Title
a. Introduce, waive reading, and set a hearing for March 1, 2022 to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Section 12.12.010 of Title 12 of the Monterey County Code to revise, uphold and/or adopt speed limits on various county road segments; and
b. Find that the adoption of the ordinance is categorically exempt per Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Introduce, waive reading, and set a hearing for March 1, 2022 to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Section 12.12.010 of Title 12 of the Monterey County Code to revise, uphold and/or adopt speed limits on various county road segments; and
b. Find that the adoption of the ordinance is categorically exempt per Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) are required as the basis for local authorities to establish speed limits higher or lower than those prescribed in the California Vehicle Code (CVC). These include radar measurement of operating speeds, analysis of accident records, and field reviews to inventory road conditions and roadside conditions not readily apparent to drivers. An appropriate speed limit is recommended based upon analysis of the acquired data and actual road and traffic conditions. According to the CVC, only those prima facie speed limits based on E&TS are enforceable by radar.
CVC Section 40802 requires that E&TS for speed limits should be conducted once every five (5) years by governing municipalities. Additionally, CVC Section 40802 contains provisions that allow an E&TS to be valid for up to fourteen (14) years if a registered engineer evaluates and determines that no significant changes in roadway or traffic conditions have occurred, including, but not limited to, changes in adjoining property or land use, roadway width, or traffic volume.
Monterey County Code Title 12, Section 12.12.010 sets speed limits for designated road segments. This update to the ordinance would establish new and/or maintain existing speed limits according to the corresponding E&TS for each of the County road segments shown in Attachment A.
CVC Section 22352 establishes prima facie speed limits for local roads and streets. Prima facie speed limits are defined as speed limits that shall be applicable unless changed, as authorized in the CVC, and only when signs have been erected giving notice. The prima facie speed limit of 15 miles per hour (MPH) applies to railroad crossings, uncontrolled highway intersections with obstructed view, and on alleys. A speed limit of 25 MPH applies on any highway other than State highways in any business or residence district, unless a different limit is established by procedures outlined in the CVC, and also in school zones. There are 23 local road segments that are listed in the current Title 12 that fall under Prima Facie speed limits that do not require an E&TS and are recommended to be deleted from Title 12. The recommended speed limit for the remaining roadways, as supported by their corresponding E&TS, is shown in the tables in Attachment A; Table 1 shows the roadway segments with no speed limit change and their recommended speed limit, Table 2 shows the road segments with recommended speed limit change (in all segments where the speed limit changed the speed limit was reduced), and Table 3 shows the roadway segments that fall under Prima Facie speed limits that do not require an E&TS. The proposed ordinance to implement the recommended changes is provided in Attachment B.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Adoption of the proposed ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to section 15301 (c) of the CEQA Guidelines because the action will involve negligible changes to the existing County regulations that govern the existing County highways and streets.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has approved the ordinance as to form.
FINANCING:
Traffic control devices are funded by the Road Fund. The cost to install the necessary signing is estimated at $50,000. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget for the Road Fund 002, Unit 8558, Appropriation Unit PFP004 to finance this work.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiative for Infrastructure and Public Safety, and Transportation needs. The ordinance will allow for the revision and/or installation of new speed limits traffic signage on county roads that will improve the quality of life for County residents.
____ Economic Development
____ Administration
____ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Jose Miguel Sanchez, Assistant Engineer, & Fabian Hernandez, Assistant Engineer (831) 755-3009
Reviewed by: Chad Alinio, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Approved by: Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE,
Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - ET&S Summary Tables
Attachment B - Proposed Ordinance for Title 12