Broken Bow council moves forward with several stop signs and a speed‑limit change after safety hearings

The Broken Bow City Council on March 11 held public hearings and completed second readings on four traffic-safety ordinances that propose stop signs at multiple intersections and a 25 mph speed limit on part of S. B Street.

Captain Anderson of the Broken Bow Police Department told the council the square-area intersection of S. 8th Avenue and S. D Street has seen trucks speeding and raised pedestrian-safety concerns. Some speakers, including Stephanie Grafel of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce and Jeremy Shipe of KCNI, urged the council to consider four‑way stops rather than three‑way controls to reduce driver confusion and aggressive semi‑truck behavior; Chief Scott said he also supports four‑way stops at that location.

Ordinance 1295 would place a designated stop sign on the north side of S. 8th Ave and S. D St.; the council opened and closed a public hearing, voted not to waive two readings, and the city clerk performed a second reading.

Ordinance 1296 addresses multiple intersections, proposing stop signs at S. 6th Ave & S. C St. and S. 7th Ave & S. C St., plus four‑way stops at S. 6th Ave & S. D St. and S. 7th Ave & S. D St. Mayor Rod Sonnichsen said two of the proposed four‑way stops respond to increased pedestrian traffic near the library and the number of residents near Legacy Apartments (which the record shows increased from four occupied residences to 42). Captain Anderson said the police department sees these intersections as accident-prone and wants more control.

Ordinance 1297 would create a four‑way stop at N. 9th Ave and N. H St. Administrator Schmidt presented alternatives discussed by staff, including a radar speed sign (estimated $4,000–$5,200), a flashing solar sign (estimated $1,200–$1,800), and a pedestrian crosswalk with signage; Andrew Lacy said there are no East/West sidewalks at the intersection, and Jeremy Shipe raised concerns about on‑street parking causing bottlenecks.

Ordinance 1298 would change the speed limit to 25 mph for all of S. B Street west of S. 10th Ave, which Captain Anderson said returns that residential street to a standard 25 mph and will reduce public confusion.

The council repeatedly voted not to waive two readings on each ordinance; the roll-call votes on those motions were unanimous (Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley and Holland voting aye), and second readings were performed by City Clerk Jennifer Waterhouse. The transcript does not record a final adoption vote on the ordinances at this meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 1295 (stop sign at S. 8th Ave & S. D St.): motion not to waive two readings approved (Smith moved, Kleeb seconded); second reading performed; vote record: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, Holland — aye. - Ordinance 1296 (multiple stops/four‑way stops): motion not to waive two readings approved (Holland moved, Kleeb seconded); second reading performed; vote record: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, Holland — aye. - Ordinance 1297 (four‑way at N. 9th Ave & N. H St.): motion not to waive two readings approved (Kleeb moved, Wamsley seconded); second reading performed; vote record: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, Holland — aye. - Ordinance 1298 (25 mph on S. B St. west of S. 10th Ave): motion not to waive two readings approved (Smith moved, Wamsley seconded); second reading performed; vote record: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, Holland — aye.

Several residents and stakeholders spoke during the hearings. Corey Clay of 911 Nome Street supported the proposals, citing pedestrian safety. The record shows the city discussed alternatives to stop signs (speed radar units, flashing signs, crosswalks) and noted that Nebraska Department of Transportation guidance limits use of stop signs for speed control.

The council did not enact final ordinance adoptions on the record at the March 11 meeting; next steps were not specified in the transcript.