Wildwood Traffic, Sewers on Council Agenda

Piedmont City Council members tonight may authorize a $6,000+ traffic study of the lower Wildwood Drive-Nova Drive-Magnolia Avenue neighborhood after receiving complaints about speeding in the area. 

Local resident Art Hsieh, who has taken the lead in bringing neighbors' concerns to the city, calls it the "Wildwood Freeway."

City Engineer John Wanger has recommended a study by consultants, the traffic engineering firm Kittelson & Associates/Dowling, that would include observation of traffic on a typical weekday; review of city-provided speed data; and suggestions for possible "traffic calming" measures. The basic study would cost $6,250.

Kittelson suggests two additional options: an assessment to determine if "multi-way stop control" (stop signs) is warranted at the intersection of Nova Drive and Magnolia Avenue, at an additional cost of $1,980; and a five-year collision analysis at an additional cost of $900.

Also on tonight's agenda:

• A report from City Clerk John Tulloch on the timeline Piedmont would need to follow to place a tax measure on the Nov. 6, 2012 ballot.

• A report on crime in Piedmont during the first quarter of 2012.

• A draft Sewer Asset Management Implementation Plan, related to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements to maintain, repair and replace portions of the city's sanitary sewer system. (This appears to have been prepared after the defeat of the Measure A, the sewer tax surchange, in the Feb. 7, 2012 municipal election.)

• An informational update on possible solar panel purchase through the Small Cities Climate Action Partnership

The city council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, 120 Vista Ave. The agenda for tonight's meeting and related staff reports are available on the City of Piedmont website.