Agenda Item #
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
08/10/2010
Agenda Report #
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: School Zone Times Changes
INITIATED BY: Engineering
Recommendation: 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 Increasing or
decreasing state speed limit in designated zones and Section 20-5.3 Streets
designated for speed enforcement using radar and other speed detection devices.
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.
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.
Attachments
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