NewCityLogo-August2008

Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager

 
 

Date

November 9, 2009

 

Agenda Item No.           31

Roll Call No.                  09-

Communication No.      09-800

Submitted by: Judy A. Bradshaw, Chief of Police

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Approving an amendment to the schedule of fees of administrative penalties to provide for the civil penalty amounts for violation of the automated traffic enforcement ordinance.

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

The Municipal Code was amended to allow the City to enforce stop light and speeding ordinances by an automated system.  The Police Department is recommending an amendment to the schedule of fees of administrative penalties to provide for the schedule of civil penalties, which will be imposed for these traffic violations.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount:  Revenues will be based on the number of locations and actual experiences based on the following:

 

            Traffic Control Violations (red light and stop signs)  $65.00

            Speeding - 1-15 MPH over                                         $65.00

            Speeding - 16-20 MPH over                                       $75.00

            Speeding – 21 MPH and more                                   $80.00, plus $2 per MPH in excess

                                                                                                   of 21 MPH over

           

Funding Source:  Revenue to be credited to POL100150 – General Fund – Police Traffic Section, FY2009-10 Operating Budget, page 239.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

The Police Department continues to identify methods to improve the safety of our City.  As presented at the July 27th Council Workshop, the Police Department is recommending the use of electronic equipment to monitor high risk intersections for vehicles that are being driven in a manner that violates existing City ordinances pertaining to traffic control devices.  The electronic equipment will also be utilized to identify vehicles that are being driven in excess of the posted speed limit.  The ordinance allows for a civil citation to be issued to the vehicle’s owner, not necessarily the driver of the vehicle.  Violations captured by electronic devices are not reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation.  Therefore, the citation will not appear on an individual’s driving record.

 

The Police Department will use the Request for Proposal process to identify a vendor to install, monitor and maintain the equipment.  It is anticipated that the City will not have a financial cost, as the vendor is responsible for the costs associated with the equipment.  Any revenues to the City will be net of the vendor’s fee which will include costs to provide and maintain the equipment.  We expect the vendor’s fee will be in the range of 15% to 20%, based on a negotiated rate of collections depending on the number of citations paid per month. 

     

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

 

Date:  September 14, 2009

 

Roll Call Number:  09-1682

 

Action:  Amending Chapter 114 of the Municipal Code regarding automated traffic enforcement.  (Council Communication No.  09-627) Moved by Hensley that this ordinance be considered and given first vote for passage.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

Date:  September 14, 2009

 

Roll Call Number:  09-1683

 

Action:  Final consideration of ordinance above.  Moved by Coleman that the rule requiring that an ordinance must be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the ordinance be placed upon its final passage and that the ordinance do now pass, #14,885.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE

 

 

 

For more information on this and other agenda items, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive.  Council agendas are available to the public at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council meeting. Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to cityclerk@dmgov.org.