Commission and public press city to pursue speed cameras near schools; staff cite state radius limit and permitting steps

During public comment at the Jan. 15 meeting, a representative of a student coalition urged the commission to consider adding speed camera enforcement on North Main Street, especially near locations within a quarter‑mile of schools. The speaker said broadening camera coverage around schools “would be great” and asked the city to study the issue further.

City staff responded that they are reviewing eligible camera locations and the necessary state approval process for siting cameras on state‑owned road segments. Staff noted that current state law establishes a quarter‑mile radius for certain school‑area camera rules and said expanding that radius would require action at the state level; staff offered to prepare follow‑up information and suggested the commission could consider a letter to the state legislature as an advocacy step.

Staff also said specific site work on state roads requires a permit through the state agency that oversees roadside alterations, and that the city has active permit efforts for other camera sites (for example, a location on Hartford Avenue was under permit review at the time of the meeting). Staff said they will survey and present eligible locations, associated data and the permitting steps at a future meeting and that they expect to revisit camera siting in the spring.

Commissioners and staff discussed related traffic‑safety measures, including the placement and visibility of “no turn on red” signs, intersection striping, and crosswalk improvements. Commissioners requested follow‑up from the police on camera data, speed sled results, and enforcement outcomes when Lieutenant Brown is available to present speed enforcement data at a subsequent meeting.