CITY COUNCIL: Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Regarding Traffic Code, "Speed Limits," "Miscellaneous Streets"

Meeting Date: July 1, 2008
Prepared by: George E. Rawson

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of
Carmel-by-the-Sea amending Title 10, Division I. Traffic Code, Chapter
10.12 “Speed Limits”, Section 10.12.010 “Miscellaneous Streets
Description: Adoption of the amended ordinance satisfies State law requirements
pertaining to radar enforcement of posted speed limits.
Overall Cost:
City Funds: $ 1,960
Staff Recommendation:
Adopt the Ordinance amending Section 10.12.010 of the Municipal
Code regarding the vehicle speed limits on certain streets.
Important Considerations:
California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 40802 requires that traffic and
engineering studies be performed every seven years on all functionally
classified streets to establish speed zones for purposes of radar enforcement.
The adoption of the revised ordinance, as proposed, will permit the Police
Department to resume radar enforcement on the functionally classified
streets listed in the attached engineering traffic and engineering study.
Decision Record:
First reading of the proposed Ordinance was considered by Council at its
June 3, 2008 meeting. Prior revisions to Ordinance 10.12.010 were adopted
February 6, 2007.
Reviewed by:
______________________________ _________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: GEORGE E. RAWSON, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 17, 2008
SUBJECT: SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
AMENDING TITLE 10, DIVISION I, TRAFFIC CODE,
CHAPTER 10.12 “SPEED LIMITS”, SECTION 10.12.010
“MISCELLANEOUS STREETS”
_________________________________________________________________
I. RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Adopt the Ordinance amending section 10.12.010 of the Municipal Code regarding the
vehicle speed limits on certain streets. Council considered and approved these
amendments upon First Reading at its meeting on June 3, 2008.
II. BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to state law, the use of radar for speed enforcement requires traffic engineering
surveys be performed every seven (7) years on certain local streets and any street(s) that
are “functionally classified.” Functionally classified streets are determined by Caltrans
and submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for purposes of maintaining
mileage systems and eligibility for federal funds to pay for roadway projects. In 2005,
the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea contracted Traffic Engineer Malcolm Knisely to perform
the new surveys as required. Eighteen streets were surveyed, 14 of which qualified
for continued radar enforcement at the existing respective speed limit of either 15-,
20-, or 25-miles-per hour (mph) limits.
On February 6, 2008, the City Council approved staff’s recommendation to adopt a
revised ordinance that maintained existing speed limits on all 14 streets as listed (See
Exhibit “A”).
Action regarding the remaining four streets (2nd Ave, Rio Road, Carpenter Street, and San
Carlos Street), was postponed pending staff’s request to perform additional surveys. In
May 2008, Traffic Engineer Malcolm Knisely resurveyed these streets. The results of
the new surveys, which included considerations of traffic accident data, have validated
the existing 25 m.p.h. speed limit can remain as posted and radar enforcement can be
resumed as allowed by State law.
III. STAFF REVIEW:
Staff concurs with the findings of the traffic engineering surveys. For traffic and
pedestrian safety purposes, it is important to maintain the existing 25 mph speed limits on
all four streets as listed above. These surveys will allow the police department to continue
utilizing radar as speed enforcement tool. Radar is a critical tool needed by the police to
detect and stop those drivers who drive at speeds that are unreasonable, unsafe, and pose
threats to the safety of the community. These new surveys will permit the Police
department to perform speeding enforcement in accordance to State law requirements.
Traffic Engineer Malcolm Knisely also recommended installing “Speed enforced by
Radar” signs to the existing speed limit signs. Staff will meet with Public Works to
discuss implementing this suggestion.
IV. FISCAL IMPACT:
$1,960 for contract services to conduct a traffic engineering speed study. Funds are
allocated in the FY 07-08 Police Department Budget – Account 74053 (Contractual
Services).
V. SUMMARY:
Engineering and traffic surveys were completed as required by State vehicle code law.
The results of these surveys indicate 25 mph speed limits can be maintained as posted and
enforced by radar.
