City of San Bruno Recorded Meetings September 2013, 10 Sep 2013

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From YouTube: San Bruno City Council Meeting September 10, 2013 4a. Update on Grade Sep.

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San Bruno City Council Meeting September 10, 2013
4a. Presentations: Update on Planned Closure of San Bruno Ave. for CalTrain Grade Separation Construction

A

Presentations we'd like to we're going to receive an update on the planned closure of San Bruno Avenue September 20 to 30 of 2013 for the construction of the caltrain, create separation.

A

Great, thank you very much. So what I'm going to do tonight is just go through a short version of what was presented last week at to the general public as part of our open house on exactly this topic, but I'm, going to just focus on few aspects that they've won just a quick status, update of where we are on the construction and then I'm going to really just focus on the closures themselves. So one of them was actually completed last weekend, so we're actually now down into closures.

A

There's also handouts at the front, if anyone's interested in showing details for both the closures, as well as there's a series of questions that came up during the Republic meeting and we've attempted to answer those the best we could and those are also available. If anybody wants to take a look at those.

A

So as I mentioned, I'm just going to give a quick stats overview talk about the upcoming road closures and then just take any questions but yeah. So once again, why we do this. First and foremost, safety improvement, we're enhancing safety food, not just the driving public, but also for pedestrians.

A

Dislike Leticia, in addition to some other benefits from the Great South to proving access to the school, reducing wait times behind gates that are no longer going down in causing delays and improving emergency response times and just generally helping City San brainer with a revitalization of downtown section.

A

So again, I'm sure everybody realizes what we're doing to do. This we're constructing three separate automobile grade separations and three national.

A

50, on the other side, so really quickly. I me end of May this year, two trains up top, which is a huge milestone for us. Hopefully, for those of you, the community, you can already see improvements that hopefully traffic more to cover that the final street flow rates, which is what I'm here to talk about tonight, will take place this month. At that point, the work is going to shift almost entirely to the platform, so we'll start doing all the work on the northbound platform.

A

This is the section it was on top of the ship fly. So the reason why we have to stage it this way is everyone remembers.

A

Is we were running trains on that shoe flied until May, so essentially what we did on the east side we're going to have to do on the west side now I got that diverts on the website, we're not going to do on the east side, and that takes us through to early spring 14 for project completion and so road closures, and so we're lowering the streets to their final configuration, we're also retaining all the transitions and tions in their final configuration. So that means striping sidewalk every other center again.

A

The reason why we have to do this and this juncture is, we were limited because of the shoe flaw and how steeply we get we could drop the grade. Now she flies out of the way we can go ahead and lower everything to this final condition. As many you know, we sent out not one quick to separate notices for the road closures. Unfortunately, we jumped the gun a little bit. We thought we can do it in August.

A

Unfortunately, when we did lower Angus, we found the material was not as good as we'd hope, so the soil be hauled house is actually a blusher quality. What that means is I've got to take out some more soil to put in more rock so that the material will end up with a hatchet or road as we design for that's why we got delayed. That's why we're talking about this in September street closures are going to be phased to minimize impacts to motorists, the notices to go out.

A

We did have a public meeting last week to let the community know discuss any other concerns. There will be changeable message boards up at El Camino, as well as at the off-ramp of san bruno and I'll talk about that in a second. When I look at the closure and then just to point out, san mateo closure did already so that was completed last weekend.

A

So this is the first of the two coach. This is this weekend's closure san bruno app san mateo. I just want to point out this has changed slightly from what was presented last week. We've come up with a improvement on the closure, so the mailer and the discussion we went out to the community showed a complete closure of the northbound section of san mateo, as well as the whole corner of san mateo in san bruno working with the contractor.

A

We've come up with a way to do it in two pieces, so it's still the same total duration, meaning we'll close it friday, night and we'll open it monday am, but by doing it in two pieces will allow traffic to be continuous up sandberg, so we're not actually going to close temperament or, even though so soon, berlin closed up at the top.

A

We're closing a lane on Sandra. So let me just real quickly: go through the detours and I'm going to hit the vehicular portion first and then I'm going to kind of hit on me on pedestrians and 30 tour. So this section will be flagged, so it'll be one lane for both ways. So traffic going east or west on San Bruno will be flagged through here. There'll be slight delays as people queue up waiting to go through, but traffic will be allowed through.

A

Likewise see Mateo, there's going to be one way flagging through this section, so basically most motorists shouldn't notice much difference from where we are today. So what will happen? Friday night? Is this section up here? So that's the east side of San Bruno San Mateo will be closed and then flagging will begin on the opposite lane. Then sometime Sunday, really early Sunday morning, that'll change and traffic will then shift to the opposite.

