MINUTES OF THE meeting

of the

ASSEMBLY Committee on Transportation

 

Seventy-First Session

February 20, 2001

 

 

The Committee on Transportationwas called to order at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, February 20, 2001.  Chairwoman Vonne Chowning presided in Room 3143 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Guest List.  All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Mrs.                     Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

Mr.                     John Carpenter

Ms. Barbara Cegavske

Mr.                     Jerry Claborn

Mr.                     Tom Collins

Mr.                     Don Gustavson

Mr.                     John J. Lee

Ms.                     Kathy McClain

Mr.                     Dennis Nolan

Mr.                     John Oceguera

Ms.                     Debbie Smith

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED

 

Ms.                     Genie Ohrenschall, Vice Chairman

 

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Paul Mouritsen, Committee Policy Analyst

Sue Modarelli, Committee Secretary

Geri Mosey, Alternate Secretary

Jackie Valley, Personal Secretary

 

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Scott Thorson, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)

Raymond H. Burke, Public Works Department, City of North Las Vegas

Kimberly J. McDonald, MPA, City of North Las Vegas

Chelsea Correia, Student at Galena High School

Kathleen Marshall, City of Sparks

Jim Nadeau, Washoe County Sheriff's Office

Misty Grimmer, Ostrovsky & Associates

Alex Ortiz, Clark County

 

Chairwoman Chowning opened the meeting with the work session on A.B. 7 (Exhibit C), which was first heard on February 13.

 

Assembly Bill 7:  Revises provisions governing school zones and school crossing             zones. (BDR 43-817)

 

Chairwoman Chowning communicated when all concerns, clarifications, and questions on A.B. 7 were answered a vote would be taken.  She requested that Paul Mouritsen, Committee Policy Analyst restate what A.B. 7 would mean to all counties throughout the state, both in terms of permanent and portable sign requirements in school crossing zones.

 

Mr. Mouritsen explained the bill’s intention but could not offer a legal opinion.  A.B. 7 required uniform traffic control signs in school zones as well as school crossing zones, and would eliminate the provision of automatic traffic control devices in place of school zone signs.  The bill would require school zones and school crossing zones be marked with 25 miles per-hour (mph) uniform signs, even at intersections that have automatic traffic signals.  Previously, Mr. Droes, from Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), questioned whether the bill would prohibit the use of flashing beacons in place of school zone signs and was to provide the committee with more information.

 

Chairwoman Chowning thanked Mr. Mouritsen for his enlightenment to the committee on A.B. 7.

 

Chairwoman Chowning stated because the committee had unanswered questions she had called the work session and would call upon persons with more information to clarify the understanding of the language in the bill and amend if necessary.

 

Assemblyman Collins felt his intention for the bill would provide clarification of school control signs and make them uniform, but dealt only with 25 mph or less and would not change the hours of the day provision, which would still be handled at the school district level.

 

Chairwoman Chowning introduced Scott Thorson, P.E., Traffic Engineering Section Chief, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), and requested he state NDOT’s position or concern and educate the committee further regarding A.B. 7.

 

Mr. Thorson recited the third section of A.B. 7, which would be omitted: “This section did not prohibit the use of automatic traffic control devices in school zones in lieu of permanent signs or portable signs.”  Mr. Thorson felt that the intent of Assemblyman Collins’ bill would ensure that flashing beacons or traffic signals, would not take the place of 25 mph signs, but would compliment them. Everything else was covered with the traffic signal in school zones.  If it was called a school zone or school crossing zone one could also have a traffic signal that would be an addition to the signage.  NDOT would not want to lose authority to use other devices such as flashing beacons and signal lights.  In some instances a school route crossed a signal but that would not mean it had to be a school crossing zone.  There could still be a signal at those areas designating a safe crossing for pedestrians crossing at the signal on the green “Walk.”  The speed limit would not be lowered because motorists would have to stop at the signal anyway.

 

Chairwoman Chowning observed a signal (red, yellow, green) in Las Vegas at Tropicana and Eastern, indicating that on the post there was also a florescent child/pedestrian sign in addition to the signal. If A.B. 7 passed, a 25 mph sign would be necessary.

 

Mr. Thorson reiterated that only a 25 mph speed zone sign would need to be posted, additionally, at that spot.  Other options to the 25 mph sign could be:  posting times to stop; when children are present; or put a flashing beacon, so that when the beacons were flashing the speed limits were in effect.  He referenced Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 484 regarding school zones and school crossing zones, and noted the school zone speed limit in Nevada could be no greater than 25 mph.

 

Mr. Nolan questioned how the school zones and school crossing zones in the immediate area were determined, and if a certain number of blocks surrounding the area was covered. 

 

Mr. Thorson replied schools and the state/city/county entity would determine the walking routes to school.  The walking route designation then would determine school zones and school zone crossings. Anyone could cross safely at any signal.

