18. Safety around schools $300KCity Hall
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014-3255
Telephone: (408) 777-3220
Fax: (408) 777-3366
Sheriff's Office, Santa Clara County
SUMMARY
Agenda Item No: ~'
Meeting Date: May 20, 2008
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Present recommendations for Council to consider in using the $300,000 allocated to Safety
around Schools in the city. I was asked at the May 6 Council meeting to return with
recommendations for Council to consider regarding the safety concerns around the schools in
Cupertino.
BACKGROUND
The City and Sheriff s Office have recognized the need to evaluate and monitor both vehicular
and pedestrian traffic around the schools in the City of Cupertino. The roadways around schools,
along with residents and citizens commuting to school, have raised safety and traffic concerns
within the community.
In an attempt to address the problem, City Council allocated $300,000 toward a project that
would help to relieve the congestion, and address the safety of the students in the community. I
have been asked to further evaluate the vehicle traffic, safety, cueing taking place, and student
traffic to come up with possible recommendations to relieve some of the problems the city is
facing in these areas.
RECOMMENDATION
The primary issue that was examined during this process was the traffic congestion around the
city, specifically in areas around the schools. Safety concerns were evaluated for both
pedestrians and bicyclists.
Our objectives were to create safer routes to schools throughout the city by implementing
mechanical changes to ease the congestion, increase visibility for pedestrian and bicycle traffic,
and create a better cueing process for the loading and unloading of students.
1. Directed Enforcement. This is a very effective means to provide safety and address
traffic needs at the schools. This was also discussed by Council at the last meeting on
May 6. The motor units would provide enforcement on a daily basis at, and around, the
schools. The units would work one hour in the morning and afternoon on overtime to
assist with the heavy traffic around the schools. They will ensure that drivers are moving
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as required, following all regulations in the area of the schools, and provide education to
drivers on appropriate behavior while driving in the school areas. They will be working
this detail five days per week for the duration of the school year, approximately 700
hours for one year. The total cost for this enforcement for one year is $49,000.
2. The Traffic/Safety Consultant Position. This position will allow for a retired Traffic
Accident Investigator to be employed and bring his knowledge of 10 years as a traffic
unit, and investigator, to the city. He will be employed at $32 /hour and complete 960
hours in one year. This position will be responsible for a number of different objectives
for the year:
a. He will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of all recommendations
should they be approved by Council.
b. He will evaluate the effects of the redevelopment projects to determine what
effects, if any, they have made.
c. He will continue to monitor the traffic and safety around the schools to determine
if there are more effective needs that can be addressed, or if there are further
recommendations for future improvements.
d. He will work to secure Grants to establish and develop a "Safe Routes to School"
program for the city. This will include the formation of a Task Force to oversee
and implement the program.
e. He will assist in implementing the "student valet" program at the Elementary and
Middle schools for those schools that do not already have the program in place.
By the way, this program can be implemented with no cost to the city or schools.
f. He will develop an Educational Program addressing the need to have students
walk bike to school. This program will be aimed at the parents of the students
through the schools.
3. Survey -The next recommendation to Council is the completion and evaluation of a
Survey by the schools. I have developed a Survey (attached) that will be handed out to
all of the schools in the city prior to the end of the year. This survey will provide us
with valuable feedback regarding the means that students use to get to and from school
on a daily basis. This information will be used to evaluate the traffic and safety
concerns, develop the "Safe Routes to Schools" program, and to develop an
"Educational Program" for parents. It will be a valuable tool for the Traffic/Safety
Consultant position.
Mechanical Improvements -the following recommended improvements have been
identified to help provide some relief, and in some cases, resolution to the traffic and
safety concerns around some of the schools. The following are the recommendations
that we are suggesting that Council consider and approve:
1. Place Knock-down channelizer posts at the entrance to the front parking lot, used
for the drop-off and pick-up of students at Lincoln Elementary School. These posts
will help to prevent vehicles that enter the driveway from passing the parked
vehicles on the left side. Passing on the left adds to the congestion in the area, and
presents a safety issue for students exiting and entering vehicles in this area. The
posts will help resolve this safety concern. (See slide 10 in Power Point Attach).
