BROOKINGS – The Brookings City Council will have a public hearing and second reading Tuesday on raising the speed limit on 20th Street South between Western Avenue South and Main Avenue South.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the City & County Government Center.
The council will also hear a first reading on changing the name of the Committee for People who have Disabilities to the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee.
Speed zone
The council will consider raising the speed limit on 20th Street South from 25 mph to 35 mph.
“The street construction on 20th Street South was completed in 2020 with a widened roadway, concrete shared-use path and street lights to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety,” according to a memo by City Engineer Jackie Lanning.
“After the street reconstruction was completed, the Engineering Department performed speed studies on the segment between Western Avenue South and Main Avenue South in September and October 2020. The study showed the 85th percentile was 36 mph for the eastbound direction and 37 mph for the westbound direction. Staff is recommending to change the speed limit to 35 mph between Western Avenue South and Main Avenue South,” according to Lanning’s memo.
“The speed limit on 20th Street South, west of Main Avenue South, was originally set at 35 miles per hour (mph). In 2015, the speed limit was lowered to 25 mph on 20th Street South between Western Avenue South and Main Avenue South. At that time, there were concerns about pedestrian traffic near Dakota Prairie School and pedestrians crossing 20th Street South when there were no sidewalks or streetlights in the area,” according to Lanning’s memo.
“Changing the speed limit per the MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) guidance allows traffic to flow in a sustainable manner with fuel usage and provides connectivity in the community on the arterial street,” according to Lanning’s memo.
Disability committee
The council will consider a name change for the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People who have Disabilities to the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee. The second reading is set for March 9.
“The committee would like to move to a more modern, user-friendly committee name to bring forward their true mission of awareness to the citizens and businesses in the City of Brookings on changes or improvements that can be made to give easy access to public and employer spaces, help employers and employees or potential employees come together to make a more equitable and accessible Brookings for all who live here,” according to a memo by Susan Rotert, director of Human Resources.
The committee was established on May 1, 1991, as the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for the People with Disabilities, according to Rotert’s memo.
“The committee strives to advocate for the rights of people in our community who have disabilities. Throughout the year, specific events are held to bring awareness and information to our citizens. The committee was created to provide a framework for community-based advocacy in the removal of mobility and attitudinal barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. The committee’s purpose directly corresponds to the city’s goal to provide a high quality of life for its citizens,” according to Rotert’s memo.
“The committee has created a three-prong partnership with the Department of Social Services and Independent Living Choices to disseminate collected durable medical equipment and create the most efficient way to direct and help the people of Brookings. The committee has also created and presented two annual awards, the A.B.L.E. (Ability, Belief Leadership and Equality to Achieve Access for All) Award and EMPOWER Award to local entities who go above and beyond accommodating and employing individuals with disabilities,” according to Rotert’s memo.
Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.
