To

Mayor and Council

Subject

School Zone Times Changes

Initiator

Engineering

Recommendation

Approve the attached ordinance that changes the existing School Zones times \n \n from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM to 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 2:30 PM - 4:30 \n \n PM as amendments to City Code Sections 20-5.2 Increasing or decreasing state \n \n speed limit in designated zones and Section 20-5.3 Streets designated for \n \n speed enforcement using radar and other speed detection devices.

Approval

Approved

Background

City Code Section 20-5.2 established Speed Limits above and below 30 MPH City

wide. City Code Section 20-5.3 established Radar Enforcement of Speed Limits

in Columbus. Both City Codes established School Zones speed limits on

designated streets with time limits of 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

For the 2010 school year, the Muscogee County School District changed the Begin

and End times for schools to the following times:

Elementary 8:00 AM ? 2:30 PM

Middle 9:00 AM ? 4:05 PM

High 8:25 AM ? 3:25 PM

Analysis

Traffic Engineering responded to the new time changes by changing all School

Zone Flashers times and by ordering new School Zone Time Plates for all School

Zones with the times 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM. About a week ago,

the year round schools began their school year for which several schools had

students arriving at 7:00 AM while the School Zone Flashers begin flashing at

7:30 AM. The School District asked us to change the morning School Zones back

to the original 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. Hence, we called our sign vendor to hold

the new sign order and change the times. This delayed our sign order that is

due for delivery August 6th. In order to make the changes official, it is

necessary for Council to modify the two City Codes that regulate Speed Limits

and Radar Enforcement. We are concurrently requesting the Department of Public

Safety to revise our School Zones times. This amendment to the City Code does

not change any speed limits or street segments, only changes the School Zone

times. The first day of school is Monday, August 9th.

Financial Considerations

The new order for School Zone time plates cost the City $2,730.00 plus labor to

install and change School Zone flashers.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

An amendment to the existing City Code requires Council approval.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approve the attached ordinance that changes the existing School Zones times

from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM to 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 2:30 PM - 4:30

PM as amendments to City Code Sections 20-5.2 and 20-5.3.

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