Resident Cindy Roberts Cotton urges council to address speeding on Palisades Road

Cindy Roberts Cotton, who lives at 902 Palisades Road, told the Mount Vernon City Council during public comment that persistent speeding near the LBC has become a safety concern for children who walk or bike to school.

"There are all sorts of kids that walk to school, bike, scooter," Roberts Cotton said, adding that she has noticed drivers exceeding the 25 mph limit and would welcome visible enforcement. She invited council members to view morning traffic from her front yard and said, "I will serve you coffee. I will serve you baked goods." Roberts Cotton said the problem affects students and adults alike and urged the city to consider increased enforcement or other remedies.

A council member noted a speed trailer is scheduled to be deployed to the area soon, and staff reminded the public that truck patterns around the LBC are expected to change beginning next Monday. Council members did not take formal action during the meeting; Roberts Cotton’s comment was recorded during the public-comment portion of the agenda.

Why it matters: Palisades Road is adjacent to the LBC and used by schoolchildren and residents; visible enforcement or traffic-calming measures can reduce crash risk and improve neighborhood safety. The council’s acknowledgement that a speed trailer is coming indicates staff is pursuing near-term measures, but no roadway engineering or permanent enforcement plan was presented at the meeting.

What’s next: Roberts Cotton said she will continue to monitor the situation; the council did not schedule a follow-up agenda item during the session. The meeting record shows the council approved routine agenda and consent items before moving on to several procurement and design approvals.