CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council discussed traffic concerns at Moss and Davis streets during its regular meeting July 10 at Clearlake City Hall.
The discussion was requested by citizen Jim Poco, who owns a residence located southeast of the intersection.
No action was taken and no direction to staff was provided as a result of the discussion.
Poco presented concerns ranging from speed, accidents and vehicles damaging his fence when failing to execute the turn at the intersection.
According to Poco, seven accidents – including one in which a pedestrian was nearly hit – have occurred at the location in the past 15 months. He said damages to his property have cost several thousand dollars.
“After numerous discussions with (City Engineer) Bob Galusha, he has done a traffic/intersection evaluation and has added an arrow and reflector to better direct traffic at the sharp left turn of that intersection,” Poco stated. “I contend that those changes will not markedly, if at all, correct the real problem, which is speed.”
He said the signs were hit soon after they were installed.
Poco said while he understands placement of a stop sign or signal lights would be “costly and require much study,” he has other suggestions for improvements, which included installation of rumble strips or speed bumps.
He also suggested placement of a guard rail or boulders to shield his property.
City Manager Joan Phillipe said rumble strips are noisy and would likely result in complaints and speed bumps are not recommended.
Galusha said a lack of striping on the roadway contributes to significantly to the conditions existent at the intersection.
Furthermore, the city is currently engaged in a Highway Safety Grant Project, or HSIP, that includes placement of thermo plastic striping, both double yellow center line and pavement reflectors as well as fog lines on each side of Davis Street.
Galusha said this will improve visibility of the curve and road conditions.
The HSIP currently is in the bidding process. The award of the bid is expected at the July 24 regular meeting of the council.
Members of the public offered several suggestions during the discussion, including installating a flashing light curve speed sign, a curve warning and suggested speed signs, and a different type of pavement that causes noise when driven over.
Speed bumps and stop signs also were mentioned again.
Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said there is criteria that must be met in implementing certain traffic conditions involving extensive studies and regulations.
“Some of the things that have been suggested are more dangerous than the speeding,” she said, adding she liked the suggested curve speed sign if it could be done at minimal cost.
Galusha said placement of such a sign is allowable without study at the discretion of the city engineer as it is a warning sign.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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