Council approves several stop‑sign and speed‑limit changes after debate over petitions and notice

City council on Sept. 17 approved multiple traffic‑control ordinances, including installation of all‑way stop controls at Gramercy Avenue intersections and a 25 mph speed limit on Wisteria Road, after several council members and residents questioned how speed‑control requests are studied and communicated. The council advanced ordinance 9d to install stop signs at Gramercy and Madison and Gramercy and Michigan and later approved related measures on a recorded vote. Council members raised concerns about petition notice and about why some streets that have long‑standing requests for humps or stop signs had not yet received the same treatment. Director Roosevelt explained the city’s practice: requests for stop signs and speed humps are investigated, traffic studies are performed and the city applies state guidance. He said locations within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or community center are eligible for an expedited process that does not require the full manual traffic‑study pipeline. That proximity rule, Roosevelt said, was why stop signs were installed along a recently rebuilt section of Gramercy Avenue near a school or playground. Councilwoman Laca and other members said some residents filed petitions for speed humps on Wisteria Road. Staff said the petition was reviewed and the recommendation in that case was to install a 25 mph speed‑limit sign rather than humps; the council voted to adopt the posted speed limit ordinance and asked staff to provide targeted notice to petitioners about determinations. Council members asked for better clarity in communications to residents when the city declines a requested treatment so petitioners are not surprised when the recommendation differs from their request. One council member asked staff to return with a minor ordinance change that would require formal written notice when a petition is rejected or modified.