain Project No. 8 and No. 9). As well, he outlined the 5-year general fund CIP needs at a total cost of $15.19 million and the unfunded needs of the City estimated at $98 - $113 million. 7. DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES: HOOVER SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS Mayor Keighran opened up the discussion to the Council and the Board of Trustees. 3

4 Councilmember Colson asked if BSD intended to have a 5th grade class the first year. Superintendent MacIssac stated that the decision had not been made, but if they did it would only be about 15 students. Councilmember Brownrigg stated that he appreciated the City s need to monitor traffic patterns prior to undertaking any long-term improvements. However, he was concerned that some of the projects (such as Easton Drive) should be made a priority. He suggested creating a pedestrian walkway by making Easton Drive, one-way during the AM and PM peak hours. DPW Murtuza responded that usually this was only done for special events as it involved a high cost and a lot of man hours. Councilmember Beach asked for a clarification on the estimated cost for the crosswalk near Hoover Elementary School as the City estimated the cost at $30,000 but BSD estimated the cost at $80-95,000. Director of Facilities Ryan stated that the City s estimate did not include necessary shelving to flatten and even out the road. Mayor Keighran asked how many parking spaces were available at the school for parents during drop-off and pick-up. President Coskey responded that there were none. She stated that during all other hours there would be 8 visitor parking spots. Mayor Keighran asked how many crossing-guards the school would use. Superintendent MacIssac responded that pursuant to the MOU they would have one, but that they foresaw needing an additional crossing-guard. Mayor Keighran asked if BSD considered staggered schedules to alleviate traffic problems. Superintendent MacIssac stated that BSD was concerned about parents needing to drop off their children at Hoover Elementary School and BIS. Mayor Keighran asked if there would be summer programs at Hoover Elementary School. President Coskey replied in the negative. As a follow up, Trustee Intrieri stated that special events will be held at other schools during the school year to minimize traffic congestion. Trustee Luftman asked about the 50/50 sidewalk improvement program and whether that could be used for repairing and creating ADA compliant sidewalks around the school. DPW Murtuza responded that no, the 50/50 program worked on repairing sidewalks on a 15 year cycle. He stated that the expenditures for the new sidewalks around the school were outside the scope of the program. Trustee Drabkin asked about the difference in pricing that BSD and the City had for the improvements on Summit Drive. DPW Murtuza stated that it was his opinion that a traffic island was a necessary tool for this intersection. He stated it would drastically improve traffic flow. Trustee Luftman asked what the earliest the City could construct the traffic island. DPW Murtuza stated that it could be done quickly if there was cooperation from Hillsborough. The Board of Trustees and the City discussed the possibility of having a traffic circle for Easton Drive. All seemed optimistic that this could solve some of the traffic flow problems. Mayor Keighran opened the item up to public comment. 4

5 Burlingame resident Steve Duncan asked if BSD considered shuttle buses to transport students. Mayor Keighran and President Coskey responded that it was discussed but that the decision couldn t be made until BSD studied traffic patterns and completed a survey of eligible students. Traffic Safety and Parking Commissioner Howard Wettan discussed the two priorities that the TSP Commission had: (1) crosswalk at Hillside Drive and (2) crosswalk at Easton Drive. Burlingame resident and future Hoover Elementary School parent Monica McMillan asked about when the Easton Drive sidewalk would be completed. DPW Murtuza stated that Easton Drive sidewalk improvements would take time depending on financing, easements and contracts. Michael Robinson, Joe Rosencrist, Adam Glick, Sandy Comarado and the next 3 speakers (who did not turn in speaker cards nor state their names) expressed their concerns about traffic on the roads around the school and urged BSD and the City to work together to improve the sidewalks. Another speaker asked about the buses and why BSD was not using buses. Trustee Intrieri stated that the School Board was thinking about using buses but that they need to first identify the school population to understand who would be using the buses. Mayor Keighran closed the public comment. 8. CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON SHORT-TERM IMPROVEMENTS AND NEXT STEPS Mayor Keighran opened up the item by stating that BSD and the City should focus on identifying the next steps. Mayor Keighran explained that it was her position that DPW Murtuza s list of short-term improvements was accurate. Therefore, she stated that this list should be the focus of BSD and the City. The short-term improvements as outlined by DPW Murtuza are: (1) new traffic island in front of Hoover School at the intersection of Easton Drive and Summit Drive; (2) new signs (stop signs, pedestrian crossing warning signs, flashing beacons, turn restriction signs, etc.); (3) striping and roadway legends; (4) curb painting for passenger loading zone and No Parking zones; (5) ADA access ramps; and (6) crossing-guards. The estimated total cost of these improvements is $200,000 - $250,000. Councilmember Brownrigg concurred with the list but stated that he would like to add a couple items. Mayor Keighran responded that if items were added to the list then this would add to the cost. Councilmember Brownrigg agreed but stated that he felt it was important to conduct a feasibility study as soon as possible with respect to sidewalks on Easton Drive and Summit Drive. He stated that he wanted to make it clear that he is not committing any funds to these projects but rather gathering a more detailed report. As well, he said he wanted to see Easton Drive and Summit Drive turned into one-way streets during pick-up and drop-off. DPW Murtuza stated that for now he agreed that Summit Drive should be turned into a oneway street but until a study was done he didn t think Easton Drive should be made one-way. Councilmember Beach stated that she was in favor of approving the list of short-term improvements but had questions about sidewalk studies on Easton Drive and Summit Drive and which should be done first. DPW Murtuza stated that a study of Easton Drive should be done first. 5

6 Councilmember Colson stated that she agreed with Councilmember Brownrigg but wanted to know how much a feasibility study would cost. DPW Murtuza stated that he would need to get an estimate from consultants but that it would be in the $100,000s and would take 5-6 months. Mayor Keighran asked about the costs associated with turning Summit Drive and/or Easton Drive into oneway streets. DPW Murtuza responded that it would be a minimal cost. Mayor Keighran asked the Council if the Council was in agreement about the list of short-term improvements not including the addition of the feasibility study. The Council replied in the affirmative. President Coskey asked her fellow trustees for their feedback. Trustee Intrieri stated that he was in favor of expediting the list of short-term improvements. Mayor Keighran asked if BSD had determined what they could contribute to the cost of the short-term improvements. Trustee Intrieri responded that BSD cannot use bond funds to improve items that are not owned by BSD. Accordingly, he stated that his concern was that the further the traffic safety and pedestrian improvements got from the school, the harder it would be to justify using the bond funds. However, Trustee Intrieri stated that BSD budgeted $150,000 toward short-term improvements. Mayor Keighran asked if BSD could use general funds for the necessary improvements. Trustee Intrieri responded that BSD couldn t because the general funds went towards the education of the students. Councilmember Brownrigg suggested that BSD and the City split the costs of the short-term improvements 50/50 with a cap of $300,000. Mayor Keighran asked the Council if they were in agreement. The Council responded in the affirmative. President Coskey asked the Trustees if they were in agreement. The Trustees responded in the affirmative. 9. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Keighran adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Meaghan Hassel-Shearer City Clerk 6