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Council narrows options for emergency signage and a Costco-related traffic study
Summary
Staff proposed a scaled approach to two nominated CIP items: a $25,000 baseline traffic study tied to a proposed Costco development and a reduced emergency-signage package of 10 signs (~$125,000); council backed a smaller study but sought a more comprehensive emergency-communications plan.
Staff described two nominated projects the council is considering as part of the capital improvement program: a pre-construction traffic baseline study aimed at measuring neighborhood street impacts related to a proposed Costco development, and an emergency-message signage program to improve evacuation or closure notifications.
On the traffic study, staff said a minimal baseline approach could be completed for $25,000 to collect pre-construction counts and establish a contrast point for later post-construction analysis; a larger $100,000 option would also include conceptual mitigation plans. "For this project, most important thing that we do as a baseline for this is to make sure we can do the pre study," a staff member said, adding the city would schedule counts relatively close to an anticipated construction start so the baseline reflects typical traffic conditions.
On emergency signage, staff described a lower-cost package of 10 signs placed at strategic entry points across the city and estimated purchase and installation at about $12,500 per sign, for roughly $125,000 total. Programmable message boards were described as significantly more expensive; staff proposed dropping them from the reduced option. Staff also emphasized that the signs are meant to complement AlertSCC and AM 1610 radio messaging, not replace other alert channels.
Council members generally supported a smaller $25,000 baseline study and urged clearer naming (one councillor suggested renaming the item to emphasize side-street impacts rather than naming it after the retailer). Several councillors and residents said they wanted a comprehensive emergency-communications plan and additional detail on how the city would manage messaging and staffing for the signs before committing larger funds.
Public commenters raised related concerns, including requests for clearer CIP documentation, questions about how sign locations were chosen, and suggestions that the city could use available data sources (for example, Waze) to reduce costs. Staff said they would return with maps of proposed sign locations and additional details on timing and staffing for the alert system. The council did not adopt a formal motion at the session.