A

Side of the road will begin to work on the opposite side again early Monday morning, traffic will see this open to traffic for the for the Russian for pedestrians. It's a little bit simpler because the sidewalks on the opposite side of the street will remain open. So what we'll have is signs up at second Avenue and back on this side of Huntington, which will say Sidewalk closed up ahead. Please use off an opposite sidewalk and it will direct pedestrian traffic across the street and go around so st.

A

basic scheme is where the vehicles from one size, close pedestrians cross on the opposite side. Same story roles reversed when this traffic switches, so this is September 13 through 16. So late Friday through Monday way, this takes us to the more dramatic what I call full closure in san bruno and that is essentially unchanged from what was shown to the public last week. And so again, why are we? Why do we have to close all San Bruno? It's not so much san bruno itself.

A

It's all the tions for huntington and this whole section here has to be lowered and according to accommodate that lowering of san bruno, and there was just no way to do it in pieces because eventually, you end up with a car going off a big drop off and we couldn't do that.

A

So what does the detour look like so depends where you're coming from, but in general, if you're from out of town, if you're coming to the airport, if you're traveling from another city through cember to that wink, we're going to ask that you detour and bypass the entire area and go up three atl community, so we'll have signs of both sides saying san bruno closed in san mateo through traffic, please use 382 101.

A

However, obviously there's people who still have business to conduct a talent or for whatever reason, don't take our detour, decide they're going to go up. Santa Bruno either way so we'll have local detours and what that will look like is essentially, if you're on san mateo huntington going southbound, your traffic is going to get detoured onto Sam ative, so San Mateo has been widened, so we'll have the full width, sama tail and the right turn and the through motion wall via lap.

A

So there will be flaggers at San Mateo's, allowing traffic to go both north and south on San Mateo and make left turns on a san bruno. So if you're coming from stop live in, let's say, and you want to go to the freeway you're still going to be able to make that turn.

A

Likewise, if you're coming from the downtown- and you want to get to the freeway- that's still accessible, what you won't be able to do is if you're coming from City Hall, and you want to just go straight up, saying Bruno, then you're going to have to take the teacher.

A

So the detail will be signed to come up, don't have any very large there, but Mills and then Mills to Euclid euclid to huntington up scott once you're back on san mateo, then again you can make a left onto san bruno or you can continue down in san mateo, as the case may be coming the other way, it's the same exact detour in Reverse, so if you're on the freeway and for whatever reason or you're coming from one of the avenues- and you want to get to City Hall same thing in reverse, you come up san berdo you're, going to make a right turn this time out of san mateo you're, going to go over sky and you're going to come up euclid, you click the mills mills to st.

A

proto. I should note that there will be parking restrictions for this ten-day period on both euclid and mills. One side only so local parking will still be allowed on the opposite. Side, however, is you know those are very narrow roads and we're temporarily wanting to give people a little more space you're coming through there?

A

Normally, you don't get a lot of traffic on Euclid, so let me talk for a second about pedestrian eat or what so the dashed lines you see on this figure are our pedestrian detours and what they look like in general is, if you're on san bruno and you want to go to City Hall you're coming from from the school, let's say: you're coming up.

A

Third, you would just go up San Mateo, however, the sidewalk detour would lead to you all the way up to Cannes and back off Huntington, because we as part of this closure, we're actually going to be rebuilding the sidewalk on Huntington as well, so we actually keep detour traffic up there. That being said, there are two businesses that are actually within that impacted area and access is going to be maintained. The whole time to those businesses so will allow pedestrian access along that section of sidewalk.

A

We're also going to allow vehicular, so there'll, be a flag or present in science will show that businesses are still open, so will still allow vehicles to the little mini mall there or they Jason I. Guess the pizza place up on the corner, access we'll still be provided if you're a pedestrian here on the other side, you can either do that same exact, detour, reverse or similar to the to the vehicles.

A

You'll be directed up bills, Euclid and up Scott Street, that's another option, depending where you're going. If you, obviously, if you're going north, that's probably preferable, so that's the detours for the main closure. The good news is this is the last full closure for the project once we're done. This they'll continue to be lane closures. We pave and do striking and things like that. However, this is the last time we'll have to completely close the strange part of this project. The other good news is when this is open.

