HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - SC TRANS CMTE (2)' AGENDA REPORT AVII�
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented
UNFINISHED BUSINESS,�Lvnn
M.
Harris
,(�`
DATE: August 27, 1991
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARITA TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
With the adoption of the General Plan, the Council directed staff to -report on
a previously tabled item -- the formation of a Santa Clarita Citizens
Transportation Committee. The implementation of the Circulation Element of
the General Plan will certainly affect all of the residents of the Santa
Clarita Valley. Public access and input is a major commitment made by the
City Council and is a significant. aspect in ensuring the success of the
implementation plan.
First, it would be well. to discuss what are the current systems which allow
public access and input to the process.
The Santa Clarita.Joint Chambers of Commerce Transportation Committee has been
operating for a number of years in the Valley and has dealt with many traffic
and transportation issues. They meet twice each month, one -an informal and
one a formal meeting, to discuss and receive input on long and short-range
transportation issues. The meetings are usually during the day, although this
year they will have four nighttime meetings, and are well attended by
representatives from City, County and State agencies and government. The
Committee meetings provide a significant forum for the exchange of information
from agencies and citizens from inside and outside the Valley.
The Planning Commission continues to provide an open public forum for
discussion regarding transportation issues as it relates to new development.
They review and conduct public hearings on all new development and the City's
annual and 5 -Year Capital Improvement Program allowing access by the public to
these transportation -related issues.
Of course the regular and Study Session meetings held by the Council provide
another means of public access and input.to this process. In addition, public
meetings are continuing on the Route 126 alignment studies, and meetings have
been conducted by the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the
Southern California Association of Governments. The City has also adopted a
Public Participation Policy which provides an organized. plan for public
participation on City matters including those related to transportation.
Agenda hern:-4..
SANTA CLARITA
Page 2
COMMITTEE
Even though. there are a number of systems for public participation we should
always monitor these systems to determine if they are still effective, or
would alternate systems result in a more effective and efficient process.
Efficiency maximizes the effects of City resources, and effectiveness produces
the desired effect which is public access and input to the transportation
system.
Attached is a list of current and alternate transportation participation
systems with some advantages and disadvantages of each. It represents most of
the different types that have been used. There may be no one best. system to
fit all circumstances, and in many cases they can and are used .in various
combinations.
The Council receive public input, consider and discuss alternatives, direct
staff to develop an action plan for implementation of Council's
recommendations.
ATTACHMENT
Current and alternate transportation participation systems.
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING 6 IMPrEMENTATION
Current City System
Council Meetings
Planning Commission
Special Meetings on Transportation Issues
Advantages
• Policy and decision makers receive public input directly.
• Decisions are based on prioritization and representation of a broader
base of issues.
• Official representation on County and State Advisory Boards.
Disadvantages
• Time to discuss transportation issues must compete with other issues.
• The formalness of meetings may be intimidating to some.
Joint Chambers Transportation Committee - (Currently in Place)
One official meeting per month open to the public.
Advantages
• Well-known and proven performance over a number of years.
• Participation by City, County and State agencies and governments.
• Broad based.
Disadvantages
• Not well-known by general public.
• No official status.
Citizen Transportation Committee - (Alternative)
Appointed by the Council as an advisory committee. Eleven regular members and
two advisory members.
Advantages
• Encourage broad participation on alternatives.
• Specific focus - transportation.
• Additional mode of communication between the public and the Council.
• Views presented and recommendations made would be from the people most
affected by transportation decisions.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Page 2
Disadvantages
• Significant ($100,000+) commitment of City resources to provide staff for
the Committee.
• Single purpose.
• May conflict with existing commissions and duplicates existing
opportunities for public.access and input.
Executive Staff Traffic.Committee - (Alternative)
Executive staff committee composed- of Assistant City- Manager, Community
Development Director, Traffic Engineer, Transit Manager, Director of Public
Works, and representatives from the Sheriff and Fire Departments conducting
monthly public meetings to discuss traffic safety concerns.
Advantages
• Formalized body to review public safety issues and to make
recommendations for implementation.
• Broad representation of City departments.
• Open forum for public access and input on traffic safety issues.
Disadvantages
• Additional costs of staffing meetings ($25,000±).
• Delays the resolution of traffic safety issues.
Transportation Forum - (Alternative)
Open public forum conducted by the City twice each year - September 1 and
March 1 - to be shortly before the budget preparation and shortly after the
budget adoption process for the purpose of providing public access to
transportation programs and projects.
Advantages
• Assists in ensuing that the budget process provides for the effective use
of resources to solve public transportation.issues, i.e., roads, transit,
etc.
Disadvantages
• Could stimulate requests for other forums to deal with various budget
categories, i.e., parks.
• Conflicts with existing open public meetings held by the Planning
Commission which deal with the same issues.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Page 3
Publicity - (Alternative)
Develop a plan that would publicize and encourage public participation in all
public meetings which affect transportation issues in the Valley.
Advantages
• Encourage direct public input and access to decision makers .including
Federal, State, City and -quasi -public agencies who affect transportation
plans and issues.
Disadvantages
• Unless meetings are local and at night, public input would be
significantly limited.
• Public input and influence would be less structured and therefore diluted.
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