Placement: Second Reading of Ordinances / Public Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 21-20, Public Hearing, An Ordinance to Amend Ordinance 71.1 - Speed Zones
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Submitted By: John A. Bolduc, Chief of Police
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to provide exceptional municipal services.
Executive Summary (General Business): Requesting to amend Speed Zone Ordinance 71.01, to reflect the Public Works Director, or his or her designee, is responsible for lowering speed limits within the City of Port St. Lucie.
Presentation Information: Questions will be answered upon request.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Ordinance.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the amended Ordinance.
2. Move that the Council not approve the amended Ordinance and provide staff direction.
Background: On August 15, 1978, City Council passed the original Chapter 71.-Traffic Rules Ordinance. In Chapter 71, Sec. 71.01.-Speed Zones, the Ordinance mandated the Chief of Police may determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit on any municipal street or portion thereof, which shall be effective at all times during hours of daylight or darkness, or at such other times as dertmined, as the approropriate signs giving notice are directed. The procedures prior to setting speed limits included that the Chief of Police shall conduct an investigation to determine the change is reasonable and in conformity with FDOT. As well, the Chief of Police would present to the City Council his proposal concerning recommended new speed zones for approval.
The Ordinance is outdated and was mandated before the City of Port St. Lucie employed a City Engineer or Public Works Director. The Ordinance was never amended once a Public Works Director was brought into the City of Port St. Lucie, and the Chief of Police remained the individual responsible for lowering speed limits within the City.
Issues/Analysis: To ensure the City of Port St. Lucie is inline with providing exceptional municipal services to the residents of Port St. Lucie, it is deemed appropriate to amend Chapter 71., Sec. 71-01-Speed Zones Ordinance to dictate that the City of Port St. Lucie’s Public Works Director be responsible for investigating and determining new speed zones within the City of Port St. Lucie.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: Citywide
Attachments:
1. Amended Ordinance 71.1 - Speed Zones
2. Current Ordinance 71.1 - Speed Zones
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 5157
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Lee J. Baggett, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.