27702 Crown Valley Parkway Suite D-4 #426 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 www.lrciviccouncil.org MINUTES OF A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE LADERA RANCH CIVIC COUNCIL (LRCC) January 22, 2018 A regular meeting of the Ladera Ranch Civic Council was held January 22, 2018 at the Rancho Santa Margarita Water District Building on 26111 Antonio Parkway. The meeting convened at 7:10 PM with the following members present. ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Absent: Council Administrator: Vice-Chair, Gary Kephart Treasurer, Amir Arbabi Secretary, Margaret Novak Councilmember, Joe Brenneman Councilmember, Michael Ellzey Chair, Stephanie Ramsey Carlo Tomaino (Left PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Brenneman. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were three members of the public present: Dan McCray (speaker), Jeff Hamilton (speaker), and Todd Stearns. Dan McCray indicated that he has lived in Ladera Ranch since 2013, within the Echo Ridge neighborhood. He travels along O Neill Parkway and Crown Valley Parkway regularly and asked LRCC to consider supporting his proposed traffic improvements in a letter submitted for review (to both LRCC and the County of Orange Public Works). The proposal includes a request to re-stripe/re-configure the lanes along Crown Valley Parkway around Cox Sports Park. He is concerned about increasing traffic volumes from the Rancho Mission Viejo development and completion of La Pata Avenue, and how those volumes interface with the three lanes of traffic turning onto Crown Valley Parkway from O Neill Parkway. [See Attachment A] Jeff Hamilton indicated that he also lives in Ladera Ranch and has shared concerns about crossover of traffic at the Crown Valley Parkway/O Neill Parkway intersection. Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 1 of 7
Separately, Mr. Hamilton expressed his dissatisfaction with the County s approach to road repairs/slurry seal throughout all of Ladera Ranch (on County-owned streets), but specifically with the repairs/slurry seal that is now failing on his street, Melody Lane, only less than a year after completion. Photos were shared with the County of Orange Public Works staff and LRCC councilmembers present. PRESENTATION(S): 1. PRESENTATION FROM ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS: Edward Frondoso, PE, TE (Manager) and Deepthi Arabolu, PE, TE (Civil Engineer) from Orange County Public Works (OCPW) Traffic & Design Division were requested to attend and provide an update regarding the status of traffic improvements throughout Ladera Ranch. While a formal presentation was not provided, Mr. Frondoso and Ms. Deepthi took notes/responded to questions from councilmembers and residents regarding concerns. It was indicated that Javier Soto is OCPW s Construction Group Manager and that any restriping projects are being handled through that group. The restriping refresh project community-wide is scheduled to start next on Monday, January 29, 2018 and will take approximately two weeks to complete. [See Attachment B] Separate from the restriping refresh project, OCPW is investigating other requests as well. One request made from the public is to evaluate the Tuberose Street and Agapanthus Street intersection sightlines. Ladera Ranch s neighborhoods are typically low volume, low speed roadways. OCPW has only received two complaints in the last five years regarding safety hazards (e.g. sightlines) at this intersection and, after further investigation, it did not meet the threshold need for a stop/yield warrant sign. Given the request to investigate further, OCPW is requesting the Traffic Committee to recommend next steps. The OCPW Staff s recommendation to the Committee is that vehicles driving on Agapanthus Street yield to those on Tuberose Street. OCPW s Traffic Committee will be evaluating the installation of a traffic control sign at this intersection during their February 15, 2018 Meeting 9:00 AM at the Santa Ana Civic Center Hall of Administration. The public is welcome to attend and share their thoughts about this potential improvement. Councilmember Arbabi asked questions about the community-wide slurry seal project. Mr. Frondoso indicated that OCPW s typical slurry seal project timeline is every seven years. Every 21 years, OCPW s performs the full cold-mill and overlay of roadways. Inspections are made by OCPW s Construction Group. Mr. Arbabi also indicated that a list of approximately 16 traffic and safety items were submitted to OCPW for review and that most items on list remain unaddressed and/or incomplete. Mr. Arbabi questioned if those projects were delayed due to a Countyinitiated traffic study. Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 2 of 7