A

Saint-Bruno will be in its full width configuration that includes left turn pockets at San, Bruno, San, Mateo and left turn blockade on to you, Huntington, which shouldn't really hopefully free off traffic, a little bit because, right now you anyone who wants to make that laughs, you got people behind you.

A

Likewise, san mateo paid them both sides, we've been constructing flow through, basically, half of what San Mateo is going to be will be in the full width from here on it and contact info. Any questions we always like to give the contact info for public affairs and I can take any questions. You might have any questions for did.

B

Chair could be I'm at the meeting yeah. I know some of those questions that were raised are within this handout. From the meeting which I appreciate the sum of the follow-up we talked about lighting along first, it was also gentleman lived on pine that had the same concern as far as lighting yeah, so I'd like to see that also addressed when you're reviewing that I know some of the other aspects about the parking and curbs and streets that was some of the residents.

B

I think concern as far as the condition that they're in and if I'm not mistaken, what you had said is there was an assessment taken prior to the project will be as assessment taken after the project street by street and anything that has been IBM, Nick, dinged, damaged, etc. Would then be taken care of yes,.

A

That's that's absolutely correct. Yes, so we're going to be meeting with the city starting next week to start going through, as you said, street by street sidewalk by sidewalk and seeing exactly where are the areas of concern where the areas where you know construction traffic, it's not just whether we damaged it in construction activity, its additional traffic volume, larger vehicles on the city street. If we cause they will fix it, I mean that that's been our agreement.

A

Since the start, we intend to honor that, and it's just going to get down into the details, meet with staff and specifically go through, like I, said on a street-by-street basis and then to answer your other question on First Avenue. Yes, we're going to actually bring in a consult to do a lighting study in that area to just analyze what kind of an issue we have if we do have an issue. What are potential mitigation strategies?

A

We didn't really look at it as a problem, but as it was brought up to me in the in the presentation I completely here with what the public is saying, that's you know there were individuals who were gaining secondhand benefits from some of the lighting and artichoke Joe's, and and now that somebody built a great step in a way that may no longer be the case. So that being the case same thing, if we've changed the condition, if we've made something worse, we want to look at it. We want to make it good. You.

B

Know and I appreciate that, because obviously there is wear and tear on the roadway and all that from all the construction, so obviously there's deterioration. One of the things too. Can you address the other items I'm going to each one of them is at the at the end when it is finally done and they cut the ribbon one. One person was kind enough to say I hope the neighborhood's invited, maybe even it's a neighborhood BBQ there between the bart between this. Obviously that area neighborhood has gone through much a lot.

B

I know the first hand a little bit and so I think that was one of the things to between the city and your agency to make it a celebratory event and a thank you for their understanding in patients right.

A

Now absolutely and I think that was an excellent suggestion and obviously we'll be talking with the city as we get closer to cutting a ribbon for this thing, but I mean, as you know, this has been a huge project for caltrain and I know it's been a huge, sometimes difficult for the city and for the residents and yeah we want to.

A

We want to celebrate what would be hope, a very successful conclusion to it, but we also want to thank you know everybody for their patience, because you know I mean the public has been very understanding.

A

You know by and large almost everyone has been really positive and understanding of the fact that we've got to do these kinds of temporary inconvenience, but it's ultimately for for a better san bruno when it's all set it up. So yeah I think it's an excellent idea. Do you want Irene I'm.

C

Very concerned about the loss of 42 street parking spots, when did that happen.

A

So I can talk about that so you're talking about at first avenue it.

C

Says here 48 spaces: it's going to go from 48 spaces to six. It's the street parking along the east side of First Avenue will remain the same. Okay, that's so that's the side where the people have their houses. As previously parking on the west side of First Avenue will reduce from 48 spaces to six. So you say it so casually.

C

It's 42 parking spaces in part, that's hugely impacted already, and then you say, or whoever answered this, that they're going to be added parking on huntington, canes and san mateo avenue, but that doesn't help first through first avenue people and the surrounding people there right.

A

No, it's a very legitimate concern. I mean obviously I mean it's.

C

More than a concern.

A

Clearly understand atwater premium parking is in that area, I mean it's, it's I mean many of the residential units and there have multiple vehicles and it gets very crowded. I completely understand why someone would be concerned about that. Let me just say two things: one: the total amount of parking, this project street market so but.

C

Not for first I.

A

Understand that, but the total amount does improve, so that should give some relief to first out of you another idea that was brought up at the meeting, which we talked with the city, but I personally think it's a good idea. Is we're going to charge for parking at our lawn right off the street, and we know that not everybody likes pay for parking, and so one thing you can do to discourage caltrain passengers from parking on the Avenue would be I, don't know some kind of local parking restriction.

