Walnut Grove council to pursue traffic-calming measures after resident complaints

Residents and council members raised repeated concerns about speeding and safety on neighborhood streets, and the Walnut Grove City Council agreed to pursue follow-up steps that could include additional signage, targeted speed humps and a community education campaign.

Speakers identified multiple trouble spots, including Forest Glen, Salmon Creek Drive, Park Street, Thompson Lane and Magnolia Springs. Proposed near-term responses included installing three-way stop signs at specific intersections, placing speed humps on problem stretches and asking school officials to help spread safety messaging to families. Council members suggested a community campaign called "Operation Slow Down" to combine enforcement, education and visible reminders.

Council members noted legal and jurisdictional limits: lowering posted speed limits on some streets requires state approval, and some roads are county-owned so the city would need to coordinate with county officials. Staff said city marshals can issue citations but cannot make arrests; deputies or county officers would handle arrests. Councilmembers planned to ask the sheriff for clarification of patrol coverage and to set a meeting with the sheriff and with Greg in public works to review sign placement, sight-line issues and tree limbs obstructing signage.

Speakers discussed enforcement tools and costs. The council received a price estimate for regulatory signs in a recent outreach (medium-size signs cited at about $50 and larger signs about $64 each) and noted the additional expense of posts and installation. Councilmembers said they would compile a prioritized list of intersections for signage and traffic calming and would inform affected residents before changes are installed.

Ending

Council members asked staff to schedule meetings with the sheriff's office and public works, prepare cost estimates and return with a proposed plan for signage, speed-hump placement and the community campaign.