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2. Paint the faded yellow makings prohibiting the same passing movement in the front
parking lot providing better visibility for drivers entering the parking lot. (See slide
11 in Power Point Attach).
3. Paint the existing markings in the roadway on McClellan Road in front of Lincoln
that direct motorists to keep a specific section of the roadway clear of traffic. This
will help drivers see the markings, and allow for the exiting of vehicles from the
parking lot. (See slide 12 in Power Point Attach).
4. Currently there are two existing driveways used to drop-off and pick-up students at
Lincoln Elementary School. There is a front and rear parking lot used for this
purpose, and the driveways to each are in close proximity to one another. In
between these two driveways, there is a heavily used crosswalk. This crosswalk is
manned with a crossing guard. It is also equipped with flashing lights that are
installed in the asphalt. The combination of the two driveways, the location of the
existing crosswalk, and vehicles making left turns out of the rear parking lot
driveway all contribute to large portion of the congestion and safety of
pedestrians bicyclists in the area. (See slidel3 & 14in Power Point Attach). It also
creates a safety concern for pedestrians and bicyclists using the sidewalks in front
of the school. I suggest that aKnock-down "No Left Turn" sign be posted in the
median area on McClellan Road prohibiting westbound drivers on McClellan Road
from turning left into the driveway of the rear parking lot at Lincoln. This would
help to reduce congestion, limit vehicles using the back area, limit vehicles driving
onto the sidewalk area, and allow traffic to flow. (See slide 16 & 17 in Power Point
Attach).
5. Install a "No Left Turn" sign at the exit for the driveway in the rear parking lot at
Lincoln. This would prohibit a left turn out of this driveway, and would allow
vehicles to move back out onto McClellan Road more easily. Vehicles cueing in
the parking lot would be reduced, and the drop-off and pick-up of students would
be safer. (See slide 16 & 17 in Power Point Attach).
6. Paint additional "Keep Clear" signs on McClellan Road in front of the front
driveway entrance to Lincoln Elementary School, and the most eastern driveway to
the student parking area of Monte Vista HS. By keeping this area free of vehicles,
it will help vehicles in the parking lots to enter back out onto McClellan Road
easily, and reduce the backup currently being created waiting for room to pull out.
It will also provide a safer environment for the pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the
sidewalks in front of the schools. We have had a number of accidents that were a
result of vehicles exiting the driveways of the schools, and colliding with bicyclists
on the sidewalks, or riding in the bike lane on McClellan. (See slide 18)
7. Remove and relocate the existing crosswalk on McClellan Road in front of Lincoln
Elementary School. This crosswalk would be moved from its current position
between the two driveways to the parking areas at Lincoln, and would be placed at
a location east of where it is now. This would reduce the interaction currently
taking place between vehicles and pedestrians in this area. (See slides 19 & 20)
8. Replace the crosswalk to a position west of Imperial and still in front of Lincoln
Elementary School. The movement of the crosswalk will help to meter traffic
effectively into and out of the two driveways currently used to drop-off and pick-up
students at Lincoln, and help with students exiting the eastern most driveway from
Monte Vista HS. Currently pedestrians and bicyclists cross at the existing
crosswalk, and in the Keep Clear area near Imperial. This contributes to the traffic
18-3
congestion and safety of the pedestrians. The new location of the crosswalk helps
to address these safety concerns, as well as the traffic congestion. It will still be in a
convenient location that will support the foot traffic in the area for the schools.
(See slide 20) The flashing lights that are currently part of this crosswalk will also
be moved to the new location. We believe that the suggested changes on McClellan
Road, and the changes at Lincoln Elementary School, will help meter the traffic
congestion in the area of Lincoln and Monte Vista HS. It will increase safety for
both pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the area, and will provide additional safety
measures around the schools. The recommended changes will have little to no
impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood. All of the recommended
changes were made with consideration being given to potential impacts to the
neighborhoods. The recommended changes address safety and traffic, changes on
the roadway and on the school property, but do so with minimal redirection of
traffic to the residential areas around the schools. The total cost for the suggested
improvements on McClellan Road and at Lincoln Elementary School is $47,000.
