Traffic safety dominates City Council meeting; Chamber board approves funding for radar sign

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 23, 2026

Concerns about speeding, dangerous driving and pedestrian safety dominated the July 13 Forks City Council meeting, as residents, business leaders and city officials all agreed that traffic issues throughout the city have reached a point where action is needed.

Council members Corey Pearson, Joe Soha and Vilkesh Patel were present for the meeting.

During public comment, Rob Nelson, president of West End Thunder, announced it was Race Weekend and thanked the city for its continued support.

Several residents then turned the discussion toward public safety.

Jessi Olson asked the council to consider unlocking the gates at the city park baseball fields to provide easier access for families and athletes, suggesting timed locks as a possible compromise. She also said the locked gates limit practice opportunities.

Olson also urged the city to examine pedestrian safety on Main Street and Spartan Avenue, suggesting push-button-activated flashing crosswalk lights. She cited numerous blind spots and said the current situation is “a tragedy in the making,” adding that grant funding might be available to help pay for improvements.

Deborah Gaydeski encouraged council members to remember why they were elected and to “have our backs,” saying speeding through town is not just a tourist problem.

“Our school buses can’t even pull out onto Main Street,” she said.

Gaydeski recounted a recent incident in which she and her grandchildren were nearly struck while attempting to cross the street because a driver failed to stop. She also suggested a crosswalk on Calawah Way near Blackberry Avenue to improve access to the city park, and suggested rumble strips entering the reduced-speed zone, and proposed cameras to deter red-light runners.

She also expressed concern that jaywalking has become a growing problem.

Adding to those concerns, Lissy Andros, executive director of the Forks Chamber of Commerce, said she regularly witnesses unsafe driving while helping with the FTF collection at the Rainforest Arts Center.

Andros said motorists frequently rev their engines at pedestrians who are crossing too slowly at crosswalks.

She also reported that the Chamber of Commerce board has approved the purchase of a radar feedback speed sign that will be installed near the Visitor Information Center on the south end of town.

During the Fourth of July Moonlight Madness celebration, Andros said one driver attempted to drive through the closed street, but bystanders intervened before anyone was injured.

She also reminded residents that the Chamber will host a free showing of The Sandlot in Tillicum Park on July 25.

Street Plan Adopted

The council conducted a public hearing on its 2027-2032 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program.

During the hearing, Andros suggested installing a stop sign at the intersection of Merchant Road and Calawah Way and encouraged extending the 30 mph speed zones farther out at both the north and south entrances to town.

Council member Corey Pearson asked Public Works Director Paul Hampton about pavement overlays included in the plan. Hampton noted that many transportation projects remain dependent on available funding.

Council member Joe Soha suggested residents consider organizing petitions to demonstrate public support for some of the subjects discussed.

Following the hearing, the council adopted the street plan.

Additional public hearings were scheduled for Aug. 10 on an MDNS appeal, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan, and proposed revisions to the city’s zoning code.

Other Business

The council approved the city’s treasurer’s report and formally accepted the Chamber of Commerce’s donation of the radar feedback speed sign.

Council members also approved a revised sublease agreement at the Industrial Park that will allow the Castellano mill to continue operating at the Riverside facility for the time being.

The purchase of a new excavator for the water department was approved.

Council members also discussed possible improvements to the city’s lodging tax application process and reviewed a draft ordinance regarding the city’s small works roster contracting procedures.

During council discussion, Patel said he agreed with residents that traffic has become a serious concern. He even offered to personally purchase a second radar feedback sign for the city if doing so would be permissible.

City Officials Respond

Responding to public comments, Soha said the council has been discussing dangerous traffic conditions during recent meetings and appreciates residents bringing forward their concerns.

Pearson assured those in attendance that the council takes public comments seriously and suggested lodging tax funds could potentially help finance improvements such as illuminated pedestrian crossings.

She also announced the upcoming Whiskey, Women and Wood event that she is helping organize in August.

Addressing concerns about locked gates at the baseball fields, Hampton explained they were closed because of ongoing vandalism, including human waste left in facilities, kicked-in doors and an $8,000 field tarp that was intentionally cut.

He suggested additional pedestrian crossing flags, similar to those used at the library crosswalk, may also improve safety.

Police Chief Mike Rowley agreed speeding is a community-wide problem involving both tourists and local drivers.

He questioned whether the current “catch-and-release” style of issuing traffic citations has much effect on changing driver behavior but agreed additional measures are needed, particularly near the Visitor Information Center, where drivers often make sudden turns after realizing they have reached the attraction, creating a collision hazard.

City Attorney and Planner Rod Fleck announced that the national Reimagining Rural initiative, associated with the Brookings Institution, will be visiting Forks and holding an event at the Rainforest Arts Center.

Mayor Tim Fletcher also suggested the city explore adjustments to the downtown traffic signal, such as allowing it to flash during periods of lighter traffic.

In lighter remarks, the mayor shared that he recently received a gift basket from a community in New York and is considering sending a basket featuring local Forks products in return. Because of gift restrictions, he noted the basket he received may instead be donated to a local scholarship auction or similar community fundraiser.