Madison/Herrmann/Larkin intersection

MPUSD board trustee supported trying the project, saying school parents, staff and students weren't represented in the opposition data and the status quo is already difficult.

Larkin Street resident showed photos arguing the project would create total gridlock in the circle during school hours.

Daily user of the intersection who opposed the project, saying better solutions exist and citing a wasted Seaside bike lane as an example of wasted money.

Urged rejection of bids and return of grant funds, saying the project wasn't properly vetted with the public.

Criticized the project as unnecessary, wasteful and initiated in secrecy, urging cancellation.

District 2 candidate said community opposition was loud and clear and the grant is still taxpayer money.

Lives near Monterey High; said TAMSI data shows just one accident at the intersection and questioned spending to slow traffic during drop-off.

Asked for basic engineering studies, school partnership and measurable success criteria before spending public funds.

Said if residents don't want it, the city shouldn't build it, calling it a waste of tax dollars.

Argued the school should handle drop-off on its own property and called the grant a waste.

Suggested alternative traffic controls and said the roundabout concept could be worthwhile if paired with school drop-off changes.

Larkin Street resident who vehemently opposed, calling it a volume/congestion problem, not a traffic-calming problem.

500-block Larkin resident cited overwhelming opposition and reminded council members they represent their districts.

Lives two houses from the intersection; said he's never seen emergencies there and grant money isn't free money.

District 1 candidate said safety dollars should go to Lighthouse Avenue, where fatalities have occurred, not this intersection.

36-year resident vehemently opposed; asked who will pay for ongoing upkeep of the installation.

Monterey High alumna said students could be routed through campus to Pacific Street and urged the council to pull the project.

Monterey Vista resident mocked chasing grant money and suggested spending on repaving Cass Street instead.

Called the project costly and unsafe, described gridlock near the school, and urged rejecting bids and halting the project.

Sympathized with residents but noted no alternatives were offered and few school voices were present; urged residents also engage the district.

Safety professional supported the project — it narrows lanes and slows turns — but urged removing stop signs in the pilot and getting pilot data public; said she'd be furious if a student is hurt.

Former CHP bus safety inspector detailed school bus ridership data, arguing bus access is the real solution; was cut off at time.

Urged reconsideration: contract awarded before any outreach, the real problem is gridlock not speed, and neighbors have asked for help for over a year.

Opposed the project: no notification, Monterey High listed as a partner but pays no taxes, closed campus access points worsen gridlock, and no independent traffic study was done.

Suggested dialogue with the high school on staggered dismissal times to ease traffic flow instead.

Larkin Street resident vehemently opposed: it's a volume problem not a flow problem, no resident communication, and data doesn't support it — called it 'ready, fire, aim.'

Old Town Neighborhood Association secretary said her inbox was near-unanimously opposed; asked about lane widths and suggested sandbagging a trial before building.

Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association VP read the board's statement supporting reconsideration — outreach should have come before the contract, 'the city has done this backwards.'

Objected to process, parking loss, and spending on a 'want' rather than a 'need' in a dire budget year — wasting taxpayer money is never good.

Longtime neighborhood resident questioned the 'build it then ask' approach and said traffic is already calmed by stop signs — deal with crosswalks instead.

35-year neighborhood resident said traffic is fine except school drop-off/pickup gridlock, which the plan doesn't touch — the bus service gap is the real problem.