9. Install Flashing LED Lights at additional locations to assist in warning oncoming
motorists of pedestrian's and bicyclist's intention to enter the roadway. The lights
would be installed into the asphalt along the crosswalk, and would be activated by
pushing a button installed on a post. This would cause the lights to flash and warn
oncoming drivers of a pedestrian's intent to cross. One suggested location for the
installation of the Flashing LED lights is on Stelling at Alves. (See slide 21) This
crosswalk is heavily used by pedestrians and bicyclists due to a number of city
facilities located close to the area. There is Garden Gate Elementary School,
DeAnza College, Quinlan Center, Memorial Park, and Shopping all in the
immediate area. We receive numerous complaints from citizens using this
crosswalk indicating that motorists in the area fail to yield to their attempt to cross
the roadway. In fact, recently we conducted a directed enforcement at this location
for motorists not yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk, and in a two hour period,
we wrote 51 citations for violations. The total cost for the installation of the lights
at Stelling and Alves would be $40,000.
10. Install the same Flashing LED Lights in the crosswalk located in front of
Sedgewick Elementary School on Tantau. (See slide 22) Currently with the traffic
congestion caused by motorists backing up while waiting to cue or turn west onto
Phil Lane, pedestrians that attempt to use the crosswalk at this location are not
always visible, or recognized by vehicles trying to get through traffic. The lighting
would help to notify motorists that pedestrians/students are attempting to cross, and
increase visibility. This would help provide a safer environment for the pedestrians
and bicyclists to cross at this location on Tantau, and provide motorists with more
visibility in recognizing the need for someone to cross. The cost to install the
lighting at this location is $25,000.
4. Finally, Council had suggested, and recommended that I include the funding of a School
Resource Officer (SRO) in my proposal. There are numerous safety concerns that the
SROs address throughout the school year for all of the schools in Cupertino. They
provide assistance to Staff and Students at all grade levels in the 14 schools throughout
the city. The SROs limit their availability to the schools within the city limits the
majority of the time. There are occasions that we receive requests for presentations or
training at schools outside the city limits, and if possible we make the effort to assist
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those schools. This is rarely done since the SROs have so many activities and concerns
that they already have to address with the schools in Cupertino. I had outlined their
contributions to the schools, community, and safety previously at the May 6 Council
meeting. I would be more then happy to do so again if Council would like, but if I
understood your previous direction correctly, this may not be necessary. I did include
the cost of paying for one SRO position, at 75% of the position, for one year. This total
cost is $130, 895. I then subtracted the $10,000 that Cupertino Unified School District
has committed toward the SRO position, and the $10,000 that Fremont Union High
School District has committed toward the SRO position. The total cost for the SRO at
75% for one year is $110,895.
As can be seen from the spreadsheet, (See slide 23), the total costs for the suggested
Safety Improvements around the schools in the city are $192,420. Once the SRO
position is added to this figure, the overall total cost for my recommendations to Council
is $303,315.
This is $3,315 over the $300,000 that Council had allocated toward project previously.
Submitted by:
Terry Calderone
Captain, West Valley
Division Commander
Approved for submission:
David W. Knapp
City Manager
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2
Issues...
Congestion leading to Safety Concerns around
Cupertino Schools
Lincoln Elementary: AM commute
Issues...
• Pedestrian Safety
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Objectives...
• Create safer routes to all Cupertino
schools through mechanical changes.
• Ease congestion through mechanical
changes to the roadway.
• Create safer unloading/loading of
passengers while easing congestion
around schools using dedicated
personnel.
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• Directed Enforcement on Overtime 6
- 2 motor units will be placed in specific areas
near the schools to ensure smooth traffic flow
and enforce regulations.
• 1 hour of overtime in the morning and 1 hour in the
afternoon, five days/week during the school year.
• 700 hours total at a cost of $49,000.
Directed Enforcement on Overtime
Enforcement
Cupertino
schools.
8
Traffic/Safety Consultant
- Retired Traffic Investigator for the City of Cupertino
- $32/hour, 960 hours per year max.
- Will oversee implementation of the recommendations,
evaluate effects of the redevelopment, monitor traffic
around all Cupertino schools for further
recommendations.
- Will establish and secure grant funding for a local
"Safe Routes to School" program, as well as assist in
implementing "Student Valet" programs at all
Elementary and Middle schools in Cupertino.
