Lewiston council temporarily rescinds earlier vote on new stop signs at 800 West and 1600 South after resident concerns

The Lewiston City Council voted Feb. 17 to rescind, on a temporary basis, a prior decision to install additional stop signs at the intersection of 800 West and 1600 South while the council clarifies what can lawfully be done.

Mayor Bodily reopened the issue after receiving feedback from residents who said the council had not accurately represented community views in earlier discussions. Several residents spoke during the meeting: Kimber Hall questioned whether the signs were installed legally and whether city, state or federal rules were followed; Mark Gibbons and other farming residents said 4-way stops have created difficulties for farm equipment; Eric Summers said visibility problems (including a fence and glare from the setting sun) make the 800 West/1600 South intersection dangerous and supported additional signage. Jarred Glover and Assistant Public Works Director Brennan Hyer said they support the four-way stop at Main Street and 1600 South, which the sheriff's office had suggested, but the sheriff's office had not suggested other stop installations.

Mayor Bodily moved to rescind the earlier vote to install the stop signs at 800 West and 1600 South temporarily until the council had a better understanding of legal requirements; Councilmember Jonna Westover seconded the motion, and the minutes record the vote as unanimous. The council did not provide a timeline or specific next steps in the minutes beyond the temporary rescission and a plan to review what can and cannot be done legally.

The discussion highlights a recurring tension in Lewiston between traffic-safety measures and practical impacts on agricultural vehicles and local driving patterns. The council did not reverse the 4-way stop at Main and 1600 South, which was noted in the minutes as being suggested by the sheriff's office.