Public Services Committee - September 2025
Committee Members Present: Joy Bennett, chair; Ashley Chance; Scott Gibson
Phelan Rd. Traffic project design phase update. The engineering team did an analysis of this intersection and options.
Consultant provided design and fee to develop construction plans for the entire project. Survey of entire parcel, preliminary alignments, drainage, accommodating the 4 residences adjacent to the right-of-way: $300,000. Moving forward with the survey involves sending letters out to notify school and residents.
Finance committee is aligning on capital budget priorities right now.
Adding to October agenda
Updates from City
NEW: Stop sign going in at Kings Mills / Cox Smith/Acoma Dr. intersection — numerous crashes reported, 3-year look back on history. Frequency of crashes warrants a 4-way stop in 2 different years (5 “angle” crashes in a 12 month period is the criteria, angles are turning in front of someone). Looked at site distances, speeds, and the crash rate. Will be putting in when the signs are available. “New traffic pattern ahead. Stop ahead. Red flags on all the signs.”
A 4-way stop won’t eliminate crashes but it will reduce the severity. Could lead to rear-end crashes instead of angle crashes.
Will cause delays, won’t be popular because of that. Could trigger unintended consequences.
Other solution could be a mini-roundabout. It’s the safest, but takes people’s front yards and relocates utilities. $1 million for a new roundabout, will be the backup if the accidents continue.
Have already added “cross traffic does not stop” signs, did not help.
Stop signs are NOT used for speed control. They enforce taking turns through intersections.
US 42 Speed Reduction - between Hanover and 741 the speed limit is 50 mph, looking at multi-use path. Want to reduce to 45 mph which makes the construction requirements less onerous. Clear zone between path and roadway doesn’t have to be as wide. Need to get ODOT approval on this. Survey has commenced.
Topics for next meeting
Update on issue raised by resident on the safety of ponds and retention basins without fencing
NEW: communication with residents on brush and leaf pickup schedules
Brush - on-demand via Open Gov. is possible, need to grow with that system. Residents can ask for a special pickup now, most don’t know that. Is that efficient though?
Leaves - discussed notifying on a weekly basis, creating an opt-in system where people can subscribe to text updates
