OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE MANASSAS PARK GOVERNING BODY ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2001 AT 8:05 PM AT CITY HALL, ONE PARK CENTER COURT, MANASSAS PARK, VIRGINIA.
1. Roll Call
Present: William J. Treuting, Jr., Mayor
H. Marie Baker, Vice Mayor
William R. Wren
Kevin P. Brendel
Fran Kassinger
Absent: Jonell Pizzola
Vonna L. Privett
Also Present: Lana A. Conner, City Clerk
David W. Reynal, City Manager
John J. Bellaschi, City Attorney
Brett Shorter, Director of Fiscal Services
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 8:05 PM.
Public Hearing: Traffic Speed Limits and One Way Traffic: Ordinance:
The City Manager addressed this proposed ordinance. This ordinance was prepared to implement the recommendations of the Public Works and Police Department in November. These recommendations were to respond to the numerous complaints about speeding on residential streets and to provide some consistency to signage and enforcement. Generally, the speed limit would be changed to a 15 mph if the width of residential roadway is 30’ feet or less. The street would be designated as one-way if it was also lengthy, and without intersections. The result should be that there would be fewer vehicle-vehicle conflicts and vehicle-pedestrian conflicts in areas where the roadway is narrow and parked vehicles limit visibility.
Based on the guidelines, two additional roads would be designated as one-way streets: Kent Drive from Manassas Drive to Cabbel Drive; and Mosby Drive from Cabbel Drive to Manassas Drive. The following roads would be added to those currently having 15 mph speed limits: Colfax Court, Courtney Drive, from Manassas Drive to Polk Drive; Kirby Street, Mace Street, Morton Court and Travis Street.
Two other road sections would be affected by consistent application of these guidelines. Martin Drive would be converted from one-way to two-way traffic, based on a width of 34 feet. Similarly, the speed limit of Lambert Drive would be set at 25mph; currently the roadway has both 25mph and 15 mph speed limit signs. The City has received some e-mail and they have tried to be responsive to those concerns.
Citizens wishing to address Public Hearing:
1. Mickey McCarthy, 237 Kent Drive: She has lived on this street for 20 years. Previously, councils have tried to make this one-way. She objected and it was left as two-way traffic.
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She chose to live on a two way street because it is a hassle and inconvenience to live on a one-way street. She believes that the sales value and assessments will be lowered because of it being a one-way street. She presented a petition with 22 signatures on it asking that Kent Drive not be changed to a one-way street. She also had it translated into Spanish. There were residents at four homes that did want to make it one-way. Making it one-way will not slow people down and children do play in the street. Traffic on this street is very bad. She would like to see a law that nothing bigger than a pickup can park on the street. She would like to see them lower the speed limit. Rather than make it one-way why not put in speed bumps. She thinks this street is pretty wide. There is a trailer at the end of the street that collects trash and leaves. This is a safety hazard for children. She only addressed citizens on Kent Drive.
Councilmember Brendel asked her if she had trouble with two-way traffic with being able to have two cars side by side plus the parked cars. She stated that four cars couldn’t fit across that road comfortably. She has never had a problem where she could not turn into her driveway. People stop and let other people in. The issue of not allowing anything bigger than the pickup truck would address the issue of crowdedness of the street. She has heard recently about cars being hit at the bottom of the street. The houses have construction crews living in them and have big trucks parked on the street.
2. Ray Russell, 266 Moseby Drive: He thanked the Governing Body for their concerns about traffic controls on the streets where his family live and play. It is a fact that children play in the streets regardless of what you do. Is the Governing Body concerned with the easiest flow of traffic or the safety of his children? Does the Governing Body believe that traffic will go slower on his street if it is one-way? He believes that if a person knows that nothing is going to come the other way, he is going to hit the gas and go faster. His work vehicle has been hit while parked on his street in front of his house. He knows a lot of children on this street and they must be protected. It is a narrow street but the drivers pull over to let another vehicle pass. Rather than one-way put in speed bumps. That will slow down the traffic. Moseby Drive already has a 15mph speed limit. He would like to see police patrol his street more often.
3. Stephen Frick, 246 Kent Drive: He stated there is no speed limit signs on his street. He signed the petition that Ms. McCarthy had. Speeding is a problem. Making the street one-way is not a cure. At present, people pull over for another vehicle. He does not know if the city would every put in sidewalks. That would help with the bicycles. He would like to see speed bumps installed.
4. Stephen Brady, 112 Forrest Street: He lives on one-way street with a 15mph speed limit. That does not slow down the traffic. This is a pretty straight street and he stated he could hear cars going down the street at 60mph at night.
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His car was hit by a drunk driver and knocked upon the curb. There are kids always playing in the street. He agrees that speed bumps would be a way to slow people down.
The City Manager stated speed bumps, like the ones in shopping centers, are not allowed by the State. The City cannot install them on public roads because they are a liability and danger to driver and to the public. There is an alternative, which is called a speed hump. This is an exaggerated speed bump over a distance of eight to ten feet. It is a gentler kinder type of speed bump. It encourages people to slow down. It is a new concept. Mr. Russell asked if we were going to concern ourselves with a little bit of regulations or are we going to concentrate on safety of our children.
MOTION: Councilmember Baker moved to close the Public Hearing at 8:30 PM.
SECOND: Councilmember Wren
VOTE ROLL CALL: Unanimously passed
MOTION: Councilmember Baker moved to refer this item to Code Committee for further consideration taking into accounts the remarks made by citizens tonight.
SECOND: Councilmember Wren
The Mayor stated the concern of the Governing Body first and foremost is the safety of the children. There is a difference between speed bumps and speed humps both from legal standpoint and how city has to react to it. The City has found that in other jurisdictions a one-way street does slow down traffic.
