HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM V-CTo: Municipal Services Committee, Mayor Lewis
From: Pablo Para
Memorandum
Engineering Division
CC: Dennis Dowdy, Dennis Selle, Dan Heid, Bob Lee, Bob Karnofski
Date: March 22, 2011
Re: School Zone Speed Limits Signage
Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to present the proposed revisions to code section
10.12.125 defining school zones, speed limits and signage requirements.
Background
In response to request from the courts for clarification of the School Zone Speed limit
ordinance staff has completed the following analysis.
The current provisions of the Auburn City Code provide for speed restrictions in posted
school zones relating to instances "when children are present" at crosswalks and when
lights that have been installed are flashing.
Because both criteria for speed limit violations do not always apply given the state
definition for when children are present, it would be appropriate to distinguish the speed
violations within the Auburn City Code so that each could be used individually or in
combination in those areas to which they would apply.
Recommendation
Attached is the revised ordinance that has been coordinated with Legal and Police
departments. Staff recommends making the indicated changes in order to simplify the
enforcement process for the police and courts while improving public understanding and
consistency with state law. Signs will need to be modified in at least two school zones
to implement this code revision.
Page 1 of 1
AJXJ-RN*W*rniAN YOU MAQW0
ORDINANCE NO. 6 3 4 6
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AMENDING
SECTION 10.12.125 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE
RELATING TO SPEED LIMITS IN SCHOOL ZONES
WHEREAS, the current provisions of the Auburn City Code provide for
speed restrictions in school zones relating to instances when children are present
at crosswalks in posted school zones, and, further, provide for those same speed
limitations when people are traveling through posted school zones when lights
that have been installed in the school zone are flashing; and
WHEREAS, because both criteria for speed limit violations do not always
apply, it would be appropriate to distinguish the speed violations within the traffic
code section of the Auburn City Code so that each could be used individually or
in combination in those areas to which they would apply.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Amendment to City Code. That section 10.12.125 of
the Auburn City Code be and the same hereby is amended to read as follows:
10.12.125 Speed limit in school zones.
A. Notwithstanding the speed limit that would otherwise apply
on a city street, road or other right-of-way, the speed limit in posted school
zones is 20 miles per hour-."
I................................. In1hen W ./hen children are present; or
7 AA/knn link+c hn io h4an inc+nllnr! in nnnii inn+inn nri+h ~rni
,j- , , y
school zone sign and. such lights. are flashing..
B. ..........Signage shall be installed at appropriate locations, as
determined by the city engineer or designee stating "School Zone - 20
mph when lo-gh+s 11-11r;g ^r.....,. s~ o~.. children are present, per ACC
10.12.125" or "Schcc! Zone - 2n llh IAihon vhilr-Irc'n nro nrocon4 nor nrr
N N r
Ordinance No. 6346
March 8, 2011
Page 1 of 3
n words to that effect. For the purposes hereof, "when children
are present" means:
1. Children are occupying or walking within a marked or
unmarked crosswalk, as defined by RCW 47.04.010 or successor statute,
in a posted school zone;
2. Children are occupying or waiting at the curb or on the
shoulder of the roadway in a posted school zone and are about to cross
the roadway by way of the marked or unmarked crosswalk; or
3. Children are present on or walking along the roadway, either
on the adjacent sidewalk or, in the absence of sidewalks, on the shoulder
within the posted school speed limit zone which extends up to 300 feet in
either direction from a marked school crosswalk.
1 ~-mnh of Oho nri4orin Anfininn Oho cnnnA limi4 in cnhnnl -7nnnc
v. r_uvr ~ vr....u r'.. vr-~an..~ ru--~wu~r~ rrr a rte: uNuuu ru rrr u ~ uv~ rvv~..._zur ~uv
\V I I arI W111l.r 1 n..nr`~cr~ra4..~nrl.a VI I- I .11r:Jl 11-1 ..cGan. I-I - 1 1- -1 IL inAnnnnAnn4 frnm onnh Mhnr
n ruvNvr ruv~ n n vr~ r vuvr r vo rvr
B. Notwithstanding the speed limit that would otherwise apply
on a city street, road or other right-of-way, the speed limit in posted school
zones i5.20 miles per...hour..when....lights...have...been ...instal.led in..conJ.unction.
with any school zone sign and such lights are flashing. Flashing lights
shall be installed at appropriate locations, as determined by the city
engineer or designee stating "School Zone - 20 mph when lights flashlnq,
per ACC 10.12.125" or words to that effect in conformance with the
followinq..requirements:
1. The flashing lights shall be located within 300 feet in either
direction from school boundaries as defined by WAC 468-95-330 except
the flashing lights may be located more than 300 feet from said school
boundaries if the city engineer deems appropriate based on a traffic
engineering assessment.
2 In _order to enhance public safety around schools, the city
engineer shall periodically coordinate with the school principles and/or
re resentatives of the school district to evaluate the a ro rate times
p p p........... p.............................................................
when flashing lights adjacent to various schools should be flashing.
C. The city engineer or designee may utilize the combined
signage..... nd ...flashing light proyisions of.. ACC..... 10 12 125A and. ACC
10.12.1258 where deemed appropriate. (Ord. 6210 § 17 2008; Ord. 6073 §
47 2007; Ord. 5915 § 17 2005.)
Section 3. Implementation. The Mayor is hereby authorized to
implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the
directions of this legislation.
Ordinance No. 6346
March 8, 2011
Page 2 of 3
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are
declared to be separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence,
paragraph, subdivision, section or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall not affect the validity of
the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity of its application to other persons
or circumstances.
Section 4. Effective date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be
in force five days from and after its passage, approval and publication as
provided by law.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
APPROVED:
CITY OF AUBURN
PETER B. LEWIS
MAYOR
ATTEST:
Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Daniel B. Heid, City Attorney
Published:
Ordinance No. 6346
March 8, 2011
Page 3 of 3