I support all of the items in the budget that help to improve access, safety, and choice when it comes to public and active transportation options. Thank you for considering these important topics.
I appreciate the thoughtful work that has gone into developing these budget priorities. I support the overall direction of these proposals and would like to highlight several transportation and accessibility investments that I believe will have a meaningful impact.
I strongly support expanding speed enforcement in school zones, as speeding remains a persistent problem in Lakewood. Meaningful fines, paired with reinvestment in safety infrastructure, can change behavior and improve the streets around our schools.
I also support reviewing and strengthening the City's Traffic Calming Program, including evaluating whether it is meeting its original goals, whether thresholds should better reflect neighborhood support, and whether it should be codified for greater consistency.
I support expanding crossing guard coverage and appreciate the proposal to partner with Lakewood City Schools to help fund and staff additional positions. However, school traffic is not generated solely by the public schools. Lakewood Catholic Academy and St. Edward High School also contribute significantly to school traffic, and LCA already benefits from City-provided crossing guards. I encourage Council to include all major schools in future partnership discussions.
Providing matching funds for a Safe Routes to School Coordinator is another investment with the potential to multiply the impact of other transportation initiatives by improving coordination, grant opportunities, and long-term planning. I also encourage the city to seek partnerships with the private schools.
Finally, I am especially excited about expanding winter sidewalk and bikeway maintenance. Last winter demonstrated how impassable sidewalks and bikeways create barriers for children, older adults, people using mobility devices, and anyone who walks, bikes, or uses transit. We invest heavily in keeping streets clear for drivers; sidewalks and bikeways deserve the same recognition as essential transportation infrastructure.
I support all of the items in the budget that help to improve access, safety, and choice when it comes to public and active transportation options. Thank you for considering these important topics.
I appreciate the thoughtful work that has gone into developing these budget priorities. I support the overall direction of these proposals and would like to highlight several transportation and accessibility investments that I believe will have a meaningful impact.
I strongly support expanding speed enforcement in school zones, as speeding remains a persistent problem in Lakewood. Meaningful fines, paired with reinvestment in safety infrastructure, can change behavior and improve the streets around our schools.
I also support reviewing and strengthening the City's Traffic Calming Program, including evaluating whether it is meeting its original goals, whether thresholds should better reflect neighborhood support, and whether it should be codified for greater consistency.
I support expanding crossing guard coverage and appreciate the proposal to partner with Lakewood City Schools to help fund and staff additional positions. However, school traffic is not generated solely by the public schools. Lakewood Catholic Academy and St. Edward High School also contribute significantly to school traffic, and LCA already benefits from City-provided crossing guards. I encourage Council to include all major schools in future partnership discussions.
Providing matching funds for a Safe Routes to School Coordinator is another investment with the potential to multiply the impact of other transportation initiatives by improving coordination, grant opportunities, and long-term planning. I also encourage the city to seek partnerships with the private schools.
Finally, I am especially excited about expanding winter sidewalk and bikeway maintenance. Last winter demonstrated how impassable sidewalks and bikeways create barriers for children, older adults, people using mobility devices, and anyone who walks, bikes, or uses transit. We invest heavily in keeping streets clear for drivers; sidewalks and bikeways deserve the same recognition as essential transportation infrastructure.