Councilman Dan Temple speaks during a District 3 Town Hall on Monday.
Menifee residents received updates on several road projects and e-bike enforcement during a District 3 town hall Monday night.
Councilman Dan Temple hosted the Sept. 28 meeting at Revival Christian Fellowship alongside City Manager Armando Villa and representatives from several city departments.
E-bike ordinance headed back to City Council
Menifee Police Chief Dave Gutierrez said the city is continuing its combination of education and enforcement as officials respond to concerns involving e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
The police department has conducted rider safety courses, worked with local school districts and provided information to school administrators about electric motorcycles that are not legal for street use.
Gutierrez said officers are also impounding illegal bikes and documenting contacts with juveniles and their parents. The department has created a form that parents sign following a contact, allowing police to track repeat offenses and potentially hold parents accountable.
The city is now considering additional changes to its e-bike ordinance.
“We have a study session scheduled for November to bring it to City Council and have a discussion on what that looks like, and then seek City Council input on that,” he said.
Gutierrez encouraged residents to contact police when they see e-bike activity that creates a traffic safety hazard. Even if officers aren’t able to respond before a rider leaves the area, he said those calls can help the department identify locations for targeted enforcement.
Menifee Road widening project moves forward
The planned widening of Menifee Road between Garbani and Scott roads is approximately 90 percent through design, according to Public Works Director Nick Fidler.
The city is currently coordinating with utility companies as it works toward construction. Several Southern California Edison power poles will need to be relocated, while portions of the project’s drainage design conflict with Eastern Municipal Water District infrastructure.
The water filling station along Menifee Road will also need to be relocated and realigned to be more in line with Wickerd Road as part of the project.
Fidler said SCE is expected to provide a preliminary design in late October. The city must also acquire additional right-of-way and temporary construction easements before work can begin.
“We are pushing as hard as we can on this project to keep it moving forward,” Fidler said.
Antelope Road changes planned at Newport
Changes are also coming to the intersection of Antelope and Newport roads after a resident raised concerns about congestion for drivers trying to travel straight through the intersection.
Fidler said the city plans to remove the third left-turn movement and create a dedicated northbound through lane as part of a larger Antelope Road resurfacing project.
The project will resurface Antelope Road from Craig Avenue to Aldergate Drive and was approximately 99 percent through design as of the town hall.
Fidler said the opening of Holland Road has reduced some of the traffic making the northbound-to-westbound movement at the intersection, allowing the city to reconsider the lane configuration.
Because the project also involves some road widening and curb and gutter work, Fidler said the city won’t be able to put the project out until early next year because of anticipated winter weather.
The town hall also included questions from residents about speeding, street lighting, fire safety and other neighborhood concerns.
Public Works staff said the city is exploring solar-powered streetlights in the area near Lindenberger Road and Heritage Lake, where a resident raised concerns about darkness and pedestrian safety.
