Jonesboro City Council Committee Meeting: Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Sign Ordinances - September 15, 2026

The Jonesboro City Council Committee met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM to discuss pedestrian safety initiatives, review accident data, advance a traffic sign ordinance, and consider funding for downtown pedestrian all‑stop signals. Chief Elliott presented four years of pedestrian accident data, noting 94 incidents with 11 fatalities and identifying high‑risk corridors. Connectivity Committee Chairman Andy Shatley reported on ongoing active transportation projects. Engineer Craig Light detailed a $300,000 all‑stop project for three downtown intersections and proposed a $125,000 comprehensive safety action plan update. The committee unanimously approved minutes from August 19, 2026, moved Ordinance 26039 (traffic signs) to full council, and passed a motion to allocate $300,000 for the pedestrian all‑stop project.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting on August 19, 2026, without changes.
• Ordinance 26039 – Traffic Signs: Moved to full council. The ordinance authorizes installing stop signs at Wellington Court at Kathleen Road, Rochester Drive at Kathleen Road, Rochester Drive at Cochlais Drive, and Dayton Avenue at Fair Park Boulevard, and setting 25 mph speed limits on Rochester Drive, Wellington Court, and Dayton Avenue.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the pedestrian safety discussion, an audience member stated, "I want public safety for the pedestrians" and expressed a desire to become involved with the committee. No other public testimony was offered during the formal public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Pedestrian Safety Data and Enforcement: Chief Elliott reported 94 pedestrian‑involved accidents over the past four years, with 11 fatalities. He identified Johnson Avenue, Main Street, and areas near Arkansas State University as primary concern zones. He noted that a HAWK signal was added at Johnson and Melrose and further signalization is planned along Johnson and near Caraway. Of 79 accidents reviewed for citations, 33 involved a pedestrian as a contributing factor, 16 were hit‑and‑run, and 6 were referred to the Criminal Investigation Division. One arrest for DWI was made; two felony charges are pending. The Chief attributed low proactive enforcement to a staffing shortage: 13 officer vacancies and approximately 35 officers in a non‑functioning capacity (training, leave, etc.). The department is recruiting and aims to be fully staffed by December, though new officers require eight months of field training. The department uses STEP grants for overtime enforcement.
• Education and Municipal Ordinances: Council members and the city attorney discussed the need for better pedestrian education, especially through school curricula. The city attorney noted that state laws already cover failure‑to‑yield and jaywalking, making a new local ordinance largely redundant, but suggested the committee might consider no‑right‑on‑red ordinances at specific high‑pedestrian intersections to enhance safety.
• Connectivity Committee Update: Andy Shatley described the committee’s work creating safe routes for walking, biking, and other active transportation. He highlighted completed connectivity projects and stated that an updated executive summary of priority corridors will be presented to the council soon.
• Downtown All‑Stop Project: Craig Light presented plans for interconnected all‑stop pedestrian signals on Washington Avenue at Union, Main, and Church Streets. When a pedestrian pushes the button, all vehicular traffic at the three intersections stops. The estimated cost is $300,000 based on 30% designs, including audible push buttons, communications equipment, and concrete improvements. Light stated that equipment lead time is approximately 16 weeks.
• Comprehensive Safety Action Plan: Light proposed updating the existing 2022 roadway safety action plan at an estimated cost of $125,000. The update would identify high‑risk locations through data analysis and public engagement, allowing for proactive investments. He has drafted a resolution for this plan.
• Intersection Design and Roadway Concerns: Council members noted pedestrian safety issues at intersections like Southwest Drive and Highland near the high school, and emphasized the need for intentional design, including potential road closures and hiring a dedicated landscape architect.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Unanimously approved as presented.
• Ordinance 26039 (Traffic Signs): Motion to move to full council passed without opposition.
• Resolution 26130 (Pedestrian All‑Stop Funding): The committee voted unanimously to move the resolution to full council. The resolution amends the 2026 capital improvement budget to allocate $300,000 for the downtown all‑stop project.
• Safety Action Plan Update Discussion: No formal vote was taken, but committee members expressed support. Engineer Light intends to present the resolution for the $125,000 plan at a future meeting.
• Police Staffing Update: Chief Elliott noted efforts to fill vacancies, with a goal of full staffing by December 2026, which could improve enforcement capabilities.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after public comments.