Parents dropping off or picking up their children at two school locations has the Santa Clarita Public Works department contemplating changes which will be proposed at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

An area resident at the intersection of Carnegie Avenue and Barcotta Drive has requested the city install multiway stop controls due to heavy vehicular and school-age pedestrian congestion at the intersection during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal periods.

The intersection of Carnegie Avenue and Barcotta Drive is a four-legged intersection in a residential neighborhood and is in close proximity to James Foster Elementary School.

The intersection currently has stop controls on Carnegie Avenue.

City staff has reportedly conducted an analysis of the intersection, which included the evaluation of vehicular and pedestrian volumes, collision history, and visibility. The analysis noted heavy on-street parking that restricted the visibility of oncoming vehicles and pedestrians crossing at the intersection.

The city council is expected to approve the installation of the multiway stop controls. Following the changes, traffic on both Carnegie Avenue and Barcotta Drive will be required to stop before entering the intersection.

City staff informed the school and adjacent property owners of the proposed multiway stop controls at the intersection, all of which were reportedly in support of the proposed improvement. The school will also notify the students’ parents of the proposed improvements.

The installation of the multiway stop controls is estimated at $1,000 and will be paid through gas tax funds.

Along similar circumstances the city council is expected to approve the establishment of a “No Stopping Anytime” zone along the west side of the Seco Canyon Frontage Road.

Once again city staff is responded to a request from local residents who indicated that Seco Canyon Frontage Road is a narrow street and is often blocked by parents as they drop off and pick up their children from school.

Residents reportedly told city staff they feel removing parking along one side of the road will improve safety and circulation, especially during school drop-off and pickup times.

City staff is expected to report to the city council that they have reviewed the area and contacted all adjacent homeowners. Based on their observation of traffic conditions and the feedback received from affected residents, staff determined that the establishment of a no-stopping anytime zone, approximately 770 feet in length, would enhance roadway operations and safety, as school parents would no longer block access to local driveways while dropping off and picking up students.

City staff met with representatives from Saugus Union School District, Hart District, Santa Clarita Elementary School and Arroyo Seco Jr. High School. Reportedly, all the school representatives supported the proposed no-stopping zone and indicated that it would improve safety for their students.

The project involves the installation of 8 signs totaling approximately $2,000 which would be paid through gas tax funds.

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The Maddy Act

The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to approve the local appointments list and designate all branches of the Santa Clarita Public Library to receive a copy of the list.

Government code, known colloquially as “The Maddy Act,” takes into consideration a vast and largely untapped reservoir of talent which exists among the citizenry that frequently is not aware of the opportunities for participation on local regulatory and advisory boards and commissions.

For that reason, the Maddy Act was enacted for maximum public awareness of appointments to be made by the Governor, the City Council, the Redevelopment Agency, or other legislative bodies.

Government Code Section 54972 requires that, on or before December 31 of each year, the legislative body, or city council and Redevelopment Agency, must cause to be prepared a list of appointments of all ongoing boards, commissions, and committees which are appointed by the city council and the Agency.

The list must include which terms will expire during the next calendar year, with the name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment, the date the term expires, and the necessary qualifications for the position.

Section 54973 requires that the legislative bodies designate the public library with the largest service population within the jurisdiction to receive a copy of the list.

In addition, staff will also provide a copy of the list to each library in the City, to make the information more readily available to the public.

In accordance with these provisions, the City Clerk will cause to be posted at all branches of the Santa Clarita Public Library the attached Local Appointments Lists before December 31, 2011.

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Placerita Canyon Acreage Purchase Proposal

City staff is recommending the city council approve the purchase of 17.20 +/- acres of real property in Placerita Canyon for open space preservation at a total cost of $90,000, which includes $15,000 for escrow, title, surveying fees, and due diligence costs, and $20,000 for open space start-up costs including gates, fencing, and signs as may be required.

In September 2011, the City entered into negotiations to purchase approximately 17.20 +/- acres of real property in Placerita Canyon for open space purposes. According to the city, the purchase of this property will enhance the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve open space and provide additional trail opportunities for residents.

The property is located close to the 160 acres of city-owned Quigley Canyon Open Space. The acquisition of this site will allow for additional trail connections and future trail alignments.

The Santa Clarita City Council will meet November 22 at City Hall at 6 p.m.