Council says 20 mph school zone planned at North Fork Elementary; SRO hiring still in progress

City leaders told the council on Aug. 4 that they expect new 20 mph school-zone signage to be placed near North Fork Elementary before the school year begins, though a marked crosswalk is unlikely to be in place by then.

Mayor Deinhardt and city staff said the proposed 20 mph zone will extend slightly outside the city limits because signage must be placed a set distance from the school (council discussion cited 300 feet). The change followed persistent requests by school and city officials and coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation, which had not previously supported a 20 mph speed zone or crosswalk at that location.

Nut graf: The council described the signage change as an interim safety measure intended to slow traffic near the school ahead of the academic year; a separate, permanent crosswalk remains under discussion with the state and may require additional approvals.

Chief Gibbs and city staff reported ongoing training and communication with the school district and said recruitment for the school resource officer (SRO) position is continuing. The council said the SRO role has benefited from ‘‘quite a bit of training’’ and improved communication between police and the district, but the position had not been filled as of the Aug. 4 meeting.

Staff emphasized practical limits: while signage can be installed within a limited distance outside the city, some traffic-control devices and crosswalk decisions involve state jurisdiction and may not be approved in time for the school start date. Council members thanked staff and police for their work on the measures.

Ending: The council gave no formal ordinance or resolution on Aug. 4; staff reported the intent to place the 20 mph signage ahead of the school year and to continue SRO recruitment and training with the school district.