Council directs staff to pursue LED stop signs and reflective posts after Irma–Malley crash report

The City Council reviewed safety measures at the Irma Drive and Malley Drive intersection on May 12 following a recent crash that sent a vehicle into a residence. Director of Public Works Sarah Borgers and traffic engineering staff presented recent speed studies, crash history and a range of possible countermeasures.

What staff presented: Public works staff described traffic calming completed in prior years — refreshed striping, stop bars, ‘‘STOP’’ legend pavement markings, shared bike lanes and radar speed signs near the intersection. Recent counts show Irma Drive and Malley Drive each carry about 4,000–4,500 vehicles per day, making them act as collectors though originally built as residential streets. Staff reported 80th‑percentile speeds in the high‑20s (mph) on approaches and summarized five years of crash history that included rear‑end collisions, a hit‑and‑run and the recent crash in which a driver who suffered a medical event struck a house.

Council response and direction: After discussion, council members reached consensus on a package of relatively low‑cost near‑term measures: install larger, more visible stop signs with LED borders (one per leg at each stop), add reflective signposts and ‘‘stop ahead’’/warning signage on the approaches, and examine placement for a double‑arrow sign (the council directed staff to consult the affected homeowner before installing a sign directly in front of the residence). Council members asked staff to standardize the three legs of the intersection for consistent signage and to prefer options that minimize driveway and resident impacts.

What staff does not recommend: Staff said raised crosswalks are typically used at mid‑block crossings, are more expensive to build and maintain, and could interfere with nearby driveways; for those reasons staff did not recommend raised crosswalks at this intersection.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the indicated sign and post improvements, incorporate dimming or lower nighttime intensity for LED signs if appropriate, and consult the adjacent property owner before placing directional signage in front of the affected house. No formal ordinance or capital appropriation was approved at the meeting; the council’s direction was a consensus for staff to implement the identified low‑cost measures.

Speakers quoted are Public Works Director Sarah Borgers, traffic staff and council members who participated in the discussion. Law‑enforcement staff noted the most recent crash involved a medical event, rather than an identifiable traffic‑control failure.