City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: May 5, 2025
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Update on the Development of a Traffic Calming Policy
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council receive an update on the development of a Traffic Calming Policy and provide any direction to staff.
BACKGROUND
This report is in follow-up to staff’s presentation at the February 18, 2025 Council meeting on traffic calming and proposed pavement rehabilitation projects. This report is an update on staff’s efforts to develop a traffic calming policy for the City.
As an overview, Traffic Calming is the physical design and traffic measures put in place on existing roads to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The three “E’s” of adjusting driver behavior are:
1. Education - Meet with concerned citizens to explain how and why some speeding problems occur and the process for addressing them. And use of a speed radar feedback sign to inform motorists of their actual speed and remind them of the posted speed limit.
2. Enforcement – Police Department being advised of a resident concern and perform traffic enforcement.
3. Engineering – Installation of striping treatment, corner bulb-outs, speed humps and other physical improvements to slow traffic on residential streets
AGENDA
ITEM
18 REVIEW & ANALYSIS
The current approach to addressing resident requests to address unsafe driver behavior is:
1. A resident contacts City Hall to report inappropriate driver behavior they would like addressed.
Concerns include excessive speed, unsafe driving or pedestrian activity (i.e., by schools).
2. Staff discusses the request with the Police Chief and request they monitor and perform traffic enforcement in the area.
3. Public Works staff visit the site to determine what, if any, traffic measures could be implemented to address the issue.
4. Discuss outcome of the review with the resident including next steps.
The City does not have an adopted Traffic Calming Policy that would expand on possible and appropriate traffic measures to be considered and installed to address the circumstance. To that end, staff requested a proposal from TL Engineering to develop a Traffic Calming Policy for the City. We received the attached proposal on March 11, 2025. The scope of work includes:
1. Compile traffic calming data from Caltrans and other sources. This information will be incorporated into a list of traffic calming measures relevant to Gonzales.
2. Prepare draft traffic calming policy for City review. Staff will present the draft traffic calming policy to the City Council for any input and comments
3. Prepare final traffic calming policy based on City comments.
Blue Zones has agreed to provide full funding for the preparation of the Traffic Calming Policy in an amount not to exceed $11,000 as this effort helps the City meet its Blue Zone goals.
In conclusion, this report is an update on the development of a traffic calming policy and provide any direction to staff.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Establishing a Traffic Calming Program helps residents understand the process to address speeding cars in their neighborhood.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ___ No
Explain: See above Vision.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes No Explain: See above Vision.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation Yes X No N/A
• Environment Yes X No N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could direct staff to develop other alternatives for addressing speeding cars in residential neighborhoods.
BUDGET IMPACT
A grant from Blue Zones is funding the preparation of a Traffic Calming Policy. Therefore, there isn’t a budget impact related to this staff report
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council receive an update on the development of a traffic calming policy and provide any direction to staff.
Attachments:
1. TL Engineering's March 11, 2025 letter proposal to prepare a Traffic Calming Policy