Title
Consider adoption of an ordinance, amending section 12.12.010 of the Monterey County Code to revise the speed limit for a section of Inter-Garrison Road in the East Garrison area of the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance, amending section 12.12.010 of the Monterey County Code to revise the speed limit for a section of Inter-Garrison Road in the East Garrison area of the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On July 7, 2015, the Board introduced, waived the reading, and set July 21, 2015 for the consideration of adoption of an ordinance to amending section 12.12.010 of the Monterey County Code to revise the speed limit for a section of Inter-Garrison Road in the East Garrison area of the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey.
Pursuant to Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution, the County of Monterey may adopt and enforce ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws to protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 22358 (a), the County of Monterey may by ordinance determine and declare upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey a prima facie speed limit of 60, 55, 50, 45, 35, 30, or 25 miles per hour (MPH), whichever is most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and is reasonable and safe.
On September 10, 2013, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 5221 establishing a speed limit of 35 MPH on the newly opened Inter-Garrison Road from its intersection with Reservation Road generally southwest to the terminus of the County right-of-way. The Board required the Public Works Director re-evaluate the speed zone on Inter-Garrison Road when all traffic controls were installed and traffic had stabilized.
A speed survey was conducted in June 2015 with a subsequent Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) completed based on this speed survey. The data collected included times while CSUMB was in session and showed prevailing speeds ranging from 50 - 53 MPH. Speed data collected while CSUMB was in session in May 2014 supported a 45 MPH speed limit.
The recommended speed limit is based on these prevailing speeds and includes a 5 MPH deduction for “conditions that are not readily apparent to the driver.” The June 2015 survey indicates that the speed limit should be raised to 45 MPH for the orderly movement of traffic that is reasonable and safe. . Since the proposed 45 MPH speed limit is supported by an E&TS, the CHP and Sheriff will be able to enforce the speed limit by radar. If a speed limit is adopted that is not supported by an E&TS, the ability of law enforcement to enforce the speed limit is significantly reduced.
Resource Management Agency - Public Works recommends the speed limit on Inter-Garrison Road be raised from thirty-five miles per hour to forty-five miles per hour in the East Garrison area of the unincorporated area of the County of Monterey.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel prepared the ordinance and approved it as to form. The California Highway Patrol concurs with this recommendation.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund. Traffic control devices are paid from the Road Fund. The cost to install the necessary signing is estimated at $800.00. There are sufficient appropriations available in the Fiscal Year Adopted 2015-16 Budget for the Road Fund (Fund 002, Unit 8195) to finance this work.
Prepared by: Ryan D. Chapman, Traffic Engineer, (831) 796-3009
Approved by: Robert K. Murdoch, P.E. Director of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, RMA Acting Director
Dated: July 13, 2015
Attachments: 1. Ordinance; 2. Inter-Garrison Road Speed Limit and Zoning Map; 3. Location Map (Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)