Report Prepared by: Daryl Jordan P.E., City Engineer, Engineering Division
Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance 2584, Amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits,” of the Merced Municipal Code
REPORT IN BRIEF
Second reading and final adoption of Ordinance 2584, Amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits,” of the Merced Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Ordinance 2584, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California Amending Section 10.16.010,”Speed Limits,” of the Merced Municipal Code; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than as recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
2025-2026 Council Priorities, Pedestrian Safety.
DISCUSSION
Past Council Action
At the December 15, 2025, City Council meeting, after continuation of a duly noticed public hearing, Council introduced Ordinance 2584. This item is to conduct a second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2584.
Background
The City is required by law to perform an Engineering and Traffic Study (Speed Zone Study) every seven years if we wish to set speed limits on local roads and continue to use radar for speed enforcement. City staff presented the completed 2025 Speed Zone Study to City Council for consideration and adoption along with recommended speed limits it justified on local roads.
History and Past Council Actions
On October 4, 2024, City Council approved a supplemental appropriation from Fund 2001 (Former) Measure C in the amount of $115,000 to conduct a speed zone study.
On October 21, 2024, the City of Merced contracted with JLB Traffic Engineering to conduct the speed zone study.
On November 3, 2025, City Council set a public hearing date of November 17, 2025, to adopt Ordinance 2584 to amend Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits.”
On November 17, 2025, JLB Traffic Engineering attending the City Council meeting to present the speed study findings and their recommendations for increases and decreases of speed limits. Council raised concerns of some of the increasing speeds and requested if those streets could be reevaluated.
On December 15, 2025, JLB Traffic Engineering attended the City Council meeting to present the speed study findings and their recommendations for increases and decreases of speed limits. Upon completion of the duly noticed public hearing on this matter, Council moved to accept the 2025 study but denied the 2025 study’s recommended speed limits for Bear Creek Drive Northwest from M to G streets, Mansionette Drive from Yosemite to Mercy Avenues and Olive Avenue from R to M Streets and directed an additional study be undertaken with respect to these three specific local road segments.
Proposed Action:
Conduct a second reading of Ordinance 2584 and adopt Ordinance 2584.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The further engineering survey and speed study for Bear Creek Drive Northwest from M to G streets, Mansionette Drive from Yosemite to Mercy Avenues and Olive Avenue from R to M Streets will require additional expenditure of funds.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance 2584
2. Ordinance 2584 Redlined