At the most recent Forest Park village council meeting, commissioners approved an ordinance amending the village’s code to allow the Safety and Traffic Commission to work more closely with staff on pedestrian, bicycle and traffic issues.
The revised code, adopted Sept. 23, contains a new section that adds pedestrian and bicycle safety recommendations under the commission’s jurisdiction.
“We are looking at all people who use streets, not just cars, but bikes and pedestrians,” said Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements Michelle Melin-Rogovin. “We want streets to be safe for everyone.”
This part of the village code concerning the Safety and Traffic Commission hadn’t been updated for about 20 years and no longer reflected how the commission functioned, according to Melin-Rogovin.
“The upshot of doing this is being able to work more effectively with village staff and to be able to respond more effectively to the requests and needs of residents,” Melin-Rogovin said.
In addition to addressing pedestrian and bike safety, the amendment will help streamline processes for how the Safety and Traffic Commission brings its ideas to the village council and village staff.
Previously, the commission would recommend rules concerning vehicles, driver and pedestrian rights, and traffic signs – but only when requested by the village council.
“The ordinance required the commission to come to the council with its agenda for approval” before the commission met, Melin-Rogovin said. “And that was pretty clunky.”
That portion of the code was replaced so that the commission’s duties now highlight its advisory and informational purpose. A section was also added that says the commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements is the liaison between the commission and village staff.
“Now the commission can work with the village staff more easily and align its work with the traffic and safety commissions in other towns that we work with,” Melin-Rogovin said.
Village Administrator Rachell Entler may also provide the commission with assistance, according to the ordinance. Entler, along with Mayor Rory Hoskins and Director of Public Works Sal Stella, helped Melin-Rogovin to create the ordinance.
Also at the Sept. 23 village council meeting, a new board member was appointed to the Safety and Traffic Commission. Hoskins approved Stanley Brown’s appointment, who replaced a board member who stepped down in April.
With a new board member, and an updated lens to look at Forest Park’s safety and traffic through, Melin-Rogovin says she’s looking forward to working under the new ordinance.
“It’s sort of wonky to say you’re excited about updating an ordinance,” Melin-Rogovin said. “But I really appreciated working with Administrator Entler on this.”
“I think she appreciated what we were trying to do, the need for it and how it’s going to help the Traffic and Safety Commission do their work more efficiently and effectively,” she added. “There are ideas and a need to be more responsive to citizens, to residents.”