Traffic revision comments continue in Montesano

Mixed support for proposed roundabout heard at Nov. 14 council meeting

The Nov. 14 Montesano City Council meeting featured a special public comment period for residents to express their support or concerns of a potential traffic revision.

The city has heard ongoing public comment since the potential traffic revision was announced more than a year ago.

A drawing of a roundabout and a rest area at the Highway 12 westbound off-ramp and State Route 107 and the entrance to Monte Square sparked some opposition that has lingered.

On Oct. 30, the city held a public meeting which was formatted as an open house where residents could come and individually ask questions of the engineers, a state Department of Transportation representative, Mayor Vini Samuel and several city council members.

About 70 people attended. Comment cards were given to each person who attended and 52 were returned to the city.

During the special public comment period on Nov. 14, some residents complained about the format of the meeting, some restated their opposition to roundabouts (traffic circles), and some supported the format and stated their support for roundabouts.

Public comment

Former mayor Ken Estes, who has been consistently outspoken in his opposition to a potential traffic circle, suggested the public was mislead by the open house held on Oct. 30. The notice of public meeting published in The Vidette’s legals section said the meeting would commence at 7 p.m. but the meeting had no presentations and was not officially called to order as far as he could tell.

He brought up several of the common concerns about the potential roundabouts and also added that he’s concerned about traffic accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians.

“The city is working on a proposal that has not been requested by the public in a location that is, in my opinion, too small, and the process to get there has been flawed and, in one case, deceiving” Estes said. “I urge the council to consider we are a rural area and not Olympia and turn down a roundabout…”

The state’s transportation budget has allocated $550,000 to the city for the project. Doug Iverson, also a former mayor, asked what the money could be used for other than a traffic revision at the intersection.

“There’s never been a definitive answer — does it have to be roadwork? What is the money for? What’s the parameters?” Iverson said.

He also complained about the format of the Oct. 30 meeting and he said “many people walked out without turning in cards.”

Iverson noted that he heard someone say the project “seemed like a solution instead of a problem.”

“And I think that summed it up,” Iverson said.

Former mayor Dick Stone said he appreciated the format of the meeting, noting that all of his questions were answered and he had many discussions and felt he was able to give input.

“I think it really did a very good job. It was very efficient. Rather than having to sit and listen to a few people raise the issues and bring up things over and over again — when I was an elected official, I needed to listen to everybody and hear stuff over and over again, as a private citizen I don’t need that,” Stone said. “I got to ask a lot more questions that I ever would have in a more formal raise-your-hand-and-stand-up-and-talk situation. It was a really good process.”

Resident Robert Hatley said he would have liked to have heard Stone’s questions and the answers he received.

“I’m not sure that I got the information that other people got,” Hatley said. “I would have liked to have a presentation from the DOT, with details and studies — none of the details were there.”

Additionally, Hatley said he’d like the city to take a different approach for a traffic revision, especially if the project were to require eminent domain.

“I think that we really should consider a less impactful solution,” Hatley said.

Resident John Wright called the potential traffic circle a “recipe for trouble.”

Resident Ron Malizia spoke out in favor of the traffic circle.

Response

Following public comment, the council members and Mayor Samuel responded to the public comment. Councilman Antony Chung did not comment on the traffic revision. Councilmen Tyler Trimble and Clint Bryson were absent.

Councilman Dan Wood — a self-professed fan of traffic circles — reaffirmed his position that a traffic circle would be inappropriate for that intersection in Montesano.

“I think our best solution here is to torch down some words and some arrows,” Wood said. “Should we improve that intersection? Yes. Should we do a roundabout? I don’t think so.”

He also noted that he is opposed to eminent domain.

“I do not want to see the state exercising eminent domain in this,” Wood said. “Eminent domain is for when there is a need and not a want. Legally can it be done for this? Absolutely… Should (eminent domain) be exercised? I don’t think so.”

Councilwoman Nikki King said she was surprised by the format of the Oct. 30 meeting, but she ultimately thought it was informative. She said she’s opposed to both a traffic signal and a roundabout at the intersection.

Councilman Ian Cope said he believes a traffic revision is necessary.

“Something can be done to make it better. I think it can be made to look better. I think it could be a more welcoming entrance to this community,” Cope said. “I think roundabouts work, but I don’t know that it is needed there.”

He also noted that he appreciated the format of the meeting.

Councilman Dave Skaramuca said he thought something should be done.

“I think there is a problem at the intersection,” Skaramuca said. “It seems that when people get to the end of the off-ramp and they want to turn left to go south, they see cars adjacent to them and they don’t know what to do. There’s a period of time where they just sit there and they look. It creates a delay in the intersection — and I think that’s the issue… Doing nothing makes no sense to me.”

Mayor Samuel defended the format of the meeting saying more comment cards were received than the number of people who speak during regular city meetings.

“That’s 52 (people) who had an opinion. I don’t want to gloss over that… ,” Samuel said. “It is very difficult for people to stand up, when other people are hostile or create tension, and say something — especially when it’s contrary to what people are saying. I think the comment cards gave people who would not normally stand up an opportunity to say what they wanted to say.”

Samuel pointed out the comment cards showed a “3 to 1” ratio of votes to do something compared to “doing nothing.” That ratio takes the one option of “do nothing” presented on the comment card, and counts it against every other option on the comment cards combined. Overall, “do nothing” had more votes than any other single option.

Samuel said the project should not be viewed in a “historical perspective” because changes are coming to the area.

“Those trains are very important, and the fact that if the potash company comes in (to the Port of Grays Harbor) we expect eight more a week at 1 mile in length. So that is going to cause traffic problems,” Samuel said. She also noted that the hotel/motel tax is up 78 percent this year (meaning the city may have seen more people staying in Montesano), and a potential tourism enterprise coming to a location south of the highway soon.

She reiterated that the ultimate decision will be left to the Department of Transportation.

“If we partner correctly with DOT, we have a lot more say than if we are not part of the conversation,” Samuel said. “If we do it in a respectful manner and with an intelligent way of looking at our options, it could be very successful.”