AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2, “ADMINISTRATION,” ARTICLE V, “BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES,” BY ENACTING A NEW DIVISION 4, ENTITLED “SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL ZONES,” AND BY ENACTING NEW SECTIONS 2-240, “PURPOSE AND INTENT,” 2-241, “DEFINITIONS,” 2-242, “AUTHORIZING USE OF SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT DETECTION SYSTEMS,” 2-243, “DETERMINATION OF SAFETY NEED,” AND 2-244, “IMPLEMENTATION OF SPEED LIMIT DETECTION SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL ZONES,” TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL ZONES SPEED LIMIT DETECTION SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR A LOCAL HEARING OFFICER TO HEAR APPEALS. (SECOND READING)(PUBLIC HEARING)
body
BACKGROUND:
This item was approved on First Reading at the May 23, 2024, City Commission Meeting.
The proposed ordinance authorizes the City to use speed detection systems to enforce applicable speed limits provided by House Bill 657 (2023). The change in state law allows for a speed detection system to capture photographs or videos of vehicles for speed violations in excess of ten (10) miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit at the time of the violation. The law also requires that cities implementing a speed detection system must enact an ordinance in order to authorize the placement or installation of a speed detection system on a roadway maintained as a school zone.
DISCUSSION:
In July 2023, the Florida legislature passed bi-partisan legislation to enable automated speed enforcement in school zones. Speeding may only be enforced on days school is in session, from thirty (30) minutes before school begins through to thirty (30) minutes after school ends. Violations are only issued for exceeding the posted speed limit by 10+ mph and total $100.00 each. This is a civil violation with no points or insurance ramifications. A 30-day warning period, signage, and public education program are required under the new law. Staff believes this new law can greatly reduce speeding and improve safety in our school zones.
In December 2023, staff met with several vendors to research options that were available to the City. The City then joined a cooperative that allowed the City to avail itself of the collaborative and competitive bidding conducted by the City of Plantation to narrow down the vendors and obtain a more beneficial contract with best pricing. As a result of this initiative, staff anticipates an agreement with RedSpeed, LLC via the coop purchase at a negotiated rate for each violation issued similar to Plantation’s agreement, which is attached as backup to this agenda item as an example.
Previously, staff anticipated implementing three (3) or four (4) systems initially and gradually adding systems to more schools to introduce the program professionally without taxing staff and magistrate duties. As a result of the anticipated contract with RedSpeed, LLC, staff has met with representatives from RedSpeed and have been provided information that has changed the anticipated implementation process for this project.
To determine anticipated needs for implementation, staff considered RedSpeed’s independent study (conducted late 2023), as well as the City’s existing data to include totality of speed and volume data, crash statistical data in the school zone areas, and the total traffic citation and written warning counts. Staff also took into consideration local knowledge of heightened safety concerns from our traffic enforcement officers.
As a result of the research, staff is now recommending implementation of a speed enforcement system at each of the eight (8) schools in the City to include Lyons Creek Middle School, Monarch High School, Atlantic Technical College, Coconut Creek High School, Dave Thomas Education Center, Winston Park Elementary School, Tradewinds Elementary School, and Coconut Creek Elementary School. Staff now anticipates new staffing personnel to include one (1) Police Service Aide (PSA) that will be presented in the upcoming budget at a later date. We will also begin training an existing PSA as backup to this new position. Additionally, staff anticipates an increased workload for the existing magistrate.
Aside from the new proposed position and a slight increase in additional workload for the City’s existing Special Magistrate, staff anticipates no further out-of-pocket expenses. Further, staff also expects a reduction in the existing cost to the School Crossing Guard Program as a result of the designated $5.00 allocation from each of the $100.00 violations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
REVENUES: N/A
EXPENDITURES: N/A
BUDGETED? Yes
NOTES: Revenues and expenditures are unknown and to be determined.