HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.D.3. Approve School Speed Zone Traffic Control Signage for Alll School Speed Zones in Shakopee y . D . 3 .
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CITY OF SHAKOPEE
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Memorandum
TO: Mayor& City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Bruce Loney, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Approve School Speed Zone Traffic Control Signage for all School Speed Zones
in Shakopee
DATE: August 21, 2012
ACTION SOUGHT:
To approve the school speed zone signage of"When Children are Present" for all school speed
zones in Shakopee.
INTRODUCTION:
At the August 6, 2012 Traffic Safety Review Committee (TSRC) , the Committee reviewed the
school speed zone signage for all schools and is recommending to use "When Children are
Present" signs for all zones.
BACKGROUND:
In August, 2011 the City Council authorized a school speed zone far lOth Avenue by Sweeney
Elementary. The school speed zone signage recommended and approved was "When Children
are Present". This sign is the signage for school speed zones along County Highways by Jackson
Elementary, Sun Path Elementary, the High School and the East Junior High.
The TSRC discussed this issue of signage for school speed zones and is recommending to
replace the signs with specific times to "When Children are Present". This change would affect
the school speed zones for 10t�' Avenue by the West Junior High, Shakopee Avenue by Pearson
6`�' Grade Center and Independence Drive by SACS.
Also attached is a memo from Police Chief Jeff Tate on the rationale to use "When Children are
Present" signage.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a motion approving a school speed zone signage change for all school speed
zones in Shakopee to "When Children are Present".
2. Do not approve the recommended school speed zone signage change.
3. Table for additional information.
RECOMMENDATION:
The TSRC recommends Alternative No. 1 for consistency, and the Public Works Department
will make the change before the September 4t�' school start date.
RELATIONSHIP TO VISIONING:
This supports Goal A: "Keep Shakopee a safe and healthy community where residents can
pursue active and quality lifestyles".
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve a motion approving a school speed zone signage change for all school speed zones in
Shakopee to "When Children are Present".
ruce Loney, .
Public Works Director
ENGR201'_PROJECTS COUNCIL AuthorizeSchoolSpeedZone'IrafficControlSignageforallShakopeeSchools
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POLICE DEPARTMENT
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DATE: August2l, 2012
TO: Mark McNeill
FROM: Chief Tate, Chief of Police
Bruce Loney, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: School Zone Sign Issues
The following is a list of talking points and justifications for"When children are present"
language on designated school zone signs:
• "When children are present" is the exact language used in the State Statute. Having
children present is an element of the offense required before any citation can be issued.
Having a sign that mirrors the State Statute is more ideal thus, preferred by prosecutors.
• At no point in the State Statute does it ever refer to specific times or distance
requirements for children. Time requirements can also be problematic; for example, if
the sign gives a timeframe from 7:00-9:00 AM, the law still does not apply unless
children are present, going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours or
during school recess periods. It is better to leave times off the sign in case a school has a
half day or other scheduling changes that may conflict with what the signs say.
• Timeframes on the sign beg the question-If its 08:30 and all of the kids are in class and
no children are present, why should a motorist have to drop their speed? Does that not
conflict with the intent of the current law?
• "When children are present" is the language recommended by MNDOT. Scott County
has already decided to go that route so it benefits everyone to maintain consistency.
Consistency is extremely important. Staff has also found that the vast majority of school
districts around Shakopee currently use the "When Children are Present" language.
• In terms of enforcement, it all boils down to the "reasonableness standard." Our officers
are not going to write a ticket when a student is off on a soccer field or people are
playing in their backyards next to the school, which is not why this law was written.
• When call loads permit, our officers are assigned to be around the schools during start
and end times. That presence alone helps keep people driving safe and may be why,
frankly, we simply don't have a lot of issues.
• In terms of scenarios and "what if's", this can be difficult and never-ending with any
law, not just this one. We can all think of a scenario where if the stars align just right, it
will make an enforcement decision more difficult. This again boils down to the intent of
the Statute and what a reasonable person would do in this situation. I have faith that our
officers will use good judgment to resolve any problematic situation. If another party
disagrees and they have been issued a ticket, they certainly have the option to contest
their alleged violation in court.
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