Street sign style

• This prototype of new street signs for the City of Meridian was shown during the Meridian City Council meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024. The council members present selected this design for use on Yellowjacket Drive to see how the public will respond to it. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

In a move aimed at enhancing public safety and community spirit, the Meridian City Council approved the implementation of new street signs during their regular meeting on Monday, June 10.

The decision follows discussion about the design, color, and functionality of the signs, driven by input from local law enforcement, the public works department, and council members.

The council considered several options, including incorporating school colors to reflect community pride. Ultimately, they agreed on a design featuring a black background with block numbers and reflective yellow elements for high visibility at night.

This design was recommended by Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Meridian Police Officer Clint Ryals, both of whom emphasized the need for signs that are easily readable and help improve navigation, particularly for emergency services.

Night visibility

The new signs will include block numbers, which are expected to aid patrol officers, EMS, and fire services in locating addresses more efficiently.

Discussion among the council members and city staff highlighted the difficulty in reading the current signs at night, a concern echoed by the local police department.

The approved design aims to resolve this issue with its nonreflective black background and reflective yellow lettering.

'The black background with yellow lettering provides the best visibility without the glare that makes signs difficult to read at night,' Rohrer explained.

This balance ensures that the signs are visible without causing visual disturbances to drivers.

Incremental rollout and budget considerations

Recognizing the need to manage costs effectively, the council decided to start with a pilot project.

New signs will first be installed on Yellowjacket Drive, a prominent street in Meridian, as a test case.

Council member Dana Williams proposed this approach, stating, 'We can start with Yellowjacket Drive and evaluate how well these signs work before expanding to other areas.'

The council discussed the budgetary impact of the new signs, noting that the current budget does not allocate specific funds for this project. However, they agreed to consider additional funding during future budget workshops.

'It's something we can implement over time,' one council member noted, suggesting the work could be done during off-peak periods or inclement weather when other activities are limited.

Community involvement and feedback

The council also expressed a desire for community input on the new designs. They acknowledged that involving residents in the decision-making process could enhance the sense of ownership and acceptance of the changes.

“Weshouldgetfeedback from the community on these designs to ensure they meet everyone's needs,” a council member suggested.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to proceed with the new street signs on Yellowjacket Drive and to revisit the topic during the upcoming budget workshops for broader implementation.

The next phase will involve evaluating the effectiveness of the new signs and planning for their expansion throughout the city, with the aim of having a safer, more navigable Meridian for residents and visitors alike.

Sign removal action During the meeting under “Old Business,” the council revisited and corrected a previous action concerning the removal of parking signs at 120 West Morgan Street. This correction followed a consensus that the initial decision, made on May 13, had not been properly executed.

The council members discussed the necessity of revising the original motion to clearly address the removal of both a 'No Parking' sign and a 'Two-Hour Parking' sign at the specified location.

Meridian city staff initiated the discussion, highlighting the procedural errors in the prior decision, emphasizing that the council needed to redo the motion correctly to reflect their intentions accurately.

Meridian City Secretary Tiffany Gentry clarified, 'Last time, we didn't separate it out correctly. For peace of mind and to ensure clarity, I contacted TxDOT. They confirmed that while directional signs like those indicating highways are managed by TxDOT, the 'No Parking' and 'Two-Hour Parking' signs are under our jurisdiction. Therefore, we need to address our discrepancies.'

The council acknowledged that the initial motion only mentioned one sign and did not include specific details about both signs or the exact location. This omission led to the need for a revised motion.

Following this clarification, the council moved to vote on the corrected motion – to removal of both the 'No Parking' and 'Two-Hour Parking' signs at 120 West Morgan Street. The motion passed unanimously.