Approve the attached Resolution establishing standard Neighborhood Watch Signs \n \n to be used in Columbus and a variance to UDO Section 4.4.5 Prohibited Signs to \n \n be installed on public rights-of-way.
Approval
Approved
Background
The Neighborhood Watch Program is administered by the Columbus Police
Department in an effort to improve public safety in residential neighborhoods.
An important part of this program is to post Neighborhood Watch Signs within
the neighborhoods participating in this program. The Police Department
initially purchased the sign providing a list of locations to the Traffic
Engineering Division for which we installed and maintained the signs. All
Neighborhood Watch programs used the same Sign for which the Police Department
provided replacement of damaged/missing Signs. This procedure worked until
this year when Hilton Heights was granted a variance by Council to install a
different type of Neighborhood Watch sign requiring the Traffic Engineering
Division to maintain two types of Signs.
Analysis
The continue practice of allowing different Neighborhood Watch signs makes it
very difficult for Traffic Engineering to maintain the signs. It is our
recommendation that Council approve four types of Neighborhood Watch Signs for
neighborhood's to choose. Two of these signs are those that have been approved
for use to date. The third will be the type purchased by Clubview Heights with
one additional choice from Vulcan Signs, Inc. who currently has our annual
traffic sign contract. This will give subdivision four choices and reduce the
types of spare signs that we will maintain in inventory. The signs will be
limited to entrance points as determined by the Department of Engineering.
Additional signs would be at the expense of the Home Owners Association and/or
Residents.
Financial Considerations
A Neighborhood Watch signs cost $11.91 and a post cost $15.83 totaling $27.74
plus labor and equipment to install each sign.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
Since privately purchased signs to include Neighborhood Watch signs are
prohibited on public right-of-way by the UDO Section 4.4.5, the use of said
signs requires a variance to UDO Section 4.4.5 Prohibited Signs, to be
installed on public rights-of-way.
Recommendations/ Actions
Approve the attached Resolution establishing standard Neighborhood Watch Signs
to be used in Columbus and a variance to UDO Section 4.4.5 Prohibited Signs to
be installed on public rights-of-way.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VARIANCE TO UDO SECTION 4.4.5 TO ALLOW NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH SIGNS PURCHASED BY PRIVATE PARTIES BE INSTALLED BY CITY CREWS;
AUTHORIZING FOUR STYLES OF NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH SIGNS IDENTIFIED BY REFERENCE
DOCUMENT AND LISTED AS EXHIBITS 1 THRU 4 TO BE USED WITH THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM. THE SIGNS WILL BE LIMITED TO ENTRANCE
POINTS AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING WITH THE HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATION AND/OR THE RESIDENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL SIGNS.
WHEREAS, the Columbus Police Department administers the City's Neighborhood
Watch Program to enhance public safety in residential neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Watch Program includes posting of Neighborhood Watch
Signs on public street right-of-way; and,
WHEREAS, the installation of Neighborhood Watch Signs on public street
rights-of-way not belonging to the City government is prohibited by UDO Section
4.4.5 requires approval of a variance; and,
WHEREAS, Traffic Engineering can not maintain multiple styles of said signs
requesting that four styles be approved to standardize Neighborhood Watch
Signs; and,
WHEREAS, four styles of Neighborhood Watch Signs are recommended for approval
for the Neighborhood Watch Program and are made part of this Resolution by
reference identified as Exhibits 1 thru 4.
WHEREAS, the signs will be limited to entrance points as determined by the
Department of Engineering. Additional signs will be at the expense of the
Homeowners Association and/or Residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That a variance is hereby authorized to the UDO Section 4.4.5 to allow
Neighborhood Watch Signs purchased by private parties, but installed by city
crews; authorizing four styles of Neighborhood Watch Signs identified by
reference document and listed as exhibits 1 thru 4 to be used with the Police
Department?s Neighborhood Watch Program. The signs will be limited to entrance
points as determined by the Department of Engineering with the Homeowners
Association and/or the residents responsible for any additional signs.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.