Item 6GCITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
( August 19, 2014)
To: Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager
From: Robert H. Price, P.E., Public Works Director
Item 6G
Subject: Ordinance No. 733-D, 2nd Reading, approve a speed limit
ordinance, amending Section 18-80 of the Southlake
City Code, revising the activation times of school
crossing zones (Public Hearing)
Action
Requested: Ordinance No. 733-D, 2nd Reading, approve a speed limit
ordinance, amending Section 18-80 of the Southlake City
Code, revising the activation times of school crossing zones
(Public Hearing).
Background
Information: The purpose of this item is to approve an ordinance
establishing a revision to the activation times for school
zones located adjacent to Carroll Independent School
(CISD) Middle and Intermediate Schools only (Carroll
Middle School, Durham Intermediate School, Dawson Middle
School and Eubanks Intermediate School) throughout the
CISD. The requested revision is made by Carroll ISD. This
request will increase the morning school zone for four (4)
campuses from an existing 40 minutes to 50 minutes due to
the addition of morning tutorial sessions. The proposed
changes to school zone activation times are as follows:
➢ A.M. School Zone Flash times:
o Start flash time increases from 30 minutes to
45 minutes before school convenes
o Revise end flash time from 10 minutes after
school convenes to 5 minutes after
➢ P.M. School Zone Flash times:
o No changes proposed to the P.M. School Zone
Flash times
All remaining campuses will remain as previously designated
in Ordinance 733-C.
Council approved Ordinance No. 733 on 2nd Reading on
February 8, 1999. Council approved Ordinance No. 733-A
on 2nd Reading on August 18, 2009. Due to changes in
CISD campus locations, it was necessary to amend the
ordinance to reflect the changes. Council approved
Ordinance No. 733-B on 2nd Reading on August 2, 2011.
Council approved Ordinance No. 733-C on 2nd Reading on
June 18, 2013.
City Code Section 18-80.1, Limits for school crossing zones,
is proposed to read as follows: "The prima facie maximum
reasonable and prudent speed on the portion of the streets
or highways designated in this section shall be the speed in
miles per hour designated, between and including thirty (30)
minutes before and (10) minutes after the start of school in
the morning (a.m.), and ten (10) minutes before and (30)
minutes after the close of the school in the afternoon (p.m.),
Monday through Friday, when school is in session, provided
that an appropriate sign giving notice of such speed zone is
erected. The reduced speed limits established in this
section shall only be enforced between the signs which are
erected designating the beginning and end of each school
crossing zone. It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge
of exceeding the prima facie maximum speed established as
follows that the day in question was a day when there were
no classes in session at the nearest school."
City Code Section 18-80.2, Limits for school crossing zones,
is proposed to further read as follows: "The prima facie
maximum reasonable and prudent speed on the portion of
the streets or highways designated (Carroll Middle School,
Durham Intermediate School, Dawson Middle School and
Eubanks Intermediate School) in this section shall be the
speed in miles per hour designated, between and including
forty-five (45) minutes before and five (5) minutes after the
start of school in the morning (a.m.), and ten (10) minutes
before and (30) minutes after the close of the school in the
afternoon (p.m.), Monday through Friday, when school is in
session, provided that an appropriate sign giving notice of
such speed zone is erected. The reduced speed limits
established in this section shall only be enforced between
the signs which are erected designating the beginning and
end of each school crossing zone. It shall be an affirmative
defense to a charge of exceeding the prima facie maximum
speed established as follows that the day in question was a
day when there were no classes in session at the nearest
school."
This proposed changes increase the overall activation time
of designated school zones (Carroll Middle School, Durham
Intermediate School, Dawson Middle School and Eubanks
Intermediate School) from a total 40 minutes to 50 minutes,
only in the morning start of the school day. The afternoon
end to the school day will not be changed.
All other campuses will remain as designated in Ordinance
733-C.
This ordinance also adds a new designated school zone for
the new section of Village Center Drive adjacent to Dawson
Middle School.
Financial
Considerations: Approximately $1000 which is the cost of producing the new
signs and the labor to install them.
Strategic Link: The ordinance establishing activation times for school
crossing zones links to the City's strategy map relative to the
focus areas of Safety and Security and Mobility. The specific
corporate objectives that are met by this amendment
include: Achieve the highest standards of safety and security
and Provide travel convenience within city and region.
Furthermore, the increase in school zone activation time
periods from 40 to 50 minutes is recommended by staff in
order to address Critical Business Outcome No. 4 (CBO4):
Improve mobility by proactively completing traffic analysis in
key areas.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: None
Legal Review: The City Attorney has reviewed this ordinance revision.
Alternatives: The City Council may approve or deny Ordinance No. 733-D
Supporting
Documents: Ordinance No. 733-D
Staff
Recommendation: Approve Ordinance No. 733-D, 2nd Reading, a speed limit
ordinance, amending Section 18-80 of the Southlake City
Code, revising the activation times of school crossing zones.
Staff Contact: Robert H. Price, P.E., Public Works Director
Cheryl Taylor, P.E., City Engineer