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Date: To: From: Subject: AGENDA BILL . ' . Agenda Item No. 5(E) April 3, 2012 El Cerrito City Council Yvetteh Ortiz, Engineering Manager Jerry Bradshaw, Public Works Director I City Engineer Curb Marking Modifications in front of Prospect Sierra Elementary School (2060 Tapscott Avenue) ACTION REQUESTED Adopt a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director/City Engineer to modify white and yellow curb markings in front of Prospect Sierra Elementary School located at 2060 Tapscott Avenue as shown in Exhibit A to the resolution. DISCUSSION Public Works staff is recommending parking revisions on the north side of Tapscott A venue in front of Prospect Sierra Elementary School. This is in response to a request from a school representative for a passenger loading/unloading zone where a red zone currently exists. It has been the practice of the City of El Cerrito to adjust parking restrictions near schools to improve student drop-off and pick-up activities and traffic circulation when requested by school representatives. Public Works staff evaluated the existing curb markings and use of the curb space during school drop-off and pick-up times. Currently, the existing red zone in front of the school is used for student drop-off and pick-up. However, El Cerrito Municipal Code indicates that a red curb marking means no stopping, standing or parking at any time with buses excepted. The parking modifications are based on the following guidelines to provide a legal, safe and convenient passenger loading zone and best meet the current parking needs as confirmed with school staff: • Maintain existing red curb marking at crosswalk for safety purposes; • Maintain a shuttle loading zone (existing yellow curb markings) near the main school entrance; • Provide passenger loading zones (white curb markings) near the main school entrance; and • Minimize the loss of unrestricted (existing gray curb) parking spaces. The recommended curb markings from west to east are as follows and are also shown in Exhibit A to the resolution: ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(E) A. 85 feet of Yell ow Curb Markil).g for shuttle loading and parking; B. 56 feet of White Curb Marking for student drop-off and pick-up (active loading and unloading only, no parking); C. 40 feet of Red Curb Marking for clearance in advance and at the mid-block crosswalk; and D. 40 feet of White Curb Marking for student drop-off and pick-up (active loading and unloading only, no parking). Related signing will indicate that these parking restrictions will be in effect only during school hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The curb marking changes will result in the loss of two unrestricted parking spaces during school hours. However, they will result in the addition of three spaces during non-school hours. In October 2011, an initial notification regarding the proposed modifications was sent to property owners and current residents within a 300-foot radius of this location explaining the modifications and loss of unrestricted parking during school hours. No comments were received except from school staff. In December 2011, a final notification was sent to the school. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS The modifications to curb markings are estimated to be approximately $500 and are included in the Public Works Maintenance operating budget. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS El Cerrito Municipal Code Section 11.40.160 requires that any modification of white and yellow curb markings be approved by City Council Resolution. Because the El Cerrito Municipal Code authorizes the City Engineer to install and remove red curb marking, related modifications to red curb marking do not require action by City Council. Scott Hanin, City Manager Attachment: 1. Accompanying Resolution including Exhibit A Page 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. S(E) Attachment 1 RESOLUTION 2012-XX RESOLUTION OF THE EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING CURB MARKING MODIFICATIONS ON TAPSCOTT A VENUE IN FRONT OF PROSPECT SIERRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATED AT 2060 TAPSCOTT A VENUE WHEREAS, representatives of Prospect Sierra Elementary School requested that the Public Works Department modify curb markings in front of the school to provide a passenger loading zone on Tapscott Avenue; and WHEREAS, it has been the practice of the City of El Cerrito to adjust parking restrictions near schools to improve student drop-off and pick-up activities and traffic circulation; and WHEREAS, the proposed parking modifications are expected to best meet the current school needs by providing a passenger loading zone nearest the main school entrance; and WHEREAS, the City Engineer is authorizing the modifications to red curb markings as shown in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, El Cerrito Municipal Code Section 11.40.160 requires that any modification of white and yellow curb markings be approved by City Council Resolution. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the El Cerrito City Council hereby authorizes the Public Works Director I City Engineer to modify the white and yellow curb markings on Tapscott A venue in front of Prospect Sierra Elementary School as shown in Exhibit A, incorporated by reference and attached hereto. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption. I CERTIFY that at a regular meeting on April 3, 2012 the City Council of the City of El Cerrito passed this Resolution by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City ofEl Cerrito on April_, 2012. APPROVED: William C. Jones III, Mayor Attachment: Exhibit A Cheryl Morse, City Clerk ---PAGE BREAK--- Exhibit A Curb Marking Modifications on Tapscott Avenue Agenda Item No. ~ Attachment 1 in front of Prospect Sierra Elementary School (2060 Tapscott Avenue) Proposed White and Yellow Curb Marking Modifications Require City Council Approval