Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on speeding, signage and lighting; council buys LiDAR unit to aid enforcement
Summary
Public commenters urged the Three Oaks Village Council to address speeding, oversized speed jumps at village boundaries and lighting from a commercial property; council approved a handheld LiDAR unit and discussed MDOT signage requests.
During public comment at the Nov. 12 Three Oaks council meeting, residents raised persistent speeding, signage and lighting concerns and council took actions tied to enforcement and traffic control.
Sherry Trucks told the council she was frustrated by lighting impacts from Big C and the American Legion. Councilmember Niemzyk said the American Legion lights are hard-wired through AEP and that adjustments are limited until AEP intervenes; Niemzyk added that village staff are actively working with affiliated parties. President Graziano said Big C’s compliance with the village ordinance will be reviewed by the next meeting.
Several residents from North Elm also urged action on speeding. Kristie Pirkel asked for increased police presence for recurring speeding on N. Elm. Chris Zebell said she had helped slow traffic and assist pedestrians during trick-or-treating and suggested larger U-turn signage. Kim Pruitt raised the broader concern that large data center projects in Indiana could affect the East Kankakee aquifer; Manager Faulkner recommended that Pruitt contact the Township’s regional collaboration group for further coordination.
On enforcement tools, the council approved purchase of a handheld Kustom Signals LiDAR unit for $2,342.75 to assist speed enforcement. The minutes state that Officers Klynstra and Mulder are certified to use LiDAR, and Chief Krause will obtain certification for the new unit. The council also approved a request tied to MDOT’s US-12 speed-limit review and asked for 'No Jake Brakes' signage approaching from New Buffalo.
The record shows the village addressing both community complaints (lighting, aquifer concern and speeding) and moving forward with enforcement resources; the manager and relevant staff were directed to follow up where appropriate. The council adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
