Council approves first reading of ordinance for four-way stop

WASHINGTON - The Washington City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow for a four-way stop at West Fifth Street and North Avenue D, by the new YMCA.

Two more readings must be passed before the council can officially adopt a four way stop at the intersection. Currently there are only stop signs at North Avenue D.

However, with the YMCA set to open June 1 and the next council meeting May 19, there is a possibility the council could pass both readings at that meeting in order to put the safety measures in place before the opening of the facility, Mayor Jaron Rosien said Tuesday night.

A member of the public wrote to the council in support of the proposed stop and requested a light be installed. Rosien said he did not feel that would be financially feasible, but proposed the council consider light-up stop signs instead in order to increase visibility.

The council approved the reading of the ordinance for the stop signs and will determine if they will be standard or electrical once cost estimates are provided.

The council previously tabled the discussion at the last city council meeting after talk of lowering the speed limit where West Fifth Street curves by the entrance for the Kewash Trail was included in the possible ordinance change.

At the meeting, Police Chief Jim Lester said the department was working on a variety of ways to determine the best solution for lowering the speed limit. A speed trailer was placed last week to determine the amount of traffic, speed and time of day it was most busy. The department is currently working on other forms of collecting data, he said.