There is going to be a slight change in how motorists in Alpena will navigate the intersection at Miller Street and 2nd Avenue.

During Monday’s meeting, the Alpena Municipal Council voted 5-0 to remove the traffic light, which is blinking yellow and red, and utilize stop signs on both sides of Miller Street.

Council has been considering a change to the busy intersection after there were concerns expressed from All-Saints School about the risk of accidents and risks to pedestrians.

Council had several options. It could leave the intersection as it is, make it a four-way stop, or make it a two-way stop. The flow of traffic should be more smooth, and less confusing than it is now, while not posing an added threat to students who walk in the area before and after school.

The same traffic setup is used at the intersection at Fletcher Street and there is no light and only one stop sign at the intersection at Oldfield Street.

Mayor Matt Waligora said having a four-way stop would likely lead to more congestion in the area, and cause uncertainty with drivers about who has the right-of-way. He said a four-way stop would also force drivers to sit unnecessarily when there are no other cars at times.

I don’t think we need a four-way stop all day and all night,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Johnson agreed with Waligora. She said the stop signs have been working at the other nearby intersections for years, and there is no reason to believe they won’t on Miller Street

“They do their job on Oldfield and Fletcher,” she said. “I think two stop signs on Miller solves our problem.”

Councilman Mike Nowak said he favored a four-way stop, but didn’t object to only having two stop signs. He said having traffic stopped in all directions would probably be safer for pedestrians.

That might be the best scenario for the school and that particular intersection,” Nowak said.

Councilman Danny Mitchell also preferred a four-way stop, but voted for the two-way option because he felt it is better than what’s in place now.

Waligora asked Police Chief Joel Jett if All Saints were to hire a crossing guard, did they have the legal ability to stop traffic to allow students to cross the street.

Jett said they would, when traffic dictated it was necessary.

It is not known if the school will utilize a crossing guard.

The city stands to save some money by removing the traffic light. Assistant Engineer Steve Shultz said the city would not have to pay for the power used by the light, or for continuing maintenance on it.

Shultz said the city doesn’t need the Michigan Department of Transportation to sign off on the change because it is considered a city road and not a part of the state’s highway network. He said the conversion will be easily done, but did not specify when the change will be made.

In other business

∫ Council voted unanimously after coming out of closed session to direct city attorney Bill Pfeifer to serve notice to Alpena Prototype Biorefinery LLC, American Process Inc, and GranBio LLC of a seizure of personal property pursuant to State law for unpaid personal property taxes.