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AGENDA BILL Agenda Item No. 5(E) Date: August 20, 2013 To: El Cerrito City Council From: Yvetteh Ortiz, Interim Public Works Director / City Engineer Subject: Establish School Zone Speed Limit on Lincoln Avenue 500 Feet West of Ashbury Avenue ACTION REQUESTED Adopt a resolution establishing a school zone speed limit of 15 miles per hour (mph) on Lincoln Avenue 500 feet west of Ashbury Avenue. BACKGROUND The California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22358.4. allows local jurisdictions to establish a 15 mph speed limit when children are present in zones up to 500 feet from school grounds. Specifically, the reduced speed limit is applicable on local streets in a residential district with a maximum of two lanes of traffic and a maximum posted speed limit of 30 mph immediately adjacent to the school zone. Based on the requirements in the CVC and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), when determining the need for the reduced speed, the local jurisdiction must conduct an engineering and traffic survey (“speed survey”) that considers prevailing speeds, collision records, traffic and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver, residential density and pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Lincoln Avenue between Richmond Street and Ashbury Avenue is a two-way local street, with a posted speed limit of 25 mph. The roadway is 30 feet wide, with block of roughly 250 feet. Lincoln Avenue at Richmond Street is controlled with a side-street stop on Lincoln Avenue. The remaining intersections along Lincoln Avenue – Everett Street, Norvell Street, Albemarle Street and Clayton Avenue - are side-street stop controlled on the minor street approach. The intersection of Lincoln Avenue at Ashbury Avenue is controlled with a side-street stop on Lincoln Avenue. Yellow- striped crosswalks are provided on all legs of this intersection, as it provides direct pedestrian access to El Cerrito High School. In response to resident concerns and a petition from the neighborhood, City Staff and our on-call consultants have been studying the Lincoln Avenue corridor, identifying current issues and presenting potential measures consistent with the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, adopted by City Council in 2010. One of the measures identified as part of this effort was the establishment of 15 mph school speed zone next to El Cerrito High School. Additional measures include two speed humps and enhanced ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. S(E) traffic striping and pavement markings, which are planned for installation later this Summer and Fall. ANALYSIS City Staff engaged the services of Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation, Inc. Trans) to conduct a speed survey for Lincoln Avenue between Richmond Street and Ashbury Avenue in accordance with the requirements set forth in the CVC, MUTCD and established traffic engineering practices. The speed survey demonstrated a high prevailing speed and collision rate on this segment of Lincoln A venue. Lincoln A venue is also identified as a bike route in the El Cerrito Circulation Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians. Given these conditions, W-Trans is recommending a reduced speed limit of 15 mph on Lincoln A venue when children are present within 500 feet of El Cerrito High School. The signed and stamped speed survey is attached as Exhibit A to the resolution. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Approval of this resolution will require that several speed limit signs be installed on Lincoln Avenue. The estimated cost is $1,500. This cost is included in the Public Works, Maintenance Operating budget. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS The City Clerk will certify the resolution and file it with the Contra Costa Superior Court. Scott Hanin, City Manager Attachment: 1. Accompanying Resolution Page 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(E) Attachment 1 RESOLUTION 2013–XX RESOLUTION OF THE EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT OF 15 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) ON LINCOLN AVENUE 500 WEST OF ASHBURY AVENUE WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22358.4. allows local jurisdictions to establish a 15 mile per hour (mph) speed limit when children are present in zones up to 500 feet from school grounds; and WHEREAS, the Public Works Department engaged the services of Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation, Inc. (W-Trans) to conduct and engineering and traffic survey (“speed survey”) in accordance with the requirements set forth in the California Vehicle Code (CVC), California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and established traffic engineering practices; and WHEREAS, the speed survey demonstrated a high prevailing speed and collision rate on this segment of Lincoln Avenue, which is also identified as a bike route in the El Cerrito Circulation Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians; and WHEREAS, the Public Works and Police Departments have reviewed the speed survey recommendations. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the El Cerrito City Council hereby establishes a school zone speed limit of 15 mph on Lincoln Avenue 500 west of Ashbury Avenue. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Public Works Director / City Engineer is authorized to post the speed limits as appropriate in accordance with this resolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to file certified copies of this resolution, including the speed survey attached as Exhibit A to this resolution, with the El Cerrito Police Department and Contra Costa Superior Court. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption. I CERTIFY that at a regular meeting on August 20, 2013 the City Council of the City of El Cerrito passed this Resolution by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: * * * * * ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(E) Attachment 1 IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City of El Cerrito on August 2013. Cheryl Morse, City Clerk APPROVED: Gregory B. Lyman, Mayor Attachment: Exhibit A ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda No. 5(E) Resolution No. 2013-XX Exhibit A ---PAGE BREAK---