Council raises speeding fines

Sat., June 12, 2010

Valerie Putnam vrputnam@yahoo.com

Drivers caught exceeding the posted 20 mph speed limit in Millwood School and playground zones can now expect to pay double.

Millwood City Council unanimously approved an ordinance dictating the stronger monetary fine Monday night at the regular council meeting.

City Attorney Brian Werst proposed the ordinance as a traffic-calming measure, saying the ordinance is a by-product of public testimony given during the special meeting on Millwood traffic held in May.

Each proposed enforced zone extends 300 feet from the border of the school or playground zones at West Valley High School, Millwood School/Millwood Early Childhood Education Center and Millwood Park.

“We’re not changing the speed limits,” Werst said. “We’re changing the teaching tool to enforce those limits.”

According to Werst, the preferred enforcement mechanism is posting designated hours in each zone in which the doubled monetary penalty is in effect.

After lengthy discussion on proposed hours, Councilman Kevin Freeman recommended posting the zones enforceable “at all hours,” stating it was difficult to limit the time children are present in the targeted areas. Council agreed and the language of the ordinance was revised to reflect enforcement effective all hours.

“Millwood is fairly unique,” Werst said. “Schools are in the middle of residential areas. In a sense school zones are largely playground zones.”

According to Werst, communication is important during implementation. He urged signage stating the hours, and communication with the extra law enforcement officers on the new policy.

“If you’re going to hit them with the big fines,” Mayor Dan Mork said. “It is reasonable to give them the heads-up this is not like other school zones in the county.”

“The reason we are doing this must be clearly stated,” Councilman Glenn Bailey said. “We’re concerned about the safety of the children and the young people in the area.”

Millwood does not generate any revenue from traffic infractions issued in the city.

Werst also presented two versions of a parking restriction ordinance, also in response to the special traffic meeting; the first concerning Laura Road between Frederick Avenue and Buckeye; the alternate version establishing a no-parking restriction on Frederick from Stout to Locust Road.

The council tabled the issue until July to investigate the right-of-way along Frederick.

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