Keizer council directs staff to install speed-limit sign after neighborhood complaints

The Keizer City Council voted to direct staff to install a 25 miles-per-hour speed-limit sign on Manbrin Drive after neighbors described repeated speeding and a recent short traffic study. Councilor Christopher moved the directive; the motion passed 3-1 with Councilors Christopher, Cross and Starr in favor and Councilor Kohler opposed. Mayor Clark, Councilor Duran and Councilor Parsons were excused.

The action responded to public comment from residents and the West Keizer Neighborhood Association. Rhonda Rich, president of the West Keizer Neighborhood Association, said a three-hour study by Officer Powell on May 27 counted 172 vehicles, found an average speed of 24.2 mph, a top speed of 34 mph and nine vehicles over 30 mph. Rich said neighbors had applied to the city’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Process (NTMP) and that the NTMP criteria for traffic calming devices were not met, but residents still asked that the city install a visible speed limit sign near the intersection of Manbrin Drive and Rowan Avenue to remind westbound drivers of the 25 mph residential limit.

Resident Kathy Hill said she has lived on Manbrin Drive 50 years and described recurring safety concerns; she told the council her cat was hit by a car shortly after the neighborhood’s summer meeting. Another resident, Betty Lebenhagen, said she reported speeding school buses to police and was told Manbrin Drive North is a thoroughfare — a characterization several councilors later corrected as inaccurate during deliberations.

Public Works Director Bill Lawyer told the council a single sign costs roughly $80 for the sign and $15–$18 for installation labor — about $150–$180 total. City staff also told the council they can obtain and install the sign quickly. During discussion, staff reported a broader study is underway to evaluate what it would take to lower the posted speed on all local streets to 20 mph; that work requires posting signs at every intersection and will take more time and funding to implement.

Police Chief Copeland said traffic and speeding have been long-standing community concerns and noted staffing limits in the department. He said the department responds to complaints and conducts targeted enforcement and traffic studies when resources allow; the department currently has one dedicated motor officer and is expecting staffing changes that could increase traffic enforcement capacity.

Council discussion balanced neighbors’ safety concerns and staff recommendations. Councilor Cross said the cost to install a single sign is small and supported installing it. Councilor Kohler said he was torn, worried that installing one sign could lead to requests from other neighborhoods, and ultimately voted against the motion.

The council’s direction tasks Public Works to install the sign at the Manbrin–Rowan location and to proceed with the limited, low-cost installation. Staff also will continue the broader evaluation of a city-wide change to 20 mph on local streets and report back to council with cost and schedule details.

The public comment that triggered the item was entered into the record; several councilors and staff noted the NTMP study and the specific vehicle counts and speed summary cited by Rhonda Rich.

Residents who spoke on the issue were present during the council’s deliberations and the item was taken under other business after council suspended the rules to allow further discussion.