Assemblywoman Cegavske asked for clarification regarding who would control the flashing light and would it flash all day long or only when children were present.  “Was that part of this bill or could it be regulated?”

 

Mr. Mouritsen restated that the bill said a flashing beacon was an option although if the beacon was turned off the restriction was not in effect.

 

Assemblyman Collins stated that his point of disagreement and his reason for introduction of the bill was that others felt the red signal light was adequate, but he did not.  He felt that it would not be adequate in his school district and not provide enough safety for the children.  He wanted an additional sign posted with the 25 mph.  His position on this bill was the safety of the children for his district and the state of Nevada. It was not meant for the convenience of traffic or the environment.  This was also the reason for eliminating the exemption for the traffic light where children were crossing.  The bill would require, without exception, posting a 25 mph speed at a school crossing zone and school zones.

 

Chairwoman Chowning clarified the bill would not require the entity to also put flashing beacons at each crossing.  Each entity would stipulate the hours, if any, in each and every case.

 

Chairwoman Chowning introduced Raymond Burke, Assistant Director, City of North Las Vegas Public Works Department, and asked if he had questions or would like to make a statement to the committee.

 

Mr. Burke instructed the committee on the required procedure for a new school coming into the North Las Vegas jurisdiction.  The city required the school district to put together a traffic study including a walking route study.  At that early time the permanent zoning would not usually be in place.  Safety of the children was the number one concern.  The city directed the children to the most controlled intersections.  Mid-block crossings would be discouraged and the city would encourage crossings at 4-way stops or traffic signals.  When the walking routes were first approved, they would be on a temporary basis.  After the permanent (final) zoning was in place, the school district would come back with its zoning. If there were intersections requiring flashing lights, the city would require the school district to provide the funds to the entity installing the lights.  The cost for equipment was about $20,000 per location.  The city collected the money and encouraged school flasher lights.  He felt in elementary school zones, if crossing times were posted on signs, the letters become pretty small.  A.B. 7 would provide clarification, within approved routes.  Currently the school district was using a new color on signs, a strong yellow-green that emphasized the school zone better than the previous yellow color.  The old sign color blended with other caution signs.  Mr. Burke stated North Las Vegas was in agreement with A.B. 7 for the addition of the 25 mph sign.

 

Chairwoman Chowning declared it was ambiguous, but at least at 45 mph motorists would see the 25 mph and, would make it much safer for the children.  She asked if there were any other questions for Mr. Burke.

 

Assemblyman Carpenter asked for additional clarification on crossing zone designations and if the 25 mph speed limit would be there whether or not there was a traffic signal.

 

Chairwoman Chowning stated each permanent or portable sign, if designated, must be uniform and each required a 25 mph speed limit sign in addition to traffic light school zone crossing with chartreuse pedestrian sign, until motorists became accustomed to slowing down.  Mr. Collins intended the bill to mean a speed limit sign.

 

Mr. Collins stated that A.B. 7 was needed in order to have NRS 484.3665 reflect that school zones were no more than 25 mph.  Adjacent to schools would be no more than 15 mph.  The exemption in NRS 484.3665, Section 1, subsection 3 tells them they would not have to slow traffic.  The bill would only remove the exemption of subsection 3 so traffic was slowed to 25 mph.  The attempt to change existing law was to remove the exemption and also make it mandatory that all school crossings must be marked 25 mph.

 

Mrs. McDonald, Management Analyst, representing the city of North Las Vegas stated there were no objections on A.B. 7 with the clarification.

 

Assemblywoman McClain indicated growth in Las Vegas had created eight-lane roads that motorists sped through.  She felt a good bill would warn motorists to pay attention and observe the 25 mph signs.  She asked if this bill would eliminate the stop sign.  Mr. Mouritsen answered that A.B. 7 would not do away with traffic signals; it would only add signage by posting a 25 mph zone.  He quoted from NRS 484.3665 Section 1, subsection 3, which would omit, “This section does not prohibit the use of automatic traffic control devices in school zones in lieu of permanent or portable signs.”

 

Chairwoman Chowning asked if there were further questions.  There were none.

 

            ASSEMBLYMAN GUSTAVSON MOVED TO DO PASS ON A.B. 7.

 

            ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Chairwoman Chowning requested the committee take action to introduce the Bill Draft Request (BDR) from Douglas County changing the lease term from 50 years to 99 years:

 

            · BDR 44-507 - Increases authorized term for lease of county property for use as airport, airport facility or airport service. (A.B. 210)

 

 

            ASSEMBLYMAN COLLINS MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF             BDR 44-507.

 

            ASSEMBLYMAN CARPENTER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Assemblywoman Smith introduced her intern, Chelsea Correia, a senior from Galena High school.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

Linda Lee Nary

Transcribing Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

 

 

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