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Town Hall Meeting May 13, 06 |
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City of Berkeley Lake
Town Hall Meeting
May 13th 2006
Council Present: Council Members Anderson, Cohen, Guthrie, Kitchens and Sipe
Citizens Present: There were 32 citizens present.
Mayor Salter called the Town Hall meeting to order at 10:00 AM on April 13th 2006 at the Berkeley Lake Chapel.
The following citizens made comments:
Jeff Cooper – Jeff opposed any speed tables on Lakeshore Drive. He stated that Lakeshore is probably the safest street in the City.
Shawn Cochran – Shawn believes that bicycles are not a problem and would like more information before anything is decided.
Marcie Zielazienski – Marcie would like to see Ridge Rd. specifically addressed. She stated that the cars go to fast around the sharp curve and often end up in the back yards of Miramont residents.
Laurel Maurey – Laurel stated that the cars go to fast on Ridge Rd. She stated that a good idea would be to post speeders in the Reflections. She would like to see a speed study done citywide. She also stated that she often observes people not stopping at stop signs.
Beth Gilbert – Beth stated that she does believe speeding is an issue on Lakeshore Dr. and throughout the City. She would like the City to research clearing some jump-off places along Lakeshore so that walkers have a place to go when a speeding car is approaching.
Debbie Robinson – Debbie stated that she does believe something should be done on Lakeshore Drive but would like an objective evaluation made.
Angela Cochran – Angela stated that many other streets in the City have speeders also and she would like to see objective studies done throughout the entire City.
Chet McQuaide – Chet stated that Berkeley Walk has speeders and stop sign violators also and any corrective measures taken should be citywide. He liked the comments made by Mikal Kitchens and believes that the City should take measures to educate, monitor, measure and enforce.
Ed Caldwell – Ed stated that there can’t be a comprehensive plan of any sort until the City makes the effort to collect the data necessary to make an objective decision about any plan for speed control.
Mike Penny – Mike stated that the speed problem is throughout the entire City. He would like to see the existing laws enforced to a greater degree.
Jim Bowcock- Jim asked what kind of data should be collected. He further stated that there is a speeding problem on Lakeshore Drive.
Dennis Perkins – Dennis stated that there needs to be a police crack-down on speeders and stop signs.
Brian Riley- Brian is against a gated community. He suggested speed cameras and possibly the signs that tell the driver their speed.
Mikal Kitchens – Mikal stated that education could be one approach both for cars and bikers. Remind everyone regularly of their responsibilities and accountability as citizens of the City.
Barbara Carroll – Barbara agreed that education could be a key. She also stated that it would be helpful to start with the smaller solutions before jumping into expensive solutions that may not work.
Jordon Coletta – Jordon agrees that there should not be a lot of money spent on a solution at this time. There should be more police enforcement and possibly a camera.
Gary Moore – Gary agrees that speeding is an issue on Lakeshore Drive but believes that there should be more police enforcement at stop signs as well as speeding.
Rebecca Spitler – Rebecca stated that Miramont also has a problem with speeding. She also stated that Ridge Road has a bad problem at the one bad curve. The curve should possibly be reengineered. The City should take a holistic approach to the speeding problem. There should be more speed signs.
Gary Moran – Gary stated that Lakeshore Drive is much safer than Berkeley Lake Rd. He also stated that people tend to speed more between speed tables than they would without them. He believes that education is the key.
Lisa Becker – Lisa stated that all corrective measures should be citywide. Enforcement is important.
Virginia Andreu –Virginia stated that Lakeshore Drive is a real problem. She stated that she sees the police patrolling the City and appreciates their presence.
Steve Guthrie – Steve stated that he is opposed to the expense of a gated community. He also stated that speed tables would slow rescue vehicles from getting to their destination.
Bryan Stuart – Bryan believes that education could be a key. He also agrees with Steve Guthrie.
Tammy Addison – Tammy agrees that to collect data and do a comparison study of each street could be important.
Marilyn Childress – Marilyn believes that there should be more signage and education. She also stated that crime is a bigger issue than speeding.
The Mayor stated that there would be a question and answer period. There was much discussion. The following topics were discussed: collection of data, cost and legality of cameras, signage, speeding school buses, use of Splost money to complete sidewalks and air quality due to traffic in the City. Council Member Anderson stated that the first line of data collection should be from the citizens. The citizens should report what they observe going on in their area.
Mayor Salter stated that the meeting had been very informative and that she has heard many good suggestions and ideas from the citizens. She stated that she has heard the citizens ask for the following: that the speeding issue be approached as a citywide issue not just one street, that the collection of data before making any changes is of utmost importance, more signage, pursue sidewalks, research the possibility of cameras, more enforcement, more education as to the responsibility of citizens and the possibility of a massive and comprehensive campaign for safety within the City.
Respectfully submitted by Claire Grimes May 15, 2006
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