- The Traffic/Safety Consultant will establish an
educational program to address walking and biking
to school for parents.
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Safe Routes Survey
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1
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TALLY SHEET
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su,o~a
Name: t t t t t t t t t t t ~ t Code:
Teacher. Grade (K-B)
Monday's Daw ~ 1 ~ J ~ p ~ students enrolled ,n
class
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Teachers, here are aimpfe irratrncliona for using this form:
• Please conduct these counts on any two days from Tuesday, Wednesday, w Thursday of the
assigned week. Drily two days worn of counts arc seeded, but taunting aN 3 provides better data.
• Please do riot conduct Urcse counts on Mondays or Fridays.
• Before asking your students to raise their hands to indicate the one anawpr that is correct for RreHn.
read through ail pdential answers so they wit know what the cttdces are.
• Ask your studems as a group the question'How did you arrive st school today?'
• Read each answer and record the numbe* of students that raised eieir hands for each.
• Place just one character or number in each box.
• Fol~ow the same procedure for the question 'Now do you plan to leave /or home after school?'
• Please conduct this count regardless of weather cond8iore (i.e., ask these questions on rainy days, too).
Step 1. Fill in the weather Step 2. Ask students 'Now did you arrive at school todry?' and'Now do
conditions and number of you plan to leave for home after school?' frecard number of hands for
studems in lass each day. each anawerj
Weather Number Family Carpool
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Students Vehicle (riling Transit ~a~•
R-Wing ;T Cass Walk Bike School ionq with with (city bus. ~~
o- Bus children children subway. m.~
aereast ~n
otxnt from your from other etc.) skates,
sn-snor ~~1 family) fam•~ies) etc.
sAMPIE S 2 7 4 2 1 1 7 3 0 0
Tues AM
Tues PM
Wed AN
Wed PM
Thus AM
Thus PM
Comments (List disnrptions to counts or any unusual navel condfiona roJlrom the achoet on fne Days of Me ranyJ:
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Thank you for helping gather this information!
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10
Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary
• Mechanical Improvements (cont.)
- Knock-down channelizer posts installed at the entrance of the
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front drop-off loop at Lincoln Elementary.
11
Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary
12
Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary
13
Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary
The combination of the two driveways and the heavily used
crosswalk contributes to the congested traffic. .
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Improvements to McClellan kd /Lincoln Elementary 14
Presently, left turns out of the back lot are permitted,
causing congestion around the crosswalk ~~ Lincoln and
the arliar_Pnt r~rivP~niav~
15
Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary
• Mechanical Improvements (cont.)
- Install a knock-down "No Left Turn" sign to
prohibit WB traffic from turning left into
Lincoln's back lot.
- Install a "No Left Turn" sign at the exit of
Lincoln's back lot which improve traffic flow
into and out of the lot.
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Im~,~ ovements to McClellan Kct / ~incv~n
Elementary ~---- , ,
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The addition of "No Left Turn" signs at the exit of the ~ `~' ~`
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back lot and in the WB center median (knockdown ~-~:: ~ .
sign) could ease congestion. `~~
"Keep Clear" signs on roadways, along with the re-
location of the crosswalk might help.
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We believe the changes we propose to McClellan Road will
ease congestion and make pedestrian and vehicular traffic
safer.($47,700)
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Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary
• Mechanical Improvements (cont.)
- Re-locate the crosswalk that is located near
the west end of Lincoln to alleviate congestion
at the driveways for the 2 loops.
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Improvements to McClellan Rd /Lincoln Elementary 20
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The crosswalk in front of Lincoln can be relocated to a mid-
block location, easing congestion at the drop-off entrance
and then meter traffic for smooth exit from the drop-off.
21
Flashing Crosswalk: Stelling at Alves
This busy crosswalk serves students that are walking to nearby
Garden Gate Elementary, as well as other pedestrians walking to the
Quinlan Center, Memorial Park and nearby shopping.
