TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: SHELLEY DESAUTELS, CITY CLERK
DATE: MAY 26, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2026 CITYWIDE RADAR SPEED SURVEY IMPLEMENTING DECREASED SPEED LIMITS FOR CERTAIN STREETS (FUNDING SOURCES: MEASURE M & PROPOSITION C)
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SUMMARY
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) requires that the local authority conduct a citywide engineering and traffic survey (E&TS) to allow the use of radar speed enforcement on local streets. The E&TS is also known as the speed survey, which is an approved and governing document for speed limit setting citywide. The last citywide speed survey was completed and approved by the City Council in 2005, and since then, interim updates to certain street segments were completed in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Since the last speed survey, Assembly Bill 43 (AB43) has modified the review periods for speed surveys and the criteria for setting speed limits. To meet the new requirements set forth by AB 43, staff engaged the services of a professional traffic engineer consultant, Advantec Consulting Engineers, to prepare a new E&TS.
The new E&TS identifies a complete list of surveyed streets containing information on their roadway segment limits, collision rates, posted speed limits, 85th percentile speeds, National Highway designation, consideration of concentration of pedestrians, bicyclists, and higher crash rates, and provide recommendations on retention of prior speed limits and new recommended speed limits. The E&TS provides the basis for the new recommended posted speed limits, and it will become the City’s 2026 Citywide Radar Speed Survey, once approved by ordinance.
Ninety-three street segments were surveyed, with a total of forty-five (45) recommended speed limit changes within the new 2026 speed survey. The speed limit on forty-four (44) segments is proposed to be decreased by 5 mph, with one street segment being recommended to be decreased by 10 mph.
The Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC) reviewed the draft E&TS at its March 27, 2025, March 26, 2026, and April 13, 2026 meetings. The TTC recommended approval of the speed survey, with a 7-0 vote at the April 13, 2026 special meeting.
At the May 12, 2026 regular meeting, the City Council placed the ordinance on first reading and directed the City Clerk’s office to publish a summary in the Claremont Courier.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council waive further reading and adopt AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE TO SECTION 10.48.010 RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN STREETS.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Continue the matter for additional information or discussion.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost for staff to prepare this report, the 2026 Citywide Radar Speed Survey, and administer this program is estimated $96,882 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
2026 Speed Survey
The study completed to prepare the 2026 Citywide Radar Speed Survey ultimately evaluated ninety-three street segments citywide, identifying the following recommendations:
• Forty-eight street segments whose posted speed limits will remain the same;
• Forty-four street segments that will be reduced by five miles per hour; and
• One street segment that will be reduced by ten miles per hour.
• There are no street segments required to be increased as part of the 2026 Speed Survey.
|
Revised 2026 Speed Survey-Summary of Changes |
|
Street Segments |
No Change |
-5 MPH |
-10 MPH |
|
93 |
48 |
44 |
1 |
The 2026 Citywide Radar Speed Survey document identifies a complete list of surveyed streets containing information on their roadway segment limits, collision rates, posted speed limits, 85th percentile speeds, National Highway designation, consideration of concentration of pedestrians, bicyclists, and higher crash rates, and provide recommendations addressing the street segments to retain prior speed limits, and those with recommended lower speed limits.
The following provides information and statistics on the City’s street network that was surveyed:
o Residential/local roads, “prima facie,” streets are not required to be surveyed.
o Approximately 74% of the street network is 25 mph prima facie.
o As part of this survey, approximately 36 miles of the street network were required to be surveyed, out of the total 138 miles of the citywide street network.
o Of those 36 miles surveyed, approximately 18 miles are recommended to be reduced in posted speed limits, which is approximately 13% of the citywide street network.
o The following table summarizes these figures and percentages.
|
City Streets Surveyed |
Center Line Miles |
36 |
|
Total City Street Network |
Center Line Miles |
138 |
|
Percent Streets Surveyed |
|
26% |
|
Roadway Segments Reduced |
Center Line Miles |
18 |
|
Percent Streets Reduced in Speed |
Center Line Miles |
13% |
A complete summary is provided in the Exhibit to the Ordinance (Attachment), in Table 3-Summary of Recommendations, which identifies the current posted and proposed speed limits.
Section 6 of the Ordinance contains provisions for the 2026 Citywide Radar Speed Survey to take effect September 27, 2026, once the necessary improvements (roadway striping and signage installations) are completed. In addition to internal distribution, a copy of the 2026 Radar Speed Survey will also be filed with the El Monte Courthouse, as required by law.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relation to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: General Plan and City Council Priorities.
CEQA REVIEW
This is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office. Interested parties have also been notified.
Submitted by:
Shelley Desautels
City Clerk
Attachment:
Ordinance