Turlock delays decision on Berkeley Avenue speed bumps after resident objections and staff data requests

The Turlock City Council voted to table a plan to install permanent speed bumps on a stretch of Berkeley Avenue after residents complained the decision had been handled on the consent calendar and requested more information.

Resident Tom Mickelson told council that a temporary test bump near his home produced “unbearable noise,” said he had not been adequately notified, and accused the process of favoritism and being “railroaded” onto the consent calendar. "I contend that ... this is a case of, what they call pork," he said, urging the council to delay or reject the project.

City traffic staff explained the corridor’s safety record and why they recommended more intrusive traffic-calming measures. Director Fisher said the Berkeley–Chandler intersection accounted for roughly "76% of all the accidents of all of the speeding circles on that corridor," and described typical approach speeds as about 9 mph over the posted limit. Fisher told the council the city had tried visibility improvements and temporary devices but determined those measures did not sufficiently reduce speeds or accidents.

Several councilmembers said they had not seen the staff data to their satisfaction and wanted more analysis and neighborhood feedback. One councilmember moved to table the item until staff could compile additional information; the motion was seconded and passed by recorded vote. The project will return to the council at a future meeting after staff provides the requested data and outreach findings.

The action preserves the status quo and delays installation of the permanent speeds bumps while staff compiles accident and speed-sample data, examines alternatives (raised crosswalks, signage, different device sizes) and clarifies impacts to first responders noted during testing of temporary devices.