LATHROP – All that Andre Campbell wanted to do was spark a discussion about the speed bump that runs straight into his driveway.

He had no idea that it would lead to a potential overhaul of the way that Lathrop approaches traffic calming measures.

With a handful of neighbors from Granite Avenue by his side, Campbell spelled his concerns about the speed bump – from the fact that he was never notified that it would be installed on his street to how it serves as a playground for neighborhood children who use it as a makeshift ramp.

Councilwoman Martha Salcedo was ready to order city staff to remove it right then and there.

Things, however, weren’t that easy.

Because the city has a format that they follow, according to Acting City Manager Steve Salvatore, removing the speed bump would take the approval of several other members of the neighborhood that are affected by it. It means Campbell and his fellow Granite Avenue residents need to gather signatures.

The item ended up on the agenda because of concerns voiced by residents about speed on the street. Salvatore said that placing a stop sign near where the speed cushions are wouldn’t be feasible because they’re too close to a 90-degree turn and would affect the parking of those that live closest to it.

Those neighbors, he said, have already stated that they don’t want to see stop signs there for that very reason.

Salcedo said she didn’t think it was fair that Campbell wasn’t notified and didn’t believe that it should be his responsibility to go out and gather signatures. That formed the basis for her decision to call for their mmediate removal.

The item will be revisited when the council meets again in two weeks.

But it won’t be the only speed-related issue on the agenda.

A multi-way stop request at the intersections of Pipestone Street and Argillite Avenue and Pipestone Street and Deerfield Way – near Joseph Widmer School – drew criticism from the audience because of the close proximity of the signs and the fact that it went against the advice of city staff.

Mayor Joseph “Chaka” Santos was outspoken in his support of the measure – stating that “If Lathrop has to become the city of stop signs then so be it” in regards to ensuring the safety of children – but his fellow members of the council weren’t so quick to take a stand.

Resident Bob Gleason hammered on some of the members for what he considered “legislating from the dais” – voting on something without ever making a decision – and Omar Khweiss tried to break down the importance of following the standards that the city staff has to apply to situations like these and listening to the experts tasked with offering advice.

The item was continued to the July 16 council agenda.