MOUNT VERNON — The proposed East High Street speed limit reduction was discussed at length at Mount Vernon City Council last night, before council members voted to table the discussion until a later date.
Councilman John Fair, one of three council members who voted against the motion to table the matter, would have liked to vote on the proposed ordinance, which received its third required reading last night.
“To say I’m disappointed tonight is an understatement,” Fair said after the vote, in which he was joined in dissent by council members Rebecca Jordan and Mike Hillier.
Several citizens offered their views on the proposed permanent speed limit reduction from 35 to 25 mph on East High Street to council members at the Streets & Public Buildings Committee before the regular council meeting Monday night.
Garrett Ressing was the only citizen to speak in opposition to the change. “Thirty-five is a reasonable and prudent speed,” Ressing said, adding he believed the speed limit of 35 mph needed better enforcement.
The speed limit on East High between Stevens and Park streets has been lowered on a trial basis to 25 mph until Nov. 24.
Ressing said he had never heard of a child being hurt or killed on East High, but does remember a child being killed on Gambier Street.
“I’m all for safety,” Ressing said. He told council his own 10-year-old son was killed on Wiggin Street in Gambier, which had a 25 mph speed limit.
After Ressing spoke, several East High Street residents asked council to make the temporary reduction permanent, citing safety concerns.
Roger Robertson said the speed limit was 25 mph when he first moved in many years ago, and believes it was safer at that time. He said the lack of sidewalks on parts of East High pose a safety danger for children walking, especially in snow which might cause them to walk toward the parts of the road that have been plowed.
He also pointed out that the 25 mph would increase the fines for people caught speeding well over the limit.
Bud Crutch, also of East High, said the demographics of the neighborhood have changed in the last 10 years, with many more children living in the area.
He said many drivers cut through onto High Street because of increased development on Coshocton Avenue.
At the regular meeting later in the evening, some council members shared their thoughts.
Councilman Mike Hillier said he had recently walked around and spoke to 51 residents on East High Street. Hillier said 43 told him they were in favor of keeping the speed limit 25 mph, six would like to see it raised back to 35 mph, and two did not have an opinion.
Hillier also said that he had figured out mathematically that the lowered speed limit means it takes drivers 41 seconds longer to drive from Stevens to Park. “Forty-one seconds is what I’m talking about,” Hillier emphasized.
He said he respected those opposed to the lowering of the speed limit, but ultimately gave more weight to the opinion of those living on East High Street.
Ordinance 2008-23, which would designate the portion of East High as not a through highway, and lower the speed limit to 25 mph on a permanent basis, received its third reading, but was not passed.
Councilman Bruce Hawkins moved to table the ordinance, saying the temporary reduction had only been in place three weeks out of the 90 days allowed. The motion passed 4-3.
Before the regular council meeting, during the Planning and Zoning meeting, council members discussed possible ways of handling the increasing requests for variances to allow city residents to store campers and trailers at their homes.
City Law Director Bill Smith said he would prepare two optional pieces of legislation to address the matter, leaving the choice with council.
Councilman Burt Hanson said he does not believe it is the job of council to decide if property owners receive variances for trailers.
Hillier said he believed residents should be allowed to ask for variances.
Jordan asked fellow council members if they wanted to put all decisions about variances in the hands of the Board of Zoning and Appeals.
Currently, residents who are denied a variance can appeal to Common Pleas Court. The matter will be discussed further after Smith prepares legislation for council to examine.
City Auditor Terry Scott accepted an award for accountability excellence from a representative of Auditor of State Mary Taylor at Monday evening’s meeting. The award is the Making Your Tax Dollars Count Award given to less than 5 percent of Ohio government agencies. Rob Pike, Regional Liaison from the state auditor’s office, presented the award to Scott.
Several members of council congratulated Scott and his office for the award.
Two zoning ordinances received their first readings. Ordinance 2008-26 would change the zoning classification for the old armory building from P-1 public, semi-public to Neighborhood Commercial. Ordinance 2008-27 would classify newly annexed property at Foundation Park as P-1 Public, Semi-Public.
Resolution 2008-76 authorizing the city auditor to transfer funds was passed as an emergency.
Resolution 2008-77 authorizing the city auditor to create a new fund to be named Drivers Interlock and Alcohol Monitoring passed as an emergency. Scott said this would enable the city to take money from OVI fines to pay for this driver monitoring system that will be administered by the Municipal Court in accordance with Senate Bill 17.
Resolution 2008-78 authorizing the safety-service director to advertise for bids and enter into a bid for uniforms for the years 2009-2011 also passed as an emergency.
Safety-Service Director Dave Glass said flashing lights for the crosswalk at East High and George streets will be installed soon.
Last week’s storm was also discussed at the meeting. Glass said the city has three truck crews currently working on picking up storm debris. He said the process could take two to three weeks.
Glass said he thought city and county agencies had worked well together during the storm.
Hillier commended the police and fire departments, and said he saw neighbors talking frequently during the storm recovery.
“I’ve never seen neighbors pulling together the way they did,” Councilman Chuck Dice said of his neighbors.
