Agenda Item Wording:
title
Presentation on the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Policy.
body
Deadline for Action: None
Submitting Department: Administration - CIP Engineering
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Leslie Blair, Senior Civil Engineer, Leslie.Blair@visalia.city, (559)713-4633
Frank Senteno, City Engineer, Frank.Senteno@visalia.city, (559)713-4331
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, Nick.Mascia@visalia.city, (559) 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council receive a presentation on the City of Visalia Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Policy. The policy and process are explained in more detail in the attached presentation.
Background Discussion:
The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) Policy was approved and adopted by the Council on April 18, 2011. The goal of the NTMP is to reduce excessive traffic volume and vehicular speeding within neighborhoods and improve the residents’ quality of life. All too frequently, members of the Council and City staff hear concerns from residents that “too many cars are going too fast by my house or through my neighborhood”. Along with these concerns come related requests for the installation of stop signs, street closures, or speed ’bumps’ to provide a “traffic calming effect” or to “increase safety”. The NTMP Policy was developed to serve as a tool to uniformly address these neighborhood traffic calming related issues while consistently applying appropriate laws, standards and/or policies such as the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), the California Vehicle Code, the Street and Highways Code, City Code, and related City Policies.
The NTMP was developed through Council input and public comment received during a Council Work Session on January 18, 2011. The adopted NTMP Policy incorporated Council’s comments and direction, and resulted in an effective and efficient traffic calming program that addresses resident’s concerns regarding excessive vehicle speed and traffic volumes on neighborhood streets. The NTMP Policy outlines a process for neighborhood groups (experiencing these concerns) to work with the City to improve their quality of life. As the name suggests, the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) is a process that includes the efforts and involvement of the effected neighborhood. It is important that representatives from the requesting neighborhoods work closely with City staff throughout this process. Often, these issues can be substantially resolved utilizing a combination of traffic calming and traffic enforcement “tools”.
Since it has been twelve years the NTMP was approved and adopted by Council, staff is presenting information on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Policy to educate Council on the Program and the process for addressing traffic calming related requests.
City Council may provide direction to staff to retain, revise, or cease the policy if Council chooses.
Fiscal Impact:
None
Prior Council Action:
April 18, 2011 - Adopted Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Policy and authorized the funding of the program in a not to exceed amount of $50,000 out of the Gas Tax Fund.
Other:
None
Alternatives:
Council may direct staff to investigate and return with revisions. In addition, Council may direct staff to cease the use of the policy.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No Motion, Informational only.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
N/A
CEQA Review:
N/A
Attachments:
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Policy Handbook
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Presentation