Report Prepared by: Steven C. Son, City Engineer, Engineering Division
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Reintroduction of Ordinance 2492, Amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits.” of the Merced Municipal Code
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider the reintroduction of Ordinance 2492 amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits,” of the Merced Municipal Code. Amendment to the Speed Limits section consist of modification to the speed limits throughout the City.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion reintroducing Ordinance 2492, an Ordinance of the City Council for the City of Merced, California, amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits” of the Merced Municipal Code
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
3. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 2016-17 General Fund appropriation.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced conducted its last speed zone study in 2011 and adopted Ordinance No. 2370 which became effective June 15, 2011. The existing speed zone study has expired and currently the City speed limits are unenforceable by radar or LIDAR without an updated engineering and traffic speed study.
Engineering Staff requested City Council to set a public hearing for August 20, 2018, to consider amending Merced Municipal Code Section 10.16.010 - Speed Limits to implement recommendations made in the speed zone study.
At the August 20, 2018, City Council Meeting, Council requested Yosemite Avenue from McKee Avenue to the easterly city limits to be reevaluated to see if the recommended speed limit can be reduced from 55 mph to 50 mph. After careful consideration, Yosemite Avenue from McKee Avenue to the easterly city limit can be reduced to 50 mph. For this reason, the Ordinance has been updated to reflect Yosemite Avenue from McKee Avenue to the easterly city limit be posted at 50 mph.
The general public provided comments regarding Olive Avenue from McKee Avenue to the easterly city limit. Staff reexamined the recommended speed limit. Based on reexamination of this section of Olive Avenue, an error was discovered. The field study indicated that the 85% of the general public is currently traveling this section of Olive Avenue at 49 mph. With reference to the California Manual for Setting Speed Limits, Olive Avenue should be posted at 50 mph. However, given the zoning and the vehicle accident history, Omni-Means reduced their recommended speed limit of Olive from McKee Avenue to easterly city limit to be posted at 45 mph. Staff did not see that the consultant had already reduced the speed limit as much as possible. For this reason, this section of Olive Avenue should be posted at 45 mph and not at 40 mph as recommended by Staff as provided in the previous amended ordinance. Because of this error, all of the speed limit recommendations were reevaluated and it was determined that this was the only error.
HISTORY AND PAST ACTIONS
On January 17, 2017, City Council approved a general fund appropriation in the amount of $100,000 to conduct a speed zone study.
On April 12, 2017, the City of Merced contracted with Omni-Means, LTD to conduct the speed zone study. The study is now complete and must be adopted by ordinance at a future City Council meeting.
On August 20, 2018, the first public hearing was scheduled to consider amending Merced Municipal Code Section 10.16.010 - Speed Limits to implement recommendations made in the speed zone study.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance 2492