SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on September 29, 2004, at 7:04 p.m. with Chairman Ritter presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Simmons. Mr. Lakeman was absent. Mr. Ruane and Mayor Speed were also present.
The invocation was given by Mr. Simmons, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Traffic Concerns (Volume and Speed) on East Loockerman Street - John McNeal, Jr.
Mr. John McNeal, Jr., 372 Mockingbird Avenue, stated that he recently went door-to-door on East Loockerman Street and he noticed an alarming volume of fast-moving traffic. He stated that many of the residents have tried to remedy or limit the problem in the past; however, a dangerous problem still exists. Mr. McNeal also commented on the absence of sidewalks on the street.
Chief Horvath advised members that a “metro count” had been placed on East Loockerman Street between Tuesday, September 21 and Tuesday, September 28, 2004 to monitor volume and speed of traffic. He noted that there were approximately 1,500 trips per day with the highest speed recorded by laser or radar being 43 m.p.h. and the average speed being 25.7 m.p.h. Chief Horvath offered to temporarily install a speed counter to deter speeding. It was also suggested that the installation of a stop sign at Loockerman Street and Loockerman Court may slow traffic.
Chairman Ritter requested Chief Horvath to discuss the stop sign installation with the City Manager and report back in two months with the results of that discussion and the new information from the speed counter.
Report by Police Chief and Director of Inspections and Planning - Departmental Procedures for Towing Illegally Parked Cars (Continuation from Committee Meeting of August 25, 2004 - Legal Opinion - Procedure for Towing Illegally Parked Cars)
Mr. James Galvin, Director of Planning and Inspections explained the process which the Planning and Inspections Department follows with regard to citing, ticketing, and towing abandoned vehicles located on private property. He noted that owners of vehicles which are inoperable are given five (5) days to remove or repair their vehicle. Owners of operable but untagged vehicles are given 90 days to move their vehicles. Mr. Galvin stated that residents experiencing an illness or extended travel period, such as military personnel, can be granted an extension as long as they have a cover on the car.
Responding to Chairman Ritter, Mr. Galvin stated that the inspectors and police officers notify each other when they see violations. Chief Horvath stated that he would prefer to maintain the current procedure of inspectors ticketing private property violations and police officers ticketing or towing public property violations since a police officer would have to defend the issuance of the ticket and towing if the owner decided to take the matter to court.
Chairman Ritter questioned whether it would be possible to tow vehicles illegally parked on roads which are not dedicated to the City. Mr. Pitts expressed concern with abandoned vehicles parked in the rear of properties. He stated that many times there are four (4) or more vehicles parked in back yards. Chairman Ritter stated that he believed the ordinance required vehicles to be parked on a paved surface. He requested staff to obtain a legal opinion regarding towing illegally parked cars on undedicated roads, City staff entering private property to tag abandoned vehicles, and requiring vehicles to be parked on a paved surface and to provide a report back to the committee in four (4) weeks.
Report by Police Chief - Safety Issues at Manchester Square and Mapleton Square Apartments
Chief Horvath provided updates, including number and type of arrests and security improvements being provided by management for Manchester Square Apartments and Mapleton Square Apartments. He also provided the results of a recent survey sent to residents of Manchester Square Apartments. Chief Horvath noted that the management of both facilities are very cooperative with the Police Department.
Mr. Pitts requested that similar updates be provided for Simon Circle, Liberty Court, Whatcoat Apartments, and Capital Green.
Mr. Carey moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:43 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Ritter, Jr.
Chairman
RGR/tm
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