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
AMENDING TITLE 10, DIVISION I. TRAFFIC CODE, CHAPTER 10.12
“SPEED LIMITS”, SECTION 10.12.010 “MISCELLANEOUS STREETS”
________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS, the City has conducted a traffic and engineering survey to determine the
prima facie speed limits on certain streets within the City; and
WHEREAS, based on said survey, the City finds justification for existing speed limits in
accordance with the California Vehicle Code Sections: 235, 240, 515, 22350, 22352, 22357,
22358, 22358.3, 22358.4 & 40802; and
WHEREAS, the City further finds and declares that the speed limits set forth herein are
most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and are reasonable and
safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
DOES ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section One. Title 10, Chapter 10.12, Section 10.12.010 of the Municipal Code is
hereby amended by adding the following streets to subsection “C” Twenty five miles per hour”
as indicated below and added hereto as Exhibit “A” attached.
7. Carpenter Street – That portion of Carpenter Street between the Carmel-by-the
Sea city limits line north of First Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
8. Rio Road – That portion of Rio Road between the Carmel-by-the-Sea city limits
line east of Ladera Drive and Mission Street.
9. San Carlos Street – That portion of San Carlos Street between 13th Avenue and
8th Avenue.
10. Second Avenue – That portion of Second Avenue between Carpenter Street and
Santa Fe Street.
Section Two. Severability. If any part of this Ordinance is found to be unenforceable,
such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any other part.
Section Three. Effective date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after
final adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
this 1st day of July, 2008 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
SIGNED:
__________________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_____________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk
EXHIBIT “A”
AMENDMENT TO TITLE 10
Section 10.12.010. Miscellaneous Streets. The speed limits set forth in this chapter are
determined to be reasonable and safe, and most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of
vehicular traffic in the City. The prima facie speed limit for these streets, or portions thereof,
shall be as follows when signs are erected giving notice thereof:
A. Fifteen Miles per Hour
1. Dolores Street - That portion of Dolores Street, between Vista Street and Fourth
Avenue.
2. Fourth Avenue - That portion of Fourth Avenue, between Lincoln Street and
Dolores Street.
3. Lincoln Street - That portion of Lincoln Street, between Fourth Avenue and Fifth
Avenue.
4. Mountain View Avenue – That portion of Mountain View Avenue, between
Ocean Avenue and Forest Avenue.
5. Scenic Road – That portion of Scenic Road, between Ocean Avenue and Santa
Lucia Street.
B. Twenty Miles per Hour
1. San Antonio Avenue – That portion of San Antonio Avenue, between Fourth
Avenue and Second Avenue.
C. Twenty five Miles per Hour
1. Camino Del Monte Avenue – That portion of Camino Del Monte Avenue,
beginning at a point on the Carmel-by-the-Sea City limits line, north of First
Street and thence running southerly for a distance of one thousand nine hundred
forty four feet more or less to the centerline of San Carlos Street.
2. Junipero Avenue – That portion of Junipero Avenue, between Rio Road to
Camino Del Monte Avenue.
3. Ocean Avenue – That portion of Ocean Avenue, beginning at a point on the
Carmel-by-the-Sea city limits line, east of Carpenter Street and thence running
westerly for a distance of four thousand eight hundred fifty-six feet more or less
to the centerline of Del Mar Avenue.
4. San Antonio Avenue – That portion of San Antonio Avenue, between Santa Lucia
Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
5. San Carlos Street – That portion of San Carlos Street, between 13th Avenue and
Camino Del Monte Avenue.
6. Santa Lucia Avenue – That portion of Santa Lucia Avenue, between Rio Road
and Bayview Avenue.
7. Carpenter Street – That portion of Carpenter Street between the Carmel-by-the
Sea city limits line north of First Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
8. Rio Road – That portion of Rio Road between the Carmel-by-the-Sea city limits
line east of Ladera Drive and Mission Street.
9. Second Avenue – That portion of Second Avenue between Carpenter Street and
Santa Fe Street.