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Council weighs short- and long-term fixes for school crosswalk safety after complaints
Summary
Councilmembers discussed multiple near-term and longer-term options to improve pedestrian safety at the local school crossing, including temporary flashing stop signs, moving signalized intersections, split dismissal procedures, and reviewing crossing-guard equipment; staff will follow up with the school and vendor.
Councilmembers devoted an extended portion of the meeting to traffic and pedestrian safety near the local school after residents raised concerns about driver behavior and pedestrian crossings.
A councilmember raised a complaint that drivers and pedestrians were misusing the pedestrian-activated crossing signals and that motorists sometimes traveled in a center lane that reduces visibility. Multiple councilmembers described near-misses, including a driver towing a trailer who could not stop in time when a pedestrian stepped into the crosswalk.
Councilmembers and staff discussed a range of measures: temporary stop signs with flashers at crosswalks, rental or placement of cones during school dismissal, moving signalized intersections back to Harrison Street to improve sight lines, splitting dismissal so walk-home students and pick-up students exit on different sides of the building, and installing crossing-guard stop signs that illuminate. Staff reported they have asked the supplier about whether the currently installed flashing lights can be changed to red and are awaiting a response.
Fred, city staff, said the city plans to test some temporary measures — including flashing stop signs — before recommending more expensive infrastructure changes. He also urged residents to call city hall rather than posting complaints on social media so staff can address issues directly.
Council agreed staff should consult with the school principal (Wendler, referenced by first name in the meeting) and try temporary measures before pursuing larger changes. Staff will report back to council with vendor guidance on equipment options and with proposed temporary traffic-control plans for the coming weeks.