Mr. Frondoso indicated that a free traffic study had been completed by Berkeley Tech Transfer in/about October 2016, but that it was more of a theoretical-based study to offer suggestions for enhancements. Three communities were evaluated in the study: Ladera Ranch, City of Anaheim, and Midway City. Mr. Frondoso clarified that a traffic study is needed for every traffic and safety improvement request submitted, so he was not sure about the link between Mr. Arbabi s 16 proposed improvements relative to the Berkeley Tech Transfer Study. It was confirmed that OCPW completes traffic-related improvements based on accident data from CHP. Councilmember Ellzey indicated that LRCC needs to collectively revisit the list of proposed traffic improvements submitted to OCPW and asked that Councilmember share the list for review at an upcoming LRCC Working Group Meeting. Councilmember Novak requested more detailed information pertaining to the OCPW s schedule of roadway maintenance, beyond that of the County s Capital Improvement Program (which does not provide sufficient detail for the LRCC to understand the timing of slurry seal projects going forward). Resident Todd Stearns commented on slurry seal phasing and the desire to have a plan. As a former LRCC Councilmember, Mr. Stearns noted that Mr. Soto form OCPW s Construction Group had been responsive and easy to work with; however, Ladera Ranch still does not have a planned roadway maintenance schedule. Relatedly, he inquired about the vertical height of manhole covers following the slurry seal completed in many areas of the community. The manhole covers were not raised to match street level, and the result is now a jarring experience for drivers. OCPW indicated that the Traffic Design Group would consider this concern, but also noted that manhole covers are not typically raised as part of the Construction Group s slurry seal projects. Resident Jeff Hamilton indicated that, as a former LRCC Councilmember, he had been asking for a roadway maintenance schedule since 2014. It is important for the LRCC and residents of the community to know when projects are to be completed. Councilmember Kephart requested that Mr. Hamilton notify the LRCC of any specific roadway issues going forward, so they can be incorporated into a list of project requests submitted by LRCC to OCPW. Councilmember Novak reviewed a PowerPoint presentation of photos along Melody Lane in Ladera Ranch with OCPW Staff present, which demonstrated the roadway maintenance and subsequent slurry seal projects now failing in that neighborhood. [See Attachment C] Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 3 of 7
Mr. Frondoso (OCPW) indicated that an annual road index is prepared every year that lists every street and rates the roadway quality (a Pavement Condition Index, or PCI). The index also summarizes what work was last completed and when. A group from OCPW performs a field audit of streets to measure PCI annually, which is then used to decide when roadwork is next needed. Resident Dan McCray asked about slurry seal efforts along Crown Valley Parkway, specifically whether the County had jurisdiction over that area as well. It was confirmed that OCPW is responsible for maintenance of all County-owned roadways. Councilmember Kephart asked if OCPW has any online links or website requisition tools available to the public for project requests to be submitted. OCPW Staff indicated that the County had completed a soft-launch of the myocservices.com website for requisitions to be submitted by the public. Councilmember Brenneman inquired about the distinction between incorporated and unincorporated roadways and how their maintenance might differ. It was clarified that OCPW only manages roadway repairs for unincorporated areas and that local Cities manage those projects independently. It was also noted that the County of Orange is segmented into seven different geographical areas). Typically, unincorporated areas repair projects are prompted by a resident s call. 2. REPORT FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT: Lieutenant Mitch Wang presented a comparison of crime statistics in Ladera Ranch between 2017 and 2016. In 2017, there were 207 Part 1 crimes, versus 213 in 2016. Overall, property-related crimes are what drive incidents throughout Ladera Ranch (188 of the 207 reported crimes were specific to property). The majority of those 188 crimes were thefts from unlocked vehicles and represent the largest crime segment in Ladera Ranch. Aside from petty thefts, vandalism was the next largest crime segment. Only six violent crimes were reported in 2017. More deputies are out in the field than three years ago. Lieutenant Wang has requested an update from the 5 th District County Supervisor s Office about the feasibility of a Sheriff s Deputy report-writing area within Ladera Ranch (since this community is central to south Orange County). Westar provided a location for consideration, but the Sheriff s Deputies were not able to make it work since it was not available to them exclusively. As of November 2017, the Supervisor s Office had indicated that they were still evaluating other options. The Sheriff s Department is coordinating with LARCS on upcoming events, including whether to hold another Coffee w/ Cop type of event. This event was very successful in the past. Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 4 of 7