A

But to answer your fundamental point, I guess, which is that wow that's a lot of parking you're cutting out of there. um We can take a look at it. We can see every week. What we have done is those are non-standard lanes there today we understand it's a pre-existing condition, but we redid it. We looked at it like any other street design, and we said what is the standard with with parking.

A

What is the standard with street and we designed it accordingly, that being said, you're the city- you have jurisdictional authority over that if there's something that can be done about the width of that street and in return get that parking back, we're happy to do that.

A

C

But I'm totally confused. We looked at several pictures that show the landscaping on on First Avenue on the west side of that, and it had some both outs and it looked like it lost. Maybe four or five parking things it did.

D

C

Say 42 to my memory. So how come it's suddenly 42? That's huge agree.

A

C

So so I don't understand I, don't it's just like. Why is this suddenly here so in the pictures? It never showed that it showed parking on the west side showed the landscaping and then now it's not there's no parking. So there's not gonna be any parking except six spaces. On that whole first avenue on.

A

The wish on the west side- that's great, uh but you know again: I mean if, if that is an issue and I can understand why it would be.

C

But why is the late in the day I mean why now we've been looking at this for years? Well, I.

A

Mean the plans have been available for three years, I mean I, don't know it's just now, I think the issue has been that you know we are. Collective focus has been another aspect of its work. First Avenue, you became, has always been an issue, but all of a sudden were getting to the point where coming towards the closing.

A

You know months of the project, and we start looking at the specifics of First Avenue and that's when it really got raised as an issue by the community and I completely understand it is addition I'm not trying to be tried about it or say it's not a big deal to lose 42 spaces. I agree with you. It is a big deal and I'm offering potential solutions for it. But to say where you know this isn't? Is it new? Now the clients have been the plans for three-plus years. I mean.

E

D

Pitcher I mean I'm, just gonna chime in I know. The city manager is waiting to speak also, possibly there, and we need to go back to what the plan was previous to three years ago, because you know there was a lot of discussion of how First Avenue was going to be affected. We did thoroughly discuss how we were going to treat the street I mean, and this was well before there was a four-track option right. We knew we had.

D

We had a area to landscape and, to you know in to treat and parking was a major part of the discussion. So this is yeah. This I mean it's, it's almost surreal to think that you know that we're losing all these parking spaces. Obviously we're not just talking about caltrain travelers, we're talking about a neighborhood or so.

A

And I hear what you're saying think the good news is what I, what I'm saying and maybe I'm not doing a good job of articulating it is we haven't built that curb there's time to fix it? If that is an issue, but in order for me to fix it, I would have to have some approval from the city to basically construct. What's there today, I mean the width of that road. If it's acceptable today and it's acceptable in a future application, then we can fit every one of the parking spaces that we currently have with.

A

Maybe the loss of one of where the ball bot is for crossing, but in general you would keep all the parking so.

D

If I could just for clarity for people, what you're saying is that, prior to any construction, the location of that curb that was there prior to any construction for you to put it back to where that is. That is a non-compliant or none that the the amount of space for lanes and parking is not it's not compliant with us right right.

A

When we say compliant, I mean ultimately you're the jurisdictional authority that can grant waivers can say. Yes, it is compliant I mean there's, there's any number of ways. I mean it's there today. So.

D

So at some point someone made some traffic engineers some designer made a decision saying: we've got eczema, we've got X amount of width for the east side of First Avenue, and then we have to have a certain amount of Lane width for two-way Highway, and then we didn't have enough for parking on the east side, but.

A

That's exactly correct in obviously we didn't do a very good job of bringing that to everybody's attention and saying: hey. Look at this and I agree. Yeah! It's an issue. I mean well.

D

It's not a deal breaker and I think the same manager is gonna chime in and we're gonna we're gonna look at it.

E

So thank you for allowing me to speak what my suggestion is that this is obviously an important issue that really would benefit I think from our ability to actually look at schematics and to understand the issues, and we will bring this issue back as a separate item for consideration by the City Council I think that mr.

E

Boehner has been clear that it may not have been recently and adequately vetted with the City Council in particular and with the community, and it sounds as if my hearing of the situation tonight that there are decision in decisions and choices that can be made still in the completion of the work that remains. So we will bring that to bring this item back to you. Four separate consideration and discussion if that meets councils needs no.

A

I think that's a good idea when you do I'd, like special focus on emergency response. As far as changing the roadway okay understood any other questions for I fail. Thank you very much.