Councilmember Wren stated the citizens have a choice of instituting a $200 additional fine for speeding on streets that has shown to be a deterrent.
The citizens will be notified when the Code Committee meets and when Governing Body will make a decision. It will be placed on cable and website. Councilmember Brendel asked public works and public safety to go back and review the issue of width of street.
VOTE ROLL CALL: Yes: Baker, Wren, Brendel, Kassinger, Treuting
Approved February 6, 2001
______
William J. Treuting, Jr., Mayor
______
Lana A. Conner, City Clerk
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OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE MANASSAS PARK GOVERNING BODY ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2001 AT 8:31 PM AT CITY HALL, ONE PARK CENTER COURT, MANASSAS PARK, VIRGINIA.
2. Roll Call
Present: William J. Treuting, Jr., Mayor
H. Marie Baker, Vice Mayor
William R. Wren
Kevin P. Brendel
Fran Kassinger
Absent: Jonell Pizzola
Vonna L. Privett
Also Present: Lana A. Conner, City Clerk
David W. Reynal, City Manager
John J. Bellaschi, City Attorney
Brett Shorter, Director of Fiscal Services
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 8:31PM
Public Hearing: Enhancement Grant-Sidewalk Program: Resolution:
This Public Hearing is required in order to apply for federal enhancement grant funding in the next funding cycle. The grant would allow construction of the remainder of the sidewalks on Manassas Drive between Euclid Avenue and Andrew Drive. The City’s share would be 20% of total funds. City has been awarded $100,000 of the total $361,300 during 2000 application process.
Citizens wishing to address Public Hearing:
1. Stephen Frick, 246 Moseby Drive: Is there going to be sidewalks on his street any time in the future. Eventually the city hopes to have sidewalks at least on one side on every street in the city. The next street slated for rehabilitation is Meeker Street.
MOTION: Councilmember Wren moved to close public hearing at 9:40 PM.
SECOND: Councilmember Baker
VOTE ROLL CALL: Unanimously passed
Resolution 2001-1000-888: Approval:
MOTION: Councilmember Wren moved the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, in accordance with Commonwealth Transportation Board construction allocation procedures, it is necessary that a request by resolution be received from the local government or state agency in order that the Virginia Department of Transportation program a transportation enhancement project in the City of Manassas Park.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Governing Body of the City of Manassas Park, requests the Commonwealth Transportation Board to continue an established project for the improvement of pedestrian facilities along Manassas Drive.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Manassas Park hereby agrees to pay a minimum twenty percent of the total cost for planning and design, right of way, and construction of this project, and that, if the City of Manassas Park subsequently elects to cancel this project the City of Manassas Park hereby agrees to reimburse the Virginia Department of Transportation for the total amount of costs expended by the Department through the date the Department is notified of such cancellation.
SECOND: Councilmember Brendel
VOTE ROLL CALL: Yes: Wren, Brendel, Baker, Kassinger, Treuting
Approved February 6, 2000
______
William J. Treuting, Jr. Mayor
______
Lana A. Conner, City Clerk
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OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE MANASSAS PARK GOVERNING BODY ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2001 AT 8:41 PM AT CITY HALL, ONE PARK CENTER COURT, MANASSAS PARK, VIRGINIA.
3. Roll Call
Present: William J. Treuting, Jr., Mayor
H. Marie Baker, Vice Mayor
William R. Wren
Kevin P. Brendel
Fran Kassinger
Absent: Jonell Pizzola
Vonna L. Privett
Also Present: Lana A. Conner, City Clerk
David W. Reynal, City Manager
John J. Bellaschi, City Attorney
Brett Shorter, Director of Fiscal Services
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 8:41PM
Public Hearing: Taxicab Ordinance-Requirements for Physicals Regulation:
Consistent with Prince William County and Manassas City, City of Manassas Park has been requested to eliminate the requirement for annual physicals for taxicab drivers. The police department concurs with this recommendation. The proposed ordinance deletes the requirements for such a physical. The Code Committee recommends this ordinance.
Citizens wishing to Address Public Hearing:
Ira (Corky) Cochran, Owner of Yellow Cab: He supports the removal of this provision. The only person it helps is a doctor who the applicants have to pay for the physical. It is a detriment to finding cab drivers.
Robin Davies, 116 Mace Street: She is assistant manager for Manassas Cab. She supports the removal of this provision.
MOTION: Councilmember Wren moved to close public hearing at 8:45 PM.
SECOND: Councilmember Brendel
VOTE ROLL CALL: Unanimously passed
Ordinance 01-1700-642: Removal of Requirement for Physicals:
MOTION: Councilmember Wren moved to approve following ordinance:
An Ordinance to amend Chapter 11, For-Hire Vehicles, of the Code of the City of Manassas Park, Virginia to eliminate the requirement for an annual physical examination for taxicab drivers.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Governing Body of the City of Manassas Park, Virginia, that
1. Section 11-52 of Chapter 11, For-Hire Vehicles, of the Code of the City of Manassas Park, Virginia is hereby amended to read as follows:
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ARTICLE III. DRIVER’S PERMIT
Sec. 11-52. Application.
(a) Application for a taxicab driver’s license, and for renewals thereof, shall be made in person on forms provided by the taxicab inspector and the applicant shall provide the following information under oath:
(1) His name, age, address and other pertinent personal data.
(2) A description of his physical condition, including a medical physical examination report, which must have been completed no more than thirty (30) days prior to the application. An updated physical examination report is required annually thereafter. Reserved.
(3) His traffic and criminal record.
(4) His experience in operating motor vehicles.
(5) His experience in driving taxicabs for hire, if any.
(6) The name of the operator for whom he will drive.