School Zone Policy Review and Aggressive Driving Initiative
At a glance
- What: Three-phase initiative to address school-zone safety and aggressive driving. Phases: 1. immediate concerns (30 days); 2. policy review and update (60-90 days); 3. broader aggressive driving and street design issues.
- Where it stands: Council approved October 5, 2026 to proceed with three-track approach. Multidisciplinary group held first meeting October 6. Will James Middle School area placed on State Transportation Commission December 10 agenda.
- Why it matters: Responsive to school safety concerns; updated policy could enable more efficient state transportation review than standard speed study (6-8 months).
Initiative Details
Parks and Recreation Director Woltjer presented multidisciplinary, three-phase approach combining school zone policy review with related aggressive-driving and safe-streets initiatives.
Phase 1 (approximately 30 days)
- Focus on immediate school-zone concerns
- Special focus: Will James Middle School area and Grand Avenue
- State Transportation Commission placed Will James area on December 10 agenda rather than waiting until February
Phase 2 (approximately 60-90 days)
- Review and update school-zone policies broadly
- Coverage: elementary, middle and high schools
- Establish consistent standards
- Prioritize locations for action
Phase 3
- Address wider issues including:
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Vehicle noise
- Downtown bicycle routes
- E-bikes and e-scooters
- Enforcement and fines
- Street design
Coordination
- Existing Safe Routes to School and law enforcement activities to continue while coordinating with effort
- Multidisciplinary group to hold meetings to determine meeting frequency, specific assignments, community partner participation, and progress reporting method
- Possible school district and state agency involvement identified for initial discussion
- City has discussed but not formally adopted Vision Zero policy
Council Discussion
- Councilmember Lindley supported combined approach and described inconsistent school-zone signs, flashing beacons, speed humps and speed management around local schools
- Council stressed updating policy might be as urgent as site-specific actions
- Updated, consistent policy could allow more efficient state review than standard speed study (6-8 months)
- Concerns: school-zone signs, flashing beacons, speed management; need for coordination with Montana Department of Transportation on speed-limit changes on state-controlled urban routes
Public Comment (October 5, 2026)
- Mariah Lantz spoke of her son Chase's death and expressed appreciation for Council's efforts to improve safety for children at all school levels
- J-Nell Bermes, Safe Routes to School Committee and RiverStone Health, supported extending designated school-zone speed limits to middle schools, emphasizing student walking and biking distances, traffic exposure, driver awareness and crash severity
Vote (October 5, 2026)
Motion to direct staff to proceed with three-track approach
- Moved by: Councilmember Lindley
- Seconded by: Councilmember Aguirre
- Vote: 10-0 (APPROVED; Councilmember Kennedy absent/excused)
Sources
Log
2026-10-05 - City Council Work Session
Woltjer presented three-phase approach to school-zone safety and aggressive driving: Phase 1 (30 days) addresses immediate Will James Middle School and Grand Avenue concerns; Phase 2 (60-90 days) reviews and updates school-zone policies for all school levels; Phase 3 addresses wider aggressive driving, vehicle noise, bicycle routes, e-bikes, enforcement, street design. Multidisciplinary group to hold first meeting October 6. Councilmember Lindley emphasized inconsistent school-zone infrastructure and importance of updated policy for efficient state review. Public comment: Mariah Lantz expressed appreciation for Council's safety efforts; J-Nell Bermes (Safe Routes to School, RiverStone Health) supported extending speed limits to middle schools. Motion to proceed passed 10-0.