2007-07-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Dr. Brown said that the Police Department is understaffed and there are positions in their budget that they cannot fill. He said we need to work to make employment in the Police Department more attractive. Dr. Brown asked Chief Longo if raising the fines will be a deterrent, and Chief Longo said yes, that it is another tool. Ms. Hamilton said she is uncomfortable now after having learned about the increased State traffic fines, which, coupled with the City’s new fine, means someone could get a $550 ticket which could be crippling for some. She asked why it will take two years for a scripted education program. Chief Longo said that AAA was approached to help with the education campaign, and that is why it has taken so long. He said he will try to speed it up. Chief Longo said that one of the State’s new sanctions is for reckless driving. Mr. Lynch suggested the government tv station to educate people about the new fine. Ms. Hamilton said she does not think the second script she has seen works and is not pointed enough at the end. She said it needs to be refined. She said she thinks the City has the resources to film an education campaign. Mr. Ric Barrick, Director of Communications, said that the two year period was from start until the education campaign was deemed effective. Dr. Brown noted that Council is thinking about the punitive nature of the new State law. He said it is important that we have something targeted and effective and noted that our ordinance allows for community service in hardship circumstances. Dr. Brown said he will support the new fine. Ms. Hamilton said she regrets that the public education could not get done in a more timely fashion, though she understands the problem with the other partners. She said we have local needs right now. She said we need to look at issues of enforcement. She said the certainty of being caught is the deterrent. Mr. Lynch said Ms. Hamilton makes a good point, though he said he is a little concerned about the severity of the fine. Ms. Hamilton clarified that this will be for a six month trial period. She asked what happens if data does not show that the fine has caused changes. Mr. Brown said Council can repeal or amend the ordinance. Mr. Taliaferro asked what the data will be measured against, and Mr. Tolbert said the streets have already been surveyed and they will continue to be monitored. Mr. Norris said he tends to defer to the Police Chief in this matter, and will support the fine largely for that reason because it is something Old Lynchburg Road residents are begging for and it is a tool the State allows. He said these are streets with children and bikes and he thinks we need to do it. The ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE ADDING A SECTION TO CHAPTER 15 TO BE NUMBERED SECTION 15-101, RELATING TO ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR SPEEDING ON CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STREETS,” which was th offered at the June 18 meeting, was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. PUBLIC Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, recommended that Council put its effort into approving a new Comprehensive Plan, and then determine if the McIntire