Lake Geneva officials consider establishing speed bump policy
Lake Geneva officials are considering adopting a policy which would allow residents to request to have a speed bump installed in their neighborhood.
Lake Geneva officials are considering adopting a speed bump policy to help slow down traffic in residential neighborhoods.
The proposed policy would allow residents to request to have a speed bump installed in their neighborhood, which would be reviewed by city staff members.
Lake Geneva currently has a speed bump policy related to alleyways.
As part that policy, at least 50% of residents who live near an alleyway may submit an application to the public works director, along with a $500 fee, to have a speed bump installed in their alley, with the request being reviewed by the public works director, street superintendent, city administrator, police department officials and city aldermen.
Members of the Lake Geneva City Council's Public Works Committee discussed the proposed policy during their March 23 meeting.
Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier said she has received requests from several residents to have a speed bump installed in their neighborhood to encourage motorists to reduce their speeds.
"The idea here is to try to address concerns by the public with areas in their subdivision where traffic is going way too fast," Fesenmaier said. "So, obviously one solution is extending the speed bump policy into the neighborhoods if it's requested by the residents."
Alderwoman JaNelle Powers said she has received similar requests, and she would like to adopt the policy to determine if speed bumps would help slow down traffic in residential areas.
"It's in our neighborhoods, and it's a very real issue," Powers said. "I don't know if this particular solution will be effective for them, to be honest with you. I don't know if they're sure, but I don't see why we can't give it a chance to see."
Alderwoman Linda Frame said she is against the policy, because she feels it would negatively affect emergency vehicles. She feels a better option would be to increase police enforcement.
"I think there's a better way of getting these speeders under control. Most of them are coming from the high school, and the PD needs to go down and congregate around there," Frame said. "Having speed bumps around facilities that use EMS and firetrucks a lot, I don't agree with that at all."
Alderman Joel Hoiland said he would like city officials to consider other methods including installing more crosswalks, curbs, bike routes and alleyways to help address the speeding issue.
"We got to look at it from a big picture standpoint," Hoiland said. "There's a lot of different infrastructure issues we should be looking at, not just speed bumps."
After some discussion, the Public Works Committee members approved to forward the item to the full City Council for further review by a 3-2 vote, with alders Catherine Stoodley, Fesenmaier and Powers voting "yes", and Hoiland and Frame voting "no."
The next City Council meeting is scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 13 at the city hall building, council chambers, 626 Geneva St.
City officials first discussed the proposed neighborhood speed bump policy in August 2025.