Councilmember Kephart asked if the Sheriff s Department has seen an increase in drag racing along Antonio Parkway. Lieutenant Wang indicated racing activities are monitored/controlled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). However, residents are encouraged to provide the Sheriff s Department with information about racing activities if a known problem area and/or timeframe of activity regularly occurs. It was discussed that teenage spectators are staging in the Kohl s shopping center late at night, more and more frequently. Councilmember Arbabi inquired about the status of Mappers, a crime incident reporting program accessible to the public. The program is currently in the requisition phase at the County level, and would be used in addition to blotter. Lieutenant Wang did not have any update to provide. Orange County Public Works staff asked about parking enforcement throughout the community. Lieutenant Wang confirmed that CHP handles enforcement of all parking/traffic-related matters on public streets. Resident Todd Stearns asked if videos that capture car fishing criminals in action are helpful to the Sheriff s Department efforts. Lieutenant Wang indicated that those kinds of videos are very helpful to investigators. He also noted that there are two Sheriff s Investigators assigned to Ladera Ranch. Resident Dan McCray inquired about false alarms (calls) to the Sheriff s Department, and whether those who continue to make false alarms are eventually subject to a fine. Lieutenant Wang indicated that there are eventual penalties for making false alarms. Separately, Mr. McCray shared that some neighborhoods have completed a full video network of their street so the entire neighborhood can watch a video of who is coming in/out. CONSENT CALENDAR: 3. NOVEMBER 20, 2017 MINUTES FROM THE LADERA RANCH CIVIC COUNCIL (LRCC) PUBLIC MEETING: Resolution: Motion: Second: Vote: Approve consent calendar, including minutes from LRCC s Public Meeting held on November 20, 2017. Councilmember Ellzey Councilmember Novak Passed 4 Yes and 1 Abstain (Councilmember Arbabi) Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 5 of 7
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: 4. 2018 SPEAKER CALENDAR: LRCC reviewed the proposed 2018 speaker calendar. Resolution: Motion: Second: Vote: Approve the proposed 2018 Speaker Calendar and authorize the LRCC Chair and/or Secretary to schedule speaker participation. Councilmember Novak Councilmember Brenneman Passed as presented, unanimously 5. CIVIC COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATES: Traffic & Public Safety Committee Councilmember Arbabi expressed concern about the Orange County Public Works staff not providing a formal update about the roadway repairs and slurry seal projects throughout Ladera Ranch, despite his request for specific updates to be shared during the LRCC Meeting. Councilmember Ellzey asked Councilmember Arbabi to provide the LRCC with a summary of the information requests submitted to the County, to-date. Education Committee Councilmembers Kephart and Brenneman provided an update on their meeting with Capo Unified School District (CUSD) earlier in the day. There is a mutual desire to improve communications between LRCC and CUSD representatives. If desired by LRCC, the CUSD Superintendent is willing to attend and/or present at future LRCC meetings. Potential topics may include: budgeting 101 for schools, funding by student and how that impacts operating budget, building improvements, etc. Other topics that emerged from the meeting were CUSD redistricting, CUSD s consideration of another bond measure, and the new Oso Grande Elementary School LED sign (specifically its level of brightness). There were no other LRCC Committee updates provided. CIVIC COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR REPORT No update. Mr. Tomaino had to leave the meeting early for an unexpected family matter. Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 6 of 7
CIVIC COUNCIL COMMENTS: Chair Ramsey Absent. Vice Chair Kephart No comments. Treasurer Arbabi No comments. Secretary Novak No comments. Councilmember Brenneman Provided an update that the Pacific Grill Restaurant is still planning to open. The delay relates to unexpected road blocks encountered. Councilmember Ellzey Requested that LRCC continue to invite the Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce to attend/present an update during the LRCC Public Meetings. ADJOURNMENT: The LRCC Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:22 PM to the next Public Meeting on Monday February 26, 2018. Meeting information will be posted on LRCC s website at www.lrcivicouncil.org. Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Page 7 of 7
27702 Crown Valley Parkway Suite D-4 #426 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 www.lrciviccouncil.org ATTACHMENT A January 22, 2018 Mr. Dan McCray s Crown Valley Parkway Restriping Proposal Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Attachment
27702 Crown Valley Parkway Suite D-4 #426 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 www.lrciviccouncil.org ATTACHMENT B January 22, 2018 Orange County Public Works (Traffic & Design Division) Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Attachment
27702 Crown Valley Parkway Suite D-4 #426 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 www.lrciviccouncil.org ATTACHMENT C January 22, 2018 Melody Lane Photos (Failing Improvements) Minutes Public Meeting of the LRCC Attachment
Ladera Ranch Streets Melody Lane (South End of Community)