One item dominated the meeting of the Cleveland City Council: the speeding issue on a section of Bow Street from Blythe Ferry Road to Jill Street. Though speeding was the problem, one resident stated what was echoed by many others.

“We don’t need the speed limit reduced,” she said. “We need it enforced.”

Currently, the speed limit is 30 miles per hour. Residents claim many people drive more than double the legal limit. So a resident contacted the residents on that portion of Bow Street and learned many things. One resident had two pets killed by speeding drivers on the street, and the same resident has seen two car accidents in front of his home. Another said her daughter was checking the mail recently when a car almost hit her. Yet another watched his dog get killed this past Sunday (this is the second dog to get killed on Bow Street in three weeks). Others are frightened to go to their mailboxes or come out of their driveways.

Following the residents’ comments, Cleveland traffic engineer Megan Wilson said she has spent the last two weeks researching the problem. Her research found that Bow Street is one of three “trunk” streets that feed cars to other smaller surrounding streets. She said to stop the problem, Bow Street and the other trunk streets – Westview Drive and Jill Street – should all receive the same traffic-slowing measures. Otherwise, the traffic currently speeding on Bow Street will soon be speeding down Westview Drive and Jill Street.

Ms. Wilson also stated that the asphalt on Bow Street had problems, in particular cracking on the edge of the street, a sign that the street is too narrow for two cars to pass going opposite directions. Unfortunately, widening the street could lead to even faster speeds. Her research also found that speed humps would be difficult to install, as they could cause water runoff problems.

According to Ms. Wilson, Cleveland’s speed hump policy, which was adopted in 2003, was modeled after Chattanooga’s. But while Chattanooga has 80 installations, Cleveland has none because no individuals requesting the speed humps in Cleveland have turned in the application packet.

Being asked for clarification by Council Member Richard Banks, Ms. Wilson said she would love to meet with residents to explain the packet and the process.

The council went on to approve the consent agenda, which included the following:

Reappointment – Fletcher Park Board - Carl Malmquist for an additional 3-year term to expire December 2012.

Reappointment – Fletcher Park Board - Anne Jones for an additional 3-year term to expire December 2012.

Reappointment – Parks Advisory Board - Pat Ensley for an additional 3-year term to expire December 2012.

Appointment – Parks Advisory Board - Hiawatha Br own for a 3-year term to expire December 2012.

Reappointment – Stormwater Board - Kent Berry for an additional 3-year term to expire December 2012.

Appointment – Stormwater Board - Avery Johnson for a 3-year term to expire December 2012.

Appointment – Historic Commission - Steve Scoggins to fill the unexpired term of Donna Howard with a term ending 06/2012.

Resolution – Approving an Emergency Shelter Grant Application with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency ($67,782).

Resolution – 2009 Tax Refund; W. A. Hayes ($30.00).

Resolution – Establish university area to include Cleveland State Community College and Lee University to allow golf carts on public roads within a certain radius around each institution.

daniel@danielkbrantley.com