Report Prepared by: Daryl Jordan P.E., City Engineer, Engineering Division
Title
SUBJECT: Continued Public Hearing - Potential Introduction of Ordinance 2584, Amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits,” of the Merced Municipal Code
REPORT IN BRIEF
Continued Public Hearing of Ordinance 2584 amending Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits,” of the Merced Municipal Code. Amendment to the Speed Limits section consists of modification to speed limits throughout the City.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion reintroducing 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.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
2025-2026 Council Priorities, Pedestrian Safety.
DISCUSSION
The City is required by law to perform an Engineering and Traffic Study (Speed Zone Study) every seven years if we wish to continue to use radar for speed enforcement. According to the California Vehicle Code (CVC), the City will not be able to use radar for enforcement of speed zones if the Speed Zone Study is not performed; our last study was done in 2017. City staff has also performed a 2025 study this year, which is now completed. The existing speed zone study has expired and currently the City speed limits are unenforceable by radar without an updated engineering and traffic speed study.
The City contracted with JLB Traffic Engineering (JLB) to conduct the recent Engineering and Traffic Survey. The purpose of these surveys is to recommend the speed limits appropriate for enforcement and to provide any recommended speed limit changes in accordance with current State of California regulations and guidelines.
The scope and objectives of the speed study were based upon definitions of terms and guidelines as established by the state legislature and the California Vehicle Code. The speed study procedure included location selection, data collection, data analysis and evaluation among others. In addition, the speed study includes the existing posted speed limit, median speed, critical speed (85th percentile), pace speed, and recommended speed limit. The ordinance identifies each location studied along with the recommended speed limit.
JLB conducted the study over several months and offered their recommendation for the new speed limits in the City. Based on JLB’s recommendation and the “California Manual for Setting Speed Limits,” published in 2020 by Caltrans, it states a speed limit can be adjusted no more than 5 miles per hour if the City Engineer or Traffic Engineer can provide valid justification. Based on this guideline, the speed limit at several locations were adjusted because the 85% field data observed or locations in close proximity to a school, residential homes, or geometry of the road.
For this reason, Staff recommends Council adopt Ordinance 2584 to amend Merced Municipal Code Section 10.16.010, Speed Limits.
History and Past 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.
Staff and our consultant, per City Council Direction, have reviewed the findings of the speed study in order to evaluate any additional information that may allow a reduction in some of the speeds within the City. Six of the fifteen increased segments were determined that there is a nexus to support lowering these speeds from the previous report. The roads determined to be kept at their existing speed limits are as follows:
• North Bear Creek Drive from R St to M St
• North Bear Creek Drive from G St to East City Limit
• M Street from Olive to Buena Vista
• M Street from Buena Vista to Yosemite Avenue
• M Street from Yosemite Avenue to Lehigh Drive
• Olive Avenue from M Street to G Street
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Redline of Ordinance Updates
2. Ordinance 2584
3. Speed Study
4. Presentation