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City considers traffic‑engineer hire, consultant study after vandalism and aging signals
Summary
Council members and administrators said vandalism and aging infrastructure are causing frequent traffic‑signal failures. Public Works presented consultant estimates for a citywide signals study ($750,000–$1.1 million) and a more limited study ($400,000–$500,000); the CAO urged hiring a full‑time traffic engineer instead of relying only on consultants.
Council members and staff told the committee that vandalism, vehicle strikes and aging infrastructure have left numerous intersections on blinking red and functioning as four‑way stops.
"You're getting a lot of vandalism...someone just beating on the cabinet, you know, it would trip the breaker," Public Works Director Lorenzo Anderson said, describing situations that force signals into a blinking, conflict mode.
Anderson said the city has about 300 traffic signals and presented consultant estimates to perform a full inventory and study for the entire city, which ranged from roughly $750,000 to $1.1 million; he said a smaller, prioritized study of about 100 signals could cost $400,000–$500,000. CAO Peter Tillerson urged hiring a full‑time traffic engineer, saying the cost of a permanent staff position would be lower over time than repeated consultant contracts.
Council members asked for clearer points of contact and suggested improving the process by which council offices and residents notify staff or 311 of signal failures. Anderson said the city treats 311 calls for nonfunctioning signals as emergencies and will prioritize high‑use intersections when applying for state or MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) funds.
Staff will develop options for hiring a traffic engineer, a prioritized study list and costs for the next budget cycle.