Sedgewick Elementary 22
Cost Estimate for Proposed Improvements
Proposal Number Cost each Hours Total Cost
Motor Units on Overtime (2) 2 hrs per day $70 per hour 700 hours $49,000
Traffic Safety Consultant 1 $32 per hr 960 hrs $30,720
subtotal $79,720 $79,720
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Improvements to McClellan /Lincoln Elem
Move e~asting Crosswalk/Relocate 1
this Crosswalk/dev~elop curb lines
Placement of no Right Turn sign 1
Placement of no Left Turn Sign 1
Striping of Roadways/Parking Lot Several areas DPW
Placement of Knockdown poles 10
Placement of Crosswalk Knockdowns 3
$32,000
$300
$1,900
$4,500
$7,000
$2,000
subtotal $47,700 $47,700
Flashing Crosswalk Lights- 1 $20,000 $20,000
Stelling at Alves*
Installation 1 $20,000 $20,000
subtotal $40,000 $40,000
Flashing Crosswalk Lights- 1 $12,500 $12,500
Sedgewick Elementary*
Installation 1 $12,500 $12,500
subtotal $25,000 $25,000
Totallmprovements $192,420 $192,420
*Refer to Diagram
SRO -One Year $110,895
Grand Total $303 315
23
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GARDEN
GATE
Elementary School
May 8, 2008
Captain Terry Calderon
1601 S. DeAnza Blvd., Suite 148
Cupertino, CA 95014
Dear Captain Calderon:
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of two of your deputies, Steve
Grisenti and Chris Torres, for all of their efforts to help relieve the traffic issues around our
school. They have shown up regularly during our morning drop-off and Tuesday afternoon pick-
up times. During those times, the traffic around Garden Gate is often very congested.
Unfortunately, it is during those times we see some unsafe driving and walking behaviors.
Deputies Grisenti and Torres have been especially effective in supporting and encouraging safe
driving habits with our community. We have definitely seen an improvement in the traffic
patterns around our school and attribute it in great part to the support of your department,
especially the work of Deputies Grisenti and Torres. Thank you.
Sincerely,
~~ ~~-~~ ~ ~ Y~.
Nancy Wood
Principal
Cc: Phil Quon, C.U.S.D. Superintendent
Steve Grisenti, Sheriff's Deputy
Chris Torres, Sheriff's Deputy
Nancy Wood Principal
I US00 Ann Arbor Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
18-29
(-108) 252-5314 ~ --.
EXHIBIT S
BEGIN
HERE
Linda Lagergren ~ 18
From: eva wong [evaww@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:53 AM
To: Dolly Sandoval; Orrin Mahoney; Kris Wang; Gilbert Wong; Mark Santoro; Cupertino City
Manager's Office
Subject: Revised format: Traffic solution for the Monta Vita Tri-school area
Sorry for the format in my previous mail. Here's the more legible ane:
Dear Fellow Council Members,
I am writing on behalf of a group of Kennedy/Monta Vista School parents to express our concern over the
above captioned subject.
We came to realize that the City Council will address this issue in the upcoming meeting and plan to use some
city fund to relieve the congested traffic during the rush hours in the Monta Vista Tri-Schools area. First and
foremost, we truly appeciate the City Council's effort over the years to try to come up with a solution. And to
our pleasant surprise, we saw Mr. Mark Santoro walked around the Tri-schools area ,under extreme heated sun
last week, talking to principal and parents to collect opinion. We believe citizens of Cupertino are in good
hands and that our voice is truly heard.
Our proposal to the problem is simple:
1. Have a Program that encourage the students and parents to walk or bike to school instead of driving.
2. Get the students involved- the program will only be successful if the students are involved. To do this, we
should:
3. Have a reward program- we have talked to some students as to the kind of reward would moviate them,
some of them suggest money, ipod, iphone (we can ask Apple to sponsor this), some of them suggest
recognition; we suggest to have aschool-wide competition so that the students can device their own program
that interests them.
4. Have PTA involved- we should get the cooperation of PTA for the 3 schools to help identify, enforce,
implement and perhaps fund the program when the City fund ran out.
We have to stress the importance of getting the students involved. As parents, we constantly experienced the
failure of trying to provide or impose the solution we thought would be best for our kids. We sure hope the City
would not make the same mistake.
Above all, we look forward to seeing the City putting good use to our diminishing resources.
For and On Behalf of
a group of Kennedy and Monta Vista schools parents,
Eva Wong