Addendum BtwNOv
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JUNE 6, 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 06/07/16
ITEM NO: 12
ADDENDUM B
SUBJECT: APPROVE A PILOT CLOSURE OF A PORTION OF SOUTH SANTA CRUZ
AVENUE TO ADDRESS CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC
REMARKS:
After the addendum was distributed on June 3, 2016, staff received the following comment from a
Council Member and the attached public comment (Attachment 3).
What is your basis for July 16/17 start date? Specifically what are the action items and their
timing?
Funding to mitigate cut through traffic will be available July 1, pending approval of the Capital
Budget. Staff will need to put a contract in place for the services to effect the closure. Staff anticipates
costs of $7,000 per weekend (not per day as stated in the original Council report) based on estimates
from a traffic control company, which includes setup and takedown of cones, barricades, and six
message boards as well as monitoring for each day. Sundays are more expensive due to overtime
rates. This cost also includes the cost to have the Town Traffic Engineer inspect the work each day.
Attachment 1 (Previously received with staff report on June 2 2016•
1. Draft Closure of a Portion of South Santa Cruz Avenue
Attachment 2 (Previously received with Addendum on June 3 2016)•
2. Communication received from 11:01 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016 through 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 3,
2016.
Attachment (Received with this Addendum):
3. Communication received from 11:01 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2016 through 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 6,
2016.
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
S:\COUNCB- REPORTS\2016 \06 -07 -16 \Cut Through Traaic\Addendunr B -Cut Through Traffic FINAL.docx6 /6/2016 3:54 PM MM
From:
On Jun 5, 2016, at 5:14 PM, Lucille Weidman
Mayor Spector and Town Councilmembers:
What would the results be of metering access onto southbound 17 off South Santa Cruz to perhaps one
car every 45 -60 seconds? CalTrans meters on -ramps all the time. It would be a meter that Los Gatos
could turn on and off as needed and change the delay times of the green light events as needed. The
town might need to have some kind of "Awareness Signage" that turns on at the north, east and west
entrances to Los Gatos so drivers are aware of the consequences of trying to go through town.
It would probably require someone official (Highway Patrol or LGPD on motorcycle) to be visible in the
area of the metering light to deter more than one car per green light event. The metering light might
deter enough drivers to avoid going through town in the future.
Just as the recent signage indicates, drivers coming from Saratoga, Campbell, and Blossom Hill
directions need to get on southbound 17 via Highway 9.
If the metering light makes it less beneficial for drivers to go through town and residential streets to
get to areas south of Los Gatos, they will stay on southbound 17 and /or access southbound 17 at
Highway 9.
Respectfully,
Sam Weidman
From: Barnaby James
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2016 12:00 AM
To: Council; Town Manager
Subject: Feedback about Ramp Closure Experiment
I understand the town is considering experimenting with closing the south bound HWY 17 onramp from
North Santa Cruz Ave. I am very encouraged the town is taking action and I'd just like to reiterate the
feeling of many people in the town that this is a huge issue that the town collectively needs to solve.
- Clogged streets "lock in" residents who may not be able to return to their homes
- Creates an enormous disincentive to visiting down town businesses on weekends both for residents and
actual visitors
- Creates a hazard to EMT services - I made a video of one of many times I have seen this happen along
Los Gatos Blvd where an ambulance had to drive on the opposite side of a divided road to make
progress. See htips: / /www.voutube.com /watch ?v= LSSOBikbpHe
I think for the ramp closure experiment to be representative it would ideally take place over several
weekends and needs to be heavily advertised in advance (possibly using the electronic billboards that
suggest staying on / rejoining HWY 17).
Thanks!
Barnaby James
Los Gatos, CA
ATTACHMENT
From: Richardsons
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2016 10:20 PM
To: Council
Subject: Beach traffic
I just rode my bike downtown on a Saturday around I I:OOAM. Thankfully, Massol and Tait Ave's were
coned off for the Highway 9 traffic. Those streets were much quieter / safer because of them being
coned off.
I wanted to voice my recommendation as to how to handle beach traffic: I have posted this suggestion
on Nextdoor.com
Leave Lark Ave as the only on ramp to Highway 17 South during the beach traffic crunch time. The
traffic "APP'S" would advise all who use them that driving through town is a dead end. It would also
force those that come South on 85 to Highway 9 (Saratoga Ave exit) to go back to Lark Ave.... hopefully
encouraging them to stay on 85 in the first place. That would leave downtown to those who want to
stroll, shop, and or taste. The city could set up temporary signs so stating and possibly using the "amber
alert" signs on the freeways.
Please consider my idea?
Thanks
Lainey Richardson
55 year resident living in La Rinconada
ATTACHMENT